Ritter absentmindedly stroked his nearly platinum blonde beard, “Well I do admit it has been a while since I've seen another of my kind. What do they call you stranger?”
“Gierig Earthbreaker,” the silver-haired dwarf replied.
“Oh, same clan and you two don't know each other?” Kava asked.
Ritter chuckled, “Let us just say the Earthbreakers are unusual in that way.”
“That is one way to put it,” Gierig said, “But it is truly good to find another Halz. I've been searching for a good group to help me with a small problem.”
“We help for any good cause,” Enzi said as he joined the conversation.
“Ah, the famous Enzi, I assume,” Gierig said, “I had to come see if the rumors were true about your crew. I have an item that needs to be recovered. I would not trust most of the mercenaries about this place. They would want to take an heirloom and keep it for its material value.”
“An item?” Enzi asked.
“A box,” the dwarf replied, “Made of the finest adamantine and with ancient designs of the Halz carved on it. It is a legacy of our people. It was made to seal away something of even greater value.”
“Oh?” Ritter asked, “What would one seal in a box like that?”
“I am not entirely sure,” Gierig said, “But I know the thieves that took it care only for the value of it. They would ruin the box, a work of art, to get at whatever is within. The box itself will certainly become scrap sold to metalsmiths for a handsome sum. I know that metal is somewhat rare in the human world.”
Enzi nodded, “Halzium sells for about ten times as much as regular steel. Iron is expensive enough. I imagine that quite a few look at Ritter's heavy armor with some jealousy.”
“Yes,” Gierig said, “Metal is not so rare in the mountain homes of our people. Yet even we value adamantine and the green hue hidden in its dark depths. A full suit of plated armor matched with a weapon of similar quality makes for a nearly unstoppable warrior.”
***
The wagon set off towards the north. Enzi and Gierig had negotiated out a price of the services of the Irregulars. Now Ritter sat wondering which clan Gierig had originally came from. His silvery hair suggested the Diamondheart, Platinum, or Silveraxe clans. Ritter was certain it was not the Platinum clan, but dared not ask his fellow Halz of his heritage. Taking the clan name of Earthbreaker meant that one had broken with the clans. The stone-kin did not speak of such things openly. It was considered an invasion of privacy.
The two Halz sat near each other, and Gierig spoke in the ancient tongue of the dwarves, “It is good to be able to speak my native tongue again.”
“True,” Ritter said, “Though it might seem rude to leave the others out of the conversation.”
“There are some things only another stone-kin can know. I trust you more than the others on this. Your honor is needed. I ask only one thing of you. I want you to carry the box yourself. I do not want any but an honorable Halz to handle this.”
“I'll see what I can do.”
Soon the mercenaries and their dwarven passenger paused to camp for the night. It would be several more days before they reached their final goal.
“The south branch of the Devil's Fork?” Enzi asked.
Gierig nodded, “It seems they chose a neutral place near Agon and Feergrus to bid on the box. Some powerful Agonish man with substantial money convinced them to hold it that far north.”
“Kyran Diafand,” Enzi said, “That is my guess. He is a noble from the city of Lucantul. It is only a few days travel to the Devil's Fork from there, especially if they just go down the river. At least if he got his hands on the box, you would be assured that no one would ever open it. He collects rare and unique items for his own personal museum display. A lot of people just call him the Collector.”
“I'd rather see the art back where it belongs,” Gierig said, “Back in the hands of the Halz. It was bad enough that it had been stolen by goblinoids. To think that some humans had dealings with those foul creatures and gained the box seems somehow worse to me. I can't imagine anyone on good terms with those monstrosities.”
Ritter nodded, “Obviously humans of the lowest sort if they are dealing with goblinoids. I imagine you have met some of the less honorable humans in your time above ground.”
Gierig nodded, “Yes. I have learned quite a lot about their deception and trickery. It makes me question the goals of the Earthbreakers.”
“I can understand that,” Ritter said.
