7th Fourth quarter 998
Sapphire and Jack
Next day after breakfast in guest dining chamber, Sapphire and Jack went to the garden at palace's inner square. It was a sunny, hot day. Cold breeze blown through the garden, cooling anyone seeking shelter from the heat. With whisper of leaves and songs of birds, this place was a real oasis of peace within Wickbreach. Siblings sat on a bench.
I... think it's time we continue your counselling sessions! - Sapphire surprised her brother.
Oh no, not this again... - Jack complained, though he knew that there's nothing he can do stop his sister.
[2]
So, we'll begin with... uhm... - she started, but couldn't find words this time. She looked around the garden, and got an idea that could yet save their session.
Look at the beauty of this garden! Trying to calm down and relax in this place is extremely easy. Now whenever you're angry, imagine yourself this garden, and it surely will help you![1]
Yeah, right... Listen Sapphire, I don't need any counselling sessions. They're only getting on my nerves! - Jack replied angrily. Sapphire saddened instantly, seeing that her efforts only brought more trouble.
But you must control your anger, otherwise you'd lose control like in that workshop! - she still tried to make Jack see the point of their sessions though.
[2]
Maybe you're right, but I certainly don't feel like having such a session today. I'm curious what king can offer us, and I'm thinking about it all the time. - knowing Jack, Sapphire treated this as apologies. She was interested in the offer too.
Yes... - she said, giving in to her thoughts.
[4] Suddenly someone enters the garden and breaks out siblings from their thoughts.
May I join you? - a tall, black cloaked man with bright brown hair asked. His cloak had a clasp in shape of a lizard.
Of course sir. My name is Sapphire, and this is my brother Jack. - as always, Sapphire started all the talking.
Excellent! Whenever I visit the palace, I try to spend a while in this garden. - the man said.
I'm Luccius Rotharo, ambassador of Gretanar Empire. A pity I don't have such a beautiful garden back in my court at Gretanar. - after a while he revealed his identity.
Ah, you sir must've travelled a really long way to get here. I thought that Iseth is at war with Gretanar Empire, what's the reason to visit Kig Matigor I then? - Sapphire asked inquiringly.
[1] The man frowned.
My visit is a matter of Emperor Nygalair and King Matigor. But I can say you that important changes are abound, changes that will weaken Iseth for several Quarters. - Luccius said.
Can you tell us anything more? - Sapphire continued asking. Luccius sighed, and then replied:
I know that you're not spies, so I probably can tell you. First things first, you probably already know about newly elected lords of Iseth's provinces - Guy Cahill, Gaspare Pavoni and Triptolemeus. They were thrown out of their courts and they completely lost power over their respective provinces. Reasons for it, I can't tell you. Be sure to listen to town criers in following days. Now, the point is, that imperial army is gathering by western border of Iseth. First they'd deal with barbaric tribes on their way, then break through borderline garrisons and keeps. They won't stop until they'll reach Inner Sea.Before Sapphire could reply, the chamberlain appeared and called them for a private audience. But just before they reached royal chamber, a Larramsirian ambassador entered it with unexpected visit. They closed doors and siblings had to wait. Chamberlain told them to go to their quarters, as Larramsirian ambassador's always stay for really long, showing trade agreements.
Tyr Loknar
Tyr woke up in tavern room and looked at his hand. The wound pained badly, but wasn't infected. Dagger went right through flesh, just in between bones. He knew that he should find someone to tend to it so he won't have too big troubles. Tyr took his stuff and went down for a breakfast. The innkeeper gave him some bread, sausage, eggs and vegetables on a small platter. While eating, Tyr listened to others, trying to catch anything interesting.
I tell you that the army is gathering! Empire is about to strike! - said caravan guard of newly appeared Anxrean caravan.
That's bullshit, they won't attack member of the Triangle! - merchant from Skraelan caravan argued. Tyr continued eating, when he heard three shady mercenaries talking by another table.
The newly elected lords were closed in Darkbog. - said a cloaked figure.
Why? - a muscular man with a battle axe by his side asked.
No idea. - the cloaked mercenary replied. Then the third one spoke:
My cousin helped to transport and close them in Darkbog. He says that they were spies working for Gretanar Empire and Larramsir. At least that's what he heard from a guard that heard bits of their interrogation. Shivers went down Tyr's spine.
The dreaded Darkbog - he thought -
They say it's the most horrible dungeon in whole Tenath. Tyr finished his breakfast and went to town to find someone who could treat his hand.
[1] Just as he reached doors, the mercenaries have left their table and followed Tyr outside. He tried to lose them in tighter alleys, but they still followed him until they all reached a dead end!
