You're at Mance's tavern, and decided to part with a few silver serpents to wet your dry throats. You're supposed to meet Morgon, the Reeve, and his posse at the town gates at sundown, and you have a few moments to relax and discuss what happened earlier today, when you were offered fifty dragons each to help track down a gang of bandits plaguing the forests nearby.
Mance is a tall, balding, very solicitous and eager to impress outsiders. He's missing one eye, and it gives him a permanent squint. He refills your mugs with some of the tasty local ale.
Kane turns to Mance and says, "Good ale. So what's all this about bandits anyway?"
Mance rubs his hands. "Been preying on supply caravans lately, sirrah. It's been right hard to stay in business, with nothing to offer customers, I can tell you! Me larders'll be empty soon, and with winter comin' in...Makes it hard t'celebrate the Rite proper."
Kane says, "It's a sorry day when good law-abiding subjects of the King are troubled by outlaws." He looks the barkeep in the eye and says, "Has any one seen them? And lived I mean."
Mance nods. "Only three days ago, me supplier from Camars--he brings in that ale you're drinkin' now--was robbed as he approached th'town. Says his guards were killed, but the civilians...well, they were untouched. He said the bandits were a hungry-looking lot..." Mance swallows and looks left and right and says more quietly. "Seems it's soldiers they kill...and the masters." It's clear who he means by masters...the Vorghol overlords who rule this land.
Kane says, "Hungry men can be dangerous.What about gold? Do they rob more then just the food?"
Mance looks away to shout an order at the simple-minded tavern boy who's mopping up a spill in the corner. "Get every drop, you lout, or you'll sleep in th'stables again tonight!" He turns back, calmer. "They take what they can. It's a danger to traffic, and I reckon Lady Naylah's had enough of this nuisance. About time, if you ask me."
Kane says, "I'm sure we'll have no problem bringing a bunch of hungry men in. They are only men, right?"
Mance turns back to the simpleton, distracted. "You'll be excusin' me, sirs." He hurries off to show the lad the proper method of cleaning up the spill, grabbing the mop.
Thragga gulps his ale from his leather tankard. "So we're going to collect the bounty on these outlaws?"
Khom-Bei looks at Kane with a raised eyebrow, "Outlaws?"
Kane turns to his companions and says, "Lets get a table where we can talk. The one over there in the corner looks nice and quiet."
Khom-Bei follows Kane silently.
The table you choose is far from the fire and the door, the benches rough-hewn and wobbly. One creaks under Thragga's weight.
When the three are seated Kane looks at his friends and says, "So what thoughts have you on these outlaews?"
Thragga shrugs. "Fifty dragons, sounds like easy work."
Kane snorts, "So did beating the Vulkah in arm wrestling if I'm correct."
Khom-Bei sits facing the door and looks down into his tankard before speaking softly, "Sounds like they might be from back East", using a code for fellow Hunters.
Khom-Bei says, "Common bandits wouldn't leave witnesses to lead the executioner."
Thragga looks up. "Back east? This is Matthias' territory...you think this is his work?"
Kane says, "That's an awful big hunting party wouldn't you think?"
Khom-Bei shrugs and takes a gulp of ale, "Depending on the size of the posse we're riding with, this could be an interesting evening of work."
Kane says in a low voice, "I'll side with any outlaw against the likes of Morgon."
Thragga says, a little too loud, "We could kill the Reeve. And then go after the bloodsucker in the tower..."
Some of the taverngoers glance over at the table where you sit a moment. Did they hear that? There is an uncomfortable pause.
Khom-Bei gives Thragga a sharp look, "Inside voices, please."
Kane speaks up, "Watch your tongue thrall or I will cut it out." He goes on, more quietly, "And while the subject is brooched, when was the last time you saw Tol Nedran slaves carrying that many dragons? Not only did you loose the money you could have given us away."
Thragga looks abashed. "I could have beaten those shorties easy without your prayer, Khom-Bei." He pauses and asks sincerely, "Do you think the Great Father has abandoned us?"
Khom-Bei smiles and shakes his head, "Maybe he just wasn't happy with the way we were using his gifts."
Kane says, "Fools, keep to you covers and save your dragons for when it is safe."
Thragga bows his head. This is quite a theological puzzle.
Talk in the tavern around you seems to center on Morgon's upcoming Rite of Ascension. Two days hence, Lady Naylah will share some of her blood with him, granting him the gift of immortality.
Kane looks around at the crowd to see if they are still being watched.
