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Archives: A New Balance

Chapter 1: Mercenaries’ Guild of Alan

    Nessa’s face poured with sweat as he clung to a rock face. This was his element, Nessa was a natural climber but he had his limits, and this rock he climbed certainly pushed them. The young man’s fingers hurt from strain, and his throat burned with thirst yet he dared not compromise his grip to reach for his water skin.

    Six feet below him was his best friend Jonas, who was faring no better. Jonas realized that the next hand hold was just out of arms reach, his only chance was to jump for it. Jonas tensed his muscles and sprang his body up, only to realize at the last second that the hand hold was just out of jumping distance as well. Jonas felt his body slide down the rock face as franticly tried to find somewhere to grip.

    Nessa heard the panicked shriek of his best friend and tightened his grip, a moment later he felt a sharp pull on his waist as the tether between the two creaked at the weight. Nessa breathed a sigh of relief to realize that both young men were still alive.

    As Jonas dangled from the hemp rope he swung his body around and grappled a hand hold, taking the extra weight off Nessa. “Is there a very compelling reason we didn’t just walk around the damn cliff?”

    Nessa’s serious expression instantly melted away at Jonas’ words, replaced by a sinister grin. “What? And miss out on all the fun? Besides, I’m only a few yards from the top, I can pull you up from there.”

    Ten minutes later Nessa hoisted himself to the top of the cliff, followed closely by Jonas. There they were rewarded with a spectacular view of the countryside and the city of Alan.

    “There it is,” said Nessa with his hands resting on his knees as he caught his breath. “There’s Alan, those trees must be the Forest of No Return, and I think on the other side of those mountains is Valis.”

    “Next I suppose you’ll want to hold a parade through the Forest of No Return,” said Jonas, still shaken by his recent brush with death.

    “We’ll do that later. First, we grab a bite to eat, become heroes, and maybe a nap if there’s time.”

* * *

    Mia strode through the streets casually in the cool spring morning, chewing the end of splinter of wood that she’d used as a toothpick after breakfast. The city was just starting bustle as businesses were opening. Mia was getting to the Mercenaries’ Guild in a roundabout way, she wanted to see a little of the city since its repairs were done. She hadn’t been in Alan for about ten years. Her cloak hood was up, just enough to cover her ears which she held flush against her head. Elf ears drew attention, and with her healthy tan she could easily have been confused with a dark elf by less worldly commoners. It was enough to just let them see a pretty woman with a tan.

* * *

    “Maybe he’s one of those guards that never move.” suggested Jonas as he and Nessa stood in front of a fully armored guard at the gates of Alan. After a long day of traveling and a night of uneasy sleep, the young men arrived at the city early that morning.

    Nessa almost agreed with his friend when he heard a soft noise coming from behind the guard’s helmet. “You hear that?” he asked as he leaned a bit closer to the guard. With his ear less than an inch from the face plate the noise was barely audible yet very distinct. “He’s sleeping!”

    Jonas suddenly developed a wicked grin as he devised a prank. His foot slammed into the guard’s shin and he yelled at the top of his lungs just as the man was waking up. “Attack, we’re under attack! The rabid swamp beavers have invaded the city, save the women and jelly filled pastries!”

    The guard was instantly torn from his sleep and readied his pole arm, swearing he heard the words ‘swamp beavers’. Looking around he saw no monsters or panicked citizens, nor did he hear the war horn or battle cries. He saw only a small gathering of people giving him the strangest look, as well as two pup rolling on the ground laughing. It didn’t take him long to figure out what had happened.

    “You little brats, I should have you two arrested!”

    Nessa stopped laughing long enough to to counter the guard’s point. “And I should tell your captain you were sleeping on the job, though I give you props for being able to do it while standing.”

    “Fine, I’ll let it go. Now piss off.”

    “Hold it.” Jonas interjected “We’re here to enlist, we’re plenty qualified, since they hired you after all.”

    Ignoring Jonas’ insult the guard responded “First off, there’s a three month training period before you can join Alania’s forces. Second, trainees are accepted only in the spring during peace time. And third, do you have any idea how bleeding dull it is standing here all day, in this hot armor no less? So I say again: Piss off!”

* * *

    With nothing interesting having happened during her walk, Mia was soon at the Guild. She casually strode in, nodded a greeting to those inside and went to the board. There were a few jobs on the board, but one piece of parchment caught her eye, and senses. It had a magical feel about it and Mia looked it over.

    “The old wizard Kaladron seeks stout hearted adventurers for an urgent mission. Though it be a difficult and dangerous journey, so only the bravest should apply! Be assured the reward offered is a vast fortune to most, but the risk could be fatal. All such interested parties should seek out Kaladron, in his stone tower, just north of the Forest of Mirrors, and east of the mountains. Apply soon, for wasted time will be an enemy to this quest.”

    Posted by a wizard, no wonder. It must be enchanted for some reason... Mia thought. Difficult and dangerous. Sounds like fun. The elven mercenary took a quill from an ink pot on a nearby desk, then returned to the message to give her own addition at the bottom of the paper.

    Interested. Need companions. Ask for Mia in the guild.

    I might as well stick around here for awhile, Mia thought to herself. After finding a book, Mia settled into a table in the main lobby of the Guild to wait.

* * *

    Shortly after their encounter with the lazy city guard, Nessa and Jonas found themselves on the streets of Alan having just been turned away from enlistment. For at least ten minutes the young men said nothing as they wandered aimlessly though the city, though the entire time Jonas glared bloody daggers at Nessa for convincing him to come to Alan in the first place. Nessa didn’t look, but he could feel the burning stare of spite on the back of his head as he walked in front of Jonas.

