"A paladin", Rothgar repeated, his stance relaxing a bit. His family had traded with Dwarves in Svealand, so he had dealt with the stout folk before. Dwarven paladins were few and far between, but he had heard tale of them. And this Dwarf seemed to radiate a...holy aura of good was the only way Rothgar could think to describe it.
No, he sensed no deception in this Dwarf.
"I am Rothgar, son of Aðalvaldr. My companions and I gather here to take the fight to the undead scourge that is sweeping the land, and kill the lich that drives it."
"Well met Rothgar, son of Aðalvaldr, if you are heroes gathered against the lich, then you are to be my allies. I have traveled many a day from the borders of Charaun's occupation to seek heroes such as ye. I have been tasked by Moradin himself to guide ye in our mutual quest."
Brottor extended his hand in a gesture of trust, hoping to make his next words less threatening. "I pray ye accept my assistance, as I am not prepared to take 'no' for an answer."
It was almost midnight by the time the Senate got out of it's meeting. Emperor Trajan had arrived at mid-afternoon to discuss the danger that is slowly spreading across Europe.
Word had reached Rome of the fall of the Rhineland, and it was Trajan's plan to send the Roman army to join the coalition of kingdoms that have joined forces to stop this undead menace before Germania is lost.
But the Senators did not all agree with the Emperor.
Trajan did not want to force the march to war and potentially divide the Empire, so he tried to convince the minds of those opposed to Rome's involvement. And it took him all afternoon and evening, and still no resolution had been reached.
But he was close. Trajan believed he was on the verge of bringing his opposition to his side. When they reconvened in the morning, he would win the vote.
The Emperor and his dozen guards walked the halls of the Senate House, their sandals rapping against the stone floor as the torches painting the walls with dancing shadows.
And one of those shadows was hungry.
Lurking in the darkness, Kallisto waited for the front row of soldiers to move past her. As the detail at the Emperor's side crossed her she struck.
Her deadly blade, Sorrow, cleaved the first soldier's head off then sunk deep in another's chest before they knew what hit them.
But the Legionnaires quickly recovered and moved into formation to block the attacker while a pair of guards rushed the Emperor to safety.
"Yes, run", Kallisto smirked as she deflected a sword strike of a Roman soldier, and sliced his arm off at the elbow. "I could use the sport."
She ducked under the swipe of another soldier's blade, cutting clean through both the man's legs in one swipe. Rolling to her feet, she showed off her supernatural nature as she leaped over the heads of the other guards, lopping off another guard's head as she somersaulted over him.
Landing on her feet with the grace of a hunting cat, the vampire assassin rushed after the fleeing Emperor. The calls of alarm were beginning to ring out as she reached him.
With two clean swipes, Kallisto dispatched the two guards escorting him to freedom.
The huntress smiled as she locked eyes with Trajan. The Emperor stared back at his enemy, his eyes seeing his death standing before him.
Kallisto lunged at Trajan with uncanny speed, and grabbed hold of him. Her unnatural strength kept him from escaping as her teeth tore out his throat. Trajan gurgled sickly on his own blood as Kallisto released her grip, allowing him to collapse to the floor.
The guards arrived on the scene just in time to see the life leave Emperor Trajan's body, their horrified eyes not even noticing the faint mist that slowly wafted out into the night air...
"Well met Rothgar, son of Aðalvaldr, if you are heroes gathered against the lich, then you are to be my allies. I have traveled many a day from the borders of Charaun's occupation to seek heroes such as ye. I have been tasked by Moradin himself to guide ye in our mutual quest."
Brottor extended his hand in a gesture of trust, hoping to make his next words less threatening. "I pray ye accept my assistance, as I am not prepared to take 'no' for an answer."
Brottor nodded, shaking the Norseman's hand firmly but briskly. Glancing briefly towards the young woman and the others, Brottor broke the handshake and changed the subject.
"Perhaps I should introduce myself to your other companions?"
"A sound idea", Rothgar replied as he led the Dwarf towards the Docktore's wagon and his fellow adventurers, who were a little surprised to see him walking up with the small, but stout, warrior.
