by Rowan Bree
“Now what?” you ask.
Eli fiddles with his intact ear while he thinks. “I don’t know, but I think I can hear someone coming. You should go hide.” He points into the room.
“No way,” you reply.
“Too late,” Eli says and shoves you from behind. You trip on the windowsill and topple headfirst into the mage’s room. You are about to give Eli a piece of your mind when you hear footsteps approaching. The doorknob wiggles.
You dive behind a chest hoping to the gods you were fast enough. The door opens but you can’t see anything. You focus on calming your breath and keeping still.
The footsteps move away from the door towards the window. Did Eli manage to close it in time?
There is a bang and a scuffle. Eli shouts. Eli must have attacked the mage when he went to close the window.
Help Eli.
Stay hidden.
You ask Eli what he needs you to do.
“Uh, I haven’t exactly thought that far ahead,” he replies. Of course, you tell yourself. What were you expecting?
“Hey, give me a hand with this.” Eli grapples with the windowpane.
You let him struggle for a while before helping him yank it open on its creaky hinges. An odd fragrance drifts out from the room. It is almost floral but not quite. It gives you a creepy feeling.
“Now what?” you ask.
Eli fiddles with his intact ear while he thinks. “I don’t know, but I think I can hear someone coming. You should go hide.” He points into the room.
“No way,” you reply.
“Too late,” Eli says and shoves you from behind. You trip on the windowsill and topple headfirst into the mage’s room. You are about to give Eli a piece of your mind when you hear footsteps approaching. The doorknob wiggles.
You dive behind a chest hoping to the gods you were fast enough. The door opens but you can’t see anything. You focus on calming your breath and keeping still.
The footsteps move away from the door towards the window. Did Eli manage to close it in time?
There is a bang and a scuffle. Eli shouts. Eli must have attacked the mage when he went to close the window.
Help Eli.
Stay hidden.
If the mage is as powerful as Eli says, the elf stands no chance on his own. You leap out from your hiding place to see the mage with Eli in a chokehold. The elf’s face is turning from blue to a pale grey. Neither of them notices you.
You look for a weapon. A ceremonial dagger lies on the bed. You take it and before you can think twice you lunge at the mage.
A look of recognition crosses his face. “Kitten.” He smiles and loosens his grip on Eli.
The mage’s reaction gives you doubt but it’s already too late. The dagger plunges into his side.
He lets go of Eli and staggers to his knees. A dark aura swirls around him as he screams in agony. Eli grabs you and shoves you back away from the mage. The two of you crouch in hiding as darkness consumes the mage. He lets out an ear-piercing shriek and the aura disappears. His lifeless body falls prone on the floor.
Eli stands up shakily. There are dark bruises on his neck.
“I—I didn’t actually think it would work.” He hiccups.
“Is he really dead?” you ask.
The dagger is still sticking from the mage’s back. Eli nudges the body with his foot.
“Yup, dead as a drowned sewer rat.”
“It seemed like he knew me,” you say.
Eli shrugs. “Probably does that with all the pretty maidens. Stupid ploy to not get killed, though.”
The mage’s voice still echoes in your ears.
“Now to find Jasper and Sybil and let them know their job’s done for them. Maybe they’ll reconsider leaving me out of their plans next time.”
Eli pulls a flask from a pouch on his hip. He seems quite calm for almost having died. He takes a swig from his flask and replaces it.
“Help me move him. We can’t let anyone find his body.”
You help Eli drag the mage’s body over to the bed and hide it underneath. There is no blood when Eli removes the dagger. The elf tucks the dagger into his boot.
“Waste not, want not,” he says with a wink. “What’s a dead man going to do with a weapon anyway?”
You follow him out into the deserted hallway, painfully aware of the way your shoes echo on the stones. It seems impossible that you’ll be able to find Eli’s friends and escape without anyone questioning you.
Eli rounds the next corner ahead of you. You hurry to catch up and find yourself in an empty hallway. The elf is gone. You go slowly forward, cursing him for abandoning you. You should have known he would do something like this.
An arm reaches out from a doorway and pulls you inside. You find yourself in a cramped storage cupboard with Eli and a man with dark hair and piercing green eyes. There is barely room for the three of you to breathe.
Ask who the man is.
Recognize Jasper.
If the mage is as powerful as Eli says, the elf stands no chance on his own. You leap out from your hiding place to see the mage with Eli in a chokehold. The elf’s face is turning from blue to a pale grey. Neither of them notices you.
You look for a weapon. A ceremonial dagger lies on the bed. You take it and before you can think twice you lunge at the mage.
A look of recognition crosses his face. “Kitten.” He smiles and loosens his grip on Eli.
The mage’s reaction gives you doubt but it’s already too late. The dagger plunges into his side.
He lets go of Eli and staggers to his knees. A dark aura swirls around him as he screams in agony. Eli grabs you and shoves you back away from the mage. The two of you crouch in hiding as darkness consumes the mage. He lets out an ear-piercing shriek and the aura disappears. His lifeless body falls prone on the floor.