    “This was the first time I’ve ever been more than twenty miles from home, how was I supposed to know we couldn’t enlist for another eight months?” Nessa finally said in his defense.

    “Well this is just great,” Jonas complained “We can’t join the army and we can’t go home or our fathers will hang us by the balls. We’re broke, unconnected and in a foreign part of the country.”

    Nessa countered. “We’ll figure out something. We’re young, healthy, quasi-literate men. I’m sure we can find a way to make a living until spring.” He scanned around as though expecting to find some miracle solution, some sign from the gods that would tell him what the next step was. His eyes landed on the sign for the Mercenaries’ Guild not far ahead of them and instantly knew it was fate calling. Jonas followed Nessa’s line of sight and instantly knew Nessa had a bad idea coming on.

    “Hey..” Nessa began before he was cut off.

    “No.”

    “But they could have...”

    “No!”

    “I’m sure we can...”

    “NO!! It’s one thing to be solders and have government issued weapons and free training. But you honestly think I’m going along with some half conceived plan to whore ourselves to anyone with a few coins? We’re supposed to be solders, not hired thugs.”

    “We’re too old for squire ship right?” Nessa began “If we have battle experience before we enlist we may be able to shorten the training period, maybe even skip it completely. The longer we’re solders and the more credentials we have mean the better our chances of knighthood. It’s bloody fool proof!”

    “You’re an idiot! We don’t even have a guild membership,” Jonas shouted at Nessa as he walked towards the guild, obviously frustrated.

    “And soon I’m gonna be an employed idiot. They’ll probably just give us the jobs no one wants, we’ll be great at those. So are you coming or what?”

* * *

    Aiyanna rested by the one of the fire place in the vast Mages’ Guild. The place she called home for last five years. She had met her half-brother, Luce, through the guild, though he didn’t know she was of Starwind blood. Abruptly, she threw aside the book on advanced battle spells, got up, and ran to her quarters to don a hooded cape. She hadn’t had a visit from her brother nor her sister. Aiyanna had to put her plan to action before either the Starwind or Terries family found out who she really was. It had been getting on her nerves, especially Luce. Her half-brother practically visited her every month! All the way from his Duchy in Flaim for Marfa’s sake! But she had heard a rumor going around the guild recently, that dark forces were gathering again. Only Falis knew where her mentor was, she couldn’t find him for last day or so. Everyone knew her scrying mentor, Cecil the mage. He was still young, but respected hero among Lodoss’s general population.

    Aiyanna hadn’t left Alan for years, but now she would visit her brother whom she had been told would be in Roid for the next two months to keep the merchant business of their deceased father functioning. Her brother Erias was ranger by profession, part time merchant by duty. She had packed and left a letter to her main mentor of her visit. But still she thought it would be good to look for a fighting arm in case she gotten into trouble. She might be trained to be a battle mage, but in physical combat she was a mediocre fighter. She set her steps to the Mercenaries’ Guild, which wasn’t far from the Grand Mages’ Guild.

    Aiyanna sighed as people stared at her when she finally came into the guild’s lobby. Thankfully for her, the fund left by her brother paid for such things. Considering her almost non-existent social life, she had tons of money to spare. She asked for a pen and paper and wrote her request in simple, but elegant, hand writing.

    Wanted: A guard to Roid. Will be paid in gold. Courage and experience are an advantage. A short screening with magic will be used. Waiting in the lobby, by the name of Aiyanna.

    She tacked it up, and then she another parchment most likely tacked up by a mage. It called for people with enough courage and bravery for an adventure. It sounded good to her, except she wanted to go and see her brother. Maybe she could write to this Kaladron when she reached Roid?

    Aiyanna read the notice again and noticed a reply at the bottom by a mercenary. Aiyanna mulled over it for awhile on the decision. Then she went to the man behind the counter and asked for this person called Mia. He pointed out to an elven woman with a dwarf. Nodding her thanks, Aiyanna made her way through the tables. She hated how people stared at her because of her obvious marking as a mage. In her hand was her own notice for a guard to Roid. She stopped in front of the elf and the dwarf who seemed to be getting along fine. She swore the elf looked like dark elf but she wasn’t quite dark enough.

* * *

    Broke, unemployed, and unskilled Nessa and Jonas entered the mercenary’s guild in search of the mild possibility of earning money and gaining battle experience. Without the credentials of a guild membership their chances of getting any job, much less a half-decent paying job were slim, Jonas understood this while Nessa ignored it and went in expecting instant employment.

    When they went to the front counter they were ‘greeted’ by a stocky old man with a thick mustache, who acknowledged their presence with nothing more than a passive glance and a soft grunt before returning to his paperwork.

    “Greetings, we’re new in town and were wondering if we could get a job during our visit.” said Nessa, trying to act as though he belonged there. From the man’s expression it looked like Nessa wasn’t succeeding.

    The man spoke with mild interest in a thick accent neither could place. “Are you registered with th’ guild?” he asked as though he believed that they might actually have a membership. To this Nessa shook his head no.

    “Any qual’fications?” said the man, though when the boys both developed an odd look on their faces he realized that they didn’t know what the word meant. Though they didn’t, they wouldn’t have understood anyway due to the man’s thick accent.

    “Skills, experience.” he said “Why should I pick you two for a job over the ’undred or so morons out there that either couldn’t cut as a solder or didn’t know when to register.”

    “Because we work cheap?” Jonas replied with a raised eyebrow, while Nessa reeled from the comment that described them exactly.

    “Go away and come back when ye grew some ’air on yer arse!”

    “I guess that could have gone better.” Nessa said as he tried to think of something else, but at the rate the day was going he realized he might have to sell Jonas into prostitution.

