by Bill Mays
“Wait? Oh heavens no, my boy, you will escort me there and back. The temple lies just north of the city of Helmbrem on the border of Villinsk. We will have to cut across the Acid Swamps to stay within those time guidelines and that means possible lizard men. It would take much longer if I had to go around the marshes. Unfortunately, we will miss Helmbrem altogether but it’s a faster route. If there is any truth to Lilelee’s claims, you’ll come in very handy, warrior. I’m sure Ado the Magnificent will be quite helpful, too. I’m looking forward to witnessing some of your magic. As for payment, if this proves to be anything like what I suspect it will be, then the experience alone will be payment enough.”
“And if it doesn’t?” Tark was being practical.
“Then we’ll think of something, but don’t worry. I’m fairly certain of the prospects here. Listen to me, there I go speculating outside of my head again. Can you tell that we haven‘t had company in a while?”
Herrin grew excited just anticipating a visit to the vast library. It was a place she loved. She had not visited in many years. Who knew what new tomes and treasures had been added to the temple. She did so enjoy researching a new project.
“We’re going on a trip?” Nivit exclaimed. “We never go on trips -- anywhere! Well, we go to the guppy grotto and the moss fields and sometimes the florescent falls but not outside the immediate area.”
Herrin’s nod sent the little fairy bouncing around cheering. She took to the air and performed a series of graceful acrobatics. Her shock of chestnut hair, tied in a fountain of a tail on top of her head, jumped in every direction as the girl cheered and spun. Ado rolled his eyes and contemplated abandoning the gladiator then and there. The gremlin quickly came to his senses with one glance out the shack window and into the dangerous, tangled underbrush. With a deep sigh, Ado tried to imagine something pleasant, like one of those giant frogs gulping down the impossibly cheerful fairy. Instead, he could only imagine every night filled with the tiny woman’s grating laughter and incessant babbling. Ado sighed inwardly, again, at the things he would endure for his big oaf of a companion. He only hoped Teevo was watching from above so the boy could see the sacrifices he was making.
“Well, you two relax while we pack a few things for the journey. We can leave in the morning. No sense in wasting valuable time.” Herrin hummed to herself as she began searching the small, messy shack for everything she would need. “Nivit, don’t forget to bring plenty of tea herbs. We won’t be back for some time.” The fairy nearly squealed with excitement as she darted to and fro like a hummingbird.
Tark and Ado both tried to relax, but neither was looking forward to the days ahead.
* * * * * * * * * *
Their journey began after a hearty morning meal early the next day. The fairy was quite a cook. Her concoction of herbs and vegetables was unlike anything the big man had ever tasted. He still was not too sure about her traveling skills, though. Tark was dreading the journey with such aged and delicate company. To his pleasant surprise, Herrin proved to be heartier than she looked. The rag-covered woman brought about ten different satchels, bags and pouches. She appeared even more the homeless beggar if that were possible. The fairy carried almost nothing, but Nivit, too, was eager to make progress. Actually, Ado proved the biggest hindrance with his many complaints about everything under the sky. The air was too chilly, the sun too bright, and their pace too swift for his liking. If Tark did not know better, he would have thought the gremlin to be the one who had not been on the road in years. Their journey was dragging but steady. The group made it through the major part of a day before the inevitable occurred.
“What is going on here?” The suspicious voice rang out of nowhere. Directly into their path, from a large tree trunk, stepped Lilelee, with her slender arms braced defiantly on her hips. “Were you trying to sneak away, and without even saying goodbye? I’m so hurt, Tark!” The slim redhead shot her icy glare the gladiator’s way.
“No, it’s not like that at all, Lilelee,” Herrin began to explain.
“We’re going on a trip to the great library!” Nivit cheered. When she saw Lilelee’s expression grow sour, she corrected herself quickly. “But we’re coming right back. You probably won’t even notice we’re gone. Why, you should come with us!” The brown-skinned maiden began to scowl even more at the fairy.
“You know she can’t go that far away,” Herrin scolded her assistant in hushed whispers. “She’s tied to her tree.”
