Book 7: Divided Fates
Cast of Characters
Chapter 1
Euye, the Dragonborn bounty hunter, arrives to Fort Laca Alea.
A ship with black sails cruised into Fort Lacta Alea, its large forefront carved with an intricate design: an ominous, barnacle-encrusted skeleton holding an unfurled scroll in one hand, and a beheaded boar’s head in the other. Thick ropes flew from the port and starboard; deck hands and thick-armed sailors tied the ends to splintered posts. Restless and land-craved figures lowered the gangway. They stomped onto the shore, taking in the smell of the salt-stained air. Amongst the crew, a tall, black Dragonborn with blue eyes strutted off the vessel. His long, jagged fangs molded into a smirk. He exhaled a plume of smoke from his nostrils.
“It’s a good day to go hunting,” he said, a deep snarl lingering in his words.
Chapter 2
Watching a seagull swoop through the clouds, Majorie wondered if more rain was going to grace the day. The ground had soaked up the endless pour, and now the fields surrounding the Fort were pools of mud. Most of the mages and warriors Marjorie had come to know at Fort Lacta Alea had chosen a path out of the continent. Most decided to set sail for the lands of the Boarish Kingdom, which preached morality, honor, and a society built upon sanctuary. While Marjorie felt like she could find a family amongst the promises, within her was still the need to explore the second option others were propositioned with.
The Scavengers had equally tempting mantras.
Since wandering into the Fort, the Scavengers prowled the streets denouncing the Boarish Kingdom. Hym, the most prominent Scavenger, still roamed this portside—proclaiming daily the avarice and greed the Boarish Kingdom hid from its pilgrims. In his eyes, at least the Scavengers were direct and bold with their cunning and sharp ways.
Marjorie was running low on gold. She would need to decide soon. No longer could she hide amongst the rabble that called this waypoint home.
As Marjorie continued contemplating her choices, a group of young adventures crossed her path. Two humans and a halfling strolled by, brandishing their swords with excitement.
“There must be treasure here for taking!” The halfling said, his voice rough like chopped waves out at sea. His attire was that of a sailor’s: thin leather boots and salt-worn rags stitched together with weathered hands. “Ay, before I set sail once more, I must fill me coffers with all the gold I can muster.”
“Will there be fighting, Quickfist?” One of the humans asked, turning to the halfling. His tall stature was decked in all black. “Gold is only worth the steal if a worthy fight is had.”
“Oh, there be fighting. There be fighting.”
The three figures laughed as they made their way along the path. Intrigued by the sense of adventure, Marjorie approached them, her eyes taking note of their swords.
“Well, Incine,” the halfling smirked, “looks like you’ll get your fight after all!” He pointed his sword at Marjorie and smiled, “Give us your gold, elf!”
The second human walked around to flank his friends, his weapon pointed near Marjorie’s back. “Turn out your pockets!”
Majorie strikes up a new alliance
Marjorie held up her hands to her head. “I don’t have gold. But I know how to find some. Are you new to the fort?”
The three warriors exchanged a glance. They furrowed their brows at the captive.
“You’re lying to us!” Incine said, drawing closer.
“I’m not! I swear!” Marjorie pleaded. “I overheard you guys. I need gold too. We can help each other.”
Quickfist looked the elf up and down, then lowered his sword. He spat on the ground, “Alright. You can join us. But be warned: you double-cross us, and ye be finding yourself dead!”
Marjorie lowered her hands and reached into her pocket. She pulled out her magical orb, its light swirling into a vortex. She gave a small chuckle, “I may not have a sword, but I’m just as dangerous as you.”
Marjorie turned around, pushing past the human behind her. The warriors grouped up and watched the mage increase the distance between them.
“We’re really following her? We could take that orb from her!” The human said.
“Patience, Ted. The right moment will come,” Quickfist responded. He looked past his compatriots; his eyes searching the shadows. “I’m not opposed to playing unfair.” Quickfist turned, and followed the elf’s footsteps. He clinked his sword into the sheath hanging from his belt. They followed Marjorie into the thicket.
The shadows jerked, and a winged creature poked its maw out from the trees. Its low voice gurgled an ancient phrase, then took off following Its bidding.
Chapter 3
Once word spread around Vendor’s Veranda that The Mermaid’s Might had made its port call, customers rushed from the stalls to prepare for a Boarish Kingdom journey. By the end of the day, the ship would set sail out of the continent towards new horizons. The bustling streets of Fort Lacta Alea erupted into long queues as last-minute supplies were stuffed into sacks and bags.
Beside the bounty wall, two Boarish Kingdom emissaries scribbled their quills over fresh parchment.
“Jätte,” the tall warrior said, turning to her companion, “why is everything in this strange language?”
Jätte turned his head to answer, “We’ll probably have to ask around. See if anyone can decipher the text.”
“Or I could do it myself. You know, I have excellent talents when it comes to puzzles.”
“Gisa…while I believe you, wouldn’t it be much easier to ask the locals for their knowledge?”
Gisa scoffed, “We’ll see about that.” She reached up and ripped a few flyers down from the wall, and tucked the findings into her bag. She craned her neck, taking in the scenes of the Veranda.
“Come,” Gisa ordered, “let’s see if anyone knows why Common is not used here.”
The emissaries moved through the lines, pushing past the crowd. They came upon the shop of Liona, the Lion-Kin’s, stall.
Jätte & Gisa Linn stare at the wall of Wanted & For Hire posters
“Well met,” Liona said with a small bow of her head. “I see the emissaries of the Boarish Kingdom have made their way into the fort. Tell me, what news do you share?”
Gisa straightened her back and held her head high, “We’ve come to gather new pilgrims for our lands. Tonight, The Mermaid’s Might will sail to our Kingdom. New citizens will be welcomed and brought into the fold of our shores.”
“Sounds like you’ll be busy. Care to buy a healing potion for your troubles? Only five gold.”
Gisa reached into her pouch and produced the price. She dropped it into the shopkeeper’s paw. She took a bottle, and stored it in her sack.
“Have you heard about our honorable lands, merchant?” Jätte asked, his tone balanced on the edge of a sermon.
Liona smirked and crossed her arms. “Yes, yes. But I’m a sworn member of the Merchant’s Guild. I can neither pledge—nor reject—allegiance to any country at the moment.”
“Pity,” Gisa said. She ruffled through her belongings and placed her collected flyers onto the booth. “Don’t suppose you know how to translate this text?”
“Ah, of course I can. For a small fee, of course.”
“What’s your rate?”
“Five gold per letter.”
Jätte and Gisa balked at the price. The latter gathered the paperwork and tucked it away once more. They backed away from the stall and turned to one another.
“So much for asking the locals,” Gisa said. She stomped over to a green, café table and smacked her bag down. Jätte approached her with care.
“Like you said, you’ll figure it out. Until then, all we can do is focus on our mission. We need more people in the Boarish Kingdom. You heard the whispers. War has come.”
Gisa sighed, “Yes. But how can we recruit more without promise of gold?”
