Chapter 4 – Friend or Foe?

Chapter 4

Friend or Foe?

It didn’t take the pair long to gather their things for travel, neither of the men were planning to take much on this trip as they would be returning to this tower. They didn’t need to take many supplies as the journey to the Hardrock mountains would only take about ten days, and with the root Magon had suggested meant they would be passing through a small village or farming community every day or two.

Tanay was an interesting site in his travelling clothes, most people wear dull clothing, which didn’t show the fading caused by long times spent in the wild. Tanay however wore a bright red cloak, with an even brighter yellow lining. Under his cloak he wore brown leather trousers with extravagant buckles, and a white shirt, with frills on the collar and cuffs. He wore his pack on his back, and held a spear in his hand. The shaft of the spear was gnarled and twisted, and instead of showing the brown colour of the wood it was made from it was a deep orange colour, with a flame yellow head.

Laucian looked much more like the usual travellers, he wore a muddy brown cloak over the top of the black trousers and sleeveless top he had been wearing earlier in the training room. He too had a pack on his back, but unlike most travellers he was carrying no visible weapons.

“Will Coran be joining you on this trip?” asked Magon as he followed the two out of the main door to his tower. Most of the people currently staying in Magon’s tower had come to see off this pair, Tanay was well liked be the serving staff, and a mysterious bald mage had taken a bit of an interest in Laucian, this interest had largely gone unnoticed, as the mage had remained in his room most of the time, Laucian and Tanay did not even know his name.

“Of course he will,” answered Tanay “he’s quite excited about meeting Nasgaroth.” At that very moment, a shadow passed overhead, everyone glanced skyward to see Coran swooping down. Over the years Coran had become more of a friend to Tanay than a familiar, the pseudodragon had always been curious of magic users, so when he came across Tanay in a meditative state trying to summon a familiar, Coran decided to answer to young sorcerers call.

Coran flew around the trio before he finally landed on Tanay’s shoulder, wrapping his long tail around the young sorcerer’s neck. Coran looked like a small version of a dragon, he had dark blue scales down both his sides, which faded up to a red line down his back, and faded down to a shining silver on his underside. He folded his blue and red wings on his back and asked, ; projecting his question telepathically into all those around him.

“I know that I needn’t tell either of you to be careful on your road,” began Magon, in a much more serious tone than he normally used, “But you must remember the reputation of your race Tanay. Most of the people in this area have never met a Viperian, but they will have heard of them. If you are lucky the farmers will pay little attention to you, and if you give them no cause to think otherwise then they will just assume that your eyes are a product of some draconic heritage in your past.”

Tanay was a pure blood Viperian, which meant that in appearance he looked very similar to a human, there are some differences though. The snake nature can appear in many different ways in the pure bloods, ranging from forked tongues to patches of scales. This snake heritage had appeared within Tanay with scales on the top of his arms and back, which are easily hidden, but his eyes were not so easy to hide, for he had not the eyes of a man, but the eyes of a snake.

“Well there is always the possibility that I do have some dragon heritage anyway, they do say that sorcerers gain their magic from dragon blood running in their veins.” Tanay replied with a grin.

“That is just a rumour started by a terrible sorcerer, who wished people would pay him a little more respect.” Corrected Magon.

“We had best be leaving, if we wish to reach the first settlement by nightfall.”

“You are eager to leave my friend. Is Stomorel not coming to see us off?” Tanay asked with a rye smile.

“I hope not.” Laucian replied, scowling at Tanay as he began to walk away from the tower. Both Tanay and Magon laughed at this. They had both noticed the young elf maiden following Laucian around, trying to spend as much time as possible with him, they could both see that she had some kind of feelings for him. The pair could also see that Laucian had no interest in her, and that he had only been getting irritated by her constant presence.

“I’m afraid Stomorel will not be seeing you off this day, see apparently had to attend some important business in her grove.” explained Magon.

“That’s probably for the best,” said Tanay, as he shot a glance towards his travelling companion, “I bid you good day, and now must take my leave, before Laucian gets too much of a head start on me.”

“Then I too bid you a good day, and wish you luck on you quest.”

“My thanks for your hospitality Magon. Come Coran, let us depart.” At that point Coran leaped from Tanay’s shoulder, spread his wings and soared in the direction Laucian had begun to walk. Tanay too started after his friend, jogging slightly until he caught up.

* * *

The large circular room was very luxurious; there were many large cushions scattered about. To one side of the room was a large four-poster bed, and to the other a desk. The desk was covered by many scrolls and bits of paper, to one side of the desk was a large book self, and on the other side were many shelves, on these shelves stood glass jars, the contents of which bare not mentioning. In the centre of the room was a fire pit, over which a large cauldron hung.

