`Very well.' replies Aaron. `I have no objection.'
The Enforcers examine the wagons and put the wristbands on us, and finally we are allowed entry into Awyn.
So, we enter, and I begin to wonder... Eric Shyrn is looking for some outlaw here. It must be something big, if he's personally here. He is second in command of the elves and Commander of the Enforcers. He doesn't take part in just any raid. The one they are looking for must have great significance. I wonder what he did.
As we walk into the town, Aaron turns to me.
`Tell me something, boy! Are them wounds on your face really the work of a demon?'
`Yes.'
`Did you really kill that thing?'
`Yes.'
`I'd tip my hat to you if I had one, boy! Not many of us can say that they've slayed demons.'
You speak well, Aaron. Demons. Not demon, but demons...
*
We have dinner in one of the local taverns, and rent rooms there as well. The innkeeper, who is actually an old acquaintance of Aaron's, gives the greedy dwarf a discount on his room. He still finds it expensive, of course. Aaron and I have dinner by the same table, and I am forced to listen to his complaints during the whole time. I hope this journey ends soon...
With dinner behind us, we prepare to go to rest. As we almost go past the innkeeper, he calls Aaron there.
`So... you heading up to Gatestown, I hear?' he asks in a low voice.
`What?! Who told you that?' asks Aaron angrily.
`I just heard that from one of your boys over there.'
`Bah! They talk too much. I gotta have a word or two with the cretins...'
`Yes, yes, you certainly ought to do that, old friend. Do you know what you should tell them? That they're fired!'
`Huh?'
`Look. You're going up to Gatestown. You need better men than these fools. If I were you...'
`If you were me this, if you were me that! You ain't me, so...'
`So, you ain't gonna do what I would, I know. But maybe you'll listen to my advice.'
`What advice?'
`See that guy over there?' he asks, discretely pointing to a table in the far end of the tavern. There are two people sitting there. One is a very tall, hooded man, the other is a dark haired human man dressed in studded leather armor and armed with two short swords. His blades are resting in scabbards on his back, but even from this far I can see that they are enchanted swords. He has the look of a skilled, seasoned fighter... and a sword for hire.
`Which one?' ask Aaron. `The hooded guy?'
`No, I don't know who that is. The other one!'
`What of him?'
`It's Richard Dane!'
`Should I know him?'
`Guess not. He's a mercenary, and on occasion, bounty hunter. He is also a man of discretion, doesn't go about banging his chest. But me, I know some people who know some people who have heard a thing or two of him. Well, you get the point.'
`And you are telling me all this because...?'
`Because, you silly fat dwarf, you need good mercenaries. Now good old Richard over there is about as good as they get, and he doesn't boast about it much. He's smart enough to keep his mouth shut. If we scored mercenaries on a scale of ten, he'd get eleven. While your men would get one... In fact... minus one!'
`I won't have you insult my men!'
`Suit yourself... But look, his tall buddy just left. Go talk to him, while he's still here. You need men like him!'
`Eh, why the Hell not?' says Aaron, and he heads to the table.
While Aaron and the innkeeper were arguing, I used what minor magics I know to briefly eavesdrop on the conversation of the mercenary and his companion. An interesting conversation, and it makes me think that Eric Shyrn is in fact here for the tall hooded man.
`Look, I know you are in a hurry, but you have to lay low.' said the mercenary to his companion.
`I'm not stupid, mind you. I know I'm stuck, but you... You can leave. You can slip out. You are able to walk free, above suspicion.'
`Yes, I can, but I'm not leaving you in this mess.'
`Don't worry about me. I need you to help me, but not by staying here. I will go up to my room now. Stay here and finish your dinner. Then, come up to my room. I will give you something to take from this place. You must take it out of the town tonight.'
`What about the Enforcers?'
`I'll worry about that. Once you leave, I will figure out a way to escape myself.'
`I don't like your plan, you know. Don't forget who is here with them...'