“Oh, right. I’m sorry Lilelee. I forgot,” the tiny woman cast her doe-like eyes to the ground in shame. The dryad did not even pay her any attention.
The young-looking woman batted her emerald eyes Tark’s way and asked him again, “Why don’t you forget about that silly little quest and come with me? I promise it will be much more enjoyable.”
Tark was suddenly very aware that the woman was not wearing a stitch of clothing. Every inch of her body became evident. Her long slender neck and legs, her flat stomach and toned arms, but even more pronounced were her womanly assets. Tark began to blush. The big man could feel the pull of her sweetly lulling voice creeping into the recesses of his mind. An unexplainable desire began to grip his mind and body simultaneously. As before, the call simply shut off. The big man felt her lusty pull tumble away into nothingness.
“It’s a shame you can’t join us,” Tark lied, “We could really use you. I think we should be on our way, though. The sooner we leave, the sooner we’ll be back. I’ll be counting the days.” The gladiator faked a smile at the pouting wood nymph.
Lilelee melted under the big man’s fake attentions. Ado wanted to vomit. “I suppose all strong, handsome adventurers have their duties to perform, but do hurry back to me.” The maiden stared longingly at Tark for a brief moment then turned to address the sage. “”You too, Herrin, and Nivit, I’ll be lonely here all by myself.” The dryad suddenly looked very sullen.
“Nonsense,” the old sage countered, “You won’t be lonely. You’ll be far too busy to be lonely. I’ll need you to look after things here while I’m away. The house will need watching and the garden, too. Don’t forget my vegetables. Especially the rutabagas, you know how I love them.”
Lilelee seemed somewhat better after Tark and then Herrin’s words. “All right then,” she beamed, “Hurry up though! I’ll be waiting.” All evidence of any unhappiness simply melted. The wood sprite was definitely a moody one. “Take care, my love, my Tark,” Her sweet voice floated on the breeze to Tark’s ears. The slender maiden danced away. She disappeared back into the tree from whence she came.
“Now that that is done with, can we please make some progress here?” Ado huffed.
The sage and fairy looked upon the gremlin in a mild confusion, because just moments before he was complaining about their rushed pace. Now, he was the one urging them on. The dryad’s presence obviously upset the gremlin. Tark chuckled to himself. Maybe this journey would not be so bad after all, he mused. After seeing the kind of effect her mere presence had on the grumpy gremlin, Tark almost wished he could bring the clingy dryad with them -- almost. For now, he would have to settle for the agitation Nivit brought to his companion.
Ado flew lazily on his bat-like wings. The tremlin rested here and there on branches, rocks and sometimes Tark’s shoulders. The dainty girl, darting this way or that way, constantly crossed his path. The sun fairy never really seemed to slow down unless she was asleep. She would flit this way to see a flower then that way to examine a bird. Just watching her exhausted the lax mage. Ado shut his eyes tightly and tried to shake the spastic girl’s image from his head. When he opened his eyes, he nearly screeched in shock. Inches from his face, was a tiny, heart-shaped head topped by a fountain of deep brown locks and inset with two huge, doe-like, blue-green eyes.
“Hello, Mr. Ado,” the fairy grinned. “Can I ask you a question?”
The tremlin did not skip a beat in his reply. “No. No, you cannot.” He waved her away as if she were a bothersome insect.
/> “Oh,” Nivit drifted away a couple of inches on her brightly colored wings. There was a hint of injury in her carriage. “Alright, Mr. Ado,” she smiled sheepishly, “I’ll ask you later tonight during camp.” With that said, off the fairy darted to inspect some new animal or plant that caught her attention.
“You need to learn some manners, Ado,” Tark offered casually. “She’s such a sweet girl.” The big man grinned mischievously. His casual tone helped further to infuriate the annoyed little gremlin.
“Enjoy it while you can, ogre brain,” Ado snapped, “but mark my words, fairies are trouble!”
Tark stifled a deep laugh, “Some might say the same thing about gremlins.”