Several of the other mercenaries obviously did not understand what that meant. Enzi certainly did, and Ritter wondered if Eurysa had learned much of Ritter's goals from Enzi. Aldebaran, Kava, and Mayitso certainly seemed clueless. Eurysa's gaze, however, was on Gierig. She seemed to be studying him. Ritter guessed it was a good opportunity to examine two Halz beside one another. Enzi's brow was furrowed with worry. Ritter hoped that the Collector would not be a problem.
Enzi's Irregulars #0013
The meeting place at the southern branch of the Devil's Fork river had a larger number of people gathered than Ritter had expected. A small stage had been set up and the Halz wondered what that meant. The wagon stopped within sight of the area, but Enzi kept the group far from the gathering crowd.
“An auction,” Enzi said, “This may work for us or complicate things.”
There were perhaps two dozen people gathered near the stage. A large tent had been set up behind the stage. Enzi headed there, taking Ritter and Gierig with him. Several armed and armored men could be seen near the tent. Two of them guarded the entrance and the rest seemed to be patrolling around it. Obviously the tent could protect people from seeing all the goods that might be available to steal, but one could slice through the fabric easy enough.
The mercenaries gave Enzi and the two Halz suspicious glares. Still the Feergrus man approached them without hesitation or fear. As Enzi neared the two soldiers guarding the tent entrance, the two men shifted their stance. They were in position to draw their weapons and strike with ease.
One of the mercenaries spoke in Infernus, “Halt. This area is not for the bidders.”
Enzi was not shocked that they spoke in his native tongue and smoothly replied, “We are here to speak with the boss. We suspect someone may be trying to cheat him with goods stolen from the dwarves.”
One of the mercenaries yelled something inside the tent. Ritter was not sure what the soldier said. From the sound of it, the Halz suspected he had spoken in Agonori. After his time in Center Point, Ritter thought he might be able to recognize nearly any language, even if he couldn't understand it. Soon enough a well dressed Agonish man strode out of the tent. His appearance was greatly at odds with nearly anyone else Ritter had seen in the human lands thus far. His clothing was clean and straight with vibrant color. The blue seemed particularly striking to the Halz, though he suspected the deep reds were more difficult to achieve.
“Ah, a Feergrus and two dwarves,” the Agonish man said in the Feergrus tongue, “I suspect I know why you are here. You should come with me, I could actually use your help in this matter.”
“Our help?” Enzi asked.
“It is not something for the public to hear,” the finely dressed man replied, “We have several items for auction, but this one was not what we had been told. Please come with me.”
The man patted one of the guards on his shoulder as he walked past, saying something quick in Agonori. Enzi and the two dwarves passed by the soldiers and inside the tent. Ritter had originally believed that the auction was just for the halzium box. Now he saw a wide array of odd items. He saw the distinctive blue sheen of mithril as well as several items in gold or silver. He passed by one item crafted of a metal he did not recognize. The red metal seemed to have a golden hue to it as well.
However, he soon found his attention stolen away by the box they had come for. It was large enough to fit a full Halz inside, depending on how thing the panels were. The runes on the side were immediatel
y recognizable to Ritter.
“That isn't just any box,” he muttered in Nuvro, “That is a puzzle box.”
The Agonish man nodded and spoke in fluent Nuvro, “You are correct. Most humans would not know, but I have had extensive dealings with your kind before.”
“Then you know if a Halz put something in a box like that, it wasn't meant to be opened except in the most dire of situations. Anything in there can't be valuable in the normal sense of the word.”
“Yes,” the man said, “It could also be potentially dangerous. However, whoever put the item in the auction made sure everyone knew about it. This makes the situation slightly more unique.”
“I think we can handle making it vanish so that no one knows it was here,” Enzi said, “And get it somewhere safe and in the proper hands.”
“Let us discuss plans then. You two stone-kin should guard the item. It is yours after all.”
Enzi and the Agonish auctioneer began discussing their plan while Gierig and Ritter stood near the puzzle box.
“This is interesting,” Gierig said in the dwarven tongue, “The runes say this was locked by the Platinum clan. Locked by the edict of isolation.”
Ritter looked over the runes, “Then this isn't dangerous except to those in power.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, that particular edict is about keeping the dwarves as they are. Something in here would be valuable to the Earthbreakers.”
