The Hard Road: And The Dreamer Will Dream

“The dreamer is also naive, an easy mark for the silly plot lines and constraints of the dream. If the dream says I am late for class then I accept the situation without question and begin to madly rush about. The dreamer is easily manipulated and sometimes, like a little boy, reduced to tears by forces utterly trivial to the waking man.”

from an essay entitled Dream and Dreamer by John Cartan [You can read the full version Here]

The sun began it’s final descent in the horizon, filling the sky with crimson. The snow upon the Snowflake Mountains reflected this color brightly, an eerie sight upon miles. Clouds rolled in from the east, almost like chasing the sun. They were thick, and bruised. The smell of snow lingered in the air. Two men, travelers from nearby Riatavin, slowly made their way through the thick snow and ice.

“Sir, the sun’s setting. We cannot navigate the mountains in the dark,” said the young traveler. He was garbed in heavy clothes, prepared for the chilling air of the mountains, carrying most of what one needs to travel in the harsh lands. He knew how to play it safe, and he wasn’t ready to risk the darkness within these moutains.

“Nay, we only have a few miles t’go,” responded the older of the two. His outfit was lighter than his sidekick’s, although that did not make him any faster on foot with his traveling stick. “Maybe over tha’ ridge over thar.”

“You said that three ridges ago,” the young man muttered coldly, wrapping himself tighter in his garbs. The air around them steadily became colder without the sun’s comforting warmth as the sky darkened. There wasn’t even an hour left until darkness. The young man lowered his gaze for a moment. “Bloody hell!”

The elder man turned to his compatriot with an angered look. He was ready to scold the other when he noticed the heavy tracks upon the snow. Along the base of the trail, drops of blood were made out. The older looked to his fellow traveler with a shocked look. “Ogre? John, we cannot stay long.”

“No, no, I don’t think so, Arthur,” he said, kneeling down. He lowered a hand to the large print in the snow, then looked up. “This ain’t no foot print,” John said. “Looks more like something’s dragging.”

“Whatever it is, it won’t be lastin’ long out here. Thar be a blizzard headin’ in soon, and I ain’t stickin’ around up here fer it,” Arthur said matter of factly. Traveling stick in hand, he began to follow the obscure road onward until he noticed his sidekick was still trailing the prints in the snow. He sighed, then followed along.

John stood at the edge of the snowy ridge, gazing down the slope with his eyes widened. He looked back to see Arthur trying to catch up with him. “Hurry, sir!” he shouted back.

“If we end up freezing to death out ‘ere, I’m gonna beat ya t–” Arthur trailed off as he followed John’s gaze down the slope. The prints in the snow rolled down before them to a small figure further out. From what they could gather, someone, a human, must have fallen and rolled down the slope. “I don’t think he be alive, boy,” He said firmly.

That didn’t stop his friend, though, as he began to slide down along the slope after the figure. Arthur sighed heavily again, and slowly followed the energetic boy. John dropped the more heavy equipment from his back as he ran up to the lone body, kneeling down beside it. He lifted the young boy’s head, noticing his elven features.

From what he could gather that moment, the elven boy was probably adolescent to a human, no older than maybe thirty or forty years. His raven black hair dangled loosely over his pale self, reddened from the chill in the air. Patches of black fur dotted his body, and a short black tail curled around his leg. Bruises, cuts, and even burn marks could be found all over the elven child’s body. John reached a hand to the base of the mutant child’s neck. He was still alive. “Hurry, sir! He’s alive!” he shouted back to Arthur.

————————

They were sleeping in a wooded clearing. A stream bubbled cheerfully nearby. Lyssa found herself laying on her back. Lifting her hand, she rubbed her face with a groan. Her mind felt like a fire ball had gone off inside. Her fingers felt around where Cyreth had inserted his fingers, she quickly moved them again as the two scabbed wounds stung.

She barely remembered Triumph dragging her away from Cyreth’s attack. Lyssa had a new fondness of the horse that had saved her. Opening her eyes, she focused them and looked around. They settled on two elven lumps that were both unmoving. Springing from her make shift bed, she darted over to them.

“Shani! Ari!” She said, panic filling her voice. She skidded to a halt when she seen Shani move closer to Ari and his tail twitched a bit before curling around Shani’s leg.

They had survived and she didn’t care how they had managed to do so. Quietly, Lyssa set to making breakfast. She had lived under the guise of not knowing how to cook, when in fact she was quite good at it. Locating a nest with eggs proved to be a daunting task that she soon gave up. Lyssa would have to make due with what she already had at hand.

Looking through the provisions she pulled out flour, dried beef, and a few simple seasoning. Soon she was making biscuits and a thick white gravy that she added the dried beef to.

“Good enough,” She said as the gravy simmered. Her eyes drifted to her two sleeping friends. “Now to wake you lot up.”

This required a moment of thought. There had been a few times that Lyssa has been rudely awakened. It was time for a little payback. Even though it might not have been the best time for practical jokes and pranks, Lyssa felt that it was something that needed to be done. She eyed a clean pot and then looked to the stream, her lips curling into a smile.

“Perfect,” she said. “Absolutely perfect.”

Picking up the pot she ran over to the stream and filled it with as much water as it would hold. Lyssa then moved at a slowed pace back to the sleeping elves. This would probably cost her her life if she didn’t move quickly enough. With a great heave she tossed the pot of ice cold water over top of them. Not giving them time to react she laughed as she took off up the nearest tree.

