Scales and Honor: Darkened Skies

  Chapter 11: Patience

  The night came forth like forked lightning. The warm, soothing hues of orange and red shifting to the dark void of night. Stars sprung out by the thousands as the moon rose with a pale white glow, watching the countryside like a guardian.

  Lyndis clutched at her cloak for warmth as a breeze bit at her cheeks as if to remind her of the coming winter months. Her fingers shivered, at least she could still feel them. She was crouched low within a bush, small branches poking her sides if she leaned too much one way. Thankfully she had her leather armor on, preventing the worse of their touch. The bush was one of many scattered about the grass laden clearin, nestled up beside a withered, raggedy tree. One that was barren of any leaves, like a great skeleton of wood it reached for the sky with its many twisted branches.

  She had spent the day gathering supplies. Grabbing what she could in potions and what not, just in case things went belly up like they always seemed to do. Her companions reclined beside her, no words coming forth as in deep thought. Feku’s snout wrinkled as she shivered madly, pressing up against the bull like he was some great comforting quilt. Her claws tucked under his limbs as her head buried into his chest.

  Lyndis’ teeth chattered as she pulled tighter against the grey fabric. She eyed Asterion and Shandalar, both seemingly unaffected by the encompassing cold. The biting wind passed by them un-noticed as their vigilant gaze never wavered from the clearing.

  How I wish you were here Cordenth.

  She clenched her eyes, trying to focus on warmer places, under her dragon’s wing, wrapped in a warm blanket, hell being dunked in a volcano seemed better than the uncaring cold.

  Get warmer clothes. She thought, whipping herself for not doing so already. Instead she opened her eyes, staring jealously at her furred minotaur companion. Course the bull who lacked the clothing was doing just fine. He had the fur to warm him, and the elf? Lyndis eyed the stern cool gaze of her pointy eared wizard. Her heart is already ice so this must be like focken heaven. She chuckled at her little thoughts, the brief amusement fighting off the lingering cold.

  Breath came in lingering clouds, looking as if she were some dragon with how thick it was. Part of her wished that Arc and Veledar had returned after their date to god knows where, but of course they hadn’t. She suspected they were resting somewhere together and recovering from their latest romp gasping for breaths, groping each other, and softly moaning in bliss. Her brow wrinkled at just how pleasing that sounded right now, if only for the red’s soothing heat. So, it was only them for the night, bull, kobold, elf and rogue. For when they had gone to find Merlia and Krotos they had found the pair were beyond the ability to help. The pair had managed to enter a drinking and mating coma like she had never seen. They had apparently spent the afternoon in a series of non-stop lewd acts.

  Lyndis had rolled her eyes as Krotos looked to her on his back with glossy eyes, his ears pinned back with his beak half-parted in a smile. With a bird like coo he had gestured to his lower regions drawing her eyes to his sheath where his red tip peaked from its resting place. Thankfully for the exhausted gryphon and his very unprotected eggs she knew he was drunk out of his mind. So in her mercy she had let him off with a quick insult, pressing her boots against his balls and threatening to kick them hard if he continued. She tried to not smirk at his sudden squawk as Feku drew her from her thoughts.

  “Vistha not here cause it cold. Squat on her.” Feku hissed, her scales a pale grey.

  “Yea, seemed to be the bloody smart lass wasn’t she?” Chuckled Lyndis. They had been sure to ask the kobold many questions under the truth charm as she had suggested staying behind to watch and keep guard over their things. When Shandalar had been satisfied that they were not going to wind up knicked they had accepted. “Kinda wish she was right here shivering with us. Course she don’t like getting her hands dirty.”

  “ It makes one stronger.” Asterion snorted. “Korde has blessed us this night so that our skin not grow docile and soft. Unless you like the idea of being like a mewing kitten?”

  “Very funny.” She shivered, watching his neutral face gaze out to the hills beyond. “Brave talk when you got all that lovely fur to keep ya bloody warm. Can’t imagine how that could help.” She mimicked his snort, rolling her eyes. “Next time ya pray to this Korde of yours. Remember to ask him for a layer of fur for meself. Then we can talk about weak skinned ya furred bastard.”

  “Point still stands. Getting used to it would help with your other qualities. Help you get ready for any environment. Our foes cares not if you’ve had the training required or not.”

  “Sure, we can’t light fire?” Feku whined softly, hugging the bull tighter as her leather clad scales shivered like a leaf.

  “No, you and the complaining half-elf must weather the cold.” Asterion looked down to lizard, his voice still containing that sternness but having a hint of softness as he hugged the kobold tighter against his muscled chest. “The light would reveal us and prevent victory.”

  “What about the runes?” The kobold pointed to a circle of dim lights surrounding the bush. Asterion had drawn them as they had taken position. They were not exactly bright and could not be seen as well from a distance.

  “They won’t see those.”

  “What it do anyway?” The kobold cocked her head. “Why we need?”

  “It helps ward away undead. I would rather not have those shadow beasts lurking around us.”

  Lyndis rose a brow, drawing her finger across the rough surface of the rune drawn into the dirt. “Course makes me wonder. Why didn’t you use this bloody thing when we were encamped with the town? Could have been useful ya think?” She gave him a withering glance. “Or we’re ya trying ta toughen us up then as well?”

