The secret door behind a bookcase in the office of the Mayor or Linhir pivoted open slowly, rasping on old, weary hinges. Through the space the company followed Ordan, the former mayor, up and out of the Undercity.
Nethrida carried Annedyl beside a staggering Ryn. Feeling there was no time to linger, she moved out into the council chamber itself and then into the open air of the courtyard, followed by Addie (carrying Sneeze) and Eduwiges, who were both still dazed and outraged over failing to bring Mans down yet again.
Ordan glanced around his old office almost wistfully…then followed them, his mind already considering how to deal with the town itself, leaving Finchley and Xandilif behind in the office (See Alone in the Dark).
As the battered group stepped out into the town square, they all blinked in the thin morning light. Ordan looked up at the sun, one hand shadowing his eyes. "Well...for a few minutes there I never thought I would see this again...”
People were beginning to return to the deserted square, acting as if they had just risen from a long, nightmare filled sleep. The deceptive powers of Sindya, Mans’ ring of power, had been increasing their anxiety and paranoid for weeks, perhaps longer. On top of that, he had used its power to send them home and out of the way as he had tried to take revenge on Xandilif and the other Misfits. Now that Mans had moved on, the town of Linhir was waking up.
The air was still thick with smoke from the bonfire that had been lit to attract Nethrida and Ryn to town. In fact, some nearby structures were beginning to light as well, their thatch roofs smoldering.
As they stepped out into the square, Nethrida supported Ane before making her way to Ryn and put an arm around her too, soon doing her best to support them both even as she herself struggled to understand everything that had happened.
Addiela was still silently fuming that the Mans had slipped out of their grasp again; she looked around at the townsfolk with her eyes, but it was uncertain if she's actually saw any of them, her mind still elsewhere. Suddenly Sneeze pulled half out of her arms and licked her face. Addiela snapped back into reality and gave the mutt a well deserved hug, her eyes closed.
Eduwiges walked towards the bubbling fountain in the square. Always the most practical of her comrades, she leaned over and dunked her head under the water, ignoring everything else. She scrubbed her face with her hands, wiping the grime of the adventure from her face and then whipped her head back out of the water, long hair cascading down her back as water sprayed a local near the fountain. He opened his mouth to complain until meeting Eduwiges’ glare. “You have a problem?” she muttered, eyes cold as death after the long, frustrating night. The man shook his head no, and moved quickly away.
Carneryn leand into Neth, just shaking as Nethrida petted her younger sister Annedyl who seemed to come in and out of awareness. Ordan watched them quietly, his gaze focused on Annedyl, as he came to some decisions silently.
Eduwiges finally turned and sat on the edge of the fountain, staring up at the morning sun. She pulled out her flask and drank deeply, grateful to be alive.
Setting Sneeze down, Addiela looked around, suddenly remembering that Neth and Ryn had been in that soul shredder as well. "Did you leave Miss Ynnabeth and Caine back where we were?"
Nethrida nodded slowly to Addie "Yes... We have to go inform them that everything is alright... Mother was still unconscious, and we thought it best not to leave her alone so the knight volunteered to remain."
Addie frowned at Neth words and shook her head. "That is not good, what if Mans transferred again after he left Ane?" While speaking she bent down and patted Sneeze.
Ryn looked up, her gaze still uncertain and nervous. "That's why we left Caine there Addie."
It did little to calm Addie’s gnawing concern. “One person against that murderous, lunatic fell spirit?'
Nethrida nodded a bit just to calm her. "I'll go get them after we get these two somewhere where they can lie down and rest."
Eduwiges rubbed her eyes with the heels of her hands and stood up, ready for action again. 'Lets all go, right now.'
Nethrida shook her head. "Edu, no. Ane and Ryn need to lie down. You go if you think it best... I'll see to the well being of these two for now."
As they debated their next move, Kraddock, the Captain of Elendil’s Vanguard stalked into the square also looking some what dazed, trying to calm a group of townsfolk...'
Eduwiges noted the crowds returning and made a decision, then looked about the square and found a couple of horses that would get her back out to where Nethrida’s mother and Caine were. She led them towards Addie just as Xandilif stepped out of the mayor's office with Finchley, much of the blood washed off her face, but still looking ...different...none of them were quite sure how or why.
Finchley held Lif's hand in one of hers and shaded her eyes with the other, squinting a bit in the sun's light but somehow still smiling. She looked somewhat tired but not out of the game yet. "And the sun still rises…” she murmured to herself, “Good."
Addiela patted Sneeze one more time to reassure him that she was managing and would be fine... maybe. As she saw Lif and Finch emerge from that Council building she was glad, though her mind is focused on getting to Ynna and Caine as soon as possible. She walked over to where Edu was guiding the horses forward and shook her head, though she had not time to lecture the woman on stealing someone else's horse for now. She patted one horse on the neck softly and whispered in its ear "I'm just borrowing you if you don’t mind. I need your help you see, I fear it is a matter of life and death. I'll bring you right back, I promise."