Just as the two elves were soaked in the freezing cold water, Ari’s senses finally kicked back in. After being secluded in his mind for the entire night, the cold water jolted him back to life. He jumped and rolled on his back, pushing himself up on his arms, coughing violently. Shani rolled out of the way, covering herself with the blanket. She coughed and sputtered as she reached for her leggings and tunic.

“Dammitt woman!” she shouted, looking around for the hin trickster. “What the hell were thet fer?”

“Pay backs are a bitch ain’t they?” She shouted from her safe point in the tree.

Shani looked up to Lyssa’s perch as she put on her clothes under the blanket. “So…” she said with an annoyed look. “Y’all gonna come down soon so we kin git a move on?”

“And so you can kick my ass?” She asked with a smirk. “I think I’ll wait until after you lot eat. Speaking of which, I cooked breakfast.”

“Oh, I think I kin wait fer thet,” Shani said with a smirk as she tossed off the blanket and rose to her feet. “‘Sides, I done said thet we were gonna find yer husband, an’ I ain’t one ta back outta promise.”

Ari winced, slowly opening his eyes in the sunlight. He took in the current situation and the surroundings, slowly recollecting his memory from what happened. “What in the hells just happened…?” he said. He then looked down at his soaked self.

Lyssa climbed down the tree, watching them as best she could without falling. “I’m not sure. I can barely remember anything from before I woke up this morning,” Lyssa’s eyes fell on Shani. “How about you?”

“Yer brother’s one sick bastard, Ari,” Shani said as she began preparing the horses. “But one sick bastard what gonna have one useless arm and ‘nough bruises on his face thet he’s gonna be achin’ somethin’ fierce fer a few days.” The proof was on Shani’s knuckles. They were still red from the number of blows she had dropped onto him.

“So he’s still alive then?” Lyssa asked.

“Yeah, sadly ‘nough,” Shani sighed as she hitched up Callipso’s saddle. “He pulled his finger wigglin’ boggety bullshit an’ flocked off.” Lyssa sighed and slumped over slightly, before she began to serve breakfast.

“Betcha didn’t know I knew how to do this huh?” She said looking to Ari with a familiar impish smirk.

“No, well, not really…” He said as he scratched his head, his tail curled around his side. He nicked the blanket off the ground and pulled it over himself. “You… really did beat up Cyreth?” Ari asked, looking up to Shani. Lyssa stayed silent as she listened what happened the previous day. It was rather unnerving to her, having lost track of several hours.

“Yeah,” Shani replied to Ari’s question. “I got mad, somethin’ fierce.” She moved over to sit down beside the fire where Lyssa was cooking. During the preparation of food and the morning, Shani recounted the tale. Not so much one to entertain, but as a warning. They had now crossed paths, and next time, the pale elf would not be as lenient as she had been previously. Ari kept completely silent during the tale, his head hanging. He didn’t mean to have put his friends in danger the previous night.

 

The Hard Road: Something Wicked This Way Comes

Long ago in days untold
Were ruled by lords of greed
Maidens fair, with gold they dared
To bare their wombs that bleed
Kings And Queens and guillotines
Taking lives denied
Starch and parchments laid the laws
When bishops took the ride

Only to deceive

lyrics from Kings and Queens as performed by Aerosmith

Lyssa didn’t look back as they passed through Candlekeep’s gates. She had that determined look in her eyes. The mount under her seemed attuned to Lyssa’s feelings and behaved for the most part. Triumph only became frisky once on the journey, she too knew there was a job to be done and that there would be time to get to know Callipso once it was done.

The Cloud Peak mountains could be seen in the far, far distance. It would take several days to get there and that would be pushing it. Triumph and Callipso didn’t allow their riders to push them any further than was needed. When they were tired, they stopped, even if their riders didn’t want to.

Ari sighed softly, hopping off of Callipso. “Guess we’ll have to take a break here, eh?” He said, patting the horse on the back.

“You’ve got to be kidding me. We just stopped not fifty miles or so. It isn’t like we were galloping either.” Lyssa moaned as she slid out of the saddle.

Shani ruffled Callipso’s mane and grinned. “This here’s a brisk walk fer Cally. An’ he’s carryin’ two people.” As though to answer, Callipso let out a whiney. “A rest stop’d be good, though.”

“We don’t have time for this damn it,” Lyssa snapped at them. “I’m sick of dragging our feet.”

“Lyssa, we’re on the right path,” Shani snapped back. “An’ we needa be best prepared. We ain’t gots no idea what we gonna be facin’. Ya wanna rush inta some place facin’ an army when we ain’t had proper rest?”

“We’ll get there soon enough,” Ari responded simply enough.

“If they don’t expect us then we’ll get the element of surprise. I would much rather keep going,” Lyssa said, tugging at Triumph’s leads. “Come on horse.” Triumph remained unmoving, other than to pull her head back to make Lyssa move closer to her again. This continued for a few moments. Triumph had gotten more annoyed with the hin’s persistence and pulled back on hard enough to make Lyssa fall forward.

“Lyssa,” Shani said softly. “Ifn there’s one thing I learned, horse’s got more smarts ‘an a lotta them in the livin’ races. An’ a bonded mount more so. Kin sense when things ‘re needed, kin sense when danger’s ‘bout.”

