The Mithril Mines of Charlton and Stevens
First published Deori's Pleasure 192 - Frost Fall 199
Episodes written by Nobunaga, Colombard, Hayter and Bordelaise.
no, this is all wrong... My dearest Bordelaise..it has been some time since I have last heard from you, I am wondering if everything is alright..drat, that is no good either! She would not be happy if i was so worried and preoccupied..After all, the Land where the Sun Always Shines is peaceful, my worries would be discomforting..
Nobunaga sat at a desk in the Guild Lieutennant's office, amid many scattered failed attempts to put his thoughts and emotions to paper. It had to be completed soon, the merchant would soon be leaving for another run on his trading route. They had struck a deal for the merchant to go out of his way to deliver letters to his dearest wife. He occasionally recieved letters back, however the merchant had been docked for an assortment of reasons. No ships had come with messages from the Land where the Sun Always Shines, a good indication that there were no messages to be sent either. This letter had to capture his concern for her well being without frightening her in the slightest. Oh, if only you were here...
He glanced at another one of his 'failures'. Having second thoughts about it, he attempted to continue it. Getting ink on his brush he continued it: Soon it will be Ayumi's 10th Birthday. I will approach Leoni's throne and attempt to have an audience with her. If I see her, I will be sure she knows how much her mother lov
His writing was cut short by a knock at the door. Sighing, he placed his brush down, propped so the bristles hung over the ink stone. "Who is there?"
"I must speak with Mister Nobunaga Oda, it is urgent!"
Nobunaga strode over to the door and found a boy, perhaps in his late teens. He recognized him to be one of the young hands on the merchant's ship. He had grown some from when he had left some months ago, and was fortunate enough to have seemingly gone without scurvy on the long, arduous crossing of the eastern ocean. "Mister Oda, I come with news!"
"News? From the Land where the Sun Always Shines?"
"Yessir!" The boy's face was deathly pale at the sound of those words, but even still Nobunaga's mood was a bit lighter; even the idea of word coming from those lands would always make his day. "Go on, what news?"
"Well, we went there to deliver your last message, sir, and when we arrived.."
The boy took a breath, looking into Nobunaga's eyes almost in fear. He turned away slightly. "The city...it was gone."
"Gone?" Horror swept over Nobunaga's face. "Yes, gone...it had been razed, it looked like.."
"What of the townspeople? ...What of their queen?"
"Many bodies on the street, sir...they were all guards and some of the menfolk..the rest were gone.."
"Do you think they escaped?"
"The captain...the captain doesn't think so sir. He figured from the look of things they were raiders and..." The boy's voice lowered to a whisper upon the last words. "and slave traders..."
Nobunaga shakily held out a gold piece for the boy's trouble and closed the door. "No...NO!" He pounded his fist down onto his desk, smashing through it. An amulet fell to the floor from within the desk drawer as he removed his arm. Trying to recompose himself, he knelt to pick it up. Wait...this could be my answer. Nobunaga gazed at the golden amulet. It had been a gift from Kurokawa, former friend, then former right hand man to Nobunaga's father. If one had performed a rite upon an area or item, and completed it by a small shedding of ones blood onto the target, the power of the amulet could whisk you there in an instant if you so chose. He knew not how strong the magic was within it, but certainly good enough for a few more uses. Enough to go somewhere and back. He had performed the rite perhaps four times, the last one being....
On a pendant.
He had bought a heart pendant for Bordelaise, and performed the rite upon it before giving it to her. When he had, he told her, "Be sure to wear this, my love. If for some reason you need me, no matter where you are, just hold this close to you, and soon I shall be as well." She had smiled warmly and put it on...
There was no time to waste. It had already been a long time since the raids no doubt, and every moment was a step closer to the ultimate nightmare. Beyond that, the other issue - there were so many responsibilities to other people back in the city, with the Temple, the guild...every aspect of his life screamed at him that time was of the essence. He hastily gathered his things, and after sending out a few notices, traveled to the Lookout Point.
One must travel from a place marked by a rite in order to ensure a safe and accurate transport. Nobunaga had marked this place, knowing that this would be their ideal place for their future home. once he situated himself at the edge of the cliff, he held the amulet before him, and drew a large circle in the air. Once he had done this, the space in front of him became distorted, brimming with raw magical power. Placing the amulet about his neck, he stepped forward into the portal.
