Chapter 13, in which the
Adventurers have to take a different path, and are joined by some curious
fellows
Roku
Yarit
Roku threw
the glowing yellow shield to the ground, its magic faded and died along with
it. "This is really getting to annoy me but now that that’s all over I’ve
got an Idea. You remember that incident with the ship in Thais? That’s my ship
and I don’t know about you but I’m taking it back to Carlin and then going to
the Ice Islands. You could all come with me or I’ll wait for you all there
until you arrive. It’s your choice." He turned his back, walking down the
hallway back towards the harbor. "It’s leaving in less then 5 minutes,
with or without you."
Red Un
"Well,
I gotta make sure that that poor engine is treated right. I'm coin' with
ya!"
Red Un followed Roku.
Vodok
The short
dwarf, scared of being left alone with exploding people and Vodivir, scrambled
after Red Un with all his backpacks.
Pheonix
"Well
I have nothing better to do." Rhia said climbing abord the ship.
Roku
Yarit
Roku
stepped aboard the ship, the crew running about madly to prepare to get underway.
He walked over to the mast, the white rune still embedded in it. He placed his
hand upon it, no glow or radiant light of any kind appeared but the ship jolted
forwards, sending some sprawling off their feet as the Ship moved out onto the
water.
Red Un
Red Un
climbed down to the engine and kept an angry eye on the (human) crew. Then and
again he gave them advises like "be careful with that", "no,
THAT valve", "hey this is a very sensitive engine" and "I'm
thirsty. Get me a beer". The crew followed his orders with shudders,
fearing him as much as they feared the engine...
Vodok
The short
dwarf hardly had any experience in sailing any boats except to Folda once when
he was exploring and a few other times to other cities.
"'Ave a bar
'ere?" the short dwarf went around asking everyone he met on the boat,
but none of them answered.
"Hum tee ram dam dam..." the short
dwarf sang as he wandered around the deck.
Pheonix
Rhia
smiled.
"Can you talk to all inanimate objects Red Un?" she
asked him mentally.
Roku
Yarit
Roku's
nostrils were filled with sea air. The ship cut through the water with ease, no
longer guided by his magic. It sailed east, heading for his home in Carlin
harbor. "Captain, I take it the mensch and the Alethan aren’t causing any
trouble?"
"Mensch, sir?"
"It’s a Chelestran word for Elves, Dwarves, and Humans. It like the human
word
fools. Not the friendliest term but since they weren’t deemed
worthy enough to live on Chelestra after Ravda and Chelest sundered the known
world to form this one, my people tend to look down on them. Now that we are
forced to live down here we no longer deem ourselves demigods but not equals
either."
"I see. Well if you mean the Dwarves they could be doing worse but it’s
nothing to worry about. I’m eternally grateful for getting out of that prison
and to be going home is a gift that is not easily paid back."
"I do not need anything that you could possibly give me. Freeing you
suited my needs and I was returning the favor of taking me to Thais in the
first place."
"We will reach Carlin in a few minutes. I can see the harbor from
here."
"As do I." Roku could see more then that. He could see a shadowed
figure come out of the water and attach something to his door, then
disappearing. "I do indeed..."
Red Un
Well, any
dwarf (or half-dwarf) knows how to care for the spirits of the machines.
Nothing anyone else than dwarves (or half-dwarves) can undestand, Red Un
thought. Now, get outta me head, I got things to do...
He heard a thumping up on the deck.
"Damn, I knew it..."
He ran up the stairs.
"Uhm...Roku, what's that on yer door?"
Roku
Yarit
"Thats
what I’d like to find out...Wait a minute! How do you know that’s my
house?" He looked out again. The ship was moving quickly but he guessed
the Dwarf could see better then the humans could if he could see whatever it
was attached to his door. "Maybe it’s a note from the Dragon," he
joked. "Captain, shut off the engine and let down the sails. Prepare to
lower the anchor."
Pheonix
Rhia
smiled, letting the wind run through her hair. She loved nature... "I
wonder where Oriel is..."
Red Un
Red Un got
an angry look in his face.
"Captain, do NOT shut off the engine, just turn it down to lowest
power."
He turned back to Roku.
"Lisn' Chelestran, ya never EVER turn off a dwarven engine."
He walked back down the stairs to make sure that the engine was treated
properly...
Roku
Yarit
Several of
the deck crew were moving to follow the Dwarf, stern sneers on their faces.
"Leave him be." Roku smiled widely as the ship moved slowly into the
harbor.
Perhaps there is hope for him yet. He even dared to call me
Chelestran. Never before has anyone called me anything but Roku or Master
Yarit. Not many people even say my name when addressing me. His smile
disappeared and he remained cold and rigid. Before the ship could come to a
stop and the planks could be let out and the anchor dropped, Roku was already
off the ship.
He walked up the door slowly. He could feel the warding spells were still
intact in his household. Pulling the piece of paper gently he examined it.
Greetings Roku Sirius Yarit, Seventh Guardian of the Labyrinth. Your
presence is requested at the Gathering. It will take place two hours from when
you will read this. All Chelestrans that are left have also been summoned. Today
we decide our people’s fate. You know where we will be. We also request that
you inform the Dragon to find its Master. The Dark has been illusive and hard
to get ahold of this past age but we cannot blame him. Please be punctual,
Guardian, there is little time before there are other affairs that need our
attention. The preceding invitation has also been sent to the following: Tyrn
Bline, Daemon Oregau, Detlin Draknor, Arckin Phastla, Parthamus Andorius,
Icearoth Halisius, Iridal Blastrovita, Savrin Evae, Leesin Tasul, Silvan
Ranushieh, Borezena Goluk, Raistlin Hedin, and Istora Kal'heed. I order for
things to run through smoothly, all must be present.
~Tal'Rasha Phazar~
Roku was, at first, shocked. Not because for the first time in three centuries
the Chelestran people were being called together but because the letter was
wrong. Palinthalasa was not with the Sorcerer. Therefore the Mind Glancers were
wrong so this was not as it should be. Something had happened that was not
supposed to. His temples began to throb. Thinking about all the possible
timelines was too much for him. A golden circlet was burned onto the bottom of
the paper but not with fire. With magic. Sigla magic. He had no doubt that this
was authentic even though no one else alive could possible know the names of
all the living Chelestrans on Tibia.
What am I going to do about the Library
now... He scratched his chin as he thought, walking into his house and
shutting the door behind him. The warding magic kicked in as he took his place
in his favourite chair, four others circling it.
Lady
Rhiannon Datwood
Rhia’s eyes
opened.
"Something troubles you." Rhia thought to Roku.
"May
I ask what?”
Roku
Yarit
A wave of
his hand and the door flung open. He stuffed the piece of paper in his pocket,
watching the ship slow to a halt through the window and the anchor dropping
into the rigid waters.
It does not matter. The Sorcerer waited patiently
for his companions to get off the ship and seat themselves in his house.
Vodok
The short
dwarf didn’t notice anything and was strutting around as if he owned the boat.
"Hum
da ram dum..." the short dwarf sang as he was strutting around.
Suddenly the boat stopped and the dwarf fell over. The dwarf got up after about
half a minutes struggle and got up. He assumed the boat had got to its goal and
he started walking off the boat.
