Henri sighs and unconsciously puts a hand on the grip of her revolver, tugging at the brim of her hat. "I don't doubt it. Ez is nothing if not persistent..." She glances around the town streets, but shakes her head. "It should be fine for a little bit. Hopefully."
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Silo and Captain Vazquez exchange uneasy glances at Xizoh's question.
"His commander did," says the captain. "Preema Grener."
Silo scrunches his face in distaste at the name. "Commander Grener was leading Marcus's unit tracking cults in the north of Altiendel. She's been gaining something of a bad reputation among mages in the military for taking reckless risks, so I've had my concerns for some time." He frowns. "If I'm remembering correctly, she reported she lost her whole unit except her top two lieutenants, ambushed during a cult investigation. Now to find she didn't..."
"Something's very wrong here." Captain Vazquez says in a hushed tone. "Her superiors must have asked for details. Someone would have gone to find the bodies and seen that her story didn't check out."
Dulae says, "And we are sure Marcus is alive?"
"Absolutely" Silo says confidently.
"Where were they last seen alive?" Dulae asks.
"North of Teresct," says the Captain. "Where our usual patrols are becoming overwhelmed by cult activity."
"Cults," Captain Vazquez says. "Multiple different cults. Although according to reports, a significant fraction of cultists killed or captured have a tattoo of a raven, which seems to have some sort of power to it." She frowns thoughtfully. "Of course, it's not helpful that they go completely mad when we question them, raving about the return of the true kings or whatever ridiculous idea they've bought into."
The mention of 'raven' and 'true kings' catches Dara’s attention, but she doesn't remember anything about a tattoo from her own experiences with the Cult of Raven.
If they look up, Alaina, Cel, and Henri notice a small shape far overhead that could be a hawk. It's flying quickly toward the Abbhen Pass south of town.
Cel thinks this is the same direction he's been seeing the hawk fly from and back to at dawn and dusk.
"S%$#," Henri says, biting her lip. As much as she wanted to support Alaina, she probably shouldn't stay outside much longer - if the hawk had spotted her... well, maybe she should get back to the building sooner rather than later.
"Captain, I'll need to speak to you on this matter. When would be the best time to do so?"
"I hope you're up for tonight. It's going to be rather charged," She whispered in his ear.
Captain Vazquez nods in acknowledgement. "It would be useful to consult with you, the Lieutenant, and Master Kieran. I'll arrange a meeting first thing in the morning."
Dulae shakes her head. "Kieran and I won't be able to search for Marcus Steele. We have something more pressing now," she says darkly.
"Someone will have to go," the captain frowns. "And until we have a better sense for who else might be involved, I strongly advise we keep this investigation quiet."
"I agree," Silo looks worried. "I'm not sure who we can trust with this at the highest level in the military."
"If you can't go yourselves, can you recommend someone in your jurisdiction who can?" Captain Vazquez asks Dulae.
Dulae nods toward Dara and Xizoh. "Alaina seems to want to find her father. I'd trust this group with my life."
Silo looks anxiously toward Dara and Xizoh. "Would you be willing? Do you think Alaina and the others would be willing?" He asks. "Give me a day and I could supply you and teleport you as far as Kinghaven without interference. There's someone I think we can trust there," Silo says, looking at the captain.
"Tai Kijel," nods Captain Vazquez. "I agree."
Xizoh is surprised to hear Captain Vazquez refer to Dulae as 'Lieutenant'.
"All the same..." Pausing for a breath, the half elf adds with a slight tone of exasperation, Thank you for trusting us Dulae, but we hardly possess the skills required for an investigation into cults and potential traitors as far as I'm aware. I'm a doctor for Oranis's sake, not a spy"
Not recognizing that Henri saw it too, "Look, Henri! There it is again! I'm pretty sure it was flying that direction when I saw it last time too. Is it him?! Do you think..." Cel muffles the rest as Alaina grabs him and kisses him, but he shares a wide grin with Alaina afterwards.
Alaina glances up at the sky. “I’m fine. Let’s go back inside.” With that, she leads them back into the military building.
As they approach Silo’s office again, the door is shut. If they open it, they overhear a conversation between Silo, Captain Vazquez, Xizoh, and Dulae.
