Story 1
Chapter1
“The first
step in any good recipe is gathering the ingredients.”
The door to the tavern flew
open as Salla Frindane entered the Moon’s Coin. The building had a sign of a
silver piece cut in the shape of a moon. Probably to suggest how cheap their
drinks are, Salla thought. The female swordswoman quickly glared at all the
tavern customers causing them to quickly turn away and resume their business. Salla usually did make an entrance, but she
never liked the attention. I have to
remain calm there is a prospective buyer for my services. Then again, maybe he
will see the fire and spirit that I bring and consider me a better candidate.
Salla took
out the note from her belt pouch and read it over again. It said to look for a
man in red robes at the Moon’s Coin. The note also said that only female
adventurers need apply. Well, if the man wanted to try anything suspicious,
Salla would be ready with a dagger through his hand. Maybe he’s just one of
those eccentric types, or maybe he thinks that women mercenaries were cheaper
than men. But for four hundred gold pieces she would ignore these mild details
and just keep up her guard.
She saw
the red robed man sitting at a table in the corner of the inn. He was eating a
steak and some bread with cheese and talking to a young woman dressed in simple
leathers. She’s probably my competition. The swordswoman hurried over and sat
in the unoccupied seat.
“Look, you
shouldn’t hire this girl. It looks like she can barely hold a sword. Now, I’ve
been a skilled mercenary for five years now, trained since birth by my
parents.” Salla blurted before she could think.
The red
robed man turned to her and stopped his conversation with the other woman. He
had black hair and piercing green eyes that evaluated her in a few seconds. “How
rude of you to interrupt my conversation,” he said, “but I like your
initiative. There’s more than one spot
available for this adventure. Relax and I will get to you in a minute.”
Salla
blushed, but whether from her rash behavior or the man’s compliment she did not
know. She waved to the bar keep for a local ale and a small serving of ham and
bread. The journey to this small town had taken a long time and she had not had
anything to eat since morning. A serving girl, a young blonde with pigtails,
placed the food in front of her and took a few coppers. Quietly, she ate her
meal and listened to the conversation.
“So you’re
a rogue from Calias. Do you have any special skills?” The man asked.
The woman
from Calias looked younger than Salla, her blond hair was shorter and her
complexion was much darker. She paused for a second and thought about his
question. She pulled out a dagger and threw it at the dartboard on the far side
of the room. It stabbed into the bull’s-eye and startled the dart players
there.
“Great,
but I’ve met many rogues who could hit targets like that.” In an instant the
young woman pulled more daggers from secret pockets in her sleeves, and threw
two more of her long knives touching the first dagger. Salla was impressed by
her speed and accuracy.
“I can
also pick most locks and can use a bow just as well,” the woman answered.
“Very
well. You are hired, Miss Arana Shevian. You’ll be the rogue for my group. Here
is 20 gold up front for any expenses that you will require.”
“Make it
30 gold, and we have a deal.” Arana reached her hand out.
The red
robed man narrowed his eyes and sighed. “Women,” he muttered. “Okay, the deal
is agreed upon,” he added a handful of coins into a brown pouch and handed it
to Arana. “We start tomorrow around midafternoon. I’ve also rented a room at
the Fancy Cloud Inn for you and this woman if she joins as well. ”
“No need,
I have other arrangements.” And with that the rogue left the tavern.
“She might
be more trouble than she’s worth.” He placed a napkin over his unfinished steak
and left a few silvers on the table. “Not easy to digest, this steak. Needs
more sauce and it is far more cooked than I would have liked. Now for you,
Miss--?”
“Salla
Frindane, wandering knight and mercenary. And you are?”
“Izarin Pendren,”
he gave a short nod. “I’ll be the leader of the group but you can handle all
the battles should we encounter any. I’ll give you thirty gold pieces upfront
but all your meals and provisions are up to you. Do we have a deal?”
“First I
need some details. What is it we’re searching for?
“I’d
rather not go into the full story, but,” he paused and rubbed the stubble on
his chin, “we need to get ingredients for something I’m working on. Somewhat
hard to find, magical ingredients. The first is in the Firebreath Mountains, a
particular herb that requires proper cultivation. After that, well, let’s talk
about that in the morning.”