Red Un
Red Un
rolled his eyes at Vodok and walked of the ship. As the crew prepared to leave,
he gave them one last angry look and gave them an advice that they would follow
for the rest of their lives:
"Don't ever mess with a dwarven engine. Ever."
Then he proceeded to Rokus house and sat down in one of the chairs.
"Hrmph...neat 'ouse ya got 'ere. Any beer around?"
Vodok
The short
dwarf assumed he was allowed to walk inside Roku's house. The short dwarf went
around poking everything in the house.
"Hmmmm..." the short
dwarf said as he found a few backpacks. He looked inside them.
"Funny
lookin' stuff yar got 'ere." he said to Roku and continued walking
around and poking stuff without closing the backpack, causing some things to
roll out.
Roku
Yarit
Roku rolled
his eyes and stood up abruptly, tearing Vodok away from his things and
thrusting him firmly in the chair. "Move and I’ll make sure that beard of
yours get shaved and never grows back." He put everything the Dwarf had
let carelessly roll onto the floor back in its proper place and sat down.
"Reaching into a small box, he pulled out a rather bloated bag of coins.
He tossed it into Red Un's lap. "Get what ever you need and head to the
ice islands. I have another matter to attend to." Standing up, Roku walked
into another room, leaving the other unattended as he looked through hundreds
of shelves.
Red Un
Red Un
opened up the bag and examined the strange golden coins.
"Hrmm...I should be able to get many beers for this. Well Roku, join us
when ya can."
He walked outside.
"'Kay people, get yerself some food 'n beer and we'll meet at the northern
gate tomorrow. And stay away from black-robed men at all cost."
Roku
Yarit
Roku
reentered the room, dropping a small glass orb into Red Un's hands. "What
ever you to do, don’t break it. So I suggest you keep it away from Vodok."
Without another word he walked out the door and disappeared.
Red Un
"Don't
break it he says...why give it to me? I've decided to get myself some beer, and
when I've got myself some beers, this thing would probably be safer in the
hands of a glass-balls-fearing cyclops. Oh well..."
He walked towards the southern bar.
Vodok
The short
dwarf tried to see what coins were in the bag since beer and money was his
biggest interest, the more of it he had, the happier he was. The short dwarf
ran towards the bar as fast as he could.
"Gimme beer." the
short dwarf demanded. The bartender who didn’t like to be bossed around took up
a smaller bottle of beer and gave to the short dwarf. The short dwarf drained
the whole bottle.
"Righ'. Gimme tons o' beer." the bartender
took up a lot of bottles.
"Hmmmmm... That'll haf'ta do." The
short dwarf decided to try and press as much beer into the backpacks he already
had instead of buying new ones. The short dwarf stuffed some beer in his random
backpack of runes number one and accidentally set off a soul fire rune on
himself.
"ARG!! DARN SOUL FIRE!!" The short dwarf yelled.
Lady
Rhiannon Datwood
Rhia
laughed at Vodok. "You really are something else Vodok..."
Roku
Yarit
While Vodok
filled his belly with Ale, Roku stood at the gates of a citadel constructed of
grey stone, most walls completely overrun with moss. There was no sign of life
but then again there wouldn’t be. He knocked on the door twice then opened it
stepping inside to eternal darkness. He knew his way around well, even if he
could not see. But Chelestrans had other ways of seeing then with their eyes.
"Ahh Roku Yarit, a pleasure to see you again." A slightly taller man
with a dark beard that was drawn into two braids that were relatively short.
"Daemon," Roku said with a grin, holding up his palm. Daemon did the
same, both palms glowed a bright yellow, a customary greeting between Guardians
of the Labyrinth. Making sure it was not some shapeshifter. Daemon then
embraced Roku, much to his discomfort but he was forced to return the gesture.
"Tell me, Third, who has arrived."
The tall Chelestran put a hand to his chin. "Let’s see. Tal'Rasha, Tyrn,
Arckin, Icearoth, Istora, Borezena, Leesin, Savrin, myself and you."
Daemon looked sympathetically at Roku and gave a disappointed sigh. "She
will be here, Roku. I hate to say it but Parthamus wouldn’t let anything happen
to her and he could even give you a run for you money."
Roku forced a smile. "You’re right. He could do what I could not."
"You mean Kalas don’t you? Listen Roku, it wasn’t your fault. You suffered
enough when you fought him. If Parthamus didn’t intervene and saved you and
Iridal then no one would have made it off Chelestra alive."
Roku nodded and looked down at his hands. Bent, twisted, hideous. This was a
testament to his inability to defend himself and those he cared about. And a
testament to the powers of the Patryns. "I killed Kelia..."
Daemons eyes lit up.
"You killed the Elf? The girl, right? The one who apparently outran
Savrins Dragon right? Drathius, the blue dragon I believe."
Roku shot a glance that seemed to strike Daemon with a bolt of lightning.
"I’m glad you idolize those who hunt us down!" Calming himself he
began to walk down the dark corridor towards a tall brass door at the end of
the hall. "As always, you are correct, Daemon. I did not mean to get angry
it’s just...I understand now why The Dark thought we were the greater of two
evils. I saw the evils of the Labyrinth reflected in her eyes."
"And you’re going to propose that after you recover the knowledge to
restore Chelestra that we destroy the labyrinth and free those still trapped
inside?"
Roku frowned away from the man who had just spoken to him while Daemon only put
on his biggest smile and turned to meet him. "Glancer Arckin, why are you
not with the others? Has your foresight told you what will happen already if
you attend?"
"Ah but if I did not attend the information I would have seen would not be
accurate. And we can’t have that can we?"
"I didn’t have the dragon with me when I received the letter, Glancer.
Some that should have happened didn’t."
"You haven’t figured it out now? Her name is Rhiannon, is it not?"
Red Un
Red Un
crawled out from under the table.
"Vodok, you will surely be the death of us all one day. And that's if I'm
lucky..."
He ordered in a large tankard of beer. Not as large as a dwarven tankard, but
large enough for the time being.
Meanwhile...
The ordinary ferryman had went to Thais on vacation (bad move) and left the
ferry to the Ice Islands in the hands of a far-of cousin from Northport. The
cousin was writing a letter to his mother.
"Dear Mother
Work on the ferry is great. Many people want to go to the Islands, especially
Folda, and I make lots of money (half of which I pay in Boat Tax to Carlin of
course). I hope that everything at home is well and that sister’s wedding was
nice. I couldn't come because..."
But there the letter ended. It would never be finished, because in the next
instant, a throwing star hit the cousin in the back with such preciseness that
he died instantly (and painlessly). The two robed men took out their torches,
and soon the ferry was ablaze and sinking. One turned to the other.
"What will happen now?"
"They will do exactly what we have planned..."
Lady
Rhiannon Datwood
"That’s
weird... I can't sense Roku... And I could have sworn I heard my name" she
said confused. "Maybe I’m just hearing things."
Vodok
The short
dwarf was in the bar and he decided to let the beer problem wait a little. The
dwarf drank some beer and became extremely drunk. The short dwarf was tumbling
around the bar. A little later when the dwarf was less drunk...
"Gimme
more beer." the short dwarf said.
"Ummmm...
No. I think you've had enough." the bartender answered.
"WHAT?!!?!?!"
the short dwarf yelled and stormed out of the bar (without paying for the
last beers he took).