Eli stands up shakily. There are dark bruises on his neck.
“I—I didn’t actually think it would work.” He hiccups.
“Is he really dead?” you ask.
The dagger is still sticking from the mage’s back. Eli nudges the body with his foot.
“Yup, dead as a drowned sewer rat.”
“It seemed like he knew me,” you say.
Eli shrugs. “Probably does that with all the pretty maidens. Stupid ploy to not get killed, though.”
The mage’s voice still echoes in your ears.
“Now to find Jasper and Sybil and let them know their job’s done for them. Maybe they’ll reconsider leaving me out of their plans next time.”
Eli pulls a flask from a pouch on his hip. He seems quite calm for almost having died. He takes a swig from his flask and replaces it.
“Help me move him. We can’t let anyone find his body.”
You help Eli drag the mage’s body over to the bed and hide it underneath. There is no blood when Eli removes the dagger. The elf tucks the dagger into his boot.
“Waste not, want not,” he says with a wink. “What’s a dead man going to do with a weapon anyway?”
You follow him out into the deserted hallway, painfully aware of the way your shoes echo on the stones. It seems impossible that you’ll be able to find Eli’s friends and escape without anyone questioning you.
Eli rounds the next corner ahead of you. You hurry to catch up and find yourself in an empty hallway. The elf is gone. You go slowly forward, cursing him for abandoning you. You should have known he would do something like this.
An arm reaches out from a doorway and pulls you inside. You find yourself in a cramped storage cupboard with Eli and a man with dark hair and piercing green eyes. There is barely room for the three of you to breathe.
Ask who the man is.
Recognize Jasper.
The man is wearing fine clothes like that of a noble, though the roguish glint in his eyes tells you he is anything but.
“Who are you?” you ask.
He bows with a flourish d
espite the cramped space. You try not to laugh. “Jasper Swift, at your service. I’m an enemy of the order and crusader for freedom. And before Eli interrupted me I was just about to save the kingdom.”
Eli makes a face. “Vale’s dead,” he says.
A dark look crosses Jasper’s expression.
“It’s bad enough that you’re here,” He says, “but on top of it you’re drunk and telling lies.”
Eli hiccups. “I’m not drunk.
Jasper laughs coldly. “I can smell it.”
Eli ignores him. “I’m telling the truth. Vale’s dead. He tried to kill me and she stabbed him.” Eli stretches his neck to show Jasper the bruises.
Jasper looks to you. “Is this true?”
You nod.
He turns away. He seems upset that you’ve killed the mage. Perhaps his pride’s hurt seeing Eli and some stranger succeed at a job that was supposed to be his.
“Where is the body?”
Eli replies, “In his chamber. Under the bed. Don’t worry, no one heard or saw us.”
“But they’ll be missing Vale upstairs soon. He was about to start the ritual. We need to find Sybil and go. She’s prepared a quick getaway from Tyven in case we needed one.”
“What about her?” Eli asks.
Jasper turns back to you. He regards you for a moment.
“You belong with us. Come with us.”
Go with them.
Stay. Your fate lies in Tyven.
The man is wearing fine clothes like that of a noble, though the roguish glint in his eyes tells you he is anything but.
“Who are you?” you ask.
He bows with a flourish despite the cramped space. You try not to laugh. “Jasper Swift, at your service. I’m an enemy of the order and crusader for freedom. And before Eli interrupted me I was just about to save the kingdom.”
Eli makes a face. “Vale’s dead,” he says.
A dark look crosses Jasper’s expression.
“It’s bad enough that you’re here,” He says, “but on top of it you’re drunk and telling lies.”
Eli hiccups. “I’m not drunk.
Jasper laughs coldly. “I can smell it.”
Eli ignores him. “I’m telling the truth. Vale’s dead. He tried to kill me and she stabbed him.” Eli stretches his neck to show Jasper the bruises.
Jasper looks to you. “Is this true?”
You nod.
He turns away. He seems upset that you’ve killed the mage. Perhaps his pride’s hurt seeing Eli and some stranger succeed at a job that was supposed to be his.
“Where is the body?”
Eli replies, “In his chamber. Under the bed. Don’t worry, no one heard or saw us.”
“But they’ll be missing Vale upstairs soon. He was about to start the ritual. We need to find Sybil and go. She’s prepared a quick getaway from Tyven in case we needed one.”
“What about her?” Eli asks.
Jasper turns back to you. He regards you for a moment.
“You belong with us. Come with us.”
Go with them.
Stay. Your fate lies in Tyven.
You recognize Jasper from before. Funny that you would meet again under such circumstances.
“We meet again,” Jasper says with a smile. “It seems fate is determined to bring us together.”
You feel the air grow heavy with enchantment and your heart thuds in your chest.
Eli shoots him an annoyed look. “Vale’s dead,” he says in a flat tone.
The enchantment dissolves as a dark look crosses Jasper’s face. It isn’t what you would expect from an enemy of the Order. You thought he would be celebrating.