Huffing, Lyssa gave up. Pushing herself into a sitting position she glared at the horse. “S’not fair. Some damn beast telling me when I can and can’t go. Just ain’t right.” She knew she was acting like a spoiled brat, but that didn’t deter her in the slightest from wanting to get her own way.

“Gotta learn somethin’ else, Lyssa,” Shani sighed as she moved to stand beside the hin. “They jist ‘bout as stubborn as the one’s ridin’ ‘em. ‘R the one who normally ride ‘em. Take ‘close look at Triumph, there. Git the feelin’ her attitude’s ‘lot like Pania’s? I mean, outside o’ the fact thet it seem she’s taken a shine ta Callipso. Him bein’ a male horse an’ all.” Lyssa huffed more but said nothing in return.

”Welcome home baby brother.” Cyreth’s voice rang out in Ari’s mind. ”Come to play?”

Ari lowered his head, growling. “I didn’t come here for this.” He stepped off to the side from the others, looking about lazily. Lyssa looked at Ari for a moment, still saying nothing.

”Aww. Come on baby brother, it will be fun,” he replied tauntingly. You even brought your little girlfriends. How cute. I’ll enjoy both of them once I’ve beaten you down again. I’ll crush your mind, and then their’s, making them do my every beck and call.

His right eye began to twitch. The air around them grew bitterly cold, the sky darkened as clouds rolled in rapidly. This wouldn’t seem out of place if it hadn’t been sunny just moments before that. Lyssa looked up at the clouds that started to roll in, arching a brow at the strange change in the weather. “I’m not even home yet, so y’can just sit an’ wait,” he growled. “Besides, I won’t let what happened last time happen again.”

”Oh, it won’t happen again. This time, I intend to kill you, like I should have at our last meeting. The only difference is this time, I get prizes out of your two lovely wenches.”

Shani looked over to Ari for a moment, then looked around the area. A light, feathery finger touch grazed delicately over Shani’s neck for a brief moment then instantly it was gone. Shani shivered slightly as she felt scales falling from her neck and she instantly drew the flint lock in one hand and the rapier in the other, keeping a keen eye on her surroundings.

Ari spun about, looking to Shani, then to Lyssa, and about the surroundings. He sniffed the air, showing a sudden look of alarm. He quickly reached back, grasping the spear tightly. Lyssa watched the others, grabbing her bow she knocked an arrow. She jumped a moment later, letting out a small shriek and drawing the arrow back as she looked behind her.

“What the hell is going on?” she yelped. “Who’s there?!”

”You are still in my territory baby brother. he said, still taunting Ari. ”Your pale girlfriend here is a freak just like you. Should be interesting to play with her.”

The pale elf gripped the pistol and the blade tightly, lowering herself closer to the ground as though she were preparing to strike. “Whoever’s out there,” Shani said in a low whisper. “Stop bein’ a yella coward an’ show yerself.”

“Do you want to play with me, Shani?” A hoarse voice whispered in the pale elf’s ear, an unseen hand reaching to run softly across her backside.

Shani gritted her teeth and turned in the direction of the voice. “Whyn’t ya show yerself. ‘Less ya are thet much o’ a chicken.” She snorted slightly, and then something popped up in her own mind. ”Don’t let a common mage allow you to drop your guard. You’re too far along your birthright.” She cleared her mind, knowing the voice didn’t come from the visitor, but it still held a familiar ring to it.

“Ari…” Lyssa said softly. Her voice was dangerously close to breaking. Something had registered and made her realize what was going on. Her eyes darted around rapidly watching the ground for any forms that would show up. “Start talking. I’m not blind to know we aren’t far from where your family is… was rather. Where is he?” Ari glanced to Lyssa, showing a fearful expression on his face. He quickly looked about again, trying to find anything that would disclose his brother’s exact location.

“What the hell’s goin’ on?” Shani spit out looking to Lyssa for answers.

“It’s his brother. He’s attacked Ari once before,” She said in a hoarse whisper. “He’s close enough to play his mind games. Be careful and don’t let your guard down.”

“Aww. Are my two new girls getting scared?” The voice said darkly. “Come on Lyssa, you should remember how you found Ari.”

“I’ll show ya scared when yer balls’re hangin’ outta yer mouth, you sombitch!” Shani shouted out loud.

“Yeah, I remember that you left him for dead!” Lyssa shouted at him. “Some family you are you bastard! I can’t wait until you are dead.”

“You will be fun to tame my little poppet.” He said to Shani, mockingly. “Very fun indeed.”

“How ‘bout I jist cut yer arms off. An’ maybe yer legs,” the pale elf spat. “’Cause ifn all ya kin do is this boggety bullshit, then yer weaker ‘n a church mouse.”

The air around them shimmered with life. Images of a gangly looking elf with a death-like appearance swirled around them. A long arm reached and lightly stroked Shani’s cheek while another did the same to Lyssa. The hand felt like ice as it did nothing more than pass through them. The shimmers pulled themselves into a single form, the elf materialized with a vicious grin on his lips. His hair hung limply around his pale skin. There was no doubt that he was related to Ari, the resemblance was almost twin like.

“Well well, well. We meet again baby brother. How about you stay awake longer than an hour this time?” Cyreth said with chuckle as he recalled the previous encounter. He eyed the girls licentiously, licking his lower lip a moment.

Ari’s eyes narrowed greatly, sliding the spear off his back and into his hands. “Give me a good reason t’not rip ya apart right here and now,” he said angrily, advancing toward Cyreth.