The fates are apparently with us. Not only do I finally find the group we've been looking for, but apparently so has others. I'm not certain how this ragtag group could pose a serious threat to the Lich-King, but I suppose that's what we will find out soon enough.
"Xxymryx..."
I perk up as I hear my name being faintly called in the distance and start looking around. "Xxymryx!" I hear again. There's no mistaking my name for anything else. And then I see the familiar white robes turn a corner.
"Pyrist! Over here! Here!" I call, grabbing the attention of my new friends. I wave him towards us. He catches sight of me and starts rushing over. For Pyrist to be in a hurry...it's never a good sign.
He finally reaches us, some type of paper in his hand. "Xxy...Xxymryx..." he says, trying to catch his breath.
I decide to buy him a few moments. "Everyone, this is Pyrist. A friend of mine. And a priest from...well..." Now's not the time to go into that.
Pyrist nods at the rest. "Xxymryx. I just received a message by carrier bird. From a priest I know in the north."
"I agree", Rothgar spoke in a worried tone. The news of Germania being lost to the lich so quickly was frighteningly disturbing. It would take a massive army to conquer those lands that fast.
Could the goodly races truly pose a threat to such might?
"Every second we stand here is a second more lives are lost. We should make all haste for Germania immediately."
She slowly hoisted herself up to sit on the back of the wagon and set her bags down next to her, letting her feet dangle beneath her. Gripping the edge of the wagon she looked at him with worried eyes.
"I felt horribly ill. Very dizzy with lots of pressure on my head." she put her hand to her head.
"It was unlike the mental pressure when I use my powers, it was more... physical. I felt nauseous." She looked back up at him. "I don't know why."
She paused, her attention settling on the men as they discussed plans. More countries had fallen. She gripped the edge of the wood, what was happening? She needed to be able to help them, not just be deadweight. She looked over the group, though it had been only a few days she did feel comfortable with them, they were all the friends she had...
She slowly hoisted herself up to sit on the back of the wagon and set her bags down next to her, letting her feet dangle beneath her. Gripping the edge of the wagon she looked at him with worried eyes.
"I felt horribly ill. Very dizzy with lots of pressure on my head." she put her hand to her head.
"It was unlike the mental pressure when I use my powers, it was more... physical. I felt nauseous." She looked back up at him. "I don't know why."
"I agree", Rothgar spoke in a worried tone. The news of Germania being lost to the lich so quickly was frighteningly disturbing. It would take a massive army to conquer those lands that fast.
Could the goodly races truly pose a threat to such might?
"Every second we stand here is a second more lives are lost. We should make all haste for Germania immediately."
"Aye. We should, I'll make my introductions on the way. Stemming the flow of evil is of a higher priority."
Brottor mounted Vallond quickly, almost gracefully (for a dwarf), and looked at the gathering of adventurers. The words "ragtag band" came to mind, but then again, which party of adventurers isn't? They will do, Brottor thought.
"To make things brief for now, my name is Brottor Balderk, I am a paladin of Moradin, and I'm here to help ye."
She smiled at Watt's, he was so kind.
Aithne thought back, she hadn't eaten anything and now that she thought about it she was rather hungry. Her stomach seemed to register the thought and gave a low growl. Putting her hand over her stomach she shook her head.
"Nothing."
She watched his face. "I have never had any allergies to my knowledge."
She smiled at Watt's, he was so kind.
Aithne thought back, she hadn't eaten anything and now that she thought about it she was rather hungry. Her stomach seemed to register the thought and gave a low growl. Putting her hand over her stomach she shook her head.
"Nothing."
She watched his face. "I have never had any allergies to my knowledge."
"Strange, very strange. There is a theory that I have been experimenting with, sometimes people may think they are sick when they are not. Not so much that they're lying, they just think they're sick."
A quick look at the woman's face told The Docktore all he needed to know about her making the illness up.
"Short of someone casting a spell on you, I cannot think of anything that could be physically wrong with you my dear."
"Strange, very strange. There is a theory that I have been experimenting with, sometimes people may think they are sick when they are not. Not so much that they're lying, they just think they're sick."