`Just come to my room in some minutes. We will discuss the rest there.'
Then, the tall man stood up and went upstairs.
Intriguing indeed...
Aaron, unaware of all that I heard, greets the mercenary casually.
`Good evening, my good man! How are you on this fine day?'
`Do I know you?' asks the mercenary.
`I fear not, and sadly, I do not know you either.'
`I'm not interested in anything you want to sell.'
`I don't want to sell you anything, my good man. I want to offer you a job. The innkeeper there recommended you and that's good enough for me. I hear you are a mercenary looking for work.'
`Maybe. If I was a mercenary, what kind of work would you have for me?'
`A simple escort task, nothing more. I am a merchant, with a shipment of elven wine that needs to be taken through dangerous territory. I have several guards, but I hear you are better than they are.'
`I was planning on leaving tonight, I have a very urgent matter to attend to. Although, if you offer me a good price, I guess I can take a short detour.'
`How does a payment of five hundred smooth crowns sound?'
`Five hundred? It can sound like a fair price, or it can sound like an insult. It depends on where you're going.'
`North. To Gatestown.'
`You're going to Gatestown and offering me five hundred smooth crowns? Are you kidding?'
`I'd say it's a fair price.'
`Not towards Gatestown it isn't. Two thousand smooth crowns, or you can go find someone else.'
`Two thousand? That is outrageous! Look... I'm willing to pay one thousand, but not a coin more.'
The mercenary laughs.
`What, you think you're too good for this job?' asks Aaron, like he is feeling insulted.
`No deal, dwarf. You obviously don't want to spend enough money on protection. Perhaps you prefer to have an expensive coffin. I can imagine the kind of guards you must have. I'd rather not take my chances with you and your band of amateurs. Have a nice funeral on the road!' says the mercenary, and he stands up and walks towards the stairs. Aaron turns back towards the innkeeper with a red face.
`So, did you make a good deal?' asks the innkeeper.
`What did you say his name was?' asks Aaron.
`Richard Dane.'
`Well, you call tell anybody who ever asks about him, that Richard Dane is a no-good greedy son of a bitch, who thinks he's too good to work for Aaron Chraem!'
`Haha, you didn't offer him enough, did you? When will you learn that good mercenaries have a price?' says the innkeeper, laughing. Aaron simply turns away and heads for his room for the night.
`Your greed will be your demise one day, Aaron!' says the innkeeper, but Aaron doesn't bother to reply. As he goes upstairs, the innkeeper finally turns to me.
`What about you? You seem a different sort than the rest of his men. Is he paying you well enough?'
`I get exactly what I want from him. No more, no less.'
`Sounds like a fair price then.'
`Whatever.'
`First time you work for him?'
I nod.
`Well, if you're smart, this will also be the last time! It ain't worth to deal with that greedy little greasebag, believe me.' he says, and then he turns back to his duties.
Last time, yes. I know this will be the last time...
*
The night was calm an
d uneventful. I didn't sleep much though. There is too much on my mind right now to be able to relax and rest. At dawn I looked out the window of my room and stared towards the horizon. It was a northern window, fortunately. I did not have to see the sun rise.
I've been standing here by the window for at least an hour by now, thinking of the coming days. Just five days ago I was far less troubled. I knew nothing of what awaits me now. But I can't look back, can't dwell on the past. What comes, must come. And I long for it to end, one way or the other...
I walk out of my room and head downstairs to have breakfast. Aaron is already finishing by one of the tables. I sit down beside him.
`I'll tell you something, boy! This ale is fantastic!' he says with a smile. `This tavern here sure is a place to have a good drink!'
`Glad you like it.'
`But let me tell ya something else... It's bloody expensive...'
I expected he'd say something like that...
I order my breakfast and some minutes later they serve it to me. I'm about half way done when suddenly Eric Shyrn enters the tavern. Everybody's attention turns towards him straight away.