* * *

    Mia rested calmly, waiting to hear her name called. Her hood was thrown back now, so her elven ears would likely bring some attention, be it good or bad. Occasionally, she glanced over the spine of the book she read when someone new came in. Two young men caught her eye, they didn’t seem much like mercenaries, more like lost boys. Maybe first time adventurers by the looks of them. Mia smiled to herself and returned her attention to her book.

    Dralock checked the Mercenaries’ Guild bulletin board and two notices caught his eye. One was a simple add for bodyguards, the other seemed to almost draw his eyes to it. Hmph, he thought, A magical post. Don’t see those too often. After reading the attached note, he went into the main room and looked around, noticing an elven woman reading a book. He walked up to her and asked “Sorry to disturb you, but, would you happen to be Mia?”

    Mia put down her book to see the dwarf speaking too her. Unlike most elves, she had no qualms with them. She’d worked with many dwarves in her day to recognize their skills. “That would be me. Interested in the Mirror Forest job?”

    Dralock looked at her calmly and said, “No, I was hoping you could reach one of the higher books for me.” He just looked at her for a moment, then burst out laughing. When he recovered, he said, “Yes, I’m interested in the job. I apologize for my joke just now, but I have been in need of a change of pace for a while, and couldn’t resist. My name is Dralock, and I’m at your service,” he gave a slight bow and smiled.

    Mia’s expression fluctuated for a moment until she settled on a friendly smile for Dralock. “Nice to meet ya then,” she greeted him. “You already know my name.”

    “Excuse me, your name is Mia?” Aiyanna asked politely, smiling lightly before adding, “I am not a mercenary, I just saw a notice whilst posting a job.”

    Before she could get much further with introductions, a young woman approached them. “I’m Mia,” she replied, curious as to what she wanted.

    Aiyanna shifted her feet then spoke, “I am interested in that Mirror Forest notice. I was looking for a guard to visit someone in Roid. If we can go through Roid on the way to Mirror Forest I will pay for expenses until we get there. That’s my proposal,” Aiyanna tried to speak as plain and direct as possible. It was a proposal most will jump at, but then that was human nature. Who knew what elves are really like? Or dwarves.

    Mia glanced toward Dralock and raised a scarred brow in consideration. “Well, that sounds like a good plan to me, what do you say, partner?” Mia replied to Aiyanna and ask Dralock at the same time.

    Dralock nodded, “I agree. I’ll do it.”

    Aiyanna smiled, “I am in for it then. No objections here so far. I need to go and get some supplies from a shop before we set off—whenever the agreed time is.” Then she remembered that she hadn’t introduced herself properly. “Ah excuse my rudeness, my name is Aiyanna Irisis.” She was learned but did not often venture out far from the proper areas of Alan.

    “Dralock Holderhek, milady,” the dwarf replied with a small bow. Mia really didn’t need to introduce herself.

    “Well, I’ll wait around to see if anyone else wants to join our party while you prepare, Miss Irisis,” Mia replied.

    Meanwhile, Jonas had been half-listening to the conversation held out by two women and a dwarf not far from them, suddenly a spark ignited in his brain, not a very bright one but it was the best he could do at the moment. “I have an idea, follow my lead.” he whispered to Nessa.

    The young man than walked away from the counter and began speaking just a bit louder than he needed. “Why in the nine hells won’t anyone believe that we’ve slain the vampire of Bahra manor? It’s all those little whelps running around pretending to be us so no one believes we’re really us.”

    Nessa quickly caught on and replied. “We’re top mercenaries, we shouldn’t have to put up with this. It’s not the reason I killed an ogre with a splinter, and I’m sure you didn’t lock yourself in that cathedral along with fifty goblins just to be ignored by that guy.”

    “It was seventy-five,” said Jonas, “but that’s beside the point, I just wanted something to do on the way to Roid. At this point I’d be willing to go much lower than our normal rate, can you imagine that? Someone getting two of the finest mercenaries on Lodoss for a price that’s next to nothing by comparison of what we’re used to. Yep, it’d be a steal and sheer idiocy to not take it up.”

    Nessa and Jonas’s voices weren’t easy to overlook, and it seemed obvious they were straining for attention. Mia glanced in their direction and recognized them as the village boys who came in earlier. She burst out laughing, “If you two are top mercenaries, I’ll eat my boots!”

    It was obvious enough they were a couple of boys looking to get out of whatever miserable little village they’d likely spent their entire lives. Mia understood that well enough, she was stuck with a permanent case of wanderlust herself. “Come over here boys, I’ll help ya out,” she said, waving them over to her table.

    Aiyanna looked over at the two young man, around her age or maybe younger by one of the companion’s looks. Obviously they were not experienced mercenaries. They didn’t even have a properly forged weapon on them. Even she, a mage, had a little basic training in fighting and far superior weapons. Mia had called to them, and obviously they needed help. She didn’t want to waste her money on someone who wasn’t competent. Mia and the dwarf already exuded the confidence of seasoned mercenaries. Aiyanna just watched the young men who seemed to be trying to get some attention. “I will be back soon. I need to chase down some rare stones. I will be back in say, half an hour.”

    “Hey, it was worth a try,” Nessa said with with a look of admittance as the boys walked up to the three.

    “We couldn’t help but overhear,” Jonas began, ”and I think we’d make a fine addition, or at least a cheap one. I’m Jonas, and this is Nessa.

    Aiyanna blinked first. “If you want to come along, I suggest getting a sharp weapon would be suggestible,” she said as he pointed to the only weapons on them. Aiyanna might have seemed a little cold but trust was not something she was willing to give to strangers, especially strangers who didn’t have skills she needed. “Mia, call me Aiyanna, not Miss Irisis and what do you think? Dralock?” she looked at both.