A quick look at the woman's face told The Docktore all he needed to know about her making the illness up.
"Short of someone casting a spell on you, I cannot think of anything that could be physically wrong with you my dear."
"I would hope so", Rothgar replied. "We need to move as quickly as possible if we're to make to Germania in time to help."
"I will go grab the bard", he stated as he walked off towards the tavern.
Entering the tavern from before, Rothgar spotted Caed leaning on the bar sipping his drink. Moving up to the bard, Rothgar placed his hand on Caed's shoulder. "News has reached us from Germania", he spoke solemnly. "The lich's armies have nearly conquered that land. We are leaving now, heading North towards the Rhineland. Hopefully we can make it in time to make a difference."
Aithne slowly opened the pouch around her waist and pulled out Brion's halter and rein. Looking to the west she let out a low whistle and then waited. Searching around her until she spotted the horse's black mane and chestnut coat coming around a whitewashed building. He snorted in her face indignantly as he came to a stop in front of her.
"Ciúnaigh" she spoke softly to him as she gently placed the delicate halter over his fine features.
Running her hand along his neck, under his silken mane she patted him and smiled. He was a familiar friend and besides the hairpin she wore regularly, a comforting reminder of her mother. Pulling herself up onto his back she stroked his neck again as he stomped on the air beneath his feet.
Some people would call me a scholar, but I just choose wisely with my words. Others would call me a man of god, a preacher. I have my beliefs, and fear the Almighty for his presence is indeed here, but I do not praise him. Many would go to call me a prophet, believing that my stories fortell possible future events, but I merely re-tell tales of the past, no trickery in this.
I am none of these. So who am I? That matters not. I am untamable, bearing ties to no one. My alliegance lies not with the elves, nor the dwarves, nor even the humans. My heritage, bears little, next to no importance in why I am here. I have been away from home, for so long, after I have told my tale, you too will have forgotten me, for I will not be here afterwards. I am a recluse. I am a hermit. I am a nomad. I am an outcast. But you may call me Caed.
I really, really, really would like to put my fist into his face. But, I doubt that would make the best impression. And it's just the thing the Bard wants.
Still...
"Fellur niður," I whisper. Caed promptly trips and slams against the door of the tavern before landing on the ground. I turn away, hiding a smile, and silently hoping he broke that damned lute of his.
After stumbling into the tavern abruptly thanks to the obvious spell cast by the mischievous Xxymryx, Caed makes his way through the building and straight up to the bar. Taking his seat on a wooden stool, the barkeep comes to serve him.
"What will it be for ye this day?"
"Um...give me your darkest of ales, please. Thank you."
Nodding, the barkeep does just that, and reaching below in one of the cabinets and takes out a barrel of ale. Pouring the dark, thick, ale from the barrel and into Caed's cup, the barkeep slides the cup of ale to the bard.
"Cheers. May this day not be our..."
Looking into the ale, and not looking forward to the taste he is about to bear as it looks as though he must be drinking from the dirtiest cup he had ever seen, Caed clears his throat and finishes his short toast.
"...may this day not be our last."
Gulping the ale Caed forces himself to swallow as to not offend the barkeep. There's been one sort of barfight earlier this day, no need to start another on account that he was not pleased with the...well 'product of service'. Caed forces a smile as the barkeep seems impressed of how well Caed took the dark, thick, ale.
"So you're one of them travelin' bards, eh?"
What, like the rather large guitar, garments, and mysterious vibe did not make that obvious?
"Yes."
"So you've seen quite a bit of the world, haven't ye?"
"Honestly sometimes I'd say I've seen too much of the world, for my own good at least."
"Well, do you have a tale you'd like to share? The rush is about over, and I could use a good rest. You bards always play the most delightful of tunes as you tell your marvelous tales."
Entering the tavern from before, Rothgar spotted Caed leaning on the bar sipping his drink. Moving up to the bard, Rothgar placed his hand on Caed's shoulder. "News has reached us from Germania", he spoke solemnly. "The lich's armies have nearly conquered that land. We are leaving now, heading North towards the Rhineland. Hopefully we can make it in time to make a difference."