Khom-Bei says, "The question is this: If these outlaws are Matthias'' men, how do we keep our skins intact when the arrows start to fly? And if they aren't, what do we do if we find them?"
Kane says in a quiet voice, "I have no intentions of helping Morgon. Chances are these are just hungry people who were driven from their farms by the Vorghol."
Khom-Bei looks up from his ale and speaks a bit louder than necessary, "Then I should get the horse ready to ride out with the Reeve, master."
The last beams of the setting autumn sun lance through the oiled-paper windows. Soon the moons will rise.
Khom-Bei stands and finishes his ale, setting the tankard down with a thump before walking out the door.
Thragga drains his ale and adopts his thrall-shuffle behind Khom-Bei.
Kane replies "That's what I said, fool, now get to it."
Khom-Bei makes a mental note to put a handful of sand in Kane's bedroll when he isn't looking.
Kane says to Thragga standing up, "I suppose we should get ready to meet our new friends."As the sun sets on the walled town of Idris, the Reith and Tobon population is joined by another group. Pale, gaunt, and fanged. Idris is not a large town, and the Vorghol leaders aren't many. But all others in the town give them deference.
Thragga is assisting Khom-Bei, grooming Kane's Angharan charger outside Mance's, when two Vorghol women glide past into the tavern. They both look in their mid-teens, slender, with long dark hair and pale skin. Thragga says nothing, just looks at Khom-Bei.
Khom-Bei quietly goes about checking the tack on both horse and pony, noting the passers-by and Thragga's glance.
One pauses by the charger as Kane is coming outside. "What a lovely animal. Is it for sale?"
Thragga brushes the horse's mane.
Khom-Bei bows his head and nods to indicate Kane, "You'd best ask the Master, missus."
"Well?" the ageless girl asks. She could be no more than 16 when she was Turned.
Kane replies to the Vorghol, "Unfortunatly we must use these horses tonight to assist your good Reeve with his outlaw problem, my lady. But come tomorrow, who knows?"
The girl smiles, showing her sharp sharp teeth. "Very well...should you still choose to part with her, ask for Merevere at the Tower..." With a simple, graceful nod, she indicates the tall tower at the center of town.
Kane bows low to the Vorghol girl.
The other girl says, "You should just take the horse, if you want it, Merevere. Make him give it you."
Thragga brushes the horse's mane more intently now. The horse stamps his feet as Thragga works.
Kane says, "Would you ladies stand in the way of Lady Naylah's justice?"
Merevere pauses. Finally, she shakes her head. "No, let's let them be. Her Ladyship would be upset." But her gaze lingers a long time on Kane before the two turn to enter the tavern.
Kane turns to his companions and says, "Very well, boys, let's be off before they change their minds."
The twin moons, nearly full this time of the month, begin to peer over the western hills.
Kane mounts his horse and prepares to depart.
Thragga spits on the ground as he strides off after Kane.
Khom-Bei jumps up onto his pony and follows behind the others.
There's a flurry of activity at the gate as Reith and Tobon mill about. You recognize some of the town's deputies, and some of the villagers recruited earlier. Many have brought their own horses and weapons. The air is chilly, with a late-fall chill, and a thin screen of clouds begins to shadow the twin moons.
As you approach the gate, the three Vulkah, Zand, Zagam, and Zamab, hooded and bearded, rush up to you three grinning. "You come! We thought you all too chicken to chase after bandits! Is easy way to make a living, no?"
The crowd numbers about three dozen. Some look like mercenaries, some simple villagers.
Thragga scowls.
Zagab says, "Hey greenie, maybe after this over, your Reith buddy, he arm-wrestle me. Maybe he stronger than you?"
Kane turns to Khom-Bei and says, "Seems like a bit of over kill for a few hungry outlaws wouldn't you say?"
Khom-Bei shrugs, "Maybe the Reeve just wants to be sure he gets his man?"
Kane says, "Fifty dragons each, some how I doubt it."
Khom-Bei says, "Or maybe the Reeve knows something he isn't sharing with us..."
One of the deputies silences the crowd as the Reeve, Morgon, speaks from a small platform near the wooden gate. "All right, listen up. We're going to put an end to these scum tonight. Each one of you men gets paid what was promised---fifty dragons each. Plus another ten dragons for every head you bring back!" A general cheer goes up.
Zand elbows Khom-Bei excitedly in the ribs at this news.
Morgon continues, "Do what we tell you, and you may survive the night. The scum have bows, and they know how to use them....and they're not above setting traps."