The tremlin ignored the gladiator’s teasing this time. He had enough to deal with just tolerating Nivit. Instead, he flew to Herrin’s side. The old sage was taking a quick breather and enjoying some of her special brew of tea. She offered the mage a drink, which he turned down with a fake smile. He wanted to talk not drink.
“I know Nickadameous is the God of Time and Knowledge, but do you really think this library will have any answers?” Ado was genuinely curious about what Herrin hoped to find.
“Vool Hearth is a temple and library unlike any on Pangias. The priests of Nickadameous are the keepers of knowledge and facilitators of its awareness, but nobles, bards, mages, scribes, priests, and scholars from across the continent have contributed to its vast wealth of information. There are scrolls dating back before recorded time within those walls. Of course, it requires special permission to gain access to those privileged documents; but I believe we have a formidable case here. It’s a sage’s dream to roam the secret inner chambers of Vool Hearth!” Herrin’s enthusiasm only gained momentum as she spoke.
Ado was finding that he too wanted to visit this famed library. “Do the worshippers of Nickadameous include any mages among their order?”
“Most certainly! Mages are few and select as you well know, but I’m sure you’ll find plenty of interest there yourself, sir Ado.” The gremlin could not contain the devious grin that spread across his face from pointy ear to pointy ear.
“And what about me?” Tark’s baritone interrupted the two. His voice took on an acidic tone. His speech bordered on condescending. “Will there be anything in this great library temple for me, or are we headed there for your own private gain?” As soon as the words left his mouth, Tark wanted to take them back. He did not mean what he said. The statement just slipped out.
The old woman’s happy face grew glum. “Well, I - I hope to discuss the origins and perhaps the meaning of those runes.” Herrin sank within herself. “I thought to research the gem as well. Perhaps there is some reference to it in the ancient scrolls….”
Tark knew he was in the wrong, but he was not quite sure how to correct it. There was no reason this sage should feel the need to assist him in any way, yet here she was. The gladiator wanted to hit himself for his rude actions.
“I need to learn some manners, do I?” Ado smirked at the fumbling gladiator.
Tark ignored the little mage. “Herrin, I must beg your forgiveness. I don’t know what brought that on. I sometimes find my mouth moving before my mind can react as of late,” Tark stammered. “Maybe it’s the lack of sleep.”
“No, really, it’s fine,” the old woman patted the big man on his thick arm. “I suppose I was getting a bit carried away. I do tend to do that.”
“No, not at all,” Tark tried to smooth things over.
“I assure you I will do my utmost to find some answers for you.” The sage’s voice was friendly, but the former motherly vibe was no more.
The elderly woman hoisted herself back to her feet and continued on her way. Ado shook his head disapprovingly at the big man.
“Shut up!” Tark growled.
“I don’t need to say a thing,” Ado hissed back.
Ahead of them, the cheery voice of the fairy could be heard. Even the busy little girl noticed Herrin’s mood shift. The gladiator was glad the girl did not draw attention to the topic. Tark silently cursed himself. What possessed him to say such a cruel thing? The gladiator caught himself wondering the same of many of his decisions lately. He felt like his mouth had a mind of its own. He was not good with this sort of social interaction as it was. Successful gladiators were taught etiquette, but not skills for dealing with people on a friendly level. Such interactions were always difficult for him. He certainly did not need to create added turbulence. As the big warrior moved to catch up to the others, a set of reptilian eyes watched his every step from concealment in the nearby foliage.
- Chapter 4 -
Timbre
The small band led by the young knight skirted the borders of another conquered outpost and another occupied town before they reached the gates of Timbre. The ranger kept their trail concealed and their march swift. Though it proved a challenge at times, Flade’s skill as a guide saved them from being spotted by the numerous dark land troops roaming the area. The days grew cooler and the falling leaves more plentiful as the seasons began to change. Winter was still a little ways away, but the threat of Drackmoore holding through the cold months was growing. The troops of the dark lands seemed well organized and limitless. Where did they recruit so many soldiers? Did Kandair’s northern neighbors truly hate them so much as to volunteer in droves?
