by T.P. Grish
Perfidian guided them to an inn called ‘The Broken Arm’. They were relieved to discover that the inn was named as such because of the shape of the building, a squat V-shaped building with a small courtyard and hitching post in the space between the walls. The inn was made of plastered sandstone, and had an adobe feel to it. As they entered the main room, it became obvious this was no luxury facility. Rough edges and hastily-built load-bearing pillars were some of the delightful features that advertised the humble nature of the inn. Inside the main room were humans of all stripes, mostly travelers and citizens, with a few guards, St. Lusite priests and Steelwielder missionaries. A swarthy women in clay-coloured clothes arranged for their room, she was genial enough and the rooms were cheap.
Their room was spartan, but was thankfully clean and lacking in holes in the roof or walls. Four small beds lined the corners, covered with rough-spun cotton blankets. There were basic wooden furnishings, a glass window with a moth-eaten curtain, and only a slight smell of dampness. There was even a curtained off area with a large chamber pot, with a seat attached to the rim and a cover nearby. A woodcutter, amateur bard and a Touched couldn’t ask for much better. Remus knew that Elaina eked out a living procuring and selling herbs. Despite their professed dislike of the Touched, the townspeople of High Peaks needed a skilled herbologist, and Elaina was the only one with the requisite knowledge.
Settling in and unpacking, the travelers discussed their next course of action. ‘The local authorities need to be informed about the murderous dwarf, as well as your missing fugitive- Weylin, wasn’t it?’, suggested Perfidian. ‘If one of these malignant forces has caused an incident in the area, the authorities might know; though they may not know the cause’. ‘Perhaps we should eat first, before we all collapse from malnutrition’ Remus complained. Elaina and Perfidian shared a disapproving look- considering they had been on the road, they had eaten quite well, especially with the supplies Perfidian had brought and Elaina’s knowledge of herbs and spices.
They all left their weapons behind in the room, with Remus wrapping his arquebus in the travelling cloak he had brought to conceal it. Locking the door behind them, they decided to avoid the dubious in-house restaurant and to eat at one of the many street stalls.
Evening had started to set upon the dusty city, which was surrounded by flat plains with sparse foliage, but fertile soil. They sat at a table in a particularly crowded restaurant that seemed to service a diverse plethora of diners. A buxom waitress arrived, and they decided to order plates of roasted lamb and spiced vegetables mixed with wild rice. None of them were drinkers, but Perfidian and Elaina decided to splurge on local bubbling ale, and they cajoled Remus into ordering one. Remus sat back, enjoying the breeze and the view. Perfidian and Elaina were chatting garrulously, discussing mundane issues as well as prognosticating about their main quest.
Remus pondered the path his life had taken in the last couple of weeks. For his whole life he had been a woodcutter living on the edge of town, selling lumber in the High Peaks market and studying lore in his spare time. There was the odd trip he took to other settlements in Corsen for research, though he had never been to Yondern. How had be been caught up in a war in the space of less than two weeks, how did he now bear the burden of finding two dangerous creatures?
Remus’ mind searched beyond that, to when he had left his parent’s cabin in the woods of Corsen. He knew they were still there, but they did not expect him to return…. His mind recoiled from those thoughts, and he thought about Elaina, his closest friend, and the bard who had recently joined their group.
Elaina had been in High Peaks as long as Remus had been there, they had been childhood friends. How did they both get involved in their current journey? Following the dwarves’ curse and the attack on the Steelwielder pilgrims, she and Remus had merely intended to prevent the town from turning to anarchy and xenophobia, to prevent them from punishing any outcasts or vulnerable parties. With the dead child, it became about preventing the occurrence of an unspeakably damaging war. And what about Perfidian? The young bard had ostensibly come seeking backwater towns in Corsen, in order to learn folk songs and tales, and to ply his trade. Why was he risking his life along Remus and Elaina? Was it a chance for more adventure? Did he feel that he owed them for their help with the caravan battle?
His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of their food and drinks, and his stomach forbade any further thoughts until the delicious morsels had been consumed. All three of them ate well, and, perhaps due to the ale, their conversation flowed more freely than usual. It was obvious that a friendship was being formed between the three individuals, one which would undoubtedly hold for quite some time.
* * *
Before they set off to find the authorities, they decided to question the waiters at the restaurant, and the owner of the Broken Arm; about any recent incidents or attacks in the area around Yondern. There were two incidents that were on the tongues of tavern-goers in the city, a bandit attack on travelers one day’s march north of Yondern, and stories of a child narrowly escaping from a ‘monster’ in the Yondern hinterland. The child supposedly lived in the farming settlement outside the gates of the city. The latter incident sounded promising, so they kept it in mind as they headed to the local barracks.
The barracks were a blocky, double-storied building with crenellations on the roof and archers manning wooden balconies that jutted out of the building like open drawers. Explaining their business to the guards at the door, they were allowed inside but told to stay within the foyer. The foyer was peppered with guards, and the office of the district captain was in the corner. There were waiting areas and benches for people to sit on, as well as minimalist decorations, most prominently a huge blue-grey rug adorning the floor. This was obviously the public face of the local guard contingent.