Time Crisis: Day 1, Part 2
"Hah! Hayter, you dog! If I didn't know better, I'd think you were cheating!"
"Well, my boy, lady luck has to pay a visit some day, I guess today is mine!"
The sounds of these men's conversations, jokes, and laughter resonated around them as they sat about a round wooden table, playing a game of cards. Things seemed to be going well for one man among them, who normally tended to lose all of his betting money whenever they played. As the cards were dealt once more he looked in quiet amazement at his hand. Brilliant! Unbeatable! Surely if he got the bidding high enough he'd need help carrying his new wealth home! As the pile of coins grew steadily higher, he threw out the big one, hoping they'd think to call a bluff. "My friends, if you think you have what it takes to beat me, you could have any girl you wanted with this little trinket!" As he started to reach for something in his pocket, the man to his right said with a grin, "Who says I can't already, am I right?" They all had a good laugh, which quickly died as Hayter held up what was in his pocket...a heart pendant. Beautifully engraved, and no doubt cost a fortune. he lightly tossed on top of the pile of coins.
Suddenly, there was a blinding flash. The men quickly stood back from the table, and looking on with squinting eyes saw a circle slowly become outlined with light in midair above the table. Once it was complete, it was if they were looking at a picture of some other place, a vision of an expansive valley. And then, a man stepped through the image, onto the table. But not just a man. He had golden scales...large wings...who, or perhaps more importantly, what, was this?
The portal closed quickly behind him, and, looking down, saw the pendant. He knelt down and took it up. One of the men spoke up. "Hey! You! Who the bloody hell are you?"
Oh no, oh no, oh no... Hayter thought to himself. This is the one! This is who so many of those little brats had talked about! They called him the giant, they said he would be the end of us all! Kali, I'm not ready! Hayter crept away as the other men drew the draconian's attention away, hiding behind a few stacks of crates in the corner. I was only doing my job, I don't want to die, I don't want to die...
Time Crisis: Day 1, Part 3
Nobunaga tried to get a bearing on his surroundings as he crossed through the portal. Dark, save a few lanterns about...It appeared to be a small alcove in a cave. he shifted his weight slightly and felt a slight instability underneath him. He looked down. He was on a table...it seemed some people had been playing cards. ...The pendant! He knelt down and took it up. Bordelaise was not here, it was obvious the pendant and her had been separated when she had been taken away. But who was its current owner?
"Hey! you! Who the bloody hell are you?"
He looked up, still kneeling down. He saw a few men, some of which jumped a bit when he had lifted his head. "I am Oda Nobunaga, husband to the queen of the Land where the Sun Always Shines."
"Yeah? Well, I got news for ya! First, the queen ain't a queen anymore, so don't bother calling her one. Second, NOBODY can barge in here, I don't care if you use force or magic, this is off limits! And third, that thing you just picked up is Hayter's, so you better put it back before we have to take it back!" The man gave a toothy grin and pushed back one side of his cloak, revealing a sword at his side. Nobunaga stood up and stepped down from the table, slowly walking toward the men. As he did so, with his eyes focused on the man who yelled at him, the others began to surround him. "Show me who this Hayter is. if you use force against me, I have no qualms reciprocating."
"If you're somehow from the same place as all those sprites, you don't have a chance! We cleared them out faster than any other run we've made!"
Nobunaga's eyes narrowed, a golden glimmer casting a bit of light in the dim area. "Do not be a fool. Tell me now!"
The man laughed and drew his sword. "Fine, you want to die? I can help with that!" The men all around him acted likewise. Nobunaga placed his right hand on the grip of his katana, his left holding the scabbard steady by the tsuba.
The first man started his attack, raising his sword up to slash down at him. As he did so, Nobunaga stepped forward and drew out his blade - only partially. the butt of the sword slammed into the man's gut, knocking the wind out of him. Another came from behind. he finished drawing his blade out, and in one swift motion turned and stabbed forward, piercing straight through the man's chest as he ran forward. The first man was still trying to lift his sword to make a swing. Nobunaga turned back once more as he unstuck the blade from the man's chest, and came down with a clean vertical cut, cutting the first man's head asunder.