“Like us. Then perhaps we should open it.”
“Eventually. We should get it out of here first,” Ritter said.
The tearing of fabric suddenly filled the air. The soldiers that had surrounded the tent had just all cut their way inside.
“It appears someone bought off your guards,” Enzi said.
“Yes,” the Agonish man replied, “Greed is a terrible thing. Perhaps someday we will all live in unity, but this chaos is most unbecoming.”
“Just step out of the way short stuff,” one of the soldiers said towards the dwarves.
“We will never get the box out of here like this. Whatever is inside has to be easier to carry,” Gierig said, “If you know how to open the thing, now would be a good time. I can hold these scrawny humans off.”
Gierig readied his axe and smiled.
***
Mayitso's growls were the first warning that something was wrong. Several warriors were headed for the wagon. Glancing towards the tent, Eurysa saw that a score of the soldiers had just cut their way inside.
“You get your wish Kava, we get a fight after all,” the gorgon hissed.
Kava's croaking voice was full of bliss, “About damn time.”
Enzi's Irregulars poured out of the wagon as the enemy warriors approached. Kava and Aldebaran dashed into combat to keep the warriors off of their ranged support. Then from behind them a familiar voice spoke out.
“My sources were correct, you are here after all.”
Eurysa turned to see the magehunter Laerdik Verdiss. A dozen possibilities flew through her mind. However, the fight ensued before she could do anything. The soldiers moved in with quiet competence as the magehunter closed on his primary target. Eurysa's bow would be of little use if the magehunter kept her in melee range. Mayitso snapped at the Agonish warrior and he kept his distance.
As the great wolf charged at Laerdik and the human moved with an almost uncanny speed and grace. His extensive training had paid off. There was a flash of metal in his off hand. He had pulled a dagger as he dodged the lycanthrope. There was a terrible yelp from Mayitso as Laerdik drove the dagger home. The great wolf hit the ground bleeding from his side. Eurysa rapidly analyzed the bloody dagger in the man's hands. It was coated with pure silver.
“I learned quite a bit about your little group,” the magehunter said, “There were quite a few tales about you and your allies and the terrible things you have done. The number of innocents each of you has slain. It is the end of your time on Doulairen.”
“Several of us had a rough time dealing with humans that would destroy us because we are different,” Eurysa hissed, “They are not so innocent. Enzi has helped us avoid the trouble.”
“You may think you are doing good, but I've seen some of the reports. Especially of your minotaur friend. There is no excuse for many of those slayings. I learned how magic corrupts those who use it. The teachers in the fortress at Hadrarius drilled many things into the heads of young magehunters. I wondered how true it could be. Ravalei has mages but did not seem corrupt. But I've seen the effects again and again. You may have done some good, but it is time to end your menace before the magic completely corrupts you. Nothing personal.”
Laerdik charged in with blinding speed, leaping over the prone Mayitso. The great wolf was breathing heavily, obviously in great pain. The arming sword in the magehunter's hand flashed through the air as Eurysa slithered back from the attack. She was not skilled at dealing with melee combat and she felt a flash of pain as she tumbled backwards over her tail and hit the ground. Blood oozed from the severed snake that had once been part of her hair.
Kava and Aldebaran were embroiled in a fight with far too many soldiers to come to Eurysa's aid. Laerdik was likely too skilled for any one of the team to defeat easily, certainly not with several soldiers aiding his cause. He stood over the gorgon and raised his blade.
“I am truly sorry,” he said.
“Then don't do it,” Eurysa hissed, “You've felt doubt about magic before. My people were born with this natural ability. You have seen for yourself the good that the Ravaleians can do. There are always those who will misuse a tool.”
Laerdik hesitated and Eurysa continued, “Someone told you that we would be here. They used you as a tool.”
“Yes,” he said, “Perhaps it is true. But I can not simply allow a monster to live. I may not be one of the Cleansers, but a threat is still a threat.”