“I was told there’s a competition later that our Kingdom has provided funds for.”
“Sure. But it’s not much. We must find more gold.”
Jätte’s voice began to prickle, “Just as long as we don’t stoop down to Scavenger methods.”
Gisa didn’t respond. She pulled out the posters and began to muddle suggestions under her breath. She knew very well that war was on the wind. And that there was a cost to recruitment.
Chapter 4
Hym locked his chest behind the prison desk and dropped the brass key into his pocket. He turned to the yellow-eyed Dragonborn beside him.
“You’ve done well running this prison,” Hym said. “Half our new crew came from behind these bars. We should be well-manned for the journey to Vulture Isle.”
Fuye, the ruling sheriff of Fort Lacta Alea
The Dragonborn raised a mug to his jaw, “Each prisoner was given the offer: join the Scavengers, or face the bars or block.” He drank his brew in long gulps, “Not surprising to find my prison is clear of criminals.”
Hym laughed. He moved to the exit, then turned his head back, “Thought you should know. Your cousin just docked at the bay. Time for a family reunion?”
The Dragonborn lowered his drink to the table. A sneer crept across his face.
Chapter 5
As Marjorie led her found gang to Liona’s stall, Quickfist called out, “Ah-vast! We can rob all the loot from this shop!”
Liona cocked her eyes at the newcomers, “You can certainly try.”
Ted and Incine took out their blades. Marjorie held out her hand to stop them, shaking her head. “No, not her,” she said.
“Ah, Marjorie. You never collected your winnings from the Blood Thirsty Tribunal that was held a while back. Here you are,” the Lion-Kin said, pulling gold from her pocket and pushing it towards the elf.
Marjorie’s cheeks turned red. She gave a nervous chuckle, “Oh yeah. I forgot about that.”
“You lied to us!” Ted said, turning his ire towards Marjorie. “You said you had no gold!”
“I didn’t…when you asked me!” Marjorie said, quickly pocketing her winnings to her side. “But now I do. We can buy some health potions here.”
“Buy some, then!” Quickfist said, his gaze growing large at the selection before him. “We might need some later.”
Marjorie reached over and palmed a red, glowing vial. She gave Liona her dues.
“Pleasure doing business with you all,” Liona said. She turned her gaze to the ground and watched Quickfist’s shadow convulse unnaturally. It rose up, and twisted into a dark, winged creature.
“Ansler, my fine Litch friend,” Quickfist said, turning to the being. “What have you discovered?”
Ansler, the Litch, appears from the shadows
The sinister soul shuddered as It turned more corporeal. “Lots of movement towards the shores,” he answered, Its voice like a forgotten echo in a cave. “There are talks of two boats moving out at night.”
“That’s correct,” Liona interjected. “The Boarish Kingdom and the Scavengers are both preparing to leave port by the end of the day. If you wish to leave Fort Lacta Alea, you best choose one of these options. It will be some time before a large ship like these two factions comes around again.”
Marjorie’s face scrunched into concern. “We haveto choose between the Boarish Kingdom or the Scavengers if we want to leave?”
Liona nodded her head, “Or be left here on your own.”
“I have my own ship!” Quickfist said with pride.
“You’re a pirate, right?” Incine asked.
“No! I’m a sailor,” Quickfist responded, his voice tinged with deception. He began to walk away from Liona’s stall. “I don’t understand why everyone just assumes I’m a pirate.”
Ted scowled, but followed his companion. As the odd band left Vendor’s Veranda, the Litch lingered at the stall. Failing at any sort of deception, the creature snatched two potions from Liona’s stall and flew away off into the woods.
Liona squinted her eyes, and took out her quill and parchment, “Can’t tolerate that at all.”
Chapter 6
Bratva scratched his chin as he lingered by the Bounty Wall. His long journey had brought him all the way to the edge of the continent, and he knew his loyalties were about to be tested as he spotted Euye’s portrait.
He reached into his satchel and pulled out his cipher; a code to understanding the strange language of a forgotten civilization. How long had it taken him to break the lexicon, only to be left with more questions? The tattered cloth of symbols trembled in his clutch.
Bratva eyes the Wanted Posters and sees a familiar face…
He decoded the flyer mounted above him. Wanted Alive. Euye. For Questioning. 50 Gold.
Bratva’s previous encounters with the bounty hunter were contradictory. Euye had taught him how to use a sword; had worked with Bratva on capturing bounties. Bratva even betrayed his aunt, Katarina, to the Dragonborn. But Bratva also turned on Euye. Had fought against him in a few skirmishes. Bratva feared Euye, yet deep down, there was a lingering respect for him too.
Bratva left the poster on the wall. If Euye was in the area, maybe Bratva could uncover the mysterious hunter’s motives. Maybe blood didn’t need to be shed.
Bratva glanced over his shoulder and saw Vendor’s Veranda bustle with eager movement. He glimpsed Liona’s stall and hiked over to the potions and goods.
“You a merchant?” Bratva asked, a smile growing over his face.
“I am indeed. Any goods you’re interested in?” the Lion-Kin said, a glimmer in her eye.
Bratva remembered his time working for his aunt, Katarina. Fond memories of her shop danced in his mind. He hoped she was doing well as Flimkein’s new ruler. There was much she needed to do to restore the country’s wellbeing.
“Not yet,” Bratva answered, tipping his head. “I don’t suppose you’ve seen a man named Hym around these parts.”
Liona shrugged her shoulders, “For some coin, I could tell you.”
Bratva laughed, “As soon as I acquire some, I’ll be sure to come back.” He continued walking, enjoying the small detour from his worries.
***
“I know they’re around here somewhere!” the red-haired warrior said, pushing through the bramble. He stepped into a large puddle and sank into the mud up to his shins. He let out a curse.
Lucas & N.J. make their way through the thick forest
Behind him, the light-footed Githyanki almost seemed to hover above the ground. Using precise footwork, the Gith jumped, landed on the human’s shoulder, and launched over the precarious pool of muck. The warrior sank further into the ground.
“Hey! That doesn’t help!”
The Githyanki turned back and adjusted his long black cape. “Do you even know where you’re going, Lucas? We’ve been tracking the pirate’s crew for a while.”
The human struggled his boot out from the murk and limped towards his traveling companion. He let out an exasperated chuckle, “Oh, I know where I’m going. I’ve been here at the Fort for some time. I know things. I hear things. Those little twerps are near. It’s time to kick their butts.”
The Gith scrunched his face as a response.
“Look,” Lucas continued, “I’m here for one thing, and one thing only: to get back at them for what they’ve said about my cousin. They besmirched my family’s honor. They need to pay for their actions, N.J.” He kept strolling along, and fell into another mud pit. Another slew of words exhaled from his breath.
N.J. rolled his eyes, and leapt from his safe perch.
Chapter 7
“I’m so close to figuring it out,” Gisa said as she leaned over her collection of bounty and for-hire posters. She scratched out a few notes with her quill, her tongue sticking out from her lips.