As the two made ready and Xandilif dropped heavily to sit by the fountain, Ordan glanced into the open door of Yula’s clinic, bodies still scattered, the floor soaked in gore and blood. No one had noticed or explored there yet. Moving in that direction, he quietly closed the door then moved to Addie as she swung up onto the horse with ease, a true daughter of Rohan. “Missy, give me that letter Yula wrote.'
Addiela stared, a bug haughtily. "I'm sure you can understand, former mayor and former blood eye... You have been honorable tonight, but one good deed doesn't earn full trust."
Ordan nodded softly..."I don’t give two damns for your trust right now, horsemistress, but unless you want that little girl over there hung, or worse...give it over...'
Nethrida looked towards Ane then over to Addie and gave her a short nod, agreeing with Ordan despite not liking the prospect of agreeing with him. That manifesto would surely get Annedyl hung for Mans' foul crimes. How could they ever explain any of what happened to most people?
“Girls...Nethrida, Annedyl! My lord..what happened?” Their father Lindhard, came running up to them, in tears to see their lamentable condition. Ane wrapped her arms around him and began to weep like a little girl, and it was unclear who was more shocked by that, Lindhard or Nethrida.
Addiela watched the father’s love, and Ane’s grief and for a moment remembered her own father, and reluctantly handed the letter over to Ordan.
Ordan took the folded parchment, moved to the remains of the bonfire...and casually tossed it in. Then he turned to the townsfolks, raising his voice even as Addie watched the evidence burn in horror. "Friends...I have great yet tragic news...the threat of the Ripper is past and you are all safe at last, however at great cost...These brave adventurers, who have lived among us these last few days, risked their lives and led by our own heroic Captain Nethrida drove the evil spirit of death away....yet tragically, young Roric, my chosen successor as your mayor, fell defending the town he loved so dearly! He has left his beautiful fiance Annedyl in mourning, but it is by his sacrifice that we all may sleep safely again.'
Nethrida's eyes went as wide as dinner plates when she heard Ordan's proclamation. Looking more horrified than anything she looked around helplessly as townsfolk came to thank her. Moving to the fountain Captain Kraddock smiled and hissed quietly to Xandilif “What is all that orc crap the old man is shoveling?”.
The elf smiled, and whispered back, “Shaddup and go with it, Lil’ Sauron. Ain’t none of us looking too good after this little fiasco.”
Ordan continued, hands outstretched. "Yu all must gather together and put out these lastpetty fires..and rejoice that the brave folk of Linhir shall continue. Then, gather to select a new Mayor to serve in honor of Roric. I nominate Councilman Lindhard.'
More of the town folk gathered, nodding....and cheered for Nethrida and the others. They were not sure what had happened, so Ordan’s statements seemed as reasonable as anything else.
Finchley raised her brows at Ordan as he stepped back to let a confused looking Lindhard speak, still holding his sobbing younger daughter which just increased the dramatic effect. "Neth's father's gonna be a mayor?"
Ordan whispered back to Finchley.."He is as good as any, boy...the job is just a lot of waving and signing things...usually.'
Finchley sighed and smacked herself in the head. "You can just call me Finchley, you know," she stated quietly, getting tired of everyone assuming she was a young man.
Nethrida took Annedyl from her father as he was warming to acting mayoral and looked at Ryn. "Come on then... Let's find you both a place to rest while all this nonsense plays out." she muttered and begun to lead both Ryn and Ane away from the commotion, straining a little under the weight of the two.
Finchley squeezed Lif's hand. "Should we join Addie and Edu, Lif? You feelin' okay now?"
Xandilif shook her head. "Leave this to them....we gotta help this lot then talk to Lil' Sauron
Finchley nodded but tilted her head, looking at Captain Kraddock. "You gotta tell me sometime why you call him that."
Xandilif moved over to help Neth with Ryn, looking back to Finch. "They both just got one eye, and are bastards. Any questions?”
Finchley just laughed, and followed the group into the Rusty Barge, hoping there might still be some of that sausage left.
---
Addie and Eduwiges rode out of town, Addie still fuming at Ordan burning the manifesto until she remembered all the other papers she had taken from Yula’s office, tucked into her satchel. After a short ride, as they approached the tower they had been hiding in, they heard a weak voice...cursing, and saying something filthy about someone's backside.
Eduwiges pulled Badu Druit from its sheath and held it down by her side. She turned the horse to the sound of the voice. Addiela pulled back on the reins and turns her horse to follow after Edu, keeping quiet for now.
