The Homecoming 75.

Room...

They're in a small inn towards the eastern outskirts of the city of Pasemár.
In the common room, the conversations of the customers is occupied by one thing, and one thing only.
The crash of an airship nearby earlier in the evening. A vessel that was apparently unsecured, pulling away from the dock it was moored to. And drifted over the eastern part of the city before crashing across the square at the end of one of the market streets.
Tarong the troll as he finishes his meal, keeps his head down. Trying not to listen to the speculations of the other customers in the common room.
The troll who is a former mill worker, who until recently lived and worked in a small forest town in the Almaeré fief in northwest Druvic.
Downs the last of the ale in his flagon. Then he looks across the table and nods.
Lord Farque gets up and turns, Tarong who was sitting on a low, thick wooden bench, specifically made for someone like him. Gets up too, and follows the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
There's a brief pause in the many conversations in the common room as the customers look at them. After all it's not that often you see someone in a suit of full, heavy plate armour, followed by a ten and half foot tall troll in this part of the city.
Though the pause in the locals conversation is only brief, as people quickly get back to talking about the downed airship, and how it could of happened.
The undead warlord leads the troll down a hallway off the common room. At the end of it, there's a door to the back room of the inn. The heavily armoured deathlord opens the door, and slightly ducks to enter the room beyond.
Behind him, the troll Tarong bends down so that he can get through the door and enter the room. The former forester and mill worker closes the door behind him.
In the room, Mira Reinholt the mage sits upon the bed, with his back against a wall, reading a book by the light provided by the bedside lamp.
Lying on the floor next to the bed, is a dark druid who is unconscious. Tarong wonders over to a corner in the room and sits down. Since the two chairs in here aren't strong enough to hold his weight.
The lord of the death realm nudges the unconscious spellcaster with one of his steel boots, and gets no response. The undead warlord who is also known by the name of Draugadrottin by the people of his lands, steps back and leans back against the wall, opposite the bed that the mage Reinholt is on.
Lord Farque folds his arms, then tells the once powerful mage "Wake him".
Mira Reinholt reads to the end of the sentence he's on, then he closes the book, and sets it aside. The spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster then wakes up the unconscious dark druid by way of a spell.
They wait as the dark druid they captured from the warship in the city docks starts to wake up.
He doesn't know where he is, or what's happened. All he knows as he wakes, is that he's got a splitting headache. And as he rises up out of unconsciousness, he groans at how rotten he feels.
He blinks a few times as he wakes and open his eyes, he finds he's on his side on a floor, facing what he assumes is the base of a bed.
He groans as he rolls onto his back, closing his eyes. He opens them again, and turns his head to the left.
He blinks in surprise as he sees standing there, a large, heavily armoured figure looking at him.
He's still for a moment, then he says "Where am". He's interrupted by a voice behind him, saying "Don't even think about casting" followed by "If you do, you'll die".
He immediately drops the spell he was about to cast, then frowning he sits up, slightly groaning as he does so.
He's in for another surprise, for when he sits up he spots a massive figure sitting in the corner of the room he's in. It's a troll, who is frowning as it watches him.
He then turns his head, and looks at the person who he assumes is on the bed. There he finds a man in a black hooded cloak, hood up on the head, watching him.
He turns his head to look at the one in the full suit of dark heavy plate armour, who says "Like he said, if you cast you die".
He senses the one in the dark hooded cloak on the bed. And doesn't find him to be a spellcaster.
Then he feels a hand on his left shoulder. And he gasps in surprise and shock. Then he hisses under his breath in anger.
He's just been violated, he's just been drained of some of his magical power.
Though it's something you might do willingly for close friends and colleagues who are spellcasters. You never do it without prior consent, and a willingness on the part of both to do so.
To drain power from another spellcaster without their consent is the worst kind of violation one practitioner of magic can do to another. The only thing worse is death by spellcraft.
He glares at the man in the black hooded cloak, who he sees is wryly smiling. Then he goes still as the spellcaster sitting on the bed says to him "It's far less than what you and your friends were going to do to those children" there's a pause from the black cloak wearing spellcaster, who then continues on with "Your friends, who by the way are all dead".
He's silent for a few moments, then he says "Look i don't know what you're going".
He's interrupted by the one sitting on the bed, who says "You can stop lying, I've already read your mind and know what you and the others were going to do". He falls silent again, and wonders how he's going to get out of this. Not knowing, he's not going to get out of this at all.
"So you and the rest of your druid friends" says the mage Reinholt, who briefly pauses before adding "Excuse me, i mean dark druids" he continues on with "Were going to take that ship load of children back to the east of the kingdom, for some grand sacrifice i take it?".
"Are you asking me?" says the captured dark druid "Do you see me asking anyone else?" says the once powerful mage.
The follower of the old ways, briefly grimaces, then says "Something like that".
"Something like that" dryly says the spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster "The death of near thirty young children, and all you can say is something like that" adds the exiled Vexilian mage in disgust, who then glances over at lord Farque, and says in elven "You better do the talking. If not, I'll probably kill him if i have to speak to him again".
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque nods his full helmed head, then says in common to the prisoner "And the purpose of the multiple sacrifices of these children?".
The dark druid doesn't answer until the mage Reinholt nudges him with a boot "To get all the old sites in the east of the kingdom up and running again" says the prisoner, who then adds "The druid's circles".
Both the lord of the death realm, and the exiled Vexilian mage sourly smile at the mention of druid's circles. As they've had a run in with one in the east of Druvic just a week ago.
"And do you know the dark druid who is the advisor of the baron Harkonin in the east of the kingdom?" asks Des'tier as he's known as, to an older generation of elves "Palvarc?" says the prisoner, who then adds "I know of him, but i don't know him".
The heavily armoured deathlord looks at the once powerful mage, who in elven tells him "He's telling the truth, he's never met him" the spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster continues with "A couple of the others personally knew that Palvarc" Mira Reinholt briefly pauses, before saying in a slightly dry tone "Unfortunately you killed all of them".
"Can't be helped" says the deathlord of Farque with a shrug of his broad, heavily armoured shoulders, then the undead warlord says in common to the prisoner sitting on the floor next to the bed "So how did you lot get yourselves a warship, and it's crew, from the fleet of the kingdom's aircorp?".
Lord Farque, Mira Reinholt the mage along with Tarong the troll listen to the dark druid as he explains how he and his druid cohorts were able to use one of the airships in the Druvician aircorp, and have it at their disposal.
Apparently someone of importance in the king's court is friends with Palvarc the dark druid, the adviser of baron Harkonin. Also friends with a couple of the other dark druids who were on the airship that did a slow crash into the streets of Pasemár earlier this evening.
"And this someone of importance at court?" asks Draugadrottin, knowing that the mage Reinholt was unable to find out who, when he read the mind of the prisoner when he was unconscious.
"I'm not sure" is the reply of the dark druid, who continues with "My best guess is that it might be the Lord High Constable himself" he briefly pauses before adding "Or maybe the Provo Marshal".
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque glances at the once powerful mage, who says to him in the elven language "He's telling the truth" followed by "That's who he thinks it is" the mage Reinholt momentarily pauses before adding in a slightly dry tone "Seems these dark druids keep their closest secrets to themselves".
The undead warlord slightly nods his full helmed head, then he quietly says in elven "Could be someone else then". The large heavily armoured  deathlord looks back at the prisoner sitting on the floor, and in the common tongue asks him "Any other schemes and plans you lot up to?".
Seeing the dark druid slightly hesitate, the lord of the death realm snaps at him with "Fucking out with it druid" followed by "Or you'll end up fucking dead like the rest of your friends". Which is what's going to happen to the dark druid anyway, just that he doesn't know it yet.
The prisoner stammers what he knows. From petty rivalries between lesser nobles in the east of the kingdom, who the dark druids have influenced over the years. To an impending all out war between the fiefs Harkonin and Lé Dic. Which isn't much of a surprise. As those two fiefs have been enemies going back for centuries.
"A war that our war engineer is most likely in the middle of" quietly says Mira Reinholt in elven to the deathlord of Farque after the dark druid tells them everything that he knows about what he and his fellow dark druids of eastern Druvic are conspiring in.
"Which isn't surprising" quietly replies Des'tier in the language of the elves, then switching to common, he says to the spellcaster from the east of the kingdom "Do you know this Palvarc's specific plans in the upcoming war with the Lé Dic fief?".
"No" is the answer from the prisoner who continues with "Just that i know it'll be big" he then adds "That was the rumour some of the others heard from the Harkonin fief when they traveled through there during the winter".
The undead being glances at the once powerful mage, who nods his hooded head to signify the prisoner is telling the truth, the highly skilled swordmaster then says in the elven language "That's about all we're going to get out of him".
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque nods in agreement, and as he's just about to step forward and end the life of the dark druid, he thinks of something.
Draugadrottin turns and looks at Tarong, and says to him in trollish "What do you think of this druid?" the heavily armoured deathlord continues with "You saw what he and those other dark druids we're going to do on that ship" the undead warlord asks the troll "What do you think should be done with him?".
Tarong must admit the two he's in the company of, are a brutal pair to be sure. And that's putting it mildly. But everything they've done so far while he's been traveling with them. Has made perfect sense once he's had time to think about it.
From earlier tonight when they boarded that airship, killing those dark druids, and setting those children free. To when they were traveling on a forest road in the Almaeré fief, and they caught the roadside killer, and they let him take the credit, not to mention the reward for that killer's capture.
Nor can he forget that the two of them saved his life in the mill town he was living and working in. When the local constable was going to kill him, for the murders on the forest road. Something he had absolutely nothing to do with.
For all that they've done, no matter how brutal and violent it's been. Not to mention, completely unbelievable some of the things they've done. Things that Tarong can't explain.
He can't fault them for being right in the decisions they've made. He thinks more of the local nobles and authorities should act like them.
But in the troll's experience, very few of the nobility he's encountered here in Druvic, have acted in a manner similar to the spellcaster named Mira, and the lord named Farque.
"Well?" asks the lord and ruler of the lands Farque after the troll contemplates things. "I think" says Tarong the troll in his native tongue, who pauses before he adds "He should pay for what he's done". The former mill worker is pretty certain the the dark druid, and those others on the airship with him. Have killed children in the past for their magical rites.
"Death?" asks the lord of the realm between the living world, and the afterlife. Tarong answers with a nod of his head.
And as the prisoner frowns as he looks between the heavily armoured figure, and the troll who are talking in what he assumes is trollish. Lord Farque takes a step forward and kicks the dark druid in the head.
He doesn't kick all that hard, but it's enough to shatter the prisoner's face, and snap his neck. He hits the floor with a thud, even though he's just sitting there when he gets kicked.
"Dispose of the body" says the undead warlord to Mira Reinholt. The once powerful mage nods, then scoots forward on the bed, and looks at the dead dark druid on the floor.
The exiled Vexilian mage concentrates as he goes to cast. And a moment or two later, the body of the prisoner is enveloped with a flash of bright white light that gives off heat.
The next moment the light is gone, and so is the body of the dark druid they captured. There's a slight film of what looks like fine, gray, powdery ashes, which disappears as well after a few more moments.
The mage Reinholt nods in satisfaction, then murmurs "Didn't burn anything else". Which he's quite proud of since that much heat usually sets something on fire when he casts such a spell.
The spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster gathers the book he was reading, and gets up off the bed. While Tarong stands up from the corner of the room he's been sitting in when lord Farque says to the two of them "Let's get going".
The lord of the death realm continues with "Might as well spend the night onboard the cargo ship since it's leaving early in the morning" the lord and ruler of the lands Farque steps towards the door saying "Then it"s onto the capital Leeabra" and switching to elven, he says to Mira Reinholt "There's some things going on there we need to find out about" . . . . . .