    Dralock said nothing but eyed the two young men while Mia spoke to them. He sympathized with their position and decided he wouldn’t mind the company. He just didn’t outwardly show it. He wore a gruff expression and waited to see how everyone reacted to them. “Well, Aiyanna, it never hurts to have some fodder in the group,” Dralock muttered. “And the best fodder is cheap fodder.” He watched the two young men and waited for their reaction. Let’s see what they say to that, and we’ll know their potential, he thought to himself. Inwardly, he chuckled.

    Nessa became frustrated that the mercenaries saw him as a fledgling beginner, so much so that he had to restrain his words and remind himself that he WAS a fledgling beginner. “Fine, but if we get eaten and you run away we’ll spend the rest of eternity haunting you.” he said as casually as possible.

    Jonas however was starting to get nervous at this point, like Nessa he wanted to be a knight, though he was less ambitious as his friend. Nessa promised him entry into the army, there he always thought he would receive the training and equipment to keep him alive. But now he was diving into possible conflict without those things. He didn’t even have armor or a descent weapon, only a leather jacket and a miner’s sledge hammer. But Jonas said nothing, a short lifetime spent in the mines was the one thing that scared him more than death.

    Mia chuckled at Nessa’s response. Aiyanna was rather cold to the boys, but Mia was willing to give them a chance. If anything, they could take care of the menial duties while she and Dralock handled more important ones. And if Aiyanna wasn’t willing to pay, Mia could always give them a little cut of her own pay, she had a bit of money saved up anyway. “I say we let them tag along, they seemed starved for adventure,” Mia replied. “I was like that once...and maybe I still seek it after all these years. You boys better carry your weight though, and defer to myself, Dralock and Aiyanna. If you don’t keep up, we’ll leave you in the next town and let you find your own way home.”

    Aiyanna grinned, Dralock was right after all. “Well I don’t leave people to die in middle of nowhere. First you two need a decent weapon, unless you want to get killed on the road to next nearest town. I want both of you to come with me to Mages’ Guild forge and get a sharp weapon. Then I can buy you an armor of some sort. I want guards who are alive not dead.”

    Aiyanna took out her pouch and counted the coins she had, “Hmm...here.” Aiyanna put down few gold coins down in front of Dralock and Mia to each of them. “Buy any supplies you need. These should be enough. Jonas, Nessa follow me. Mia and Dralock, I will see you soon enough. Should we decide a departure time?” Aiyanna didn’t know what to call or how to address Mia and Dralock. Mia was well over 250 years by her estimation and Dralock she didn’t know at all.

    Dralock’s poker face slipped for an instant, but was back as fast as it faltered. “We should probably get on the road before mid-day. The farther along we are, the less we need to camp, and the less likely we are to be attacked. At lest that’s my thought. What do you say, Mia?” he turned to ask the elf. As he was responding to the posting she had left, he figured he was working for her, and he made it obvious.

    “Definitely,” Mia agreed with Dralock. “I’ll be waiting here. I’ve been ready to go since last night.”

    “Well then, we need to move fast. Jonas and Nessa, let’s go now and get some supplies.” With a respectful nod to both Mia and Dralock, Aiyanna briskly walked towards the door, pulling up her hood.

* * *

    The rapid sound of a horse’s hooves beat down the road of the Alanian capital as Lady Trelem rode atop her steed, Greysoul. She stopped her horse on a dime before the Mercenaries’ Guild, examining the building. At every town, she conducted this. Out of all the places she could work, she figured that she had no other talent other than combat. The Mercenaries’ Guild would be the most successful place she could work. Then again, a Mercenaries’ Guild was the most dangerous place for her to work, for herself and those around her. Her heartless eyes examined the thinning money pouch. It would not be long before she would run out of supplies. She could, perhaps, afford a week’s worth more of food and water. She needed money. She slipped off her large draft horse and walked around to face it. She pulled the horse’s head in so their heads were put together. In a commanding voice, she ordered, “Stay.”

    Veriss was a little over six feet tall. Her armor shined in the sun, but it was truly nothing to look at. Although her muscles were not prominently displayed, the shape that her arms made all around with the armor suggested great strength lay beneath the ring-locked pieces. Her hair was cut short and tied up and her chest about as flat as a man’s. It seemed like she went to lengths to appear as a male. Her sword, hanging by her side, was impressive considering its size. It was very large. It was obviously two handed, but it was even somewhat longer and wider looking than an average. But, like her armor, it was plain. She was a sight to look at. All of this was interesting enough, but all anyone needed to do was to look at her face to see her true self. Her face, emotionless, cold, and distant, was the sign of something far more dangerous than the eye showed to normal people. A shaman could recognize easily enough that she was possessed by Hyuri, the spirit of anger. She was a berserker.

    Nessa was caught off guard by Aiyanna’s concern for their safety. He expected he would have to get by with what he had and he certainly didn’t expect anyone to go out of their way for him. The two boys quickly followed Aiyanna, Jonas had to make a quick sidestep to keep from getting shoulder checked by what had to be the largest woman either had ever seen. Not knowing anything about Hyuri spirits much less able to identify one, Nessa simply stared at the woman with a feeling that something about her was just...off. Nessa snapped out of it when Jonas gave him a light smack on the shoulder and gestured to him to hurry up.

    Veriss strolled to the postings board. One sheet caught her eye. What once was scribble became understandable word. Magic? Perhaps. Mia? Very well. Whatever illusionary trick someone placed on the page didn’t last for her. She nodded. I am emotionless. I have no fear to be burdened with. She walked to a man employed in the guild and looked at him with empty eyes. “Where is this Mia?” she asked in a monotone voice, pointing to the sheet of paper on the wall.