  He turned to her giving her an amused look as he gestured to the shimmering light. “Does this look big enough to protect an encampment? This is largest the protection spell gets.” He paused, waving out his palms. “Unless you have the talent to fit the entire town within this circle…”

  “Oh stow it. I get what ya bloody mean.” She clenched the hilt of her rapier, its firmness helped her mind drift from the chattering of her teeth or cheeks that felt as though they had been doused in cold flames. Her eyes drifted to the worn dirt path that wound out from Roselake’s western gate. She could still see the hoof prints pressed into the dirt from earlier in the day. If she squinted she could make out the town guard propped up against the stone wall with his rifle held loosely in his leather clad hands. The men stood near braziers, fearful to venture far from the soothing flames. She glared at them, silently hating them, jealously burning behind her eyes. Despite them now she had been surprised with how calm the guards were with their departure earlier that day. Not even warning them to be safe as they passed through the gate. They instead offered cool waves before the thick wooden slab slammed shut behind them. It didn’t sit right in her stomach; her gut churned at such actions. Something didn’t sit right with her. Call it a hunch, a bad feeling. Whatever it was, it made her warry.

  Though you could just be giving them too much credit. Perhaps they are nothing but a pair of good for nothing wyvern heads.

  Asterion was the first to break the lingering silence with a snort. He told a tale about his adventure through the dragon-neck mountains. How he and his minotaur brethren had trekked through the snow waist height and threatened to swallow them like some great beast. Lyndis rolled her eyes at the embellishment and how he spoke of a great frost wyrm that burst from the frozen tundra like an angry tree. Of course the beast breathed fire and melted scores of minotaur in its path. The tale quickly turned from one of brutal cold and survival to one of pain, fighting, and eventually victory. One which of course they celebrated with copious drink and lively songs. She groaned as Feku perked up, smiling from ear to ear, like a delighted child.

  Minotaur Stories. Lyndis snorted, folding her arms beneath her pits. The lingering warmth they provided was a shimmer of comfort to her cold battered form. Roselake’s gate then cracked. A loud noise piercing through the night and bringing an abrupt end to the minotaur’s tale. Like a great chest the gate fully parted, revealing a collection of wolven drawn carts packed to the brim with dark clothing clad people. She counted seven carts before the gate closed, a final fancy stage coach slipping through and joining the school of wood.

  “Here they come.” She whispered, eyes training to the ornate cart that swiftly took the lead. She started to count the dozens of mashed people together. It made her brow raise in curiosity. It was more than she had thought for this sort of exchange. Perhaps it would be easier than she thought in getting onto the ship. The more people there were after all, the more things the guards had to focus on. She grabbed her necklace, rubbing the green scale and thanking the gods for whomever had provided such luck. With a small chortle she hoped it wasn’t the Emerald Lady.

  When the caravan of wolves and silent people came to a stop they were nearly two hundred yards away. Her limbs begged her to move, carry her to the mass of gathered mortals. “Come on.” She whispered like the wind, striding in a crouched position to hug the other bushes that dotted the way. Thankfully without Arcturus to sound their coming they advanced in near silence. They flowed like a river till they came to a rest just within earshot of the busily talking people.

  Wolves whined and snorted as they restlessly shook their bodies and pulled on their reins. The chat in the air was about when the ship would arrive and what exactly their supplies would be. There was brief talk of undead, energy crossbows, and how the town walls would be sporting bleeding gattling cannons by the end of tomorrow. The bitter words of Vishta whispered in her mind, and somehow she still wished the little lizard had been lying.

  Humans and wolven dismounted from their carts, clearly guards by the jingling of their dull grey chainmail draped over them. They had cutlasses by their sides, and rifles slung around their backs by dull leathers. Some lit torches to bathe the grass below in an orange glow.

  Shouts sounded out as a cart of blue uniform clad mortals were prodded and shoved out into a collected mass. Their heads were hung in defeat as the guards shouted, spittle flying from their mouths of one with a beard as thick as fog. Around their wrists were iron manacles all connected with a thick metal chain. When all of them were out, the guards formed a loose ring around them, shifting back and forth as a breeze wafted over them. Some shivered, others groaned, a select few uttered curses to the gods themselves.

  “Ok…So those are the sapphire guardians.” Lyndis whispered to the others, pointing to the bound mortals. She counted at least twenty in number and had all the races of Drenedar represented in their ranks all save one. There were no Siigonis among their number.

  “The ship is late.” Shandalar grumbled, looking to the moon as if it were to blame. “Typical. If this were run by elves It would have been here on time.”

  “Yea but then we’d be at less of an advantage. I’ll take something run by normal blokes than by super critical elves thank ya very much.”

  “I’d have relished the challenge.” Asterion added with a flick of his tail.

  “Of course, you’d agree with that.” She hissed, “Would’ve liked ta bragging rights meself. But why can’t the lot of ya take good luck when it plops into your lap? Is it really too much ta task?” She chuckled, punching the bull softly on his shoulder. “Just relax and be glad that the gods gave us an advantage for once.”

  “I guess.” His eyes narrowed, gazing out to the stars. “Have a plan yet?”

  “Little bit of one. I think you and miss little scales stay out here with ya eyes.. While Shandalar and I scale the ship. I’d rather not go in the front way so was thinking..So I was thinking we go up the sides instead.”

  “I can help with that.” Uttered Shandalar, her voice calm and cool. “It will allow us to cling to surfaces very akin to spiders.” The wizard folded her hands into her lap. “Then once we’re aboard we can turn invisible. Then begin our search for the manifest.”

  “Knock out any guards that get in our way and escape without any trouble.” Lyndis beamed, thumbing her chest. “If anything goes tits up. We got you lot outside. Not ta mention all the people they wanted to bring. It’s going ta be even easier than we thought. Too many for em to count or watch for that matter.” She waved for them continue. They slunk towards the carts without another sound.

  The musky scent of their wolves clung to the air like a sweat covered blanket. One that made Lyndis glad she had gotten used to the smell. She silently chuckled at how their brightness would react in this moment. Probably gag and declare horses smelled better by default.

  Now wouldn’t that’ve been funny?

