Archives: Hunt for Kiran
Chapter 14: Kiran and Thiana: On the Road
After sleeping soundly for around eight hours, Kiran woke in the afternoon. He rolled over onto his back, groaning at his sore muscles. Thiana couldn’t be feeling much better. After all, aside from the walking, she had to swim. If he didn’t have the threat of a murderous son looming behind him, he would take a few more hours to rest. However, as it was he didn’t even want to sleep as long as he did. The dark elf rolled off the bed and picked him his sword belt to put back on. “Thiana,” he spoke loudly, hoping to wake her.
Thiana stirred a few seconds later at Kiran’s call and spoke after yawning, “I’m up, what time of day is it?” Slowly rolling over, she sat up and got out of bed. Picking up her clothes, she quickly dressed, knowing they had to be on the move again quickly.
“Early afternoon, it looks like,” Kiran replied, glancing toward the window. He spare a glance for Thiana as she changed, but his sex drive had been diminished in recent years. It was nothing he hadn’t seen before. With his sword in place, he picked his cloak up off the floor and settled it around his shoulders. “We’d better leave. I think the little mention of Alania was enough for the innkeeper to remember.”
“Of course, I’ll be ready in just a moment.” Thiana quickly finished getting ready, placing her sword at her side and pulling her pack onto her back. Hopefully this ruse would buy them enough time to get further ahead, if not then they would have to move on even less sleep.
Kiran tossed his pack over his shoulder and stepped out the door. If it was lunch time, he didn’t care to honor the innkeeper’s request. They couldn’t waste time sitting around and waiting. Besides, he wanted more people to see them.
Kiran trudged downstairs and saw that there were a couple guests in the common room eating lunch. The innkeeper nearly shouted at them, but closed his mouth and glared. One of the patrons gasped and barmaid gave a yelp. Kiran ignored it and went straight to the door. Thiana hurried past them as well. Once she was outside she whistled sharply and Theros came to her side. He looked unharmed and just a little hungry, she would have to feed him from one of her travel rations.
Kiran hurried out of the village. The locals were out doing their daily business, and many stopped to gawk at the pair of dark elves. There was tension heavy in the air, but when Kiran and Thiana didn’t pause in their quick escape, they were allowed to leave without trouble.
Finally back on the road, Kiran’s pace slowed. “It may not be the best trick, but at least we go some sleep,” Kiran spoke up. “I bet Mica will call our bluff and think we’re going anywhere but Alania.”
“True, and who knows when we’ll sleep once more. From what I experienced he may be crazy but he’s far from stupid. I also don’t trust some of those people to talk, if he has the money he will get the truth that way,” Thiana replied as she walked beside Kiran. Pulling out a travel ration from her pack, she offered part of it to Kiran. She gave a decent strip of jerky to Theros as well, who wolfed it down as they walked. “We should keep our energy up, this may not be much but have some.”
“They don’t know the truth,” Kiran replied. The road forked east and west further south, so the villagers wouldn’t see which way they went. He took the food Thiana offered and began to eat. “I’m sure he’ll call our bluff. Maybe we should go to Alania and let him chase us to Raiden or somewhere in the west. We can catch a boat to Marmo from Alania and see your—our—son while Mica chases shadows across Lodoss.”
“That plan sounds like it might be more effective. It would be easier to plant more reliable false information in a larger city. Rumors tend to spread better, and I could easily spin a rumor that would send him way off course.” Thiana smiled at the thought of how she could do this; of course to plant the rumor firmly it would take money and favors. Favors she was not above doing, and money could be earned by performing for even a night.
“We don’t need to plant any rumors in the foreseeable future,” Kiran replied. “It may be best if we keep ourselves hidden—travel by forest instead of roads, and use the invisibility spirits for every village we must pass through. If we need money, we’ll stop in a small village out of the way and you can preform for some coin. We’ll catch a boat back to Marmo in Alan.”
“As long as we stay alive, I’ll go along with the plan. Though I trust your judgement, since you’ve got more experience at running like this. How long ago did you decide to face your past, and stop running from it?” She wanted to know Kiran as he was now a little better. She would rather Kailos meet him as he was now and not as he was in the past, so he could set an example, and their son could know his father was a good person despite everything he had done.
“I never ran from my past,” Kiran corrected her. “I never regretted a thing I did until I left Marmo. That was about four years.” At least, the first time. His previous foray to Lodoss thirty years ago didn’t come with the same guilt trip. He hadn’t done as many horrible things as he did in the years in between. “I started to feel remorse awhile after Kardis was sealed. I guess it was her influence corrupting me.”
“I can see how that could be the case. Those were terrible times with the threat of her resurrection. I suppose we all reacted differently then, I am sorry for being so presumptuous,” Thiana replied, considering the possibility. Since that war was just a senseless tragedy that had torn the land apart and threw everything into chaos. Still after Marmo, she knew he would move on, but even being around him and him seeing his son was enough for her.
* * *
Kiran and Thiana traveled for the entire day with no sign of Mica on their heels. However, Kiran had left the main road and headed into the woods, going northeast.