“Simply because I can easily rip your mind from consciousness,” he said with seriousness in his voice. “It’s not hard you know. I’ve been learning what makes you tick even more. Dare I tell Red there what you really feel for her? Or maybe tell Shani here how you are with relationships? Do you think she’ll still want you when she realizes how badly you fail at love?”

His movements seemed like he wasn’t even touching the ground as he approached his brother. His leather duster floated behind him menacingly. A sharp searing pain ripped through Ari’s mind, causing him to jolt back. The sadistic grin widened on Cyreth’s lips. “Oh come on Ari! You can take more then that little bit. Fight damn it!”

Ari hissed, regathering his senses for a moment. He knew how powerful Cyreth was, and he wasn’t going to fall to him so easily.

“Leave him alone you bastard!” Lyssa shouted, instantly regretting that the moment as another image of Cyreth appeared behind her. Icy fingers ran over her flesh, he leaned precariously close to her and whispered something which caused Lyssa to jump away from him quickly. He smiled and laughed at her.

“Have it your way, Princess.” Cyreth said to her as he closed the gap between them. Cyreth placed his index fingers to her temples, sliding the needle-like fingers into her skull. The small hin’s face paled several shades, blood seeped from the small wound. She lost control of her entire body, it went completely rigid as though being electrocuted.

Shani seemed to hiss as she watched Ari, her body began to take on a sort of aura, and her eyes turned a brilliant, mercurial silver. “Y’all jist made a big mistake, varmint. I doubt the next minutes o’ yer sorry assed life ‘re gonna be enjoyable. Most likely filled with pain.” A third image of Cyreth appeared next to Shani, laughing. “Bring it, poppet,” the image purred darkly into her ear. Each seemed to be it’s own person, yet all the same.

Lyssa fell to her knees and screeched, pressing her hands to her head she doubled over in pain, after he let her go. Cyreth laughed as he inflicted another dose of pain on the small hin. Her body twitched a great dealt before she slumped over and remained unmoving. Ari leapt quickly towards his brother’s image, point-end of the spear first, only to find Cyreth moving aside and vanish.

Shani looked over to Lyssa, only able to watch as she fell to the ground in pain. She was about to strike out, when something rushed past her, kicking at some spot for a brief moment before moving toward the hin.

Triumph’s only concern was the small rider that the horse felt a need to tend to. As she rushed forward, reaching Lyssa’s limp form, her back legs lashed out at what seemed to be nothing, before dipping her head low enough for Lyssa to grab the reins. A weak hand managed to grab on, and with a flip, Triumph hauled her onto her back as she raised her head. The next thing heard was the sound of heavy hooves as the steed raced Lyssa to safety.

Shani quickly looked back to the form that stood before her. There was uncertainty in her mind as she went into a defensive position. Tricks of an infant, the voice said in her mind. You are of my blood. You are better than he. I will show you.

“Still wish to play, poppet?” He laughed at Shani as she looked around in confusion. “You’re nothing more than a freak of nature like my dear sweet baby brother.”

Shani blinked her eyes and scowled. She stopped moving, and a smile crossed her face. “Play,” she repeated, her voice sounding much lower and rather metallic. “Play indeed. Fool me once, shame on me,” she said as she raised the flintlock toward the real Cyreth. “Fool me twice,” she continued as she pulled back the hammer on the pistol. “Shame on you.”

“Oh look, someone who thinks that tinker toy can actually hurt me.” His voice seemed uncertain as she looked directly at him. Within seconds, an almost ghost-like hand shot out from his hand, aiming directly at Ari’s head. The bitter, cold hand passed through his head, sending the most intense feeling through his mind. Ari screamed as he could feel what seemed like tens of thousand knives pierce his mind, each one severing a thought until his mind was completely shut down. The tailed elf fell to the ground with a lifeless thud.

She didn’t say another word as she saw Ari fall to the ground. She moved forward with a determined purpose, closing the gap to five feet and fired, aiming directly for his face. Smoke and tinder along with a hard, round bullet flew at high velocity from the barrel. Callipso moved quickly to Ari’s side. The majestic horse stood over the unconscious elf protectively, ready to defend as well as he could should the need arise.

The bullet pierced his shoulder. Cyreth let out a scream of pain as the searing heat scorched his flesh. The tinder from the shot flew into his face, blackening it and rendering him partially blind. His wounded arm remained limp at his side as he glared at the pale elf with his good eye.

“You’ll pay for that you stupid bitch,” he growled at Shani. “I’m going to enjoy ripping the skin from your body.”

Shani tossed the pistol to the side and marched toward him, closing the gap until she was standing only a breath in front of him. “Play thing, huh,” she spit at him, and then her lithe form lashed out as she quickly dropped to the ground and circle kicked, her leg sweeping his feet out from under him. As he struggled to rise, Shani raised the rapier above his shoulder, and jabbed it down. The blade cut through his flesh and exited just below his rib cage.

As he screamed in pain, feeling his skin becoming a sheath for Shani’s rapier, he gathered his will and blasted Shani with all his might, throwing her small form off of him. The blade giving off a pain he never experienced before, he reached to pull the blade from but even the slightest movement inflicted more damage with each movement.

Shani rebounded easily and picked herself up off the ground, moving at a blinding speed as a voice not her own spoke aloud. ”Insignificant worm. You would dare defy those born into immortality. You are nothing compared to my lineage.” Her face had a scowl that matched the voice, then it softened, but not by much. “Tame, huh?” She reached out and grabbed the hilt of the rapier and pushed it down further. His screams rang out clearly, echoing over the lands that surrounded them. “Hang onta this fer a sec, ‘kay!” She lashed out and knocked him over, moving to stand directly above him.

