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Rogues Paid Gold: Riffraff and Runaways Ch.9
Riffraff and Runaways is the first in (hopefully) a number of book-length stories in what I am calling "Rogues Paid Gold". It is a fantasy story taking place in a world that I have been working to develop for several years. I hope you enjoy it and are interested in going through the journey along with the characters.
Things are still in the drafting phase right now. This is by no means the final form of the chapter. Critique is more than welcome.
Other comments such as what worked and what you enjoyed are also a big help to the development of this project.
Chapter 1 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/47108770/
Chapter 2 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/48752162/
Chapter 3 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/49597363/
Chapter 4 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/52304327/
Chapter 5 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/53094343/
Chapter 6 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/54478623/
Chapter 7 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/54478880/
Chapter 8 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/56095422/
Amber dealt her bed an aggressive blow as another crash from downstairs assaulted her large ears. What in the name of blood and scat was happening down there? How was she expected to sleep with such a commotion raging under her? When the abounding crashes refused to cease, she clutched her massive sword and leapt from the bed. Without bothering to dress herself, she stamped down the hall in her undergarments with the blade slung across her shoulder.
“If this is Cade’s doin’, ‘e’s dead.”
Descending the stairs, Amber gawked at the main hall’s condition. The remains of several tables now rested as heaps of wood, shattered into pieces by the corpulent reptile charging after Syrus like an armored juggernaut. Swerving, leaping, and dodging, the wolf continued to evade his pursuer, leaving the brute to break apart more wood time and time again.
Cade worked to evade the blades of his smaller opponent. Though lacking in stature, the reptile compensated with speed, swinging his twin bladed discs with the ferocity of a rabid beast. Even in the face of such feral swiftness, the weasel proved his skill surpassed blind savagery by landing a slash across the lizard’s midsection. The cut lacked depth, owing to the reinforced scales coating the underside, but Cade struck with enough force to send the reptile reeling.
The third opponent stood locked in a stalemate with Vlakas who refused to relinquish hold of his adversaries tail even as numerous blows rained upon his head. Though the assault boasted strength, the reptile’s claws proved outmatched by Vlakas’s own protective hide.
What did that mangey weasel get us into now? Amber cursed, staring at the spectacle before grinning at the realization that, with any luck, she might see Cade get knocked on his tail.
“Goshira,” the reptile struggling with Vlakas said, “get over ‘ere n’ deal with dis thing. Kheedra, stop flailin’ about n’ gut dat spitscorned weasel.”
Goshira abandoned pursuing Syrus and charged at the dragon, delivering a fierce kick to the dragon’s underside that dislodged and sent him hurtling across the room. Cade’s opponent, appearing winded, prepared for a downward swing. The weasel raised his weapon to defend only for Kheedra to spin and kick him across his face.
He landed hard against the ground with his opponent leering at him from atop the table. Holding only empty space in his hand, he scanned around for his sword, finding it resting on the ground a few feet away from him. A gentle tickle crept down his muzzle, little streams of blood flowing from the fresh wounds opened from the lizard’s claws.
Cade reached into his pouch, grasping around until he felt a couple of small oblong objects against his fingers. Two left. He gripped one while his opponent sprang from his perch with circular razors positioned for a killing strike. With a deft yet desperate fling, Cade hurled the object at the descending Kheedra.
Cra-pak!
The din of the rupturing seed matched the force it created when striking against his enemy’s sternum. The impact flung Kheedra against the wall, slamming his back against the stone. He lay suspended for a moment with eyes rolled back to show only white before a gurgling groan escaped his throat, and he slumped to the ground, unconscious. With the deafening crack reminding her of why she was roused, Amber descended the steps with her grip tightening around her sword.
Rhodin pointed a claw at Cade, snarling. “I’m goin’ ta make ya take yer regrets to the grave for dis.” His deadly tail lashed about with reckless abandon in a terrifying display. “Keep the Ranger at bay, Goshira. I’m goin’ ta wear dat weasel’s hide as a belt.”
“Pardon? What was that, dragon bait?” Cade retorted. “Vlakas, finish your food.”
The dragon leapt at Rhodin like a predatory felid, jaws open and eager to do his master’s bidding.
“Ya want dis so bad, dragon?” Rhodin snarled, his tail shooting out like a whip against the oncoming dragon. “Come get it.”
Leaping out, Amber announced herself with a singular stroke. Bringing her blade down on the tail, her immense strength cleaved through scale, tore flesh, and split bone. Rhodin howled out his agony while his severed tail found its way into Vlakas’s salivating jaws. Landing on the floor, Vlakas celebrated his victory by gnawing at the now useless length of flesh.
Spitting on the ground, Amber bared her teeth while glaring the two remaining lizards.
“Yer lucky it wasn’t yer rotted head I severed from yer neck. What do all ya soft loins think yer doin’ makin’ so much bleedin’ noise?”
Goshira moved in to interrupt the fox’s tirade. Standing at nearly three times her height, the monstrous reptile lunged with a fist as big around as Amber’s own head. With a sickening squelch, the reptile’s hand tore from his arm courtesy of the fox’s sword. It landed on the ground on the other side of the room leaving Goshira’s blood shooting from his newly gifted stump. Clutching at his wound, the former brutish giant sank to his knees, his wails erupting around the room.
Amber pointed her blade at Rhodin’s groin. “Ya better leave or my blade’ll go between yer legs next.”
Ragged, snarling breaths followed Rhodin as he slunk away. “Yer all goin’ ta pay for dis. When Lord Kajo hears o’ dis…he’ll slaughter the lot of ya. Yer… already dead.”
“I think we’ll be fine, stumpbutt,” Cade said. “If you sorry lot are what he commands, well, he can’t be much stronger than you amateurs. Don’t forget to take your friend with you.” He motioned to the unconscious Kheedra.
Reduced to sobbing like a child, Goshira struggled to rise with his only hand wrapped around his wound. Blood still spilled out in a heavy discharge, painting the floor with dark red splatters.