    “Mia? I don’t know any-”

    “Find her.”

    “Um... Sure...” he said, moving away from her slowly. The sharp retort caught the poor fellow by surprise.

    Moments later, he returned to the large woman and pointed to Mia and the others. Veriss looked over at them silently. She pulled out a coin from her pouch, put it in his hand, and walked away. The man pocketed it and hurried off, happy to be away from the strange warrioress.

    Veriss stopped dead in front of Mia. “You are Mia,” she stated. She did not pose as a question. She simply stated it as fact. Veriss was very obviously military trained. It was seen in the way she walked, the way she held herself, and the way she spoke to people. “I look to be hired by you.”

    Dralock was startled when a large woman in armor walked in the door of the guild. Instantly he could feel the danger she radiated. He always noticed that about berserkers, and it somewhat unnerved him every time.

    Even Mia was startled by Veriss. For a moment, she wasn’t even sure if she was a woman. There was something else about her, the aura of a spirit...Mia focused for a moment, then her feet slipped off the table where she’d been resting them and she nearly fell out of her chair. Her tan complexion paled a bit. This woman was possessed by Hyuri! Thoughts rolled through Mia’s head as she tried to figure out what to do. Tell her she wasn’t interested in hiring her? Call her out for being a berserker? Or hire her and keep a closer eye on her?

    Mia settled on the latter and reined in her emotions. “I’m Mia,” she replied, her voice taking a more serious tone. “You may join us. We have been hired by a sorceress to guide her to Roid. We’ll go to this Kaladron’s Tower afterwards.”

    “Thank you,” said the giant woman in her deep tones. She stared at Mia for a few seconds more, as if at an awkward pause. She then held out her large hands out to Mia. “My name is Veriss, daughter of the Valisian noble Sir Trelem. I have been trained as an elite soldier of Valis. I will follow your orders without hesitation and I will be loyal to your cause until the end of our mission,” she explained, and then bowed her head to Mia. When she looked up, she met eyes with the elf woman’s. Her eyes would have been more normal if they were pupiless. They were hollow, like a poorly done painting.

    “Yes, well, I’m Dralock and I’m sure it will be...interesting working with you, Veriss. Very interesting, I’m sure,” the last part was muttered to himself. He tried to avoid looking into her eyes with out being obvious in his avoidance.

    Mia felt chills go down her spine, but she suppressed the urge to shudder. The empty eyes of one cursed with Hyuri. She’d only heard about that sort of emotionless gaze. As Dralock said, it would be interesting traveling with Veriss. “Very well, have a seat. We’re waiting for the sorceress to return. Find a way to entertain yourself until then.” Mia was grateful for the chance to return to her book. It gave her a reason not to look at Veriss. She couldn’t shake the discomfort at being so near to a Hyuri spirit, however.

    Veriss sat in a chair nearby, but not directly next to Mia. Veriss simply closed her eyes and breathed in and out slowly. Her breaths were controlled and she seemed to be in a very peaceful state. She was meditating in her chair, which was probably the only thing a berserker could do to help weaken the power of Hyuri. Veriss had been taught by a shaman who practiced the art all his life. The meditation was all he could do to help her. Her body relaxed and her mind fell silent. Slowly, but surely, she seemed to regain her humanity in this meditative state. Unfortunately, as soon as the meditation ended, she would be the same as before she had started...

    Mia glanced at Veriss briefly to find that the warrior was meditating. Perhaps she had good enough control over Hyuri to be trusted. Mia returned her attention to the book.

* * *

    The Mages’ Guild and Academy of Sages wasn’t far away but was one of the grandest buildings in the city and occupied six city blocks. Inside was a small world of their own. After reaching the gate Aiyanna spoke a quick word and the outer gate opened by itself. A pair of battle mages stood guard at the inner gate. Recognizing her with a brief check of her aura, they nodded for her party to pass through to the guild. Looking over her shoulder, Aiyanna waited for Jonas and Nessa to come through.

    Nessa and Jonas both hurried as they followed Aiyanna, still contemplating the giant woman. Their thoughts were suddenly cut short when the Mages’ Guild came into view. It was quite simply the largest structure either had ever seen. Neither of the boys even believed it was possible to build something so big.

    “Don’t even tell me the architect wasn’t compensating for something.” Nessa said under his breath as he looked up at the daunting building. Jonas gave his friend a light jab in the ribs as he went up to the main doors.

    Aiyanna, on seeing that both followed, walked towards the forge.

    “Aiyanna, I’m surprised to see you down here. You don’t need another weapon, do you?” A large, well-muscled man of middle age came to greet them.

    “No Master Jeiel, I need weapons for these two. They agreed to take me to Roid as guards. Are there any weapons you think would be best for them that are already made? I know you hate to hurry to make a new weapon and we don’t have much time.”

    Jeiel looked at the two young men behind one of his favorite students, for he himself was a battle mage. “Perhaps a broad sword for him...” Jeiel said, pointing at Nessa, “A bastard sword for this young man there,” he quirked his eyebrow at Jonas. “Come and look what we have made yesterday...” Jeiel trailed off realizing he didn’t know their names.

    “This is Nessa and one near him with leather vest is Jonas,” Aiyanna introduced them.

    “...Nessa and Jonas,” Jeiel repeated, then walked to far corner of the large forge.

    Nessa and Jonas both gave a nod of greeting to the blacksmith. Wasting no time they swarmed the room and inspected the finely crafted weapons which seemed to be designed for various beings of every possible shape and size. Jonas quickly found a weapon in spite of his usual indecisiveness, a finely crafted set of twin short swords designed to lock together so they could be stored in the same sheath.