“Dang varmint like you jist crawled outta some rock, didn’t ya,” she said as she quickly dropped down to her knees, straddling him as she balled up her fist. “Y’all never shoulda drug yer ass outta bed this mornin’,” she nearly screamed as her fist came down heavily, connecting solidly with his cheek. She repeated the process four more times before speaking again.

“What were thet ‘bout tamin’?” she screamed between blows from her fist. “I done tol’ ya, the next few minutes o’ yer life were gonna be filled with pain!” Her fist started to grow red, already she had broken his nose, but she wanted bone, not cartilage, to snap and break. So she aimed for the mage’s cheek bone, filled with the intent to hear the snap. Cyreth started to laugh each and every time she connected a fist to his face.

Shani gritted her teeth as she suddenly felt every bit of pain she was administering upon Cyreth. Her body shook slightly, but the voice came to her again. Ignore the pain. Fight through it! You’re better than him! She took a deep breath and narrowed her eyes as a sickening smile crossed her face. “I might kill m’self, but at least I’m gonna take y’all with me.” She again repeated the process, her fist barraging his face. To Cyreth, it almost appeared as though a ghostly dragon surrounded Shani’s form. The ethereal image was even an old, recognizable foe to the Neverwinter Wood.

Suddenly, Shani’s ancestry became revealed.

Cyranus, the ancient silver dragon. Shani’s ancestor was Cyranus. Cyreth’s eyes grew wide for a moment before he turned his head to keep the hail of punches from doing much more damage than they were already. Blood was already pouring from open wounds on his face. He screamed in both fear and pain, each moment that passed he was weakening considerably.

Her blows continued, each becoming more vicious than the last. She ignored the pain, only intent on hearing the wet, bone snap that would come from Cyreth’s face. “Tame. Play. Bastard’s like y’all don’t know nothin’ else. After I’m done with you, gonna have ta git a metal plate ta wear fer a mask ta cover up the scars.” The final snap came, sounding more like a crunch of a boot on glass, and Shani’s face grew dark as she laughed aloud. She grabbed the rapier still embedded in his shoulder and pulled roughly, the blade tearing away at his flesh as she rose to her feet.

As the blade was removed, he screamed even more. The skin around the wound seemed to blacken. Dead. Once it was completely out he laid there panting heavily. He didn’t know if he could even move, his eyes blinded with his own blood and tinder. Open wounds, and shards of bone decorated his face.

She was in pain, she was tired, but at least she was in better condition than he was. “Git up,” she growled as she wiped her nose with the back of her hand, spreading some blood that had begun to flow. “Git up! If yer man ‘nough ta do so. My guess is yer nuthin’ but a lil yella bellied snake.”

Weakly, he stood, his slender form hunched over. Cyreth relied on his other senses to target her as he flicked his wrist. Thousands of crystal shards flew from his hand directly at her. The razor-like crystals shredded everything around her, as they did he opened his eyes as best he could to focus on her. Drawing on his will, that sadistic smile now resting on his lips again.

“Play toy indeed,” he taunted, he stood straight again glaring at her with blood pouring down his face. The wounds on his body stained his already dark robes even darker. “You’ll pay, but it won’t be today. I promise you that much. I’m going to look forward to dissecting you bit by bit.”

“I don’t make promises. I make guarantees. An’ I guarantee, I’m gonna fuckin’ kill ya,” she said as her haggard breath made her voice seem all together sinister. She lashed out with her blade arm, the rapier aiming for his face, this time to cut right through.

The blade met with only air as Cyreth released one last telekinetic blast at her, sending Shani backwards again. Seconds later the form of Cyreth dissipated, leaving behind nothing more than a puddle of his blood. The winds picked up for a moment, before fading away. The clouds parted, letting sunlight douse the ground in light.

“YOU SONOFABITCH!” Shani screamed to the winds. “I will kill you!” She took a deep breath as her mind began to clear and she looked for her friends. “Callipso. Go find Triumph an’ Lyssa an’ bring ‘em back.” The horse chuffled and set off on a gallop, knowing now that Ari was safe. Shani moved as quickly as she could to Ari, the last few steps feeling like molasses. She slumped beside Ari, and wrapped her arms around him. She felt his breath coming in small doses, alleviating her worry. Perhaps he’d be all right.

“Darlin’,” she whispered. “You an’ me’s gonna have a talk ‘bout yer family. ‘Cause, I don’t wanna be sittin’ down ta turkey dinners with yer mom an’ dad an’ find out they wanna suck out my brains.” She lay beside him, pulling his form closer to her own. The danger, this one at least, had past.

 

The Hard Road:The Long and Winding Road

The long and winding road
That leads to your door
Will never disappear
Ive seen that road before
It always leads me here
Lead me to you door

lyrics from The Long and Winding Road as performed by the Beatles

The locks in the Inn weren’t that difficult to pick, and Shani had the one leading to Lyssa’s room open in seconds. She strode in with a satchel over her shoulder, setting it down loudly with a clang on the nearest table. She looked around the room, as a shout came from Lyssa’s bed. There was a hint of a smirk on Shani’s face as she walked over to the bed. “Wakey wakey! Eggs an’ backey!”