The other men quickly dropped their blades. "H-H-H-Hayter...! One of them cried out. They all quickly made a dash to escape. Hmm. Clearly this 'Hayter was close by. No use following those men. As the sounds of their footsteps died down, he heard a bit of whimpering, almost a muffled repetetive sound...as he followed it, he came to a pile of crates. He could now clearly hear "I don't want to die...I don't want to die..." Walking around the crates, he found a man curled up into a ball, rocking slightly. "You." The man looked up, a bit startled. Once he saw who was there, he gave out a cry. "No! Don't touch me! I was just doing my job, please...!"
"You...you are Hayter?"
"Y-y-yes..."
"I am not here to kill you. Calm down."
Nobunaga reached down and picked him up by his collar, forcing him to his feet. "You and I need to talk about this pendant."
Cold and dark
The tiny sprite touched her neck. Her fingers looked as if they were stroking something, perhaps a necklace...but there was nothing there. The sprite thought about all that had happened. She thought of her leaving her friends behind and returning to her old home. She thought of the raiders who arrived in her beautiful home not long after she returned. She thought of all her sisters, wondering where they might be now. She thought of the children that her sister Colombard escaped with, the children that were not able to escape, and those she had seen killed right in front of her eyes...the very ones she was supposed to protect.
Most of all...she thought of her her husband. Her loving husband whom she had promised happiness that morning by Bitter Point Valley. Her husband whom she had given a daughter, only to take it from him not long after. Her daughter...Ayumi. Where was she now?
It was cold, and it was dark. The sprite wondered if she would ever be able to escape from this dreaded place...
The wandering gypsy
At the centre of Moorgate's market
A small park is situated just off the road here. It
obviously belongs to one of the guilds, as the iron
fence and magical doorway prevent access.
People here: Mecholas Rosita Sylvie
Wifeius(mounted upon a lion) Kenavo(sitting) (mounted upon a pegasus) Clio(mounted upon a dragon)
Pharaen Herman(mounted upon a mist) Hunthor(mounted upon a pegasus)
Helcamenal(mounted upon a mist) Laroon(mounted upon a wind) Ilyia(sitting)
Wandering Gypsy Rosita, Purveyor of Charms
Colombard stands up in her full one and a half foot glory
Colombard says 'Er...excuse me, I...'
Rosita blinks.
Rosita turns at the sound of a timid voice
Rosita peers at you, looking for a vital clue.
Colombard says 'I cannot much pay, and I don't want anything for myself, but...'
You shuffle your feet uneasily.
Rosita says 'I dont need gold for visions'
Rosita says 'Only donations'
Colombard says 'I can offer all the gratitude I have for news about someone dear to me...anything...'
Rosita says 'You are in pain'
Rosita says 'She is not here...'
You give out a depressed "Oh.."
Rosita seems to fall into a trance
Rosita says '"Little Sister"'
You blink your eyes.
Rosita says 'Who is this...Little Sister'
Colombard exclaims 'Yes..yes!'
Colombard says 'My little sister'
Rosita says 'She is not dead you know'
You flash a bright smile.
Hunthor drops to his haunches and listens to Rosita's speakings, fascinated
Rosita asks 'Did you fear she was?'
Colombard says 'Well, the giant said she wasnt, but...'
Colombard says 'Them raiders...'
Colombard says 'They took her, they took all of them'
Rosita nods towards you.
Herman lets out a deep sigh.
Herman gives you a little squeeze for support
Rosita says 'Yes....she fought, you know'
Rosita says 'She fought hard'
Rosita says 'She has spirit'
Clio lets out a deep sigh.
Rosita says 'I see it'
You beam broadly at Rosita.
Rosita looks at Colombard
Laroon says 'Never give up, Colombard, me thinks your sister will be found soon'
Clio whispers, "Poor Bordelaise indeed! We must find her!"
Rosita says 'She WILL return'
Rosita says 'I have seen where she is'
Cheddawolf gives a thoughtful "Hmm..."
Herman exclaims 'Where?!'
Colombard asks 'You have?'
You see Herman peer at Rosita.
