It was anything but the ordinary day in the usually busy and more-less peaceful town of Kimio. After the sinking of one of the local trading ships only hours after it took sail a few days before, which took several lives, people soon began to blame the local herb dealer Andigo for the misfortune as very often those who had been involved with him suffered minor unexplainable incidents. Andigo was thrown to prison and one of the influential priests of the nearby island temple in Cardussa, where waters of life are worshiped, popular with sailors, suggested Andigo should be given the trial of the sea. If he survives fall from the cliffs of Kimio to the sea, he is blameless, and if the sea takes him, it was to be the sign that he had cursed the sailors or the ships, or maybe the whole Kimio bay. Usually, the harder criminals are not trialled in Kimio, but in mother city of Afstasia, but on this occasion the crowd got carried away with the priests suggestion and demanded that Andigo be immediately put to the “test”, and the mayor and Palogen, the highest noble around didn’t object, as he was personally co owner of the sunken ship. Andigo was put to the pole in the town square where criminals are often put for public display and the priest was talking about appeasing the sea as the whole town gathered, when from the back the sound of excited babble came and the crowd had split, opening the way for about a dozen warriors in bright iron armours and lots of sophisticated heraldry of the highest houses of the Eastern League.
Kalluf was in the crowd, watching without much interest, when he saw Lord Xendex himself heading the party and his blood boiled. Xendex is the most noble warrior in the Eastern league, who killed many Evil monsters and sorcerers and was always followed, as now, by a group of strongest fighters from his city of Filo, the biggest city on the eastern shore of Ung, all nobles and all in iron. They are marching without servants and in armour, which means they are on some important quest, and are expecting combat, surely against the Evil, as there are no intercity wars at the present. Maybe if he is allowed to speak to someone from the party, they can tell him how to get a job as a soldier or a guard in some even better place than Kimio...
Falco was the only guest in the tavern at that moment, and several times he had to order costly foreign beer just to keep the owner from closing down, as everybody from the tavern were eager to see the trial of that young warlock. Having pity for anybody facing execution, guilty or not he was not going to attend the charade, and he was anyway waiting for his cousin Daleanus to arrive with Lord Xendex the whole morning. He was probably the only person informed about their arrival (he heard the information from pirates who all fled the coastal camps in fear of Xendex) in the town, which was good, as he will have the time to speak to Daleanus before the upper classes snatch them all and tug them to banquets and give them other honours. He saw the party from afar and waited by the road. Xendex just gave him a look, fortunately not recognizing him as an outlaw and they went by, but Daleanus gave him the sign to wait right there.
Andigo listened to accusations from the priest and was hoping all will end fast as he started to feel the strange sensation, an awful feeling of something terrible building up in him, a kind of storm. He felt the same way once before when he was held knife under his neck by a robber, and it than stopped as soon as he took his possessions and released him. But he felt its not going to stop this time, this awful storm in him.
Lord Xendex shouted:
-You, the priest, get out of my sight - NOW!
The priest tried to speak, but as Xendex made a few steps towards him and the pole with Andigo tied to it he quickly disappeared into the crowd. Lord Xendex came to Andigo, untied him, and other warriors from the group made a circle around them, weapons lowered, as no one from the crowd did object in face of such majestic warriors.
Kalluf approached one of them.
-Sir. Can I ask you something?
-Sure.
-I was a hunter and a trapper in the westland woods. I came here to join the port guard but they don’t want me, as I’m stronger than their captain and, pardon me sir, not kissing behinds of local nobles. Do you know any city or a town where I could find an employment? Being a trapper isn’t much of a living, you know. I am good with a spear...
-All right, all right. Stand behind me.
And the warrior let Kalluf into the circle mad of man in iron. Kalluf was proud beyond description. This noble spoke to him as to his equal, and standing here with Xendexes companions made him believe he will one day maybe be a part of some elite force like this, fighting Evil, barbarians, pirates, or anybody else.
Xendex spoke:
-Is it possible you forget the law and make summary executions based on the word of one priest!? Tell Palogen I am very disappointed in him. You people cannot make a distinction between a wild mage and a warlock? This poor soul will be a precious asset to the League once he is properly trained to use his talent, and you almost killed him. Be off, all of you, except those who want to offer hospitality to my party, there’s 14 of us, one guest per house, as I don’t intend to stay in the Palogens palace as long he lets his town to be controlled by senile priests!
The crowd dispersed and few heads of richer families approached the party. Arrangements were made, and all the fighters except Lord Xendaex and the one Kalluf was talking to were in the square, Kalluf right there.
Daleanus said:
- Lord, my worthless cousin Falco is here. He wants to see me, probably to ask forgiveness for his dealings with the pirates. Can I speak with him?
- I saw him. I`ll speak with him myself. I he is sincere and proves it, maybe there’s a chance. I would hate to see your uncle`s business falling to the hands of that despicable Crut, and old Harry want be there much longer. Who is this?
- My name is Kalluf, Lord. I seek employment in League’s armed forces.
-Ha! There’s no such thing. Come, we will talk later. You, what your name?
-Andigo.
-Are you the wicked warlock they say you are?
- I don’t know. I am cursed, I know that much.
Xendex turned to Daleanus.
- He was on the verge of banging, you know...
-I saw it too.
Champion of Filo turned back to Andigo.
- You go 50 feet in front of us. I don’t want to triple against my own sword right now. We shall go to the north road.
So Lord Xendex, Daleanus, Andigo and Kalluf went to the crossroads where Falco waited. After a few minutes, as Xendex inquired how sincere Falco is about his intentions, how resolute Kalluf is about becoming a respectable warrior, and is there any willpower left in Andigo to make him take a long road towards controlling his “talent”, which was very hard as Andigo is sure he is not a wild mage, as in that case he should be able cast beneficial spells, at least sometimes.
After he was satisfied with all three young man, Lord Xendedx said:
-Listen to me carefully. Andigo, the only way you can escape you “curse”, as you call it, is to travel to Kellasia...I know it is a long way from here, but I can explain you in detail how to find one man who can help you. He is know as Shieldmaker of Iho, and I will write you the directions on this parchment, it will take you about three months to get there on foot, as I don’t recommend travelling by boat with your luck. Please, take this advice. I cannot tell you anything more about the Shieldmaker now, but believe me it is the only way.
Falco, you idiot...With the same energy you showed in organizing criminal gangs, you could by now be one of the richest merchants and most influential political figures in your home town, and one day in the League. But what has been, has been. The most important thing is you are not charged for murder anywhere. I know you have lost of money stashed somewhere and you will tell me where it is...I’m glad you understand why that must be. I will send that money to Iho by boat and it will wait for you there to be used for a good cause. West of Iho is Velguard`s pass, a very important passage for incense and crafts from the north to Ung. It is now blocked for some time by Evil, a strange new kind of man-controlling mage, which concerns me very much as there was no occasion so far which I know of when evil mage could control man for prolonged time. You must hire local barbarians north of Iho in consultation with the Shieldmaker and clear the pass. That will bring back important trade root for the Eastern coast and you will than be more than welcome to come back as someone who is both a hero and a benefactor. If you die at least you will clear your name and name of your family.
Kalluf, your mission is to escort these two, as you seem to be the only reliable one, and to come back to me in the fall to report how the preparations for taking the pass are going, and does Shieldmaker needs me for the fight.
Here’s some gold to cover your expenses, and remember to always walk at least 100 ft from Andigo. You can meet and talk several times a day for short periods, as I believe only the prolonged staying in his immediate company triggers the “curse”.
Any questions?