  From the packed carts shuffled out jacket clad humans and stern-faced wolven all wearing looks of impenitentness on their faces. In their carts were straps of leather, metal fasteners, and nails. These appeared to be contractors, people that would be doing the heavy lifting for these supplies that Lumara had promised. With each passing moment the words from Vishta’s mouth had rung true, and Lyndis swallowed that hard lump like a bitter pill.

  They made sure to slide over to a relaxing elf without a sound, putting her arms to her hips and looking to the clouds that hovered in the sky. No one seemed to be particularly interested in her sudden appearance as they kept up with previous conversations. Some were too busy yawning and clutching at their clothes from the fierce night winds. Her friends came next one by one, easily sliding in un-noticed. They exchanged looks of surprise as they melted into the crowd, that now had worried talk of Lumarians lingering in the air.

  Lyndis casually leaned up against a cart, putting on an annoyed face with furrowed brows. It seemed to work as no one talked to her, but several did toss her a few nods and grunts. She returned the gesture, settling back onto the cold wood with a sigh. Her eyes found Asterion who was standing vigilant and near perfectly still. Like he was a stature thrusted into the ground. He caught her eyes and shifted his weight, his muscles tensing and twitching with a silent flick of his tail. His muzzle scanned over the heads of the shorter people, his steps coming tentatively at first until he too was leaning up against the cart. He put on a smile that was all teeth with a brow raised. “Is this the right way to sneak in?”

  “Not sneaking in now.” She gestured to the others with her neck. “Blending in now. Best way I figure bull boy.” She nudged him softly as Feku scampered over, holding up a small hammer in her claws. Her tail was swaying back and forth as she came to a stop, her eyes gleaming as her snout looked back and forth. When no one talked to her the kobolds’ face drooped and her arms fell to her sides. “No one ask about hammer.” She moaned, leaning against the cart’s wheel. “Had greatest story evers.”

  “Next time.” Lyndis chuckled warmly, resting a hand to Feku’s shoulder and rubbing it. The next breeze struck her skin, any warmth she had vanishing in an instant “Damned yeti’s arse! How we going to do any work in this damn cold?”

  “Damn straight lass!” A white wolven laughed, his ears splaying as several of his co-workers nudged him and reminded the wolf that he had fur. “Still can freeze my bleeding balls off. Surprised you humans can even stand the cold. No warm fur to keep dem toasty.”

  Lyndis laughed as the crowd of men suggested that they had always had the wolf to warm their sacks.

  “Cease your lewd jokes you lewd dogs!” A well-dressed man shouted, stepping down from the ornate carriage with narrowed bronze eyes. The arms of his frilly brown jacket were crossed against his chest and adorned with pouches and pockets for days. The man shivered at the air as he placed his near pristine boots on the ground. Lyndis could not see how the man was cold at all, since his unibrow seemed to jut out several inches from his face.

  People around the elegantly dressed man shut their mouths as he passed, eyes quickly darting away innocently as the stern-faced man wrinkled his giant brow. He complained to some man named Jeff about when their guests would arrive, and how they had dragged him out in the dead of night.

  “Who’s that?” Lyndis nudged the bull, gesturing to the frilly clad man. She chuckled as the man named Jeff coward before him with a beet red face and was clearly sweating. Enough so that he wiped his brow with a hankerchief.

  “That be mayor.” Feku quickly answered before the bull could even open his mouth. Asterion just sighed, following the mayor’s movements with his eyes.

  “How’d you possibly know that?” Her shoulders bounced as she chuckled in amusement.

  The kobold shrugged, giving her a pair of large innocent eyes. “I asked.” Feku’s gaze slowly drifted to the mayor. Her tail battering against the wooden wheel. “Is it odd he here?”

  “Perhaps.” Lyndis tilted her head to the side, carefully watching as his vein started popping from is head. Clearly, he was the type of man to work through his underlings, never getting his hands sullied. “Bet someone figured he should oversee the exchange. Might’ve been bloody Lumara for all we know.” She clenched her fist as memories came to focus. Despite her mission she couldn’t help but glare at them. This was the man selling out a town to her enemy. Thanks to him this town would be turned into a slave camp.

  But then they would be left to face the undead alone. Be turned into their unholy kin or eaten alive. Thanks to our bloody mother and father the people of this land have no other bleedin choice.

  “Focken hell.” She groaned, throwing back her head and glaring out into the star filled sky. Perhaps if the answers to solver her problems weren’t around here it was in the cold night sky. She lingered there for a moment, taking in a relaxing breath and letting it go as her lungs tingled and started to warm. With the latest twinkle of the sky diamonds she brought her head low, ignoring the biting cold that brushed her hair and bit at her cheeks. She spied a wolven looking at her funny, his blue lupine eyes locked onto her, inspecting her up and down. If his eyes did not narrow she might have thought the brown furred wolf was checking her out.

  “Got something ta say? She said calmly. “Might want ta loosen your tongue, ya look mighty wound up there wolf boy.”

  “Curious tis all.” The wolf strode over, dipping his head as his eyes locked onto her weapons. “I don’t think your supposed to be here at all. Doesn’t look like you’re a contractor from any place I know.” The wolf nudged a human next to him, gesturing to her with his neck. “She look familiar to you?”

  “Nah mate, no she-elf I know.” The man replied, his eyes locking onto her rapier.

  “Shows how much you bleedin know.” Lyndis brushed her hair from her bangs. “Now you’d be right on the being new part.” She gave the men a grin, tapping the hilt of her rapier. “We’re here to protect you lot. Got sword and spell ready to be flung if things get dicey. Got ourselves a pretty sweet deal if ya ask me.” She felt Feku tug at her legs, but she shifted her hand to the kobold’s head, letting her know tube silent with a ruffling across her scales.