Jätte leaned over and pointed to an obscure word, “This looks familiar. I want to say the word is, ‘Alive.’ Does that match up?”
Before Gisa could answer, the two emissaries turned around at the sound of footsteps approaching. Bratva drew closer to the pair, taking in their armor and symbols.
“You’re from the Boarish Kingdom?” the half-elf asked.
Gisa cleared her throat, “That we are. Can we help you?”
Bratva helps the Boarish Kingdom emissaries
Bratva’s eyes spied the work splayed across the table. He immediately recognized the attempts being made to decipher the strange writing. “Here,” he said, pulling out the tattered cloth in his pocket, “I think this will help you. It’s the code to what you are working on.”
Gisa eyed the stranger and took the offering with a hesitant grip. She moved her head up and down, examining the codex and her notes. A smile spread across her face.
“Aha! Just what I need to fill in the missing pieces!” She stood up and shook Bratva’s hand. “How did you come across this?”
“On my adventures. I have no idea what the language is, but I’ve seen it scattered around.”
“It’s an old language. Made by mages who practiced dark magic,” Jätte said, remembering the information told to him by Gios long ago. “We were warned to be cautious.”
Gisa added, “But it’s important that we figure it out, nonetheless. Apparently, it’s the primary, written language here.” She picked up her paper and began to translate what was in front of her, “Looks like folks need ‘proof of snake’ and a healer. There are a few wanted here as well. Some young elf named Marjorie is wanted for questioning. Another elf, Dobby, for murder. And,” she paused, running her hands over the next flyer. “Jätte…”
Jätte leaned over. In Gisa’s hands was a flyer of Arianna. “Why is she wanted?”
“Theft. She’s wanted alive.” They both exchanged a look, and tucked the flyer away. Behind the paper was the flyer for Euye.
Brata’s eyes grew wide. He reached down and took the flyer from Gisa with a delicate pinch.
“Know him?” Jätte asked, giving the half-elf a quizzical glance.
Bratva clenched his fists as he tucked Euye’s poster in his pocket. “You can keep that cloth. I don’t need it anymore.”
Gisa nodded her approval, “Thank you for the help. Hey, have you heard anything about the Boarish Kingdom?”
Bratva bowed and walked away. He griped the sword by his side, his knuckles growing pale.
***
“We need to find a target,” Quickfist whispered. He prowled through the forest, leading his band of young adventurers. “Marjorie and Ted: ye go that way and rob anyone ye come across. Incine and I will follow this trail.”
“Why are we splitting up?” Ted asked, rolling his eyes.
“To cover more ground. Now go.”
Marjorie and Ted trudged into the deep woods.
Quickfist whistled. The shadows around him converged and twisted. Clouds covered the sun. The winged figure of Ansler appeared for him.
“Scout ahead,” Quickfist ordered, “and return to me when you’ve found something worthwhile to steal.”
The Litch’s maw grew, revealing haunting fangs. It swooped away, leaving dark tendrils of energy.
“What have you planned, Quickfist?” Incine asked.
The pirate smirked and drew his sword. Without an answer, he kept along the path that wound its way through Lacta Alea.
Chapter 8
Gisa and Jätte found themselves exploring a rundown neighborhood. They came across an abandoned building, held together only by deteriorated wood and hope.
Jätte took in a deep breath, “What are we doing here? We need to get more people to commit to the Boarish Kingdom.”
“Sure,” Gisa answered, “but this area is going to need a little bit more than just words and promises. We need to make some gold. Then we can show folks that the Boarish Kingdom can offer them a new way of life.”
Jätte pondered the suggestion. He followed his warrior companion into the building, pushing past a fallen door. “How can we possibly find gold here?” As he moved into the cramped space, his ear picked up a strange sound rattling in a dirt-covered basket. Curious, the human lifted the lid. Within a blink, Jätte felt pain coursing through his hand. He dropped the lid and clutched his aching wound. A yelp escaped from his lips.
“What? What’s wrong?” Gisa said, retracing her steps back to the mage. She noticed Jätte’s skin was growing pallid and clammy.
Jätte showed her his hand. Small, bleeding bite marks oozed black pus. “My eyesight is growing dizzy,” he said, his voice slurring.
Gisa slammed her bag on the ground and began to search through its contents. What has Mediscus taught me? She thought to herself, recalling the time in the Boarish Kingdom where the wise cleric resided. It’s been so long. May the gods help me!
Gisa looked around her and noticed the basket. It vibrated with motion. “I think you’ve been bitten by a snake. Do you have a health potion on you?”
Jätte could feel his throat closing. He began to pace the room in a panic.
Gisa thumbed through her memories. Without a potion, Jätte would die.
Remember, Mediscus had once said to her, the venom of a snake will rush through its victim if the heart keeps racing. Slow down the heartrate, slow down the poison.
Gisa reached for Jätte’s magical sphere. She took it, slammed it on the ground, and planked over it. Roots took over Jätte’s body sealing him in place.
Think, think, she thought to herself.
She had a potion in her bag. Purchased this morning.
Gisa maneuvered her bag next to her straining body. Sweat began to pool down her face as she searched through her belongings. She felt the glass vial tink against her fingernails. With a deep breath, she dropped the roots and grasped the potion.
Jätte—released from the plants—dropped to the ground. His eyes were red, beginning to bulge from his face. Gisa uncorked the bottle and rammed it down her companion’s throat. He sputtered red fluid from his lips.
Gisa watched as Jätte’s skin began to return to his usual shade. He let out large, gasping hacks.
“Thanks for that,” he said between coughs.
Gisa clapped him on the back. “I think I’ve proven to be a healer. One would think.”
Jätte gave her an annoyed look, then stepped away from the still rattling object. “How are we going to tame that?”
“We don’t open it again. But let’s take it to the vendor we met earlier. Maybe just by bringing her a snake, we can appease this wanted flyer.”
The two emissaries collected themselves, grabbed the angered viper, then took off back to the Veranda.
***
“Here is your proof of snake,” Gisa said, shoving the basket to Liona.
Liona smiled and opened the lid, “There you are, my sweet.” She reached her claw into the straw and began to pat the disturbed reptile.
“It’s yours?” Jätte exhaled.
“No. But that doesn’t mean we can’t be nice to the creature, eh? A happy snake produces the best antivenom qualities.”
Jätte and Gisa watched as the Lion-Kin stored the creature below her stall. She pulled ten gold from her pocket, and slid it towards Gisa.
“Also,” Gisa said, pushing forward another flyer, “I just healed my friend here, who suffered a bite from that very animal. Does that count?”
“I can attest to that,” Jätte said, reaching for a potion on the table. He looked at Gisa, who clinked the price over to Leona.”
The Lion-Kin nodded her head. “It does. The reward is twenty gold for that achievement. And this,” she said, plucking a scroll from the air. Magic tingled around them.
Gisa reached forward and grasped the floating parchment. She scrunched her face as she unfurled it, and began to read aloud: “Magic has translated this message from High Boarish to your first language…Your ability to heal is commendable. We recognize your talents. You have great potential. We will reach out in the future. Your destiny calls. Moon Wardens.” Gisa searched the scroll, turning it around in her hands. She sniffed, then stuffed it in her bag.
