(Note: This story and all characters within are the sole property of author, and is under the protection of United States copyright law)
Then one day they came to the town. Men, monsters really, clad all in black with hints of crimson and gold, brutal and heartless, they infiltrated the town. Through coin and sword, took control of it. The townsfolk called them shadow cloaks on account of their ability to pop up anywhere, and also because of the shady dealings they partook in. Grenwyn was not happy about it, and while he was infuriated when they demanded coins from him as taxes, he had seen how they dealt with dissenters, and was not quite angry enough to face it head on and alone. So it happened that he was drowning his sorrows at the local pub one night, cozily tucked in the back corner, when two of the monsters came in and sat down. At first they seemed content just to listen until one of the drunks, Ristris, started running his mouth off about the mystery woman working at Grenwyn’s blades, and how she was good enough to offer a challenge to the bastards who were ruining their town. Then, their attention was apparently peaked.
The men began asking questions and demanding answers, and to Ristris’ credit, he was beaten nearly to death before they got the answers out of him. Grenwyn snuck out the back door, he knew his adventure was about to begin, and he also knew he needed to get home to warn Feryl. Thus it was that he failed to see the fire blade that removed Ristris’ head from his body, and the cold efficient way the two men dispatched every patron unfortunate enough to be in Lyrin’s Tavern that evening. The men wanted no survivors, no witnesses, no warning.
Grenwyn flew back to his shop as quickly as he could, he prayed to all the gods he knew of that he would be there fast enough. As he rounded the corner to his shop, he heard Mynix’s scream, and knew he had not made it fast enough. Grenwyn summoned all the courage and strength he had, and barreled through the front door. A man in all black stood there, stunned by the interruption, and Grenwyn’s eyes scanned the room to see Mynix lay on the floor gazing up in terror at what appeared to be her own shadow except that it loomed over her like a wolf about to pounce. The action seemed to pause for a moment as everyone took a moment to measure up the situation.
Just then an arrow flew through the window, followed by another, and each extinguished one of the lights in the house. This served two purposes; first, it gave Grenwyn an advantage as he, being gifted with dwarven blood, could see quite well in the dark. Secondly, the extinguishing of the light made it impossible for Mynix to cast a shadow, and though unconscious from the scare, she was safe for at least the moment. Grenwyn didn’t know where the arrows had come from, but he figured he may as well make use of his advantage. Taking his bone hammer from its sheath, Grenwyn engaged with the robed man, who was already in the midst of casting his first spell. Try as he might, Grenwyn could not interrupt the spell casters cadence, and as he pronounced the last word, what seemed to be tendrils of shadow grew up from the floor to entrap the dwarf.
The spellcaster spoke the words to a light cantrip, and stood leering over the dwarf. Grenwyn shivered despite himself when he saw the hungry malice in the robed mans eyes. “Where is the girl?” The robed man asked. Grenwyn knew Feryl must not be present or she certainly would have assisted them by now, so he said, “I don’t know who ye be talking about, but the only girl here is my house wench whom ye seem to have incapacitated, and I will expect to be reimbursed if she does not make a full recovery.” The spellcaster gave Grenwyn a glare, “We know she is with you,” he said. “It is no use trying to protect her; we will find her with your help or without.” Grenwyn knew better,
Gathering his courage, he slowly began to work his way loose of his bindings. “I will make sure those are among the last words you ever speak” Grenwyn said, although in his current predicament he had no way to make that be true. “Why you insolent cur!” the spellcaster started to shout, “I will torture you for longer than you can endure, and then....” Those were indeed the last words he said, other than a few fluid filled gurgles, and it was very apparent why, as Grenwyn saw the point of one of his finest swords poking through the front of the mans throat.
“What took ye so long girl!” Grenwyn said as Feryl began cutting him loose from the shadow tentacles that were already dying with the spellcaster. “I was in the privy,” Feryl joked. “When did you learn how to shoot like that?” Grenwyn asked, but Feryl just looked confused. It was just then that another shadow stepped through the door. “You’re Welcome” he said, as Feryl and Grenwyn turned to face him in unison, blades drawn and ready. “I assure you that you won’t need those most gracious lady, and most surly dwarf” he laughed.
“Allow me to introduce myself, Laith Antuulien, at your service." Feryl couldn’t help but smirk and had to stifle a laugh as the tall elf took a deep bow. Laith pulled off his foppish cap, and his a waterfall of golden curls swept the floor, when he emerged from his bow, there was a merriment about his eyes, and a deviousness in his smirk that reminded Feryl of someone she must have known in that other life that seemed so far away now. There were also the distinctly pointed ears that marked him as elf kin, and for no good reason, Feryl immediately liked him.
Grenwyn paced back and forth nervously as Laith knelt over the still unconscious Mynix. Feryl tried to busy herself by yet again practicing her swordwork. “You said it was as if her own shadow loomed over her, is that correct?” asked Laith “Yes ye durned elf! For the fiftieth time yes! N’if you be hurtin her, yer ears’ll be hangin around me neck before the day is through!” Grenwyn growled and went back to pacing.
“I have heard of a spell like this before….but I had to check a few things to be sure. It uses a dark and uncommon magic to reveal the darkness in yourself, those without a strong spirit, are often killed by merely looking at it. Your Mynix must really be something to have survived this encounter. She will awaken when she conquers her fear. Physically, she is fine, but it is likely to have changed her heart and mind forever.” Laith said, then, curiously, he looked at Feryl and said “Sometimes being touched by such things, awakens a darkness in a person, and that is a very frightening thing.” Feryl felt like he was talking to her, but knew he had no reason to know her story. “That’s why you have to be strong enough to ensure it doesn’t reach you.” She huffed, as she walked out into the night air.
When Grenwyn finally sat down on his stool next to the fire, Laith slowly came up to him, “You know you can’t stay here now.” he whispered. “Aye,” Grenwyn said without looking up. “Is there somewhere safe, someone you can trust to keep the girl safe? She can’t travel in this condition.” Laith asked softly.
“Are ye out of yer mind!?!” Grenwyn exploded “If we’re to be leaving, we’re leaving together. If anyone else comes before she wakes up, we’ll just have to show 'em the same courtesy we showed this fellow.” He said as he gestured towards the corpse of the spell caster. “There is no mercy with these men,” Grenwyn said quietly, “If we leave her here, even somewhere safe, we're leaving her to a slow and painful death.” Laith nodded,
Feryl came back into the room, sweat glistening on her skin, and plastering her still short hair to her face. Laith couldn’t help but gape a little, the woman was solid muscle. He was used to women being frail, and delicate, but Feryl, she looked like her entire being was a weapon. There was not a trace of softness to her, and her eyes glowed with a barely concealed fury, that, quite frankly, frightened him…not that he didn’t enjoy that.
“Pack yer bags,” the dwarf said to her gruffly. For just a moment, all the fury left her eyes, and she seemed a small scared child, she lowered her head, “I’m sorry to have brought trouble to your home, I can never repay you for all the help you have given me.” Her throat caught a bit, and she continued, “This necklace was on me when you found me, it is all I have, but I hope it will be of some worth, and may help repay a portion of my debt to you.”
“Are ye daft girl?” the dwarf rumbled, “Do ye really think after all this time ye’ve kept me waitin that yer goin to be cheatin me out of this adventure! Why do ye think I rescued you! I mean, yer fair n’all for a human, but I like a nice thick beard on my women!” Grenwyn laughed, a rich, hearty sound Feryl had grown to love. It reminded her of good soil, and sun warmed rocks.
(Note: This story and all characters within are the sole property of author, and is under the protection of United States copyright law)
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