"Germania? Really? This enemy of ours moves much more swiftly than we had anticipated. Yes. Hopefully we will make it in time to liberate the people of Germania before they are offered up as sacrifices or worse."
Looking at the barkeep, Caed nods to him as a way of thanking him for his time and company. Reaching into his pocket he pulls out a sack of coins, and drops them promptly next to his cup. Following Rothgar to the outside of the tavern, Caed notices a dwarven warrior clad in armor conversing with members of the group.
"That ale must've been stronger than I had thought because...if I'm not mistaken I'm seeing a dwarf in Thebes of all places."
Brion stomped his foot and Aithne stroked his neck to calm him. She looked up at the blue sky ad blinked at the brightness before bringing her hood low over her face to cut the glare. Time seemed to be everything these days. She looked at Rothgar as he prepared for travel and the small dwarf who'd joined them. Moving Brion closer to him she smiled shyly.
"Well, if you'll all excuse me for a few minutes, I don't go anywhere without my tools, or my wagon."
I leave Pyrist with the others. If there's anything a priest is good at, it's being friendly. I takes me several minutes to make my way past all the street vendors and their customers, but I eventually reach the stables.
"Ah, welcome back sir. Leaving us so soon?"
"I hadn't planned to, but plans change."
"Indeed they do, sir. You're horses are fresh and fed. I'll go unlock your wagon now, sir."
"I'd appreciate it." I spend a few more minutes idle, impatiently pushing back the that all too familiar feeling.
"Sir-"
"Yes!" I say too quickly.
"Um, I've hitched your team to your wagon. But, as per your instructions, I've left them for you to lead out."
"Very good." I toss down a small satchel of coins. It's pays to overpay when one's privacy is a premium. Besides, someone with my...talents rarely finds themselves short of work in this world.
I leave the proprietor behind as I walk back to where my wagon awaits. I climb up into the back.
"What happened?" my companion asks.
"I need..."
"I can tell. But so soon?"
"...Caed is here."
"Caed? Is he the bard you told me about?"
"Yes."
"Oh..." I hear the revelation in her voice. "How long has it been?"
"Not nearly long enough. Now...if you would be so kind..."
"Of course." Even with my eyes closed, I can see the warm glow. And the feeling passes as my calm is restored.
I breath out slowly. "Much better." I sit up front and snap the reigns to lead the horses out.
"You're welcome," the sarcastic voice says.
"I always am," I say snidely. Another few minutes are spent moving back through the crowded streets to join the other adventurers. And I see...
A dwarf.
And now we have a dwarf.
I shrug. Why not? Besides, we're all just probably heading to our deaths anyway. Why not let one more march into the flames. "I see our group just keeps growing."
Aithne pivoted from her perch on the large horse and eyed the man who'd spoken. What were they thinking? She was by no means a naturally suspicious person however the events over the last few weeks had trained her to be cautious.
"Be careful whom you befriend in your journey. Not all are as friendly as they seem." Aad had warned her before...before... she turned to look at Rothgar again, this time with harder eyes. He was the unofficial leader of the group, at least in her eyes. Why did they just trust whomever they met.
Aithne pivoted from her perch on the large horse and eyed the man who'd spoken. What were they thinking? She was by no means a naturally suspicious person however the events over the last few weeks had trained her to be cautious.
"Be careful whom you befriend in your journey. Not all are as friendly as they seem." Aad had warned her before...before... she turned to look at Rothgar again, this time with harder eyes. He was the unofficial leader of the group, at least in her eyes. Why did they just trust whomever they met.
I instantly perk up when I notice another member of our band.
"Well, hello there. Who do we have here?" I hop off my wagon and step up to the lovely young lady. Bowing deeply, I take her hand and give it a small kiss.
"Xxymryx, at your service. And what might you be called?"
The wagon bounced along the rocky road as the adventurers made their way North and West.
They had been on the road for a few hours now, traveling the wilderness roads on their way to the Rhineland.
