Table of Contents - Introduction - Ch. 1 - Ch. 2 - Ch. 3 - Ch. 4
Chapter II: The Village Adept
The sun stood at its perch over the distant mountains, casting brilliant rays upon the dusty and humble village of Draedalin Wharf. The Draedalin river flowed like mercury between the hills with the grace of a hunting leopard. It is here in this dusty village that a young boy named Dylan lived with his sister, Muriel.
Every day, Muriel would leave before Dylan woke up to travel to the nearby town of Arborshate to play her lute in the Boar's Head, a thriving tavern filled with shady customers. Though the life of a bard was not the most secure career path, Muriel loved her music.
As she rose before the dawn and returned at dusk, Dylan spent much of his time in solitude. He didn't mind; he was just grateful for a roof over his head, food on his plate, and a sister that loved him dearly.
Hey, brother, I'm home.
Muriel said as she walked into the room, lute hanging lazily from her shoulder as she slumped into the chair.
Hey sis,
he said as he looked up from his book. How was your day?
In-credible. A rather charming man handed me 20 Ko today.
Really? You could buy a cottage for that much! I bet he was a knight in enchanted plate-mail!
Nope; way off. He looked like a sorceror. Said he heard angels who'd be jealous of my voice and lute, he did.
said Muriel with a blush.
A sorceror? How can you tell?
asked Dylan.
When you're around them as much as we musicians, you can spot them a mile away.
So does that mean you can spot an oaf a mile away, too?
Only because I have you for a brother-- whatcha readin'?
inquired Muriel as Dylan shrugged off her teasing.
A book on alchemy and farming. Old man Jerob gave it to me after I showed him how to turn a failed crop into simple potions. He said it might make more sense to me.
Dylan said, but Muriel was only half-listening...
Another dawn, another day of singing ahead of her, Muriel walked outside and met the carriage, lute hanging from her shoulder.
Are we all set?
asked Muriel.
The driver responded, Not yet; they've spotted Ukhin-- the infamous Half-Orc who slaughtered Lord Lovecroft-- a few hours ago. Best not wander off without protection today.
In that case, I'll fetch my father's rapier.
said Muriel as she hurried back towards the house.
As Muriel rummaged through her closet for the rapier, Dylan awoke and walked up behind her.
Mornin', sis.
yawned Dylan. What's all the commotion?
Muriel removed the rapier from the chest in the closet.
Do you remember a few weeks ago when that crazed Half-Orc killed Lord Lovecroft right in front of the throne room in Tempestpeak?
Dylan thought for a second, then said, Ukhin Khyrr'st?
Yes; he was spotted nearby at some point in the night. As a precaution, I'm taking father's rapier.
Muriel paused for a second, then retrieved the Main Gauche from the chest and handed it to Dylan.
Take this, Dylan. Keep it just in case something happens while I'm gone.
Dylan glanced nervously at the dagger, then nodded.
Thanks, sis. Come back safely, you hear?
Muriel hurried from the room and left Dylan to marvel at the wondrous weapon he held in his hands. This Main Gauche was bursting with magics unknown; known only to their father who used this defensive dagger when dueling against the Orc Necromancer six years ago.
That was ancient history now. His father, an accomplished fencer, died while on a business trip-- the only such trip in which he neglected to bring his Main Gauche.
Come back safely, Muriel.
The shop manager looked up from his counter as Dylan walked into the musty store.
Welcome. Have you heard the latest about the fugitive?
he queried.
The latest?
asked Dylan with a curious look.
Nothing bad; just that he escaped from three mercenaries relatively unharmed.
Oh. Was it closer or further to here?
Hard to say... I reckon that we've got nothing to worry about.
He paused for a second, then added, Oh, and your sister made it safely to the Boar's Head.
Their conversation was interupted by a loud rapping on the door. The door flew open and the manager's son flew into the store like a bat out of Hell.
Papa, Papa!
the excited boy screamed.
What is it, Michael?
Outside! There's a Paladin outside of town!
In an instant, the entire town was upon the street, running frantically towards the gate so they might catch a glimpse of the godsent warrior.
Amidst the furor of the townsfolk, Dylan scurried at the head of the pack, anxious to see a Paladin with his own eyes.
What's a Paladin doing here?
asked a worried mother after they came to a halt at the gate.
Another man said, Surely this Half-Orc couldn't be causing this much trouble.
He beat two archers and a rogue... but this is quite a step up.
noted the Shop Manager.
Dylan finally squeezed through the crowd at this point and gazed at the source of the commotion. Approximately 100 yards away, there stood a knight clad in mithral-plated scalemail with an elegant longsword-- no doubt a weapon flowing with holy might.
Accompanied by the Paladin, two clerics and an archer followed. Dylan did not recognize the symbol they wore, so they must have come from quite a distance away.
The entourage was headed right for the town, leaving many nervous and confused. Was the Half-Orc hiding here? Is someone providing refuge for a criminal? What business would they have here? These thoughts and many others overtook the people, one by one. With each of the Paladin's steps, fear of a traitor in the midst overwhelmed everyone at the gate... save Dylan.
It was the Shop Manager who spoke when they finally arrived outside the gate.
Welcome to our village, Paladin. Shall you require us for anything?
The Paladin shook his head, and spoke. I have come to ask for one thing, and one thing only.
Speak, and we shal assist you.
said another man.
If any amongst you shall wield a sword, wield it tonight. The Half-Orc is strong, but is weak against many. If we do not stop him now, he will be out of the reach of justice for many years.
An uproar of whispering broke out amongst the townsfolk, during which a few men ran back to their homes. The Paladin surveyed them as they deliberated.
A woman spoke up, You want us to throw our lives away to catch a barbarian? Forget it!
Another woman spoke up, Shut up, Angela. You and your family can go home and cower if you so choose.
A fight would have likely broken out then if the Paladin had not spoken up.
If you are uncertain of your skills, or paralyzed by fear of injury... by all means stay. The weak will only get in the way; the strong and the righteous shall prevail.
Five young men armed with short swords and leather armor stepped outside the gate. As they swore to help the Paladin, the clerics blessed their swords and their armor. It was at that moment that the Paladin's gaze fell upon Dylan's Main Gauche.
Boy. Come here, please.
he said to Dylan at once.
Dylan approached the Paladin without second thought. He gestured towards Dylan's Main Gauche, and Dylan drew it out of its sheath and handed it to him without saying a word.
Amazing,
the Paldin said. Do you know about this dagger, boy?
Dylan shook his head. All he knew of it was that it was magical and very, very sharp.
I see. This dagger of yours-- it is imbued with powerful protection magics. And something else...
He passed it to the nearest cleric, who whispered something and nodded. The cleric walked over to Dylan and placed the dagger into his hands.
Boy,
the cleric said. This is no mere toy. It has been enchanted with a Shield charm and specially focuses one's mind-- allowing one to make wiser decisions in a shorter time.
A Shield charm?
asked Dylan.
Yes, you might want to ask a wizard to explain the specifics. I'm afraid I don't have the time to do so.
said the cleric as he turned away.
Wait. Let me come with you.
said Dylan.
The Paladin responded, No. It's too dangerous for someone of your age.
B-but I want to learn more about this. This was my father's dagger; he never explained anything to me.
All the more reason you should stay. You'll get hurt.
said the Paladin.
But you said this had powerful protection magics on it. I'll promise not to get in the way.
The Paladin sighed, and said, So be it. Let's go on; we have a barbarian to catch.
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