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The story continues… part IV

Chapter 13

Loyalty

“Delicious, Junpo!” Goutan said, shaking his head in disbelief.

The twenty-odd Soldiers were just finishing the last serving of Junpos stew. An odd conconction boiled in a pot over a large fire, around which they all sat in a circle. Their shadows danced on the stalagmites behind them reflecting their satisfaction, as if it were their last meal before their venture forth deeper into the caves and beyond.

A short, thin soldier shot up and saluted upon hearing Goutans remark. He looked the frailest of them all, almost ill-befitting a soldiers rank. His armour hung loosely as he lifted his over-sized helmet to reveal a pair of anxious eyes.

“Thank you, sir!” said he, bowing excitedly.

“…coulda’ used some more seasoning…” muttered the now dethroned Chef, Luddo, who sat crosslegged on the ground, one hand bearing an empty bowl and the other rubbing his sore forehead.

Only one man stood outside the circle. His dark robe blending with the shadows seamlessly along with his unruly jet-black hair. Yurah watched the soldiers with curious eyes. Each one was so diffierent, with his own distinct character and personality so vividly expressed within every motion and every word. Each with his own dreams and desires, each grasping at them blindly but faithfully until death do them part, yet all finding themselves together in this one place, united, for a common cause. Serenity took hold of him, as his mind wondered further.

“It is time to tell them.” he thought, as he gazed from the shadows at the flames flickering and slowly dieing before him.

An uneasy silence embraced the group, the bowls were almost all empty and the soldiers sat quietly now, only a few still slurped the remnants of the stew, accompanying the sound of the crackling fire through out the cave.

“All right!” uttered Goutan, suddenly leaping onto his feet, his weight digging his heavy boots into the sand. “Enough of this secrecy!” he said. “I have kept you in the dark for long enough, you have followed me this far with out question and it is time for you to know the reason why I have brought you here.”

The soldiers, surprised by Goutans sudden outburst, looked up at him with anticipation. The time had finally come. They had eagerly and patiently awaited for this moment, the unravelling of the truth behind this expedition so close to the borders of Nheede.

“You are all honourable and faithful” he said. “…and I am greatful to have you all at my side this night” Goutan continued, approaching the fire. “You all followed even though you knew nothing of the cause for this voyage, this is a true statement of your courage and loyalty, a bond of trust and friendship wrought through out the years you have spent by my side.”

Yurah listened carefully, approaching the circle, his gaze floating from soldier to soldier.

“It has been centuries… since my lineage rose to fight and the great war over the sands of Ranaam began…” Goutan said, turning away from the fire, his arms resting behind his back. “…and here we stand, in a world where few follow the perfect law. Man has lost his Way and there is no longer Order among us, you know this, for you have all suffered from it in some form or another, as have your bloodlines.”

The soldiers all turned to look at each other, the words resonating with each one, an experience flashing before their minds eye reflecting the words being spoken.

“…the Priest King grows in power every passing instance.” he continued. “Destabilizing his reign is nigh impossible from without. No matter the caravans we raid, the soldiers we kill… it makes no difference anymore. His power only grows with death. One by one, the great nations have fallen and his armies have increased beyond control, while those who oppose him dwindle in numbers. Fewer and fewer have the courage to fight him now and even the Giants of the east have ceased their attacks as of late.”

“Aye!” said one of the soldiers, his moustache quivering as he spoke. “…it is all true… we know this… but what is it though, that you propose to do?”

Goutan paused, clenching his fist and looking into the fire, his face alight with the flames before him as he spoke.“We are going steal the scrolls of the Elder Necromancers.”

Shock struck each one of them, like a lightning bolt upon hearing Goutans words. The unlucky few still enjoying the remnants of the stew found themselves sharing it with their neighbours. The rest looked at each other bewildered.

“Madness!” said Possu. “I’m not drunk enough for this!” he said, throwing his bowl at the ground.

“That is suicide!” said another, stepping forward.

“…but who will guide us?” said a third, patting the back of a choking soldier. “None have ever ventured into the caves below the city and lived to tell the tale…” she continued.

“Indeed!” said the man with the moustache. “Even if we manage to cross the Abyssal Crevasse, how will we find the scrolls… how will we find our way in and out?”

Goutan did not answer. He calmly walked back to the large stone where he sat and rested his weight upon it before gesturing at Yurah who stood beside him.

“He will be our guide.” he said.

Yurah bowed, as the soldiers looked on in disbelief. This mysterious man who travelled with them was an enigma. He spoke little, though his presence was imposing. And to put their lives in the hands of an unknown person was a dubious proposition. It required thought, so they sat now contemplating, letting the revelation of their mission sink in. Hours passing as their thoughts marched on in uncertainty.

Kwyn sat on the side, slightly detatched from the circle, and seemed completely untouched by the words that were spoken before. He watched the caves intensely, awaiting his brothers return, sitting at the base of a large stalagmite protruding from the ground, a small pool of pristine water by his side. His ears perked as the faint sound of footsteps was heard from within unbeknowst to the others. He squinted, placing a hand on the sand, leaning forward and gazing further into the darkness. The iris within his eyes widened beyond that of a normal human as the footsteps became louder, and his posture changed to that of a cat hunting for prey, gracefully mirrored in the body of water beside him as he spoke.

