* * *
The sounds of a city already hard at work carried clearly over the water. Maledorian finally coaxed Taslessian down from the crow’s nest. What wind remained would carry them safely to dock. Ready to collapse, the young wizard was taken straight to the captain’s cabin to sleep for whatever time it took them to come in.
Ahead of them, they could see that the preparations for war were well underway. Large ships of war had been moored just off the crowded pier with a string of longboats ferrying in supplies from shore to ship. Reluctant horses were being loaded one at a time onto the ships by their riders, the sound of their hooves on the wood vibrating through the water.
“We should be able to get passage on one of the warships.” Maledorian was conversing with Gemal about the next step in their journey. Gemal stood as if he was the captain; tall and proud, with his hands resting on the quarterdeck’s railing. The two men had kept at one another, making sure that the other was alert, swapping stories of adventures, dreams and conquests. The knight slapped the bosun soundly on the back, congratulating him for a job well done.
* * *
It had taken over an hour for the harbour master to direct the undermanned vessel through the crowded waters. Once secured to the dock, the constant rock of the water lulled the fatigued into a well- earned sleep, and it was not until the warmth had gone out of the sun and the breeze had turned cool that Maledorian finally stirred.
Stretching his arms above his head, he looked out over docks; many warships had left on the outgoing tide. All activity on shore had quietened with no sign of the thriving trade they had witnessed last time. The profits to be gained from war were tenfold from honest work.
With a loud yawn, the knight crept passed the others quietly, looking forward to the non-moving comfort of a room at the Blazing Unicorn.
“Time to get off this stinking tub,” he mumbled to no one in particular. Though their journey had been short, without sleep or decent meals it had seemed like an eternity. Below deck, the others also began to stir.
Lief donned the hooded cape that he had been using as a blanket, walking over to the sacks on deck that held their belongings. Lifting his head as if to listen, the young elf’s usually serious face broke out into a smile, catching the knight’s attention, he nodded silently in the direction of Taslessian, who was still snoring softly, over a couple of water barrels. With a grin that boarded on the maniacal, the tall knight put a finger to his lips. With over exaggerated tiptoe movements, Maledorian stepped closer to his unsuspecting victim.
“Aaaahhhh-yaaa, have at thee!” he yelled as he leapt upon the startled youth before tickling him mercilessly. Taslessian was helpless in his grip, squirming and laughing uncontrollably. Coughing before straightening himself, Maledorian calmed himself down to become a little more serious. “It is time to awaken for we need to leave this boat. As soon as you are ready we shall make our way back to the Blazing Unicorn.” With that, he crept up to the door of Gemal’s room. Turning the handle with care he entered, shutting the door behind him. A muffled “have at thee” could be heard through the wooden walls.
“What was that all about?” the red-faced wizard asked his elf companion.
“Just a bit of fun. He’s not that much older than you, you know,” Lief replied. He had seen Maledorian’s turmoil at the thought that he was not worthy; the bitter disappointment and self-resentment when he thought that he had failed, and then the regained pride with an unknown incident in the forest of Menarik, and finally the completion of the first part of their quest.
“This whole quest idea has been pent up inside of him ever since his childhood.” Lief pulled his hood over his head to make sure that when he returned to the streets of Chinta he would not cause any trouble. “I don’t believe he felt quite up to the task, especially since the incident on the trip to Menarik. But now, for the first time, I think he knows we’re finally on the way to completing the task set before us. For once, he seems more confident… I’m not sure how to put it…” He sighed. “I guess he’s just accepted his fate and is now better off for it. But that doesn’t change the fact that he’s still young and exuberant!”
Taslessian for once nodded in agreement. He too had seen the change in the knight; from the overconfident boy to the assured young man struggling through his own turmoil to show glimpses of the hero he was destined to become.