The Homecoming 74.

Airship...

Tarong the troll has to duck down low to avoid hitting his head. One of the disadvantages of being ten and a half foot tall, is that below decks on an airship isn't the ideal place to be.
The former mill worker follows behind the man named lord Farque who seems to know where he's going.
Suddenly the large, well large for a human at least. Heavily armoured man comes to a stop. And the troll who was previously living and working in the fief of Almaeré. Looks around him.
Tarong spots a man standing at the end of the passageway facing them. And though it's dark below deck. The troll can easily see the man, who is fairly young. Is wearing pretty nondescript clothing. Similar to what the dead dark druid was wearing.
The troll nods his head, and crouches down even further, when infront of him, lord Farque quietly says in trollish "Keep low".
The next instant, there's a bright white light in the passageway, and Tarong is forced to briefly close his eyes. He feels extreme heat just infront of him.
Then the troll who until recently was living in the very northwest of Druvic. Hears a gasp of surprise, followed by a grunt of pain. Tarong opens his eyes to see what's happened.
He finds lord Farque at the end of the passageway standing over the body of the man, Tarong guesses is another dark druid. The troll, in a low crouch, walks ahead when the large, heavily armoured figure of lord Farque waves him forward.
When the former forester and former mill worker gets to the end of the passageway, where he steps over the dead body, lord Farque gestures to around a corner. Down another short passageway, that leads to the door of a cabin on the port side of the vessel, that's still rocking from side to side. Far more pronounced than it was previously.
Lord Farque holds up a hand for silence as they go down the short passageway. Tarong moves as quietly as he can as he follows the large, heavily armoured human.
Who stops just before the cabin door, and is looking at the wall on the right.
The troll from the northwest of the kingdom slightly frowns as he watches lord Farque, who is moving his full helmed head as if he's watching someone on the otherside of the wall.
Tarong sees him slightly shift so that he's standing at an angle to the door as he continues to move his head. Then the former mill worker hears him whisper in the troll language "Stay behind me" he follows that whisper, with another and he says "Infact, stay out here until i call you".
Suddenly the large, heavily armoured human moves. Tarong isn't too sure, but he thinks lord Farque punches the door just below the handle.
The entire door goes flying inwards, and the troll blinks. For one moment he sees lord Farque standing infront of him. The next moment he's gone. Tarong assumes he's inside the cabin if the yelling and screaming from in there is anything to go by.
Just a couple of moments later, and he hears lord Farque call out in trollish "Troll get in here". Tarong ducks down and enters the cabin. And is totally surprised at what he finds.
On a table is a child strapped to it. Lord Farque is undoing the ropes that are holding the child to the table. A child who seems to be dazed, but fine.
The troll spots another human child. This one a girl of about eight years. Sitting on a small bench in one corner of the cabin. She's bound, and has a gag in her mouth. She seems to be more coherent, and though she looks frightened. Tarong sees that she also looks to be relieved.
The former mill worker takes a step, and stops short when he suddenly notices the body on the floor next to the table in the center of the cabin.
It's a man, who he assumes is another dark druid. He lies there dead and bleeding with a dozen daggers stabbed into his chest and face.
Tarong isn't too sure, but the daggers look to be more ornamental than practical. The troll nervously swallows as he realises such weapons would be perfect for druids, in particular dark druids, and their rites. Which he's certain, involves sacrifices. Well, that's what he's heard about the old ways.
The troll who can't believe how quickly lord Farque must of stabbed the dark druid with those dozen daggers. Looks away to the left, and sees the remains of the cabin door.
Tarong frowns, as he sees another body lying beneath the door, that must of broke apart when it slammed into the inside of the hull.
"Here, take these two" says lord Farque to the troll who was until recently, living and working in the fief of Almaeré. The undead warlord who is speaking in common, and has just undone the ropes that have bound the girl on the bench in the corner.
And as he unwinds the cloth wrapped around her mouth, then she spits out the cloth shoved into her mouth, he tells her "It's okay, we'll get you out of here".
Tarong picks up the dazed boy lying on the table, and the undead warlord carries the girl over to him. The heavily armoured deathlord says to the child "This is Tarong, a troll" the lord and ruler of the lands Farque continues with "He'll get you out of here".
As the troll carries the dazed looking boy in the crook of one arm, the girl clings onto his neck and left shoulder, when he says to her "Hold on".
Just then, the airship violently swings, then swings back and slams into the side of the dock it's tenuously still moored to.
"Shit" mutters the undead being who is also known as Draugadrottin to the people of his lands, who then says "Time to go".
Tarong is glad he's crouching down so low, for he's pretty certain he'd be knocked off his feet if he wasn't otherwise.
As the troll goes to turn around, lord Farque tells him "No time for that". The undead warlord walks to the port side in the cabin, where he does a spin kick.
Tarong blinks in surprise as the hull basically explodes outwards from the kick by the large heavily armoured human.
"Out and up" says the deathlord of Farque who points to the large hole in the side of the airship he's just created.
"Er?" says the troll who is a former mill worker as he steps forward and looks out the breach in the side of the twin masted vessel. And sees it swinging towards the airdock it's still tenuously tied to. It slams into the dock, then slowly swings out from it again.
"Reach up, and grab the dock" says the undead warlord who is also known by the name of Draugadrottin by the people of his lands.
"Once you've got these children to safety, met me down below on the ground" continues the lord and ruler of the lands Farque, who momentarily pauses before adding "Somewhere".
"Somewhere?" asks Tarong, who still has no idea how he's going to get up on the dock, which he might be able to reach from down here. But not with the two children he's carrying. And definitely not with an airship repeatedly swinging back and forth, slamming into the side of the airdock.
"Where ever this ship lands" dryly says the heavily armoured deathlord in the troll language, which causes Tarong to blink in surprise.
The troll is about to ask something else, but lord Farque's hand on his back, pushes him forward towards the hole in the side of the airship.
"Reach up for the dock" says Des'tier as he's known by, to an older generation of elven kind who might know who he is.
The troll's eyes go wide as he sees that the twin masted vessel is swinging back in towards the airdock as he looks out the sizable breach in it's port side hull.
"Up troll" commands lord Farque, and Tarong reaches up with his free hand, while a dazed boy sits in the crook of his other arm, and a little girl clings onto his neck.
Suddenly as the dock comes closer to the swinging airship, the troll feels himself being lifted up. Infact it feels like he's being thrown upwards through the air.
He kind of regrets having naturally enhanced eyesight, as he can see in the darkness with the minimal lamp light around. He can see dock he feels like he's going to smash in. But he goes up by it, then comes back down, landing on top of the dock, on two feet after the airship slams into the side of it once more.
Tarong stands there completely stunned, then he murmurs in his native language "What the fuck?" followed by "How the fuck?".
Then he regathers his wits, when the girl clinging onto him, says "We should go".
"Right" says the troll who until recently was living and working in the northwest of the kingdom of Druvic. He spares a glance at the twin masted vessel, that has just two of it's mooring ropes still attached to it.
Tarong hurries along the top of the straight dock, heading towards the steps. As he he gets to the steps, another of the tie lines snaps, and the airship swings out wide from the airdock it's precariously still attached to.
Onboard the warship out of Leeabra, lord Farque who is still below deck. Is making his way forward to the nearest ladder. The undead warlord who senses one remaining dark druid onboard. Also senses that Mira Reinholt the mage is on the warship as well.
As the heavily armoured deathlord leaps up the ladder, landing on the deck, he senses the once powerful mage near the bow, below deck. Near where the last dark druid is located.
A dark druid who is most likely in a panic, as he's certain to of sensed the death of his four fellow druids of the old ways.
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque runs across the deck of the airship in the Druvician aircorp, grabs an officer who has been knocked off his feet. Who is the only remaining crew or passenger onboard, apart from the the dark druid, below deck near the bow.
Draugadrottin hauls the officer, who is the ship's captain up off the deck. And flings him overboard, over the port rail. To the airdock, which is now a good thirty feet away. As there's just a single mooring line attached to it, near the bow of the warship.
The captain lands on the dock with a thud, he moans in pain. But he's still alive, and after a few moments he gets to his feet, and limps towards the steps when the last mooring line snaps. This one with no assistance from the mage Reinholt. And the warship starts to drift away in the night sky, just forty feet off the ground.
Meanwhile onboard, lord Farque has gone back down below. Going doing a ladder beyond the forecastle. The heavily armoured deathlord hurries towards the forward cargo hold of the warship.
Cargo holds on vessels like these being particularly small. As below deck is for crew quarters. And decking for magetubes. Which the undead warlord passes as he makes his way to the forward hold.
Des'tier slows down, and enters the hold, where a small magical ball of light is floating in the air. He finds the mage Reinholt in the cargo hold, standing over the last dark druid, who is unconscious.
"Thought he could answer some questions" says Mira Reinholt the mage, lord Farque nods his full helmed head in agreement, and the exiled Vexilian mage adds "Besides i could do with some power, since I'm low on it at the moment".
The spellcaster, who is also a highly skilled swordmaster takes hold of the unconscious dark druid, and drains some of the power from him.
As he does, the lord and ruler of the lands Farque says "First thing first" the lord of the death realm continues with "Time to get off this fucking ship, because it's going to crash" as he can feel the warship is heading down towards the ground, though very slowly as it drifts away from the airdocks of Pasemár.
The undead warlord picks up the unconscious dark druid who the mage Reinholt easily subdued.
Draugadrottin points at the hull and says "Make a way out". The Vexilian mage in exile nods, and blasts a hole in the side of the warship.
The spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster extinguishes his magical light. Then without pausing he runs, then jumps out of the hole in the side of the vessel he's created.
In mid air, the mage Reinholt casts a levitation spell, and drops smoothly to the ground. Landing in alleyway just behind the airdocks of Pasemár.
Lord Farque with the unconscious dark druid over one shoulder, steps out of the hole in the side of the airship. And drops to the ground. Which is only thirty feet below.
The heavily armoured deathlord lands on his feet in an empty street that the swordmaster Reinholt walks out onto after making his way from the alley.
The undead warlord points to where he can sense Tarong the troll back near the city airdocks.
The two of them head that way, not even bothering to look up at the night sky, and the doomed warship that passes slowly by overhead as it continues to drop towards the ground, where it will eventually crash into the streets of eastern Pasemár . . . . . .