Rothgar sat in the back of the Wagon, leaning on the side, as he looked out at the gray, cloudy day and the wetlands around them. The wolf layed down beside him, his head resting in Rothgar's lap as the Norseman gently pet him.
The rain clouds moved in quickly once they left Thebes and it looked like it would be a wet day. They may have to set up camp early, Rothgar thought, as it will take some time to get a fire going.
But that all depended on how soon they made it out of this bog first. The road they traveled on cut right through the moor, which some locals called the Evermoor since they seemed to go on forever. It was a wide path, but the only one. All around them, from as far as the eye can see, was nothing but marshland, dotted with large Cyprus trees and the occasional grassy hill.
All in all, the Evermoor was a very gloomy place. Rothgar could almost feel his energy getting sapped from this place.
He said a silent prayer to Odin that they would get out of this wretched place soon, and the Viking Prince laid his head back against the wooden side of the Docktore's wagon and closed his eyes.
He silently hoped that, when he awoke, they were out of the Evermoor and back in the forest. He took a deep breath through his nose and tried to go to sleep.
Suddenly, Rothgar's eyes went wide and the warrior sat up. He took a large sniff of the air, and the wolf stood up and began to growl.
There was a stench about the Evermoor that Rothgar now smelled. A scent that he did not remember noticing earlier. And a scent that he was very familiar with.
"Docktore, we need to pick up the pace", Rothgar shouted as he drew Banahogg. "And, whatever you do, don't stop the wagon until we're out of the moor."
The animals were getting restless and Rothgar stood up and looked outside the wagon and into the misty moors.
There, about a hundred yards away, Rothgar saw the first hulking shadow in the mist as it waded through the bog towards them. Then another, and another...
Rothgar counted dozens upon dozens of shadowy giants coming at them from both sides. And, as they approached, the foul stench got stronger and stronger.
Then, on a hill only thirty or so feet to their left, one of the massive monstrosities climbed to the top, in full view of everyone.
"Trolls", Rothgar sighed as Banahogg erupted in flames. "I hate trolls."
Some people would call me a scholar, but I just choose wisely with my words. Others would call me a man of god, a preacher. I have my beliefs, and fear the Almighty for his presence is indeed here, but I do not praise him. Many would go to call me a prophet, believing that my stories fortell possible future events, but I merely re-tell tales of the past, no trickery in this.
I am none of these. So who am I? That matters not. I am untamable, bearing ties to no one. My alliegance lies not with the elves, nor the dwarves, nor even the humans. My heritage, bears little, next to no importance in why I am here. I have been away from home, for so long, after I have told my tale, you too will have forgotten me, for I will not be here afterwards. I am a recluse. I am a hermit. I am a nomad. I am an outcast. But you may call me Caed.
***
The trip out of Thebes was a peaceful one, and it was as though nothing was wrong in the world. Were one traveling this same road that Caed and his band of allies were traveling, and if that person had been oblivious to the presence of the Lich-King and his armies, one would think that the world was a peaceful one. As the band of heroes road along in wagons and on their legged mounts, Caed found it a good time to re-tune his guitar.
Without hesitation, Caed springs up in the wagon, and turns around. With one swift motion, with his right hand he swings his crossbow from his side and shoots off an arrow at one of the trolls as it jumped mid-air toward the wagon. Knowing it wouldn't take it down, as the troll stumbles on the ground behind the wagon Caed takes his guitar from his backside.
"Should've known this was bound to happen. The glorious sky and the wind was far too perfect to last as long as it did."
Making one quick tune adjustment, Caed gives the guitar one strong, swing motion as he strums his guitar. The very particles of wind that are carried by the sound of his strum strike the troll and instantly induce paralysis. As the trolls brethren continue to chase after the wagon, the paralyzed troll is trampled and taken out by accident. Caed chuckles under his breath as he lets his guitar hang loosely on his strap as he re-loads his crossbow, and taking aim.
"Gotta love fighting such brutes."
With the wink of his eye, the arrow tip engulfs in flames and Caed fires his crossbow at one of the stampeding trolls.
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