The emissaries took their found rewards, and left the stall with a bow. Behind them, Lucas and N.J. rushed from the woods towards Liona.
“Well met!” Leona greeted them.
“Yeah, yeah. Well met. Where are they?” Lucas said. He began to fidget with the items on the stall display.
“Who are you looking for?”
“A bunch of kids. Looks like they’re up to no good. I’m hunting them down.”
“Who are you looking for?”
“A bunch of kids. Looks like they’re up to no good. I’m hunting them down.”
“Well, for some coin, my memory might help me.”
Lucas’ teeth began to grind, “Oh, not this.” He began to walk away, when the Lion-Kin held up her paw.
“Or,” she began, “I have another option for you. Within that group of miscreants is a Litch that has stolen some potions from me. Promise to bring my merch back, and I’ll help you.”
The human scratched at his chin. “I want 20 gold as well for my efforts.”
“5.”
“10.”
“6.”
“10!” Lucas shouted.
“6. I’m not going any higher. Plus, it sounds like you’re more desperate than me to find them,” Leona growled.
Lucas looked at N.J. The Gith gave a small shrug of his shoulders.
“Deal!” Lucas said, whipping his hand out. He grasped Leona’s forearm, and made the pact.
“I watched them head towards the Path of the Prisoner. Can’t miss it. Just follow the trail.”
Lucas turned and brushed past N.J., “Let’s go kick some butt!”
Chapter 9
“I should be out there searching for him,” Fuye snarled as he sharpened his sword with a whetstone.
“You lack faith in your cousin? You know as well as I do that he’s on his way over here.”
Fuye let out a huff, “Not the point. We’re on a timeline. Sooner I can reunite with him, the sooner we can gather more for our legion.”
Hym walked over to his general, “I appreciate your eagerness. But you’ve got to learn patience.” Hym noticed movement by the window of the prison. He squinted his eyes, then grinned, “Case in point.”
Bratva leered as he stepped through the open door. He took in the sight of Hym and the strange Dragonborn beside him.
“Bratva,” Hym said, walking forth with an arm outstretched, “it’s been some time, my young friend. How’ve you been?”
Bratva ignored Hym’s attempt at a shake, “I know you’re working with Euye. I want to know why.”
Fuye stood up, his tall figure eclipsing the others. He set down the whetstone and gripped his blade.
“Easy,” Hym said, stretching his hand to Fuye. He took in a large breath, “How astute of you to notice, Bratva. Yes, I am working with Euye—in fact, he’s one of my generals.”
“Generals?”
“For the Scavenger Army.”
Bratva shook his head. “I can’t believe this. You helped train me!”
Hym leaned against Fuye’s desk and crossed his arms. “Think about what else you could learn if you joined me. The Scavengers can open doors for you that the Boarish Kingdom would happily lock away.”
“The Boarish Kingdom didn’t murder Suca and Set!”
“No? Are you sure about that?”
“I watched as Euye torched Set’s body. He prevented Suca from coming back to life!”
Fuye & Euye, cousins reunited
“About to cry, Bratva?” A deep voice said from behind the half-elf. Bratva whipped around and watched as Euye shoved him aside. The black Dragonborn crossed the room and grasped his cousin’s arm. They butted heads, the sound of their horns thunk ricocheted around the room.
Bratva’s arm shook as it hovered above his sword. He realized the impossible situation he found himself in. Outnumbered. Overpowered.
Euye turned to face Hym, “The ship is docked and is being loaded as we speak. It’ll be ready by tonight for the journey.”
“Excellent work,” Hym answered. He walked over to Bratva and put his hands on the trembling young man. “I have an offer for you, Bratva. Join us. Become a Scavenger and help us with the war against the Boarish Kingdom. In return, we’ll teach you everything you want to know.”
Bratva shirked away from Hym’s grip and pointed to Euye, “If you think I’m working with him, you’re an idiot.” He turned, and rushed out the prison.
Hym scratched his beard. “Euye, go after him. It will be you that will need to convince Bratva to join our cause.”
“Why do we even need him?” Fuye interrupted.
Euye responded, “Normally, I would agree with you, my kin. But even I can see the potential in the young warrior. Molded in the right way, a small ore of iron can become the sharpest and deadliest dagger.”
Hym faced Fuye, “Let Euye handle this. We’ll need as many hands as we can get on that boat. Lock up the prison. We’ll go and make more Scavengers.”
***
Lucas spotted Quickfist and Incine lurking in the forest as they watched for pedestrians to rob.
Lucas took his staff from his back and howled, “You’ve besmirched Jonas Tomfoolery’s name! Time to pay!” Lucas ran ahead, leaving N.J. to follow close behind.
Quickfist and Incine turned at the sound and unsheathed their weapons.
“At last! Charge!” Incine roared.
Within seconds, the fight exploded throughout the forest. The fighters ran through the woods, chasing and attempting to overpower the other. Lucas whipped his staff at Quickfist, nearly taking off the halfling’s head. With a well-timed dodge, Quickfist scurried back and readied himself to make an attack. Incine and N.J. circled around, reaching out with their weapons to harm the other. Their war cries echoed through the trees.
“You fight for Tomfoolery’s honor?” Quickfist huffed as he jumped over a swing from Lucas.
“I’ve heard the rumors you’ve spread about him! He’s the greatest bard that ever lived!”
N.J. struck Incine in the shoulder, but was hit in the side by the human’s backswing. Both stumbled from their injuries. Incine held his wound and began to retreat. Quickfist noticed, and held the line for his friend. They both took off into the brush.
Lucas raised his hands above his head to regain his breath. He noticed something move in the leaves above him.
“I need healing,” N.J. said, blood running through his fingers.
“We may not need to go far,” Lucas said, preparing his weapon. He swung above him and clipped Ansler’s wings, sending the Death Angel to the ground. The creature shrieked.
“I know you have potions on you, Litch!” Lucas shouted. He lunged for the winged beast once more.
It hissed back, “Enough! Here! Take these two bottles. Use them on yourselves!”
Lucas furrowed his brow, “You took this off the merchant in the square, yes?”
Ansler slinked a nod with its head.
Lucas backed off from the creature. “I’m not a fan of being nickeled and dimed. I’ll let you go—for these potions. I’ll inform the merchant that you’ve been dealt with.”
Ansler swirled back up to standing. It nodded Its head, then shot away.
Lucas uncorked the vial and handed it to N.J. “Thank you,” the Gith said, gulping down the tincture.
Lucas took a swig from his own potion. “Let’s go collect our reward.”
Chapter 10
“I’ve dealt with the Litch, as promised,” Lucas said, approaching Liona. He took the empty potion vials and clinked them together. “I needed to heal myself and N.J. after the endeavor. I hope you’ll appreciate my efforts.”