As the dark elves trudged through the forest, an arrow suddenly whizzed through the air and hit the ground at Kiran’s feet. Kiran stopped in his tracks and looked around, searching the trees for the offender.
“Stop right there, dark elves!” a voice called from the trees. Kiran looked up to see a common elf on a high branch with another arrow nocked in his bow.
“We’re just passing through, we mean no harm!” Kiran called.
“Our village does not welcome dark elves. Turn back or our next arrow will find a target in your heart,” another common elf spoke, this time behind them.
Thiana spoke up, trying to diffuse the situation, “I can understand your reasons, but we are on our way back home. If you would allow us to pass by another route under watch, even that would be acceptable. I am a travelling bard, and I would gladly pay for such an allowance with a performance.” She looked to the common elf who stopped them. Not wanting to risk taking the road, she would do what it took for them to travel as safely as possible.
“We have no need for dark elven entertainment!” the elf in the tree spat.
“Turn around and leave. The road is south, use it,” the other elf behind them growled.
“Fine, fine, we’ll go!” Kiran replied, throwing up his hands in surrender, then turning to his left.
“The other way!” the elf growled, and Kiran realized he had turned north. His sense of direction had been tossed about in their winding travels. Kiran slowly backed up toward the road.
Wanting to have avoided the road, Thiana gave a neutral look towards the elf and turned to follow Kiran. She dealt with this prejudice as best she could. “It’s not a major setback. I’m sure he’s still quite far behind us.”
Zo was attempting to catch up to Kiran and whom ever he was with. If her vision was correct, he needed her help. She was close enough that she overhead the common elf’s threats. She rolled her eyes, mumbling to herself vague references as to how she would respond to that and helpful suggestions as to where he could put those arrows. She had been walking all day in hopes of catching up to him and her muscles were a bit sore from her fast walking. She felt a small surge of relief at finally having caught up with him. She sped up to a jog towards Kiran, and once she was close to him, she smiled, yelling out, “Hey you! Finally... You are not a easy man to find!”
Thiana heard someone call out, then turned to look at the young dark elf woman approaching Kiran. Surprised, she wondered what was going on. “I hope she’s a friend, and not somebody with a grudge, Kiran. Sorry if I seem suspicious, but right now we can’t be too careful,” she spoke as she looked to Kiran, then back to the woman. It seemed she knew him, and she hoped that this newcomer was of the helpful variety.
Kiran glanced back at the dark elf woman who had spoken. Her coloration as well as answered who she was—she was like a female replica of himself, at least in color. However, he still asked; “Who are you?”
The common elves weren’t happy with the appearance of a third dark elf, however. Bows were suddenly pointed at Zo. “How many more of you are there?” the elf in the tree demanded.
“As far as I know only us, I had no idea about our third companion. We shall leave as you have asked us to, I hold you no ill will. Farewell, and may you enjoy your peace,” Thiana replied to the common elf in the tree before turning to Kiran and Zo. Seeing the similarity, she wondered who this new dark elf was. She had to be related, or maybe she was another of his past flings who had unfinished business. “I apologize for breaking up this reunion, but we are not welcome here. Do you know of any other routes besides the road and these woods? This is an area I am somewhat unfamiliar with. I am Thiana, and this is Theros.”
Zo smiled at their questions and she could practically read their thoughts from their expressions. As she bowed slightly, almost mockingly, she introduced herself, “My name is Zo. I have come here to help,” she paused, glancing at Kiran. She looked into his eyes as she stood up straight. Him...though why? She thought with a sigh. “I have no clue,” she said and shrugged a bit. “But I do know you both need to leave at this moment, and no, sorry, I do not know other routes. I do not know this area well either,” she said, smiling softly to Thiana.
Thiana watched Zo as she spoke, she was wary at first but she relaxed a little towards Zo. They did need help, and an extra set of eyes was helpful. “Thank you. Perhaps we should move quickly. If we waste anymore time we’ll lose our advantage, hopefully I can make us some coin at the next human village.”
The common elves were becoming frustrated with the delay. “You talk too much,” the one on the ground growled at Thiana, then shot an arrow between her feet. “LEAVE!”
Kiran shot forward and grabbed both women by the arm. “Let’s go, we’ll talk on the road,” he said, pulling them toward the direction that the road was supposed to be in. He was becoming as frustrated as the common elves at how chatty Thiana was. He was actually amazed that the rangers hadn’t actually shot her yet.
“Good riddance!” the elf in the trees called after them, and shot one more arrow behind Zo.
Calling Theros right after the arrow landed, Thiana knew that he would attack the guard if she did nothing. Suddenly pulled away, Theros followed her. She hoped that they did not stumble into any other elven woods again. “I hope the next place is friendlier to us...”
Zo allowed Kiran to tug her away. As she looked him and then to Thiana, she heard the arrow shot in warning landing behind her, she glanced over her shoulder, her eyes narrowed, glaring at the elf who had shot at her. She turned her head back as she followed Kiran, rolling her eyes and sighing. Allowing Kiran to tug her along, she glanced at him from the corner of her eye, taking in the form of her father, seeing him for the first time.