* * *
As they carried their belongings down the gangplank of the Elspeth and through the quiet streets of Chinta, all could see that the preparations for war had touched every corner of the usually buoyant community. The last reaches of the sun lit the assorted wood and stone buildings to show that all the houses had fitted shutters on their windows and boarded up unnecessary doors. The entire town was in lock-down against whatever was to come. The streets leading to the market place now seemed deserted. No more friendly merchants, pushing their wares, no more customers complaining about the price, and no more pick pockets helping themselves.
Gemal left his friends to go about their business, reassuring them all he would spend the night at the Blazing Unicorn despite the fact that its classiness could possibly hurt his reputation. He had to sell the Elspeth before some degenerate realised that it lay unguarded. He smiled to himself as he wondered what society was coming to when a ship was not safe alone. Not being a greedy man, he would not dwell long in the darker parts of town.
Maledorian made sure that everyone was safely at the Blazing Unicorn before taking a trip to the local garrison. Fatigued, but not ready for bed, the knight strode confidently through the darkening streets. From the soldiers, he would be able to find passage to the oncoming war. Despite the hate between real soldiers and hired mercenaries, brigands were never turned away, as they could not only be given the more distasteful tasks when it came to warfare, but they were often the difference between life and death.
* * *
Sounds of a crackling fire echoed around the familiar smelling taproom of the Blazing unicorn. Flickering light from lanterns illuminated the tired but content faces. The two warriors, an elf, a wizard, a young girl and a sailor had hunkered down under the staircase around a small wooden table as they conversed about the evening’s events while eating dinner. The same buxom barmaids had brought their meals to them but other than that, they had been left alone. Hot roasted meet with bland vegetables remained half eaten on plates, none too interested in food with the importance of what they were discussing.
“In two days, the warship Allenday will leave to do battle down south. We were able to convince the sergeant to grant us passage. Apparently there has already been some deserters and they’re looking for mercenaries to fill their place.” The scowl on the knight’s face told all what he thought about those who would desert their duty and forfeit their honour.
Maledorian’s face bounced back to its usual good-natured self as he paused to shovel some more food into his mouth, continuing with only half of it swallowed. “We ’ave a slight problem though: we’ll be travelling with over one hundred soldiers. So it might be best if we can somehow disguise the fact that you two are ladies.” Gemal snorted at Maledorian’s last word, receiving a blistering glare from Defyance and an indignant kick under the table from Darci.
Taslessian coughed as his fork chased a small potato around his plate, too deep in thought to be hungry. His eyes looked down at his meal yet they were glazed over, not seeing. His mind was too busy sorting through his newfound knowledge. When given his weapon of choice, it had been as if all of his master’s knowledge had been implanted into his mind. Combined with the unfathomable powers of the great dragon, he was not sure if he would be able to cope with such awesome powers let alone be truly able to help. And then, unannounced in his mind, Taslessian had an idea.
“Perhaps we could wear hoods and bulky clothes,” Defyance thought out loud. “If anyone gets too close, I’ll be able to make them forget everything.” None doubted the warrior woman’s bold words, but it was too risk
y. They had survived the attack at sea with the odds four to one. If they were attacked on a war ship the five of them would have to fend off over one hundred soldiers. Defyance quietened down, tearing a bite out of her bread as she turned her thoughts towards the problem.
Everyone looked at each other for a moment, none knowing what to say as they thought the solution through. Disguises would be uncomfortable, and it could go badly for them if they were discovered, but they could not see any rational alternatives. Taslessian finally skewered his potato on the end of his fork, lifting it up to point it at Defyance to get her attention.
“The Gauntlet of Elron,” said the young wizard.
All turned to look at Taslessian, for he had barely spoken all day. He had become somewhat of a loner, preferring to spend time alone with the staff, ignoring the presence of anyone else while he came to terms with his new self. Aside from a disheartened young girl, Lief was the only one to notice this disturbing new behaviour.