Red Un
Red Un
looked over at the bartender.
"I'm tellin' ya, human, never tell a dwarf when he has had enough. Now
gimmie 'nother beer. And make it BIG this time."
Roku
Yarit
Roku sat
around a large circular table. All sat in silent patience waiting for the last
three to arrive so things could get underway. Istora on his left, Raistlin on
his right. Both where MindGlancers, two of the four who were still alive. A
strange seat he thought. He was at least three seats away from the rest of the
Guardians who all sat in the order of their number.
Little things were settling about this meeting. First Arckin and now Iridal and
Parthamus had not shown up. Roku could have cared less if Detlin showed up. The
senile old fool may have wielded a power that could have easily brought anyone
in the room to their knees but he was too unfocused and easily distracted to
utilize it making him only dangerous due to his Dragon.
Many Chelestrans had Dragons but only one was from the Labyrinth. Savrin had
Drathius, Tyrn had Promenthanon, Silvan had Wrathlin, and Detlin had
Palinthalasa. Blue, White, Red, and Green.
"May I present, Iridal Blastrovita." Tal'Rasha said calmly as all
stood to greet her as she opened the chamber room’s doors.
Roku looked away quickly, the short glance had torn a hole in his heart that
would take time to cover up. Her piercing silver eyes, her long flowing
amethyst hair, her fair skin color, and her long white robes all reminded Roku
of what he had lost. She was always considered a Goddess whenever she was
openly confronted by any Mensch. Some called her an Angel sent from heaven to
save them. But both were understatements to Roku. He could not help but smile
as he looked back up, preparing for being under her powerful gaze.
"Have you seen my hat?"
Roku jolted back in his chair, much to the amusement of the rest of the room.
His head sank into his hands as he groaned. "It’s on your head,
Detlin..." he mumbled, fighting back anger.
The Wizard was ecstatic as he patted his hat. "So it is! Thank you ever so
much Ropu."
"MY NAME IS ROKU, YOU SENILE OLD FOOL!" Roku almost raised his right
sleeve but Istora quickly stood up to redirect Detlins attention and reach out
a hand to keep Roku from openly attacking the Wizard.
This is going to me a
long day... His mood lightened a bit when he heard the melodious laugh of
Iridal and realized he had lived through worse...but not much worse.
Red Un
The
bartender sighed and got out the mug marked "dwarf-sized". He had to
carry it with both hands. After it was filled, he could not carry it at all.
Red Un looked at it as the planks in the bar groaned under it and shrugged his
shoulders.
"Oh well, I guess you humans doesn't have anything larger than
'kid-size'..."
He drank deeply...
Vodok
Grrr... In
Kazordoon no one stops you from drinking yourself to death as long as you pay
for the drinks... Grrrrr... Stupid humans think they know everything... the short dwarf thought while he was
walking around the city.
Lady
Rhiannon Datwood
Rhia
decided to take a nap. She found a good sized tree. She climbed to the top of
it. She made a swishing noise. The tree began to rock back and forth. She made
another and the tree began to rustle. Singing in the voice of nature.
Slowly she drifted off to sleep. When she closed her eyes a dream reached her.
She saw Roku, Red Un, and Vodok. They were covered in blood motionless... She
was covered in their blood...
Rhia woke up with a jolt nearly falling out of the tree. The tree had caught
her though. She woke up crying...
Roku
Yarit
"So
it’s settled. The council has voted. The mensch are not capable of finding and
acquiring the proper texts from the library. The Seventh will be aided by those
of our own to complete his task. Any volunteers?"
"I will help the Seventh in his quest," stated Istora. A rather
strange move for Guardians and Mind Glancers never got along very well.
"As will I," this time it was Raistlin. Both were seated around him,
something Roku did not think was a coincidence.
Before Ta'Rasha could put his hand on his desk to proclaim the matter settled
another spoke up. "I will travel with Roku as well."
All eyes turned to Iridal, the most shocked were those of Parthamus, the red
haired Lancer of the Chelestran Elite Gaurd. It looked as if Tal'Rasha was
going to object but first he caught Roku’s confused look and put his hand
firmly on the desk.
Something was wrong, and that bloody stupid grin Detlin was shooting at him
wasn’t helping. At first he thought to object himself and state that he could
handle his quest easily by himself but he needed to know what was going on but
he did not know if he could do this while spending time with Iridal. There was
one thing he could do to keep his head but that would be interacting with a
rather annoying individual.
"You want me to what?" the Old Wizard asked, putting a hand to his
ear after the Council had dispersed after several more hours of trivial
matters.
"Dispel the Enchantment...now." Roku ordered, folding his arms
crossly.
"But I don’t know if Tal'Rasha or anyone else would be very pleased if I
did."
"Just do it and don’t worry about it, Wizard."
With a shrug, Detlin began to trace the sigla on Rokus forehead, but he traced
them backwards, dispelling their magic.
Red Un
...where
was he...
...it was dark...
...there was a pain in his head...
...he opened his eyes...
...He saw the sky above. He picked up the sounds from a nearby market....
...oh right, my name is Red Un...
...damn, how much did I drink last night...
...Well, I figger I hafta get up if I'm gonna get anywhere.
Red Un rised to his feet and immediately checked his backpack. Good. Nothing
was stolen. He looked around and saw that he stood on the grass outside the
bar.
He heard a faint sobbing coming from inside...
As he entered, he saw the bartender looking at the empty casks of beer.
"Uhm..."
The bartender turned around and looked at Red Un with red, tear-filled eyes.
"YOU! Never get back here you damn...drunkard!"
Red Un grinned. It
seemed to have been a good night...
Lady
Rhiannon Datwood
-Rhia
walked into the bar. She saw Red Un. Obviously he had seen her also. She
quickly turned around and left without a word. "That dream seemed so
real." She muttered to herself.
Red Un
Red Un went
outside again and looked at Rhia.
"Right, we'll get goin' when we've found Vodok. Let's check the gutters
and the prison..."
Vodok
"BAH!
Lousy humans..." and so on the short dwarf was muttering while he was walking through the
streets. As the short dwarf passed a knight that didn’t seem all too skilled
the short dwarf muttered
"'Upid bartender 'inks 'e know when every'un
else 'ad 'nuff..." The knight then walked up to Vodok realising the
situation.
"Come with me and I'll give you free beer." the
knight said in a friendly voice.
"M'kay." the short dwarf
muttered and followed the knight. For some reason they were heading out of
Carlin. The suddenly...
"YA!!" the knight yelled and attempted
make the short dwarf a head smaller. Unfortunately for the knight he missed and
hit the helmet.
"Um??" the short dwarf said in surprise.
"Ya'll
pay forrat!" the still drunk dwarf yelled. He put a hand down in a
backpack and noticed it didn’t have runes. It had his "might come in
handy" stuff. He accidentally got a dwarven ring on his finger...
My oh
my have I had luck with those things the last months... the short dwarf
thought and put his other hand into a backpack of runes. Unfortunately he got a
beer flask since he didn’t want to use backpacks, and he knew he'd need them to
the trip to Folda so he didn’t drink them earlier.
"GRR!" the
short dwarf yelled. The knight had time to put another blow so he struck again,
it hit the beer flask but continued through the dwarfs hand.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!!