As they approached, they noticed a bush moving. Dropping off her horse and coming up beside the twitching shrub, sword at the ready, Edu discovered that Nik was mostly hidden by the bush, He was still wearing a stolen dress that was too long for him, now holding his bleeding head and mumbling something about "gonna kill and eat that nasty hag, starting from the back..”
Eduwiges yelled, 'By Bema Nik, I almost took your head off. What happened to you and what nasty hag? Addie!' she waved, 'Over here!'
Nik looked up, holding out one hand. When he spoke he sounded as if he was mostly through death’s door. "Who speaks....oh, it giant footed horse lady....I too weak to see, the world fades....ahhh....it will soon be over...weep, weep giant footed horse lady'
Addiela slipped off her horse, right next to them now.
Nik peered up. "Oh...it frowny pinchface horse lady too....you all come to find Nik and carry him to the grave...weep, oh handmaidens of sorrow, here lie fallen hero.'
Addie rolled her eyes, seeing that Nik would be fine, and ran over to the tower. "Caine?" she called but there was no answer. As she approached she was hit by an intense scent of blood, and therefore ran faster.
Eduwiges shouted, 'Addie, wait!' She told Nik to stay put and rushed after the blond horsewoman.
Addiela's eyes widened at the scent of blood and silence, "No..." and she continued toward the tower.
At their backs, Nik wailed. "Well, Fine..that is fine...Nik die alone..Nik no care anyway…..farewell world...farewell horseladies...farewell nice dress and ouchy shoes…farewell Emma, my dream lovehobbit...farewell the litter she not bear for me....'
Edu nearly tripped over Addie who had stopped dead in horror. In the tower, the firepit had burned down to only ash and there was no sign of Ynna, though the ropes she had been bound with were on the ground, having been cut.
Next to the fire, laying face down, was Septimal Caine, Twilight Scion of House Palaniel, Knight of Minas Tirith, Acting Executor and Battlemaster of Elendil’s Vanguard. The back of his head had been stoven in by a large rock, which had been dropped and left lying beside him, covered in gore.
Addiela moved over to Caine to check and see if he were still living, hoping for a miracle. However, the blood was dry and his skin was cold..he had been dead since soon after Neth and Ryn departed.
Eduwiges swore bitterly and began scouting the area for Ynna. Tracks led down towards a small stream on the other side of the Post Road, small booted footprints. Another set, pawprints tinged with blood, led to Nik’s “final” resting place'
Not knowing what else to do, Eduwiges returned to where she had left Nik, tearing a bandage from her cloak and holding it to his forehead.
Nik whimpered. "Nasty hag threw rock at Nik, called me Dogfaced Orc. Horselady, she have CRRRAAAZZZZZYYYY eyes....Nik run, then she chase me on fat little piggy legs...I think she slice Nik gizzard with knife in pudgy fist, but no, she give Nik a message.....'
Eduwiges patted Nik gently on the back. 'What was the message little one?' she says softly.
Nik whimpered some more. "She say....she defeats you again, and that you all probably dead...but if you ain’t dead, then to tell you, she will see you again soon, hiding in the eyes of someone you love...Horselady, are yelpy knife-ear and Finchbutt ok?”
Eduwiges just nodded, touched that Nik seemed to care, and worked on cleaning blood out of the kobold’s ears.
Addiela had fallen to her knees next to Caine and tears started to well up in her eyes, "Not another one..." She remembered him rescuing her from that alleyway, his cool command of the situation, his respectful behavior towards her, the friendly and candid conversation they had shared in the Inn afterwards. With one hand she touched the cloak of cream and silver she still wore which he had draped around her shoulders She had intended to return it to him…now she would never be able to. She looked up at the sky and her anger ignited again at the sheer unfairness of it. "No.... No!!!"
As she wept, around Addie bits of underbrush began to smolder.
Addiela's face paled as she saw the underbrush start to smoke. She called out to Eduwiges but it was too late. She watched with mounting horror as the shrubs and small trees around the tower, and the underbrush inside boiled into flame with a rush around them both. Edu rose and ran to Addie, as Nik, miraculously healed, jumped up to follow.
Edu's cloak began to catch fire as the sudden explosion sucked the oxygen out of the tower, all three growing light headed...the smoke oily and thick.
Addie was on the edge of passing out from exhaustion and lack of oxygen, on her hands and knees, hacking from the smoke...her power had been kept down too long to control now that her emotions had run wild. Edu stripped the burning cloak off, but already her armor was growing hot to the touch. With a grim realization she saw that for the second time in half a day, she was probably going to die.
Suddenly a word seemed to crack out around them, blending with the crackle of the flames. “ARAK!” With a rush of hot wind the flames seemed to swirl and rise away from the trio, sucked in upon themselves until they would resolve down to a small, flaming ball...resting in the palm of a man's hand who stood on the ridge just above the tower.