“I’m pretty sure that we won’t need hoods or disguises for Darci and Defyance,” he continued. “With the Gauntlet of Elron, we should be able to alter their facial features, or at least cast an illusion.” He popped the potato into his mouth, still waving the empty fork in the air while he chewed quickly. With a loud swallow, he turned to look Darci in the face. Both of her eyebrows were raised and her cup of milk was held stationary, half way to her mouth. Taslessian sighed in exasperation.
“The gauntlet that you have is a very powerful instrument. It is not used solely as a weapon for it has many other attributes. Actually, I’m pretty sure that the powers of Elron are only limited by your imagination.”
Darci had no idea what the Gauntlet of Elron was actually capable of. In fact, much to her surprise, she had not really thought about it. She unconsciously flexed her hand, feeling the cold reassurance of its now familiar presence. She had never considered how she could use it as a weapon against someone; she simply wore it because the others had their weapons of choice close at hand. It also gave her the feeling that she might be able to do something the next time they were attacked.
Lief coughed uncomfortably as a particularly noisy drunk stumbled and fell towards their table. Their conversation stopped as they all turned to look at the disturbance. A few sniggers could be heard from those still drinking. Unlike the first time they had stayed at the inn, the taproom was not full of the usually boisterous crowd. Instead, only four tables were taken up by those wishing to drown their sorrows, while a solitary figure had sat at the bar, until stumbling towards them. He was of average height, wearing the usual hessian shirt and pants and well- worn leather shoes.
Noticing the uncomfortable silence as he dusted himself off, he looked up and smiled sheepishly. “Uhh… a little too much to drink perhaps?” he finally said. Defyance nodded in agreement.
“I think that it’s time for you to go home my friend,” she told him gently, with the slightest hint of authority behind it. She stared at his eyes, forcing him to be the first to look away.
“Just one more for the road,” he said to anyone listening as he headed back to the bar. “Just one more?” He clumsily pulled some coins out of his pocket, placing them on the bar in return for a large decanter of wine. Taking what appeared to be a large swig of the drink, he stumbled towards the exit, waving at the group before falling out the door with a loud thump as he landed on the street.
In hushed tones, their conversation began again in earnest. Taslessian was trying to explain how she could wield such a powerful artefact. “As I was saying, from what I know of the Gauntlet of Elron, its powers are only limited by the wielder’s imagination. For example, if you want it to change your facial features, all you should have to do is pass it over your face, thinking confidently that it will do what you want it to.
“I’m not quite sure how it will work, or if it will work at all, but I don’t see any other options.” Taslessian smiled as he looked at all the blank faces at the table. They were not used to him being so vocal in their plans, but he was no longer the gangly apprentice wizard who ran errands for his master. Now he was a fully-fledged wielder of the arcane arts, and they were just going to have to deal with it!
Defyance was the first to speak. “Well, we’ll finish eating and then we can go upstairs and find out if what you say is true.” She attacked her meal with renewed vigour, her curiosity for such an amazing feat obvious.
* * *
Upstairs, in one of the same rooms they had rented on their last visit, Darci sat down on the straw bed next to Taslessian. She nervously clenched and unclenched her hand looking absent-mindedly at the golden artefact. The Gauntlet of Elron was reflecting the room’s candlelight and the air around them seemed to shimmer with mystical tension as the young girl focused on her hand, awaiting instruction.
“Okay, picture in your mind, the face of one of the serving boys downstairs.” Taslessian’s voice was cool, calm and calculated. They were going to go through this one step at a time with the young wizard explaining things as they went. “Once you can see him clearly, concentrate on the gauntlet and then pass it over your face. Do not doubt that it can change your face, because this kind of magic will only work if you believe in it.”
Darci began to do as she was instructed. As soon as she began to imagine her face changing into the boy’s, her hand began to tingle. When it made contact with her forehead a surge of energy flowed from her arm and into her face, making her swoon with its gentle force. A strange sensation coursed through her veins, making every muscle feel alive and full of a power that she never knew existed. Then something extraordinary began to happen.