The door opens and Alaina, Cel, and Henri return to Silo's office.
“Mr. Shadelock is right Silo, they’re not experienced, not trained,” says Captain Vazquez. “They don’t even know how to report back to us. They don’t have a clue what else is out there.”
“Nonsense, they’re the only ones who came back from Mount Oranis when our elite teams couldn’t,” says Silo.
“Kieran and I can fill them in,” Dulae offers. "And I think you'd make an excellent spy," she says solemnly to Xizoh.
Captain Vazquez grimaces and gestures toward the party. “They’re not our soldiers, we can’t ask them to find Steele.”
“I will,” Alaina says, her knuckles turning white from her grip on Greenwall. “I’m going to find him whether you help me or not.”
Giving Dulae a dirty look, Xizoh lets his head drop. "Is it too much to just be a doctor?" Lifting his head to look her in the eyes, he adds, "Most spies aren't supposed to be conspicuous, and I very much fall into that category."
At Alaina's passionate, and justified words, Xizoh nods to the captain. "Family and friends are all you have in the end. Don't suppose you need a medic?"
"I can spy!" Cel says a little too loud and excited. "I'm good at that!" for once actually sounds confident in a declaration. "Um, can we all help?" the confidence wilting slightly at that last statement.
Alaina... if you do find him this is not going to end well. Dara thinks to herself before saying, "I'll go with you too. Obviously."
"I'd appreciate that," Alaina looks around at the party.
"We don't need them to be inconspicuous, it's natural a daughter would search for her father. We only need to keep any association with the Altiendel military quiet." Silo says excitedly. "What do you say, Captain?"
Captain Vazquez frowns. "I don't like it. It will be very dangerous." She sighs. "But I doubt I could stop you, and you have a better chance of surviving with some help. Silo has offered to teleport you to Kinghaven tomorrow without interference or observation. Sergeant Toema and Master Kieran will brief you on the mission. What else do you need?"
Henri moves quickly as she re-enters the military building, hoping that it was just a coincidence that the hawk had left the moment she stepped outside - though she doubted it.
"Hell, you blend in better than I do, Doc," Henri chuckles, but her face quickly grows serious. "But you know I'm in. I'm here for ya, Red." She nods at Alaina. "Not like anybody'd think I'm with Altiendel."
Dara considers Captain Vazquez's question. "We may be traveling some distance in our search. Camping equipment would be useful."
"Done," Silo says, jotting down a note in the margin of a letter.
"As well as gold to fund lodging and supplies," Dara says.
"Most reasonable," Silo says, scribbling another note just below.
"And mounts, particularly if we're chasing leads," Dara suggests.
Captain Vazquez holds up a hand at this suggestion. "We need to consider our budget here," she says. "The account for your last mission has been closed out. Opening another would be a clarion call to whoever's watching that this mission exists. I have some limited discretionary funds we can draw on, but not enough for five mounts. And borrowing horses from Kinghaven is unlikely to go unnoticed."
"I see. No mounts then?" Silo looks up at the captain, poised to write another note.
"There may be enough for one horse the party would have to purchase for themselves," Captain Vazquez says. "But I can't make any promises."
You notice that Dulae has not volunteered to come along, and that Captain Vazquez said five mounts instead of six.
"What about you, Dara?! Are you not joining us?"
At the mention of horses, Henri can feel her stomach roll over itself - as it had multiple times, whenever she thought of her good friend Sally. "Could always just buy a horse and carriage," she mutters. "Wouldn't mind pitching in for that." It took another moment to realize that they were talking about 5 mounts instead of six. She could feel her ears twitch as she thought of who had volunteered, and looked at Dulae, the twisting of her stomach making her expression sour and appear somewhat accusatory. The elf frowned, but didn't say anything.
"Will this teleport actually place us at Kinghaven? Our last attempt didn't exactly work out perfectly." Wary as usual about magic, the half elf's eyes brighten at the idea of a horse. "A horse to help carry our supplies would be incredibly helpful! Hopefully it's friendly and likes snacks."
Realizing he is heading further into Altiendal, the half elf quietly asks, "How does Kinghaven react to...magical companions?" The pause at the end of his words hung like the hangman's noose, sullen and melancholic.