  “What we need protection for?” Snorted the wolven dismissively. He rose a brow, concern rising in his eyes as he looked between her to the gathered guards around the prisoners. “We already got the town guard here! I think you might be a bleedin fibber!” The wolf’s muzzle curled into a grin, like he had won some sort of elaborate game. But she had been doing this for years.

  Without skipping a beat she waved at him like it was no big deal, laughing to herself till her sides stung. “Might be true, but whose here to protect you lot from the undead?” Lyndis gestured to her friends, returning the man’s smug smile with a greater one of her own. “We got experience in these sort of things. Those undead that have ya quiverin in yer little paws.” She thumbed at her chest, watching his confident smile fade. “Long as me and me friends are on the case, ya can be safe. I tell ya what, my friends and I got years under our bleedin belts. Undead, werewolves, even bloody vampires. Ya name it and bet we have set it on fire or found a place to twist our blades. That right Asterion?” She leaned back, nudging the stern-faced warrior. He simply nodded, giving her a snort and flick of his tail.

  “See?” She crossed her arms with a nod. “Silent, strong, and good to have on duty. Course ya should see him when it’s not bleedin cold. Can’t stop his talking, he’s quite the chatter box if you ask me.”

  The wolven tilted his head, looking to the rest of them with a new glimmer of understanding passing before his eyes. Although when the canine’s eyes came to Feku the glimmer faded, and his brow raised once more. “And the kobold? She doesn’t look so tough.”

  “Feku?” Lyndis smirked, ignoring the concerned look that the kobold was giving her with her. “One of the toughest kobolds around? She’s a one woman fighting maching mate! When she bloody puts her mind to effort nothin can stop her. Isn’t that right love?”

  Feku nodded, holding up her claws, cupping them as she showed off her sharpened teeth and let out a lingering hiss. “Very fierce.”

  The wolf laughed, skepticism running out of him like a river. “Huh. Never thought of that. Didn’t mean anything by it small one. Just wanted to know is all. Damn.” The wolf turned his head to the mayor, watching his movements as if he were on the hunt. “The mayor must have really wanted our protection if he was willing to hire the lot of you. Getting paid well?”

  “Well enough.” Snorted Asterion, flicking his eyes to stare at the smaller male. “Though this is dangerous for one such as yourself.” The cleric’s gaze went to the man’s less built frame, lingering on his arms. “You lack enough strength and endurance.”

  The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Uh…Thanks.” The wolven’s ears splayed, taking a few steps away from the bull. “Wasn’t really asking.” He turned to Lyndis with inquisitive eyes. “He do that often?”

  She tossed Asterion a smirk as his demeanor hardened. She nodded. “He’s a warrior through and through that one. Plenty of use we got for him.” Her voice trailed off to a whisper as she caught sight of a dark shape floating through the star laden sky.

  It emerged from behind a dark cloud, the moonlight striking off it’s metal clad frame to sparkle in the sky. The propellers gleamed as it banked slowly, heading right for them without a sound.

  “What you-“ Asterion began to question, but she touched his shoulder and pointed to the ship. The front of it carved to look like the giant head of a keening gryphon.

  Gasps went through the gawking people, as if they had never lain eyes on an airship before. From the golden gryphon painted on it’s port and starboard to the metallic cannons that shined like precious gems. Truthfully, she wished they had such devices against the undead hordes. It would have made things so much easier.

  She rolled her eyes as the wolven and humans prattled off their praises of the silent vessel. They gasped and pointed, nearly bouncing on their toes as the wooden vessel descended towards them like an angel from the heavens in the stories.

  “Keep the prisoners together!” The mayor shouted, the wind beginning to gust from the propellers rapid rotations. Folks clutched at hats, grabbed their cloaks as the wind enveloped them, violently tugging at their clothes.

  Lyndis shielded her eyes as dirt came next, flicking and prickling her cheeks as wolves cried out in surprise and fear. The riders held firm to their reins, tender hands caressing fur to try and soothe the spooked canines. She held her hands to her ears to block out the whistling wind, and the now near deafening sound of the propellers as they neared the ground. It all came to sudden halt as the hull touched the grass, the metal blades growing silent and slowing to a crawl.

  From the railing of the deck popped out three brown and white feathered gryphons. Each one bearing metallic or leather pieces strapped to their necks. Their eyes glowed a faint blue as they stared down with piercing stares to the gathered crowd before them.

  “All clear sir!” One of the gryphons shouted firmly, his voice almost a squawk. From the deck next extended a plank. One that quickly descended to the ground with the grinding of metal gears. “Stand clear from the ship! The gryphon cried, head snapping to the crowd. “Clear the area! We want no one near the ship!”

  The people to Lyndis’ dismay did exactly that, mumbling back and forth as the plank settled onto the ground. A loud hiss flowed from the ship’s hull, steam rising in small coils from the plank’s base. The wooden beam was wide enough for gryphons and had sections raised into makeshift grabbing points. Scratch’s and dents covered each inch from use, even some sections having been torn away in scratches.

  “Make way for lord Commander Yarnick Vonstrupen!” A second gryphon screeched, her voice much higher pitch than the other one, and almost sounded like it ended with a snarl. Her eyes were narrowed as she spoke and Lyndis got the gut feeling that she was not happy to be here by the fire that lingered in her eyes.

  A human with a gold laced cape stepped forth before them, standing tall with his back straight and his well-groomed head held high. Like a dragon he stood silent, observing them with intense viridian eyes. They nearly glowed from the mana lanterns to either side of him that sprung to life. Bathing the area around them in the familiar orange glow.

  “No need to express your enthusiasm at our arrival.” Yarnick grumbled, holding out his arms. “I will take it that you are nearly blinded by our magnificent vessel!” The Lumarian started to stride down the plank with well placed steps, an aura of authority radiating off of him with each breath he took.

