Remus’ eyes flittered open and closed, as he was bandaged and healed. Elaina’s healing spells merely encouraged the body to mend and produce blood faster, casting them repeatedly would confer no additional benefit on a patient. The blood flow was reducing with their efforts, but was it fast enough? Elaina’s eyes flickered with recognition, and she slung her pack on the ground, fumbling through it. She retrieved a large leaf, and remembered what the elf Thilenta had told her, ‘ingesting them will expedite the healing of wounds and will neutralize most poisons or disease’. She opened Remus’ mouth and gingerly began crushing the leaf over it. To her surprise, green liquid began squeezing from the leaf, the consistency of syrup. She made sure as much of it landed in his mouth as possible. After an interminable moment, his face cleared a bit, and the bleeding was stopped. Remus, the bandages, and his friends, were covered in his blood. Perfidian said ‘He has a pulse, it is slow but steady’. His finger was on the downed man’s neck. Elaina closed her eyes, intense relief shuddering through her. She had almost lost her oldest friend. She snapped out of it, realizing there was still work to be done.
Perfidian and Elaina began treating the less serious wound suffered by Markham, which though painful, was not deep and was ebbed quickly. Moments after they finished, heavy footfalls and human voices could be heard from the north. The other guard patrol crashed into the scene, surveying the chaos. Their clothing bore the grime of a wilderness expedition, and one or two of their weapons were bloody. ‘We heard the signal!’ one guard proclaimed, as the others began assisting where they could.
‘The dwarf is dead’ Markham said, nodding thanks to the woman and bard and rising to his feet, wincing in pain. ‘We have no casualties, but Remus and I are injured. I will hold, but he needs urgent attention. You look like you have seen some action too, soldier’. The soldier started shaking his head before Markham finished the sentence, ‘We merely ran into a lone wolf, Markham, one whose hunting grounds we must have inadvertently invaded. It was no match for a group of armed men’. The commander of the patrol took charge of the scene, his men applying poultices to Remus and Markham and changing their bandages, the focus being on Remus. It was necessary to stitch Remus’ wounds; the magick not being adequate by itself. Luckily, a soldier with medical training was on hand.
It was determined that Remus, who had regained attention by this stage, would survive if he took his time travelling back to the city and rested immediately upon arrival. One of the guards opened up a large sack that was folded and placed in his backpack. The corpse of the insane dwarf was thrown inside the sturdy sack, and the drawstrings tied. A rope was tied around the sack in loops, and around the sack’s opening; making it easier to carry the load.
They walked back to the city slowly, Perfidian and Elaina supporting Remus. The guards’ countenances betrayed increasing respect for the strange man and his two companions.
* * *
No further encounters plagued the weary patrol, as they finally broke through the forest’s rim and glimpsed the welcome sight of Yondern. The two patrols had made the journey back together, the sack slung over a guard’s shoulder. The guards complained of the unexpected weight of the dead dwarf, and the burden was shifted between different guards periodically. Delrin stood impassively as they approached, and inspected the contents of the bag. He nodded in approval.
The guards walked back to the city interior, their assignment finished. Only the patrol leaders stayed, and the three travelers. As Markham left, Remus offered heartfelt thanks for the help provided, and this was reiterated by Elaina and Perfidian. Markham nodded respectfully and sprinted away to receive further medical treatment. Elaina ordered Perfidian to escort Remus to their room at the inn, and to make sure he slept. ‘Are you sure you can handle the situation yourse-’ Perfidian began, but Elaina waved him off reassuringly. The three patrol leaders, including Captain Delrin, were left behind, Elaina representing her companion’s interests. ‘So the dwarf is dead. The community will be pleased to hear it’ began Delrin. ‘Come, let us return to Quintus. You too, Elaina’. He slung the sack over his shoulder, and they walked to Quintus’ barracks post.
It was no trouble getting in to see Officer Quintus, and the patrol captains were dismissed, with the exception of Captain Delrin. Quintus stared with controlled anticipation at the sack, which Delrin had placed on the ground. Taking a cursory look inside, Quintus smiled uncharacteristically. ‘Very good work’. He reached into his drawer and produced two items, a scroll case and a bag of gold coins.
He placed both before Elaina. ‘This scroll bears my signature, and my assurance that the dwarf has been killed near Yondern, with your assistance’. Elaina slid the scroll out and read it. The names of Remus, Elaina and Perfidian were mentioned, as was the promised message. Quintus went on, ‘I’m granting you a reward for your effort in capturing this monster, as part of my discretionary powers. I have an offer for you and your two friends. Come back here after you finish your business in High Peaks, and I will have contract work for you, well-paying work… and you will be helping people out. It is something to keep in mind’.
Elaina never considered the possibility of leaving High Peaks in the long-term, but politely stated she would think on it, and mention it to her companions. She told Quintus she would be back within a few days to pick up the body, assuming Remus’ health improved. What weighed on her mind was Remus’ condition. Although it was said he should recover in time, it was not guaranteed. The wound was severe indeed.