"Not this time, Rabbit," Dulae says to Cel. "I'm re-enlisting in the military. I'm leaving on another mission in two days."
Seeing Henri's frown, Dulae says, "Don't look at me like that, Fireball. This team has grown on me a lot, but I'm needed elsewhere now. I have to go." Her scowl is resolute.
Henri notices Dulae doesn't quite meet Cel's eyes when she says she is re-enlisting, and neither Captain Vazquez or Silo look at all surprised at this development.
Silo smiles sadly at Xizoh's first question. "I understand your concern. The mistake of my late apprentice Hiyun cost several good people their lives, including hers. But, I am one of the world's best," he gestures to himself confidently. "I won't have any trouble getting you to where you want to go, particularly when your destination is a teleportation portal."
You remember that mages in the Altiendel military maintain a network of teleportation portals connecting the three the major cities for more efficient travel.
The captain and Silo trade knowing glances at Xizoh's last question. "Your serpent, you mean," says Captain Vazquez.
Silo regards Xizoh with academic interest. "Quite the snarky fellow, from what we've heard," he smiles.
Captain Vazquez looks at Xizoh seriously. "Mr. Shadelock, I have circulated very favorable accounts of the actions of yourself and your team. This will carry some weight if you should find yourself under military scrutiny for your... companion." She pauses. "However, I doubt these accounts are received and respected everywhere, and this magic of yours does have the flavor of darkness from a distance. These are troubled times. People may be quick to jump to conclusions. I would advise you to not summon your companion within view of anyone outside your team."
"You can trust Corporal Tai Kijel with anything," adds Silo. "But beyond them, well... I suppose I agree with the captain." He looks uneasy.
Xizoh infers Silo and the captain have heard their accounts from Lieutenants Buhari and Narwita, and that they do not know anything about Anathema's new form.
Alaina kept a tight grip on Greenwall. While everyone seemed to think that she wanted to find Marcus to get to know him better, her one thought at that moment was bashing his face in with her forehead. The Wolf didn't care what his reasons were, or what Silo said, there was an anger built up over years, and it wasn't going to get resolved my standing around.
"Well," Silo says glancing between Dulae and Henri. "It seems like you may have some things to discuss. I should be able to clear the path for you to Kinghaven by late tomorrow morning. Captain, what time should we reconvene?"
"Master Kieran should be available early tomorrow," says Captain Vazquez. "Sergeant Toema and Corporal Shadeshard should report here at dawn, and the rest of you should join us shortly after for a briefing. Bring your supplies, we should have you on your way directly afterward."
Silo looks stressed but pleased. "This mission may well yield critical information for us. Thank you all again for volunteering." He looks awkwardly at Dulae. "Er, those of you who are going, that is."
Dulae scowls at Silo, nods to Captain Vazquez, and heads out into the waiting room to talk with anyone else who lingers.
"You're welcome...I think. No, definitely you're welcome, I'm happy to help!"
Cel runs after Dulae, "Um, thank you for...well, I guess helping to keep me alive and helping me learn this new amulet. Will we see you again?"
Henri bites her lip in response to Dulae's assertion towards her, but shakes her head and doesn't respond until the situation is fully explained. She follows Cel and Dulae out into the waiting room, trying to form some sort of words, but instead silently nods in agreement with Cel's question.
Dulae softens a bit at Cel's earnestness. "I'd like that," she says more gently. "I may be... away for some months. But knowing you all I expect I'll be able to follow the trail of whatever havoc you wreak," she jokes.
The half elf represses his urge to sigh. Oh boy, they are not going to appreciate Anathema's current form. Nodding his thanks, Xizoh pauses before letting his shadow ripple slightly, the large hood of Anathema rising from his shrinking shadow before collapsing back into the pool of black. "A little more than flavor I'd say." Despite the gallows humor, his tone is hesitant. The doctor glances out towards the rest of his companions, wishing he was with them rather than dispaying his magic before authority figures.
When Anathema rises from Xizoh's shadow, Silo steps back with a look of horror. Captain Vazquez instantly steps into a protective stance between Xizoh and Silo. "Altien show me darkness," she says in a steady voice, holding out a hand toward Xizoh. Her eyes lock on Xizoh's and she frowns in concentration.