This was the room of Baknul Panthos, a necromancer of moderate power, and a loyal servant to General Markus.

“So who is it you hunt?” asked Baknul. It was not often that people visited this mage in his personal quarters, but today he had the company of the three, and Deventis. Baknul stood by the cauldron, on the bed laid a beautiful young maiden, one of Baknul’s personal slaves. The three were all sat on the cushions, and Deventis stood by the door.

“We are hunting an old acquaintance of yours, Laucian Galanodel,” replied Aluthana. Baknul turned to face the elven assassin, his lips curled into an evil smile. The woman on the bed also reacted to the name, sitting up, and moving to the edge of the bed, a look of great interest on her face.

“Silvana, leave us.” Baknul ordered, without even looking at the woman on his bed.

“Yes my lord.” The woman replied, and she immediately stood and left the room.

“You have her well trained,” laughed Aluthana as the door closed.

“All of my creations are,” Baknul replied. “Now how is it I can help your hunt?”

“We are in need of transportation; we need to get to Getandor, with great haste.”

“My spy tells me that he will be passing through the village of Faknell in a matter of days, it’ll be there last stop before they head to the mines in the Hardrock Mountains.” explained Deventis.

“It’s a long way, the sea voyage alone takes at least fifteen days, and that isn’t even a third of the journey.” Baknul mused as he sat on one of the numerous cushions.

“That’s why we need your expert help,” said one of the two graw members of the three, as she walked over to Baknul, and draped herself on the cushion next to him, rapping her arm around his neck.

“Well that’s what I’m here for isn’t it.”

“So what do you suggest?” asked the graw as she ran her fingers through the necromancer’s hair.

“Well first I suggest that you go back to that cushion over there,” this remark surprised the graw, she had a shocked expression on her face as she walked back to her original cushion, “Don’t take offence my dear, your just not my type. As for travelling to Getandor, I would suggest wind walking, fast and easy, you’ll be in Faknell within two days, three at most.”

“Make the arrangements,” Deventis began, “And Aluthana, my son will be with Laucian, he will try to defend his friend, but I do not wish him harmed.” Both of the graws smiled at this comment, “I will tell the General of the plans, report in when you return.” At that point Deventis left the room. Baknul stood, and went to gather the components he needed to cast the wind walk spell, while the three started to plan their mission.

* * *

Magon had been correct; the people living in the small communities had paid little, if any attention to the two friends as they travelled their road. They had one more stop planned on their journey to the dwarf’s mines, where Nasgaroth resided. That stop was Faknell, the largest of the villages they were passing through. They would reach the village a little before nightfall, and planned to spend the night there, and set off on the final leg of their journey early the following morning.

Faknell had originally begun as a small farming community like most of the other surrounding settlements, but it had grown over time through trading with the dwarfs. Faknell had grown so much that it had even had a garrison stationed there; a small trained fighting force that kept the peace in the area.

The wooden walls of Faknell came into view as the three friends came over the small rise. Coran flew on ahead a short way, before landing in the shade of a lone tree to the side of the road, Tanay and Laucian stopped in the shade too. Tanay took out the last of his water and drank most of it, then gave what was left to Coran, Laucian did likewise, and the three of them carried on along the road. It wasn’t long before they were approaching the gates of Faknell.

“Halt! Who goes there?” called one of the guards from the wall above the door.

“We are friends,” replied Tanay. At that point the gates opened and an armoured man walked out towards them followed by six more men, all with weapons drawn, several more figures appeared on the wall, each with bow in hand. The armoured man stopped a little in front of Tanay and Laucian, he folded his arms and looked the pair over.

“I don’t care if you are friend or foe, it is who you are friend or foe too that matters to me.” He said, staring Tanay in the face.

“We are friends to Magon of the tower, we wish to…” Tanay began.

“And you expect me to take your word on that?”

“Well it is all I have to give.”

“The word of a Viperian does not count for much here, master Tanay.”

“It appears you have me at a loss, for you know of me yet I do not know you.”

“I am captain Holdak, commander of the Faknell garrison. We received word of your approach, and now I ask you to move on, I will not have one of your kind within these walls.”

“Neither I, nor my people have committed any crimes here and all I wish…”

“The fact you have committed no crimes is the only reason I have not had you clamped in chains, now I advise you move along.” Tanay could see the tension growing in the soldiers behind Holdak, and did not wish to push his luck, but he and Laucian were in need of water.

“We will leave then, if that is your wish.”

“It is.”

“But first I ask if we can have some water, for we have run out.” Holdak thought for a moment before turning to one of his men.