Elaina rushed back to the inn. As she opened the doors to the room, she saw Remus sleeping on a bed, snoring softly. Perfidian sat on another bed, watching him. He held his finger to his lips to indicate the need for silence, and Elaina tip-toed into the room, sitting down next to the bard. ‘How’s he doing?’ Elaina asked with concern. Perfidian grasped her shoulder comfortingly, ‘He is getting restful sleep. All we can do is wait; we have done what we can for his wounds’. Elaina filled Perfidian in on the situation with the guard, and gave Perfidian a third of the reward. She would give Remus his share later. It was not a lot of money, but was substantial, more then she or Remus would make in a month.
They waited several hours, watching Remus sleep, before they were confident he was on the path to recovery. It would just take time. Elaina plucked out her waterskin and dribbled water into Remus’ mouth. She would have to buy a hearty meal for him later, when he awoke. That reminded her of her own grumbling stomach, and she propositioned Perfidian to grab a meal at the inn’s bar . They found a corner table, and awaited the waitress.
A man wearing a thick, stitched robe of blue and red stood up from a nearby table and approached theirs. He was middle-aged and would have been boyish-faced in his youth, before the lines of time’s passage had etched their marks. ‘Dear friends, I represent the Steelwielders here in Yondern, my name is Rennick. I have a most mutually beneficial offer for you, and would ask permission to join you’.
Perfidian waved acceptance, but his brow was creased in wariness. They all had seen too much to trust blindly. ‘Thank you’, said the man called Rennick, as he sat down and smoothed his robes. ‘We have heard of your most brave efforts in slaying the monster that terrorized our city, and have heard nothing but praise for your character and abilities-’ he began, before Elaina cut him off.
‘How do you know of our activities, have you been spying on us?’
‘No’, the man assured, hands held up placatingly. ‘Word gets around in this city, and we like to keep up to date with events that impact the safety of the residents. That is what our organization is about- ensuring the safety and progress of mankind by utilizing technology, s
cience and efficiency. You are from a town to the south, people say. You may not be aware of the brewing war between our organization and the Paragonites from Eruthia’.
‘We may have heard of it, mentioned here and there’, Perfidian responded.
‘Jealous of our progress, the Paragonites wish to use force to steal our hard-earned secrets and to erode the institutions and alliances we have built up in commerce and industry. It is nothing more than an attack on free enterprise. The Queen herself supports us, as do the city guards, but they must do so quietly for political reasons. In any case, we have been hiring skilled people to aid our organization in this time of need, and to perhaps join. You need not fight with the Paragonites, as there are many settlements under our wing that need our help against dark powers, as well as more worldly threats’.
‘Would that not be the guard’s domain?’ Perfidian inquired.
‘The guards do protect towns within the Yondern hinterland, but smaller towns have to manage their own defense. The Steelwielders are an officially sanctioned entity, however, and are legally entitled to offer military aid to those in need. There is a settlement that is beset by a most dangerous, yet temporal Fey. Your help in this matter would be well rewarded, and you would be outfitted by our group and subsidized for your expenses’.
‘The Church of St. Lusian has a major presence in this city, you seem to work side by side with them. Are they involved in the impending war with the worshippers of St. Palrinah?’ Elaina asked.
‘That is a good question. The St. Lusites support us in our struggle against the Paragonites but, much like the Yondern government; they have to be careful not to involve themselves too blatantly for fear of being wrapped up in the conflict. All I ask is for you and your companions to visit the Steelwielder compound in the city, and hear the details of our offer’.
‘We will consider, but have pressing business. We may not be able to visit you for weeks, if at all’ Elaina said, Perfidian nodding in support.
‘That is fine. We do not forget exceptionally talented individuals like yourself, and the offer will remain open for quite some time. Our recruitment effort will be a long one, as our organization is entering risky waters’. The man looked at them both appraisingly and announced, ‘I will take my leave now, please consider the offer’. With that, Rennick stood and left the inn, placing a coin on his table to pay for his half-finished ale.
Elaina and Perfidian leaned close to whisper conspiratorially. ‘Do you think he has been following us the whole time?’ asked Elaina.
Perfidian shook his head, ‘I think we would have noticed. He probably has contacts in the guards or some such thing. I know you and Remus plan to go home after this, but it wouldn’t hurt scouting out the Steelwielder building’.
Elaina balked, ‘Do you want to talk to them already?’ ‘No’, Perfidian replied. ‘Not now and not without Remus. I just want to make sure we know where the building is, incase… incase we come back. We should also drop in to the nearest St. Lusite church and go back to the guard post. Ask how they feel about the Steelwielders, and glean any more information about this war’.
Elaina nodded. It would do no harm. They ordered a meal and ate, bringing a plate of food and cup of water to Remus’ room and placing it on a table. They penned a note saying that they were fine, and were off doing some research.
It was not too hard to find the Steelwielder church through asking for directions. The locals seemed happy to direct travelers around, and would always pepper their directions with advice about where to purchase this or that, or where to go for drinks and dinner. Was it something about living in a big city, that made people want to promote it to passersby? The rare passersby in High Peaks would be of interest only it they had tradable goods, and often met indifference or suspicion.