Liona took the bottles from him and examined the blood splashed upon their outfits. She clicked her claws, and a pile of gold appeared in Lucas’ outstretched palms. “Your reward, good sir. Pleasure doing business with you.”
Lucas smiled as he picked up another potion bottle, and gave the cost over to Liona. He turned with N.J., and continued their hunt.
Passing by, Bratva continued into the Veranda. He stopped by Liona’s stall and stared absent mindedly at the crowds now making their way to the docks.
“Something bothering you?” Liona asked, folding her arms across her chest.
He whispered to himself, “Two sides in this war. But none for peace. How is one to choose?” He turned his head and watched Euye brush against Lucas and N.J. The bounty hunter paused to take in the two, but then continued towards Bratva.
“You make me think of trust just because you give me answers?”
“Is that not what you want?”
“Come with me,” the Dragonborn demanded. “I can unravel the secrets that have been bothering you.”
Bratva scoffed, “You make me think of trust just because you give me answers?”
“Is that not what you want?” Euye turned and stalked away. Bratva’s breath grew heavy. He disliked how curiosity burned inside of him. He chewed on the inside of his cheek, and followed after Euye.
***
Quickfist and Incine catered to their wounds, wrapping Incine’s sides with tattered gauze. Hym and Fuye noted their haggard appearance, and approached the pair.
“What a scene!” Hym exclaimed. Fuye flanked the other side of him, taking in the small figures.
“Go away, before we rob ye!” Quickfist yelled, tightening Incine’s bandages. He stood up and pulled out his sword.
Hym laughed, “You’ve got guts, kid. I’ll give you that. I’d wager you’re a fine warrior.”
“And I’d wager you’ve got gold on ye person!”
Hym placed his hands into his pockets. “Only one way to find out.”
Quickfist lunged at Hym. With tremendous speed, Hym dodged the attack and disarmed Quickfist with a quick block; in the same motion, he wrapped an onyx snake around the sailor’s wrist. Quickfist slumped where he stood.
Hym leaned in and whispered into Quickfist’s ear, “Prove yourself. I command you to attack your friend until you are freed from this coil.” Hym turned his attention to Incine and winked.
Hym backed away from the two and saluted them. Fuye kicked Incine over towards Quickfist and laughed.
Quickfist’s pupils dilated completely—the whites of his eyes masked by pure black. He picked up his weapon and turned to face his companion. Incine ripped his sword from his scabbard and prepared himself.
“Fuye,” Hym commanded, “watch over this, will you? Let me know the results.” He turned on his heel, and continued on the path.
Quickfist dove for Incine, nearly taking out his leg. Incine batted away the thrust and moved to the side. He turned to run away, but Fuye kicked him in the chest, sending him flying. The Dragonborn bellowed a deep laugh.
“Quickfist!” Incine yelled, “Snap out of it!” He dodged another attack and whipped his blade out. It caught Quickfist’s arm. A deep gurgle erupted from the young sailor. The two adventurers turned on each other, dodging and slinging attacks. Fuye insured the two remained captured in a fight to the death.
Before long, each warrior was covered in scrapes and bruises, drenched in sweat and mud. They were on last breaths—Incine exhausted, Quickfist rabid.
“What a shame,” Fuye commented. “Thought we stumbled upon actual fighters, not weaklings.”
Incine, furious with the insult, lunged at the Dragonborn. Expecting the kick, he turned his body in just the right way to use the additional momentum to tackle an approaching Quickfist. The two hit the forest floor. Incine reached over to his friend’s wrist, and ripped the bracelet off. It clanked against a rock. Incine raised his fist up in the air, preparing for another blow.
Quickfist’s eyes retracted—blood dripped from his nose. His voice trembled, “S-stop!”
Incine rolled off his friend and lay in the mud. The yellow Dragonborn clapped his claws together slowly.
“Finally,” Fuye said. He stopped above the two and blew a puff of smoke into the air. “Your trial is not done yet. You’ll need to find me again, at the prison. Hopefully your wounds aren’t fatal.” He grabbed the loose bracelet off the ground, and left.
Quickfist and Incine watched the sky from the ground. White clouds floated like foam in the sea.
“We’re going to kill that Dragonborn,” Quickfist uttered with a deep scowl.
Chapter 11
Euye guided Bratva to an abandoned hut. The roof was caved in, and wisps of tarp battered in the wind. Euye opened the door, and pointed to a table with rotted chairs.
“Sit,” Euye said, pointing his claw down. Bratva brushed past the bounty hunter, knocking into his shoulder. Euye grunted, “Ask your questions.”
Bratva stared at the figure he once trained with. He inched his hand into his pocket, and pulled out a shimmering, blood-red ruby. “On my travels here, Hym sent a falcon to find me. Told me about a rare treasure I could find. Oh, I found it.” He twirled the gem in his fingers. “A Blood Crystal. Dark Magic. I’ve been warned about this. I’ve seen what you and that witch did with one. It’s evil.”
“And yet, you still have it. Hym tempted you, but it didn’t mean you needed to keep what you found.”
Bratva slammed the jewel on the table, sending dust in the air. “Enough! I’ve been sent on wild goose chase, after goose chase! I reached out to Hym for help finding Katarina. Little did I know she was living it up as the new High Priestess of this country!”
“You’re welcome.”
Brata felt a lump in his throat, “What do you mean?”
Euye crossed his arms. “Who do you think helped put Katarina in the situation that led to her promotion in life?”
“No—”
“Oh yes, Bratva. The strings we pull have been in place for a while now. Katarina isn’t just on the throne because she just happened to be at the right ball at the right time. Why do you think I was hunting her? The Scavengers wanted her there. And we get what we want.”
Bratva stared up at the black Dragonborn with wide eyes. He felt the crystal in his palm grow heavy.
“It’s not just answers we have,” Euye continued, “it’s your fate. You think we’ve just started a war for nothing? Oh Bratva, you’ll soon learn how foolish it is to simply believe everything Gios tells you.” Euye turned and pressed his back against the wall of the abandoned building. He stood watch, letting the silence count the measure of time between he and Bratva. Before long, Hym approached with his heavy boot falls.
“I see Bratva is back,” Hym said, addressing the two.
Bratva stood up and straightened his shoulders. He tossed Hym the Blood Crystal. “Tell me more about this.”
Hym gazed at the object and held it in the sunlight. “These hold the power of resurrection. In order to keep a soul held in suspension, the gem needs to be charged.”
“How does one charge a Blood Crystal?”
Hym threw the jewel back to Bratva. “You would need to kill someone. In front of a Blood Magic user. Preferably, in front of me.”
Euye squinted his eyes at Hym, but remained silent.
Bratva clenched his palm around the stone. He knew he should chuck it into the woods. Stomp on it. Destroy the magic lingering in his fingertips. Instead, he returned it back into his pocket. “Is it true the Scavengers helped Katarina to the throne?”
“Yes,” Hym said. “There was corruption in that court. We fixed it.”
Another set of footsteps approached the group. Fuye arrived, and threw the snake bracelet at Hym.
With one hand, Hym snatched the object. “Results?”