That's the guy that Roderick spoke of! Get him! - the cloaked man shouted and drawn a composite bow. Another one drawn a longsword and shield, then waited by bowman while axeman charged!
[Tyr: 3, Axeman: 3] Tyr grabbed dagger with his not wounded hand and quickly dodged the charge!
[Tyr: 5, Axeman: 4] The axeman swung his battle axe, but Tyr swiftly jumped out and stabbed him at back, but dagger only dented the plate mail.
[Tyr: 5, Axeman: 5] Another charge, Tyr rolled away, still keeping the axeman in between him and archer.
[Tyr: 5, Axeman: 2] This time Loknar didn't waited and charged! He fooled the mercenary that he's going to strike from left and he made an overhead swing with his axe.
Agh! Son of a bitch! - Tyr used this opportunity to stab through an open joint and paralyse the man's leg!
[Tyr: 3, Archer: 5]
Ungh! - the mercenary with bow shot, and the arrow hit Tyr at his left arm, tearing through the flesh!
[Tyr: 1, Archer: 1, Swordsman: 3, Guards: 5] Tyr fell on the ground, blood pouring out of his arm. The arrow punctured an artery! Guards drawn by noises of battle ambushed mercenaries! The bowman was completely surprised and got a powerful slash at neck, which behead him! Swordsman tried to fight and charged, but a shield bash knocked him on the ground!
Help the wounded one, I'll deal with the thug! - guard shouted to his companion.
[Guard: 6, Swordsman: 2] [Tyr treatment: 5] The guard only wanted to knock sword out of hands of the mercenary, but he stumbled on a cobble and falling with is sword put with blade downwards, he fell on the swordsman and stabbed through his chest! The second guard had bandages and some liquid in a small bottle with him. He poured it on Tyr's hand and arm, and after a while he couldn't feel them.
Hope that these painkillers from Ivette work! - he said. The liquid had not only painkilling effect, but also disinfecting it! Then he applied bandages and stopped Tyr's bleeding.
[5]
You had a lot of luck that we heard the battle, otherwise you'd be dead in a moment! - the guard said, helping Loknar get up.
We'll take you to hospital, just don't get into any troubles there! - and so they moved on. Tyr thanked them for timely intervention.
Euzaroch
Euzaroch slept as Kallun protected the figure. He woke up by evening and prepared himself for second task - fight with a wolf.
Be careful. The beast has better sight in darkness than you and is much quicker. - Kallun said calmly, as if he knew that Euzaroch won't fail.
Thanks for advice.[2] With that, Euzaroch moved on to forests. It was getting dark, but moonlight was enough to see anything. He tried to spot any wolves, either by prints of the paws or noises. He heard baying and looked to a nearby meadow - wolf! Or rather wolves, a whole pack, six of them.
Damn, they'd shred me to pieces if they'll see me.[5] Suddenly two of wolves started barking at each other! One lunget at second and bit him in neck, but the second wolf freed himself and started running towards Euzaroch!
A wounded one would fell quicker. Good. - he readied himself for a battle, but the wolf just ran past him! The second one gave chase and stopped upon getting closer to Euzaroch, gnarling his teeth and growling at him!
[Euzaroch: 4, Wolf: 1] They charged at the same time! Euzaroch quickle grabbed the wolf by it's maw and forced it to close it, then he thrown the wolf on the ground! Then Euzaroch started strangling the wolf!
[Euzaroch: 5, Wolf: 2] The wolf struggled to break Euzaroch's grip, shaking violently or scratching. It was futile, Euzaroch used all his strenght and snapped it's neck! Second Trial was almost done.
[5] Then Euzaroch opened it's maw and plucked out a fang from wolf's corpse. It was easy, as the fang got loose when he thrown the wolf to the ground.
[5] Now it's time to find way back to Zyugewolg's figure. The place where he killed wolf wasn't too far away from it, and it wasn't that dark due to moonlight. Euzaroch reminded himself which path he took and came back to the figure following it. He approached Kallun, holding fang in his hand.
Excellent! You passed the second trial! Tomorrow would be the last night, after it you will gain Zyugewolg's favor. - sorcerer said with enthusiasm.
Thanks for helping me. I should rest now. - Euzaroch said and lied on the ground, close to the figure that looked ominous in the mix moonlight and light from campfire.
Vrillith
It's been a week since Vril was thrown out of Ravecloft, his home village. His provisions running short, leaving him with food and water only for three days. Still he has some Florins with him, so he could buy something on the way. Following a side tract of an old trade route, he got to a crossroad. Vrillith looked at the signpost and read: Qrall - north, Gretanar - south, Skraelan - east.
Author
Topic: Heroes of Tenath [8/8] (Read 19242 times)