The Homecoming 73.

Docks...

"Just grab something, and pretend that you're a dock worker" says lord Farque, who continues with "A lot of trolls work in docks across the Southlands".
"Ah" says Tarong the troll, who doesn't really know what to do, or to be exact, what's asked of him.
After rolling his eyes, the undead warlord switches from the troll language, to the goblin language, and says "Here you, give me that you're carrying". To a pair of goblin dock workers who are carrying a large crate.
The two of them stop in surprise, and almost drop the crate they're carrying. For the simple reason no one, who isn't a goblin, has ever spoken to them before in their native tongue.
"The crate, pass it over" says the heavily armoured deathlord "Er" says one goblin, who looks at his counterpart, who vigorously nods his head as he looks sideways at the intimidating figure of the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
"Yes boss" says the first goblin, who along with his fellow dock worker, hands the crate to the undead warlord who is also know by the name of Draugadrottin to the people of his lands.
"We taking it up there" says the goblin doing the talking, who can't believe he's talking to a human, who speaks the goblin language.
"Right" says lord Farque who shoves the crate into the hands of Tarong, the lord of the death realm sees the other crates the goblins have unloaded from a wagon, that's just gone off, and tells them "You two piss off, and take the rest of the afternoon of" and he flips one of the goblins a gold coin. Who miraculously for one of his kind, actually catches the coin in mid air.
"Thanks boss" says one goblin, which is repeated by the second who is grinning from ear to ear like his fellow dock worker. A gold coin is more than either one of them gets paid a month.
So they're happy to take the rest of the afternoon off without doing the rest of their work.
As the two goblins hurry away, the undead warlord says in trollish "Head up to the dock with that crate, and deliver it to the airship up there" Des'tier as he's known by to an older generation of elves, then adds "Listen to what's been said by the crew and the passengers" the lord of the death realm follows that with "The passengers will be children".
The troll who is a former mill worker, shrugs his massive shoulders, then heads up the steps to the airdock above, as he does, the heavily armoured deathlord tells him "Come back down, because you've got to take the rest of this crap up" as he gestures to the nearby crates. Supplies for the sole airship on this airdock.
As Tarong goes up the steps to the airdock that's forty feet up off the ground. Lord Farque glances up at one of the other airdocks. The one the cargo ship they traveled to Pasemár in tied up at.
There the lord and ruler of the lands Farque senses Mira Reinholt the mage, who he spots heading towards the steps that lead down to the ground. Draugadrottin watches the once powerful mage make his way down to the ground, then walk towards him. In what's the more quiet area of the Pasemár airdocks.
Most of the traffic, in both the air, and on the ground. Is in and around the larger circular docks. Not the straight one's like the two off to one side, as the cargo ship from Poldaér is tied up to. And a warship, from the capital Leeabra is moored to.
"They're expecting a handful more" quietly says Mira Reinholt the mage in the elven language when he joins the undead warlord under the dock the warship that's flying no colours, or banners, is moored to.
"They're scheduled to depart tomorrow morning too" adds the once powerful mage who is been reading the minds of the crew and passengers onboard the sleek looking twin masted vessel, that's obviously a military ship in the Druvician aircorp. Even though it's flying no identifying colours.
The lord of the death realm glances up at the late afternoon sky, then tells the Vexilian mage in exile "It'll be dark before soon" Des'tier who like the mage Reinholt, speaks in elven as he continues with "Might as well do it once it goes dark".
The spellcaster, who is also a highly skilled swordmaster nods his head in agreement, then says "The keel?". "No" says the lord and ruler of the lands Farque with a shake of his full helmed head, then he continues with "Too risky with all those kids onboard" Draugadrottin then adds "The hull" he follows that with "Get it rocking if you can. The troll and I'll get the passengers and crew off it".
The once powerful mage nods his head in understanding, then says "Speaking of the troll" as Tarong comes back down the steps after delivering the crate to the airship above.
"Hear anything interesting?" lord Farque quietly asks the troll who they met in a mill town in the north of the Almaeré fief.
"Not really" replies Tarong who picks up another crate, then says "Just some of the crew bitching about having a bunch of kids onboard. And the fact this isn't what they signed up for. Whatever that means".
The heavily armoured deathlord and the once powerful mage glance at one another, then the lord of the death realm tells the troll "Just keep listening, and see what you can find out".
Tarong who has picked up another crate, and has one balanced on each shoulder, grunts in the affirmative. Then heads back up the steps to the dock above, and the warship that's moored up there.
"I'll deal to them" quietly says the undead warlord in elvish to the exiled Vexilian mage, he then adds "Join me once you're done".
The spellcaster, who was once the most powerful mage of his generation to be found anywhere in the Southlands. Nods that he will, as he and the lord and ruler of the lands Farque look up at the warship above them tied to the dock.
A military vessel that has a bunch of children onboard, and as well as the crew of sailors and officers in the aircorp of the kingdom of Druvic.
Has five others onboard. Those five are all spellcasters. Who are all dark druids. Something you wouldn't normally expect to see. Even in the east of the kingdom. Where druids and the worship of the old ways is more prevalent.
Certainly something you wouldn't normally see here in the central region of Druvic.
As Tarong comes back down, and heads back up the steps a number of times, to take the supplies up to the twin masted vessel above.
Mira Reinholt wanders away beneath the airdock as the sun in the west gets lower in the sky, as it approaches dusk.
Then after the troll who is a former mill worker from the northwest of the kingdom, takes up the last crate, and returns a short while later.
Lord Farque quietly tells him trollish "There's something we're going to do". "Oh what's that?" asks Tarong who looks around and frowns as he can't see Mira Reinholt anywhere, it's as though he's disappeared.
The undead warlord tells the troll what they're going to do. Tarong's eyes go wide when he hears what the large human, in the dark suit of full, heavy plate armour intends for them to do.
Well shit! Really? Tarong thinks to himself in surprise, the troll slowly nods as he comprehends what lord Farque has just told him.
The lord of the death realm spots a small passenger ship coming into the docks. The single masted airship looks like it's heading to this part of the airdocks.
Which indeed it does, as it comes alongside the straight dock directly above, as it puts in on the opposite side of the dock, that the warship is tied up to.
Even better, the heavily armoured deathlord thinks to himself as he watches the small airship being tied to the dock above, as the sun sets in the west on what's been a relatively warm, early spring day in this part of the kingdom of Druvic.
The undead warlord looks further beneath the docks, and nods his full helmed head as he looks at the invisible Mira Reinholt.
"Get ready to go up" quietly says lord Farque in the troll language to Tarong, who nods his head in understanding, even though he's nervous at what they're about to do.
The troll who was previously living and working in the northwestern fief of Almaeré. Has no idea that the mage Reinholt is now levitating up off the ground, heading towards the warship tied to the dock they're standing at the base off.
The Vexilian mage in exile who has drained one of his spell gems of power. As he's going to need it, since he'll be casting more than one spell at a time.
Comes to a stop in mid air, just below and to one side of the sleek looking twin masted airship. The invisible spellcaster reaches out and touches the hull of the vessel as night falls here in the central region city of Pasemár.
The once powerful mage as he levitates there, casts another spell, something he would find difficult doing if he hadn't drain one of his spell gems.
There's the sound of a dull crack, and a split goes up the side of the twin masted airship's hull. Shouting comes from onboard, and Mira Reinholt levitates beneath the warship, to go and cut one of the tie lines to the dock.
"Abandon ship!" calls out lord Farque when he and Tarong get up to the top of the airdock. The heavily armoured deathlord nudges the troll next to him, and Tarong in his deep, booming voice yells out "Abandon ship!" as well.
Similar calls come from the small passenger airship that's recently put in. As they can see from the night lamps on both airships tied to the dock. That the twin masted vessel on the otherside of the dock, is rocking back and forth slightly.
There's shouting and yelling coming from the warship, and the crew are shepherding the young passengers off. The children who are frightened and scared, look around once they're on dock, and lord Farque as he walks towards them, says "Hurry up, down off the dock".
A lamp lighter who has just lit the lamp at the top of the steps, waves to those gathering on the dock, and calls out "This way".
"Lead those children down to the ground" says the undead warlord to some of the crew who have scrambled off the rocking warship. They don't question his authority, since he doesn't look like someone's authority you question. They just assume he's a nobleman. A knight or an avenger. Since he's in a full suit of dark, heavy plate armour. And he has a troll as a servant.
"Down the steps!" calls out the lord of the death realm, which is repeated by Tarong the troll, and some of the crew.
"Get these children away" says the heavily armoured deathlord to one of the officers of the warship who has just hurried across one of the gangplanks. "Yes m'lord" says the officer who automatically figures the lord and ruler of the lands Farque is a local noble of importance.
"Any more of them onboard?" asks Draugadrottin, who can sense that most of the children have made it off the twin masted vessel.
"I'm not sure" replies the officer, a nearby crew member says "Most are sir". The lord of the death realm nods his full helmed head, and a moment later one of the lines tying the warship to the dock snaps, or so it seems. For infact it was cut.
"Clear the dock!" calls out lord Farque, who then adds "The ship could tear away from it's moorings".
More of the crew and officers are abandoning the twin masted vessel, some of them carrying the remaining children.
"With me" says the heavily armoured deathlord in trollish, who then jumps the gap between the warship and the dock.
As does Tarong, who doesn't trust his weight on one of the gangplanks. Besides one has already fallen to the ground as the sleek looking, twin masted airship rocks back and forth, straining against it's remaining mooring lines.
The former mill worker times his jump, and easily clears the eight foot gap to the warship that's in the Druvician aircorp.
Lord Farque works his way to the nearest ladder that goes below deck. Up ahead, one of the dark druids is arguing with one of the officers of the crew. Either the first mate, or the captain himself,
"Get off the ship" says the undead warlord as he approaches the two "It's going to tear the damn dock apart" adds the lord of the death realm.
"Yes m'lord" says the ships officer, who has turned and seen who it is that's spoken.
He might automatically obey the large, heavily armoured figure of authority. Not so the dark druid, who says "Here, who are you to".
That's all he says, because Draugadrottin backhands him across the face, muttering "Shut the fuck up". The lord and ruler of the lands Farque makes sure not to hit the dark druid too hard with a gauntlet covered hand. And only knocks the man out.
"Head forward, and make sure the ship is cleared" says the undead warlord to the ship's officer. And before he can say anything, lord Farque points at the unconscious dark druid, and tells Tarong who is standing behind him "Bring him".
The undead being who is known as Des'tier aka The Destroyer to an older generation of elven kind who might know he is. Makes his way down the nearby ladder, just before he does, he nods his full helmed head.
A moment later, and another of the mooring lines snaps, or so it seems. It like the previous one has been cut by Mira Reinholt the mage.
"Fuck me" mutters Tarong the troll as the warship rocks violently to one side as he walks down the ladder, almost dropping the unconscious man he's carrying.
The troll gets down into the passage way below, ducking low so he doesn't hit his head. Lord Farque looks back at the former mill worker, and says "Dump him".
"We're not bringing him with us?" asks Tarong, who sets the unconscious man on the floor of the dark passage way "Why?" says the deathlord of Farque, who then adds "Considering he's dead" just before he stomps on the throat of the dark druid. Crushing the man's throat, and snapping his neck.
The troll stares in shock, and the lord and ruler of the lands Farque tells him "He deserved it" Draugadrottin gestures up above, and adds "You have no idea what he was going to do those children" the undead warlord follows that with "Trust me, you don't want to know".
Tarong looks from the dead man, to the large heavily armoured figure standing over the body, and asks "Who is he?". "A dark druid" replies lord Farque, who then turns, and starts walking down the passage way.
A few moments later, Tarong the troll who after looking down at the dead man on the floor of the passage way as he contemplates what's just happened, follows after the lord and ruler of the lands Farque . . . . . .