He raised his blade again and before Eurysa could speak again there was a blur of motion. She saw grew fur stained with red blood. The lycanthrope tackled Laerdik. The blade flew from the Agonish man's hands. Pure fury filled the eyes of the great wolf.
“Mayitso, no!” Eurysa yelled in a raspy voice.
It was no use. The fury of raw nature had been let loose. Instinct and rage drove the lycanthrope. The wound had driven his higher order thinking away. His fangs sank deep into the magehunter's neck. The rending motion that came after was quick and brutal. The blood spray was horrific to any who viewed it. Yet that would not slake the thirst of the beast. Mayitso leapt from the corpse and launched himself at other soldiers, gnashing his teeth.
The battle was soon won. The killing field looked like a slaughterhouse. Mayitso had calmed as the slayings soothed his feral nature. He whimpered in pain and collapsed from exhaustion and blood loss near the wagon. Eurysa glanced around, trying to ignore her own wound despite the dead snake flopping over one eye.
“If he was told ahead of time so that he could be here, then this whole thing was planned. This was a set up, a trap.”
“Oh that little dwarf is gonna get it,” Kava croaked, “Wonder how much shorter he will be without his legs?”
“Oh Enzi,” Eurysa hissed, “Please be okay.”
Enzi's Irregulars #0014
Ritter looked at the dwarven puzzle box. The runes did not always seem to make sense. His entire concentration focused on the riddle before him. The sound of battle around him seemed to fade away as he studied the halzium artifact. Finally frustration set in. The runes just did not match up in a way that made any sense to him. He kicked the box as his rage built. The mighty artifact moved from that blow, toppling over. Ritter panicked for a moment as it hit the ground.
It broke his concentration for the moment. He glanced up to see the battle in the tent. Gierig seemed to be in a stand-off with several soldiers who seemed to be afraid to approach him. Enzi was surrounded by nearly a dozen soldiers. Ritter saw that the auction leader that had been speaking to them earlier had slipped away from the combat and was
hunkered down behind some crates not far from the two Halz. Ritter turned to join the battle and aid Enzi but paused at the last moment.
The runes suddenly made sense to him. Some of the words had been written in different directions. Halz runes meant entirely different things based on the direction they faced. With the new insight, Ritter's focus snapped back to the puzzle box. He quickly deciphered the runes that he could see. One side was on the ground, but it did not matter. He had read enough of that side to understand. It was a tale of the noble Platinum clan of the Halz. All you had to know to open the box was the part that was wrong. That passage happened to be on the side that was facing up.
Ritter pressed the runes in the correct order, feeling them lock into place. He slid the panel back to reveal a slightly glowing handle. Ritter recognized it as ancient runic magic. Reading the runes, however, left Ritter confident. He twisted and yanked the handle and the lid of the puzzle box snapped open. His eyes opened wide as he glimpsed what was contained within. However, his attention was yanked away as he felt a boot hit his side. He stumbled back from the box and turned to see Gierig wielding his axe menacingly.
The dwarf was grinning maliciously, his ill intent towards his fellow Halz unmistakable, “Its all yours. Now for my reward.”
Gierig hefted his axe as Ritter asked with surprise, “Why?”
“I know exactly who you are,” Gierig said with almost mischievous glee, “Your clan has caused mine great harm. Ritter of the Platinum Clan. It is why I knew that you could open the box. Only someone of your blood could pull the final magical switch. The fact that I got paid for getting the box open and having all these nice soldiers keep your allies away from me is merely a sweet bonus.”
“What grudge could you hold so viciously against me? What ill could I have done to deserve such a fate?”
“You were born a Platinum. That is enough. The best part is knowing that I slay not just any one of you clan, but the heir himself.”
“I am an Earthbreaker now,” Ritter declared as he tried to think of a way out of the situation.
Ritter was on his back and his shield was trapped beneath him as he had left it slung while he worked on the box. His warhammer was at his side, but any move to grab it would certainly cause Gierig to drop his axe. Enzi was engaged with all the soldiers in the room. The auction master had slid up to the puzzle box and was extracting its prize. There would be no aid for Ritter's dire situation.
Enzi's Irregulars Act I - The Calm Before the Storm Page 8