“Took a little prodding, but both survived. They held their own against one another,” Fuye said. He looked at his cousin and spoke something in Draconic. Euye replied, and both laughed.
Hym arched his brow and turned to the cousins. He pointed to the sky, “Sun’s almost touching the treetops. About time we prepare for our journey. But first, I’ll need my chest. You two, go grab it.”
The Dragonborns nodded, and trudged off towards the prison. Hym turned to the remaining half-elf, “Tick-tock, Bratva. What’s it going to be? You want to be a Scavenger, or not?”
Bratva felt heat rising up his neck. War beckoned, and he needed to answer.
Chapter 12
N.J. led Lucas as he tracked their targets’ footsteps. He paused as he spotted drops of blood turn into puddles. “They fought,” the Gith said, “violently.”
“They turned on each other? Excellent!” Lucas said, using his staff to support his steps.
N.J. continued into the thicket, pushing long grass aside to inspect the devastation left behind from the apparent battle. “They’re injured.”
“Perfect.”
Not long, Lucas and N.J. found their quarry. Quickfist and Incine were limping and stumbling along a rock-ridden path.
“Halt, and face me!” Lucas shouted out. He twirled his staff in the air and squatted in a deep stance.
Incine slowly turned to face the assailants, his hands up in the air, “Let’s call a truce.”
Lucas inched forwards, “I won’t fall for your tactics. Face me, now!”
Quickfist responded, “We have bigger issues than ye. We be after our own revenge.”
Lucas furrowed his brows as he continued to listen to the sailor.
“We were forced to fight each other—and humiliated in the process. We’re after a yellow Dragonborn. If ye help us defeat him, we’ll share the spoils we take off his body.”
A new alliance is formed
Lucas laughed, and spun his staff to his back. He reached for his potion, and tossed it to Quickfist. The halfling immediately downed the medicine; his cuts and deep lacerations mending in an instant. N.J. walked over to Incine and helped with his injuries. Lucas crossed his arms, “I say we’ve all proven ourselves as capable warriors. Imagine what we could be if we worked together.”
The area grew still as flapping wings of shadow flew up next to Quickfist.
“I did what you asked,” Ansler’s voice clicked. “There is a treasure hidden in the prison. Held under lock and key within a wooden chest.”
“You saw with your own eyes?” Incine asked?
“Yes. It will be easy for us to take ourselves. I broke the lock and made my way back to you.”
Incine spat on the ground, “That Dragonborn did say we needed to find him at the prison. Sounds like we can kill two birds with one stone.”
The group nodded amongst each other, sealing the pact.
***
The new alliance stealthed their way to the prison, following Ansler as it slinked through the canopy. Quickfist, first in line, creaked open the prison door. A destroyed lock fell to the ground. Looking inside, Quickfist found empty jail cells and a solitary desk.
“If we want the gold, we’ll need to be quick,” the pirate whispered.
Lucas tapped him on the shoulder, “I have a better idea.” He waved the group inside the small building and pointed at the entrance. “We can create a chokepoint here. If we’re patient and wait for the fiend to return, we can take him by surprise.”
Menace spread across the sailor’s face. He went and closed the prison door, and slid against the wall to hide. The others followed suit. Sweat dripped from their foreheads, each keeping an eye on the slightest movement of the door. Ansler flew up into the rafters, hiding in the darkness.
Heavy stomps approached from outside. Lucas drew a finger to his lips. The sounds of Draconic speech grew loud with every second. The doorknob turned. Light inched across the room as a yellow, scaled figure stepped through the threshold.
Fuye, slain in a surprise attack
Quickfist swung his sword from behind, slicing a deep gash in Fuye’s side. Lucas and Incine followed suit, bludgeoning and stabbing with wild abandon. N.J. noticed the second figure behind their target.
“There’s another one!” the Githyanki yelled, taking out his weapon and getting into position.
Euye watched in anger as his cousin fell to the ground, limp without life. He roared, erupting fire in the air. He reached to his side and pulled out a red scroll and raised it above him. He twisted the parchment in his claws, causing the scroll to smoke.
Euye leaves with his dead cousin
“I will leave here with his body!” Euye yelled, interrupting the pandemonium. “If anyone tries to stop or attack me, I will blow us all up with this exploding scroll!”
Quickfist gripped his weapon tight as he stepped back. He looked up into the rafters—Ansler disappeared. He heard Incine swear under his breath.
Keeping the scroll above his head, Euye took his free arm and lifted his dead kin. With a strained huff, he lurched the corpse over his body. He backed away from the prison, and out the door. The group waited until Euye disappeared down the hill, then began to cheer.
“We did it!” Quickfist said, pumping his fist up and down.
Incine rushed to the desk and tipped it over. Underneath, a pale orange chest lay at his feet.
“Let’s take it out of here,” Lucas said, beginning to lift the heavy object. “We don’t know if that other Dragonborn is coming back. And we don’t want to face that exploding scroll.”
The others helped Lucas take the chest. They eased out of the prison, and rushed as fast as they could through the pines.
Emerging from the shadows once more, Ansler drifted down into the now empty jailhouse. It snarled a laugh as It began to tear away at the remaining desk and cells. Ansler snarled in laughter as it manipulated the energy around them to demolish the scene. It burst through the windows, leaving behind carnage and destruction.
Chapter 13
A well-earned treasure
Incine propped open the chest with his sword and took in the sight of multiple bags of gold. “There’s enough here to last us years!”
Lucas and Quickfist shook hands, then began to dig into the loot. N.J. kept his eyes on their surroundings—he cleared his throat to draw attention, “I see two figures approaching. An elf and human.”
Quickfist stood up and grunted as he focused his eyes on the approaching pair. “It’s Ted and Marjorie. Looks like they missed out on all the action.”
Ted marched towards the chest, his eyes wide with glee, “You found treasure! Come on, give me a share!”
Incine rose and began to tower over the eager Ted, “You didn’t earn this. We slayed a Dragonborn for this hoard. Where were you?”
Ted pushed Incine away, “I was out trying to rob people. It’s not my fault everyone’s all gathered at the docks. Can’t even attempt a pickpocket with all the eyes looking about. But I’m a part of this crew—who are they?”
“They,” Quickfist answered, “helped get this gold. They be receiving a share of the goods.”
“That’s not fair!” Ted said, “I was doing what you asked me to do!”
Ansler flew to the group and settled Itself next to the chest. It eyed the gold with ravenous eyes. “Let me keep the gold safe,” It said. Ansler scooped up a handful of coins, and slipped it into Its bag. “I can store our treasure for safekeeping within my shadow cape. You won’t need to carry this heavy chest—it will be like storing money in the ethereal plane.”
Lucas and N.J. exchanged a glance. Lucas reached in the trunk and pulled out two bags of gold. “Thanks for the offer,” he said. “But N.J. and I will take our share and head back towards the Veranda. We heard there’s some farewell competitions happening, and we don’t want to miss that.”
Ted stepped up to intercept Lucas, but Incine put his arm out. Lucas and N.J. took their shares, and left. Quickfist turned to Ansler and motioned towards the chest.