“Wait.” Gabe’s voice rose above the reptile’s shameful stumbling. The deer approached the two lizards while working the strings of his lyre. Once he finished his tune, the blood no longer flowed from Goshira and Kheedra’s severed appendages. Fresh scales covered the once gory mess.
Gabe turned his back on the miserable group. “You’re no longer in danger of bleeding out. Leave knowing you bullies have finally met your match. We won’t be pushed around by you anymore.”
The still sniveling Goshira followed Rhodin out, slinging Kheedra over his shoulder like a sack of grain. As the lead reptile stepped through the doorway, he turned and glowered at Cade, showing his teeth in a foreboding sneer. “You cannot fathom the violent storm ya brought upon dis house.” The reptile then slipped away without another word.
The room lay in shambles with wooden pieces covering the floor. Not a single bench or table escaped damage, and even the floor carried battle scars in the form splintered dents where Rhodin’s tail had struck. Navigating through the debris, Syrus made for where Elysia had taken cover during the chaos.
“Are you alright,” Syrus asked, checking her body for signs of damage.
“I’m fine,” Elysia said, but her crossed arms and pouting face told the Ranger a different story.
His attention was broken by Amber’s loud mocking voice. “Wow, yer lucky ya have me ta fix yer messes, aren’tcha? Hey, wolf, what was with all that spitscorned dancin’ about with the big fella? Just pop ‘is head like a rottin’ melon. It’s that simple.”
“Yes, because everyone knows that snapped arrows are perfect for the bow.” Syrus said, not bothering to cast his sight on the fox. “Even with useful ones, I wouldn’t have deemed taking a life to be necessary. I’m not a savage like you.”
“Guess ya didn’t deem usin’ those daggers o’ yers necessary either, scathole.”
With the sounds of combat stilled, the orphans began trickling back into the room, a chorus of murmurs and gasps lifting as they took in the state of the room.
“There are kids here.” Syrus cast a judgmental eye toward Amber. “Get dressed. They don’t need to see you in little more than your fur.”
Cade opened his mouth to remedy the tension, but a sudden embrace from Gabe halted his speech.
“Words are not enough to thank you for your doing, but I’m unable to offer anything else.”
Mutterings and awe from the other children complemented the deer’s admiration.
“They-they did it. They beat them.”
“‘Course they did. I never doubted ‘em for a moment.”
“Amazing.”
“Miss Daphne’s going to drop to the floor when she sees this.”
As if spoken into existence, the elderly vixen emerged into the hall, eyes widening as she beheld the dining area. She released a defeated exhale, yet her overall composure stood firm. Clapping her hands together twice, she grabbed the attention of the youngsters who had begun to crowd around Cade.
“There are still chores to be seen to. Let the Rogue be. These travelers have had quite enough to deal with this morning.”
The vixen approached Cade, shooing away the few younger kids who still lingered in the weasel’s presence. As they left, they begged Gabe to relay the events of the battle in the coming evening.
“Forgive them,” Daphne said. “They don’t get much excitement out here. You know how kids can be.” She glanced at Elysia before continuing, her voice slowly becoming more distraught. “You have my thanks for driving those miscreants away. Though, I wish you could have arrived on a different day and been spared this inconvenience. My apologies, but I don’t have anything in the way of payment for your bravery. I don’t even know how I’m going to fix all this.”
“That’s alright, miss,” Cade said. “Apologies for the damages, but collateral is rarely avoidable in these situations. No need for payment considering your circumstances. Your kind accommodations were enough. We’ll be out of your concern once we gear back up as we must take our leave.”
“But, sir, you need to stay,” Gabe said. “Those lizards are sure to be back, and Kajo will be with them, he will. Please, you must stay to help us.”
“Sorry, kid,” Cade said, “but we need to get Elysia home. Theosis isn’t far from here, right? I’m sure a quick post to a noticeboard there will solve this problem. A major checkpoint of Aridesca like that will bring about a Guild to help in no time. Possibly one even greater than mine, eh?” He grinned at the young deer, but his humor was met with downcast eyes.
“No,” Gabe said. “No one will come.”
“What do you mean?”
“Come.” Daphne moved over to the notice board in the back of the room, beckoning Cade to follow. She plucked one of the parchments posted against the wood and handed it to him.
The portrait of a reptile graced the center. His muzzle was more rounded compared to the previous three, but the teeth displayed in his roar looked every bit as menacing as Rhodin’s. Metal fashioned into a partial mask covered half of his visage, extending from upper jaw to forehead. It wrapped around his head to rest just below two horns jutting out from the back of his skull that curved downward like two crescent moons against either side. After taking in the illustration, Cade scanned the writing on the page.
Wanted
For Crimes Against the Crown of Aridesca
Kajo the Monster
Posted by King Harlod
Reward: Ten Million Gold
“This has been posted all over Aridesca for over three years now,” Daphne said. “No one is brave enough to face Kajo.”
Cade stared at the reward with a pensive hand to his chin before speaking. “Let me speak with my Guild.”
Upstairs in one of the bedrooms, Cade met with the others out of the way of the comings and goings of the children tending to their routines. Vlakas, in a more diminished state, slept on the floor near Cade, his belly full of the meat from Rhodin’s tail, while Kairi sat in attendance upon Syrus’s shoulder.
“I have a proposition,” Cade said.
“How kind o’ ya ta give us a choice this time,” Amber retorted.
Ignoring her, Cade continued. “Judging from the lizard’s threats, it’s safe to assume that they’re going to return with their leader to seek retribution. What I am suggesting, is that we remain here so that we may protect them.” He looked up at Elysia who sat on a bed, kicking her legs back and forth over the side. “We have already sworn to escort Elysia home and uncover the mysteries of the, er, object in her chest.”
Amber interrupted, scoffing. “Feh, you ‘ave.”
“So, I think it right to ask her opinion on this matter first. Elysia, are you okay with us staying to help? It’s going to delay us for an unknown number of days. There’s no knowing as to when they’ll arrive.”
“That’s fine,” she said in a cheery manner. “I wasn’t ready to leave anyway.”