Salla
Frindane nodded, accepted the coins that Izarin offered and retired to her room
in the inn. The accommodations were poorer than what she expected from a town
this large, but because of her long travel across three towns, she fell asleep
in a few moments. She took as much rest as she could because she would probably
need it for whatever strange things the man would ask her to do.
~~~
Arana’s first meeting with the
red robed man had been interesting to say the least. She did not know what to
think or whether to trust him yet. In truth it was her first contract outside
of the home city. The rogue was not a beginner when it came to mercenary
contracts, however there was a sense of safety and security concerning any
Caliasan contracts. Her people certainly did not break or alter the rules in
any way. Whatever was originally agreed upon during the creating of a contract
was binding to both parties. The hiring agent would also spend excess money
from their own pockets should the contract in any way fail.
What had
possessed Arana to pursue an adventure outside of her nation? Many Caliasan
contracts happened around her nation. She was accustomed to the forests, plains
and mountains surrounding the Capital. By taking this foreign contract she
would travel different places of the world. She had always wondered what was
behind the borders of her home but not until now had she summoned the courage
to travel beyond.
So far, nothing was remarkably
different. She was miles away from Calias and its towns, past the borders of
the mountains and rivers that granted it a natural barrier from the outside
world. She had even expected that when she crossed the road into foreign
territory that the materials for the path would change. But it was still the
same combination of rocks, brick and mortar that made up the road.
The first
few towns she entered looked just like any other town she had visited.
Merchants shouted their wares, artisans plied their trade, and children played
across the street. It was the small differences in customs that separated her
from the foreigners. The accents she heard were different and the way that
people moved evoked a carelessness and pride that no Caliasan would show.
She drew a
few eyes and heard whispers from the townsfolk that rumored about her, but none
of the foreigners dared approach her. Maybe it was her dark leather armor or
skin pigment, but when people mentioned the name, “Caliasan,” they would
understand her differences and pay her no more heed.
She was a
rogue and a thief, some might even think her an assassin, but the stereotypes
surrounding her people implied that Caliasans were direct and to the point.
Collateral damage was very low and only their targets were in danger. Minor
merchants and average townsfolk sighed from the knowledge and ignored her,
while people who had committed secret sins continued to watch her warily.
Arana
entered inns to scare information about prospective clients and assignments,
but for the most part they were uninteresting. They detailed towns’ pleas to
get rid of rampaging monsters, or pilfering bandits that threatened towns. A
few were for protecting caravans of merchant goods as they traveled from one
city to another. None of these contracts were in the least bit challenging or
difficult. They would not give her the experience she wanted or the travel she
desired.
She moved
from town to town searching for just the right contract. As she traveled she
sampled the various foods that taverns and restaurants served. It was all
rather bland and simple. Small cuts of meat were mixed with soft cheeses and
bread. It was missing Caliasan spices and peppers, as well as different
seasonings that truly brought out the intrinsic taste of the ingredients.
After
entering a tavern called the Moon’s Coin, she saw a contract on the bar’s
bulletin board that intrigued her. The payment was considerably higher than the
others and it had requirements attached. “Only women adventurers allowed,” “An
expedition to gather three ingredients across different places in the world.
Please make all inquiries to the red robed man sitting at one of the tables in
the Moon’s Coin,” was scrawled on the parchment. This met her first criteria
that she would be able to travel to different places. The amount of gold drew
her attention not because she desired more wealth, but that more gold meant
that the work was either very difficult or tedious.
The rogue
decided that it was a good start for a contract and that she would interview
for a position on the expedition. She walked over to the table where the red
robed man was sitting and introduced herself.
“My name
is Arana Shevian and I would like to join your expedition.”
The man,
who was eating, placed his fork and knife down on the table and looked at her.
He had a smile on his face and nodded. Using a napkin to wipe his mouth he
motioned for her to take a seat.
“Welcome
Miss Arana Shevian. Please tell me about yourself.”
Before
Arana could begin speaking the door to the tavern slammed open and a red haired
woman wearing metal armor strode noisily towards her table.