EXURA VITA!" the dwarf cried out. He now got really angry because the
knight had cost him a bottle of beer.
"EXEVO MORT HUR! EXORI
VIS! EXORI VIS! EXORI VIS! EXORI VIS! EXORI VIS!" the short dwarf started yelling. The short dwarf wasn’t skilled in
hitting people with swords (unless he happened to be in an inhuman area where
he could move about ten times faster than anything) but he was good with
hitting people with spells and runes. Two of the energy strikes missed but the
other spells hit. The knight was pretty near death by now but he took up his
sword and started swinging it violently around him in hope to hit the short dwarf.
The blade hit exactly where his head had been if he was a normal grown person,
but since he was a short dwarf it went over him. The violent attack was stopped
by a tree. The dwarf pushed down the knight on the ground and hit away the
knight’s sword with his own in a clumsy swing. He climbed over so he was
looking the knight in his face.
"I know this aint tha' noble bu' Im
angry at ya..." the short dwarf said and took off the knights helmet
and took his fist and hit with all his might on the face. The knight was
knocked out, but still alive.
"CAN SOME'UN 'ELP ME WITH A MURDERER
'ERE??" the short dwarf yelled out.
Red Un
Red Un grinned.
"I think we've found
him..."
He walked towards the sound of mindless violence...
Lady
Rhiannon Datwood
Rhia gave a
weak smile. Her sense of humor was still there... But she didn’t find it as
funny anymore. Vodok's thick headedness just didn’t amuse her as much... The
dream still haunted her... Why was she the only one living in that dream?
Red Un
"Now
Vodok, calm down. He's had enough."
Red Un gave the poor man an evil look.
"Lisn' bandit, when ya see a dwarf with lots of backpacks, stay away from
him. If he's got gold in them, he'll kill his own mother to keep it, and if
it's runes, well..."
The man crawled away as fast as he could.
"Now, are we set to get the Ice Island ferry?"
Vodok
"Don''
leddim go!!" the
short dwarf yelled at Red Un. He put his hand in his backpack of random runes
and shot a fire wall rune a meter or two in front of the crawling
knight-murderer.
"Gimme some gold for tryin' ta kill me." the
short dwarf said.
"Ummmmmm... No way." the knight answered and
ran away.
"CURSE YOU, DWARF!" he yelled.
"OH YEAH??
WELL YOUR SO UGLY THAT YOUR FACE IS UGLY!!" the short dwarf yelled
back. The short dwarf turned to Red Un.
"How could ya let 'im go?!?! HE
DESSTROYED ONE OF MY BEER FLASKS!!!" the short dwarf yelled. The short
dwarf turned around and marched towards the Ice Island ferry in a very grumpy
mood.
"If I knew that would 'appen I woulda drained that beer..." the
short dwarf muttered.
Roku
Yarit
Roku found
his new attire not much to his liking. Dark red robes with nothing on them at
all. It was also a bit too long but he could have that fixed. The hood was
rather large to but he would never wear it. Made his ponytail get stuck on
something he couldn’t see and yank on his hair when he turned his head.
"We are all prepared to leave?" Raistlin asked, meaning it as no more
then a formality.
"I can’t give Roku a clean bill of health until he lets me take a look at
those hands," the Cleric stated rather stubbornly, looking up at Raistlin
with a stern glare.
"There is nothing wrong with his hands, Cleric. You could not fix them
even if you tried for we all have. It’s a testament to the suffering we have
endured from the Patryns. You dare not remove it under penalty of death,"
The Mind Glancer threatened.
"Let’s not waste time. We do not have time to spare." Istora shot a
careless glance at Roku then at Iridal, most likely probing their thoughts but
he had taken care of that with the Wizards rather reluctant help.
"
Rhia will be disapointed," he thought to himself as the rift
opened before them. This was more than the common rifts any Chelestran could
open. This rift was capable to crossing dimensions of time and space. But
keeping them right were they were was the task it was assigned today.
Roku entered first, a second later he was at the Ferry to the Ice Islands. Only
Red Un and his book knew which one so they would be patient.
"We should use the book ourselves to save time. I will find the Dwarf and
retrieve the book."
Before Roku could stop him, Raistlin was gone. "Damnit! Istora tell him to
come back."
"He has his orders, Seventh, as do you." Her tone was cold and
disconcerning, like all Mind Glancers. Roku wondered if he would have been the
same if his test would have put him to that path.
"Our orders were to do whatever was necessary to retrieve the knowledge
from the library. Not forcefully steal from innocents!" Iridal argued.
Roku was sure she knew it was futile. The Mind Glancers were given orders only
by Tal'Rasha himself. No one else had the authority to interrupt what they
wish.
Red Un
Red Un
grinned at Vodoks anger.
"Well, I guess I still have a little human in me..."
Then he set of to the ferry. As he came closer, he smelled something
like...burned wood?
Dalafor
...the wind
takes some outrageous yells with it.
-What in the Banors name!? I saw kids doing bad things but this is the worst I
ever saw. This is much more than a bad joke! hows suposse I’ll get back to my
Folda's mountain hut? Wait... what’s that floating?
-This is horrible! Why can any want to kill this kind boy. He just start
working little time ago so he can’t have enemies... he was so emotioned with
his new work, and he told me he wanted to write his mother for first time. He
learned so well the few lessons I gave him
-Red Un! Long time since I saw you last time in the deep dwarf city. Do you
know something about this?
Roku
Yarit
Raistlin
Hedin materialized in front of Red Un unannounced. The Mind Glancer was much
taller than the dwarf, and did appear daunting but the Dwarf just looked up at
him and rolled his eyes. He wore dark black robes, his hood covering his face.
"Give me the book, Un." He held out a white hand.
"Oh yeah, I’m soo happy you Mind Glancers are here to tell us the
future." Roku said sarcastically. "You didn’t even see the ferry was
destroyed!"
"Do not criticize me, Seventh! You do not know how many delicate variables
go into foresight. Maybe we would have been here to prevent this if you had
simply waved the Cleric off." Istora's crimson eyes could be seen for
miles around. She wore the same outfit as Raistlin but her hood was never up.
Her long white hair created quite a contrast with the burning wreckage behind
her.
"Istora, Roku please!" Iridal interrupted. "We are better then
this. How can we bring peace to Chelestra if we cannot even have peace amongst
those who still live?"
Roku glared at Istora. She glared right back at him. Iridal sighed and sat down
on the grass, her white robes fluttering in the breeze.
Roku turned his back on Istora and stared out onto the water. "You’ll be
sure to hear them soon Mind Glancer. The Alethan will most likely make things
difficult for Raistlin."
Lady
Rhiannon Datwood
Rhis began
to feel better. These people weren’t in her dream. Maybe it was nothing to
worry about. She turned to Roku. She smiled at him. There was something odd...
even thought she didn’t trust him, it bothered her to see him dead in her
dreams.
Red Un
Not again.
Not another innocent. Just like all those years ago...no, he couldn't think of
that now. He needed to stay focused.
"No Dalafor, I don't know who could ever do such a horrible thing.
Ever."
He looked at the others.
"Well people, it seems like we only have one option left. Pack yer things,
we'll have to go to Ab'Dendriel. I know that they have a ship that travels to
the Ice Islands. You may join us if ya like, Dally."