The Homecoming 72.

In The Air...

Mira Reinholt the mage comes up on deck yawning. The once powerful mage slept in, and had breakfast late. Much to the annoyance of the short tempered cook in the ship's galley.
The vessel is a twin masted cargo ship. They're three days out the small city of Poldaér, bound for the capital Leeabra. Which the speed the airship is going, will probably be another four or five days away.
The Vexilian mage in exile has flown upon many a cargo ship over the years. A lot of them slow. But this one must be the slowest one of the lot.
But it was the only vessel going to Leeabra, until a transporter arrived in the small city of Poldaér from the capital, either today or tomorrow. Before returning to the capital of the kingdom of Druvic.
The mage Reinholt suspects if they had waited the three days for the transporter. And got that to Leeabra. It would probably get back to the capital quicker than the cargo ship they're on.
A cargo ship, whose captain is hell bent on stopping at every town of size between the Almaeré fief in northwest Druvic, to their final destination of Leeabra.
The spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster almost rolls his eyes as he hears the crew talking about another stop later in the morning. This time in the city of Pasemár. One of the larger cities in the kingdom of Druvic. A city that the exiled Vexilian mage has visited before.
Mira Reinholt makes his way forward along the deck of the airship. A vessel that he would describe as a wallowing tub of a ship. Wide of beam, nor is it particularly long. Giving it a kind of stubby look.
It definitely lacks good lines to it's hull. Which matches it's lack of speed in the opinion of the once powerful mage.
It doesn't help that it's cargo holds are stuffed full of wooden goods. A lot of furniture of every shape and description. As it's carrying a cargo of goods from some of the master woodworkers and carpenters in Poldaér.
Not the usual cargo of just plain lumber, which is predominantly shipped from Poldaér and the fief of Almaeré.
The swordmaster Reinholt nods his head to the crew who wish him good morning. They've learnt he's a spellcaster of some kind. And like all sailors, wether they sail in the air or upon the water. They're a superstitious lot, who think it's lucky to have a practitioner of magic onboard.
The once powerful mage has always suspected there's another reason why ship's crews find it lucky to have a spellcaster onboard.
For the simple reason they can help out if something goes wrong. Which is extremely helpful for an airship.
The mage Reinholt makes his way to the bow. Where Tarong the troll sits at the base of the fore mast. With his back against the slightly shorter of the two masts.
Even further in the bow, at the prow of the vessel. Stands lord Farque, who is looking ahead, in the direction the twin masted airship is going.
There's no crew in the front half of the bow, as they're giving the large, heavily armoured figure standing there, plenty of room.
"Morning" says Mira Reinholt the mage in response to Tarong the troll saying "Good morning mage". The spellcaster who was once the most powerful mage of his generation to found anywhere in the Southlands, takes a seat on the bow bench, that the troll is sitting next to.
The mage who is in exile from his homeland of Vexil looks up at the sky ahead, it's clearer to the east. While behind them to the west, there's still heavy cloud cover, from where it rained before the sun came up.
The day ahead, especially to the east, the direction they're going, looks to be fairly clear. It also feels like the day is going to be relatively warm. Even here, a couple of thousand feet above the ground. It's definitely spring, more than it is winter now.
"The crew says we'll be in Pasemár by mid morning" says the troll, who is a former tree feller, and now a former mill worker "Bit more going for it than Poldaér" says the mage Reinholt, who continues with "It's an actual city, and not an overgrown town like Poldaér is".
Tarong nods his large head, and the mage Reinholt asks him "You think about seeing if you can find work there?" the highly skilled swordmaster then adds "Instead of Leeabra?".
"No, I think I'll continue onto the capital" replies the troll, who has sufficient funds now, since he got the reward for the capture of the road side killer in the Almaeré fief.
"Whatever you think best" says Mira Reinholt, who finds it a hell of a lot more pleasant to have a troll around instead of an ork. For the simple reason Tarong doesn't stink like shit. And the fact the troll's command of the common language is fairly decent. There's also the added bonus he's not a stark raving mad homicidal maniac who wants to kill everything and anything. Nor does he try to eat and drink everything in sight.
The two of them continue to quietly chat as lord Farque silently stands at the prow of the airship.
The troll and the human spellcaster only stop talking when the call of a lookout announces the city of Pasemár ahead. And the twin masted airship starts to drop down in altitude a few miles from the city.
Pasemár is surrounded by prime farmland in central Druvic. It's still in the western half of the kingdom. But the forest of the northwest of Druvic, is left far behind here in the center of the kingdom.
There's woodland here and there in the area, but no substantial sized forests near the city of Pasemár. The farming towns and villages in the vicinity of the city. Can be seen from above by those on the airship. One of about a dozen or so in the morning sky that can be seen either approaching or leaving the city of Pasemár.
Of course the twin masted cargo ship out of Poldaér is the slowest vessel in the sky. And it's well after mid morning when it eventually makes it over the city. Heading to the airdocks on the outskirts in the east of the city.
Most air ships come from the capital Leeabra, and the more heavily populated region further east in the center of the kingdom. Hence the airdocks are on that side of Pasemár.
Tarong doesn't mind that, nor the slow sped the cargo ship from Poldaér is flying. As it gives him a good opportunity to look down at the city they're passing over.
It's by far the largest place he's ever seen, or been to. And as he and the mage Reinholt stand at the starboard rail looking down at the city two hundred feet below them, he asks the spellcaster in exile from the city-state of Vexil "Is Leeabra much bigger than this?" as he finds Pasemár way larger than he expected it to be. It's at least five times the size of Poldaér. Which until now, is the largest place he's ever been to.
"This isn't even quarter of the size of the capital" replies Mira Reinholt, Tarong's eyes go wide at the prospect of that. The once powerful mage slightly smiles, and wonders what the troll would think of cities such as Vexil and Brattonbury. The largest one's in all of the Southlands. He suspects Tarong would be overwhelmed if he ever saw them.
"Those squares down there are massive" murmurs the former mill worker, the swordmaster Reinholt nods in agreement, then says "Druvicians like their wide open spaces in their cities" he continues with "Lots of massive squares, and wide boulevards" the exiled Vexilian mage then adds "A lot of large structures too".
The mage Reinholt points out a large building away to the south, and says "Like that church there" he follows that up with "The bigger the better here, when it comes to buildings" the spellcaster from the city-state of Vexil then adds "Well, that's how the Druvicians see things".
Tarong nods his head, for as they traveled from the northwest of the kingdom. He's seen a handful of castles from above in the air. And even at a couple of thousand feet up. The castles have looked large. Mira Reinholt has told him they like their castles big here in Druvic. And how for the most part, the ancestral homes of the nobility here in Druvic. Are on average, larger than most castles you'll find in other kingdoms.
The slow moving cargo ship comes into the airdocks. It berths at one of the straight docks. Not one of the handful of circular one's found here in the city's airdocks.
As the airship is tied up, and Mira Reinholt and Tarong the troll go down to their cabins and get their gear, before coming back up on deck.
Lord Farque remains at the prow, though he's now looking around at the airdocks of Pasemár.
The once powerful mage and the former mill worker head forward to join the heavily armoured figure standing on the bow deck. As they do, the spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster notices the undead warlord is looking at an airship on the straight dock off on the port side.
The Vexilian mage in exile looks at it too, and slightly frowns. Mira Reinholt senses, safe in the knowledge other spellcasters can't sense him due to the amulet he wears on a chain around his neck.
The once powerful mage nods his head as he senses the airship across to port.
The mage Reinholt, who wonders if lord Farque is going to decide they board another vessel going to Leeabra. As this cargo ship will be in dock here in Pasemár until dawn tomorrow.
Says "Interesting" to the heavily armoured deathlord as he nods at the sleek looking, twin masted vessel on the dock to port.
"I know" says lord Farque, who then switches to the elven language, and tells the swordmaster Reinholt "Look at some of those passengers" he continues with "There's some onboard, and others are coming up the steps on that dock".
Mira Reinholt looks at those mentioned by the lord and ruler of the lands Farque, and he frowns at what he sees "Children" murmurs the spellcaster who was once the most powerful mage of his generation to be found anywhere in the Southlands.
"Tell me mage, what would a group of druids want with a bunch of children?" asks Draugadrottin as he's also known by the people of his lands "Dark druid's too" adds the lord of the death realm, who continues with "In a part of the kingdom they're not exactly fucking common in as well".
"And on a warship too" quietly says Mira Reinholt, for the twin masted airship tied up to dock on the port side of the cargo ship. Is obviously a fighting vessel. The portholes are closed at the moment. But there's definitely magetubes below in it's hull.
And though it isn't flying the colours of the aircorp of Druvic. The mage Reinholt who for a time lived here in the kingdom of Druvic. Recognises the vessel they're looking at, as one of the types that the aircorp of Druvic favours. Infact it's one of the more common types of airship to be found in the kingdom's fleet.
As Tarong the troll stands there wondering what the two of them are talking about, as he can't understand a word of elven.
Lord Farque says to the exiled Vexilian swordmaster "An aircorp vessel not flying the kingdom's colours, with some dark druids onboard, taking a lot of children on as passenger" the undead warlord who is also known as Des'tier by an older generation of elves who know who he is, continues in a dry tone with "There's nothing out of the fucking ordinary about that".
Mira Reinholt faintly winces, then the lord and ruler of the lands Farque says "One of the druid's is coming up on deck" the heavily armoured deathlord then adds "Read his mind".
As a fairly nondescript man comes up on deck of the warship on the dock to port, and makes his way to a gangplank, where a group of children are waiting with their various parents, to board the sleek looking twin masted vessel.
The mage Reinholt reads the dark druid's mind, fearing what he'll find. The once powerful mage grimaces as he reads the mind of the nondescript looking fellow. It's bad, but not as bad as it could of been.
Lest it isn't a bunch of pedo priests and clerics, the exiled Vexilian mage thinks to himself in a sour tone, the highly skilled swordmaster then silently adds, still fucking bad though.
"Well?" asks the undead warlord after the mage Reinholt drops the mind read spell he's been casting "Sacrifices" quietly says Mira Reinholt, who continues with "They're sacrifices. Though they and their families don't know it. They think they're going to the capital to join one of temple seminaries".
"How fucking ironic" sourly says Draugadrottin, who then adds "That would be just as bad" he shakes his full helmed head, then gestures at the airship tied to the dock on the port side of the cargo vessel, and asks "Know how some shitheel druids got a warship to use?".
"They've got a benefactor in the king's court" quietly says the once powerful mage, the lord of the death realm lifts an eyebrow in surprise at that, and the Vexilian mage in exile tells him "He doesn't know who it is, but whoever it is, they must be pretty important to commandeer an aircorp vessel and give it to them to use how they want".
The deathlord of Farque nods his full helmed head then falls silent. The swordmaster Reinholt waits, as he wonders what the undead warlord will do. As he's not exactly known for going out of the way to help others. Especially when it's got no benefit to him.
Although the once powerful mage wants to mention that a ship load of children's lives are at stake. He stays silent as he waits for the lord and ruler of the lands Farque to say something. While Tarong watches on, not knowing what's going on.
"We'll stay here for the day" says lord Farque in the common language, who looks over at the warship across the way, and adds "We've got something to do here" . . . . . .