    Nessa however seemed to have trouble deciding, especially for one so impatient by nature. They were all fine blades as far as Nessa could tell, any one of which was far superior to his old claymore and any one of which he would be happy to have. But there was one sword that caught his attention instantly, one that stood out despite it not being the most ornate, calling to him specifically. It was a curved, two handed sword with a total measurement of just under four feet. The blade itself almost seemed to glow the faintest shade of blue and was wider on the back near the hilt so that that part could be rested on one’s shoulder. Nessa did a fancy spin with the sword, swinging it around his back, tossing it in the air and catching in his other hand just before slaying a roomful of imaginary enemies, showing off thousands of hours of self-training.

    “This one I could get used to,” Nessa said as he studied the inscription etched into the blade. Being in Kastuulian he couldn’t understand the words, he almost asked Aiyanna to translate but quickly realized he preferred a little mystery in his new love.

    Master Jeiel grinned, “Well come on, boys. Take good care of Aiyanna for me. If I find that you didn’t do your duty I will curse both you,” He clapped both their shoulders and made his way back to the foyer of the forge. “Aiyanna, look after the boys too, I know that you are going to have a hard life but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t care for people around you.”

    Aiyanna nodded in return, and waited for the two young men.

    The boys mumbled an agreement to protect Aiyanna as Jeiel asked, but both seemed too distracted by their new toys to really hear what he was saying. Not long after, Nessa and Jonas were ready to leave the grand guild. Nessa was particularly eager to get out there and do some damage, for once in his life he wasn’t bound by the simple existence of a commoner and he itched to show the world what he could do.

    Aiyanna raised her eyebrow at the two young men before her. Not that she could blame them, she would be like that too. “We better go, I need to chase down some gem stones and get you boys some sort armor. Or Master Jeiel can find you one and practice with him whilst I chase this gem dealer down.”

    To Aiyanna both were fine, though she could see that both were itching to use their new toys. Aiyanna grinned, then with blur of action, she yanked out her custom made long twin daggers and threw them at Jonas and Nessa’s heads. If they were going to be her guards, they should be quick enough to dodge it. Combat skills could be learned later, but being quick would save their own lives. She wasn’t a warrior of physical combat but she knew that much. Being quick could make the difference between life and death.

    Jonas reacted with luck more then anything else, as the dagger launched at his face pure reflex caused his head to snap back and saved him from losing an ear. Instead the dagger sliced at his cheek as it passed, leaving a shallow, two inch cut he immediately clasped with his hand. An expression of shock formed as blood seeped between his fingers.

    Nessa also saw the flash of movement in the corner of his eye, but instead of dodging the young man’s arm shot out and back handed the dagger out of mid flight. He was spared a potentially fatal wound however his block was only half successful. The sharp blade had cut through his unprotected hand, severing a vein and spilling a strong, pulsating stream of blood. He was fortunate enough to not have any of his cords cut, though he didn’t see it that way.

    “Are you out of your god-damn mind!?” Nessa shouted in anger. The young man then pressed hard on his hand to stop the bleeding. “I knew this was too good to be true!” Jonas exclaimed as thick lines of crimson trailed down his cheek and along his neck. “What are you? Some sort of death cult that lures poor suckers with the promise of a good job?”

    “I don’t know,” replied Nessa “But if some magic bitch wants to kill us she’s damn well gonna have to work for it.”

    The two boys tensed up and stayed close together, both had gripped their new swords and were ready to unsheathe them at any time. Of course the idea of a simple test never crossed their minds, all they knew was that someone launched sharp knives at their heads and from where they stood there was a real likelihood that she intended to kill them. Simply put, it pissed them off.

    Master Jeiel burst out laughing and Aiyanna grinned. “At least I know you can save your own life out there. I didn’t want you to be dying out there struck by a dagger flying out from somewhere. I had this done to me at any given time of the day, except when getting dressed of course. Even if I can’t fight much I at least learned to save my life by dodging an attack.”

    With that Aiyanna traced several signs in the air and crisp silvery blue magic ripped in the wake of her movement. The cuts on each of the young men stopped bleeding and closed up, looking like they never had any cuts.

    It wasn’t until Aiyanna cast a spell to heal them did the boys ease their stance and believe she wasn’t trying to kill them. Jonas seemed to accept her reasons but still grunted with residual anger and a wounded pride.

    Nessa was still fuming with aggression towards the mage, on some deep level in the back of his mind he agreed with her testing method, though he was far from admitting it. Instead he wanted to tell her to piss off, he wanted to tell her exactly where she could put her job. But his only other option was to go home, and he would eat his right arm before he let that happen.

    “Fine, whatever,” he shrugged.

    Aiyanna still grinning bowed to her master before starting to walk out the forge. “Come on let’s get going. You need at least some simple armor, right? Be lucky you were wide awake when I threw those daggers. I had countless ones thrown in middle of night in sleep. I had split second to jerk my neck away before my master threw it at me.”

    Aiyanna waved to a couple of other young mages who were training with weapons in the yard and proceeded on. She had plenty of money to spend after all, so she might well as do some good with it.

    The boys took a moment to process the idea of having to dodge something while in dead sleep. It was so far beyond the scope of the realistic that eventually they decided she was either greatly exaggerating or had the means to make herself an exceptionally light sleeper.

    By then the boys had cooled down, especially Nessa who, aside from a maimed ego, seemed to be returning to his former self.

    “Wow, a dagger in the middle of the night.” said Jonas as they walked with Aiyanna “I’ll bet she had to walk ten miles in the snow to get here everyday too....”

    “...Barefoot and uphill both ways.” Nessa finished as his sense of humor began to surface once more.