“Good,” Cade said. “Taking that answer into account, I believe that this is what’s best for all. If we take down this Kajo fellow, it will be a significant pawhold in getting this Guild going. The bounty and prestige acquired through this quest are both boons to be desired for that end.”
“And what about me?” Amber leaned forward, thrusting a thumb at her chest. “I’m stuck ‘ere with ya until we git this kid out of our fur. The way I see it, messin’ about just means I’m stuck with ya longer than I need ta be.”
Cade feigned surprise. ““Why, Amber. I was hoping you would wish to stick around for this Guild I have planned.” His eyes met hers as he continued, now serious. “Still, if departing is what you’ve set your heart on, I’m sure a parting gift in the form of a cut of the bounty would do you well when you return to wandering the sands on your own again.”
Amber’s posture relaxed, and she spoke no further.
“Bounty notwithstanding,” Syrus said, “I need no convincing. Daphne gave us shelter, and it’s only right that we repay her and the children.”
Kairi squawked her agreement.
“Well, with that settled,” Cade stood up, scooping his dragon up from his resting place, “I suggest we use whatever time we’re given to prepare ourselves for the coming enemy.”
He departed from the others and made his way to the staircase with the intent of informing Daphne of his group’s decision. Hearing the voices of Gabe and another boy conversing from below, he paused at the top to listen in while they set to work clearing the aftermath of the morning skirmish.
“Huh, you really think they’re goin’ to help us?” Gabe’s companion said. “They’ve already ‘helped’ enough if ya ask me.” The young cat, looking to be around the same age as Gabe, emphasized his grumbling by jostling around the useless wood he carried, shaking it in the deer’s direction. With a toss, he reunited his burden with its shattered brethren, adding to the pile that lay by the wall.
“You didn’t see them,” Gabe said. “You missed how they fought against those ruffians, you did. That Ranger dodged big Goshira’s pursuit with ease, and the small one was nothing in the face of Cade’s swordplay.”
Cade had to suppress his mirth as the young deer swung the plank in his hand as if it were a sword.
“You’ll see,” Gabe continued, “These adventurers will defeat Kajo for us. They have been graced to us by the Cantors.”
The feline shook his head. “You ‘n’ your Cantor nonsense. Didn’t any of those books ya read tell you they was all dead. Killed years back in the war? I’m sure there are songs about that. Right, Bard?”
Gabe’s ear flicked in annoyance. “You’re wrong. The Cantors still live among Fantasia, they do, and they’ll be back one day.”
“Yeah? Just like this Rogue ‘n’ his band are going to stop someone like Kajo the Monster? I’ll believe that when it happens.”
“Well, then I’ll have to hope he gets here soon so I can fix that, won’t I?”
The pair of youths turned to see Cade standing with his back against the staircase, arms crossed in a display of confidence.
“My guild and I have decided that it’ll be a boon to everyone to rid the Outlands of this criminal. So that’s exactly what we’re going to do. And kid,” he pointed at the cat. “I always finish what I decide to do.”
Several hours later, in the stillness of the following night, Elysia listened to Syrus’s steady, rhythmic breathing. Sitting up from her bed, she let her paws creep down until they contacted the cool floor. She peered through the darkness, studying Kairi’s silhouette. The bird lay perched on the headboard of Syrus’s bed, face underneath her wing. Asleep.
The young mouse crouched on all fours before crawling along the floor at a pace better befitting a worm than a rodent. Her breath came in long, steady waves as she crept past the slumbering wolf. Upon reaching the door, she rose with difficulty, her slow movement causing her to wobble off balance a couple times. It got the better of her, sending her falling forward. Shooting both hands forward to grip the doorknob, she spared herself a thud against the floor.
With her heart hammering, she held her breath. Eyes shut. Waiting. Syrus’s breathing remained unaltered. Finally exhaling, she tenderly worked the doorknob until the door eased open. She bit her lip when a sharp creak hit her ears, but she had to commit. The young mouse squeezed through the opened door, leaving her wide hat behind, and shut it again in the same careful manner.
Once in the hallway, Elysia scanned the multitude of doors, pondering how she was going to find the one that held what she sought. Her ears perked upon hearing the familiar sound of Gabe’s lyre playing faintly from the lower floor. Fortune smiles on me, as Cade would say, Elysia thought with glee before heading to the staircase.
Descending enough to peek into the main hall, she located Gabe standing in the middle of the room. He plucked at his lyre, repeating the same intervals of notes over and over. After each, he paused before trying again, his movements becoming tighter and more agitated upon each repetition.
“No, that’s not right, either,” he muttered to himself. “All of these look the same.”
Elysia reached the lower floor and scampered up to the distracted deer whose attention was so consumed with his task that he let out a cry of surprise once the mouse uttered his name. He staggered back a bit, and his arms scrambled to reposition the lyre into a more secure hold.
“Elysia,” Gabe said, breathing between his speech. “You gave me a start, you did.”
“Sorry.” The mouse looked down at her paws while she moved one against the wooden planks of the floor. “What are you doing?”
Gabe’s sigh turned into a grumble, and he gripped his bushy hair with one hand. “I’m trying to fix some of what was damaged this morning, but the spell’s limitations are making it such a headache, they are.”
“You can’t just fix it like Syrus’s bow?”
“Well, I can, but Vivace only works if all the pieces from the same object are targeted. All this scattered debris, I can’t tell which piece goes where,” he said while kicking at the pile of wooden remnants. “What are you doing up? Is something wrong with the bed?”
Elysia fingered the hem of her blouse. “I want to ask you something.”
“Sure. Go ahead.”
Elysia grabbed his hand with both of hers. She looked up into his eyes, holding him like that for a prolonged moment.
“I want you to teach me magic,” Elysia said at last.
Gabe removed his hands from the mouse’s grip. “Oh, uh, I don’t know if I can.”
“Please?” Elysia clasped her hands together. “I felt useless when Mr. Syrus and Cade fought those lizards. I want to be able to protect myself. I want to help them in a fight instead of just being in the way.”
The deer ran a hand through his hair. “I guess I could try.”
Elysia squealed, and her embrace nearly knocked the air from the boy’s lungs.