Her face began to distort, her hair receding and her skull feeling like putty as it rearranged itself into the shape of the boy’s head; not painful, but a supremely disconcerting feeling. Blue eyes were now clouding into brown as they moved closer together to accommodate the boy’s narrow looks. A moan of relief escaped her lips as the uncomfortable sensation stopped. Everyone held their breath as Darci moved her hand away.
A gasp of shock mixed with horror escaped Gemal’s lips as he saw the change that had happened to the young lass. He had been a sailor all of his life putting stock in himself only, knowing that there was something more, but never really trusting it. Looking around the room he saw none of the others in this strange entourage had blinked at such a feat. In fact, he saw that both Maledorian and Lief were smiling, obviously relieved that one problem had been solved, while Taslessian stuck out his chin with pride. Gemal did not know the entire story of why these five strangers were together, but what he did know was that during his short time with them, he had been part of something momentous.
“Well…” Darci jolted as she heard the boy’s voice escape her lips. Her outward features were not the only things that had been changed.
Taslessian had a big grin on his face. He had solved the problem, and everyone seemed pleased, all except Defyance. Her usually unperturbed appearance had changed; she unfolded her legs and then changed her position again, uncomfortable no matter how she sat, knowing that she would have to go through the same experience.
At Taslessian’s request, Darci changed her face back to her own. Again she concentrated on her hand, the tingly sensation passing through her hand to force her face to move in reverse until she looked like herself again. All of a sudden her mind began to feel fuzzy as black dots clouded her vision. She took deep breaths until her vision returned to normal, amazed at the draining affects her own magic had had on her.
An abrupt kick at the door startled all, making Maledorian reach for his weapon. Lief scurried behind the door, for once caught off guard without his hood while the others stood tensed and at the ready. Much to their relief, the door opened to reveal the serving boy that Darci had looked like only moments before. He stood in the doorway with his eyes trained on the stack of glasses that he had balanced in one hand. Under his other arm he barely managed to hold a small corked barrel.
“I have a gift to y
ou from one of the soldiers.” He took a step forward, lifting his hip to present the barrel to Maledorian. There was a small note folded neatly to the side. It had been signed by Chalier.
“I heard that you were back in town. Sorry that I couldn’t come and say hi. Enjoy the wine,” read Maledorian. Without the weight of the barrel the young boy almost overbalanced, being forced to take a step backwards as his hand raced to the top of the glass tower to stop its downfall. He looked greatly relieved when Gemal reached out to take them from him, passing them around to all. Leaving everything in charge of the knight and the sailor, the boy gratefully left the crowded and now stuffy room.
“That was nice of him.” Gemal smiled as he held out his cup to be filled first. Of this Chalier fellow, he had only known that he was the captain of the guard. What he had been doing with his recent companions on their day of departure, he did not know or care. But if the man was kind enough to present them with fine wine, he surely could not be all that bad.
Darci would have stayed up with them to drink the night away, but her first experience with her own magic had left her feeling drained. Her simple straw bed across the hall was a welcome sight as she wandered in; her shoulders slumped as if carrying some unseen weight. She smiled as she heard Maledorian’s gregarious laugh from the other room. The ideas of magic and the power she possessed scared her, but with friends like those, she knew that they could face it together. The Offworlder did not even bother to put on her nightgown, only taking off her shirt to sleep in pants and undershirt. She fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow with thoughts of her friends filling her mind, and the Gauntlet of Elron remaining unnoticed upon her hand.
* * *
Fear, evil, sweat, run away… It was happening again; the nightmare that Darci had gone through on Menarik. Except this time there was a subtle difference. For once she was able to get a hold on her fear as the whole dream came into sharper focus. She seemed to be floating in limbo in an area of light that followed her every which way she walked. Beyond that, wherever she looked was a dark, purplish mist blocking her view of what lay beyond.