Wifeius says 'Where'
Colombard drops to her knees
Rosita takes a parchment and frantically scrabbles on it..then hands it to Colombard
Rosita says 'She is THERE'
Rosita says 'I see her'
Rosita says 'And I see her here'
Laroon is always ready to go to for a rescue about Bordelaise.
Colombard takes the parchment with both hands, not sure whether to look at it or not
Rosita says 'Surrounded by monks'
Herman strains his neck trying to see the paper, but his view is obscured.
Helcamenal frowns.
Rosita quiets and the vision passes away
Rosita says 'That is all'
Laroon pats you on the back.
Rosita says 'She will come home'
Hunthor looks from Rosita to Colombard, observing, learning
Colombard says 'Thank you thank you'
Wifeius says 'When'
Colombard says 'Thank you kindly'
Time Crisis: Day 1, Part 4
Hayter tried to sit still in his seat across from Nobunaga, the unsettling feeling in his gut tempting to fidgit about. He occasionally made eye contact, but the gaze of the draconian's eyes would always cause him to quickly lower his head. Meanwhile, Nobunaga peered further into the young man before him, his eyes glimmering for a moment. He could see this man was out of place among his former comrades. His spirit was lighter. "Hayter. You must tell me where you came upon this pendant."
"Well, I came about it through my work. When you are poor as me, you make do with what work you can get. These men here, they hired me to work with them as a gang for hire. But we never actually had jobs before where we were told to kill, until..this one tough customer comes out to our boss..."
He gestured at one of the bodies on the floor not too far from them.
"...and makes an offer he couldn't refuse. Lots of money for all of us. All we had to do was take orders from him, go on one trip out. We didn't know what it was about until later, when we were on our way to that sprite city..."
Nobunaga frowned slightly. "What was it all about?"
"Slave trade.." Hayter said, sighing. "He needed more men to be sure the sprites didn't put up much of a fight. If they did, more would die than necessary, and he didn't want that. I guess they were too valuable to him."
They had been right. It was slave trade...Why to these people? Why to her? They had no enemies, most did not even know what it was to work...it didn't even make sense for one with a cold heart to do such a thing...
"Did you come across the queen then?"
"No, not then. She was fighting back some of the men by the port. I really didn't want to kill anyone, I didn't even like this job, honest. I stayed away just so that if the queen died her blood couldn't be on my hands...By the time I had secured my area of the city I lead some sprites to one of our ships. Some men were sent back off the boats to torch the city. The rest were to take anything of value from the new slaves. That's when I saw her.
"she was crying, she had a hand on her side and I could see she had been wounded there. I think she was trying to cast some sort of healing spell, but she was crying to hard and could never finish it. I put a hand on her shoulder and told her to calm down, and she did a little. And right then, she was able to take her hand away from her side and I could see it had healed. She looked up at me...she was so frightened. That's when I saw the pendant. I told her I couldn't let her keep it. I had to repeat myself, but she took it off and gave it to me. I decided I would keep it for myself and pocketed it...After we were through checking all the sprites, they were sent below decks, and I didn't see her or the other sprites again. But O, I heard them...And..." Hayter couldn't help himself and shifted in his seat. "The wails I remember the most were when they cried out 'The Giant will come and save us, and punish you all!' It has kept me up for nights...that this Giant would punish me for taking part in such a thing...I just needed the money, that's all, I'm not a bad person...!"
Hayter began to sob. Nobunaga looked on, rubbing his temples as the story replayed in his mind. "Hayter, you'll have to help me now. I cannot waste a second moving in the wrong direction, and you are the only one who can lead me towards the slave traders. Do you understand?"
Hayter began to cease his crying. He managed to lift his head slightly, in a vain attempt to make eye contact. His eyes could only make it as high as the pendant, still in the palm of Nobunaga's hand.
Revelations
Hayter was scared. You could see he was scared. He had heard tales of the giant, and even though he hadn't believed them he couldn't help but feel a chill upon his spine as the thought of that creature returned to him. The thought of the man who them little ones had spoken about.