He looked over at Roku and the other people in his gang.
"You guys can come with us too, tough ya should know that I always has
first pick on any treasures..."
Dalafor
...the only
way to go and I hope I can take some answers while. Perhaps the captain knows
some news about any other assault on ships
-I’ll be really pleased going with you, Red. Sorry for being so suspicious. The
death anger me, more knowing that there was no reason for it.
-The sun is high but will soon fall and we still have a long journey. So raise
up heads and start marching.
Roku
Yarit
Roku could
have laughed at Raistlin. The Dwarf had completely ignored his demands. Good
for you Un. Don’t let them intimidate you.
The Mind Glancers telepathy may not have been able to pierce his mind but
Raistlin knew what Roku was thinking.
"Ab'Dendriel? There is no time for that," Istora said sternly.
"I have no interest in treasure either. We shall travel through the rift.
Tell me what island."
"Istora it is not our quest to decide what path we travel," Roku
reminded her. "You’re lucky enough he has offered to take strangers that
appeared out of nowhere with him. Perhaps you should show the mensch some
respect."
"Roku! Dont use such language." Iridal said sternly. "I
apologize for my companions attitudes, Red Un." she said softly, stepping
in front of Istora. "I am Iridal. This is Istora and Raistlin. I believe
you already know the Seventh." She extended her delicate hand to the Dwarf
and the others in his company, a warm smile on her face.
Red Un
Red Un spit
in his hand and gave her a hearty (dwarven) handshake.
"Well, I guess yer some 'o them Chelestrans or whatever they're called.
Think I read a book 'bout ya somewhere. Welcome to our li'll gang!"
Vodok
The short
dwarf was fairly bored so he sneaked over to the dead body. Get the backpack
get the backpack... The short dwarf thought. "LOOK! A FLYING
PIG!" the short dwarf yelled and pointed towards the opposite
direction from himself and the body. Hoping everyone was going to look away the
short dwarf took up the backpack and looked into it.
Lady
Rhiannon Datwood
Rhia was
curious about the other Chelestrans...
I wonder if they can read my mind... She thought.
She then noticed Dalafor was joining. She smiled to see an old friend... who
obviously didn’t recognized her. She was upset about that. "Dalafor! It's
me! Remember? Pheonix?" She said remembering that he knew her by her god
given name.
Red Un
Red Un
hadn't flinched at the notion of a flying farm animal. There's a lot stranger
things to see in Tibia.
"Vodok, if you are thinkin' about looting that poor boys body, I would
advise against it. After all, it's hard to walk with two broken legs..."
Roku
Yarit
Iridal
shook the Dwarfs hand with obvious discomfort and then wiped the spit on the
grass, smiling weakly.
"I don’t believe Roku mentioned you. May I ask your name," she asked
Rhiannon politely.
"Vodok, leave the boy’s body alone!" Roku dragged the Dwarf by the
collar away from the boy’s body.
Istora and Raistlin just stared at the rest of them sternly, tapping their feet
at the same time. A strange phenomenon among Mind Glancers.
The woman has some talents with the mind. Not so much as too control
thoughts and psychokenesis but enough to project her voice into ones head.
Should we worry about her?
No, she won’t be able to pry herself into our minds. Perhaps Iridal’s or
Roku's but not ours. She seems to know more about us then the Dwarf does. After
we find the library I would like to take a look on the book he spoke of. Only
three Chelestrans alive were there to witness the forging of the Labyrinth. And
none of them speak of it. I have questions that I would like to be answered.
"Un, why do you want to go to Ab'Dendriel? We have others ways to get to
the Ice Islands."
Vodok
The short
dwarf was now standing a few meters away from the body. He weighed the backpack
in his hands, then he threw it to the body. "'E'd wan' someone to 'ave
use of 'is stuff..." the short dwarf muttered. But then he decided to
be polite to the new powerful strangers. Powerful people have powerful
objects to give to nice people. the short dwarf thought so he walked up to
one of the people there and imitated Red Un. He spit in the other persons hand
and said. "Ill shake yar hand but ya'll have te scrape off that spit
from your 'and. The short dwarf said in his most polite voice.
Roku
Yarit
Istora hid
her fury well. Her eyes lost their pupils and she folded her arms. Vodok lifted
off the ground and turned upside down. Her face was cold and rigid. She wiped
the spit off her hand and onto the Dwarfs beard. Then she let get minds grip
slip and he fell, her pupils returning. "Your mensch really are disgusting
creatures."
Red Un
Red Un grinned.
"Well, if every 'Mench'
acted like Vodok, there wouldn't be much of civilization as we know it, I
guess. Anyhoo, I think I'll prefer takin' a ship from Abby (and let me tell ya,
I never really liked elven crews) than to use any strange magic warpin' thingys
of any sort..."
Besides, I would really like to find out what the Black Star is up to this
time, he thought for himself.
Vodok
The short
dwarf decided to pretend that didn’t happen. "Nice spell. How'd'ya do
it?" the short dwarf asked hoping he was politely having a nice
conversation with her.
Roku
Yarit
"Its
telekenesis, Vodok. Just steer clear of those two alright?" Roku said
quietly. "Just don’t spit on the one in the white. As a favour to
me." He smiled weakly.
"That is understandable. Lead the way then. And would you three stop using
that word! You of all people, Seventh, should know better. You talk of respect
but you continue to use such a demeaning term."
Lady
Rhiannon Datwood
Rhia only
heard muffles of what the 2 mindglancers were thinking about. She knew they
were talking about her... A cold chill ran down her spine.
Yes mother... I will be careful... She thought.
"What are you? You’re not... mortal are you?" She thought out
to the 2. Even though she could not read their minds she could still speak to
them.
Roku
Yarit
Istora and
Raistlin looked at Rhia simultaneously. Such a stupid question. We are of
the same race as Roku. We are Chelestrans. Mortal? Perhaps so but there is not
much that could kill us. We are gods among the mensch. The only difference
between us and the Sev-uh Roku is the path we were given after the tests. He is
a Guardian and we are Mind Glancers. Does this fill you thirst for knowledge,
Alethan? The two Mind Glancers spoke at the exact same time in Rhiannons
head.
Iridal looked at Rhia strangly. "Not talkative perhaps?" She looked
back at Roku as they walked but he only shrugged, looking rather clueless.
Red Un
"Well,
let's get goin' then!"
Red Un started to walk toward the nearby Femur hills that lies along the path
to Ab'Dendriel.
Dalafor
...Dalafor
turns back to Rhia and make some signs to her to walk ahead together. When Rhia
walks next to Dalafor he start talk to her>
-Sure, Rhia, I must admit that recognizing you took me little time. Perhaps
your different look mess these old eyes but I was sure our
ways gonna cross again, that’s the fate of the Path.
-You don’t need to worry about the Chelestran. They are good people in their
strange ways, mostly. I met some of their ancients... well... some time ago and
they are wise and respectful ones> And you
don’t need to be so paranoid. I know you quite well, and I can assure Rhia is a
trustworthy, we could say... woman. Before you ask me who I am, well, some of
your older knew me as the Star Runner or the Traveller so more presentations
won’t be needed, but you sure don’t need to spread this... knowledge, I hope.