“I think we should let Ansler store our reward. We can divide our findings later. I want to investigate these competitions further.”
Marjorie nodded her head, “I bet the vendors in the Veranda would know more about them.”
“What about our shares?” Ted said, eyeing Ansler as It shoveled gold into Its cape.
“If we win these competitions,” Quickfist said through gritted teeth, “then maybe ye can earn your shares after all.”
Ansler cackled, and flew off into the air, leaving an empty treasure chest behind.
***
“What happened?” Hym said as he examined Fuye’s corpse. Euye passed back and forth, smoke erupting from his maw.
“Bring him back!” the black Dragonborn roared.
“In time, my friend!” Hym said, “But you need to tell me what happened so we can fix this.”
Euye turned on his heels and slammed his claw down on the table that held his cousin’s body. “We went to retrieve your chest, but were ambushed by a group of warriors.”
“Boarish Kingdom?”
“No affiliations as I could tell.”
Hym squinted his eyes, “Interesting. So, my gold? Where is it?”
Euye leaned in closer to the human, “I left with his body. They left with all the gold.”
Hym paced as he scratched at his chin. He turned, mulling over Bratva. He felt an idea trickle through his mind. “Take out your Blood Crystal,” Hym ordered.
A red goblet for a mysterious ritual
Bratva eyed Euye and Hym, contemplating what was being asked. He lowered his hand into his pocket, and felt the stone nip at his fingers. He stood up and held the ruby out.
Hym took from his satchel a brown cloth and two, red goblets. He laid out his belongings on the forest floor. He snapped his fingers at Euye, motioning for him to grab his cousin’s corpse and set it down. Euye did as instructed.
Hym addressed Bratva, “Charge your Crystal. Hold it over Fuye’s body.”
Euye marched over to Bratva. He grunted at the half-elf and held his claw above the pommel of his sword. Bratva brushed past the bounty hunter, holding out his arm. A vortex swirled from Fuye’s chest, pulling in the air around them. It warped and spun into the Crystal. A spectrum of colors glowed around Bratva’s hand. He raised his head up and watched as Hym’s eyes sparkled red.
A snap emerged from the Crystal. The area around them settled into an unnerving silence.
Fuye laid before a ritual circle
Hym strolled to Euye, and clapped a hand on his scaled shoulder, “Stay here. Guard his body. There are things in my chest that can help bring him back.” Hym turned to address Bratva, “Come with me. We’re going to track down our goods.”
***
Bratva saw the trail before Hym as they investigated the destroyed prison. Shadow tendrils drifted like vapor in the air.
“What is that?” Bratva asked, pointing to his findings.
Hym waved his hand in the air, and a red glow shot from his fingertips. His eyes grew black for a moment, then faded away. “Death Angel,” he whispered under his breath.
“Come again?”
“All magic leaves behind a trace. That particular residue belongs to a Death Angel, otherwise known as a Litch. The only reason a Death Angel would need gold is if It must return to the Underworld. With the amount looted from my chest, It could become quite powerful. I bet if we follow the trail, we’ll find my belongings.”
“Doesn’t sound like it’s going to be easy taking gold back from such a thing.”
Hym smiled, “Ah, Bratva. Where has your sense of adventure gone?”
Bratva and Hym followed the trail, leading them towards a large pond of murk and mud. Hym took out his sword and motioned for Bratva to do the same. He inched forward as a swirling vortex began to emerge in the water.
Ansler stretched Its arms out, pulling the darkness from the edges of the tide. It strained as Its magic grew more powerful. Gold dripped like melted wax from its cape.
Hym stretched out his hand and gathered red energy in his fingertips. He threw the gathered magic at the Death Angel. Ansler seized and began to spasm in place. The vortex in the water dissipated. The Litch fell to the ground, the edges of Its being shriveling up into the air.
“No!” Ansler screamed. “I must return to my legion! Let me go!”
Hym crept up to the creature. Bratva watched in awe of the scene.
“You have stolen from me,” Hym said. He slashed down with his sword—the blade shone with red, plasma-like magic.
Ansler’s body lost more matter. It shrieked in pain. Bags fell from Its cape. Gold splattered in the mud.
Hym turned his face to Bratva. He cocked his head to the creature—a demand for the half-elf to draw closer. Bratva inched forwards, the red glow from Hym’s sword illuminated his face. Bratva felt the Blood Crystal in his pocket vibrate. He reached for it, and held it in his palms.
You would need to kill someone. In front of a Blood Magic user. Preferably, in front of me.
Bratva swung his sword down, and eliminated Ansler. A burst of shadows swirled around him, and flowed into the crystal. Bratva fell to his knees. He looked up at Hym, whose eyes were glowing like rubies.
“Well done, Bratva,” Hym said, his voice sounding deeper. He reached down and grabbed a bag. He threw it up, and caught it in his palm.
“All this for gold,” Bratva said.
“If you think there’s just gold in these bags, then you have more to learn than I thought.”
Chapter 14
A crowd gathered as Liona closed her shop, and stood upon her stall. She pointed a claw to her throat, amplifying her voice. “Fort Lacta Alea will soon say goodbye to many of you. Before you pick your ship out of Flimkein, the leaders of two nations have offered up special competitions to entice you towards their sides!”
Murmurs swept across the townsfolk. Adventurers leaned in closer to hear what was in store for them.
“The first event, sponsored by the Scavengers, is Bone Wrestling!” Liona snapped her fingers, and a large bone appeared in the center of the square. “Before you is the femur of a small mountain troll. Your goal is to be the last person standing holding this bone. Who is willing to fight?”
Incine, Ted, Gisa, Jätte, N.J., and Lucas stepped forward. Rounds of applause greeted them with approval. The audience rushed forward towards Liona, calling out bets and conditions. A magical quill and scroll appeared, jotting down names and gold offerings.
Once the ruckus died down, Liona began to speak once more, “The rules are simple: take your hand off the bone, it cannot be replaced. Both hands come off the bone, you lose. You fall to the ground, you lose. First up: Incine and Ted!”
The two warriors gripped the troll femur and gritted their teeth. Incine, towering over Ted, cracked his neck right and left.
“Go!” Liona shouted.
Ted released the bone at once, and walked into the crowd. Boos and jeers greeted his loss.
“Very well,” Liona said. Ted’s name was scratched from the list etched on the magical parchment. “Next is N.J. and Lucas!”
The two companions faced each other as they picked the femur off the ground. Once Liona sounded the fight, they both pulled and pushed against each other with rough motions. N.J. jumped and twisted his body to yank the bone from Lucas’ fingers. Lucas held on tight, his face growing red as they fought. Lucas jerked the femur up and down, yanking the bone from the Gith’s grip.
“Winner: Lucas Skywalking,” Liona announced. Lucas offered his arm to N.J., and both shook with firm respect. The Lion-Kin continued to address the crowd: “The next round will be Gisa and Jätte!”