“You, your water skin.” The soldier stepped forward and handed his water skin to Holdak. “Here, I advise you make it last, I doubt the dwarves will be quite so generous to a Viperian.” He handed the water to Tanay before turning and walking through the gates followed by his men, who promptly closed them.

Laucian turned to his companion, “I ask only one question, how did he know our destination?” This was a question Tanay was already asked himself, Holdak may have received word that a snake eyed sorcerer was heading this way, and he may have realised that it was a Viperian, but neither he nor Laucian had mentioned their destination.

The companions turned and walked away from Faknell, increasing their speed, it was beginning to grow dark, and they needed to find a safe place to make camp. It wasn’t long before Faknell was out of sight; the terrain became much rockier as they got closer to the mountains. The surrounding area became much steeper as they entered the foothills, creating many outcroppings and small rock faces, and many large boulders lying around.

A little after they had lost sight of Faknell the companions noticed a cloaked figure sitting cross-legged in the middle of the road, with tall rock faces to either side of them. Both Laucian and Tanay found this scene suspicious. Laucian walked closer to the figure, where as Tanay stayed back, running his spells through his head, making himself ready for any possible ambush.

This was exactly what Aluthana had expected to happen, and just as soon as there was a large enough gap between Laucian and Tanay was big enough, one of the graws muttered a few words of magic, creating a wall of earth, as tall as the rock faces, between them.

Laucian spun around just in time to see the wall finish growing. “Do you always travel unarmed Laucian?” asked Aluthana. Laucian turned to see her still sitting on the ground, she removed her cloak, throwing it to her side, and then picked up two large daggers from the floor in front of her, before rising to her feet.

“I am never unarmed.” was Laucian’s reply as he turned back to face the woman, he dropped his pack to the ground, and threw his cloak off to the side, revealing the same clothes he had been wearing earlier in the training room, with only a couple of differences. He now wore a pair of leather bracer’s on his wrists and a belt around his waist.

“That is good to hear, I do so enjoy it when the hunt ends with a good fight, I never was one of those easy prey assassins.”

Laucian smiled “It’s good to know that I’ve annoyed someone enough for them to send an assassin after me.” Laucian reached behind his back and took hold of the two knives attached to his belt and brought them round to his side. “So, before you die, who is it that wants me dead? I’ll have to pay them a visit, and annoy them some more.”

“Oh don’t you worry, I don’t think you’ve met my master.” At that point Aluthana launched herself forward, bringing one of her daggers in high, aimed for Laucian’s head. With lightning quick reflexes Laucian easily blocked this first attack, blocking the second dagger was slightly more difficult though, Aluthana brought it in low and Laucian was hard pressed to bring one of his knives across to block it.

“Good move.” Laucian said with a grin.

“I thought so” Laucian’s grin disappeared, and he pushed hard, forcing his opponent to step backwards quickly.

“So, if I haven’t met your master,” it was Laucian’s turn to attack, he swiped across in front of himself, but Aluthana easily spun away, Laucian also spun, bringing his other knife round straight towards her gut, but Aluthana crossed her arms down low, stopping Laucian’s attack from getting too close. “Why do they want me dead?” Laucian finished.

Aluthana forced Laucian’s trapped arm up high, leaving his body unprotected against her knee, which she brought in hard and fast, scoring the first real blow in this fight. “The general wants you dead before you can interfere with Legion’s plans.”

Laucian fell backwards; he continued the movement rolling backwards until he had his feet under him again. “And which legion would that be then?”

Aluthana just smiled “I do like it when the damned try to make conversation.”

“The damned? You’re talking as though you’ve already killed me.”

“Well I do have the upper hand, if you hadn’t noticed.”

“The upper hand,” Laucian chuckled “I haven’t even begun yet.” He launched himself forward, and started what looked like an intricate dance with Aluthana, as they spun and twisted trying to find an opening in each other’s defence.

Tanay was inspecting the wall that had appeared between him and his friend. He could hear voices from the other side of the wall, and the sound of metal clashing. He took a step back from the wall, “Coran, fly over there, see if Laucian needs help, I’ll see what I can do about this wall.” Coran launched himself upwards, but before he could reach the top a net was thrown over him.

“The wall is the least of your troubles.” Tanay looked up to see Coran slowly descending with the net over him. That’s when he also noticed a figure sat on top of the wall. This woman was the obvious source of both the comment and the net.

“So what trouble do you think I should worry about then?”

“Me,” was the only reply he got, but not from the woman on the wall. Tanay spun around to see where this voice had come from, and he found himself face to face with one of the graws, who already had a sword and dirk in her hands.

Tanay dropped his pack and took a hold of his short spear with both hands. “And to what do I owe the pleasure of a graws company?”