***
Arana left
the table and walked into the town’s central courtyard. All the roads of the
rural town met in the center and provided the quickest route to any other point
in town. She found the Fancy Cloud Inn, the resting place that Izarin had
offered as accommodations for her and the swordswoman. She had refused for a
few reasons. The name of the place sounded too soft for her. It was something
that nobles or rich merchants would pay to sleep in. Caliasans certainly used
beds and had inns, however the majority of them were simply furnished and had
the bare minimum for relaxation. As she peered through the windows she knew that
this inn was not such a place. Everything about the inside of the rooms made it
look unnatural, the beds and rooms had a heavenly motif about them—like they
were floating in the sky on puffy clouds. She could not handle the lavishness
or frivolity.
She heard
footsteps from behind her and quickly scaled the building using her agility.
She ran and kicked off the side of the building. The other building beside the
Fancy Cloud Inn was a restaurant and its side nearly touched the inn. Arana
used the proximity of the two buildings to launch herself on top of the inn.
The night
shrouded her presence and she lay down to obscure herself further. The
swordswoman was heading towards the Fancy Cloud Inn. She must have been
successful in acquiring a contract as well, Arana thought. Perhaps I should
eliminate the competition now while I have the chance.
Arana’s
hand reached into the folds of her armor to pull free one of her secret knives.
She aimed and knew that she could strike before without alerting her presence.
Then she could hide her body somewhere and become the only person with a
contract. However, something held her back. Surely the red robed man had seen
her skills with her daggers. Arana should be more than enough for the task at
hand.
The
rogue’s hand shook. Unless I am not enough and that other woman is needed as
well. She stowed away her knife and kept watch over the entrance of the inn.
The other
reason why she did not accept his offer was because Arana knew that she would
not be able to sleep this night. Whenever she made a contract with a client her
heart beat furiously and her mind was filled with possibilities. She was
excited and could not find peace of mind through rest. Instead she would have
to tire herself out through some athletic means, or force herself to find some
semblance of rest.
She waited
a few more hours in the dim light of the moon. Her eyes focused intently on the
Moon’s Coin’s door. However, no other women entered or exited the tavern.
Her
employer, Izarin, left the tavern around midnight. He made his way to the Fancy
Cloud Inn and stopped at the entrance of the establishment.
Arana felt
uneasy as he waited there. The red robed man looked straight up to her position
and smiled.
“Make sure
you get enough rest for tomorrow.” With that he entered the door.
Arana’s
pulse quickened but whether from being discovered or the adventure’s start
tomorrow, she did not know.
***
Outside
the village were fields and farmlands with large paved roads that bisected the
openness. Far in the distance to the northeast was a large mountain range
occasionally one of these mountains had fiery rivulets streaming from its
peak.
“What path
should we take? There are two roads that lead to the Firebreath Mountains, one is
longer but more traveled and. It should be safer. The other path to the east is
shorter but more hazardous.”
“Well, the
longer path will give me more time to gather herbs. But I don’t want to concern
myself with the details. I’ll leave it up to you two.” The thief shrugged at
this and just waved a hand in dismissal.
“Well, I guess you can make the choice then, Miss Frindane.”
“Just Salla. No need to be too formal with me.
But why do you trust us so quickly?” She had not meant to say the last part out
loud but it escaped her lips.
“I can
sense that you two are trustworthy. Call it intuition, but I believe you’ll
honor our contract, Salla.” Izarin smiled.
Izarin had
arranged for a few horses for the trio to ride. The robed man’s white horse
looked to be of a better breed than Salla’s and Arana’s grey mares. The women’s
horses were shorter and stouter and looked like donkeys in comparison. He also
arranged for traveling gear and enough provisions to last for a few weeks. How
long exactly would their little adventure be?
“Two weeks,
maybe three at the most. It depends on how long it takes to find the
ingredients. I suppose the second ingredient should be the most difficult to
obtain but we’ll get there when we get there.” Salla needed to guard her mouth
more closely. Who knew what secrets she might divulge? “Do you have anything to
add, Arana?”
“No, Lord Pendren.
I don’t really like to talk.” Arana sped up her horse and galloped out of their
range.
“Lord Pendren?”