  “It is a good evening to meet you commander.It’s just a cold night that has us so tight lipped at your arrival.” The mayor smiled, giving the commander a quick bow.

  Yarnick eyed the gesture, rolling his eyes. “I suppose so. I would love time for pleasantries, but I must know. “His brow raised as his eyes shifted left and right. “Did you bring what was requested of you?”

  Lyndis didn’t have time to listen to the conversation. With a quick glance to gryphons she knew they had to start now. She waved to the others to follow as they silently made their way through the collected masses. Fur brushed against her skin several times as they stared to the gryphon’s keeping watch. The mayor had stridden out to the prisoners, holding one human up by his chains and showing off for the commander. The half-elf came to a stop, Feku bumping up behind her as a gryphon’s gaze fell too close to her destination.

  “You lot wait here.” She spun around to look Asterion in the eyes. “We take it from here. Four might be too much to get across. Especially with the bleedin watchin birds sitting on their fancy perch up there.”

  “What about invisibility?” Feku shifted her weight, her eyes pleading to make Lyndis give in. “That would get us in.”

  “Would love to.” She sighed, setting her hand on the kobold’s shoulder. “But did ya see their bleedin eyes Feku? The way they glow as they turn their heads? That’s a detect magic spell if I saw one before. Can see right through an invisibility spell. You do the opposite to their eyes. Stand out as this red glow before the dark night. They’d spot you faster than it takes for a dragon turtle to snatch you in it’s maw.”

  The kobold sighed, her head drooping. Lyndis caught her chin, cupping it with her fingers and raising her head to look up at her.

  “Keep a strong upper lip eh? You and Mr. Warrior here keep watch. That’s a vital job too, let’s us know something’s coming or the plans gone tits up.”

  “Tits up?”

  She wrinkled her brow, letting out a small chuckle mixed with a sigh. “Yea, it means the plan went south.”

  “South?” Feku tilted her head the other way.

  “Bad.” She groaned, “It means the plan went bad.”

  “Oh!” She clacked her claws together, her scales starting to turn a dark green. “I can make a dragon’s roar!” She showed off her teeth, looking ever so proud of herself. “Make them shit their tails!”

  “Dragon’s roar?” Lyndis’ ears twitched as she saw the Gryphon’s ears flick and his weight shift. “How’d you learn to do that?’ She chuckled. “Didn’t think that kobolds could bloody roar.”

  “Not a real roar Lyndis. Fake one, make big illusion!” She puffed out her chest, looking mighty proud of herself. “I getting better at dem!”

  That was something she didn’t expect. “Okay, well if the plan goes bad you summon up this illusion ya? Might draw the attention off us so we can escape.”

  “Can do!”

  She gave Feku an amused pat before resting on Asterion’s features. “You okay with this warrior? Playing on the side while we do all the work?” She gave him a gently nudge and a warm smile, letting him know he was appreciated here.

  “Why wouldn’t I be?” His eyes met hers briefly before locking onto the gryphon. “All part of the plan. Even if my role is diminish-“ His hands suddenly lashed out, pushing against her chest and his voice coming as a hushed yell. “Hurry!”

  She saw why when she spun around. Two of the gryphons had stopped their staring and instead had started talking to someone she couldn’t see. Not that she cared, the only concern she had was they were no longer mind on task. She and Shandalar bolted behind a bush, boots carrying them silently to the base of the ship in hardly any time at all. They strolled around the other side, putting the ship between them and the crowd.

  “kostemi ruknara” Shandalar whispered, drawing a small web in the air with her fingers then gently tapping Lyndis’ hand.

  The rogue’s skin tingled. Like thousands of little bugs were scurrying across her hands and heading towards her toes. She shivered and looked to her palms, thankful nothing was there.

  “Do not worry princess.” Shandalar placed a hand to the wooden hull. “We have a limited window. I suggest we get down to business.” Like a battering ram had suddenly struck her , the elf was sent sprawling backwards onto the ground with a loud crack. The wizard scrambled to all fours. Like a cobra she slipped back into the foliage, with Lyndis dashing after her.

  Just as Lyndis’ boot slipped back into the underbrush a gryphon poked his head over the side, glowing eyes staring at the spot they had just been standing. The she gryphon tilted her head to the side, vigilant eyes scanning the ground. Another bird joined her, chatting away in a series of chirps.

  “What the fock just happened?” Lyndis hissed as the tingling faded, leaving nothing but the cold to bite at her. “Never seen anything do that before!”

  Shandalar eyed the boat with a raised brow. “The vessel must have a protective ward. Prevents enchantments from coming into contact.” The wizard’s ears twitched as she stared at the gryphon pair peering down. Lyndis could already see the gears moving behind those blue eyes, figuring out the next course of action. “That coupled with the magical enhanced sentries will make this exceptionally more difficult.”

  “Damn.” Lyndis groaned, slowly moving through the underbrush to get a better position. The gryphons showed no signs of moving from their spots and they didn’t have little time to spare. The rogue needed to find another way in. “Could always use that misty step spell of yours. Shift to the ship?”

  “Yes princess, but the moment we pop up there, we will be caught. We would need to find a place to hide almost instantly, and hope that our gryphon foes are not glancing in the spot I choose to land us in. The idea has merit, but we need to find another way to improve upon it.”

  “Agreed.”Lyndis took her next few steps, moving aside branches and making sure to not step on a stray twig or leaf. The last thing they needed was to draw the watchful eyes of their gryphon adversaries.