The Homecoming 71.

Tracking...

Helbe the elven thief frowns as he watches the Harkonin army. It's early morning, and the army is about to get underway again, and continue on it's way to the border.
The blurred and shielded elven magic user is amongst the trees, looking at some of the tents that are being taken down in the clearing.
The elven masterthief is watching the dark tent that's off to one side, by itself. That's just now being taken down after it's sole occupant finally comes out of it.
The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel watches the dark druid Palvarc, who is the advisor to baron Harkonin.
The dark druid that Narladene the ground pixie has warned him to keep his distance from. As apparently the local spellcaster will be able to sense him if he gets within fairly close proximity.
The elven princeling asked the naturally magical creature how that was possible considering all other spellcasters are unable to sense him due to his shield spell.
And she told him it was because of the staff that the dark druid possess. It's that, which would be able to sense him. Not the dark druid himself.
It goes without saying that Helbe the elven thief won't be able to sense the staff to try and identity it, to see what it specifically is. As that will give him away as well.
The grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel watches the dark druid for a few more moments as he heads to the tie line where his mount is.
Then prince Helbenthril Raendril looks towards a wagon that's heading back onto the trade road, on what's a crisp and cool morning, which feels like it will turn into a relatively warm day. It's definitely a spring like day, today here in eastern Druvic.
The elven master assassin looks at the prisoners who have been put in the back of the wagon. He couldn't think of a better group to be taken prisoner by their enemy.
Though he must admit, the recently healed sir Parvin Dé Gorveré, a contemporary and friend of sir Percavelle Lé Dic. Doesn't deserve to be lumped in with the other three nobleborn prisoners.
Those three, lord Kievar Milburn, his grandson Jared Milburn. Along with the Lé Dic army commander, sir Galmot. Are all complicit in the murder of their former earl. Maxiss Lé Dic.
The elven master archer watches the prisoners, with the exception of a defiant looking sir Parvin. Look dejected and down trodden at what's happened to them. And the army they led into the Harkonin fief, which has effectively been wiped out.
Way to go asshole, Helbe the elven thief thinks to himself as he watches lord Milburn sitting in the back of the wagon with his wrists bound, staring off in to the distance at the trees on the north side of the trade road.
You've left your granddaughter's fief wide open to the enemy, with little left in the way of an army to protect it, the young elven noble thinks to himself with a shake of his hooded head. The elven magic user knows that the Lé Dic fief will be hard pressed to defend itself now. And that the Harkonin army will basically have a free ride to castle Lé Dic which they'll definitely put under siege. If what he's overheard this morning is anything to go by.
The elven masterthief looks towards the dark druid Palvarc who is riding ahead with a handful of scouts. To join baron Harkonin and the other nobles who are already on the road, setting off west towards the front of the army.
The elven princeling who has been gathering information, by both mundane and magical ways. Making sure not to cast anywhere near where the dark druid Palvarc is.
Is just wondering what he should do now, when Narladene the ground pixie suddenly appears on his right shoulder, and triumphantly says "I've found them".
"Where?" asks the elven spellcaster "Further north, and near the border" replies the tiny winged creature who is 'Attached' to the young elven noble from the principality of Laerel.
"And take a guess what" adds the naturally magical creature, the elven masterthief grins as he's already guessed, since the person they're searching for is missing from the Harkonin army.
"They've got him" quietly says prince Helbenthril Raendril who speaks in elven when he converses with the tiny winged creature "Yep" says Narladene, who then adds "Well i figure it's him, as i sensed through the ground that there's one other person with them".
"It's him" murmurs the elven master assassin with a nod of his hooded head. As he's overheard that the rear elements of the Harkonin army were attacked yesterday during the one sided battle against the Lé Dic army.
Attacked by an unknown amount of soldiers in the Lé Dic army. Who Helbe the elven thief is pretty certain weren't Lé Dic soldiers at all. And it was the rest of the group who attacked the rear elements of the Harkonin army.
Considering a large green monster was seen amongst the attackers. And has been talked about often by those the elven masterthief has listened in on, and read the minds of so far this morning as he's observed the Harkonin army.
"Well, since they've got him" quietly says the grandson of Prince Raendril of Laerel "I guess we better go and join them" adds the highly talented elven spellcaster, who then tells Narladene "Show me the way".
The ground pixie points in the direction to go to, and she grabs a hold of the right shoulder of the blurred and shielded elven magic user just before he shifts away to the northwest.
The elven master assassin heads back to the border, going more north than directly west. By the way Narladene is telling him which way to go, he figures the rest of the group are heading to the border somewhere to the north of the town of Falshire.
The elven princeling who quickly leaves behind the Harkonin army who are traveling along the trade road to get to the border with the Lé Dic fief. Shifts and teleports his way to the north and west.
He's some seven miles northwest of baron Harkonin's army, just a handful of miles from the border with the Lé Dic fief, when Narladene the ground pixie tells him "Just a few hundred yards up ahead".
Helbenthril Raendril nods his hooded head as he can sense the magical swords of Tamric Drubine and sir Percavelle Lé Dic, as well as the former earl's shield just up ahead through the woods.
The elven magic user who is floating in the air above the treetops, teleports ahead to where the rest of the group are making their way towards the border through the woodlands in the west of the Harkonin fief.
Helbe the elven thief floats down to the ground, and before Dorc da Orc alerts his presence to others. As the large ork's sense of smell can detect him even though he's blurred. The elven magic user reads the mind of the unfamiliar figure, who is walking beside Lisell Maera.
The elven princeling arches an eyebrow after reading the mind of Tovis the war engineer.
Seems he's a bit smitten with Lis, the young elven noble thinks to himself, who knows that won't end well for the young engineer. And not because anything he might do. It's because of Lisell Maera herself. More to the point, her past.
The elven spellcaster from the island principality of Laerel after reading the mind of baron Harkonin's war engineer, slightly nods his hooded head in response to Narladene whispering to him "He seems fine i suppose" she then dryly adds "For a human".
Prince Helbenthril Raendril rolls his eyes, then he sourly smiles, as off to the right through the trees, comes a loud grunt, followed by the growling voice of Dorc da Orc saying "Me smells you cunt" followed in an extremely sour sounding tone, with "And that fucken buzzy bee of yours".
While Narladene scowls at the large ork, Helbe the elven thief drops his blur spell, and says "Miss me?".
"Not really" dryly says Riley Hait the mercenary ranger after spinning around and finding the young elven noble standing there grinning just twenty feet behind him.
The others stop, and greet the elven princeling who they haven't seen in over a month. The elven masterthief sees the war engineer Tovis standing off, though not far from Lis. With a confused look upon his face as he looks at the elven spellcaster.
After Dalinvardél Tanith the elven spy who was out infront, comes back when he hears the others all talking to prince Helbenthril Raendril, and he too greets the elven master assassin.
The ranger Hait asks the young elven noble from the principality of Laerel "Where's" the mercenary ranger pauses as he glances at the confused looking war engineer, then switching to the elven language, he continues with "Where's the lord and the mage?".
"Ah" says Helbe the elven thief, who after a few moments pause, says in the elven language "I'm not exactly sure".
"Eh?" says a frowning Tamric Drubine, who then adds in elven "I thought the three of you were all coming out this way after checking out the capital".
"We did" says the elven master archer, who continues with "But Farque and Mira kind of got delayed". The elven magic user then explains to those who speak elven, Riley Hait, Tamric Drubine, Lisell Maera and of course Dalinvardél Tanith. What exactly happened, and how lord Farque and Mira Reinholt the mage are missing.
"Fuck" mutters the mercenary ranger from the elven principality of Envadarlen, who then asks "So they could be anywhere after going through that druid's circle?".
"Pretty much" is the answer from the young elven noble who happens to be the youngest grandchild of one of the most powerful spellcasters in the entire world.
"Though they'll be to the west of here for sure, as I'm pretty sure that's the side of the circle they went through" says the elven princeling from the island of Laerel, who continues with "More than likely still in the kingdom, as druid circles are found more here in Druvic than anywhere else".
"How far west though?" asks the mercenary ranger who is really a hordes outrider from the southern tundra by the name of Zubutai Timaginson, who through various circumstances, mainly dying. Just so happens to inhabit the body of one Riley Hait from the elven principality of Envadarlen.
"That's the question isn't it" says the highly talented elven magic user, who continues with "I've no idea". As the other elven speakers all glance at one another, prince Helbenthril Raendril confidently tells them "Not to worry, I'm sure they'll show up soon".
The elven masterthief ignores the whispered "You hope" from Narladene the ground pixie who is perched upon his right shoulder, invisible to everyone else.
And he says common to Dorc da Orc "They'll catch up soon" interrupting the large ork who just said "Where the fuck is". The ork warleader grunts, then plops down on the ground to sip from one of the ale barrels he swiped from the back of a wagon in the Harkonin army, when he attacked their rear elements yesterday.
"So you're Tovis then" says Helbe the elven thief, who holds out his hand to the war engineer standing near Lisell Maera. "I am" says Tovis the war engineer who shakes the gloved right hand of the elven magic user.
"I'm Helbe" says the young elven noble by way of introduction. The grandson of Prince Raendril of Laerel puts a hand on his heart, and feigns hurt as he says "Why Lis, you do me wrong" in response to Lisell Maera saying to Tovis "If you've got a coin pouch on you, he's probably just stolen it" she dryly follows that with "He's a bit of a thief".
"And our leader too" says the attractive young woman from the city-state of Brattonbury, who then dryly adds "If you can imagine it".
"Only temporarily" says Helbe the elven thief, who gives a slight bow in the direction of the ranger Hait, and says "Riley has led you well enough in lord, er my absence" the young elven noble then adds "I'm sure he'll continue to do a fine job in leading the rest of you".
"No that's okay, you're in charge, now that you're back" says Riley aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman who is glad that he's no longer in charge of the rest of the group.
"Thanks" sourly says the elven princeling as he looks at the mercenary ranger who was raised and trained by the elven warders of Envadarlen "Well, we might as well continue on our way" says the elven magic user who gestures in the direction the group were heading when he appeared amongst them.
As they start walking again, Helbe the elven thief after glancing in the direction of sir Percavelle Lé Dic, quietly says in elven to the ranger Hait who is walking beside him "There's things we need to talk about later". "Oh?" says Riley aka Zubutai Timaginson with an eyebrow raised.
The elven princeling nods his hooded head, then quietly tells the mercenary ranger "To do with where we're going, the fief Lé Dic, and what's happened there in recent history".
And before the human ranger who was brought up by elves can ask him anything more about it. The elven masterthief quietly says "But first thing first" the young elven noble from the principality of Laerel nods to where Tovis the war engineer is walking with Lisell Maera, and he quietly tells Riley Hait "There's things the engineer needs to know".
"About what?" asks the ranger Hait "About himself" replies prince Helbenthril Raendril.
The elven magic user makes his way over to where baron Harkonin's war engineer is walking with the attractive young woman from the city-state of Brattonbury.
"A word with you Tovis" says Helbe the elven thief "Ah of course" says the young engineer who doesn't know what to make of the new arrival. Just that Lis has said he's a thief, and she's also implied that he's a spellcaster of some kind. Who happens to be in command of the group.
"I know you kind of don't know what's going on" says the grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel, who has read the mind of Tovis, and knows the feelings of the war engineer, and what he thinks of the situation he's in at the moment.
"And that you're grateful for being saved yesterday from those out of control cockatrice" says the elven master assassin, who continues with "But for all that, you'd like to be back with your army".
"How did" says Tovis, who then glances at Lis beside him, who tells him "Told you he'd know things". "Advantages of being a magic user" says a grinning elven masterthief, who wipes the grin off his face, before he continues with "But i ask you one thing".
The young elven noble pauses, for dramatic effect of course, then he says "Do you want to go back to an army, led by a man who sent you to Falshire to die with the others who were essentially bait to draw the Lé Dic army into the Harkonin fief?" prince Helbenthri Raendril briefly pauses then he adds "A man, your baron, who sent you to that border town because it was suggested to him by his advisor the dark druid Palvarc?".
Tovis stops and stares at the elf in the hooded cloak, who stops too and looks back at him. The war engineer has always wondered why he was suddenly asked to go to Falshire with the force led by lord Sarvaine.
And from what he learnt when he got back to the Harkonin army. How those sent to the border town were basically sacrificed to draw the enemy army into the Harkonin fief.
The war engineer continues to stare at the elf named Helbe who tells him "Do you want to go back to your baron's army, when deep down you know his most trusted advisor wants you dead?" . . . . . .