“Pike off, you pale skin wench.” Lyssa growled. “What in the hell are you making all that fecking noise for? Trying to wake the damn inn?”

“No, jist tryin’ ta git you up,” she replied and then added with a sultry smile. “‘Less ‘course ya wanted ta be woken up some other way.” She chuckled as she walked back over to the table and opened the satchel, removing a few weapons and some ammunition for bows and crossbows.

“How about we leave that for Panny. ‘Sides, you’re sleeping with Ari now.” Lyssa replied, sitting up and looking curiously over at the stuff Shani was dumping out. “The hell is all of that?”

“Good point,” she said as she took out a pair of flint locks and holstered them. “Got us provisions an’ some extra weapons. Guess there were a patron kind ‘nough ta git us some stuff after he heard me playin’ last night.”

“Unhuh. Sounds like a good deal to me. Save a bit of coin and the hassle of haggling down to the last copper.” Lyssa said. “So tell me Shan. How is the tailed elf? Still dead asleep?”

“Rode hard,” Shani said with a grin. “Put ‘way wet.” She took one of the flint locks out in a quick draw and twirled it before holstering it again.

“You disturb me. I just want to make–” Lyssa said, looking up to the door as it opened again.

“I thought I heard someone talkin’ about me,” Ari smirked, leaning in the doorway.

“Mornin’, darlin’,” Shani said with a soft smile. Lyssa’s eyes rolled so hard, some might think she could have gotten whiplash. “Y’all well rested?” she added with a small smirk.

“Trick question?” he said, still smirking.

“You are both bloody tarts. Now stop showing off this lovey dovey junk, we’ve got work to do and a drow to find.” Lyssa said almost cheerfully.

“Yeah, an’ when find ‘im, we all gotta put up with yer lovey dovey stuff too,” Shani retorted. “Now both o’ ya, git over here an’ lemme show ya the finer details o’ usin’ a flint lock.”

“No, no. See it will be simple. I send you lot back and me and Andar take a nice long second honeymoon in which he will not be able to walk straight when I am done.” Lyssa said bluntly, with a grin on her face. She rolled out of the bed, then moved to the table, staring at the items that Shani laid out. Ari stepped over, closing the door quietly.

“So, what’s all this, then?” Ari asked, perking an eyebrow. His tail wagged in curiosity.

“These here ‘re flint locks,” Shani explained as she held one up to display. “One shot pistols, like I had on the Rose. It were dang fortunate thet the one what give us alla this were a shippin’ merchant an’ had a few on hand.” She began a demonstration of the loading of the weapon as she spoke. “The reason why it’s one shot s’b’cause ain’t nobody gonna wanna load it after ya fire it.”

“Because it takes forever to load. I think I’ll stick with arrows,” Lyssa said, her eyes studying the pistol.

“Bingo on thet part,” Shani said as she continued loading. “Thing is, this here makes a nice, loud bang ta scare the livin’ shit outta the ones ya fightin’. Ain’t nobody gonna expect somethin’ like this, an’ it’s also gonna hurt like hell when they git a bullet smacked b’tween the eyes.” She finished loading and handed it to Lyssa. “We each take one. Fire when we needa. Someone gits too close…” She held up her fingers as though she were pointing a gun. “Bang! They’ll back off purty quick. An’ then ya go back ta usin’ what ya used ta.”

Lyssa took hers and hooked it in her belt, still listening to Shani. Ari continued to eye the odd little device curiously. Shani held one of the pistols out for Ari to take a closer look.

“So when are we getting out of here?” Lyssa asked, gathering her belongings.

“Soon as we ready ta go,” Shani said with a shrug. “I took the liberty o’ gittin’ the horses ready. Once we all dressed…” she said with a smirk to Lyssa. “An’ stuff gathered up, we kin hit the road.”

Lyssa looked down at what she was wearing and frowned. She was still in her nightshirt. Not caring that Shani and Ari were there, she pulled it off and began to dress in her clothes. Sitting down, she pulled on her thigh high boots, then stood again.

“I’m ready.” Lyssa said quite eagerly. “Let’s go.”

With clothes changed and equipment gathered, the three went down to the awaiting horses. Provisions were packed and their destination was set, it would be several days of travel before they would reach Candlekeep, but at least they would be well packed for whatever lay before them. Mounting the horses, they began what would be the last leg of the journey, and most assuredly, the most dangerous.

 

The Hard Road: A Thousand Miles From Nowhere

[[This portion of the story is a multimedia experiment. I’ve done this before, but never with two other writers. At a specific point in the story, the reader is encouraged to start playing a song. But at the moment, in the story when Shani strums guitar strings, that is when the music should start playing. The reader will see the effect (or even hear it) when the song and story are combined. The song is Dwight Yoakam’s A Thousand Miles From Nowhere You may have to read this one or two times to get a tempo for it, and it’s even encouraged to read this aloud when the music is playing.]]

Lyssa walked down the stairs into the main room. Surprisingly, The Helm and Cloak was full of customers and travelers alike. The chatter was loud, no one paid attention to the hin as she moved through crowd to an empty table. The smell of ale was missing from the otherwise tavern like scene, on the stage was a performer who was currently juggling apples in one hand and spinning a plate on a stick in the other. She hopped into a chair and watched the stage. There wasn’t a grin or a smirk on her face, as she wasn’t amused by the act on stage.