Salla asked.
“Caliasans
usually talk in that manner, always proper using titles and last names with
their employers. Though I doubt she would use the same honorifics with you.”
“And why
not?”
“She’ll
see you as someone that’s on her level which means you get a stronger sense of
familiarity to share with each other.” Izarin adjusted his long sleeves. “Miss
Shevian is a peculiar girl.”
“Aren’t we
all peculiar? We should hurry up then, there’s a good campsite we can reach if
we push our horses a little.” Salla kicked her horse into a gallop and followed
after the rogue.
Izarin
simply smiled and followed after his new companions.
~~~
It was
midday but the sun had been covered by a few clouds that blocked off the light
making it seem like they had spent a lot more time travelling than a few hours.
If Salla had had a horse when she made the trip to this town, it would have
only taken her a day. And she wouldn’t have had to rough it, clutching her
sword tightly in her sleep. There was a strange calming effect that came from
travelling with these two; having comrades was comforting even if they were
strangers.
The
campfire in the small hollow they found had been used by many travelers. Salla
remembered this spot because she had used it the day previous when she
journeyed to meet Izarin.
“Why did
you put out these fliers for only women adventurers, Izarin? Did you think that
we’d be easier to control or maybe cost less than a male adventurer?” There was
no hate in her voice; instead her words were tempered with curiosity.
“I have hired many people on my
travels, Miss Frindane. All kinds of people from different races, genders and
nations. It is in my experience that, women are better, in general, in
separating their emotion from their task, but are quick to show compassion when
needed. Men will, more often than not, stick to a sense of duty and fulfill the
objective no matter the cost. We are not out to save the world, Salla. I don’t need heroes where I am going. And I
would much rather journey with friendlier companions than cold battle hardened
warriors.” He gave her his most heartening smile.
“You’ve
assigned me with details, battle should we engage in it, as well as other
details. So I have to ask you, Izarin, if you can defend yourself if we get
attacked.”
“I can
handle myself just fine, Salla. If I really have to fight, then I will. Don’t
worry about me.”
She
nodded. Good. Her employer seemed to have a reasonable head on his
shoulders.
Izarin
knelt beside a small pot filled with a deep brown stew made with different
meats and vegetables he took out from his saddle bags. He stirred the pot with
a wooden ladle and threw in a pinch of different herbs. Some needed to be
crushed in a tiny mortar and pestle, others he simply pulled and shredded with
deft fingers.
Normally
it would take an hour for a stew to boil and simmer but somehow Izarin had
managed to get it started in only ten minutes. Perhaps the red robed man knew
some trick to keeping the wood a high temperature. Salla had not been paying
attention, but the rumbling of her stomach colored her cheeks and made her
stare at the stew.
He ladled
some of the stew into three ceramic bowls and passed them out to Salla and
Arana. The thief took her bowl, nodded to Izarin and sat down on a faraway log.
She ate her stew in silence.
“If you
don’t mind, Izarin, I would like to ask more questions about this job.” Salla
took one of the bowls and sat across from the man in charge. She did not know
if it was hunger, but the stew tasted like the best meal she had eaten in a
while.
“Sure, go
ahead.”
“Could you
tell me about yourself?”
“What you
see is who I am. I used to be an adventurer when I was younger, but I’ve
settled down now, I still travel now and then especially when I have need of
ingredients.” He scratched the stubble on his chin. “I’m no one of particular
interest.”
“I see. And
these ingredients we’re looking for. What exactly are they used for? Some
alchemical potion or evil ritual?”
“Nothing
for evil purposes, I can assure you.”
Salla
thought we would speak more of the subject, but Izarin was tightlipped.
“I only have you to talk to,
boss. It doesn’t seem like the thief is the type for conversation.”
“Don’t worry, I’m sure she’ll
open up with time. I know the type.” There was a slight gleam in his eyes. Izarin
began to clean up the camp.
With their stew finished, the
trio mounted their horses and set off once more towards the mountains.
~~~
“Give us
all your valuables and you will be harmed.” The bandit grinned. There were gaps
in his teeth and Salla wanted to laugh. The bandit leader’s wicked curved
sword, a massive thing with a serrated edge made her reconsider.