Roku
Yarit
Raistlin
couldnt help but throw his head back and laugh. Listen, there are no
ancients nor any Star Runner ever mentioned by any Chelestran alive past or
present. You say then that you have walked on Chelestra which means your are
several centuries old because it must have been before the Labyrinth. If you
are telling the truth then you will know the name of The Dark. He had to
admit he was curious, but curiosity fades quickly with him. Lies did not.
His green eyes flashed. "They mean to kill him, sir."
"Why would anyone want to kill such a charming fellow?"
"You know, sir."
"I do?" he asked, a vague expression on his face.
"Indeed you do, sir." The opposing man was stern but subtle.
"If you say so," he said with an air of resignation.
"You can’t remember can you, sir?" the opposing man said with a
rather sad look on his face.
The vague expression left the old mans eyes. "It hurts...to remember that
is...other peoples...much easier...not mine...not anymore..."
"You should get some rest, sir. Tomorrow you will feel better." The
opposing man, dressed in black, led the elderly fellow down the hallway into
his sleeping chambers.
Lady
Rhiannon Datwood
She didn't
trust them... She could feel their feelings... They felt cold. She could tell
they only cared about their mission no matter the cost…
Even the lives of other were no concern to them.
Rhis shot a concerned glance to Roku then looked venomously at the two
Chelestrans. She disliked them. Roku didn’t even bother her this much.
"Tell me Dalafor... would you trust them with your life." she said
testily. She walked next to Roku.
"They feel... They feel as if they have no feelings toward life."
Red Un
Red Un,
happily unaware of the mind-talking behind him marched on with a merry song on
his lips.
"Hey ho, hey ho, to the elves we go
They don't have beer, they make us sneer
Hey ho, hey ho!
Hey ho, hey ho, to the pointy-ears we go
They're tall and fast
but will not last
Hey ho, hey ho!"
Roku
Yarit
"Why
should they?" Roku shrugged. "Let me try to help you understand. Mind
Glancers are never questioned. They take what they want when they want. They
are impatient and despise mostly everyone who is not a Glancer, considering
them weak and barbaric. We don’t mind. Right down to it, we’re all family.
There are so few of us left we are patient with those who’s views coincide with
ours. You don’t have to trust them, Rhiannon, just try to remember we came from
a place where compassion was a weakness that almost always lead to death."
"You make us sound like cold hearted trolls," Iridal laughed as she
walked on the opposite side of Roku. "It’s true then don’t care for you
but if you ignore them I’m sure they will do the same with you."
Vodok
"EVERYONE
STOP SINGING!" The
short dwarf yelled. If he couldn’t have fun no one else should have fun either.
"Write down 'is poem I made 'n' worked 'ard on." he said to
Red Un. The short dwarf cleared his throat.
"Hum dee dam, I ain’t dumb
Hum dee doo, I’m smarter than you!" the short dwarf said. "Write
'at down."
Red Un
Red Un
sighed as he kept walking and pulled out an old scrap of paper.
"This has got to be the worst waste of the written word, but oh
well..."
He began to write down Vodok’s poem...
Dalafor
...trust in
someone doesn’t mean to not to see what happens and only a
stupid, or a blind man, won’t look around for... unexpected... things.
-In the other hand ask me for the Dark name its a bad luck
sign, but that’s not my problem. I walked the labyrinth, true, but I also
walked so many other thousand paths, but it’s a shame that the few ones left
forget the old tales and rituals...
Roku
Yarit
Raistlin
grinned a bit. "I was referring to Detlin the Dark not actual darkness.
You remind me strangely of hi-" He stopped, realizing what the Old Man
just said.
Roku stopped walking...as did the rest of the Chelestrans. They all turned to
look at Dalafor with anger. Not all of them were telepathic but they all heard
it. "I walked in the labyrinth."
"Patryn!" Iridal burst out, unable to contain herself. "You dare
hide yourself in our midst?"
Roku calmed himself the best he could, resisting the urge to roll up his
sleeves. He could see the pupils begin to fade in the Mind Glancer’s eyes.
"Explain yourself while you still can, Dalafor."
Lady
Rhiannon Datwood
"Don't
you dare threaten him." She advanced on Roku and the mind glancers.
"You will not lay a finger on him!" Her voice seemed to boom in their
minds as well as in the air.
Red Un
Red Un
turned around at the sound of angry voices.
"Dammit, I'm not sure how this team has survived this far. Vodok, get out
any shielding magic you might have, it seems like there will be some
in-fighting. Again."
Vodok
"Aah.
Goodie. Was sum' time 'go I 'ad a fight. Unless yeh coun' tha' time inna desert
an' 'at stupid knight." the short dwarf said. Then he realised that this would not be a little
fight, although it could be settled without any blood spill, then again it
might not stop until someone dies. He prepared to say a healing spell and his
hand slowly made its way to his backpack with sudden death runes. Just in
case... "Wha' eva 'appens... We dwarfs'll stick tagether under 'is
fight, righ'?" the short dwarf whispered to Red Un hoping for some
protection.
Dalafor
...well, I
don’t want to get a useless fight here, but I don’t also need new embarrassing
followers
-So well, firstly calm down all. Rhia you don’t need to care bout my integrity
but your help is a very grated thing. I can say I’m just an old... traveller. I won’t deny I walk the
labyrinth but just as I walk thousand paths before and after that. There I met
some of your kind and I had some friendship with some few of them. Some thought
I was a kind of demon or the salvation of the Chelestran kind. I’d never admit
it. I won’t. Some was desperate for salvation thinking it would come from a
strange one, some fear me for being another one more than them walking the
labyrinth. Anyway I’m glad you, at least some of you, find the way out. But
don’t dare to menace an old man. I thought you were kinder and more respectful
with elders Remember, not all your eyes can see is what it
seems Perhaps you can now remember something about your old
tales. Is your curiosity fed? Can we keep on walking?
Roku
Yarit
"You
think we walked in the labyrinth? Do we look like criminals who were tossed
into that prison?" He could have laughed. "The people you met in the
Labyrinth were not Chelestran and you dishonour everyone of our people who died
on Chelestra when you call them that. They are Patryns, neither mensch not
Chelestran. Their heritage and magic has left them. They destroyed my home. Our
home. And you admit to befriending them? We have learned all too well that
appearances mean nothing, we learned that from the dragon, and perhaps you are
not a Patyrn but an outside force claimed responsibility for destroying the
seal from the inside and releasing those inside. You could have very well
destroyed our world, Dalafor..." His eyes were dark and narrow.
"There are only Fourteen Chelestrans alive this day. Not one of us hasn’t
been nearly killed by many Patryns. They hunt us, try to exterminate us. For
all we know you could be biding your time until you kill us in our sleep."
"Roku..." Iridal put a hand on his shoulder, he was shaking. Iridal
was a Transmogrifier, a term that seemed suitable for this class of Chelestran.
She could turn herself and anyone or anything around her into anything she
could concentrate hard enough on.
The Mind Glancers were silent, their pupils did not return. They were busy,
picking the locks, knocking the down the doors that would eventually lead into
Dalafors mind...or so they thought.
Lady
Rhiannon Datwood
Rhia closed
her eyes.
She let out a soothing sound... It was... song? She was using the magic of the
phoenix in her blood to try to soothe Roku's rage.