“Pretty good act there, eh Lys?” Ari said, seating himself by Lyssa. He crossed his arms, leaning against the table. “Never get this much back up the coast.”

“It’s actually boring. Nothing I’ve not seen already. Only the act I seen the man was also eating fire and swallowing swords,” she replied cynically.

“Ehh, guess someone has to start somewhere, and what better way than to not burn themselves,” he responded with a soft sigh.

“Practice makes perfect,” she said smirking a bit as one of the apples flew into the audience.

“Nothing says perfect like lying face down in the mud, burning inside, huh?” Ari said.

“Sounds like perfection to me. Where’s Shani?” Lyssa asked, looking around for the pale elf, who would stand out even in the brightest light. “You’d think she’d be easy to spot, has she even come down?”

“Would either of you like anything to drink?” A waitress asked them sweetly.

“Hot chocolate,” Lyssa muttered. “Something stronger would be much better but rules are rules.”

“I’m good, thanks,” Ari said, leaning back in his chair lazily.

As the pair sat down and gave their orders, the pale elf finally came down into the room. Wearing a pair of worn and faded denims, the heeled boots that seemed to clomp on the floor only added to the picture that Shani produced just by standing in the doorway. A plain shirt covered her torso, as a tanned leather jacket displaying tassels along her arms and back hung on her shoulders. A guitar was strapped across her shoulder as her eyes surveyed the room beneath the brim of the stetson she wore.

Satisfied that there was enough of an audience in the room, she sauntered over to the bar, leaning across to whisper to the server, who pointed out one man by the stage to her. She grinned and nodded her thanks, her hand automatically touching the brim of the hat to add to the gesture. Lyssa motioned to Shani with a small smile on her lips. The waitress came back over with Lyssa’s hot chocolate, she smiled at Ari as she set it down on a small napkin. Lyssa pulled a flask from a small pouch on her hip and dumped some of the contents into the hot chocolate. Ari perked an eyebrow, looking to Lyssa silently.

“What?” Lyssa said with mock innocence. “I said I wanted something stronger.”

A short conversation with the man, the rather flamboyant individual stepped up onto the stage as Shani leaned against a banister, looking like a tall glass of water. “If I can have everyone’s attention,” he spoke with a smile as the hushed conversations died down. “Usually we do not have traveling entertainers, but this evening, we are graced with one. All the way from Mirabar, the Elven…” He paused as he leaned over to Shani for a moment and whispered. “What was that again you called yourself?”

“The Elven Cowgirl Crooner,” she whispered back.

He nodded with a smile, and returned his attention to the audience. “The Elven Cowgirl Crooner.” There was mild clapping as he offered the stage to Shani, especially from Ari. Except from Lyssa who let out a shrill whistle. Shani’s long, black hair spilled over her shoulders as she adjusted her guitar, flashing a smile toward Ari and Lyssa.

“Thank y’all,” she began. “I wanna play a song fer y’all, kinda tells a story ’bout what me an’ my friends’ve been goin’ through recently. Kinda fittin’, call it Thousand Miles From Nowhere.” There was a pause as she made sure the guitar was in perfect order.

And then her fingers gently strummed the strings.

She swayed her body lightly as her fingers began to slowly tease the strings. And then she added her voice and began to croon.

I’m a thousand miles from nowhere
Time don’t matter to me
‘Cause I’m a thousand miles from nowhere
And there’s no place I want to be

Shani had instantly drawn everyone’s attention with her voice.

I got heartaches in my pocket
I got echoes in my head
And all that I keep hearing
Are the cruel, cruel things that you said

Ari’s ears perked as he leaned back in the chair.

I’m a thousand miles from nowhere
Time don’t matter to me
‘Cause I’m a thousand miles from nowhere
And there’s no place I want to be

Lyssa took the words in somberly as she bit her lower lip.

Oh, I
Oh, I
Oh, I
Oh, Aye-eee-aye-ee-aye

The crowd was riveted to Shani’s figure on the stage, her legs moving in time to the music as she began the low, haunting guitar riff. The tune drifting around the crowd luring them into it’s depths. Lyssa watched, blinking back tears as she understood the song’s hidden meaning. Ari’s gaze drifted over to Lyssa then back to Shani on the stage.

Oh, I
Oh, I
Oh, I
Oh, Aye-eee-aye-ee-aye

I got bruises on my memory
I got tear stains on my hands
And in the mirror there’s a vision
Of what used to be a woman

Shani had peeked with the song, giving it energy.

I’m a thousand miles from nowhere
Time don’t matter to me
‘Cause I’m a thousand miles from nowhere
And there’s no place I want to be

People in the crowd had actually started dancing.

I’m a thousand miles from nowhere
Time don’t matter to me
‘Cause I’m a thousand miles from nowhere
And there’s no place I want to be

Ari did not even bother to look to the others, his gaze fixed upon Shani. He gently smiled as she strummed the guitar. His mind slowly wandered away from the event.

Oh, Aye-eee-aye-ee-aye

Lyssa glanced to Ari, then followed his gaze. For a brief moment she was actually jealous of her best friend’s newly forming relationship. Quickly she pushed it from her mind and focused on the music once more. The song pulled at her heart and made her miss her husband even more. She could only hope that he would hold on just a little longer.

I’m a thousand miles from nowhere

Her voice became as haunting as the tune she played on the six string. Drawing upon the emotion she felt in the crowd, feeling the eyes on her, sensing them with a longing that urged her on. She continued to let her fingers dance on the strings, as her voice was nearly a whisper as she would sing.