A symbol on her armor glows for a dozen tense seconds, then dims, and she relaxes. "Clear," she says to Silo. He shuffles his feet, looking a bit embarrassed.
"My apologies, Mr. Shadelock, but I had to be sure," she says to Xizoh, still keeping a hand near her sword. "I will be very honest with you. If I didn't already know you to be a selfless and goodhearted doctor, there's some chance I would have killed you where you stand." She sighs and gestures to Xizoh's shadow. "What magic is this?"
Cel blushes slightly at Dulae's joke, but smiles warmly. He gives her an awkward hug, then turns to wait for Alaina.
Dulae looks surprised at Cel's physical contact. "It's alright Rabbit, you'll see me in the morning," she pats him firmly on the back.
Henri smirks somewhat at Dulae's comment, and shakes her head. "Can't say I'm not disappointed, Sarge. But, you gotta do what you gotta do I guess." She shrugs and leans against the wall casually.
"Fireball," Dulae says, moving to stand next to her. "Henri." Dulae looks at the floor between them and frowns.
"I'm not very good at this," she sighs. "It's not that I want to leave. There's something very important to be done and I'm one of the few people who can. It might save a lot of people. Maybe the whole kingdom."
She meets Henri's eyes and claps her fondly on the shoulder. "I will miss our arguments, Fireball."
Giving a forlorn smile as his shadow whipped about like a turbulent storm before settling onto the ground as nature intended, he sighed. "I take it those reports aren't going to do me much good. At least it was you, and not someone who would have killed me."
Seeing Xizoh shrink away, Captain Vazquez adopts a less threatening posture and rests her sword hand at her side. "Silo?" she asks after Xizoh's explanation of his magic.
"How very curious," Silo says with avid interest. "Innate magic that bonds a mage to a companion, likely a plane dweller, in the form of a shadow. I shall have to consult the University."
"Please don't," the captain says pointedly.
"Er, right, wouldn't want to draw any unwanted attention now would we," Silo tugs at his collar. "What do you make of it?"
"His magic is certainly not evil," Captain Vazquez says confidently.
"And Oranis helped, you say?" Silo addresses Xizoh. "Fascinating."
"Hold that thought please," the captain says to Silo before turning to Xizoh. "Mr. Shadelock, this is very important. Have you ever heard of the evil abominations known as Shadows?"
Xizoh has a vague sense that Shadows are the stuff of nightmares and children's stories, but he doesn't know what they are and wasn't sure that they really existed.
Dara lingers outside Silo's office as the others leave.
What's with her? Alaina thinks, feeling agitated.
The Wolf strides up to Cel and puts an arm around him after he hugs Dulae. "You ready?" she asks Cel with a hungry look in her eyes.
Dara waits just outside Silo's office hoping to speak to the Captain about tomorrow's briefing. She suddenly overhears the captain cast what she thinks is Detect Evil on Xizoh. Alarmed, she surreptitiously looks inside.
Dara sees Xizoh's shadow projected up off the floor writhing around in Anathema's giant serpent form. No one inside the office seems to notice she is watching.
The moving shadow form reminds her of insidious undead Shadows, but she soon overhears Captain Vazquez announce Xizoh's magic is not evil. She breathes a quiet sigh of relief. Thank the forge of Produs for that.
Dara thinks it's very likely that many in Altiendel, from common folk to mighty paladins, could mistake Xizoh's shadow companion for dark necromantic magic at first glance. She expects if Xizoh is caught displaying Anathema's shadow form he might face pursuit by the Order of Reclamation, if not an attempted summary execution.
This could get complicated fast, she thinks.
"Mmph." Henri mutters under her breath, low and quiet, shaking her head, but jumps a bit as Dulae touches her. The elf sighs, and awkwardly pats Dulae's shoulder back. "Yeah. So will I. You gotta... you gotta do what you gotta do. Be safe out there, Sarge. Don't go doin' nothin' I would do, yeah?" She smiles somewhat and goes for a cigarette, sticking it in her mouth but not lighting it. "Go out and save the world or whatever. Just don't forget about us little folks that got you there and all that. I look forward ta seeing you again."