“Sir! My brother returns!” he said, turning towards Goutan.

The news brought all eyes upon the darkness of the cave now and the group contemplated no longer. Two small shining dots appeared visible within, approaching at an incredible speed, coming into the light of the waning fire and revealing Gwyns face hidden beneath his dust-covered leather mask. He ran past his brother, coming to a halt infront of the mountainous man.

“Ah, perfect timing Gwyn!” said Goutan, smiling. “What news do you bring?”

Gwyn bowed then looked up at Goutan. “It is all clear. The crevasse is a ways north. No patrols. There is… some troubling news however.”

“Hmm?” Goutan said, raising an eyebrow.

“The path forks. I heard skittering, so I looked to see where the fork lead and I found eggs, sir.” said Gwyn.

“Eggs?” said Goutan. “What is so troubling about eggs?”

“The eggs were… big, unlike anything I have seen before, I worry about what laid them, sir.”

He took a deep breath, before continuing.

“…also, I found bones, sir. Human and animal bones littered the ground… I noticed the rock changing too, as I followed the path westward. Those halls were crafted by the hands of man, not those of nature… It was… oddly beautiful.”

“Hmm…” interjected Yurah. “This is indeed fascinating, pray tell more of this place.”

Gwyn nodded. “…the walls had chisselled letters upon them, not in the common tongue. There were drawings too, I could only discern vague images of nature, trees… clouds and a sun, but it was hard to see the full picture, as a thick dust had settled upon it.” he paused a moment, frowning in discomfort. “…I dared not venture further however, for I felt ill at ease in this place, I cannot explain why… I apologise.”

“No.” said Yurah. “You did well not to feed your curiousity any more than that… you may have stumbled upon the halls leading into Baar’ha, the great temple city buried beneath the sand thousands of years ago. ” he continued, resting his chin on his knuckles. “…the eggs, this is troubling news however. It is said that there are remnants of Ancient Magic within the temple, it may have affected the creatures that live beneath the sand, we must tread carefully as we approach the crevasse, and whatever happens, do not stray from the way and stay silent.”

His voice was spellbinding and melodic. Yurah did not speak much, but when he did, all were compelled to listen.

“…how curious though, that we would find such a place by chance.” he said, pacing back and forth. “It is only in fables that I have heard of it and even the Priest King and his subjects have inmense respect for it. The King abandoned the search long ago… to think it was buried beneath our very noses, how odd…”

He paused a moment, looking up at the stalactites hanging above, the audience following suit.

“…I do hope that we do not meet that creature tonight.” he concluded.

“Great! Just great!” said one of the soldiers, taking off his helmet in rage and throwing it at the ground, a beautiful red and purple bruise adorning his forehead, shining proudly. “First we find out about the suicide mission… and now this?! I quit!”

“…well its not a successful day with out a little tantrum from ol’ Gambo.” said the man with the moustache.

“Indeed.” said Appola, grinning.

“I mean it!” continued Gambo. “…this is insane! I didn’t sign up for this, I just wanted to be rich! And have a wife and maybe a couple of lovers! And some kids to boss around! What is this?! I never asked for this! Why me? God. Why me…” he carried on complaining, his voice becoming less discernable as he walked off into the shadows. He sat down alone, mumbling, throwing the sand about as if it were his greatest enemy.

Goutan cleared his throat as he addressed the soldiers once again. “I know it is a madmans plan, but I wanted to give you all the choice. I will see you no lesser if you decide not to follow me for the dangers are great, but I must know now where you stand. What say you, then?”

And with out a word, the twins stood beside Yurah, as did Appola and the man with the moustache.

The rest still looked on unsure, until Appola spoke, her voice coated with a stern tone, her head held high. “Many years have passed since we took the oath to rid this land of those who oppress us and bring back the freedom we deserve.” said she “it will be another hundred years before we are given another chance like this. To think, if we succeed, we will change the fate of this land forever and those whom you cherish will relish in the land God intended for them. We are not immortal in this physical form, we are the last bastion and it is time for us to accept this fact.”

The moustached man nodded, looking on at the group infront of him.

Junpo stood behind one of the larger soldiers, his voice trickling through faintly as he spoke. “I… I… think…” said he, brushing past the men infront of him. “If lord Goutan trusts Yurah with his life… then so do I.” he uttered, stepping forward.

“…Argh!” grumbled Possu, joining them too, followed by the rest of the soldiers, one by one. And that night their everlasting bond was solidified. Their loyalty and friendship shone brightly, making almost unnecessary the fires that illuminated the great dark cavern.

“Marvellous!” exclaimed Goutan, raising his fist into the air. “It is done. Then let us prepare! Take with you what you need and we shall depart!” They all nodded and began to gather what supplies they could carry, releasing the horses back into the desert.

“…may you find water and be safe.” said Yurah, watching them gallop away into the torch-lit corridor.

The fiery red-head approached the sulking man, sitting alone, and placed her hand on his head gently.“…Gambo?” she said.

“Yes, yes… let me just find my helmet.” said he, reluctantly.




This post first appeared on The Foul And The Faithful, please read the originial post: here

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The story continues… part IV

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