The Beginnings Omnibus: Beginnings 1, 2, 3 & Legend of Ashenclaw novella (Realm of Ashenclaw Beginnings Saga) (82 page)

Garius gathered the group together inside the entrance of the cave mouth to get out of the rain, which intensified quickly into a heavy downpour. It seemed to have come without warning from what was a cloudless sky only moments ago.

The five companions sat around a fire watching their dinner cook, a pair of ducks they’d caught earlier, all the while trying to stay warm around the fire. It was chilly, especially at the top of the hill where the wind picked up, as opposed to the valley below. But that did not matter to Garius at the moment for they had much to discuss.

“So much for tracking the amulet in this storm,” Rose offered with a sarcastic tone and rubbing her hands together briskly over the fire.

Garius nodded his agreement and knew that tracking the orc that attacked Elec would be next to impossible in this deluge. They would most likely have to begin to guess as to a starting point when the weather broke.

“What did you find out?” Saeunn asked the Inquisitor, pulling Garius from his contemplation.

“Right. Let me start by saying that I had visions of some outside source or perhaps influence from a magical source, even,” Garius began to explain. “I cannot completely rule out another,” he paused, searching for the right word, “
presence,
either
.”

“Demonic possession?” Rose asked skeptically.

“Aye. I certainly do not blame the young novices for what they have done, for they did not act of their own free will. Of that I am certain. Tiyarnon had every right for concern in this matter and was correct in calling us in.”

“The Inquisition?” Elec asked. Garius nodded.

Saeunn and Orngoth both sat unflinching at the news, stuffing duck meat into their mouths, seemingly uncaring as to the details of the events.

“The fact that they yet live is a blessing from The Shimmering One, for he must favor these acolytes a great deal to have allowed them to survive,” Garius continued.

“So, what is the scenario then?” Elec asked.

“The phylactery was taken from Thaurion. Forcibly. This happened before he entered that abandoned temple,” Garius explained. “This is the story the images tell me, although they were chaotic. I saw the face of the doppelganger, the one of which Thaurion spoke.” The group leaned in collectively, trying to hear the words of Garius over the driving rain that sounded loudly against the exterior of the grotto.

“So he spoke the truth of the deviant creature’s presence?” Rose asked. “I was hoping that it was not true.”

“Aye, it is truthful,” Garius nodded. “And I sense a demonic presence as well that is involved with the missing artifact. The creature or creatures did well to hide themselves from my divinations. I do know that whomever or whatever took the artifact from Thaurion and the acolytes must be very close in proximity to the Oakcrest Mountains. The images showed the landscape of Heartwood Valley, as well as mountainous terrain where the priests were assaulted. There were images of blackened stone within the visions, too.”

“That is a start at least,” Rose said, as Orngoth fumbled with his magical gem. Light danced upon its surface and changed colors randomly. He had a half-eaten thigh of duck sitting on the floor beside him and paid it no heed, engrossed with the gem instead.

“So, where do we begin our search?” Saeunn asked as she crouched to the floor, wiping the juices of the duck from her lips.

“I would think that being near the Lake of Souls might give a certain advantage, no?” Elec asked.

“But you said the half-orc was on the other side of the valley,” Rose interjected.

“Aye, but it does not mean that the half-orc would not double back,” Saeunn countered bluntly. “And if there are mountains involved, perhaps it was not the Oakcrest, but the Blackstone Mountains there to the north,” she continued, indicating the southernmost face of the range. “A waterfall spills from the Blackstone Mountains there into the Lake of Souls.”

“Aye,” Garius and Rose answered in unison. They looked at each other and she smiled at him and winked. Garius could not quell the palpable attraction he felt for this eccentric woman. He tried to push the feeling from his thoughts when, suddenly, he was interrupted.

“You had visions of black stone,” Elec offered, suggesting that the Blackstone Mountains might be a good place to start. “I do not know what that vision meant for you, but it might be wise to begin searching there as soon as the rain slows.”

Saeunn looked at the elf curiously.

“So, that traversing the mountainous terrain will be less treacherous.” Saeunn merely shrugged and stared into the fire once again.

“Couldn’t you make it stop?” Rose asked. “I seem to recall you having vast power when it comes to changing the weather.”

“Aye, I could,” he admitted, thinking it to make sense. Garius directly began mouthing a prayer to The Watcher. After a lengthy verse and wait however, nothing happened.

“Well?” Rose asked again.

“I do not understand why, but it seems that I have been denied.”

Rose looked quite disappointed at that and Garius had no logical explanation for her. Or for himself for that matter.

“And?” Rose asked.

