Encounter

“So that’s how I met him.” Shierra said.

“After resting at that tavern in Fieri, the last thing the gnome said that he will return.” She added.

Reis took a moment to digest the information. For the last hour or so, they slowed their ride to a leisurely trot, due to the insistence of Sabre. While the horse is catching its breath, Shierra told Reis of her background and of her quest to learn about her human father. She told him how she had literally stumbled upon the inquisitive gnome who had become her travelling companion ever since.

“Well then, what’s next?” Reis asked.

Shierra bit her lip and pondered about what she would say next.

“I was walking about, exploring the town. I saw a house, though it looked like many of the houses at the edge of town, this house somehow had piqued my curiosity.” She began.

“I was at the gates, and was about to step in when I was startled by him.” Shierra continued.

“Who was he?” Reis asked, interested.

“He was like my kin, though not exactly. A dark elf named Morohtar.”

Reis was definitely interested. One does not simply encounter a dark elf through casual passing. It was said that a dark elf is there to perform dark deeds, often hired by others to do so.

“He was meeting someone, and it so happened that the owner of the house was his contact. It was a goblin, whose name I can’t recalled at the moment.” Shierra added.

“A goblin and a dark elf, meeting in a desolate town.” Reis said.

“The next few moments were..difficult.” There was a change in the tone of her voice. “Those dead men at the town center, the brutes..they barged into the goblin’s house. Morohtar fought them off, and we escaped to the streets. He told me that somehow, the brutes were looking for me too. He told me to hide and flee when I can.”

“You ran to the stable?” Reis asked her.

“Yes. I was scared. There were buildings burning around me, and I ran the best I could to find shelter.” There was a paused. Reis heard Shierra taking a deep breath. He let her take as much time as she needed.

“And you met Rianna, the barmaid there, where she hid you beneath the floor space.” Reis said. Shierra nodded, affirming what she had told him before.

“She saved my life, Reis! While I was hiding, I can hear those brutes…ravaging her. They were looking for me. She could have let them find me, but she didn’t.”

Reis nodded slowly. He could hear the pain in her voice.

“It’s alright, Shierra. I mourn for her loss too.” He said.

They rode in silence after that. The sun was setting, and Reis steered Sabre off the road and into the woods. The woods were thin, and they stopped at a clearing. A small fire was lit and they rested as the day grew to night.

*             *             *             *

The sound of snapping twigs jolted Reis awake. He shot up and drew his sword, and in doing so woke Shierra from her sleep.

“Quiet.” Reis whispered sharply to her. Shierra nodded, and stood up with her staff in her hand. The night was clear with the moon bathing everything with silvery light, yet it was dark enough to conceal assailants. Reis trained his ears to the sounds around him. 

The sound of trodden leaves grew louder, and closer. Slowly, Reis’ trained hand grasped the hilt of his sword, and drew the blade. 

Catching Up

Esar, 11th day of the Nara, year of the 21st Water Lion

Fieri

Note Reference Index: A0001-FE1-A0004

“Are you absolutely certain, Frederick?” Dashiel asked the poor man.

“Yes, young sir. Went with the big man on the Travellers’ Road.” Frederick replied. He definitely knew better the level of affirmation curious gnomes have. There he was at the stream, cleaning soot off some vials, ampoules, and various glassware when he was jumped upon by Dashiel. Startled, he jumped a foot high in the air.

“Let me confirm your story once more. Two nights ago a bunch of well-armed thugs burned houses down in this town to look for somebody, and they killed at whim, including Rianna the barmaid. Some lone figure slain them all and fled the scene, and the girl I was travelling with was hiding in the stables. Am I right so far?” the gnome asked. Frederick nodded enthusiastically, while picking up shards of broken glass.

“Yesterday a man on a black horse came to town, and organized the mass burial with the townspeople?” Dashiel said with one stubby finger pointed to the general direction of the cemetery. Frederick nodded again.

“This man, who was a customer of your fine establishment..or rather what was your establishment, then rode off with my travelling companion towards Nadaran?” Dashiel continued, with one eyebrow raised.