The Homecoming 70.

The Road West...

"How many?" asks baron Harkonin "At least thirty m'lord" replies the messenger who has come forward from the rear of the army, who continues with "More than double of that have fled, but they're slowly coming back now that things are under control".
"At least that's something" says sir Taevar the army commander, riding next to him, the baron of the Harkonin fief nods his head in agreement, then the messenger tells him "M'lord about the cockatrice".
"What about them?" asks the head of the Harkonin family, the messenger grimaces before answering "They're both dead m'lord".
Silence answers this from the nobleborn. Then the messenger bravely continues with "The first died from its wounds, while the second had to be killed as it was too badly wounded, and no one could get it's blinders back on".
"How?" eventually asks baron Harkonin "Archers and crossbowmen killed it m'lord". The baron nods, then mutters "Fuck" as he grips the reins of his mount, which causes his warhorse to snort, until the nobleman relaxes his grip.
"There's something else m'lord" says the messenger "What else has gone wrong now?" asks baron Harkonin in an exasperated tone "Nothing m'lord" replies the messenger, who continues with "We've got prisoners" followed by "They're nobles too".
The baron, who wonders how anyone survived the destruction from earlier in the day. Is suddenly in a more buoyant mood, considering what's happened to his cockatrice. That were a gift from someone influential in the king's court in the capital Leeabra.
"Oh?" says the baron of fief Harkonin "Sir Dontast is bringing them forward" the baron grins, then looks around at the others, and tells them "Well, apart form an easy victory, looks like we've got ourselves a bit of a bonus from this morning's festivities".
There's grins all around at hearing there's nobleborn prisoners. Then baron Harkonin says to the messenger "Have the rear elementals move forward with the rest of the army". "Yes m'lord, captain Malcené has got that in hand" says the messenger "Good" says the baron, who then dismisses the messenger, who heads back down the line of march.
After basically wiping out the Lé Dic army that entered the Harkonin fief. The baron and his army are pushing west, back to the border, and the town of Falshire. Which he intends to take back under his control.
Very few in the Harkonin army fell in the one sided battle this morning. The most action within their lines happened in the rear elements, where the war machines were placed. Who came under attack by the enemy who were in waiting within the trees to the north of the trade road. They caused a bit of chaos amongst the catapult and trebuchet crews. And those few soldiers with them.
In the ensuing havoc, the two cockatrice were attacked. And were eventually killed. Much to the disappointment of the baron Harkonin. Who only used them once in battle, quite effectively too. Before they were killed.
The odd thing about the attack upon the rear of the army, was that a monster was spotted amongst the attackers. The same, large green creature that some of the survivors of the battle of Falshire, swear they saw during the fighting for the border town a few days ago.
Baron Harkonin wonders who, or what the monster is. And why it's in the Lé Dic army. Who like his own, is exclusively human. Or so the baron thought.
As the head of the Harkonin family chats with his army commander, sir Taevar. In which they're discussing if lord Sarvaine is still alive, and being held in Falshire.
Sir Dontast rides forward to where they're at the front end of the vanguard. With the knight in the order of Althilgah, is a small squad of mounted soldiers. Leading horses, upon which are the prisoners.
"Look who we've got" says sir Dontast with a grin upon his youthful face, the popular young knight gestures behind him at the prisoners. And baron Harkonin and the other nobles sees who it is that's been caught.
"By the gods" murmurs an astonished baron Harkonin, who remembers to quickly add "And by the old ways" before he says "Look at that" followed by "If it isn't lord Kievar Milburn himself". The baron grins as he looks at the dejected, and roughed up figure of the grandfather of lady Linara Lé Dic.
"Lord Milburn!" calls out baron Harkonin, who then adds in a joking manner "Seems you've got yourself in a bit of situation don't you think?".
The nobles around the baron all laugh as they look at their enemy, the lord of Milburn manor. Who doesn't acknowledge them. Instead he just stares at the neck of the horse he's on. As he rides with wrists tied together infront of him.
"Seems our guest doesn't want to talk" says the baron of the Harkonin fief, who then adds in a droll tone "How rude of him" which causes the other nobles to all chuckle.
"Who are the others Dontast?" asks baron Harkonin "That's Milburn's grandson Jared on the horse behind him" replies the knight in the order of Althilgah, who then gestures at the third nobleborn prisoner, whose head is wrapped with a bloody bandage, and adds "And that's their army commander Galmot".
"Thought i recognised him, even with that bandage" says the Harkonin army commander sir Taevar "We've also got the Range Lord sir Parvin Dé Gorveré" says sir Dontast who continues with "It took quite a bit to subdue him, he's pretty badly wounded and the surgeons don't know if he'll live or not" the young ordered knight then adds "He's further back in one of the sick wagons".
Baron Harkonin nods, then says "I'll have someone look at him". That someone being his advisor, the dark druid Palvarc.
"I can well imagine it took a lot to subdue that big ox De Gorveré" says the army commander sir Taevar, who continues with "Only Percavelle Lé Dic is more of a menace in battle from their side of the border in the last thirty years" he then asks the knight in the order of Althilgah "How many did we lose capturing him?".
"At least a dozen" replies sir Dontast, who then adds "And probably twice again that many were wounded, trying to bring him down off his warhorse".
"Still we've got three of their most important nobles, as well as Milburn's grandson, a cousin of their lady" says baron Harkonin, who then asks the popular knight sir Dontast "Any others?".
The ordered knight answers in the negative. And instead tells his baron those of the enemy nobleborn who died on the field of battle just before midday earlier today. There was quite a few of them, including sir Barid. Who was one of the first of the enemy to be killed.
"No Percavelle Lé Dic?" asks the baron of the Harkonin fief as the trade road they're on, cuts through a meadow, before it goes back amongst the trees.
"No m'lord" says sir Dontast "Think those survivors who fled Falshire might of been mistaken, and not know what he looks like, or the armour he wears" quietly says baron Harkonin. The others nod in agreement. For if sir Percavelle Lé Dic had really returned, as some of the survivors from the battle of the border town of Falshire said. He would of definitely been in the Lé Dic army. He's impossible to not recognise. As he's such a recognisable figure.
After the knight in the order of Althilgah explains a few other things with the head of the Harkonin family, he quietly says to his baron "A quiet word with you m'lord".
Baron Harkonin nods, then waves away the others, who either drop back, or ride ahead of the baron and the popular young knight.
"M'lord about those in the rear elementals who fled the out of control cockatrice" quietly says sir Dontast "I understand they're making their way back to the army" quietly says baron Harkonin "They are m'lord" says the ordered knight, who then adds "Slowly one by one, most have returned". He monetarily pauses before continuing with "Senior captain Malcené reports that one of the few who hasn't returned is the war engineer Tovis".