“I cannot
undo
this weather pattern for one reason or another,” he offered, not hiding his own frustration at that and wondering if he had offended the god of the skies in some way. “We shall simply have to wait it out,” Garius added, standing and staring out into the driving rain for some time. “I must eat, rest, and make amends to the Gods of Order now.”

Rose sneered at that, mumbled a curse under her breath and began gnawing on a piece of the cooked duck lying on her satchel. She tore at the meat, barely chewing it before she swallowed.

The entire group continued eating in silence except for Elec, who disappeared into his magical lab.

Garius was disappointed at Rose’s reaction and watched her from afar, as she devoured her portion and drained the remainder of the wine from her waterskin. He pushed the sensations he felt for her from his mind and focused on his prayers as the rain drove on through the night and into the dawn.

Xorgram Eboneye wandered out of his quarters and peered down at where the body of the victim had landed upon the platform several levels below. It was at the bottom of the shaft that went right past his own lodgings and down onto the next level. It was a sixty pace drop or more, he mused, rubbing his beard.

Xorgram wandered back into his room and sat at his desk, looking over plans and designs that Fuddle had given him for another shadowsteel device. Suddenly, penetrating the shadow of his doorway stood the familiar figure and accompanying cough of one Skilgo Firehammer, the head miner. As he entered the chambers of Xorgram Eboneye, he was meticulously and repeatedly dusting his sleeves and chest to remove any excess soot. Skilgo, Xorgram knew from years of being acquainted with him and his routines, was a bit obsessive about his own cleanliness, despite a rather chronic cough and his oddly chosen profession.

“What have ye heard?” Xorgram asked the slagfell as he shut the door behind him.

“Bagar was pushed…accordin’ ta several witnesses on the scaffolds,” Skilgo admitted, recovering from another bout of coughing.

“Who be the one that pushed him?” Xorgram asked, puzzled by the whole scenario.

“’T’was the man named Rogoth, is what I be hearin’,” Skilgo said again, seated now in front of Xorgram and eyeing him oddly. “Though it don’t be makin’ no sense, far as I’m concerned.” Skilgo coughed a few more times.

Rogoth, Xorgram recalled, was a humble and apathetic man. He was married to a forest elf named Meliana, and when Xorgram spared the both of their lives, they vowed him loyalty for the gesture. Rogoth seemed cowardly at best, and this did not seem like something that he would be capable of doing. Nonetheless, based on the accusation, it was time to keep an eye on the man.

“I’ll be settin’ some eyes on ‘em, fer sure,” Xorgram stated before scooping up a parchment form his desk. “What you be thinkin' o’ this?” he added, tossing the meticulously drawn design to Skilgo.

“A breastplate, eh?” Skilgo asked rhetorically.

“And Fuddle be tellin’ me an’ showin’ me plans for a lightweight shirt o’ chainmail. He worked up a sample already,” Xorgram informed him. “Kilkutt be workin’ with him makin’ that armor and I can’t wait to test ‘em meself. They be thinkin’ that the weapons be havin’ special properties, too. Some they ain’t even seen yet.”

“’The Maker certainly be a brilliant little gnome,” Skilgo added, referring to Fuddle Mucklewink’s nickname amongst the Bloodstone Brotherhood. “And yer cousin Kilkutt be the best smithy I e’er seen,” he said as he stood from his seat and coughed.

“He’ll be e’en better with that Pridemoon Hammer in his stubby hands,” Xorgram called after him as Skilgo shuffled out the door and back to overseeing his workers.

Xorgram stepped out, locked his door behind him and made his way down to gather some of his leaders to inform them of an early meeting on the morrow. It was time to push a few raids deeper east and west to see what routes in those areas might produce more travelers.

It never hurt to have more coin as some of the Brotherhood would often travel to neighboring towns to barter and to just blow off some steam. It had never put their operation at risk and Xorgram was careful that it never would. Also, some of the Brotherhood simply liked the spoils of the raids and often competed to find and keep the rarest of treasures for bragging rights.

He also thought it beneficial to see if Norgeld’s troops were coming to pay him a visit, so he would need eyes on the roads. And, he needed someone to keep an eye on Rogoth…someone he could
trust
.

He would have to tell them soon as it was almost time for his visit from Cassia.

Queen Lynessa sat in her meeting hall surrounded by her most faithful lords and advisors. It was obvious that she was agitated and she cleared her throat to sound the beginning of the meeting. All came to attention within seconds and paid the queen heed. Lynessa sat at the only desk in the room while everyone else, including her brother-in-law, Heramon, occupied the seats that lined the walls of the spacious room.