He looks around intently and his eyes stop when he spots a tall, hooded man by one of the inner tables. The same man who was in the mercenary's company last night.
Eric steps towards his table.
`Ildardque! It's over!' he says. The hooded man slowly arises from the table and uncovers his face.
He's very tall and clearly quite strong as well. His hair is very short, he's almost bald. No facial hair, but there is one thing that strikes the eye. He has a glowing tattoo on his forehead. A complicated rune of sorts. I've not seen such a rune before, but it radiates magic, I can feel it all the way here.
Ildardque...
I heard that name before. They say he is an outlaw... At least that's what the Enforcers consider him. He is reputed to be stealing from rich merchants and the like, and that he often gives away much of his loot to poor people. He is very popular among peasants. Though he is also rumored to be ruthless in battle. He has never murdered any of his merchant victims, but he has brutally killed any and all guards that were foolish enough to get in his way. I've not heard that he possesses any magical skills. But that rune on his forehead...
Again, I think of the burning question... Why would Eric Shyrn personally hunt a man like Ildardque? True, Ildardque is a thorn in the side for many, but why would the Council care so much that they'd send Eric after him? It doesn't make sense. Shyrn wants something from this man, I'm sure of it...
Suddenly I recall what happened last night. Ildardque gave something to Richard Dane, and the mercenary is said to have left the town by now. If so, and the Enforcers came for this item and not for Ildardque himself, then Shyrn is screwed...
`You've been hiding in this shithole of a town for long enough, Ildardque. I knew you'd surface eventually. Now, it's over for you...'
Ildardque doesn't run. He unsheathes the sword on his back, a fearsome two-handed sword.
Eric Shyrn is unarmed and alone, but he still has the upper hand here...
`Alright, slave! If you are stupid enough to stay and fight, then so be it. It will be a pleasure for me to kill you. I will do the people of Ess'yer a great service...' says the tall human in a thundering voice, hatred glowing in his eyes.
`Talk is cheap, Ildardque. Come and kill me if you can. I'm waiting...'
`If I were you, unarmed little man... I'd run...'
Ildardque swings his sword and charges at Eric with his fearsome blade. Eric utters a short magic word and waves his hand. A moment later, eerily glowing gauntlets appear on his forearms. He blocks the large human's attack with these magical gauntlets. Ildardque's sword is thus rebound from Eric's left hand, and the night elf initiates a counterattack. He delivers a sweeping kick to the tall human's left knee.
Ildardque doesn't fall, it's like he didn't even feel the blow. He strikes towards Eric again, but he jumps away from the blade and kicks the human in the ribs. Yet it didn't even faze him...
Ildardque once again swings his sword, but Eric parries with his right gauntlet, then jumps close and punches the tall human with his left Gauntlet.
This knocks Ildardque back, but he doesn't fall. He pauses his attack, and puts his left hand under his nose. As he looks down at his hand, he sees his blood.
He lowers his left hand and stares at Eric. The fury in his eyes has grown, as if the sight of his own blood had enraged him. With a fearsome battlecry, he charges at Eric at a speed which belies his size. Eric barely has time to counter, but he crosses his wrists in front of him and blocks the incoming blow.
Ildardque tries to overwhelm him with brute strength, and forces the blade closer and closer to Eric's face. The night elf speaks a magic word, and his gauntlets light up. A moment later, he knocks his opponent back with the empowered gauntlets.
Ildardque doesn't quit. He swings his sword towards Eric's skull, trying to split it in half. Eric jumps back and the blade misses. As the sword passes in front of him, he grabs the blade between the palms of his gauntleted hands.
Ildardque tries to free his weapon from Eric's hold, but he fails. Instead, Eric slowly twists the blade until the tall human is forced to release the hilt. The sword flies up, and Eric catches it in mid air.
He looks at the blade with disgust.
`Pathetic...' he says, and he simply breaks the blade with his hands, and drops the broken weapon on the ground.