If any man have an ear, let him hear
His mothers tales came to him. His mothers tales of the man who would not listen. Hayter had sworn not to become that man, and he had cursed himself for it many a time. How could he earn a living the way he did if he was to be terrified by old wives' tales? He would have shook his head if this half dragon hadn't stood before him. This half dragon who had already killed two of his best men. Yes...Hayter was scared.
He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints
Hayter was not a man of religion. Of course he believed in the greatness of Kali, anything else would be pure stupidity. But he had never bowed to any of the Gods of the lands. He saw it as weakness. Now it came to him. The old words of the old priests. "He that leadeth..." Hayter hadn't thought of those words for years. He knew the man before him could tell he was breaking. He knew he would soon betray his employer. He knew he would speak...
Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding reckon the number...
"Yes!", Hayter cried. "Yes! I will show you where they are..."
Daybreak
The ship was ready to sail. Hayter's ship was always ready to sail. He knew where they were going, but he also knew he wouldn't make it there. Hayter pondered on whether the half dragon would or not, but in the end it was of no concern to him.
The ship left the small port and set sail for the open seas. North they sailed, north to where the winds were colder and harder, to where he had taken the raiders. Hayter worked hard. He had to work hard to keep the half dragon occupied. Keep his mind on something else, so he wouldn't notice...
They sailed through the night. The half dragon was nowhere to be seen. Hayter was getting a bit nervous, wondering what he was up to. But it didn't matter anymore, he reminded himself. He would never need to see him again.
Hayter went into his quarters. The time had come. Once again he wondered whether the half dragon would make it or not. What would he do when he realized he was alone on the ship? At least he had left the ship sailing in the right direction. Hayter looked outside. Morning was about to arrive.
The short sword glimmered as it caught the first glimpses of sunlight. Hayter thought of the old words; He that killeth with the sword... He never finished the thought...his last...
And the ship sails on...
Time Crisis: Day 2, Part 1
It was almost daybreak, but still the darkness of the night covered the ocean. Nobunaga, needing a way to stay awake, had for a while been in the crow's nest, looking out on the horizon and letting the cool ocean air blow in his face, but decided taking to the air felt more natural, and more envigorating. Hayter was sincere, but who could say if he was trustworthy? Perhaps for the sake of his own life he would do something drastic. Besides, the ship was fast; it would not take them long to arrive at their destination. He had to be awake, he had to be ready. She was depending on him.
He beat his wings a few times, gliding silently above the ship. It was a new moon that night, and the darkness enveloped him. Hayter had gotten the ship on its way and then turned in for the night. A bit early, but then, he had had an interesting day. He had no qualms letting Hayter go once he was further on the trail of the sprites and their captors...
He saw something. What is it? ..Another ship. It approaches silently...They do not want to be seen... He remained cloaked in shadow in the skies, watching its approach. It got close enough for boarding, and a few men crossed over, drawing their blades. Before he would have had time to descend, two were already on their way below deck. He knew Hayter was gone.
Day began to break. Before he would be seen, Nobunaga glided down to the deck of the other ship, and took cover. He watched as the men returned from his ship, carrying very little more than what they had boarded with. Then he noticed the smoke. They had set a fire! These were certainly no pirates, all they had succeeded in doing was sinking the boat and killing one man. As the ship sailed off, he noticed they were moving in the same exact direction...these were some of the traders, defending their waters. That meant they were close. Now what would he do?
Time Crisis: Day 2, Part 2
It had been difficult, but Nobunaga had managed to keep himself from being noticed as the ship sailed on. He waited patiently, thinking through his possibilities. Night was beginning to fall. Ah, the night...so inviting...if only there were but a moment to escape into slumber. But certainly not now. He rubbed his eyes, reminding himself that there would be plenty of time for sleep when Bordelaise and her family were safe.
Two of the sailors began to pass by where he had stowed away, under the tarp of a life boat. He had chuckled to himself as he had stowed away in it in the early morning, noticing it was one of only two. With the size crew on this ship, it was obvious that, in the case of a true crisis, a great deal of these men were seen as expendable. No value seen for the life of men across the board, I suppose... They stopped for a moment before him, discussing something. One of them mentioned that late in the night they would be arriving. They slowly continued on their way...
An idea struck.
Now all he had to do was stay hidden just a while longer...
Time Crisis: Day 2, Part 3
Nightfall.