He was an older man, beard and hair more salt than pepper, black and silver. His face was deeply seamed, traces of old burn scars red on weathered skin. Under his right eye was embossed a small triangle, crossed by three dark lines. He wore red and gray traveling robes that had seen better days and bore no weapon that could be seen, but led a heavily laden mule behind him.
He currently had one arm stretched out. The flames which previously had threatened to destroy Addie and Edu now enrobed his hand, flowing like water.
When he spoke, his voice was weary, a bit broken and hoarse. His accent clearly spoke of Angmar. "I hope that you ladies are unharmed?'
He looked at the flames around his hand and whispered "Korak...", they flames fading away, extinguished as if they had never been.
Addie was still on her hands and knees coughing. Her eyes looked up to the man as he spoke and noted the flames fading, but she still struggled to catch her breath.
Eduwiges looked up in shock then squatted back down to check on Nik, leaving this to Addie.
The man glanced between the two of them and then at the corpse. Noting the rock, he narrowed his eyes a bit at Addie. Addiela's eyes widened in turn, welling with tears and she shook her head vigorously to say that she hadn’t been responsible for Caine's death.
Addiela was fully in tears now but she manages to choke out. "I... I guess ultimately.. this actually IS my fault."
Eduwiges snorted, 'No Addie, this is not your fault.' She looked at the man, 'We returned from town and found Caine like this, and our little companion with his head bashed. Then the fire started. Thank you for saving us...'
The man nodded softly..."If you are saying that the blame is yours, then that usually means it is not your fault at all, you just wish it had never happened...who was he? His armor is of the Stonelords of the Greenswath'
The man glanced back and forth between them again...looking even more weary. "Which of you two is the Spark. You should be more careful...
Addiela gave the man a questioning look through her tear-glazed eyes. "Stonelord of the Greenswath?"
He looked quietly at Addie. 'We are in the Greenswath....the home of the Stonelords....are we not? And you…YOU are the Spark, I feel it in your heartbeat.....but you cannot be careful, you know not how to be.” He looked at the mule,,,and for a moment looked like he was going to ride on....'
Eduwiges spoke up, 'I am Eduwiges of Faldham' She stood up straighter, 'What do you mean by spark?'
The man paused, one hand on the mule and looked at Edu. “You are not of the Stonelords..you are a woman of the endless Tinderplains....A Spark is a wielder of the blessing of Cinder...and I am Leon....Leon of….well, just Leon..”
Addiela buried her face in her hands, taking the man's words about being careful as a rebuke and felt the weight of all her guilt once more.
Leon watched Addie crumple and nodded to Edu. “Your friend there a wild spark..one day she will die of it, by herself if she is lucky. Cinder is haughty and jealous of those who seek to ignore the Rules of Divine Combustion'
Eduwiges tilted her head. “Leon, you say? How did you stop the flames?'
Leon would not know how to answer that, so he wouldn't. "Your friend there should seek training and beg the forgiveness of Cinder before it is too late' He moved to Addie...and gently pulled her hands down to look in her face.'
Addiela did not pull away for once, and looked at him in the eyes. 'Condemn me all you wish.. I know I'm a monster.'
Leon gasped softly, moved by something, and whispered as if it were a prayer. “The Lords of Cinder walk in rivers of change, the Lords of Cinder stand in fields of change, Hail the Change and the holy flame of Cinder'
Addiela just stared, the words seeming to touch something inside her she had never known was there. 'I know not this Cinder nor will I beg forgiveness... I do not seek to serve any nor be controlled by any.'
Leon tilted his head....then smiled. "Good'
Addiela furrowed her brows in confusion. "Good?"
Leon looked down, "Good, but you DO know Cinder, child of grass and earth...you just don’t realize it...Cinder is the place where your nightmares live.'
'Cinder is my mind?...” Addie frowned. “because that's where they live and run rampant.'
Leon's eyes grew soft and he chuckled. "You truly know nothing, don’t you?'
Addiela would normally be offended by such a statement, but this time she just sighed; she had been beaten down to the point of total defeatism.
Looking at her, Leon would seem to debate within himself...finally looking away. "Like this you will do only harm...to yourself and everything...I will teach you, child of grass and earth…But you must promise me one thing...'
Addiela looked up at him.
Leon reached out, touching a spot just below her eye. 'Keep to your oath, just now....never let it be changed or bent....Once I was controlled....some still assume I am....it is a costly comfort.'
Addiela raised a brow at the man, it was clear she was still evaluating him. "And who controlled you?"
Leon shrugged, seeming surprised that it was not obvious. "My own foolishness...and the Deacons of the Unkindled....But once a flame is free, none can tell it not to burn.'
Addiela let out a scoffing laugh, "Free..."
Leon shrugs again...."There are many kinds of freedom child, some good, some bad, some just a dream, some truly nightmares....now what shall we do with your dead friend here?'