“It’s bad enough that you’re here,” Jasper says, “but on top of it you’re drunk and telling lies.”
Eli hiccups. “I’m not drunk.
Jasper laughs coldly. “I can smell it.”
Eli ignores him. “I’m telling the truth. Vale’s dead. He tried to kill me and she stabbed him.” Eli stretches his neck to show Jasper the bruises.
Jasper looks to you. “Is this true?”
You nod.
He turns away, seemingly upset that you’ve killed the mage. Perhaps his pride has been hurt seeing others succeed at a job that was supposed to be his.
“Where is the body?”
Eli replies, “In his chamber. Under the bed. Don’t worry, no one heard or saw us.”
“But they’ll be missing Vale upstairs soon. He was about to start the ritual. We need to find Sybil and go. She’s prepared a quick getaway from Tyven in case we needed one.”
“What about her?” Eli asks.
Jasper turns back to you. He regards you for a moment.
“I may not have convinced you in the past, but you clearly belong with us. Why else would we keep meeting? Come with us. Please.”
Go with them.
Stay. Your fate lies in Tyven.
You recognize Jasper from before. Funny that you would meet again under such circumstances.
“We meet again,” Jasper says with a smile. “It seems fate is determined to bring us together.”
You feel the air grow heavy with enchantment and your heart thuds in your chest.
Eli shoots him an annoyed look. “Vale’s dead,” he says in a flat tone.
The enchantment dissolves as a dark look crosses Jasper’s face. It isn’t what you would expect from an enemy of the Order. You thought he would be celebrating.
“It’s bad enough that you’re here,” Jasper says, “but on top of it you’re drunk and telling lies.”
Eli hiccups. “I’m not drunk.
Jasper laughs coldly. “I can smell it.”
Eli ignores him. “I’m telling the truth. Vale’s dead. He tried to kill me and she stabbed him.” Eli stretches his neck to show Jasper the bruises.
Jasper looks to you. “Is this true?”
You nod.
He turns away, seemingly upset that you’ve killed the mage. Perhaps his pride has been hurt seeing others succeed at a job that was supposed to be his.
“Where is the body?”
Eli replies, “In his chamber. Under the bed. Don’t worry, no one heard or saw us.”
“But they’ll be missing Vale upstairs soon. He was about to start the ritual. We need to find Sybil and go. She’s prepared a quick getaway from Tyven in case we needed one.”
“What about her?” Eli asks.
Jasper turns back to you. He regards you for a moment.
“I may not have convinced you in the past, but you clearly belong with us. Why else would we keep meeting? Come with us. Please.”
Go with them.
Stay. Your fate lies in Tyven.
You keep hidden hoping that Eli can handle the mage himself. There is a flash and silence, then the sound of something heavy being dragged across the floor. You peek out from your hiding place just in time to see Eli’s legs disappearing out the doorway.
You hurry to follow, but find yourself in an empty hallway. You try to listen for the sound of the mage’s footsteps but there is only silence. There must be something to tell you which way Eli’s gone.
After a bit of searching you find a scuff mark on the stones that could have come from Eli’s boot dragging on the floor. You take a chance and go right down the hallway past the scuff mark. At the end of the hallway is a spiral staircase, and about half-way up the staircase a landing with a rounded door. The door is ajar. You peer through into the room beyond.
It appears as though some of the guests have left the feast early. Or rather started their own one upstairs. Laughter and happy voices float out to where you are as naked men and women drink, eat, and play with each other, their fine clothes strewn carelessly about the floor. It looks like quite a good time, if only you weren’t in the middle of something important.
Get distracted.
Go find Eli.
You keep hidden hoping that El
i can handle the mage himself. There is a flash and silence, then the sound of something heavy being dragged across the floor. You peek out from your hiding place just in time to see Eli’s legs disappearing out the doorway.
You hurry to follow, but find yourself in an empty hallway. You try to listen for the sound of the mage’s footsteps but there is only silence. There must be something to tell you which way Eli’s gone.
After a bit of searching you find a scuff mark on the stones that could have come from Eli’s boot dragging on the floor. You take a chance and go right down the hallway past the scuff mark. At the end of the hallway is a spiral staircase, and about half-way up the staircase a landing with a rounded door. The door is open ajar so you peer through into the room beyond.
It appears as though some of the guests have left the feast early. Or rather started their own one upstairs. Laughter and happy voices float out to where you are as naked men and women drink, eat, and play with each other, their fine clothes strewn carelessly about the floor. It looks like quite a good time, if only you weren’t in the middle of something important.
Get distracted.
Go find Eli.
There is no mistaking it. From his starched black robes to the insolent look of his delicate features, you can tell he is a man of status. He must be the mage you are supposed to kill.
You notice a ceremonial dagger on the bedspread and sneak up behind him. You could kill him right now and he would never know what happened. In fact, that’s probably what you should do. Like Eli said, the Order is evil and must be stopped. Killing this man is the only way.