  It seemed to take them an eternity to circle the ship. Lyndis’ eyes following along the smooth oak surface. Practically every inch she inspected with her eyes, not finding any hole to take advantage of. She glanced up to see that they even had a gryphon flying overhead. The female’s teal feathers spread wide into a glide as she circled around like a hunting hawk. Lyndis returned her sights to the ship, finding that each side they observed had a gryphon stationed on it with glowing eyes and slightly shifting head. Lumara was not taking chances with this vessel.

  She sighed, gripping her hands tightly as she saw that the commander had taken to inspecting each prisoner with three humans dressed in functional brown and gold trimmed uniforms. Small tassets of cloth hung from pockets, and they had many pouches lining their belts. They followed along with clipboards, quills pressed to the parchment as they squiggled away their notes.

  “Thank the gods that loud mouth has a tendency for order. Certainly, buying us time to work our magic.” She bit her lip as the gryphon’s gaze shifted left. Her mind nagging at her that they exactly were not making any headway despite her boast.

  “Perhaps we can expand on the idea from the kobold.” Shandalar’s voice came softly. “Use an illusion to draw their focus away long enough for us to sneak inside.”

  “I like it.” She beamed, placing her hand to her chin. “Probably something they can’t ignore. Like a thing they hate or fear.” Her mind didn’t have to work for very long, not even a second passing before she snapped her fingers with a grin. “I can make an illusion of Crimson sky. I can have it do a pass over their bleedin heads, make em wet their trousers!”

  “That could work.” Shandalar pointed out toward the ships port side, “Send it flying that way, so they move away from the stairs. Maybe have it dip a wing and roar, possibly breathe fire. It could allow us to misty step onto the deck and immediately head below.”

  “Course we gotta hide first. Got the cloak here for that.” She grabbed at the golden leaf clasp. “Remind me to hug and kiss that scaled bastard when we see him again. It’s the most useful thing anyone’s ever lent me.”

  Course at this point you just want the hug for the heat…True.

  “Ready?” She held up her hand, taking a deep breath as her lungs tingled from the cold. She wiggled her fingers, mind focusing to the illusion spell she was most familiar with. Her heart raced, her skin grew warmer as she began to trace a triangle in the air. That’s when a scream sounded from the crowd. A woman’s shriek that drove knife into the rogue’s heart. For she knew that voice. It was Navarra’s.

  Lyndis jerked her head, eyes training on the source of the sound as her body seized up. Navarra was being held up by the scruff of her jacked by a large minotaur at least seven feet in height. The black and white bull snorted, his jade like eyes narrowed as he glared to the struggling human tightly in his grasp. “Look what I caught here.” The bull smirked, raising the woman a few inches higher without any effort. He didn’t seem to notice as her flailing movements battered against his ornate silver breastplate adorned in various runes. “Another sapphire guardian trying to free the others.” He plucked a glass vial from the woman’s belt and holding it up for all to see. “Planned to give this invisibility potion to a prisoner and sneak them out!” He set the vial into the commander’s hands as Yarnick strode over extending his palm.

  “You…bastards.” Navarra hissed, gasping as she held onto the minotaur’s wrists with her hands.

  Lyndis went to draw her weapon but Shandalar’s hand found her chest, holding her back.

  “This could be just what we were looking for.” The elves words came like a vile wind. One that would fill the nostrils and wrinkle the nose in disgust. To the rogue’s trembling hand, it made sense, and it gave her pause. Her limbs begged at her to disobey, to pull her weapon and leap to the woman’s defense. But what would that do? Lyndis looked up to the number on the ship, and the guards in all directions. They couldn’t do a thing without risking the mission.

  “What do you want done with her commander?” The bull chuckled, glancing up to several more minotaurs that had begun to descend the plank. They were adorned in the same metal breastplate as their leader. Runes scattered over the sections of scratched metal, while furs lined their neck. They bore shields strapped around their backs, and swords or axes settled into holsters at their side. Their faces all carried an amused expression in their eyes as they fixated on Navarra’s struggles. One that made Lyndis’ stomach squirm. “Want her in chains like the others? Could always use more labor at the camps…Course..” The minotaur raised a finger, gently prodding at Navarra’s nose. He pulled it back when she scowled, nearly biting at the man’s digit.

  “Don’t know how much help she’d be. Skinny thing, isn’t she?”

  The commander paused, a moment of hesitation crossing his brow as he flung his sight to the crowd. He prolonged the stare, watching several people shift their weight uncomfortably before drifting back to the woman’s struggles. “This is how we’re greeted?” He thrust an open palm to Navarra, his words like fire as his other hand shook. “When we are the ones who descent down from the heavens to deliver you from the undead plague?” He lowered his reddening face, sighing as he pinched at the bridge of his nose. “All we asked for is for these terrorists to be met with justice. To prove that you are trustworthy folks deserving of our great gifts. And this is how you repay our hospitality? By harboring people that hold onto grudges such as this?” He nearly spat as he thrust a finger to the ship, giving a death glare to the crowd. “I have half a mind to pick up from here and leave this dirt hovel to rot and be consumed by the armies of undeath!”

  “Please no!” The mayor blurted out among gasps of horror. “She is new to the town!” He stammered, taking a step as his voice cracked. “ Came in last night. She doesn’t represent the town! Please forgive her deeds commander. We’re very much still desperate for your aid!” The mayor dipped his head, giving the Lumarians a quick bow.

  “Quite.” Yarnick hissed, crossing his arms across his chest. “Never say that I wasn’t understanding or merciful. I will not hold her deeds against you. “ He rose a hand, like he had a brilliant idea as he spun around to the warrior. “What a night my friend, to think we are getting a set number of prisoners only to find yet another.” I think we do infact have a spot at the camps for her Rugar.!”