I’m a thousand miles from nowhere

The patrons started to cheer loudly, sensing that the close was coming near, but only encouraging more from the songstress. Lyssa took a straight swig from her flask before she too started to cheer for Shani’s performance. Ari glanced about, suddenly coming back to reality as everyone cheered. He hopped onto his feet and began clapping his hands.

I’m a thousand

Shani crooned the last few lines and smiled with the response she was receiving. The music seemed to magically fade as she took off her stetson and bowed deeply to the applause, flashing her patented grin before dropping the worn hat onto her head again. Her smile stayed as she stepped off the stage, nodding to those who thanked her for the song. She stopped in front of Ari and Lyssa and bowed slightly in front of them as the clapping continued.

Ari reached his hand forward to take Shani’s hand. The crowd slowly dispersed from the table, leaving the trio to themselves. Ari pulled Shani close, wrapping one arm around her waist and kissed her passionately. Shani just let it happen, falling into the kiss as she threw her arms around his neck.

“Oh for the love of Eilistraee, get a damn room.” Lyssa said, pushing herself up and going to the room they purchased for the night, where she would lock the door leaving the love birds to get their own room.

[While I helped write this section of the story, the concept was completely Tim Holtorf’s idea. He is a wonderful story writer and has been wonderful to work with on this story. If it wasn’t for Tim and his brilliant ideas, this story wouldn’t have much of a life. I owe lot to him, and thank him much for his friendship and encouragement. You can read more of his work on his blog Middle of Saskatchewan. I urge you to read his work, you will not be disappointed.]]

 

Canyons of Steel – Valley of the Damned Pt. 5

The pair trudged through the sewers with care. They had a connection back to the office of Walker Securities, but Walker had another idea. Aside from needing a few cuts and bruises dealt with, he needed to know more about the type of “magic” they had seen on their read outs. And the only man he knew who could answer that, without getting himself tossed into a Turkish prison, was Richard Adams. Richard had retired, for the most part. Age was catching up to him, but he was still a well of knowledge, plus, he was incredibly handy with a surgical needle and could keep quiet about certain things.

“We could go back, Sir,” Annie suggested. “Tracking her through this will be next to impossible.”

Walker looked to Annie for a long moment. “It ain’t that I don’t agree with ya on that, Annie. It that somethin’s buggin’ me ’bout this whole thing. An’ when somethin’ starts buggin’ me…” He didn’t have to finish as he banged a fist against the steel door. He wouldn’t be satisfied until he got an answer. The door opened carefully, and an elderly, yet distinguished, black gentleman poked his head out.

“Ah, yes,” Adams announced. “Always do know that one of you is in trouble when lower security starts knocking. I suspect you’ll need some attention.” Adams held the door open allowing the two gunslingers entry. “So,” he stated as the door closed, quieter than one would think a steel door should. “Who were the targets today, and where are the wounds?”

“The wounds ain’t so bad, Doc,” Walker remarked as he took off the jet black cowboy hat and lowered the bandana from his face. Here, both Mary and John Walker could live their dual life one in the same, with absolute safety. Adams had promised them complete autonomy while in the confines of his home, and he would keep the secret of their dual lives. “Just some nicks an’ scrapes. Targets were Heritage Front, but they seemed ta be usin’ some kinda magic.”

“Not uncommon for Heritage Front, really,” Adams replied as he went over a few of the bruises on Mary’s shoulder. “You should be more careful, Mary. By the look of this bruise, you’re rolling into it too soon.” Adams knew what the pair had done, even without asking. It was evident in the shape of the bruises and the depth of the cuts. “Heritage Front agents have practised in magic for years, Walker, you should know this.”

“But it weren’t no magic we ever seen b’fore, Doc. It had a signature like Weaver…”

“…but there was fluctuations that were off,” Mary continued. And again, it was like a well oiled machine between Walker and Annie. All cylinders clicking at the right time. “It seemed much more powerful than anything Weaver has managed before.” She reached into her saddle bag and produced a hand held, pointing to the display where the signature first appeared. Adams finished with Mary’s shoulder and gently took the hand held, studying the readings intently.

Richard knew what he was looking for, after all, it was he along with researchers from Stewart Aeronautics that created the devices for aerial observation. The ones that went into mass production were not nearly as powerful as the one Mary used. “You’re going to have to search out Weavers. They’re using an other worldly magic. Find out what it is, and see if you can cut off what the Heritage Front is trying to use.”

“I thought it were Weaver magic,” Walker replied.

“Similar, but not the same,” he corrected. “Weavers will be able to help you out, mind you. Granted, they probably won’t be happy to see you.” Richard smirked as he tilted his glasses. The comment in reference to a dust up between Walker and Weavers several months back. Walker didn’t exactly make friends with them. “See if you can talk to the head mage. If the Weavers won’t co-operate, then the only other place you’re going to get civil answers is from the CSIS Paranormal.”

Walker sighed as he sat down in a chair. The examination room seemed sterile and cold, but it was a great deal more inviting than what lay ahead in Orenbaga. “Sometimes, Doc. Things seemed a lot simpler back in the Gulf.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t have left the military, John.”

Walker took a deep breath and sighed. He knew what they would have to do. Rest, resupply, and make a trek into the desert. People were going to die. But if they didn’t go down into the earth, people probably would die anyway. The only difference would be, the latter option would involve a great deal of pain.