It was time.
As they would finally be sailing into the docks in a matter of a few hours, his time to act was now. Nobunaga moved out from his hiding spot, stretching a bit as he did so. Most of the crew have gone off to sleep, their grogginess may compensate slightly for their numbers...this should be interesting.
Standing out in the middle of the deck, Nobunaga let out a thunderous roar, violently waking the sailors from their sleep. "My name is Oda Nobunaga! You who have aided in the slaughter and capture of the sprites of the Land where the Sun always Shines will pay for your treachery! If you resist me, then be prepared to face my blade!"
Sailors clammered onto the deck, weapons ready. I cannot...will not let any of them best me. I would feel remorse for them if I could not see the darkness in their hearts. How happily they jump at thoughts of violence...
One sailor, a sabre in hand, lept out at him suddenly. In one clean stroke, Nobunaga unsheathed his katana and cut the man across his gut. He fell to the floor in a crumpled heap. Flicking the blood from his blade, he looked about. None of them seemed the slightest bit phased by the quick death of their comrade. He knew they all wished to fight. He knew they all would be dead within the hour. "Who is next?"
Time Crisis: Day 3, Part 1
Nobunaga steered the ship steadily through some choppier waves, doing his best to keep it on course. Peering ahead, he could see the port they were headed to. So neatly tucked away on a small island far from the coast of the eastern continent, no wonder this place was the headquarters for their operations. He had read through the captain's log, and found this to be primarily a patrol vessel. It had made a few runs picking up slaves to bring to this headquarters though, when the cargo size was of sufficient burden to the other ships. It just so happened that this was one of the ships brought in to transfer some of the sprites...
The bodies of the sailors were stacked somewhat neatly in a few piles. They would be the catalyst for the next step. Each and every one of them lasted no more than a second in combat. They would strike out, but his attacks were always quicker and truer to their target. If any of them would have thought twice about attacking, he would have given them a chance to swim for shore before...
Standing before one of the piles of corpses and taking a deep breath. The smell of blood mingled oddly with the stench of some rum he had drizzled over the piles. Breathing out, he unleashed a huge gout of flame that set the bodies ablaze. Doing the same with the others, he then checked to be sure the ship was indeed on the correct course. Almost there, aimed straight on toward the center of the port...there were some ships nearby, but they were as this one, and in all likelyhood no 'cargo' that he would have to be wary of saving. two larger ships were off to one end of the port. By steering away from those, he could check their ship logs later. Hopefully, they may aid his search. Adjusting the ship's course appropriately, he then took to the air.
Coasting high above the water, he glided towards the small port. His opportunity to descend would come when the boat struck. He could hear an alarm being sounded. The ship was starting to catch from the burning corpses, and it had enough speed to run straight into the port before the flames overtook it. Men were scrambling everywhere from other boats, preparing to put out the flames if, or perhaps when, other ships or the docks of the port caught fire.
Day began to break. He would have no cover in the skies, but the chaos below was high enough that his descent would still not be noticed. Spotting one of the nicer buildings that had been erected by the coast, Nobunaga soared down to land by its entrance. As he did, he heard a few men scream...and a horrible crashing sound, that seemed to build ever higher in a destructive crecsendo. The boat finally creaked to a stop after having plowed through much of one particular dock, and began to sink. The sound of the men yelling orders to eachother resounded from the coast. This was his best chance to search for more information unnoticed. Finding the door unlocked, he entered the building.
Time Crisis: Day 3, Part 2
Well furnished...artwork on the walls...hmm. Seems someone important spends their time here. Nobunaga moved about the rooms of the building, finding it to double both as a living space and a headquarters for the traders' operations. Books lined the walls of what appeared to be a living room. Taking one from the shelf to see what they all contained, he began to read. It was an old ship's log...
The men are weary, as we are beginning to run low on food for this voyage. Land is soon to be in sight, but having to ration their meals still angers them. They do not understand that some of the food does indeed need to go to those gnomes below deck. We need not pay them respect, or feed them well; they are goods, not men. But we must give them some food. There is no money to be made on corpses. A stowaway was found, a small sprite dressed in robes. Not normal garb for one of their kind, but where she was from did not matter. The men dealt with her as they wished, and her body will be a nice little snack for the fishes.