Gabe led Elysia down into the caverns that served as the building’s basement. He carried his lyre in both hands, readying it while a book he had retrieved from his room rested against his body under one arm. Torches affixed to the cave walls supplied light to the pair once Gabe set them ablaze by playing several rapid notes. Elysia stared mesmerized by the swirling sphere of bright orange light that flowed from Gabe’s instrument upon the brief song’s end. It floated toward the torch like a milkweed dispersed by the wind, enveloping the wood and giving life to a full, flickering flame.
Once positioned where the deer deemed appropriate, Gabe motioned for Elysia to take a seat.
“We may get in trouble with Miss Daphne if we’re found out,” Gabe told her, “but this place offers the most privacy, so I practice magic here myself from time to time. I don’t fully understand everything, so I don’t know how good of a teacher I’ll be.”
“That’s okay,” Elysia said, giving the deer her full attention.
“One thing I have to say is that you may not possess the magical aptitude to utilize any spells. Not everyone can do it.”
Elysia frowned but nodded.
“Right, then. The first thing you need to know is that sound is the key for all spells. Take my lyre for example. Bards use it to harness the sound through the act of playing it. Most others will take sound and weave it through moving their hands or a channeler such as a wand. What’s important is being able to feel the sound energy and then change it to magic. Now, close your eyes and hold your hands out to make like you’re holding a ball between them. About the size of a cabbage. This is how my parents taught me. That’s it. Now, I want you to hum in one long note. Hold it for as long as you can while focusing. Don’t let anything distract you and see if you can feel anything in your hands or fingers.”
A lovely hum escaped Elysia’s throat as she relaxed her body. She prolonged the note, having to pause to take a breath several times before continuing. Concentrating, the life of her fourth hum began fading away when she let out a yelp and fell backwards, catching herself by placing her hands on the cave floor.
“I-I felt it!” Elysia stared down at her palms. “My hands felt so warm.”
“That’s – That’s incredible,” Gabe said. “I only felt slight tingling in the tips of my fingers during my first time. You’re so young. How can you be so attuned to this already?” He placed a finger on his lips as he pondered. “Are your parents able to use magic at all?”
Elysia shook her head. “I’ve never seen them use it…or anyone in The Greyai. I don’t think they even know of magic up there shut away from anybody else.” She frowned. “It’s kind of boring. I mean, compared to everything I’ve seen with Cade and Mr. Syrus.”
Gabe thought for a moment. “Well, in any case, you don’t have to worry about not being able to use magic. Your magical aptitude seems to be far greater than mine, so if I can cast spells, you’ll have no problem.”
Elysia clapped her hands. “Great. So, what do we do now?”
Gabe presented the book and turned to a page marked by a folded corner. “This belonged to my parents. I use it to try and teach myself new spells. Makes me feel like they’re still with me.” He paused for a moment, inhaling deeply and rubbing at one of his eyes. “See if you can perform this spell, the one I did on the way down here. Can you read?”
Elysia took the book, squinting in the dim torchlight. “This one? Con Fuoco?”
“That’s the one.”
Gabe assisted her reading by explaining what she didn’t understand and helping her with the words that were too complex for the mind of a six-year-old. When she was finished studying the page, Elysia stood, commencing the first step by humming once again. Feeling the warmth in her hands bestowed by the sonic energy, she initiated the second step of weaving it. Curving her fingers, she felt a resistance against her digits as if pressing down gently into mud. The strange sensation distracted her from the task at hand, and the energy began to fade like a serpent trying to slink away from her touch.
She flicked her wrist, scooping the retreating sound and entwining it so that it rested against her palm. Her young mind latched onto the concept of mud, and she used it to guide her next movements. She raised the hand that held the energy before rotating her wrist and letting the “mud” flow into her other hand that awaited beneath it. As it poured, she compacted the sound by moving her hands closer together, twisting her wrists around and focusing on forming what lay in her hands into a ball within her mind’s eye. As she moved her hands, she kept in mind Gabe’s and the book’s instructions.
As with all simple spells, Con Fuoco only requires sound and intent. Interweaving the sound with the user’s desire produces the results. This spell’s goal is to bestow the effects of fire onto an object. Keep that goal within your mind.
Once she felt she had done all she could to stabilize the sound, Elysia opened her eyes and brought her hands up in front of her. She extended her hands before doing what she figured would make her intent clear the most. With a shout that made Gabe flinch in surprise, she uttered the words, “Con Fuoco.”
Orange light emitted from her hands, jumping off in streams and swirling together to form the same glowing orb that resulted from Gabe’s playing on the way down. The sphere floated away from Elysia’s hands for a few seconds, and she rejoiced before the light sputtered and broke apart, dissolving in the cave air.
“What happened?” Elysia asked. “Did I not do it right?”
“Well, you cast it fine enough,” Gabe said, “but you forgot to pick a target to cast it on, so the spell had nowhere to go, and thus, poof!” The deer brought his hands up, extending his fingers to emphasize his point.
Elysia slapped a palm against her forehead. “Oh, right.”
“But you cast it easily enough, and on your first try, too.” Gabe’s shoulders slouched, and he hung his head. “Took me ages to learn that spell, it did. Heh, looks like you’re a true natural.”
“Maybe this has something to do with it?” Elysia unfastened the top couple buttons of her blouse to expose the spike in her chest. Gabe stepped forward, bending down to get a closer inspection of the strange object.
“So that’s the mysterious spike Cade talked about?” Gabe watched as the red veins of energy pulsated against the deep black of the protrusion in a steady rhythm like a heartbeat. “Can’t say I’ve come across anything like it in this book here.”
“Oh,” Elysia said in disappointment, buttoning up her garment again.
Gabe placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “I’m sure you’ll be able to figure that whole thing out. Who knows? Maybe you’re on to something. Magic is a mysterious thing after all. Why don’t we look through these pages and see if you can get any of these other spells down faster than I did? We could try Agitato, though that caused a real mess when I tried it. Had to scramble to learn A Tempo to undo it, so that might not be the best idea.”
Flipping through the pages, he stopped at one spell and turned the book to his student. “How about Shout?”