As they walked the dusty cobbled streets, they saw more and more complex buildings. The style was always geometrical with severe lines, an octagonal, squat building with a door comprising one side; a square multi-storied building inlaid with marble reliefs and crowned with a small pyramid. The most impressive buildings were massive, multi-sectioned complexes tied together with bridges and capped with soaring towers. It was as if the constructors used exact and consistent tools and methods, but granted each building its own personal touches.
They passed through bustling commercial markets and residential streets, plazas with water fountains flowing through the mouths of stone lions. The Steelwielder building was made of four stone towers with walls connecting each tower, and a large courtyard in the middle. The gate was open and guarded. It was a fort-like building, and would be plain if it were not for the huge steel Steelwielder insignias, and gold-plated murals mounted onto the walls, portraying significant inventions and events in the history of the Techno-religious organization. After spending a moment taking in the vista, they decided to leave before the guards wondered why the two travelers were gawking at their building.
The closest Church of St. Lusian was not too far away, standing out as a completely circular building, of great girth and height. A large minaret graced the centre of the roof, with smaller, slightly shorter towers protruding from the four corners of the roof. Huge stained glass windows depicted scenes that demonstrated the Laws of Reason St. Lusian’s worshippers followed, and ceramic angels stood etched in the walls, as did figures of St. Lucian, hands resting on the pommel of his sword. There were no recognizable guards, but groups of monks stood praying or in groups. Perfidian and Elaina walked unchallenged into the open oak doors and into the cold, tiled interior; eyes adjusting to the dim light and ears catching low chanting. Despite the priests’ unobtrusiveness, they had the feeling they were being watched. It was not hard to signal a priest and get their attention. A priest approached, hood pulled off.
‘St. Lusian welcomes you, young pilgrims’.
‘Thank you, brother’ Perfidian responded. ‘We are setting off from Yondern soon, and came here to calm our minds before the journey, and perhaps to request a blessing’.
‘Of course, son. Are you ordained into the Church by any chance?’
‘No, we are not. But we are admirers of the faithful’ Elaina equivocated.
‘That is fine. Please come with me’.
They followed the man to a quiet spot near the enormous marble figurine of St. Lusian that graced the back wall of the building. Fragrant flowers floated in ponds inbuilt in the wide altar, and gold coins were scattered on the marble surface of the altar. The humungous white-gray marble statue lacked defining colours, and the light-coloured marble blurred the perception of edges; however somehow the grandeur of the figure was enhanced by this. The engraved eyes seemed to stare into the viewer’s soul.
‘Please pray to our most holy Lord, St. Lucian’ the priest requested, folding his hands before the statue. They complied.
‘St. Lucian the slayer of demons, protector of human life and birthright, please show us the way’, the priest began, closing his eyes. He opened his eyes and began dipping his fingers into the fonts of water in the altar, anointing Elaina and Perfidian on their faces and necks. ‘Show us the way, protect our bodies and souls with the Laws of Reason, smite the wicked embodiments of magick and vile trickery with your sword. We will protect our children and our human kin, we will toil to follow the Laws you have illuminated, and we beseech you to grant us your most holy strength and wisdom’.
The priest stood silent for a few seconds, ebullient with fervour. The blessing was complete.
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‘Thank you, brother’ Perfidian said, Elaina reiterating.
‘You are welcome, stay as long as you wish, and may your meditations be fruitful’.
‘Before you go, brother, we would like your opinion on something. We have heard that there are dangers in the wilderness near Yondern, dangers that we are only too familiar with; being from Corsen’, Elaina stammered. ‘However, we also have heard of a budding conflict between the Steelwielders and the Paragonites of Eruthia. What does this mean for the region, and which party is the righteous one?’
The priest smiled tolerantly, and considered the question before responding. ‘Many are the dangers that we are beset with, whether magickal in nature or evinced by human greed. St. Lusian set an example for us all, his Laws of Reason and fearlessness in defending innocents a light for us to follow’. He continued, cautiously, ‘Human politics and intrigue do tend to complicate matters… The Steelwielders are our allies, their Technology and skill paving the way for human dominion and protecting towns across Glenryth, matching foul magick with ingenuity and steel’.
The priest thought for a moment before speaking further, ‘We do not have hate in our hearts for the Paragonites, though their failure to embrace the teachings of St. Lusian is confusing to us. The culture and practices of Eruthians are things of which we have little knowledge. We do have trust that the resources and activities of our Steelwielder brothers and sisters are being put to good use, and while our organization cannot involve ourselves in their affairs directly; we stand by their right to defend themselves if need be’. The priest looked at them for a moment, waiting for any further questions, the bowed his head curtly and left.
Perfidian and Elaina left the Church, and rested on a wooden bench to converse before they headed to their last destination, the barracks. Children played with a leather ball on the sides of the road, yelling and chattering as citizens walked around them. ‘Well, Rennick did not lie about the position the Church would take, and the Steelwielders seem to have credibility’, Perfidian mused.