“You keep bad company.” The graw started to walk forward towards Tanay, who swung his spear to one side, extended one of his arms and muttered a few words of magic, causing five bolts of energy to emerge from his fingertips heading towards the graw, who used all her agility to try to avoid them, but they were too close, where she was able to dodge the first couple of the energy bolts, the other three however hit their target, although not causing much damage, they did knock her back hard, causing her to stumble backwards.

Tanay strode up towards the fallen graw, “Terribly sorry about that, but I don’t really get on with armed assailants.” At this point Tanay felt a sharp stinging pain in his back, and fell forwards as he heard laughter behind him.

Aluthana spun away, giving herself a few yards from Laucian as she tried to catch her breath. Laucian smiled, “Getting tired?”

“Do you not loose your breath?” Asked Aluthana, as she again launched herself forward.

“It is particularly difficult for me to loose my breath,” chuckled Laucian as he easily deflected the attack.

“And why is that?”

“Because I don’t breath.”

“Well that explains that then, although it’s not going to help you I don’t think.” Aluthana slashed at Laucian back and forth, causing him to step backwards as he blocked the attacks and eventually made him drop one of his knives. She forced him back even more, until Laucian suddenly quickened his pace, making a slight gap between the duelling pair.

“Well I guess this is the end,” said Aluthana as she moved in for the kill, thinking that Laucian no longer had ample defence against her attacks.

“You seem to be forgetting one thing.”

“And what’s that?”

Laucian smiled, before quickly extending his arm towards the assassin, conjuring up his psychic abilities and sent Aluthana flying backwards at least ten feet. Laucian retuned the knife he was still holding back to its sheath, as Aluthana staggered back to her feet, Laucian reached one of his bracer’s, and pulled out a throwing knife and launched it towards Aluthana. The assassin quickly dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the flying blade. She wasn’t expecting the second knife though, which flew in fast, hitting Aluthana in the shoulder sending her to the floor.

Laucian walked towards his fallen foe, collecting and sheathing his knife on the way. He crouched over her and said, “Looks like you lose,” as he took hold of the blade in Aluthana’s shoulder and pulled it free.

Aluthana cringed with pain, “I want you to do something for me,” she stuttered.

“And what’s that?”

“Tell Magon from me, Legion is coming.”

“Well I was thinking that maybe I’d take you back with me, you could tell him yourself.”

“I’m afraid I can’t allow that.” Aluthana then hit Laucian in the groin with her knee, the pushed him backwards with both feet. The assassin rose to her feet, picked up her knives and ran along the footpath and disappeared into the darkness.

Tanay rolled over onto his back to see the graw from on top of the wall was now stood a few yards away from where he had fallen. As she walked towards him, Tanay noticed that she was now holding a spear of her own.

It wasn’t long before both of the graws were standing over their prey. “Well, that was much easier than I expected.”

“His father is supposed to be a great warrior; I guess he wasn’t a very good teacher.” Both of the graws laughed.

“So you’ve heard of my father then?”

The graw holding the sword bent low over Tanay, “I’ll let you into a little secret before you die, we work for your father.” The graw put her sword to Tanay’s throat, “It seems a shame to kill someone so cute.” Before the graw could strike though an arrow streaked into her chest.

“I agree, it is a shame to kill someone so cute, but graw are not welcome in these parts,” came a gruff voice from within the darkness. “And I advise if you don’t want to end up the same way as your friend, you drop your weapon.” Holdak walked into view, flanked by two other soldiers both with bows aimed at the graw.

The graw looked from Holdak to the soldiers, and then to Tanay, he was only a secondary target, if Aluthana could finish off Laucian then there would be no trouble back when they returned to Markus. She uttered a few words under her breath and some smoke swirled around her.

“Kill her,” yelled Holdak, and both soldiers loosed their arrows, but she was gone, and the arrows shattered on the wall behind where she had been.

Holdak approached Tanay, and helped him back to his feet. “Why is it that I thought if I followed you I would find some kind of trouble?”

“After our earlier meeting I’m surprised that you would help me.”

“As I said before, I’ve never met a member of your race, but I have seen the evils of the graw first hand, and if they are foes to you, than that means you are a possible friend.”

“Well that is good to hear.”

“How is your back? It looked like a nasty spell she hit you with.”

“Its fine, just stings a little.”

After collecting his other throwing knife, Laucian approached the wall, “Tanay!” he called, “You okay over there?”

“I’m fine, stand away from the wall.” Tanay spoke a few more words of magic and sent fireball flying towards the centre of wall, exploding on contact creating large hole.

Captain Holdak escorted Tanay, Laucian and Coran back to Faknell. Although he still was not prepared to trust Tanay completely, he had seen that Tanay was enemies with the graw, a race Holdak held much hatred for.