“Don’t you
mean ‘or you will be harmed?’” Salla asked.
“No,
little girl. We’ll harm you whatever you do. But help us out and remove your
valuables so we don’t have to do the messy business of searching your corpses.”
The bandit leader turned to his group of bandits, six well-armed and well
armored men.
If Salla
and her group each took two of the men and the bandits were unskilled in combat,
she could see success. Salla was not accustomed to fighting on horseback so she
got off her horse and stood in front of the lead bandit. She saw that Arana had
also stood on her own feet. It was said that rogues from Calias could strike
with swiftness faster than a lancer could charge on horseback. She would have
liked to witness it, but she could not afford to divide her attention.
Izarin,
however, remained sitting atop his mount. He looked at the swordswoman, “Think
of this as your first test. Show me what you’ve got Miss Frindane.” It was easy
for him to act all high and mighty when safe on horseback away from the
fighting.
With a
graceful flourish Salla unsheathed her sword and slashed at the bandit leader.
Her movement was so fast that it caught him off guard and cut off his sword
arm. The bandit leader crumpled to his knees, clutched his stump and screamed.
Using her other hand she pulled out a dagger and threw it at another bandit. It
caught him between the eyes and the blood that trickled out ran along an old
scar he had on his face.
She moved
her sword to block an attack from the third bandit, barely in time, and was
staggered by the attack. He used the full force of his body to launch himself
and his dull broadsword at Salla. She kicked out at the fourth bandit who
sought to take advantage of the opportunity, and then repaid his attack with
her sword in the unlucky thug’s stomach.
The
swordswoman threw her other dagger at the third bandit but he had enough time
to dodge out of the way. She parried and twirled out of the bandit’s powerful
attack, which again used too much upper body strength, and then struck him with
her sword. He collapsed on the ground and pulled Salla’s sword down with his
weight. She turned and saw the bandit leader charging towards her with venomous
fury.
Fiery light
spilled out of the air and encircled the bandit leader engulfing him in magic. He
burned instantaneously and left only a pile of black dust.
Salla
yanked her sword free from the dead bandit and surveyed the scene. Arana was
looting through the corpses of the bandits she had killed and was pulling out
the numerous daggers as well. The swordswoman thought she saw have a dozen
knife hilts pressed into one of their enemies. She remounted her horse and
turned to the red robed man.
“You’re a wizard?” Salla
asked.
“Well I’m not a priest,” he smiled.
“Congratulations you’ve passed the test.”
“But I didn’t hear you saying any
magic words. How did you cast that spell?”
“Magic works in strange ways.
I wouldn’t expect a warrior type to understand that.” Izarin turned his horse
away and began moving away.
“Who are you really?”
“Just a humble Mage of the
Flame. No one important.”
~~~
Arana
Shevian looked through the note she had found on one of the bandits again. She was far enough away from the mage and
swordswoman for them to see her. Capture
the wizard at all costs and you will be richly rewarded, the note read. So they weren’t just ordinary robbers but
hired to kill them. Something strange
was going on here. However, Arana had
agreed to a contract with this man. And
while the contract was only verbal it was something Arana would not break.
The people
of Calias were an honorable people—their very society contained a strange practice
of willing servitude. In order to gain great honor, its citizens would voluntarily
serve each under the agreements of a signed contract.
Arana knew
that Izarin would not follow this practice and so she would have to create her
own contract. Perhaps a year would be a long enough time to serve this
wizard. Hopefully he would oblige this
duration and they could come to an agreement. A year would bring her great
honor.
She hid
the note away in the folds of her clothing and checked all the secret places
for all her knives. Her thirteen Cal daggers were all where they should be.
Each of her daggers had sentimental meaning to her, each one granted by a
friend or relative after she had reached womanhood. Had anyone from Calias ever
reached an old age, they might have several dozen daggers hidden on their
persons. However for some unknown reason, her people never lived past the age
of 50. Perhaps dangerous occupations kept them from living past their prime.
Their
horses crested a ridge and the group saw the full extent of the Firebreath
Mountains in front of them. Arana believed they would have to set up camp
before they attempted to hike up the mountains. They were far enough away from
the bandits and the main road they would not have to worry about any surprises.