  “Perhaps more will show up to these meetings of yours.” The bull chuckled, a chorus of similar sounds echoing his. “It’s a most fortuitous day when trash delivers itself into your hands.” He smiled, pulling up the squirming Navarra to gaze into his eyes. “You’re going to have plenty of time to regret coming here human.”

  “Come on.” Shandalar’s voice cut through Lyndis’ mind like a blade, pulling her faculties back to her own position. The elf had a hand resting on her shoulder and guiding her away from the now pleading woman.

  Lyndis’ mind churned like a storm, pulling against the wizard’s grip and already going to one of her spells.

  “Not now!” Shandalar hissed, thrusting a finger to the gryphons ever vigilant on the deck. Half of the birds were staring down to the minotaur leader as Navarra shouted about her son. “We only need a little more to be distracted. Then I believe we can make our move.”

  “Yea-…” Her hands gripped tight as Navarra was tossed to the ground, crashing into the dirt with a pained groan. The woman pulled a dagger from her waist, raising to stab at the warrior with a mighty cry, but his large hands caught her wrist. Navarra screamed in anguish as the mighty bull twisted her wrist, the dagger falling to the ground useless as several of the woman’s bones popped. The warrior maintained his foreboding glare as the woman writhed and tugged against his iron like grasp.

  “Was that supposed to hurt me?” The Rugar bellowed, not a single soul questioning his actions. It made Lyndis sick to her stomach to see Navarra start to grovel and plead, tears streaming down her cheeks as she groveled for her son’s life at the minotaur’s hooves. She even offered to replace him aboard the vessel. Double her punishment in exchange his own.

  “That’s not how this works human. Your son was part of the Sapphire Guardians. He will be punished like any of those criminals. Simple words cannot excuse his deeds, and if you care so much about his wellbeing it must warm your heart that you will be accompanying him to our prison.”

  “Shandalar…I don’t think I can…” Her arm shook as fury pumped through her veins. It was harder to keep mind to task as Navarra fought against the bull with clenched teeth. The wizard’s words came like a calming breeze, but Lyndis didn’t listen. The soothing phrase departing through her ears the moment it was uttered. If not for the wizard’s hand reminding her to stay she would have sprinted out there invisible to aid the pleading woman.

  “Very well Rugar.” Yarnick sneered, cupping Navara’s chin and inspecting her like a piece of meat.” Take this woman away with the rest of the riff raff. I think we’ve had out fun for the evening.”

  “Let her go!” Asterion bellowed, stepping out from the parting crowd. The warrior’s chest was swelled as his hoof stomped to the ground. Purposeful eyes locked onto the Lumarians, fire springing forth in those inky pools. “This woman is clearly below you.” The bull gave his foes a snort, eyes going to each minotaur or gryphon, his cape swaying in the wind. “Show your mercy to these people and let her go. No need for a mother to be punished for caring about her calf.”

  “And who the hell do you think you are?” Yarnick chuckled, dropping his hand from the woman’s chin as he strode over with a smile. “Some halfcocked hero?”

  “Asterion, cleric of Korde! The minotaur god of battle!” The cleric pounded his fist against his chest. “Who do you serve that allows such un-honorable acts such as these?”

  “No god calls my fealty warrior. I call my mistress the great kingdom of Lumara. It is for she that I go to great lengths to protect. I’d mind that tongue of yours before I consider throwing you in my brig.”

  “Asterion?” The lead bull gasped in surprise, striding passed the commander as he set Navarra down. The bull’s voice started to tighten, his eyes narrowing into a cold fury. “As in the honorless Asterion?”

  Yarnick tilted his head with an amused smirk. “Rugar? You know this bull?”

  “Course I know this bull.” The minotaur leader hissed, his eyes looking to set the very air aflame. The bull’s hands clenched to form shaking fists as he stomped his hoof hard against the ground. “As should all minotaur clans. For he is the honor-less, the pariah, curse in every clan and house.” The bull’s words came faster as he laid thick accusation after insult.“For I am Rugar, son of Modax. One of the greatest clans of our people.” The warriors pride filled voice sowered as he sneered at the cleric before him. “This calf there was cast out from his own. That’s why he does not pronounce it proudly as any warrior would! He was struck from the parchment of his kin, turned their backs on him. So of course, I know him! Isn’t that right calf?”

  Asterion seemed to shrug off the words like water, his eyes narrowing as he watched the warrior before him start to pace.

  “We thought you were dead you know. A gift given to us from the great lord Korde. Something to ease our troubled minds, and save us the burden of doing it ourselves. But no, instead you stand here very much alive. Not in chains, nor scars dragged against your fur, no punishment inflicted upon you for your dishonorable deeds.” The bull snorted as he dragged a finger across his own scar covered muzzle, wrinkling it as he looked at Asterion like spoiled meat. “It turns my stomach.Makes my blood burn worse than drinking death-wine. The bull took Asterion in with his eyes, giving the warrior a quick dismissive snort. “What say you calf?”

  Lyndis grinded her teeth as Asterion took each phrase in turn. Not even a twitch across his brow with each sentence. Though as Lyndis stared, she could make out his balled fist.

  “Look!” Shandalar whispered harshly as most of the gryphons were now trained on the two warriors bellowing into the night about families and various minotaur honor.

  “So what do you ask of me calf? You plead for this woman’s life. Beg for us to spare her? Rogar thrust a digit towards Navarra with a snarl. “When she stands there only because of my commander’s mercy? If I was not held back she would be dead upon the ground where she stood! You say we lack honor?. is not your title the innocent slayer?” The bull rose his brow, his scowl growing more intense. “Or was it the child slaughterer? I think I might need a reminder you honor-less calf.” Rogar spat the last words, spraying Asterion’s face with spittle. It was enough that the cleric had to wipe it away, flicking it to the ground. The cleric spoke next his words were fierce, brimming with aggression.