The Boarish Kingdom Emissaries took the bone in their hands. “Why are we doing this Scavenger event?” Jätte asked.
Gisa straightened her back and braced her wrists, “To beat them at their very own game.”
Liona yelled for them to begin. Gisa twisted her body and arms. She bent forward and locked Jätte into an uncomfortable choke position. He faltered, and released the bone to free himself from the pain.
“The bout of the Boarish Kingdom goes to Gisa!” Liona declared. The audience grew restless as Incine was led to face Gisa.
“Begin!” Liona shouted. Gisa repeated her arm bar motion, and quickly dispatched Incine from the match.
Lucas was guided to the bone, and faced Gisa. They both gripped the femur with white knuckles.
“Winner takes the pot!” Liona called, “Three! Two! One! Go!”
Gisa Linn and Lucas Skywalking bone wrestle for gold
Gisa went for her usual arm choke, but Lucas was prepared. He twisted his body with Gisa and fought against her attempts to lock him up. They shoved each other, pulling and pushing against their opponents’ motions to offset their grip. The battle lasted as both began to perspire around the square. Lucas felt his shoulders burn. Gisa felt her fingers begin to bleed. The crowd cheered them on, calling out their names in support.
Gisa noted that Lucas was beginning to lose his breath. With a well-timed twist, she timed her lock against his exhale. Before he could steady himself with air, Gisa rammed the bone down and jammed Lucas in an arm bar. She wrenched the bone away, and held it up above her head.
“Winner: Gisa Lynn of the Boarish Kingdom!” Liona roared. Gisa whooped as a bag of gold came into her hands. She threw the bone to Liona and watched as the femur disappeared mid-air.
As the audience bustled, Liona projected her voice once more, “The final event tonight, hosted by the Boarish Kingdom, is a bard competition! Winner takes two-hundred gold on their journey!”
The audience turned to the emissaries who waved. Gisa wiped sweat from her brow.
“Who wishes to demonstrate their bardic capabilities?” Liona asked.
Quickfist, Ted, and Incine huddled together, then stepped forward.
“Let the Contest Begin!” Liona said. Incine walked into the square first. He borrowed Quickfist’s sword and placed it in his other hand. He pulled from his scabbard his own sword, and spun them both. Incine moved about Vendor’s Veranda performing a double-sword form, kicking and stabbing the air with precision. He performed a roll as he tucked his arms under him, then leapt up to execute a heel kick. With a few more movements, he slashed at the air with an x-motion, and bowed to his crowd. He was met with a loud applause.
Quickfist stepped into the square and addressed his onlookers. He began to weave a tale about pirates, using the narrative to grab his listeners’ attention. He then twisted the story into a joke about a pirate becoming so scared, his pants turned brown.
Before the laughter subsided, Ted pushed his way forward and cleared his throat. He then began a rant that dribbled on, with some of his sentences turning into mumbles. As he continued to speak, the audience booed and jeered him, until he retreated into the crowd.
“Okay, then,” Liona groaned. She cleared her throat, then pressed her claw to her throat. “I think we can confidently say the winner is—”
“I believe it’s my turn!” Hym’s voice called out. He strolled into Vendor’s Veranda, Bratva trailing behind him. Liona shrugged her shoulders, and gave the opportunity for Hym to speak. Gisa and Jätte shuffled in their spots, their faces turning sour.
Hym denounces the Boarish Kingdom in front of its emissaries
“My fellow adventurers,” Hym began, “the time to choose between the Boarish Kingdom and the Scavengers is upon us. We have faced strife. We have faced corruption. We have faced theft of our goods and belongings. That is the reality of war. That is the reality of fighting with the Boarish Kingdom.” The crowd stirred and turned their attentions from Hym to the emissaries. “The Boarish Kingdom likes to promise honor and good fortune. But those are lies built to hide their crumbling reign.
“The Scavengers, on the other hand, have a boat on those docks that will lead to true freedom. We seek gold. We seek thrills. We seek truth. If you want to join the Boarish Kingdom, you’re signing up to be left behind, one way or the other.”
A bell rang out from the direction of the docks. Surprise erupted amidst the throngs of townsfolk. A mad rush directed the onlookers towards the shores.
Hym took his sword and rested it on his shoulders. “All those who wish to join the Scavengers, follow me!”
Eyes darted around the scene. Quickfist walked to Hym, “Ye made me fight Incine. I don’t like it, but it made me a stronger swashbuckler. I be wanting more adventures like that. I promise my ship to the Scavengers.”
Incine rushed to his companion’s side. Ted followed suit.
Lucas turned to N.J. and offered his hand, “I go where they go.”
N.J. frowned, “I can’t. I want to go to the Boarish Kingdom. My path leads there.”
Lucas gave a solemn nod, and turned from his Githyanki friend. He looked over his shoulder to say something, but resisted the urge. He walked over to Hym and stood in place.
N.J. looks on as a new crew of Scavengers prepares to leave Fort Lacta Alea
Marjorie looked around the area. Gone were her friends from months before. She was left to fend for herself at Fort Lacta Alea. Although new, her allyship with Quickfist; Incine; and Ted was thrilling. She took a deep breath, and walked towards the group.
“I’m joining the Scavengers,” she said to Hym.
He reached out his hand and shook hers. He turned to the Boarish Kingdom emissaries and began to laugh. “Looks like I won your bard contest. Don’t worry—I’ll collect my winnings at another time.” He raised his sword up to the sky, “All Scavengers, follow me.” Hym marched away from Vendor’s Veranda, followed by a retinue of new recruits. He began to whistle a shanty, his tune growing faint with every step.
What has Bratva gotten himself into?
Gisa and Jätte watched as Bratva took up the rear of the Scavenger caravan. Their solemn stares watched the young warrior disappear with the setting sun.
“Did we fail, Gisa?” Jätte asked.
Gisa did not answer. She held onto her bag tight, and felt the weight of the Boarish Kingdom on her shoulders.
Epilogue
The rocking motions of the boat threatened to interrupt Hym’s attempt to draw the ritual sigil. He brushed the red liquid with precise motion, curling runes and rites into the worn wood. He nodded to the corner of the room, and Euye emerged with the body of Fuye draped over his shoulder.
“This must work,” Euye said, his voice tinged with a threat.
“You doubt my abilities?”
“He’s my kin. A mighty Dragonborn. There’s a difference between him and little pathetic peasants.”
“And yet, he was slain.”
Euye’s eyes blazed like flame. He stomped to Hym and bared down at the human, “You will watch your words from now on.”
Hym smiled up at his general, “I meant no offence, Euye. But death is death.”
Euye huffed, then placed Fuye in the center of the circle. Euye backed away, and placed his claw up to his snout. He blew a spark of flame, burning the tip. He took the glowing nail and crossed a symbol into his chest. It glowed, remaining on his scales. He then beat his fist over the mark and uttered, “I vow to avenge by brethren. I will kill those that harmed him.”
Hym crossed the threshold and took out a Blood Crystal from his pocket. He held it above his head. “Let’s begin, shall we?”
Gallery