Inside, an attendant inquired as to their business, and duly led them to the officer’s public chambers. It was decided that they would be honest about where they were from, and about the missing dwarf and fugitive. They needed all the help they could get, and there was no need to lie. The attendant opened the door to the office, revealing a room strewn with papers, bookshelves and cabinets. The room’s occupant was a strongly built man dressed in the modestly fancy garments favoured by the city’s public servants. Although the officer’s job seemed to involve never-ending paperwork and bureaucracy, it was obvious that the grey-haired man had seen a lot of action in the local guard.
‘Come on in’ he said, scribbling on a scroll with a quill. He looked up as they approached. The attendant cleared his throat, ‘Officer Quintus, these people claim they are from the town of High Peaks, to our south. They have news of possible dangers that may be heading in our direction…’ The attendant cleared his throat again and continued, ‘I believe it was regarding a Touched fugitive, and a rogue… dwarf, sir’. The attendant left the room, obviously glad that his role in this affair was done…
It was apparent that they had Quintus’ full attention, and he motioned for them to sit. Remus and Elaina sat on the two chairs opposite his desk, while Perfidian settled onto a spare stool that was near the door. ‘What are your names, please?’ Quintus asked gruffly. They all gave their names, which he scribbled down on a blank piece of paper. He spoke, his hardened face displaying doubt, ‘It is not everyday we hear about a Touched fugitive, and I am not sure what you mean by a ‘rogue’ dwarf’.
‘In our town, a man named Weylin recently assaulted a young lady, seriously burning her. He was arrested, but managed to escape during the chaos’, Remus elaborated.
‘What ‘chaos?’ Officer Quintus demanded.
‘Dwarves have been attacking our town recently, things that are not unheard of… curses, attacks on pilgrims’, Elaina piped in. Quintus nodded, such things were relatively common in Glenryth. ‘But… one day, a dead body of a child was discovered. It was a child from our town, and his body was badly mutilated. The local people have since launched their own war on the dwarves. Even now, skirmishes take place in the forest near High Peaks. The dwarves have come out in force’.
Officer Quintus looked dead serious. He knew that although it was common for humans to be forced to defend themselves against Feykind, or even to attack wandering Fey; the idea of waging war on a whole Fey settlement was unheard of. It was something all parties tried to avoid. ‘So why have you come talking of a rogue dwarf, instead of asking for aid in the war effort?’ he asked in measured tones.
Remus and Elaina glanced at each other, wondering how much detail they should give. There was no reason to believe people in Yondern would be any more tolerant towards those who studied Fey and magickal lore, than people from High Peaks were. Corsen was not a tolerant country when it came to such things. They both nodded to each other subtly, deciding that the need for aid outweighed any concern for their personal safety. They told Quintus about what had occurred, and of their meeting with the dwarves, in full detail. Perfidian joined in now and then to give his personal experience with how ‘trustworthy and decent’ Remus and Elaina were.
‘So you interacted with these Fey? You are not normal residents of High Peaks, are you? I doubt normal townspeople would have the ability to communicate with dwarves in such a manner. Are you Touched? Perhaps one of you is. We are not fond of Touched around here’.
Perfidian spoke to Quintus, standing up and leaning on the back of Remus’ chair. ‘I have had the opportunity to travel with these people. They only desire to prevent a war that could cost the lives of their fellow townspeople, and have risked their lives to do so. They were also the ones who captured the rogue Touched, and brought him to justice. I have also mentioned to you how they aided the human pilgrims in their battle with the dwarves. Why would they come to you and alert you of these possible dangers, if they had something to hide, sir?’
Quintus stared at them for long moments, his poker face betraying no insight into his mental deliberations. ‘Very well. I will notify the other guard posts and advise them to increase their patrols around the city’s hinterland, and notify them of the possibility of a rogue dwarf. I will notify my own men straight away. We already have guards investigating the sighting of a monster, and it could be this rogue dwarf you speak of. I will also send scouts to be sent to nearby settlements to issue a warning about the rogue dwarf, as well as your escaped Touched prisoner. Regarding you three, I can inform you we have had no reports of Touched using their powers in our city or its whereabouts. However, as I just mentioned, there was a report from the farming community outside our gates, that a child was attacked by a monster while playing in the fields at night. The child managed to escape and notify her parents, who in turn told the authorities’.
The local rumours were accurate, Remus mused. Quintus went on, ‘You may assist my guards in their investigation of this issue, and help us find and kill this beast. If you do, we will send an official notification to High Peaks, assuring them that the dwarf has been killed, if indeed it is a dwarf. I will not, however, lend my support to your theory that it was solely a rogue dwarf acting independently, that slew the child from your town. The majority of Fey are certainly vicious enough to do such a thing. I do share your dedication to avoiding war with the dwarves, however, as I do not want the region drawn into any such conflict’.