  “I challenge you for her life. I will do battle against you.”

  “Is that so?” Chuckled Rogar, skepticism thick as a fog. “Hear that?” He turned around, holding out his arms. “The little calf wants to challenge me to an honor duel!”

  The other minotaurs laughed something fierce, some smacking their legs while others had to lean up against others and clutch at their sides.

  Rogar looked to Yarnick, giving the human a tilt of his head and silent gesture to Asterion “What say you commander? Am I allowed to show this little calf a thing or two?”

  Yarnick placed a hand to his chin, eyes dancing between the two minotaur as he inspected them head to hoof. “Very well.” He sighed, “I will humor you and your customs for now. By all means, I do enjoy watching rebels, criminals, and traitors get their due justice.”

  “You heard the man!” Rogar roared, pounding his chest like a drum. “I accept your challenge Asterion. If you manage to win you get the female. If I win I get that fancy mace you have sitting by your side. It will be a trophy I will tell many tales of. The day I put the child slayer in his place.” The bull unphased the clasp of his cloak, letting the cloth slump to the ground as he rotated his shoulders. “My weapon of choice will be my bare hands. What say you calf?”

  “I accept your challenge!” Asterion roared, breath curling around him like thin tendrils in the air. Asterion cracked his knuckles, undoing own cloak and letting it drop. “You will be the one to drop, not I.”

  “I’d not be thinking of that too soon calf. I was doing battle before you were born!” The bull pulled off his breastplate with a hearty laugh, undoing the straps rather quickly and letting it clang to the ground. He roatated his neck, skin shivering cracks piercing the air. “How I have prayed It would be I who would get the chance to put you in your place. For it is you that my son was sent back to our clan. Where he is unable to engage in honorable battle. Dangerous other Lumarians say. That we minotaur could not be trusted. Unpredictable on the field of battle is what they utter in harsh whispers. For they dare not risk another Asterion to grace our ranks.”

  Asterion said nothing, looking more statue than bull as Rogar eyed him down.

  The warrior undid his shield and sword, letting them fall to the ground in a clatter. “They made the screening process harder young calf. Thanks to you hardly any now pass through it.” Rogar a long breath through his teeth, muscles rippling as his bare chest was exposed to the night air. “Now only a select few can be in the honorable army. All because one little calf of the bezerker tribe had to lose control and slaughter a village of innocents. Rogar held up his arms, hands clenched into fists as he started to circle Asterion with a flicking tail. He dropped into a combat stance, Asterion doing the same. The warriors eyed one another, the air between them growing hot as the other waited for the first move.

  Asterion struck first, swinging in left with a hoarse cry. He was blocked by Rogar’s arm, the older minotaur responding in kind and tried to punch the cleric square in the chest. Asterion deflected that attack with a snort, lashing out again. His fist battering Rogar’s muzzle, sending the older minotaur clomping backwards, rubbing his nose with a snort. “Looks like first blood goes to me.”

  “You will not get so lucky again.” The older minotaur leaped forward with renewed purpose. His attacks came quicker, almost a blur as Asterion tried to keep him from smashing his face. They ducked and swerved, fist struck against muscle. Dull smacks sounded out as the two warriors grunted and groaned from each thundering impact. Rogar smacked the cleric’s arms aside, delivering three rapid punches right into his chest. Asterion was sent stumbling backwards, gasping in harsh breaths. “What did I say?” The older bull grinned, resuming his combat stance with a flick of his tail as Asterion stumbled only to regain his composure with a groan and heavy breath.

  “We should go now.” Shandalar whispered, pulling Lyndis away as the two warriors clashed again with loud roars of fury. The elf pointed out to the ship, all the gryphons now trained on the fighting bulls, everything else seemingly forgotten to them. “Ready?” She asked, to which Lyndis quickly nodded. “ Take a deep breath.” The wizard placed a palm to her shoulder, starting to whisper the word of power as she traced a sigil in the air.

  Lyndis did just that, fighting the urge to help her friend. But each dull smack of fist on flesh brought new waves of anxiety to her heart. Some begging her to listen and go to his aid. She nodded tentatively, hand springing to her leaf clasp as Shandalar finished the words. Then everything felt cold. Like ice had sprouted from her fingers her skin suddenly froze. Her bones turned to ice as they lost all sense of weight. She looked around, the world suddenly turning into a blur of colors before her eyes. Like a painter had splattered his craft in broad random strokes.

  She tried to speak but no words came from her mouth. Panic grasped at her for a minute as she felt her body begin to move on its own accord, as if she were being stretched out towards that area from where she stood. It was over in a moment, but it felt like hours. With a blink of her eyes she felt warmth flood back to her fingertips, and all the ice melt away with her next breath. Instinct clung to her mind, crouching her low looking around for where exactly the elves magic had tossed them.

  With a quick inspection she found they were on the deck of the ship, next to several sturdy boxes and barrels made of darkened wood. She did not see a captain’s quarters, but she did spy two sets of stairs heading down to the ship below. The gryphons who had been so vigilant had all shifted to one side of the ship, tails flicking back and forth as they watched the display unfold before them with loud shouts. Part of her wanted to go watch with them, but they had a mission to do.

  “Houpe.” She gasped, the words coming hard from her almost still frozen throat. Invisibility wrapped around her and hid her from sight Shandalar cast the spell, fading in a moment’s notice as the gryphon’s ears flicked at a loud pain filled shout.

  “To the stairs.” Whispered the wizard, guiding Lyndis with a hand across the orderly deck, passing a stand for some rope. They made sure to watch their steps as they traversed the wooden floor, not wanting a single sound to alert the birds of their presence. They slipped down the stairs without incident and whispered thanks to the bull outside for his sacrifice.