Captain Vazquez nods. "Shadows are one of the more reviled forms of undead. They steal the strength of their victims, turning them into more of their kind. Totally silent, they can pass through the strongest stone walls, they're impossible to harm with normal weapons, and," she looks meaningfully at Xizoh, "they look quite a lot like your companion here, Mr. Shadelock."
Silo looks at Xizoh sympathetically. "Even knowing your outstanding character, I confess I was somewhat alarmed."
Dara continues to listen to the conversation while she waits. Nothing the Captain says surprises her, but she is glad she doesn't have to be the one to tell Xizoh.
"I won't," Dulae says solemnly, giving Henri's shoulder another gentle squeeze before letting go. "And watch out for that psychotic sibling of yours, Fire... Henri."
"I'm ready," Cel says to Alaina.
"See you tomorrow then, Sergeant," Alaina says to Dulae, beginning the walk back to the Wolf and Bear.
Cel waves goodbye to the others and walks with her.
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"Will do." Henri thought for a moment. It definitely started with a D. Her past studies and work on her magic stuck in her mind far better than in the past, and she knew that she must have gained SOME extra ability to remember things. Even names, for once. "D-... Dulae." She nodded nervously, hoping the name was correct, before smiling at Alaina and Cel before heading back to her room. "See y'all tomorrow."
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Captain Vazquez nods in understanding. “Goodnight Mr. Shadelock. See you in the morning.”
As he leaves, Xizoh overhears Silo teasing Captain Vazquez in a soft voice. “Mortal now, are we?”
“Barely,” she scoffs.
Xizoh passes Dara making her way into Silo’s office. He hears her ask, “Captain, may I have a quick word?”
In the waiting room, Xizoh finds Alaina, Cel, Henri, and Dulae dispersing for the day, saying goodbye and that they’ll see each other in the morning.
If Xizoh follows Alaina and Cel to the Wolf and Bear, he finds Laurett and Smitty cheerful and eager to offer him food and drink for the night and a fire already burning in the woodstove in his room.
When Xizoh leaves the office, Dara makes her way inside. “Captain, may I have a quick word?”
“Of course,” says Captain Vazquez, looking up at Dara.
Dara closes the door behind her. “Have you contacted the Abbhen ACTF? They may be helpful to you,” Dara suggests.
Captain Vazquez glances at Silo. “Not yet,” she says. “We can’t be sure who in the ACTF may have allied themselves with whoever is behind this in the Altiendel military. But I’d be interested to hear any recommendations you have, Agent.”
Dara thinks of a few trustworthy agents, including her mentor, Roland Batel. Captain Vazquez nods and jots the names down. “I also have some experience with the Cult of Raven myself,” Dara offers.
“I appreciate your help with this, Agent,” says the captain. “We are fortunate you are with us.”
Dara nods in acknowledgement. “I look forward to any insight Master Kieran has. See you tomorrow.”
Captain Vazquez and Silo bid her goodnight. Dara heads down to the mess for a meal, takes a warm bath, and turns in for the night.
Henri heads downstairs to the practice room and finds the outer door locked, as she has come to expect.
A few moments later Blaine saunters up and unlocks the door, quickly enough that he was probably close behind her. “Did you find your ticket out?”
Back at the Wolf and Bear, Alaina and Cel find Laurett and Smitty cheerfully busy tending to customers. Wasting no time in getting upstairs, they see a fire already burning in the woodstove in their room.
A few hours later, Alaina and Cel sleep entangled and peaceful in the safety of their locked room. They are satisfied from an hour of pleasurable exercise and full of good food and drink courtesy of Laurett.
Night passes in Southtown. A cold wind sweeps over the snow fields, causing wooden buildings to shift and groan. In the dead of night, the stairs at the Wolf and Bear creak with the wind or some creeping weight.
Morning dawns bright and clear. For the first time in days, no hawk flies from the southern pass, but anyone with a keen eye can spot a hawk resting on the roof of the tallest peak of the Church of Altien, patiently watching Southtown.
Henri wakes on her own. Unusually, there is no sign of Blaine or breakfast yet. Henri thinks she probably has half an hour or so before she needs to be upstairs for the mission briefing.