Elysia nodded, and the two young ones resumed their endeavor, practicing and teaching well into the night.
Things are still in the drafting phase right now. This is by no means the final form of the chapter. Critique is more than welcome.
Other comments such as what worked and what you enjoyed are also a big help to the development of this project.
Chapter 1 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/47108770/
Chapter 2 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/48752162/
Chapter 3 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/49597363/
Chapter 4 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/52304327/
Chapter 5 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/53094343/
Chapter 6 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/54478623/
Chapter 7 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/54478880/
Chapter 8 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/56095422/
Amber dealt her bed an aggressive blow as another crash from downstairs assaulted her large ears. What in the name of blood and scat was happening down there? How was she expected to sleep with such a commotion raging under her? When the abounding crashes refused to cease, she clutched her massive sword and leapt from the bed. Without bothering to dress herself, she stamped down the hall in her undergarments with the blade slung across her shoulder.
“If this is Cade’s doin’, ‘e’s dead.”
Descending the stairs, Amber gawked at the main hall’s condition. The remains of several tables now rested as heaps of wood, shattered into pieces by the corpulent reptile charging after Syrus like an armored juggernaut. Swerving, leaping, and dodging, the wolf continued to evade his pursuer, leaving the brute to break apart more wood time and time again.
Cade worked to evade the blades of his smaller opponent. Though lacking in stature, the reptile compensated with speed, swinging his twin bladed discs with the ferocity of a rabid beast. Even in the face of such feral swiftness, the weasel proved his skill surpassed blind savagery by landing a slash across the lizard’s midsection. The cut lacked depth, owing to the reinforced scales coating the underside, but Cade struck with enough force to send the reptile reeling.
The third opponent stood locked in a stalemate with Vlakas who refused to relinquish hold of his adversaries tail even as numerous blows rained upon his head. Though the assault boasted strength, the reptile’s claws proved outmatched by Vlakas’s own protective hide.
What did that mangey weasel get us into now? Amber cursed, staring at the spectacle before grinning at the realization that, with any luck, she might see Cade get knocked on his tail.
“Goshira,” the reptile struggling with Vlakas said, “get over ‘ere n’ deal with dis thing. Kheedra, stop flailin’ about n’ gut dat spitscorned weasel.”
Goshira abandoned pursuing Syrus and charged at the dragon, delivering a fierce kick to the dragon’s underside that dislodged and sent him hurtling across the room. Cade’s opponent, appearing winded, prepared for a downward swing. The weasel raised his weapon to defend only for Kheedra to spin and kick him across his face.
He landed hard against the ground with his opponent leering at him from atop the table. Holding only empty space in his hand, he scanned around for his sword, finding it resting on the ground a few feet away from him. A gentle tickle crept down his muzzle, little streams of blood flowing from the fresh wounds opened from the lizard’s claws.
Cade reached into his pouch, grasping around until he felt a couple of small oblong objects against his fingers. Two left. He gripped one while his opponent sprang from his perch with circular razors positioned for a killing strike. With a deft yet desperate fling, Cade hurled the object at the descending Kheedra.
Cra-pak!
The din of the rupturing seed matched the force it created when striking against his enemy’s sternum. The impact flung Kheedra against the wall, slamming his back against the stone. He lay suspended for a moment with eyes rolled back to show only white before a gurgling groan escaped his throat, and he slumped to the ground, unconscious. With the deafening crack reminding her of why she was roused, Amber descended the steps with her grip tightening around her sword.
Rhodin pointed a claw at Cade, snarling. “I’m goin’ ta make ya take yer regrets to the grave for dis.” His deadly tail lashed about with reckless abandon in a terrifying display. “Keep the Ranger at bay, Goshira. I’m goin’ ta wear dat weasel’s hide as a belt.”
“Pardon? What was that, dragon bait?” Cade retorted. “Vlakas, finish your food.”
The dragon leapt at Rhodin like a predatory felid, jaws open and eager to do his master’s bidding.
“Ya want dis so bad, dragon?” Rhodin snarled, his tail shooting out like a whip against the oncoming dragon. “Come get it.”
Leaping out, Amber announced herself with a singular stroke. Bringing her blade down on the tail, her immense strength cleaved through scale, tore flesh, and split bone. Rhodin howled out his agony while his severed tail found its way into Vlakas’s salivating jaws. Landing on the floor, Vlakas celebrated his victory by gnawing at the now useless length of flesh.
Spitting on the ground, Amber bared her teeth while glaring the two remaining lizards.
“Yer lucky it wasn’t yer rotted head I severed from yer neck. What do all ya soft loins think yer doin’ makin’ so much bleedin’ noise?”
Goshira moved in to interrupt the fox’s tirade. Standing at nearly three times her height, the monstrous reptile lunged with a fist as big around as Amber’s own head. With a sickening squelch, the reptile’s hand tore from his arm courtesy of the fox’s sword. It landed on the ground on the other side of the room leaving Goshira’s blood shooting from his newly gifted stump. Clutching at his wound, the former brutish giant sank to his knees, his wails erupting around the room.
Amber pointed her blade at Rhodin’s groin. “Ya better leave or my blade’ll go between yer legs next.”
Ragged, snarling breaths followed Rhodin as he slunk away. “Yer all goin’ ta pay for dis. When Lord Kajo hears o’ dis…he’ll slaughter the lot of ya. Yer… already dead.”
“I think we’ll be fine, stumpbutt,” Cade said. “If you sorry lot are what he commands, well, he can’t be much stronger than you amateurs. Don’t forget to take your friend with you.” He motioned to the unconscious Kheedra.
Reduced to sobbing like a child, Goshira struggled to rise with his only hand wrapped around his wound. Blood still spilled out in a heavy discharge, painting the floor with dark red splatters.
“Wait.” Gabe’s voice rose above the reptile’s shameful stumbling. The deer approached the two lizards while working the strings of his lyre. Once he finished his tune, the blood no longer flowed from Goshira and Kheedra’s severed appendages. Fresh scales covered the once gory mess.