"Leave his mind alone Chelestrans, Dalafor's mind is not to be trifled
with." she thought to all while she sung.
"I’m sorry if I seem to be treating you like you are frail... I have
lost friends and I don’t want to lose another one" she thought to
Dalafor.
Red Un
Red Un
sighed.
"Right, if all the ancient grudges are settled for the time being (even
tough I bet they will come up in the future, probably at the moment when we
least need them), let's proceed to Abby!"
Meanwhile...
"Is this really worth the lives of hundreds?"
"I hope you know that our motto is 'The ends always justifies the means',
young man."
"But to destroy all this..."
"Cities can be rebuilt. But if the knowledge of the Library is
released...there will be nothing to rebuild. Ever."
Vodok
The short
dwarf was still in his alert position but after Red Un said they would keep on
walking to Ab'Dendriel he started walking after Red Un. "I’ve gotta
feelin' were bein' followed as we walk 'ere..." the short dwarf said
to Red Un in a dramatic voice. The short dwarf kept on walking for about 20
yards then suddenly when no one was suspecting it, the short dwarf jumped
around to check for followers. Or at least that’s what he meant to do. But his
heavy boots, legs, armor and all his backpacks caused him to fall down when he
tried to jump that suddenly. He was lying in a heap on the floor and could
hardly get up. "'Elp... Me..." he said.
A shadow was creeping and watching the dwarf fall. "Tss..." He
said silently as he watched the short dwarf lie there on the floor. "Curse
you, dwarf. No one finds out that I'm a murder and gets away with it..." The
not all too skilled knight muttered under his breathe.
Red Un
Red Un
figured he ought to help Vodok up on his feet and keep goin', but first he had
to laugh a little.
After he swept the tears out his eyes, he grabbed Vodok’s arm and pulled him
upwards. Just as Vodok was almost on his feet, Red Un noticed the knight.
"Hey, isn't that the guy you almost killed before?" said Red Un and
pointed. With the hand he was holding Vodok with. Vodok fell again.
"Mr. Knight, leave now, or these merry Chelestrans will make you wish you
was never born."
Vodok
"'N'
I will even if yeh run!!" the short dwarf yelled out fiercely. He threw off a backpack or two and
got up to his feet. He put his hand down in a backpack and got up a fire bomb.
He missed but one field of fire got the knight who was running for his life.
The short dwarf shot again since it contained two shots like all other fire
bombs. This one was too far in front of the knight but like last time one field
hit. The knight stopped just in time and ran out and around the fire bomb. The
short dwarf drew another rune and got a soul fire. It missed. It missed again
and again then it hit. "AAARG!!" the knight yelled. He put his
hand in his backpack and got a small dagger out. He threw it with all his might
towards to short dwarf. It hit him. But not with the blade, the handle hit the
short dwarf chin. The short dwarfs chin was bleeding like crazy and it hurt
more that it bleed. "AAAAAARRRRRRRG!!!!!!!" the short dwarf
yelled out in pain. Now he was really angry... He threw down his weapon and
started shooting runes as fast as he could against the knight without looking.
The short dwarf had the knight lying on the floor. He took one last shot that
would wound him heavily or kill him. He shot the rune without looking what one
it was. But that was a misstake... He ultimate healed the knight. The knight
got up, Threw off his armor to run faster and run as fast as he could towards
the city. The short dwarf was exhausted, in a bad mood and bleeding and hurting
like crazy. "Exura vita." the short dwarf muttered but that
wasn’t really enough to stop the pain. The bleeding still continued. I’m not
mortally wounded but I will die unless I stop this god forsaken bleeding the
short dwarf thought. He moved quickly over to the new come people and Roku. "'Eal
me. Ill pay ya." the short dwarf said who was used to dwarfs who
didn’t do a thing for you unless you paid them.
Roku
Yarit
The two
Mind Glancers pupiless eyes turned the knight. He stopped abruptly and fell to
his knees then onto his face, dead. Their eyes then turned to Vodok. "We
are not clerics, mensch."
Iridal patted Vodok on the head and tore a ribbon of white silk off her rather
elegant gown. She secured it around the wound tighty, making Vodok look quite
comical. "There there, that should help it but I’m afraid I am not a
healer so my talent cannot instantly cure the wound."
Roku laughed heartily at Vodok. "You will never learn will you?"
Lady
Rhiannon Datwood
"Here
Vodok maybe this will help." She began to speak in the language of wounds.
"It should feel better. It may take a couple of seconds before it fully
heals."
Red Un
Red Un
looked over at the dead knight.
"Well, I guess I wouldn't want to mess with 'lestrans" he muttered to
himself.
"Ahem, right people, there's still a lot of way to walk. So let's get
goin'!"
Vodok
The short
dwarf waited a few seconds and then felt totally OK. He looked down on the dead
body, poking it with a nearby stick making sure he was dead. "Can I
take 'is 'uys stuff or will yeh break me legs??" the short dwarf
asked.
Red Un
Red Un grinned.
"Well, if anyone is
stupid enough to mess with us, they deserve to be looted."
Vodok
"Yay!"
the short dwarf
said. He ran to the body and looked at it. "Plate armor, nah use...
Ooo! Fire sword! Big use..." he muttered and threw down his two handed
sword and picked up the fire sword. "Plate legs... Nah use... Steel
helmet, got, but mines bi' ol' after 'is trip." the short dwarf
muttered and changed iron helmet. "Dragon shield... not worlds bes' but
betta' than none..." the short dwarf muttered and picked up the
shield. "Tha' done. The backpack." the short dwarf said. He
picked up the backpack and drained its contents by putting it upside down while
it was open. "'Nother combat knife... Neva know when 'at 'andy.
Throwin' star. Might 's'well take it. Book. Give it ta Red Un 'n' 'e'll be
'appy." the short dwarf muttered and put the throwing stars and combat
knives in his backpack. "OI! RED UN! 'AVE A BOOK!" the short
dwarf yelled and threw the book to Red Un. "Fire field... 'Nother fire
field... I’ll take 'em. Ooo! Meat! I’ll 'ave 'at. Tha''s it." the
short dwarf said while taking the meat and fire field runes. "Wai'... A
piece o' paper..." the short dwarf drew a piece of paper that had been
in the knight’s backpack.
To Marnora, Son of Banora.
This note has been sent out to some other people. Kill these people and you
will be richly rewarded: One very short dwarf, very slow. A half dwarf. A
Pheonix figure, one Chelestra and EVERYONE else you see in company with them.
You will be rewarded 20,000 gold for each scalp you manage to get, and drop off
at Folda ferry (dig it down exactly 10 yards from it and next day we'll give
you the gold).
Do not ask who we are, you cannot find us, and if you do, we'll have to kill
you. Kill the people we described.
And eat/burn/throw this piece of paper in water. the note said.
Unfortunately the short dwarf couldn’t read. "Nuffin' immportant."
the short dwarf said and threw the piece of paper away...
Red Un
Red Un
studied the book as he kept walking.
"Hrmm...seems like an ordinary diary...let's see 'ere..."
He read a few lines, then he skipped some pages, read some more, raised his
eyebrows, skipped some more pages, read some more and suddenly tore it to
pieces.
"Whoops! Oh well, nothing interesting in it anyway..."