Massive
peaks covered in black ash stood like giant sharpened teeth. From some of the
peaks oozed foul, noxious fumes. Had Arana been close, her face cover, a thin
sheet of leather, would provide little protection from the dark poisonous
gas.
A golden
speck of light soared high above the mountains before it pierced the mass of
earth and stone and landed deep within the peaks. She did not know exactly what
the creature was, but she noticed it had large wings and a tail.
~~~
A slight
touch on her shoulder pulled her out of sleep. She did not want to be unguarded
but she needed as much sleep as she could get. Arana stood up as Salla came
into the tent and took her place on the sleeping bag. As the swordswoman began
removing her armor, the rogue moved out of the cloth enclosure to give her
privacy. After they had set up camp they drew straws to see who would take
watch over the night. Izarin had managed to pick the longest straw and was able
to sleep for the full duration of the evening. The swordswoman had taken the
first shift and patrolled around their camp.
She had been out for half the night.
Arana felt
the blades in the hidden folds and darted off into the night. The thief was
silent in the darkness, making long strides through the dry soil. She needed a
good run to get her mind focused. The
cool night air, tainted with the mountain smoke, invigorated her and made her
feel alive.
After she
had made a round, Arana returned to the camp and peered out into the darkness. Even
in the pale moonlight Arana could see thin tendrils of smoke coming from the
Firebreath Mountains. She sat on a stump and pulled out a random knife from her
clothing. Without looking at it she knew it was sharpened perfectly—masterfully
crafted by an old knife-smith from Calias, it would never need sharpening no
matter how many enemies she cut.
Arana
heard a noise from the center of camp. A Cal dagger materialized in her other
hand and she crouched down behind one of the tents. The rogue peered towards
the noise and saw that the campfire had begun burning again. She crawled closer
towards the fire and saw a cloaked man sitting by the fire. He held a bottle of
liquid and began drinking long swallows from it. The fire glinted off rivulets
of tears that streamed from his eyes.
She stayed
behind the tent and made no move to get closer. Arana continued to watch her
employer in his actions and sheathed her blades.
“A toast,”
Izarin murmured. “I hope that you find happiness wherever you are. I’m sorry
that I couldn’t go with you, but it seems I still have something left to do
here.”
He took
another drink from his bottle then placed it beside him. From a pocket of his
robes, he pulled out a small green book and wrote for a few minutes. After he
finished, he replaced the book in his robes and took another swallow from the
bottle. The mage then turned to where Arana had been watching and smiled.
“Come here
and share a drink with me, child.”
Arana felt
the hairs on the back of her neck stiffen and heat collect on her cheeks. Most
people would not be able to sense her presence. Slowly she stood up and walked
over towards the campfire. The thief took the proffered bottle and took a small
swallow from it. The liquor was harsher than she expected and burned as it went
down. The bottle was more than half empty.
“What are
you doing here? Why did you call me
child?”
“I’m just
remembering. Sometimes it’s good to take some time and remember things of the
past and reflect on their meaning.”
Arana knew how to control her liquor intake.
Her people imported beer and ale from different countries and had also created
their own brews. However, the Caliasans rarely imbibed the drinks. It was
mostly for the foreigners who visited her nation.
She did
not judge Izarin for trying to drink away his problems. Loss of companions and
other failures led others to having strong regrets. Drinking made it easy to
forget for a short time, or to honor the memories. She drank more from the
bottle, felt the liquid fire burn along her throat. It was slightly bitter but
almost clear and smooth like water.
Thinking
back to her own experiences, there was no one to whom she would feel the same
way. She had little connection to the clients she had been hired by, or the
adventurers she had accompanied. She barely remembered every face and
assignment she had experienced. They began to blur over the years, and while
she still felt accomplishment from them. Individually they were not important.
When
Izarin tried to make her drink more she shook her head. She did not want to be
inebriated for the coming day, though she was still well under her limit.
“I have to
continue my patrol of the campsite, Lord Izarin.”
She
excused herself and he nodded. Arana
felt the alcohol dull her senses but she continued to press forward into the
darkness.
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