“It appears they are capturing each settlement one by one and then fortifying their ground,” the slender ranger concluded after his brief survey of the last settlement.
“It’s a sound tactic, unfortunately,” Mani grumbled angrily. “They are entrenching themselves in our lands. Damn those relentless bastards! Hopefully my fellow knights have begun organizing a spreading revolt.” He doubted his own words even as they slipped past his lips. So far, from what they had seen, any resistance that did still stand was not in the northeastern regions or at least not the outskirt communities.
The knight balled his gauntlet-clad hand into a fist and punched the nearest tree in frustration. The blow cracked his hand and busted one knuckle. He shook his head side to side quickly as if throwing off some affliction, still oblivious to the pain. The gesture left his short, light brown hair in a tangled mess. He wore a roughly trimmed beard the same color as his hair. Normally, Mani held a well-groomed appearance. Right now, with the tangled hair and crazed glare in his green eyes, he looked more like a mad man than a knight. The stocky warrior was beginning to feel helpless. His efforts to reach his queen seemed futile. Had they returned too late? Would he find nothing but destroyed outposts and conquered settlements?
“Have faith in your countrymen,” Flade comforted. “I have seen seemingly unbeatable odds overturned with a little careful planning, plus we are in luck this time. There is no sign of occupation here.”
Mani nodded his agreement. “It’s just - I feel so lost right now. King Airos, and Carpious in his absence, always led without hesitation. They always had the answers.”
“No one has all the answers,” Flade whispered softly. “They only have confidence in their decisions.”
The knight’s reference to his lost liege and fellow knight did not go unnoticed. It was clear much anguish and regret troubled the bearded man. Flade and Mani were apart from the rest of their group. Flade brought the shorter man forth to point out a prospect. The foresting town of Timbre lay before them. The simple wooden gate was closed and activity in the town looked intense. Thanks to the heavy tree cover, they were able to venture very close to the settlement without being noticed.
“I have seen no sign of soldiers from either army, but it is clear the townsfolk prepare to defend themselves from something.”
“What do you suggest?” Mani looked hopeful. He had come to trust the ever-helpful and energetic ranger’s advice.
“Perhaps, a little of the pixie tactics?” The slender man’s bluer-than-blue eyes held a hint of excitement.
“Pixie tactics?” The knight asked curiously.
“I’ll need to do a littl
e more scouting before I’m sure, but we may be able to do something for Kandair after all.” Flade scampered off into the trees like an excited child with a big grin.
* * * * * * * * * *
“Goblins!” The gruff, older Kandairian called Tanford rasped. “It figures they’d be using the nasty little vermin to do their bidding!”
“There is no doubt in my mind,” Flade continued his report. “Goblins led by Drackmoorian soldiers are advancing on this small town. Several of the small creatures were scattered around the clearing clinging to shadows, probably sent as scouts. The people are afraid and attempting to prepare themselves for the worst.”
The group sat or stood in a rough circle. Some were more involved in the discussion than others were. Regardless of their activities, they were all intent on the news their scout brought forth.
“That would explain the abundance of the small, red-skinned creatures roaming the forest,” Dalia added. “I thought forest goblins were more yellow in color.”
Coming from the desert regions, the lady was not that familiar with the small humanoids beyond what she had read. She knew that their skin color varied and that several subspecies of the humanoids existed on Pangias separated by clime and landscape. She also knew that most goblins were very territorial and hostile creatures. Her experience to date supported that claim.
“Why use goblins?” One of the other soldiers, a man named Cuthbert, questioned. “They have plenty of men without the nasty little creatures. By all reports, they already outnumber us two to one. Drackmoore is a soldier‘s country apparently, for nearly every man of age has joined their cause. Too bad Kandair can’t boast the same.” He sighed and stabbed his sword into the soft ground absently.
“The goblins are sacrificial troops, no doubt,” Dalia answered. “Why waste their own men if they do not have to?”