Qunomus
Qunomus the
half elf came wandering down, bowstring tense as himself, his eyes looking for
battle. What he saw was a dozen or so fires blazing merrily all over the place,
a dead looted knight, and two dwarvish looking persons fully armed and grim
faced. Qunomus' eyebrows shot so high that they vanished under his long hair.
"Dwarves," he murmured. "Nothing but trouble. And those two look
like they are questing."
He grinned and with an expert toss of his head he sent his hair flying in the
wind and turned back.
Vodok
The short
dwarf who didn’t notice a thing kept on walking and took out a raw piece of
meat and took a big bite out of it. The short dwarf didn’t care what he ate,
but he didn’t like to drink anything that wasn’t beer he was used to. The short
dwarf took another big bite of the meat. Then ate it to the bone. He threw the
bone into a nearby bush and kept on walking. "Adori Vita Vis.
Adori gran. Adori gran." The short ´dwarf said in a very clear voice with runes in his hands. He
took up a lyre and started to sing. "THE ELVES ARE WEIRD! THEY AINT
HAVE NO BEARDS! THE ELVES ARE WEIRD!" the short dwarf sang at the top
of his voice.
Roku
Yarit
Roku saw
him, how could he miss him. All mensch has a strange smell about them and elves
were the worst, next to Vodok. They smelled like grass to him. He laughed
subtly as the short dwarf sang. He sounded like a dying hyena but he would put
up with it just to see if anything interest came of it as they all walked to
Ab'Dendriel.
Red Un
"Dammit
Vodok, be quiet! Such songs are good when not actually near Abby. I've
travelled around the world for quite a while, and I've learned that insultin'
everyone you see isn't the way to go..."
Red Un took out his lyre, and played an old elven ballad just to be on the safe
side...
Qunomus
His music
was answered by a burst arrow, which screamed as it flew threw the air, land on
ground right between Vodok and Roku. The blast knocked them backwards, but
didn't hurt them very much. "Bad move." said Qunomus coldly. Looking
at Red Un with more respect he nodded. "You at least have sense. I
wouldn't have come if these fools," he said gesturing at Vodok and Roku.
"hadn't insulted the elven kindred."
Vodok jumped to his feet furious, and moved at Qunomus ready to attack him.
Quonmus raised something in his hand and calmly said "Adori Flam."
Vokok was knocked to the ground again..........
Roku
Yarit
"Worse
move." This was pathetic. He was being attacked with Tibian magic.
He didn’t even want to waste the effort of moving his hand on the damned Elf.
"I’m the fool huh? Damned Mensch, how about you lick the horse crap off
Vodok's boots and stop wasting our time." He grinned at Iridal, Istora,
and Raistlin, who all seemed to find this as funny as he did.
Red Un
Red Un
sighed. He didn't want the whole damn elven army hunting him down.
"Now calm down people! This is NOT goin' to help our quest in ANY way!
Roku, please apologise to the elf, and...elf whose name I do not know,
apologise to Roku. We are not here in evil intent, we merely seek knowledge. If
you want, Vodok can wait outside Ab'Dendriel 'till we're done."
Qunomus
Qunomus glared at Red Un. "Fine. Sorry, Dwarf." He spoke the name
with utter contempt.
"You seek knowledge?" Qunomus asked looking at Red Un. "It is a
strange wind that would send Dwarves this far north seeking nought but
knowledge. What such knowledge do you seek Milord Dwarf?" He asked looking
the dwarf over with respect.
Roku
Yarit
"Some
of us seek different knowledge then other-" Roku put his hand over
Raistlins mouth.
"Uh...we are looking for a...uh...cook book. Yea that’s its! Dwarfs can’t
make a good meal anymore so..."
Iridal rolled her eyes and smacked Roku in the back of the head.
"Shhh!"
Lady
Rhiannon Datwood
Rhia looked
at the elf in a funny way. "I thought elves don't attack unless
provoked?" She asked trying her best not to put any insult in her tone.
Vodok
The short
dwarf was very annoyed, but didn’t attack. He was using all his self control
(that wasn’t a lot) to not attack the elf. "Don' 'ttack 'e elf... Don''
'ttack 'e elf..." the short dwarf was muttering keeping his arms in a
very strange position so they wouldn’t glide of to his backpacks. "So
d'we go in'ter' ab' now or wha'?" the short dwarf asked in a very
forced-calm voice.
Red Un
"Aye,
books of cookin' is very rare in Kazordoon, and I have heard far and wide of
the magnificency of the elven kitchen. After all, I'm only half dwarf, so I tend
to be a little more...open to new things than my kindred."
Red Un bowed.
"I thank ye most kindly for your benevolence and I give ye my best wishes
for the future."
He looked at the others.
"Okay, let's ge goin'!"
Vodok
"Gonna
eat?? I wanna ea' too!" the short dwarf said and ran after Red Un. "Wine... 'Am... Mea'... Cheese..." the short dwarf muttered.
Red Un
"Hey
Vodok, calm down, there's gonna be food in Ab'Dendriel too. But I think you
should stay outside, or we're gonna get into a lot o' trouble..."
Off in the distance, the tallest tree in the world could be seen. They were
getting closer...
Lady
Rhiannon Datwood
Rhia kept
her cool waiting for the elf's reply.
Roku
Yarit
Roku walked
slowly to Ab'Dendriel, he was looking straight up. "Are those
Vultures?"
Vodok
"Me?!?!
Outside?!?! Miss all 'e food 'n' wine?!?! BAH!! I c'en turn inta' an elf 'n'
Ill keep castin' the spell all tha time were in Ab. 'K?" the short dwarf asked Red Un.
Qunomus
Qunomus'
eyebrows vanished under his hair again. He did not believe this story for an
instant, first off he couldn't remember ever hearing what they ate, so long as
it was meat, or what they drank so long as it was beer. Second these dwarves
had a look in their faces that made him uncomfortable. Third he had not heard
himself of an elvish kitchen. "I see master dwarf." said Qunomus
politely." Farewell, and may you find what you seek." he hurried back
to Ab’Dendriel and told Faluae about these dwarves.
Red Un
"Well
Vodok...if we say that you are a drunk, half-dumb and extremely rude elf, they
just might believe you. Just try to avoid eye contact..."
Now the gates of the city could be seen.
"Vodok, get spellin'..."
Vodok
"Good
'dea! We'll preten' I'm'a drunk half dumb 'n' exetremely rude elf!" the short dwarf said without
realising that Red Un meant that that was what he was. "I c'en do i' a
few times, but no' for more 'en 'bout 'n' hour then we're gonna 'af'ta be outta
'ere 'cause by 'at time I won' be able ta do the spell no more. Utevo res ina
Elf." And the short dwarf took apperance of an elf. "If ya
stare intensly at me you'll see me as I am an' animals won'' be fooled." the
short dwarf said wisely and walked inside the borders of Ab'Dendriel.
Red Un
"Well,
animals might recognise ya, 'cause most animals have a refined sense of
smell..."
Red Un walked past the wall of wood that protected the legendary city of elves.
Meanwhile...
"Master, they have arrived."
"Very good. Everything is prepared. You know what to do."
"Yes master, but..."
"Remember, the Ends Always Justifies The Means."
"Yes master."