If she makes her way past the inner door out of the practice room, the guards bid her a friendly good morning. If she continues on, just before she opens the outer door Henri overhears Blaine having a tense conversation on the other side.
“Anatoly Coy, right?” Blaine asks in a cool, neutral tone. “I see you’ve doubled back to Southtown. How tenacious of you.”
“Don’t waste my time,” says a familiar, haughty voice. “I know my sister is here. I know she was seen with you, Guillen.”
“Hm, that’s odd, because I don’t remember anybody fitting that description,” Blaine drawls in a gloating tone. “But if I had, and I asked her if she wants to see you, what do you think she’d say?”
“It doesn’t matter,” Anatoly hisses. “This is family business, and it’s bigger than her.”
“I think it does matter.”
“Listen,” Anatoly sounds like he’s nearly spitting in frustration. “She’s in danger. The longer she stays away, the worse it’s going to get.”
“I see,” Blaine says smugly, as though he’s just learned something interesting. “Well, Anatoly. If I see her, I’ll be sure to let her know.” Blaine opens the door Henri is standing behind a crack. Henri sees his eyes meet hers, but he doesn’t let it show. “Ruiz,” he calls past her. “Can you please see that this gentleman finds his way out?”
Henri is pretty sure Ruiz is one of the Altiendel soldiers guarding the inner door to the practice room.
In the morning Xizoh wakes to an eerie sensation that someone or something has been watching him.
If he opens his door, he finds a folded piece of paper pinned to the doorframe with a deadly-looking curved knife. If he works the knife out of the wood to read the note, he notices the blade is covered in recently dried blood that seeped into the paper.
The note reads:
I know she’s here somewhere. Bring her to the Abbhen pass by sundown or next time I’ll gut you in your sleep, freak.
Dara has a recurring nightmare a few times a year since Korgan’s death. She’s running through a dark forest with a red moon shining through the bare limbs of dead trees. A flock of ravens fly overhead, cawing, following her. She gets a strong feeling someone is watching her. A familiar voice whispers, “Thora…” Sometimes she gets other glimpses; death, fire, a room of gold, a figure in a dark hood. Usually she wakes up after a few snippets.
This dream is different.
Dara is running through the dead forest under the red moon when two giant ravens swoop down and grab her by the arms, lifting her into the sky. The sky swirls into a luxurious room with walls made of gold. The birds release her and she lands roughly on a plush couch.
She finds herself dressed elegantly in a traditional dwarven dress richly embellished with precious metals. The room is handsomely furnished with a table and chairs of gold decorated with gems and lit with dozens of candles in rich crystal candelabras. A chamber fit for a king. She notices it has no doors or windows.
A stout figure in a dark hood is watching her from the corner of the room. “Hello Thora,” says a familiar masculine voice.
“You’re really here,” he strides toward her, sounding pleased. “What do you think?” he gestures to their lavish surroundings. She can’t speak.
Without waiting for a reply, he says, “You’re looking well.” She can’t see his face, but she can feel his eyes on her.
The plush couch transforms into sticky, slimy tendrils that wind around her as he reaches for her. She can’t move.
Suddenly, the world shifts again and she is falling into darkness. She feels his anger at her departure shatter the golden room behind her.
The darkness blurs into fire. She smells the stench of burning flesh and hears agonized screams. She sees six people bound to pyres; two taller, a man and a women, and four smaller. All human. One can’t be more than a few years old. She feels the searing heat of the flames and hears a crackling roar as they burn.
“Who’s there?!” someone shouts from close by. She sees two hooded figures headed warily toward her, looking around as though they can’t see her. She hears the other say, “Are you sure?”
Then the light and heat and fury of the flames die away.
She wakes up.
The barracks is quiet. Dulae sleeps peacefully in the bunk next to her. She thinks it’s at least an hour before dawn, well before her meeting with Captain Vazquez, Dulae, and Master Kieran.
Alaina and Cel wake to dawn’s first light with the creeping feeling that someone or something has been in their room. Their tangle of clothes seems a little further from the door, as though someone has kicked or stumbled over them, but if they check the door it is still locked.