Gabe turned his back on the miserable group. “You’re no longer in danger of bleeding out. Leave knowing you bullies have finally met your match. We won’t be pushed around by you anymore.”
The still sniveling Goshira followed Rhodin out, slinging Kheedra over his shoulder like a sack of grain. As the lead reptile stepped through the doorway, he turned and glowered at Cade, showing his teeth in a foreboding sneer. “You cannot fathom the violent storm ya brought upon dis house.” The reptile then slipped away without another word.
The room lay in shambles with wooden pieces covering the floor. Not a single bench or table escaped damage, and even the floor carried battle scars in the form splintered dents where Rhodin’s tail had struck. Navigating through the debris, Syrus made for where Elysia had taken cover during the chaos.
“Are you alright,” Syrus asked, checking her body for signs of damage.
“I’m fine,” Elysia said, but her crossed arms and pouting face told the Ranger a different story.
His attention was broken by Amber’s loud mocking voice. “Wow, yer lucky ya have me ta fix yer messes, aren’tcha? Hey, wolf, what was with all that spitscorned dancin’ about with the big fella? Just pop ‘is head like a rottin’ melon. It’s that simple.”
“Yes, because everyone knows that snapped arrows are perfect for the bow.” Syrus said, not bothering to cast his sight on the fox. “Even with useful ones, I wouldn’t have deemed taking a life to be necessary. I’m not a savage like you.”
“Guess ya didn’t deem usin’ those daggers o’ yers necessary either, scathole.”
With the sounds of combat stilled, the orphans began trickling back into the room, a chorus of murmurs and gasps lifting as they took in the state of the room.
“There are kids here.” Syrus cast a judgmental eye toward Amber. “Get dressed. They don’t need to see you in little more than your fur.”
Cade opened his mouth to remedy the tension, but a sudden embrace from Gabe halted his speech.
“Words are not enough to thank you for your doing, but I’m unable to offer anything else.”
Mutterings and awe from the other children complemented the deer’s admiration.
“They-they did it. They beat them.”
“‘Course they did. I never doubted ‘em for a moment.”
“Amazing.”
“Miss Daphne’s going to drop to the floor when she sees this.”
As if spoken into existence, the elderly vixen emerged into the hall, eyes widening as she beheld the dining area. She released a defeated exhale, yet her overall composure stood firm. Clapping her hands together twice, she grabbed the attention of the youngsters who had begun to crowd around Cade.
“There are still chores to be seen to. Let the Rogue be. These travelers have had quite enough to deal with this morning.”
The vixen approached Cade, shooing away the few younger kids who still lingered in the weasel’s presence. As they left, they begged Gabe to relay the events of the battle in the coming evening.
“Forgive them,” Daphne said. “They don’t get much excitement out here. You know how kids can be.” She glanced at Elysia before continuing, her voice slowly becoming more distraught. “You have my thanks for driving those miscreants away. Though, I wish you could have arrived on a different day and been spared this inconvenience. My apologies, but I don’t have anything in the way of payment for your bravery. I don’t even know how I’m going to fix all this.”
“That’s alright, miss,” Cade said. “Apologies for the damages, but collateral is rarely avoidable in these situations. No need for payment considering your circumstances. Your kind accommodations were enough. We’ll be out of your concern once we gear back up as we must take our leave.”
“But, sir, you need to stay,” Gabe said. “Those lizards are sure to be back, and Kajo will be with them, he will. Please, you must stay to help us.”
“Sorry, kid,” Cade said, “but we need to get Elysia home. Theosis isn’t far from here, right? I’m sure a quick post to a noticeboard there will solve this problem. A major checkpoint of Aridesca like that will bring about a Guild to help in no time. Possibly one even greater than mine, eh?” He grinned at the young deer, but his humor was met with downcast eyes.
“No,” Gabe said. “No one will come.”
“What do you mean?”
“Come.” Daphne moved over to the notice board in the back of the room, beckoning Cade to follow. She plucked one of the parchments posted against the wood and handed it to him.
The portrait of a reptile graced the center. His muzzle was more rounded compared to the previous three, but the teeth displayed in his roar looked every bit as menacing as Rhodin’s. Metal fashioned into a partial mask covered half of his visage, extending from upper jaw to forehead. It wrapped around his head to rest just below two horns jutting out from the back of his skull that curved downward like two crescent moons against either side. After taking in the illustration, Cade scanned the writing on the page.
Wanted
For Crimes Against the Crown of Aridesca
Kajo the Monster
Posted by King Harlod
Reward: Ten Million Gold
“This has been posted all over Aridesca for over three years now,” Daphne said. “No one is brave enough to face Kajo.”
Cade stared at the reward with a pensive hand to his chin before speaking. “Let me speak with my Guild.”
Upstairs in one of the bedrooms, Cade met with the others out of the way of the comings and goings of the children tending to their routines. Vlakas, in a more diminished state, slept on the floor near Cade, his belly full of the meat from Rhodin’s tail, while Kairi sat in attendance upon Syrus’s shoulder.
“I have a proposition,” Cade said.
“How kind o’ ya ta give us a choice this time,” Amber retorted.
Ignoring her, Cade continued. “Judging from the lizard’s threats, it’s safe to assume that they’re going to return with their leader to seek retribution. What I am suggesting, is that we remain here so that we may protect them.” He looked up at Elysia who sat on a bed, kicking her legs back and forth over the side. “We have already sworn to escort Elysia home and uncover the mysteries of the, er, object in her chest.”
Amber interrupted, scoffing. “Feh, you ‘ave.”
“So, I think it right to ask her opinion on this matter first. Elysia, are you okay with us staying to help? It’s going to delay us for an unknown number of days. There’s no knowing as to when they’ll arrive.”
“That’s fine,” she said in a cheery manner. “I wasn’t ready to leave anyway.”
“Good,” Cade said. “Taking that answer into account, I believe that this is what’s best for all. If we take down this Kajo fellow, it will be a significant pawhold in getting this Guild going. The bounty and prestige acquired through this quest are both boons to be desired for that end.”