* * *
Kiran set a fast pace out of the common elves’ territory. Once they reached the road, he gave a cautious glance in both directions. There was no one coming. It wasn’t likely that Mica had come this far after them. Kiran gave a sigh of relief. He could relax for a moment, hopefully.
The dark elf looked to the girl who looked quite similar to him. “Zo,” he started. “How do you know me? Why were you looking for me?”
Zo glanced at him from the corner of her eyes and she pondered for a few moments, trying to think about how to answer this question. She could always lie... Zo rolled her eyes before taking in her surroundings once more as if checking for anything coming after them. She then spoke firmly, “Hmm... Well, I had a vision you were in trouble.” Perhaps she could side-wind her way out of this situation without revealing the whole truth! Besides, how do you tell your father that you’re his daughter? On top of that, that he ruined your mom for anyone else? Yeah, that wasn’t going to work!
Thiana looked Zo over after sitting down to catch her breath; she wondered about this girl. She knew that this one was probably harmless, but she still could not trust her. “I’m not one to speak, but I’m sure that you came here with your own intentions. I’d like to know about you too, it’s a matter of trust.”
Kiran looked at Zo with a apprehensive eye. Her response only brought more questions. “Whether or not you had a vision, that only brings the question; why would you have a vision of me if I don’t know you and have no relation to you? I sincerely doubt the gods care enough about a scoundrel like me to be sending people visions about me,” Kiran replied. He knew a little about visions, as one of his lovers had been a dark elven soothsayer. The soothsayer... This girl had the sight... The memories clicked in Kiran’s head. He had an affair with Galinia, the younger soothsayer and she claimed she was pregnant. He didn’t believe her then, nor did he care, but could this be that child?
Zo forced a smile on her lips as she glanced at Kiran, tilting her head. “Who are you to question the gods?” She didn’t want to admit how she was related to him, but her conscience wouldn’t have let her ignore the vision of him in danger. He was her father after all...
“Perhaps...you do have a relation to me?” Kiran said, leaning in closer to Zo to examine her face. He couldn’t remember much about Galinia, but there was some familiarity in Zo’s features. He’d leave the question open, however, to see how Zo would respond.
At his second question, her eyes flew to his, panicking, hoping he did not remember her mother’s face. Most of her features were her mother’s. Zo cleared her throat as she looked up into Kiran’s eyes as she forced another smile, “Even if I am... would that make any difference? You’re in danger, and I’m here to help.” Glancing upward to the sky, she shook her head slightly, “We should keep moving...”
“Hmph, I suppose you have a point there,” Kiran said with a smirk. At this point, however, he was certain she was Galinia’s daughter. The dark elf man turned away and began walking eastwards again, down the road. “But you’re going to have to explain this vision to me,” he added, glancing over his shoulder.
Zo sighed as she paused for a moment, closing her eyes as she attempted to recall the vision. “People—who are called Mica and Adriel—they will come across Thiana’s dog’s tracks...They’d track you, or their ranger anyway, and kill you and Thiana.” She opened her eyes, glancing at Kiran, as she moved to follow him.
Kiran frowned and stopped in his tracks. “Damn,” he cursed. His bluff apparently didn’t work. With a wry smile, he looked to Thiana. “I can’t say I’ve ever been good at running from my problems,” he said. “How do you suggest we cover Theros’s tracks? Summon Gnome every few yards? That will be taxing...” Kiran started walking again, considering how to thwart their pursuers. Zo’s visions would be quite helpful in this endeavor.
Thiana realized that she had never had to do this before, but she had an idea that could work. “Use pieces of cloth and tie them over his feet like boots, that’s all I can suggest.” She hoped it would work as having Theros around could be problematic otherwise, and instead she wanted to have him be of use.
Kiran considered Thiana’s idea. “That may work, for awhile...” Kiran said. “But I fear they might eventually catch on when they see odd impressions in the ground. Maybe we should visit the next town and see about buy a cart, or hiring someone to take us to Alan by cart. Mica won’t be able to distinguish it from all the other wheel tracks, hopefully.”
“All right, at least until we get to the next town. I’ll wrap his paws right away.” After replying Thiana knelt beside Theros and pulled a rather plain shirt from her bag. Using her scimitar to make the right sized cloth pieces and ties, she cut enough pieces, then wrapped the dog’s paws. Once Theros’s paws were covered she stood back up. She could just get another shirt for cheap in town anyways.
“Let’s go then,” Kiran said once Thiana had finished, then began walking onwards. This information worried Kiran, but he was grateful for Zo now. He was sure of who she was—the visions, the color of her skin, hair, and eyes—she was his and Galinia’s daughter. He had no idea why the gods would want her to protect him, of all people, but perhaps they had some use for him in either Kailos’s or Zo’s life. He had never run from his problems before, so he was at a loss for how to do it. If not for Zo, Kiran would never make good on his debt to Thiana.