Baron Harkonin pauses when he hears that, then sir Dontast tells him "His young apprentice doesn't know where he is. The last anyone saw of him, is Tovis running into the trees north of the trade road with somebody else. Who? No one is exactly sure".
"Damn" murmurs the baron, who knows the importance of someone as highly skilled, and talented such as the young engineer Tovis. Even if he is a commoner. Who has a lot of standing within the fief. Something extremely rare for someone of common birth. Especially in a more rual, or out of the way fief, like the Harkonin fief.
"I'll have a talk with someone about trying to locate young Tovis" quietly says baron Harkonin, knowing who his baron is referring to, sir Dontast says "Yes m'lord" then he follows that up with "In the meantime, we've got squads out, trying to locate Tovis". The knight in the order of Althilgah hopes that they find the baron's war engineer. Who he genuinely likes, and considers a friend. Even though Tovis is common born.
Though he wonders how much the baron's advisor, the dark druid Palvarc will want to find the young engineer Tovis. Because it's no secret in the court of baron Harkonin that Palvarc doesn't like the war engineer.
Infact it was the dark druid's idea that Tovis go with the force that was used as bait in the border town of Falshire.
A force of the baron's army who had a high chance of being wiped out. Which is infact what happened. With only a small number of them escaping the battle for Falshire.
The only reason baron Harkonin relented, and allowed his war engineer to go along with the force led by lord Sarvaine. Was because Palvarc said his own apprentice Maren would go too. His apprentice, who by all accounts, was killed in the battle for the border town.
The army continues west throughout the late afternoon. And as it approaches dusk, and they prepare to stop for the night. The army commander sir Taevar says to the baron "Up ahead m'lord" he continues with "Some of the scouts" sir Taevar pauses then adds "He's with them".
Briefly standing up in the saddle, baron Harkonin looks ahead and spots the squad of scouts to the side of the road, and who it is that's with them.
"We'll camp in and around that clearing there" says baron Harkonin, who then adds "See to it Taevar". "Yes baron" is the response of the army commander, who starts issuing orders, while the baron of the fief rides ahead with his personal guards.
Baron Harkonin dismounts and hands the reins of his warhorse to one of the scouts. He nods his head to his advisor to follow him, and the two of them walk a little way away, to stand beneath some trees off to the south of the trade road.
"Well?" asks baron Harkonin "I believe the rest of the road between here and the border is clear" replies the dark druid Palvarc, who continues with "They didn't leave any squads behind them" the spellcaster then adds "The army they brought with them across the border, is what we faced earlier toady" the dark druid briefly pauses, then adds "Who we destroyed with ease".
"That we did" quietly says baron Harkonin, who then silently adds, well you destroyed most of them with ease.
"I doubt they've got even half that many still across the border" says the baron of the fief "Nor do i m'lord" says Palvarc, who continues with "I doubt the young lady will have any force of significance for us to face once we've crossed the border and pushed into their lands".
"And with those about to leave home and join us to cross the border" murmurs baron Harkonin, who still has some of his army in reserve back at his family's castle, who leave soon with the newly built war machines "We can finally push on, and take castle Lé Dic once and for all" continues the baron who follows that with "As we've planned for so long".
A brief smile flashes across the dour looking face of the dark druid as he nods in agreement with the baron. As he can see all their plans are finally coming to fruition. All of Palvarc's rites, and sacrifices he's committed, have been worth it, and are now paying of.
As he can see that the Lé Dic fief will fall, and that the opportunity for the old ways, in particular the dark old ways, will spread throughout the east of the kingdom of Druvic. As he has hoped for some time.
"By the way we've got prisoners" says baron Harkonin, who continues with "Important noble one's too" the baron tells his advisor who they've captured. And the dark druid nods his head, then says "I suspected we would" he continues with "They will be more than useful once we've pushed into their fief, and lay siege to castle Lé Dic".
Baron Harkonin briefly grins as he nods in agreement, then he says to his advisor "Heal sir Parvin Dé Gorveré" the nobleman continues with "I want them all healthy and hale when we get to that dirty big castle of theirs". "Yes baron" says the dark druid who can see benefit of doing this.
Then as the baron takes a couple of steps forward to head back to the road, and his advisor goes to follow him, he suddenly stops and looks back at the dark druid, and says to him "Oh one other thing".
"M'lord?" says Palvarc "There was a bit of turmoil amongst the rear elements" says baron Harkonin. His advisor frowns as he listens to the baron explain what happened. And how the crews of the war machines were attacked. And how the two cockatrice were also attacked, and eventually killed.
All things Palvarc did not perceive would happen when he undertook his rites before leaving castle Harkonin to join the army.
Strange, the dark druid thinks to himself, who then goes completely still as the baron tells him "For the most part, those who scattered have returned. But one that hasn't is Tovis" baron Harkonin continues with "I want the young war engineer found".
When his advisor doesn't say anything, the nobleman says in a demanding tone "Palvarc!". The spellcaster snaps out of his slight reverie, and says "Of course m'lord" followed by "I'll do my utmost to locate the engineer".
"You'll do more than that" says baron Harkonin, who then adds "You'll find Tovis, and bring him back to us safe and sound". "That i will" says the dark druid with a nod of his head. Who if he has his way, he'll do no such thing.
For he sees the war engineer as the only threat to his position in the baron's court. The only other commoner with such a high standing in not just the court, but the entire fief.
Palvarc who has never liked young Tovis, or his drunkard of a father who was the previous war engineer to the baron and his family. Was hoping that he would of got rid of Tovis in the border town of Falshire.
Unfortunately for the dark druid, the young engineer didn't die in the battle for Falshire. Where Palvarc sacrificed his own apprentice. Which though annoying. Isn't the end of the world. As he can easily train another one.
Though what was annoying, is that Tovis the war engineer survived the battle for the border town. And was able to return to the army.
Now he's gone missing. Which the dark druid intends he stays. Even though the baron wants his war engineer found. Palvarc will only do a cursory search for the young engineer. Even though he knows he might draw the wrath of the baron if he doesn't find Tovis.
Hmmmm maybe i will find that annoying engineer, Palvarc thinks to himself as he follows the baron back to the road. The spellcaster briefly smiles as he silently adds, though only after the enemy have got a hold of him.
How unfortunate that will be for Tovis, the dark druid thinks to himself in glee . . . . . .

The Homecoming 69.

In The Woods...