The crowd seems scornful and boo at this news.
Morgon gestures them to silence. "This is a reconnaissance in force. We're going to patrol to the north in groups. If we encounter the foe, we engage, as hard as we can..." he breaks off as a small group of figures approach the crowd at the gate. They push past Kane and Khom-Bei. Four Vorghol in full armor, seemingly led by a small, hooded figure. A gap opens in the crowd to let them pass.
Morgon says, "Master Niko, this is most unexpected..."
The tiny figure pushes his hood back. In life, he was a Tobon. Now, he is a withered, gray-skinned, nearly hairless creature, a rare Tobon survivor of the Turning process. An Inghol.The curse kills most Tobon...those few who survive become this instead. With all the talents of their people...to move silently, to strike with deadly accuracy, and fight with a fearsome and unexpected toughness.
Kane turns to his companions and says in low voice, "You don't get to see too many of those."
The Inghol hisses, "Her Ladyship...sent me, Reeve. To make sure... this operation proceeds correctly..." The little Inghol's voice breathes menace.
Morgon nods. "Very well, then, Master Niko." He eyes the four Vorghol with the Inghol, but it's the little one that seems to be in charge. "We were just about to depart."
Niko puts his hood back. "The Lady Naylah will be most...disappointed...should you...fail." He addresses this to the crowd in general, not just Morgon.
There are about ten Reith on horses, including each deputy and Morgon, and another twenty or so warriors on foot, plus the three Vulkah. There are also four Vorghol, and Niko, on foot.
Morgon shouts, "Mount up! We ride north."
Thragga says, "We're not going to go along with this, are we?"
Khom-Bei jumps up on his pony and reins up next to Kane.
Kane says to his companions, "This is a small war band , no mere hunting party."
One of the deputies, Preuse, a youngish man with long blond hair, canters up on his horse. He points to you three, plus the Vulkah, and some Reith townies. "You're with me. Our job is to ride to the twin oaks north of town and scout for trouble. Stay with me, I know the territory." He looks more confident than he sounds.
Kane kicks his horse into motion.
Khom-Bei follows along behind Kane.
The gates open in the town's wooden palisade and the small force pours out, bearing torches, weapons drawn and ready. They don't look very professional, especially since you've recently seen a highly professional force in action just two weeks ago.
An old farmer on what looks like his plow horse rides alongside Kane. "Think we'll find anything, young'un?"
Kane looks over to the man and say, "For your sake grandfather I hope not."
The farmer chuckles. "Fought the Ress in the last Crusade, son. Probably before you were born, three decades ago. I think I still have some fight in me. Hoped to leave some dragons to me young grandson before I die..." He holds up an ancient, pitted sword.
Kane says, "No offence, I am always pleased to meet a war hero. Name's Tom and you?"
"Call me Llurgan!" the old man says with a chuckle.
Kane says, "Pleased to meet you Llurgan."
The main road out of town takes a curving path to the north. The road is deep and rutted by wagon wheels. You ride until the moons climb halfway up the sky; with both full, the light is plentiful.
At the large fork, Morgon reins his horse in and gives orders. He orders his main force eastward, into the deep woods. "We'll take them by night. I think there's a camp that way. Preuse, you others, take your squads and head for the rendezvous points I assigned earlier."
A Vorghol warrior, stout and dark haired, with his hair pomaded with pig fat, stands near Preuse, watching his motley squad of Reith, Northerling, Urag, Vulkah. Preuse says, "Master Ralenis, you're coming with us?"
The Vorghol, grim and silent, nods.
Preuse swallows. He can't have weathered more than twenty summers.
Thragga hisses at Kane, "We're going to help these bastards?"
As the main force moves off to the east, Preuse says uncertainly to his squad of eight, "All right, men...you Vulkah and the Urag in front. Riders in the back. We proceed for the twin oaks on top of the next hilltop." He adds, "Keep sharp," because that's what he seems to think he should say.
The other two riders are Llurgan and another farmer, smoking a pipe and looking like he's out for a Kingsday ride.
Kane says to his men, "Be ready."
The Vulkah frown. "Why we in front? Horses should be in front, stupid Reith."
Preuse nods. "You're right." He gestures to Kane and Khom-Bei. "You two, up front with me." The grim Vorghol shakes his head in disgust at the indecision.
Llurgan says to Kane, "Looks like you have some experience at this sort of thing, lad..."
Kane says, "Some."
Llurgan says, "You should give that youngster some lessons, then..."