“Yes, sir. They left mid-morning. Said that he will find some ‘much needed answers’.” The old man explained to the scholar gnome.

Dashiel jotted some quick notes into the small leatherbound journal he always carried. He stowed the graphite stick and the journal away, and hefted his giant pack onto his shoulders.

“Very well then, Fred. Best I catch up to them.” The gnome said. He picked up his walking stick and jogged towards the Travellers’ Road.

“So our paths have indeed crossed.” Dashiel thought to himself. Excitement bloomed and he felt the invigorating rush that he always loved. He is one another adventure!

Toil

Shierra sipped the dewberry juice from the waterskin that Reis gave her. Watching Reis work made her thirsty. She looked on as Reis shoveled dirt tirelessly. His fine linen shirt was drenched with sweat, as he dug deeper into the ground.

Around him, the townsfolk were doing the same. Men breaking their backs digging up graves for those who fell. Each one of them bear the same dark, solemn look. Some openly wept as they dug up graves meant to lay their wives, sons, daughters, or friend to rest in the cemetery located in a shady meadow outside of town. Their small town now has gotten much smaller, and many had packed their horse carts with what’s left of their possessions. They intended to leave as soon as the funeral was over. The thirteen dead brutes found in the square, and some more in the goblin’s house, were piled onto a mule cart and dumped unceremoniously in the woods. The brutes did not carry much coins nor personal possession, and the townsfolk dared not take the dragonhide armor. Thus, the bodies were left pretty much intact, to rot in the woods or feasted by carrion.

As she watched the mass funeral took place, Shierra let her mind wander. A deep guilt has been consuming her, as Shierra believed that many of these innocent townsfolk died unnecessarily because of her. Deciding to trust Reis, Shierra had told him her accounts when the attack took place. She told him of her encounter with the dark elf Morohtar, and their abrupt meeting with the goblin Kraeven. Shierra decided that she will share more of her stories when the funeral is done. In the meantime, Reis told her to keep to herself, not to reveal her identity.

That night, a small campfire was lit in a clearing in the woods, near the cemetery. What’s left of the townsfolk that had stayed sat closely together. Families huddled in silence. There was no merriment, just a broody silence as they wonder of their future. Tents were erected as temporary shelter by those whose homes were torched, since they dared not to venture into the town anymore.

Shierra wrapped the cloak around her tightly. She kept the hood up to conceal her elven features. Reis was talking to Frederick, whose supply store was torched as well. Later, Reis returned and sat next to her. Under the shelter of a tree, they rested, watching the dancing flicker of the orange campfire flames.

Shierra had so many questions that needed answering. She was desperate to know why have some people she had never met before knew her, and knew her father, and why the band of men have went on a ruthless campaign to find her. Looking at Reis, she saw him staring aimlessly at the night sky. He was clutching something in his hand. Shierra wanted to know more about him. Her mind was riddled with too many questions that begged for answers. But, as for now, she made herself comfortable and soon, drifted to sleep.

Shierra woke up to a chilly morning, and smelled breakfast cooking from the campfire. Looking around, she found Reis tending to a handsome black horse. She stood up and went to him.

“That’s a fine steed.” She told him. The horse seemingly understanding, waggled its head at her.

“But with great mischief to boot.” Reis added. He was checking the leather straps of the saddle and was making sure the saddlebags were secure. Once he is done, he sat under a tree and beckoned Shierra to join him. She sat next to him as Reis unwrapped some food from a waxed paper. They ate strips of beef that was freshly fried at the campstove, some bread, and fruits. Food was always something that brings joy to Shierra, and she happily nibbled her meal to the last morsel.

“There is stream that way if you wish to freshen up.” Reis told her, pointing North with hand. “Don’t take too long, though. I want to head up to Nadaran.”

“The city of magi? I was heading there too!” Shierra excitedly said.

Reis nodded. “I figured as much. If you wish, you could ride with me. I have questions for you.” He added.

Shierra smiled and headed towards the streams. She was glad to have a new companion with this strange man. Perhaps, he will be open to answer her questions.