Tovis the war engineer groans when he finally regains consciousness. The young engineer who feels like he's lying on his back, on the ground, slowly opens eyes.
When he opens his eyes fully, he starts blinking, in surprise more than anything. As he finds himself looking at something he would not of expected to see.
It's a face of a young woman, looking down at him with concern. Baron Harkonin's war engineer can't help but stare at her, as she's more than attractive. Infact she's quite beautiful.
Tovis the war engineer blurts out the first thing that comes to him, and he says "You're beautiful". Then instantly regrets it, as he must sound like a fool.
A wry look appears on the face of the young woman, who rolls her eyes, then looks away towards something and says in a slightly dry tone of voice "He's awake". A voice away in that direction says "Get him up, we're moving".
The attractive young woman nods her head, then looks down at Tovis and tells him "Come on" followed by "On your feet, we've got to get out of here".
She helps Tovis sit up, who murmurs "What?" in confusion. "We've got to get gong" says the young woman, who continues with "There's pair of wounded cockatrice back there, and they're causing havoc".
The war engineer to baron Harkonin blinks as he recalls what's happened. Then he gets to his feet, a little unsteadily if truth be told, with the assistance of the young woman. Who is probably a few years younger than himself, but for all that, she's almost the same height as he is.
She's tall, Tovis immediately thinks to himself, the young engineer then says "Who?". "Time for that later" says the attractive young woman, who then hurriedly adds "For now, we've got to get away".
The war engineer stumbles the first few steps, and the young woman tells him "Someone can carry you if you like?" she then adds something in a language he doesn't understand. Though he could clearly understand the tone she just spoke in. It was dry.
"No, that's okay" says Tovis, who shakes his head, then feeling a bit more steady, he starts walking, with the young woman beside him. After a little while the two of them are jogging.
Baron Harkonin's war engineer looks around, and finds he's in the woods somewhere. Which isn't surprising as this area in the west of the Harkonin fief is predominantly woodlands,
The young engineer spots others moving through the woods. He can't see them too clearly as they're scattered about in the distance.
But he can definitely tell one of them away to the left, is short. And has the most unusual looking helm, or hat upon his head.
While away to the right, and further ahead through the trees. He's sure he spots someone in a full suit of heavy plate armour moving pretty quickly.
The war engineer to baron Harkonin squits, as he's not to certain. But further beyond that figure. He thinks he sees a massive shape moving between the trees. What ever it is, it's easily seven and a half feet tall. And is extremely large.
Tovis watches the hulking shape in the shadows that way. Then he shakes his head in disbelief. And instead, he takes a closer look at the young woman jogging alongside him.
She's tall as he first saw, dark of hair. With a tan skin tone to her. A slightly darker colouring than most brunette local woman found in the kingdom of Druvic.
She wears a cloak, beneath which is tight fighting leather armour. Which Tovis sees clearly shows off her lean, athletic looking body. He tries not to blush as he watches her and fails.
Instead he looks and sees that she carries a number of weapons as she easily avoids any obstacles on the ground. Running around tree trunks, and hoping over rocks, and little ditches made by rainfall hitting the ground as they make their way through the woods.
She has a crossbow across her back. One of a strange design that the war engineer doesn't recognise. While he sees a pommel of a sword sticking out from where her cloak is open.
He catches a glimpse of a brace of daggers on her belt too. And wonders what other weapons she has hidden about her.
Tovis who has never seen a fighting woman before. Knows that they are more common in some of the knightly orders found here in Druvic. But woman are not found serving in the armies of the nobility of the kingdom.
Very few of them serve as camp followers such as cooks and cleaners. They're never soldiers, as the Druvician nobility are a traditional lot. Who do not like woman to take part in the martial way of life.
Baron Harkonin's war engineer guesses what the young woman is, and after they leap over a narrow stream, he asks her "Mercenary?".
"Something like that" replies Lisell Maera as they head around a knot of trees "With the Lé Dic army?" asks the war engineer Tovis, who wonders if he's a prisoner, and doesn't know it,
"No" says the attractive teenager from the city-state of Brattonbury. Which is technically correct. They've not been hired by the lady Linara Lé Dic. They've traveled alongside her army, and fought with them against the Harkonin army.
That's until earlier in the day, when the Lé Dic army that had entered the neighbouring fief to their east, was all but wiped out.
Breathing quite heavily, as the young woman is setting a constant pace, Tovis asks her "Where are we going?". "West" says Lisell Maera, which is true enough. She then tells the young engineer they've traveled to the kingdom of Druvic to find "The way the baron's army is going" which is also true. Lis then adds in a slightly dry tone "Well those who aren't caught up in those cockatrice going crazy".
Tovis nods as he jogs alongside the young woman, who is obviously a foreigner, and obviously a mercenary of some kind.
The war engineer to baron Harkonin figures they must be moving parallel to the trade road. Probably to the north of it. As the woodlands are a bit more denser to the north of it, compared to south of it. And the woods they're going through at the moment. Is quite thick in some places, with few open spaces and meadows.
They run for quite some time. How long? Tovis isn't too sure. Just that when a stop is called. The young engineer is breathing heavily. Sweating just as heavily. And quite exhausted when he slumps down onto a log.
Head hung low as he tries to get his breath back. The war engineer hears movement around him. He's too tired at the moment to look up to see who is near. He just nods when a water sack is pressed into his hands.
It takes a while before he has a drink, and only after wiping the sweat from his forehead at least half a dozen times with the back of his arms.
After taking a long drink from the water sack, Tovis finds the attractive young woman sitting on the log further to his right.
While infront of him, stands a young man. A teenager really. Fairly tall, almost six foot, who the war engineer guesses is only fourteen or fifteen years old.
He wears half plate armour. And has a longsword at his side. And a bow and quiver on his back.
For all that the blond teen is young. Tovis immediately recognises that he's dangerous. The war engineer has been around fighting men all his life. And he's a fairly good judge of those who are more deadly than others.
And the youngster infront of him is one such as those. Instantly recognisable as a threat with his weapons.
"Thanks" says Tovis to the teenager, with a nod of his head to the water sack.
"No worries" says Tamric Drubine who continues with "Keep it" as he gestures at the water sack he's given to the young engineer, who is probably just over half a dozen years older than himself, if that.
"You get to babysit him for now" says the nobleborn youngster in the elven language to Lisell Maera.
"Thanks" dryly says the orphan teenager from the city-state of Brattonbury in the same language.
Baron Harkonin's war engineer lifts an eyebrow as the two teens converse in the language he heard earlier, which he doesn't understand.
The young engineer is just about to asks them who they are. When another person comes into view.
It's a short fellow, with a golden hue to his skin. Who wears the oddest looking clothes beneath his cloak. They look like something one wears to bed, not out and about.
But they're not the strangest thing he wears. That would be what's on his head. The strangest looking hat Tovis has ever seen. It's an odd looking, conical shaped hat. Pointed at the top, with a circular brim. It sits slightly forward. So it's a bit difficult to get a good look at the face of the short fellow. Who Tovis guesses is in his mid to late twenties.
"Ah greetings to you too" says the young engineer in response to the short man in the odd, conical shaped hat saying to him "Greetings friend" before he sits down on a nearby fallen tree.
As the teenager in the half plate armour goes and sits down next to the short individual. Tovis turns to the attractive young woman sitting next to him, to ask her what her name is.
When he's distracted again, when two more people come into view through the trees.
Both are at least six foot tall. One, who is leaner than the other. Is well over six foot tall. He's easily a few inches over.
And when the two of them get closer. Tovis blinks in surprise as that person. The taller of the two. He sees isn't a human. But is an elf.
"You don't seem in too bad of shape" says the elf, as he and the other fellow stand a little infront of baron Harkonin's war engineer.
Who blinks in surprise, as he recognises the voice of the elf. As the person who grabbed him, and led him to safety across the trade road, and into the trees when the two cockatrice went berserk as they were attacked.
"Thanks for that back there" says Tovis to the elf, with a nod of his head back in the direction they've come from.
"Think nothing of it" is the reply of Dalinvardél Tanith the elven spy, who then switches in elven, and quietly says to Riley Hait the mercenary ranger "I'll go ahead" followed by "I'll know when the rest of you get going again".
The ranger Hait nods his head, and after the spy Tanith says in common to the war engineer they've just abducted "Keep out of trouble you hear" before he moves off.
Riley Hait the mercenary ranger sits down next to the young engineer, and says "I'm Riley". He nods to Lisell Maera who is to their right, and adds "That's Lis".
The mercenary ranger who was raised and trained in the elven principality of Envadarlen, gestures to the nearby fallen tree, and says "That's Tam, and that's Shur Kee".
The nobleborn teenager, and then the short statured monk nod as baron Harkonin's war engineer looks at them.
"I'm Tovis" says the young engineer "We know" murmurs the ranger Hait in the hordes dialect of the southern tundra, he then says in the common language "Good to meet you Tovis".
The young engineer after nodding, says "I understand we're heading west?".
"That we are" replies the mercenary ranger who is really a hordes outrider from the southern tundra by the name of Zubutai Timaginson, who just happens to inhabit the body of Riley Hait.
Tovis, who wonders if he's going to be returned to baron Harkonin's army. Voices this, and is slightly unsettled when the man in the black leather armour sitting next to him, says in response "Maybe".
The war engineer, who doesn't feel in any danger, is about to ask the mercenary sitting beside him something else. When all of a sudden he gets the fright of his life when he sees what's approaching through the trees.
Tovis falls backwards off the log he's sitting on, and starts scrambling backwards on his rear end as he sees what's walking towards him.
It's large, and it's green. It's covered in weapons. And wears bits and pieces of armour. Prominent of which, is large black plate of some kind of metal the young engineer doesn't recognise. Which it wears over it's chest, and much of it's rather ample stomach.
Tovis would describe the look upon it's wild looking face, as angry. Or at least annoyed or irritable.
Baron Harkonin's war engineer has seen it before. During the battle of Falshire a few days ago.
When it used one of his twin, wagon mounted ballista upon one of the catapult crews that was defending the border town of Falshire from the attacking Lé Dic force.
It took out most of that crew, and badly damaged the catapult before it wandered off as it was yelling at something, or someone.
Tovis stops where he is, when he hears a voice from behind the large green creature, say "Out of the way you filthy beast, i want to see this fellow we've traveled far and wide to find".
Huh? the war engineer thinks to himself, as he takes in what the rather pompous sounding voice just said.
Then as the large, green creature stops and grunts. The young engineer sees a man step out from behind it. A fairly large man in a full suit of plate armour.
Baron Harkonin's war engineer stares for a few moments. Then he blinks in surprise. He's seen that armour once before. When he was a child. When their was a time of relative peace between the Harkonin and Lé Dic fief.
When travel between the two neighbouring fiefs was more common. When those not just traders and merchants crossed the border between the two fiefs.
Tovis remembers a tourney held at castle Harkonin when he was about six or seven years old. When the then earl of Lé Dic attended. The famous sir Percavelle Lé Dic, who is known throughout all of eastern Druvic. Infact known throughout the entire kingdom. And true to form, he won every contest he entered in that particular tourney.
Tovis still remembers it to this day. As he had never seen, and still hasn't seen. Someone move as quickly and fluidly with longsword in hand, while wearing a full suit of heavy plate armour, as sir Percavelle Lé Dic did during that tourney.
The young engineer is startled when the knight, lifts the face plate of his full helm and looks at him. And though he only saw his face a handful of times just over fifteen years ago. Tovis sees that though he's older, it is indeed the same sir Percavelle Lé Dic he saw when he was a child.
"Hmmm is he not right in the head or something?" asks sir Percavelle Lé Dic who then adds "He looks a bit like a just landed fish, opening and closing his mouth wot". The heavily armoured knight shakes his head, then says "Be a shame for us to travel this far to eventually find the chap, and realise he's a bit of dull headed ninny".
"He's fine" says Riley Hait the mercenary ranger, who gets up and makes his way back to where the war engineer has scuttled backwards. And is now just sitting there, looking in disbelief as he stares at both Dorc da Orc and sir Percavelle Lé Dic.
The ranger Hait puts a hand on the shoulder of the young engineer and tells him "It's fine, they won't harm you" Riley aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman then silently adds in a dry tone, well, they might not harm you i should say.
Tovis finally looks away from the large green creature, and the former earl of Lé Dic. And looks around at the others in the group, with the exception of the elf, who has moved away through the trees.
Baron Harkonin's war engineer is silent for a few moments, then he asks "Who are you people?" . . . . . .