Kane says, "Let me give you some advice, Llurgan, if arrows start flying get off that horse as fast as you can and use it for cover."
Kane kicks his horse and moves to the front of the line.
Llurgan scratches his gray beard and looks at Kane warily.
Khom-Bei follows Kane, keeping an eye on the Vorghol and the young deputy.
"And you, old man!" Preuse snaps at Llurgan, the other rider.
Preuse spurs his horse and the squad moves forward. There is none of the smooth efficiency of the Oathkeeper riders here.
The three Vulkah, on foot, bear heavy axes. The other rider has a rough-hewn spear. And the Vorghol bears a long, wicked-looking broadsword.
Thragga unshoulders his warbow and nocks an arrow.
Kane draws the sword he was given by Yarga, that formerly belonged to the Urag warrior Shazumoth.
Khom-Bei reins his pony alongside Kane, "Master, perhaps Thragga could be of use in the front of the group? He is an experienced tracker."
The path winds through the moonslit woods, curving past a steep cliffside.
Kane calls back, "Ura, g attend me."
Preuse says, "Yes. Of course, your thrall can smell trouble. Up front, on the double, you green filth!"
Thragga looks like he'd like to spit Preuse on his arrow, but he sidles up to Kane.
Ralenis hasn't said a word, but he is watching Kane and his two servants closely.
Kane is tempted to tell Preuse that his old gran might be useful up front too, but decides to hold his tongue.
Thragga makes a show of scenting the ground. Then his eyes widen with sincere surprise. "There were several Reith on foot here, recently...master." he tells Kane.
Kane looks at Thragga and says, "Which way?"
The Urag points northwards. "Headed that way..."
Preuse nods. "Good, thrall, you'll be spared the whip this night, eh?" He chuckles, dryly, but no one joins in.The Vulkah mutter to themselves in Vulkon.
Llurgan says, "That Urag of yours...seems mighty handy..."
Kane says, "Ye, s but they are very hard to tame."
The small squad moves north along the winding trail. You skirt past the base of a steep cliff about ten yards high, to your right. About a mile ahead, silhouetted by the moons, stand two tall oaks, nearly twins, atop a shallow sloping hillside.
Preuse breathes an audible sigh. "There's our rendezvous point...looks like we're the first here! Now we can relax...." He seems to remember something. "Someone should go up ahead and make sure it's safe. Thrall, see to it."
Khom-Bei drops from his mount, "Master, I should go with him...."
Thragga frowns. "Up yours, you little pig fucker," he says, clearly to Preuse.
The Vulkah laugh. They understood that much.
Preuse purples, looking towards the Vorghol a moment. "What?" he demands, turning his horse towards Thragga angrily.
Khom-Bei stands very still, looking back and forth between Thragga and Preuse.
Thragga says, "Do it yourself. This isn't worth a hundred dragons."
Kane places himself between Preuse and Thragga, "As I said, hard to tame and quite valuable."
Llurgan advises, in a fatherly way, "You should ask nicely, Deputy."
Ralenis is silent, still, but shifts his sword and cradles it in his arms, ready. He eyes the cliffside you're standing near, warily.
Preuse snaps, "Very well! Would your Urag thrall and Northerling go scout ahead? Please? Is that nicely enough?"
Kane moves up the hill and says to Thragga , "Here, if you don't have the balls for it I'll show you how it's done."
Khom-Bei and Thragga follow along behind Kane on foot.
Preuse calls, "Next time, it's the whip!"
Khom-Bei mutters, "That kid needs a good spanking."
As you three move out, Ralenis doesn't say a word. Suddenly, he moves like the night wind, hurling himself to the ground, as arrows rain down from the cliffside.
One lances through the eye of Preuse's horse. The animal rears and hurls him free. Another catches the second farmer in the heart. He bites clean through his pipe and drops like a stone.
As the arrows strike behind him, Khom-bei runs forward to the trees and whistles loudly for his pony. Cakilgan leaps forward towards the Northerling.
Thragga crouches and looks for something to aim at.
Kane drops from his horse, then looks to see where Ralenis is.
You are on a narrow winding path that parallels the base of a short cliff. On one side is the cliff wall, from where the arrows came; on the other, thick vegetation, old trees, and heavy brush. The path runs north and south.
There is a noise from the brush and four warriors, in rag tag clothes and armor, race forward. Ralenis rises up from his hiding place to meet them, sword flashing.
Reaching the nearest trees, Khom-bei turns and quickly surveys the situation.The three Vulkah draw axes and form a circle, back to back to back.