“And what about me?” Amber leaned forward, thrusting a thumb at her chest. “I’m stuck ‘ere with ya until we git this kid out of our fur. The way I see it, messin’ about just means I’m stuck with ya longer than I need ta be.”
Cade feigned surprise. ““Why, Amber. I was hoping you would wish to stick around for this Guild I have planned.” His eyes met hers as he continued, now serious. “Still, if departing is what you’ve set your heart on, I’m sure a parting gift in the form of a cut of the bounty would do you well when you return to wandering the sands on your own again.”
Amber’s posture relaxed, and she spoke no further.
“Bounty notwithstanding,” Syrus said, “I need no convincing. Daphne gave us shelter, and it’s only right that we repay her and the children.”
Kairi squawked her agreement.
“Well, with that settled,” Cade stood up, scooping his dragon up from his resting place, “I suggest we use whatever time we’re given to prepare ourselves for the coming enemy.”
He departed from the others and made his way to the staircase with the intent of informing Daphne of his group’s decision. Hearing the voices of Gabe and another boy conversing from below, he paused at the top to listen in while they set to work clearing the aftermath of the morning skirmish.
“Huh, you really think they’re goin’ to help us?” Gabe’s companion said. “They’ve already ‘helped’ enough if ya ask me.” The young cat, looking to be around the same age as Gabe, emphasized his grumbling by jostling around the useless wood he carried, shaking it in the deer’s direction. With a toss, he reunited his burden with its shattered brethren, adding to the pile that lay by the wall.
“You didn’t see them,” Gabe said. “You missed how they fought against those ruffians, you did. That Ranger dodged big Goshira’s pursuit with ease, and the small one was nothing in the face of Cade’s swordplay.”
Cade had to suppress his mirth as the young deer swung the plank in his hand as if it were a sword.
“You’ll see,” Gabe continued, “These adventurers will defeat Kajo for us. They have been graced to us by the Cantors.”
The feline shook his head. “You ‘n’ your Cantor nonsense. Didn’t any of those books ya read tell you they was all dead. Killed years back in the war? I’m sure there are songs about that. Right, Bard?”
Gabe’s ear flicked in annoyance. “You’re wrong. The Cantors still live among Fantasia, they do, and they’ll be back one day.”
“Yeah? Just like this Rogue ‘n’ his band are going to stop someone like Kajo the Monster? I’ll believe that when it happens.”
“Well, then I’ll have to hope he gets here soon so I can fix that, won’t I?”
The pair of youths turned to see Cade standing with his back against the staircase, arms crossed in a display of confidence.
“My guild and I have decided that it’ll be a boon to everyone to rid the Outlands of this criminal. So that’s exactly what we’re going to do. And kid,” he pointed at the cat. “I always finish what I decide to do.”
Several hours later, in the stillness of the following night, Elysia listened to Syrus’s steady, rhythmic breathing. Sitting up from her bed, she let her paws creep down until they contacted the cool floor. She peered through the darkness, studying Kairi’s silhouette. The bird lay perched on the headboard of Syrus’s bed, face underneath her wing. Asleep.
The young mouse crouched on all fours before crawling along the floor at a pace better befitting a worm than a rodent. Her breath came in long, steady waves as she crept past the slumbering wolf. Upon reaching the door, she rose with difficulty, her slow movement causing her to wobble off balance a couple times. It got the better of her, sending her falling forward. Shooting both hands forward to grip the doorknob, she spared herself a thud against the floor.
With her heart hammering, she held her breath. Eyes shut. Waiting. Syrus’s breathing remained unaltered. Finally exhaling, she tenderly worked the doorknob until the door eased open. She bit her lip when a sharp creak hit her ears, but she had to commit. The young mouse squeezed through the opened door, leaving her wide hat behind, and shut it again in the same careful manner.
Once in the hallway, Elysia scanned the multitude of doors, pondering how she was going to find the one that held what she sought. Her ears perked upon hearing the familiar sound of Gabe’s lyre playing faintly from the lower floor. Fortune smiles on me, as Cade would say, Elysia thought with glee before heading to the staircase.
Descending enough to peek into the main hall, she located Gabe standing in the middle of the room. He plucked at his lyre, repeating the same intervals of notes over and over. After each, he paused before trying again, his movements becoming tighter and more agitated upon each repetition.
“No, that’s not right, either,” he muttered to himself. “All of these look the same.”
Elysia reached the lower floor and scampered up to the distracted deer whose attention was so consumed with his task that he let out a cry of surprise once the mouse uttered his name. He staggered back a bit, and his arms scrambled to reposition the lyre into a more secure hold.
“Elysia,” Gabe said, breathing between his speech. “You gave me a start, you did.”
“Sorry.” The mouse looked down at her paws while she moved one against the wooden planks of the floor. “What are you doing?”
Gabe’s sigh turned into a grumble, and he gripped his bushy hair with one hand. “I’m trying to fix some of what was damaged this morning, but the spell’s limitations are making it such a headache, they are.”
“You can’t just fix it like Syrus’s bow?”
“Well, I can, but Vivace only works if all the pieces from the same object are targeted. All this scattered debris, I can’t tell which piece goes where,” he said while kicking at the pile of wooden remnants. “What are you doing up? Is something wrong with the bed?”
Elysia fingered the hem of her blouse. “I want to ask you something.”
“Sure. Go ahead.”
Elysia grabbed his hand with both of hers. She looked up into his eyes, holding him like that for a prolonged moment.
“I want you to teach me magic,” Elysia said at last.
Gabe removed his hands from the mouse’s grip. “Oh, uh, I don’t know if I can.”
“Please?” Elysia clasped her hands together. “I felt useless when Mr. Syrus and Cade fought those lizards. I want to be able to protect myself. I want to help them in a fight instead of just being in the way.”
The deer ran a hand through his hair. “I guess I could try.”
Elysia squealed, and her embrace nearly knocked the air from the boy’s lungs.