Ildardque, now unarmed, charges him furiously. Eric steps aside and kicks him in the knee again. Though the tall human likely didn't feel the pain of the blow, it was enough for him to lose his balance. He falls over, and Eric jumps in to capitalize. Ildardque is still able to get up on his knees, but Eric punches him over and over again, preventing him from standing on his feet. Ildardque's face becomes a bloody mess, but still he is struggling.
Then Eric stands behind him and grabs his head. He forcefully twists it, and the tall human's neck snaps like a stick of wood. He falls to the ground.
This one was over fairly quick. Eric Shyrn has once again demonstrated his martial prowess. As well as the relentlessness of the Enforcers.
A moment later, three Enforcers step hurriedly into the tavern. Eric gives them a strict stare as if he was berating them for being so late. Then he nods his head towards Ildardque's corpse.
`Chop off his head!' he commands his men. One of them steps forwards and beheads the fallen warrior.
Eric leans down and picks the head up. He pulls it close to his own face, and stares with fascination at the rune on Ildardque's forehead. Then he takes Ildardque's sack and empties it, and finally puts the head in the sack. He then turns to the Enforcers.
`I want this man to become an example. See to it that all outlaws learn of his mistakes!'
`Yes, Commander!' they reply, and they pick the corpse up and carry it outside. Eric Shyrn then waves his hand in a complex gesture, and I sense his magic taking effect. The wristband they had given me suddenly dissolves into nothingness. So, we are free to leave town. Splendid.
Eric takes a final look around, and then walks out of the tavern with the sack containing Ildardque's head.
`Are they gonna do what I think they're gonna do?' asks one of the tavern patrons.
Nobody bothers to answer. Everyone knows well.
The Enforcers will do the same thing that they always do when they set an example of someone. They will chop the corpse into several pieces, nailing each part onto the main gates of the town.
A gruesome sight for common folk. Yet over the years it has become a tradition of sorts. One that many people despise, yet none dare speak against. None dare speak against the Enforcers. Just as none dare speak against the Council. Not openly at least. Such is the intimidating power of the so-called Supreme Guard...
As for Eric Shyrn...
He didn't come here to apprehend an outlaw. Nor did he come for whatever it was that Ildardque managed to have his mercenary friend
smuggle out of the town. No, he came for Ildardque's head. He came for the head of a man who wore a glowing rune tattooed on his forehead. A tattoo that radiates great power, despite its bearer's apparent inability to use magic. Eric came because of that rune... and I wonder what he wants with it...
*
Just an hour later, Aaron orders the caravan to move on. He seems satisfied with the quality of the supplies, but unsatisfied with their cost. Why am I not surprised?
`Let me tell you, boy, this town is full of conceited bastards! They sell quality merchandise here, but they think they're better than anyone else and they demand outrageous prices... Eh, no matter. Next time I'll take another route.'
`Next time let's avoid these blasted Enforcers! They give me the creeps...' says one of Aaron's mercenaries.
`I'm not afraid of their kind, but if I had known they'd be here, rest assured that I'd have taken a different route.' replies Aaron. `Now saddle up, we've still a long road ahead of us!'
So, we leave Awyn behind, and we march ever closer to Gatestown. The end draws nigh.
And how I long for it...
The path of the warrior
Doorn's retreat, Kh'Tal, fifteen years ago (17 years, 3 months, and 15 days before Twilightfall)
Three weeks passed under the tutelage of Doorn, and not once did I leave his retreat in this time. Every day he instructed me with the simplest of moves with the longsword I chose that first day. Each new move seemed insanely difficult to properly execute, but in time I started getting the hang of it. He taught me to stand in a proper pose, to defend myself better. It felt rigid, uncomfortable. He told me that time and practice is all that would change that. So I did the one thing I could, I practiced all day, even after the sessions were over.
After those first three weeks, he came to me and said, that the time for my first test had come.
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