    Aiyanna had to grin at the comment. “My magic alerts me in time to sense another presence,” she said in matter of fact tone. “But magic can be a curse and a blessing at the same time.”

    They finally reached the gates and went through to the streets. “Let’s hurry, I don’t want to test the others’ patience by dawdling around,” Aiyanna said.

* * *

    Veriss’ eyes opened suddenly from her meditation as a cold chill went over her. She turned to look around for a moment, then breathed out. She stood up and looked around once more. The giant warrioress took one more glance before turning to Mia. “I have left my horse unattended outside. I will be back momentarily.” Veriss turned in a very militaristic fashion and turned to walk out. Her stroll was precise and her movements solid as she disappeared past the doors.

    Outside, Greysoul stood, drinking from a bucket that he found. Veriss looked at him. “Greysoul!” her deep voice called out harshly. The horse’s ears perked up, but did not stop drinking. “To my side!” she commanded. The horse looked up, staring at her. He leaned down to take another lap of the water before walking over to his master. Veriss looked him over. The horse looked back at her. “I am sorry. I was meditating.” The horse did not seem pleased with her apology. She looked into her money pouch. She had little money left. Not much she should spoil. Veriss did not feel for things, but she knew the habits of Greysoul. He could hold a grudge. “I will purchase you something.” Greysoul didn’t seem to understand what she said and ignored it. She looked at him for a moment. “Apple,” she stated firmly. The horse looked up suddenly. The horse put his head in her arms. “Follow,” she commanded. The horse turned and began to follow her in tow. Greysoul was extremely well trained, almost like a dog. Veriss was impressed by the rancher’s work. She continuously wondered why he failed to make a profit with such talent in working with horses.

    Veriss stopped at a nearby street stand, looking over the goods. Fruits... No apples though. Veriss turned to her horse. “Pear?” she asked. The horse put his head to her chest again. She picked up a pear and held it out to the confused man. “How much is one pear?” she asked in a rather commanding voice. He looked at her.

    “Only a silver, miss...?” he almost asked to her. He was frightened of her, and wasn’t really even sure if it was a miss to begin with. She nodded to him and reached into her pocket. She pulled out a silver and handed it to him.

    “Thank you,” she said in her monotone voice, and nodded her head in respect to the merchant. He just nodded wearily. She turned to her horse. “Follow,” she ordered once more. She began to walk back towards the guild hall.

    Moments later, she arrived outside the mercenary guild with her large work horse obediently in tow without a line. She stopped before the steps as several armed mercenaries strolled past. She turned to the horse. “I have purchased you a pear. Accept it as a token of apology to you, Greysoul.” The horse ignored the small speech the warrioress made about apologies and went straight to the hand that had the pear. He began eating out of Mistress Trelem’s hand with zeal. In moments, the pear was gone and even the core was gone. The horse licked his lips, pleased with himself. Veriss put a hand on his head.

    She sat down on the stairs towards the door, looking out into space. It didn’t last long. Greysoul nudged his head in her vision. Veriss caught on and began petting her horse behind the ears. Veriss looked up at the sky for a moment, then concentrated on petting her horse. Greysoul just bathed in the pleasure of attention. For a moment... Just one moment... Veriss seemed like a normal person. She almost seemed... happy... Her face didn’t show it. Her eyes pushed it back. Veriss just held her horse to her chest and laid her own head on his. They sat there for a while. Together.

* * *

    The boys fidgeted uncomfortably in their new armor as they approached the Mercenaries’ Guild. Both wore a light set consisting of a breastplate, shoulder plates, and shin guards and were considerably heavier than they expected. Nessa heard stories about how knights feel naked without their armor, but having never worn armor his was defiantly going to take some getting used to.

    Nessa then saw the same warrior woman that was there when they left, only she seemed a little different somehow, less intimidating. Nessa wasn’t sure what to make of it, and he didn’t know why she seemed so odd in the first place. It wasn’t uncommon to see women to work in the fields and become stronger than most men as a result, so it wasn’t her size. It was something else, something he just couldn’t place.

    Veriss looked up as the others approached. Those were the others around her new commander, Mia. Obviously, they were ready to go. They were newly equipped. The equipment they had was done well enough as well. They found a good blacksmith somewhere. She let go of the horse’s head and stood up. She looked to Greysoul. “I will be going in now. I do not know when I will come back out. Water,” she pointed. “Stay.” Veriss began to follow in tow behind Nessa as they walked in, not saying a word to them, or even looking at them.

    Mia glanced up from her book as the guild door opened, admitting Aiyanna and the two young men. “Looks like it might be time to head out, Dralock,” she told her companion. “Are we ready?” she asked Aiyanna as she approached.

    “Yes,” Aiyanna answered lightly. “Let’s go so we can reach a town before dark.” With that, she lifted her traveling bag onto her back and checked for something under her gray-hooded coat.

    Dralock stood and gave his gear a final glance. Satisfied, he followed her outside. He noticed Veriss had a horse, so he did some swift stretches. “If anyone is worried about my keeping up, don’t.” Years of running with horses had made him very swift on his feet, especially for a dwarf.

    Mia swung her pack over her shoulder and adjusted her cloak as she followed the others out. Glancing at Dralock, she shrugged. “It doesn’t look like many of us will be riding, so I don’t think keeping up will be a problem.”

    “I am walking too. I left my horse back in my homeland. It should be enjoying itself better that way.” Aiyanna swiftly started to walk, if someone looked closely her backpack wasn’t quite on her back. It was actually floating very slightly away from her back. Aiyanna was thankful that none of her Masters weren’t there to scold her for using her magic for such frivolous use. She gave quick glance at the new companion their party gained whilst she was gone. No bandit in right mind will attack them. But then of course, there were exceptions. The giant of a woman was possessed by Hyuri spirit; it took Aiyanna a little while pin that strangeness about her. “My brother might like to join our party to Mirror Forest, after our family merchant businesses are done for the year. He’s a ranger in that forest,” Aiyanna casually said over her shoulder as she walked.