They agreed to the terms, and furnished Quintus with additional information about Weylin, describing the man’s appearance to make him easier to identify. Quintus gave them details about where to find the family of the girl, and assured them that the local guards would be informed of their participation in the investigation. Following that, they thanked him and returned to their rooms at the Broken Arm.
* * *
The attendant stood to attention in Officer Quintus’ office, internally annoyed to be drawn back into this troublesome affair. A high-ranking soldier was also present in the room.
‘You were the one who showed the two gentlemen and the lady in today, regarding the Touched and the dwarf?’ Quintus asked.
‘Yes sir, I was’.
‘Good. I’m sure you still have a detailed impression of their appearance. I want you to sketch their likeness for Captain Trevellus here, as accurately as you know how; and to assist him in any further questions he may have’.
‘Of course, Officer’ the attendant replied curtly.
Captain Trevellus spoke, ‘You, boy, meet me in my private chambers in the barracks to draw the sketches. I will be with you within half an hour’.
The attendant nodded, and left.
Trevellus continued the conversation with Quintus, making sure the attendant was gone and the door was closed. He leaned forward. ‘I will immediately send the scouts to nearby settlements to alert them of these two dangers, Officer. And, as per your request, we will implement extra guard patrols, and advise the General to order all guard posts in the city to do the same’.
Quintus nodded, ‘Good’.
‘May I inquire as to why you wish me to meet with the attendant and have him draw the sketches, sir? Do you have doubts about the trustworthiness of the travelers from High Peaks?’
‘Yes’, Quintus replied. ‘They are a strange lot. After you complete your orders, you will meet with the attendant in your office. Have him draw a sketch of all three of these travelers. I want you to alert Her Highness and inform her of the presence of these three strange travelers within her city. Also mention that they are helping the guards with our investigation into the monster sighting. However, let her know I have doubts about their veracity, and that one or more of them may be either Touched or consorting with Fey powers. Advise her that we will keep an eye on them, and that I personally suggest that she send the Royal Eye to monitor them; and deal with them if need be’.
Trevellus nodded solemnly, and left to execute his orders.
* * *
Jabghar ran through the forest, sticking to the woods near the main road used by humans. He knew that the man who owned the book had travelled in this direction, with the human woman who was always with him. The dwarves did not know where they were going, although the possibility that they were calling for reinforcements was very real. The dwarves would monitor any incoming human forces, very closely.
But that was not why he was on this journey. No, he had convinced King Dorbuuk that it was worth trying to negotiate with the human man, despite the fierce protestations of his chief shaman. Jabghar smiled as he remembered how angry the irritating chief shaman had been. The King was unusually receptive to Jabghar’s plan, even congratulating him on the brilliant idea. And if Jabghar could discreetly benefit from this himself…
Jabghar was to return the man’s lore book to him, with everything intact. In fact, there were some extra bits of dwarven knowledge that the dwarves had been kind enough to put in there. Of course, King Dorbuuk had ordered an exact copy of the book to be made and kept in the Clanhome, with chosen dwarves painstakingly mimicking the human letters. It was a wise decision, as this tome would add to the dwarves’ knowledge of human language, and provide insight into what exactly the humans may know about the Fey. But, the original book would be returned to the human man. Yes, the dwarves would
try to… befriend this human. He was a strange one, as was the human woman who accompanied him. They seemed to be distinct from the others in their settlement, and perhaps they could be bribed with secret dwarven knowledge.
As he ran, he thought of the word that was so important to dwarves, but one that they rarely spoke in public. Habras.
* * *
Remus, Elaina and Perfidian equipped their weapons, bought rations, and headed out the town gates. They wandered through the farming community, which had a completely different tenor to the interior of the city. It was early afternoon, and children were running around playing and adults were performing their daily tasks. The local people seemed to favour dark brown and orange clothing. Quintus had instructed them to go to the grain mill, where the father of the girl in question worked. A few farmers and merchants had stalls set up, and hawked their wares to the passersby. The community was neat and well-kept, if rustic; and crops, cattle and poultry seemed to be abundant. Though the land was very flat compared to High Peaks, it certainly was fertile.
They came upon a sight that deflated the pastoral feelings that the landscape inspired; a hanging corpse. A rope hung around the branch of a stout tree in the middle of the settlement, a dead man hanging from the noose. The man had been hung recently, and a small crowd lingered nearby, some holding crosses of St. Lusian and praying joyfully. The deceased was a normal looking middle-aged man, his visage showing the pallor of death. Remus inquired from the nearby crowd as to what happened, and was informed that he had been killed ‘for meddling in the dark arts, and summoning the beast’. Further inquiry gleaned the fact that the man was a herbologist who sold poultices and cures to the local populace. The situation looked grim, an innocent man hanged due to the twin poisons of paranoia and fear. Remus and Elaina exchanged an unnerving glance. They were well accustomed to paranoia and ostracization, coming from High Peaks, but did not remember seeing anyone hanged without just cause.