Llurgan, still on horseback near Kane, points. "Behind you, Tom!" he shouts a warning. Four more warriors are rushing Kane from the north.
Kane draws Light Bringer and turns to o face the foe.
You are now ringed by four warriors to the north, four more to the south attacking Ralenis, the cliff wall on the right, and archers atop that.This ambush was well laid.
An arrow catches Llurgan in the chest and he slides from his plow horse, before Kane. He clutches at Kane's feet.
Preuse lies still...he seems to have hit his head on a rock in his fall.
Ralenis slices the head clean off one outlaw, but he hasn't made a sound yet. His black cloak billows out behind him. He spins, swiftly. The Vorghol moves with unnatural speed of the undead.
Khom-Bei steps forward, throwing back his cloak as he raises his hands to the sky, "Spirits, cast out this unliving beast!" he directs at Ralenis.
Kane attacks the first outlaw with the flat of his blade.
The Vulkah attack beside Kane. "Keel them all!" Zand cries.
The outlaw topples at Kane's feet, aside the wounded Llurgan.
Ralenis throws up his arms in protection from Khom-Bei's imprecation, but divine light lances from Khom-Bei's hands. The Vorghol's skin smolders, and he hisses, backing away from the outlaws.
Thragga aims an arrow at the Vorghol.
Chhht! A black-feathered arrow catches the Vorghol in the ribs. He falls back as the outlaws swarm him.
Kane falls back under a hail of blows, skillfully parrying the swords of the outlaws.
As the Vorghol falls and Kane fights off his attackers, Khom-bei calls out above the fray, "Stop fighting! The cold one is defeated!"
Zamab strikes down one of the outlaws with an axe blow. "Whose side you on?" the Vulkah demands.
Kane says to the outlaws, "Hold your attack. We have come to help."
A feminine voice calls down from the cliffside. "Hold!" No arrows fly. The swordsmen circle, warily.
Llurgan pulls himself upright., bleeding profusely. The Vulkah spit. "Keel them, idiots! Keel the bandits!"
Khom-Bei faces the Vulkah, "Hold or die! Decide quickly."
One of the swordsmen, a tall burly man with broad shoulders, stakes Ralenis through the heart. The grim Vorghol cries out, for the first time, as he turns to dust and vanishes.
Zamab says, "You traitor!" But they hold.
Archers are climbing down from the cliffside, led by a hooded woman.
Thragga says, "Let's get our money back from these little shorties, while we're at it..." he tells Khom-Bei.
Kane says, "Hold Thragga."
Khom-Bei moves to Llurgan's side and lays hands on the wounded man, "Be still, grandfather, I can help you." Light suffuses the arrow wound, which closes. The old man breathes more easily, nodding to Khom-Bei gratefully. He will live to see another winter now.
There are six archers standing behind the woman. Plus the seven warriors who still live, you are clearly outnumbered. The woman demands, "Why would you help us?"
Thragga still has an arrow nocked.
Kane turns to the woman and says, "This is just one band, there are at least five others out searching for your camp."
Khom-Bei props Llurgan against a small boulder before moving to check on Preuse. Preuse is out cold, but alive.
The burly man who staked Ralenis says, "Let's take their weapons and armor, my lady. Spank them, send them back to Idris, naked in the cold."
Thragga defies the man who wanted the weapons, "Come and get them."
Khom-Bei points to Preuse, "Thragga, keep your bow pointed at the wet-nose. He might wake up."
Thragga nods and complies, happy at the chance to spit Preuse on an arrow. He moves back to the group and stands beside Kane.
The woman steps forward. "Sun and stars," she swears. "Raen?" she asks Kane. Her hood falls back. She is a sleek, athletic blond woman, with crystal blue eyes. It has been eight years, but she doesn't look a day older.
Kane looks shocked at the woman for a moment but then says, "That man in dead, now only Kane survives."
The woman reaches out to touch Kane's cheek.
Kane says, "It is good to see you Eli."
Elianel says, "Raen..." is all she can manage.
Thragga says, "What? Does this mean we're not going to get our dragons?"
Khom-Bei looks between the two Reith, confusion plain on his face, "Is there nowhere that you don't know a woman, Kane?"
Thragga says, "I hope he doesn't try to kill this one like he did the last..."
Kane looks into the woman's eyes remembering a time long ago, but then he comes to himself and says, "We have to move your people out of here...you are all in terrible danger."
Elianel nods. "It seems like we are not the only ones.."