Gabe led Elysia down into the caverns that served as the building’s basement. He carried his lyre in both hands, readying it while a book he had retrieved from his room rested against his body under one arm. Torches affixed to the cave walls supplied light to the pair once Gabe set them ablaze by playing several rapid notes. Elysia stared mesmerized by the swirling sphere of bright orange light that flowed from Gabe’s instrument upon the brief song’s end. It floated toward the torch like a milkweed dispersed by the wind, enveloping the wood and giving life to a full, flickering flame.
Once positioned where the deer deemed appropriate, Gabe motioned for Elysia to take a seat.
“We may get in trouble with Miss Daphne if we’re found out,” Gabe told her, “but this place offers the most privacy, so I practice magic here myself from time to time. I don’t fully understand everything, so I don’t know how good of a teacher I’ll be.”
“That’s okay,” Elysia said, giving the deer her full attention.
“One thing I have to say is that you may not possess the magical aptitude to utilize any spells. Not everyone can do it.”
Elysia frowned but nodded.
“Right, then. The first thing you need to know is that sound is the key for all spells. Take my lyre for example. Bards use it to harness the sound through the act of playing it. Most others will take sound and weave it through moving their hands or a channeler such as a wand. What’s important is being able to feel the sound energy and then change it to magic. Now, close your eyes and hold your hands out to make like you’re holding a ball between them. About the size of a cabbage. This is how my parents taught me. That’s it. Now, I want you to hum in one long note. Hold it for as long as you can while focusing. Don’t let anything distract you and see if you can feel anything in your hands or fingers.”
A lovely hum escaped Elysia’s throat as she relaxed her body. She prolonged the note, having to pause to take a breath several times before continuing. Concentrating, the life of her fourth hum began fading away when she let out a yelp and fell backwards, catching herself by placing her hands on the cave floor.
“I-I felt it!” Elysia stared down at her palms. “My hands felt so warm.”
“That’s – That’s incredible,” Gabe said. “I only felt slight tingling in the tips of my fingers during my first time. You’re so young. How can you be so attuned to this already?” He placed a finger on his lips as he pondered. “Are your parents able to use magic at all?”
Elysia shook her head. “I’ve never seen them use it…or anyone in The Greyai. I don’t think they even know of magic up there shut away from anybody else.” She frowned. “It’s kind of boring. I mean, compared to everything I’ve seen with Cade and Mr. Syrus.”
Gabe thought for a moment. “Well, in any case, you don’t have to worry about not being able to use magic. Your magical aptitude seems to be far greater than mine, so if I can cast spells, you’ll have no problem.”
Elysia clapped her hands. “Great. So, what do we do now?”
Gabe presented the book and turned to a page marked by a folded corner. “This belonged to my parents. I use it to try and teach myself new spells. Makes me feel like they’re still with me.” He paused for a moment, inhaling deeply and rubbing at one of his eyes. “See if you can perform this spell, the one I did on the way down here. Can you read?”
Elysia took the book, squinting in the dim torchlight. “This one? Con Fuoco?”
“That’s the one.”
Gabe assisted her reading by explaining what she didn’t understand and helping her with the words that were too complex for the mind of a six-year-old. When she was finished studying the page, Elysia stood, commencing the first step by humming once again. Feeling the warmth in her hands bestowed by the sonic energy, she initiated the second step of weaving it. Curving her fingers, she felt a resistance against her digits as if pressing down gently into mud. The strange sensation distracted her from the task at hand, and the energy began to fade like a serpent trying to slink away from her touch.
She flicked her wrist, scooping the retreating sound and entwining it so that it rested against her palm. Her young mind latched onto the concept of mud, and she used it to guide her next movements. She raised the hand that held the energy before rotating her wrist and letting the “mud” flow into her other hand that awaited beneath it. As it poured, she compacted the sound by moving her hands closer together, twisting her wrists around and focusing on forming what lay in her hands into a ball within her mind’s eye. As she moved her hands, she kept in mind Gabe’s and the book’s instructions.
As with all simple spells, Con Fuoco only requires sound and intent. Interweaving the sound with the user’s desire produces the results. This spell’s goal is to bestow the effects of fire onto an object. Keep that goal within your mind.
Once she felt she had done all she could to stabilize the sound, Elysia opened her eyes and brought her hands up in front of her. She extended her hands before doing what she figured would make her intent clear the most. With a shout that made Gabe flinch in surprise, she uttered the words, “Con Fuoco.”
Orange light emitted from her hands, jumping off in streams and swirling together to form the same glowing orb that resulted from Gabe’s playing on the way down. The sphere floated away from Elysia’s hands for a few seconds, and she rejoiced before the light sputtered and broke apart, dissolving in the cave air.
“What happened?” Elysia asked. “Did I not do it right?”
“Well, you cast it fine enough,” Gabe said, “but you forgot to pick a target to cast it on, so the spell had nowhere to go, and thus, poof!” The deer brought his hands up, extending his fingers to emphasize his point.
Elysia slapped a palm against her forehead. “Oh, right.”
“But you cast it easily enough, and on your first try, too.” Gabe’s shoulders slouched, and he hung his head. “Took me ages to learn that spell, it did. Heh, looks like you’re a true natural.”
“Maybe this has something to do with it?” Elysia unfastened the top couple buttons of her blouse to expose the spike in her chest. Gabe stepped forward, bending down to get a closer inspection of the strange object.
“So that’s the mysterious spike Cade talked about?” Gabe watched as the red veins of energy pulsated against the deep black of the protrusion in a steady rhythm like a heartbeat. “Can’t say I’ve come across anything like it in this book here.”
“Oh,” Elysia said in disappointment, buttoning up her garment again.
Gabe placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “I’m sure you’ll be able to figure that whole thing out. Who knows? Maybe you’re on to something. Magic is a mysterious thing after all. Why don’t we look through these pages and see if you can get any of these other spells down faster than I did? We could try Agitato, though that caused a real mess when I tried it. Had to scramble to learn A Tempo to undo it, so that might not be the best idea.”
Flipping through the pages, he stopped at one spell and turned the book to his student. “How about Shout?”
Elysia nodded, and the two young ones resumed their endeavor, practicing and teaching well into the night.
Category Story / Fantasy
Species Unspecified / Any
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File Size 31.5 kB
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