    Veriss followed them out silently until they reached the steps. The large work horse stood to the side, drinking out of a bucket. There was a man standing next to the bucket, fretting and yelling at the horse. Every time he reached for the bucket, the horse stopped drinking and put a large hoof in his way and snorted at him before continuing to drink, much as if the bucket was claimed.

    “Ya! Greysoul!” Veriss’ deep voice broke into the air, almost rumbling it. The horse’s ears flickered, then he looked up. He walked up to Veriss without a care. She mounted without a second thought and without a scolding of any kind. The man, obviously a street vendor, ran up to her. He was about to complain when Veriss’ money pouch landed on the ground in front of him. “Payment,” she said, turning the horse away with a steady hand and moving alongside Mia.

    The horse moved obediently and held Veriss’ weight well enough. The small bit of provisions certainly did not weigh the horse down either. As they walked, Veriss acted as if they were not there. She was so accustomed to traveling without anyone around her. Then it clicked. It was considered kind to offer someone else the room on her rather spacious saddle. She cleared her throat and looked to the others before talking. She looked as if she was trying to be kind, but something held her back. None the less, her words carried the kindness she tried to show. “There is room on my horse for another. One of you may ride behind me, if you so wish it.” Her comment was mainly directed at the women of the group, much as if a chivalrous knight might; however, she would allow any of the males to ride behind her as well. It was customary for a female to ride. She got the feeling that no one would accept. She did want one of them to. Greysoul could certainly handle one of them with her. Greysoul was a loyal horse and she was a capable rider. She didn’t see any reason that someone would not accept the offer. Any warrior should know that it is important to save energy for battle...

    “My legs are good enough for me,” Mia replied to Veriss as they walked. “Thanks for the offer,” she added as a second thought, though she got the feeling Veriss wouldn’t care either way if she were thanked or not. Mia had plenty of endurance, she spent most of her time on the road, on foot. A horse was just too much work.

    Both Jonas and Nessa were plenty used to walking, having traveled from Caena on foot (and climbing part of the way). Still, the boys weren’t averse to a free ride. Since the offer was extended to one they settled on who would go with a game they invented as children involving hand gestures. The boys slammed their fists on their palms three times and quickly formed odd gestures, Nessa with his thumb and forefinger touching and Jonas with his fingers wrapped around an invisible cup. Only the boys knew what they meant, a tribute to their lifelong friendship.

    “Scimitar beats snake,” Jonas said with a grin.

    “You always pick scimitar, I let you win,” lied Nessa with little more than feigned bitterness.

    Jonas dismissed his friend’s claim and turned to Veriss “I’ll ride with you if you don’t mind.”

    Meanwhile Nessa shifted uncomfortably and soon realized he still had his rusty claymore strapped to his back. He was fond of the weapon, but with such a well made saber at his belt he really had no need for two swords. Jonas had already sold his hammer to a merchant along the way back, glad to be rid of the extra weight he let it go cheaper than he could have. Nessa looked around and spotted an old man sitting on a street corner, holding a bowl and collecting coins from any with compassion in their hearts. Nessa mumbled to his companions he’d be back.

    “Hey, gramps,” said Nessa as he approached the old man, the beggar looked up with curiosity. Nessa then took the sword from his back and placed in beside the old man.

    “It’s not the best,” Nessa said. “But it should fetch you enough for a few hot meals.” Without waiting for a reply the boy left the beggar, content that he was able to use that sword to perform his first act of chivalry as he promised himself he would.

    Veriss’ horse stopped at a command. Veriss did not like using force to command her horse. That was necessary, she knew, if a horse needed it. But if a horse knew voice commands, she much preferred using them. No need to cause the horse undue stress. Veriss leaned back, holding out a long arm to Jonas. When walking up to Greysoul, he looks larger than the first glance gives. There wasn’t much other than packs to grab a hold of for anyone wishing to climb up next to her. She had always in the past had to hold her arm out. Jonas took her hand and pulled himself up. Veriss’ arm did not help him, but did give him something to use to get up. The grips in her chain mail and metal plates of armor had enough ways to hold onto that it made swinging on to the horse easy. Jonas got himself situated behind her. As soon as she felt a lack of fidgeting, she commanded her horse forward at a walk. It only took seconds to catch back up with the group.

    Dralock trotted along at an easy pace. He kept near the front of the group, though he didn’t take the lead. When one of the boy’s stopped and spoke to a beggar on the side of the road, he slowed for a moment. Then the boy gave the beggar the sword from his back, and Dralock understood his actions. The boy shows charity already, a sign of good character, he thought to himself, rare to see in one so young. He smiled to himself. This would be a journey to remember.

    Mia pulled an old ragged map out of her pack and walked alongside Aiyanna. “Which road are we taking? The north road would be fastest, but it becomes more dangerous when we pass through the mountains. The south road would take us through Kanon and take much longer,” Mia asked the sorceress, pointing out the routes on her map.

    Aiyanna considered the options. She had to get there in less then a month. Otherwise her brother was hard to find after his visit to Roid. “North, I will take my chances. My brother is damn hard to find after his visit to Roid ever year, I want to find him before he disappears. I hope only the mad and the brave will go against us with our new companion in our party. Let’s get going if we want to get to a safe place to camp before the nightfall.”

    “We should make it to Novice by nightfall, I wouldn’t expect more than that on foot. Novice is still pushing it with us all walking,” Mia replied. With the route decided, the group headed north out of the city.

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