"No...could it be...?" Slowly closing the book, he put it in his pack. This was unreal, and the irony on top of it left him speechless. Years ago, Bordelaise had sought to return home, and failed..she had ended up on a slave trader's boat, and was left for dead after they had had fun mutilating her wings. These were those same traders!
There was a noise upstairs. Finding a stairway in the next room, he crept upstairs. Behind one of the doors on the second floor there was the sound of ruffling clothes, the clink of a belt buckle...whoever lived here had heard the noise outside and was preparing to see what was going on. Nobunaga thrust the door open and stepped inside.
Time Crisis: Day 3, Part 3
"What the--who are you?!?"
The man's knees nearly buckled as he looked up from fastening his belt. Gazing into Nobunaga's eyes, he instantly knew this was the one responsible for all the commotion. "What do you want?"
"I am Oda Nobunaga, husband to the queen of the land where the sun always shines. My search for her has led me here..." Nobunaga took a step towards the man. "I know you know what happened to those sprites. Best you tell me now, while I still cling to the little patience I would allow such treacherous men like you."
"You..you are here for them? We sold them off already..but I know not to whom, or to where. But perhaps it is on file...just...don't hurt me..." The man quickly moved toward a bookshelf, fumbling through some books. There was some mumbling...listening closely, Nobunaga managed to pick out a few words in old elven...a cantation...
As quickly as he could he leaped to one side, just as the man whirled around unleashing a casting of fireflames. The blaze hit the opposite wall, the magical fire begining to spread quickly. Regaining his footing just in time to leap aside yet again, the man let loose another round of the spell. Nobunaga charged forward, grabbing the man and pinning him to the bookshelf. "No games, fool! Tell me now!" The man struggled for a moment, struggling to keep his concentration on the third casting he had managed to prepare. Managing to lift his arm ever so slightly, he let the spell fly...right out a window. Nobunaga responded by pushing him even harder on the wall. "I did not come here for your life, but your actions are begging me to take it! Now tell me, where is--"
"Hold it right there!" came the voice of another man. The sound of footsteps and the drawing of swords from their sheaths came from behind Nobunaga. He turned around, throwing the man to the ground before him as he did so. That last spell had served as a signal to others...
There were three men in the room, all with swords ready. The one in front looked down sternly at the man on the floor. Reeling back, he flung his shortsword..his aim was true, and it pierced the man in the chest. Flabbergasted, Nobuanga cried out "Is he not one of your men?" The one who had made the kill chuckled and said simply, "He knew too much with one like you around, we must be careful with that. And now...it is your turn!" The other two men charged forward, and their fight began. The flames in the room began to billow up, buffeting the walls with black scorch marks and ash. It did not take Nobunaga long to best the three fighters, but it was then he noticed that if he did not make his escape, he would die amid the burning building. The smoke became more intense, and he rushed to the window, jumping out and taking flight.
As he soared out above the other buildings, he noticed many of them now had fires in their windows. They are destroying all the evidence...no...! Looking out to see, he saw that one ship had readied itself and was heading out to sea. There was no time to chase after them, all information that may hold importance to him was already amid these flames. He had to salvage it as best as he could...
As the day came to a close, Nobunaga had gone through much of the burned abandoned buildings, and found next to nothing...Until he came to a small little storage building by the docks. They had neglected to bother with this room, as it was not normally a place for books, yet there they were, a small pile in a wooden crate. Reading through them, he came across a few maps, and a few common routes for some of their larger ships. this may prove to be useful...he thought to himself. However, none of the routes came close to an area which would have any logical benefit from sprite labor. It didn't add up. For now, he needed to regroup, and rest...definately rest. After going through these files a bit more, perhaps something would catch his eye, and give him a clue as to where the sprites...where Bordelaise...had been taken.
Performing the amulet's rite inside the storage building, he activated the pendant and wearily walked through the portal home.
This is the story of Nobunaga's initial three day journey across the eastern ocean. Now, with Colombard, Bordelaise's sister, having miraculously made her way to Moorgate to meet with Nobunaga, a plan has been made to venture out again -- and to bring Bordelaise home.