Hard choices

8th of November 5000

Still lifting up from the bow the all gratified the Grand Kai master, they thrown undecided looks to each others, leaving to Gustavius the first words to be sailed to the sea of uncertainty.
- grand Master, we sadly acknowledge that Dark Raven stayed behind to save our lives. He, with Lightning, destroyed the bridge to the fortress. Leaving our way free... except for a keen drakkarim whom assaulted us before we could leave. He took the life of Lightning whom we couldn't bury properly.
- May Ishir protect his soul in those dark Lands, solemnly spoke Sharpen Fox.
Silence was broken but an heavy mantle covered now this gathering. The tale continued with sadness in their eyes and hearts. Griselda looked away each time Lightning name was pronounced, feeling deeper than she wanted his departure. The company updated Sharpen Fox about their perilous travel back to the monastery, the Kai Grand Master listened to all of them, trying to get more information than the one given. Soon, our heroes noted that he knew more than he was expressing at the moment. But before he could be questioned back, a smooth knock on the door awoke them to the entrance of a young man in a blue long tunique covered of stars. He looked apprenhensive to come further as any bringer of bad news. Timidely he entered while Sharpen Fox hailed him to come forward.
- Yesnarel, what a surprise, what is your purpose on your journey here?
-Masters, and guests, I come today to bring you a message from my father the king.
- A message? And he is using his own son, the Prince of one Eldenora nation? Give me the letter and join us, just let me finish here with my guests.
- What? Said a shocked Gustavius? Shouldn't we wait or talk in private? This is a matter of utmost importance we never know who...
- Do not worry Master dwarf. Yesnarel is the son of a trustful ally of the Kai. Do not fear is silence nor his speech.
More murmurs and uncertainties ran in the rank of our heroes, but as guests, not to say debtful companions, they continued to set Sharpen Fox and Courageous Blade more involved of what happened so far. Since Marghal they had unveiled a conspiracy, or an important trail to a powerful artefact which could change the equilibrium that the Dark Lords seek to break for so long.
- But Huldrak, do you know him? Can we trust him? Said first Griselda
- This time, it was Courageous Blade whom talked first. Huldrak is more than a friend and an ally, his wisdom his cherished by us and all the fighters alleged to good and justice.
Sharpen Fox didn't wait their answers, or better said, their questions, to inform them of what he was here doing.
Right now he is in the Library, studying the scroll Dark Raven brought us back.
- What, he is here? retorked Gustavius.
- Can we see him advanced Erleothir.
- Yes, in time. for now I can't say much more, as we also have our duties to fulfil. I'll leave you with the most of what we know:
we discovered that the Dark Lords are seeking keys and safes, seven of each which would lead them to treasure we don't know. But if they are looking for them, we must find them before them. It must be important, if not dangerous enough. When you killed the Nadziranim he apparently had finish to translate and encode a message about those keys. We managed to translate to some parts and almost have discovered two possible keys or safe locations. At least it is what I want to confirm with our emissaries.
Yesnarel grew, patiently impatient. And Sharpen Fox understood he woud read the message at once. Without pausing he read it, and his face turned sadder and darker as he reached the end of it.
- Do you know what your father wrote young Mage.
- I do not know Master Kai, my father sent me here with money and the mission to deliver this letter to you, and you only.
- Sad news they bring me, our Kai emissary was killed at your father own court, in his presence!
- I can just provide you my personal apologies Master Kai, I will do whatever is at my reach and beyond to try to cover the loss of your fellow Kai...
The company couldn't believe what they heard, a Kai Lord assassinated at a King's court!
- And you will, Yesnarel. You will. Your father gave us your service for a year, as a token of forgiveness for what happened. I will conference with my conselours and pray for the soul of one of us whom reached Ishir...
Do not fear, I won't punish you. But you'll travel with them now. And will help them as you were helping me, paying back the blood debt that your father couldn't avoid. I will send him a letter back and will debate about what he wrote and confirm to us in here. Much information is now unveiled to our eyes, and I must decide which will be our next move. We will be needing your help also adventurers, turned him to the Hazardous Company
A defiant Griselda remarked loudly in those empty halls:
- And what about my quest, will you help me?
- In time temerous Telchos, in time... It is not by chance nor by doom that our path crossed... There is more to say later. News from Shotia are confirmed and from Boari also... Join us at the library later this afternoon. Feast and recover behind our walls, till it is time for you to go after the adventure you called apon yourselves. Huldrak will be there also. We need to know why an emissary of the Kai was killed by a conselour of your father the King Yesnarel. And why he didn't want to have us informed about Shotia. We'll see you later this afternoon, be ready to go at any time!
No time was left for them to answer back, they were once again alone, with a new mage.
- Yesnarel is your name, mine is Gustavius of Bor
- And I am Mulchanor smiled the teethless dwarf.
- I am happy to join your group...
A strange game of questioning went over the poor young mage, whom was properly introduced to Griselda and the others. No much they said, but they learned that he was a noble, son of a King, from the war thorn country of Eldenora. He told them about own a conselour of his father killed a Kai and then died during his... questioning. He was mad, losing all his sense. He didn't know what was written, He respected his father will and traveled till he reached the monastery.
They left to the market square where they could get finally what they needed. Once again, they splitted, guided by their own desires...

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Now with a few hours ahead, the dwarves, the Mage and the Knight felt like children in a playground. Weapons and shops all over, fair prices, the guarantee of good weaponry in one of the bastion of what is still good in Magnamund, fair ladies to the eyes, good real meals and beds... And all was here for them to take, or at least to buy, if possible. If not, Gustavius already had some ideas in the back of his mind which travelled with him so far. After going for a first reconnaissance tour to find the best of what this monastery has to offer, they finally got their shopping plan ready when one Weaponry forge was selected for his prices, discretion and quality. Probably not in that particular order, but your three fighters were too much excited to be able to find new killing devices that even time seemed to have stopped.
-I want a Rifle, shouted Mulchanor
- Do you have spare parts looking like this, gesticulated Gustavius
- A great Shied, a Sommerlund great Shield do you have one? Hoped Erleothir.
-haaaaa.... sighted Aron the Forge Master, adventurers...
-One at the time please, no rifles here, pistols at best Master Dwarf. For you, which material are those, gesticulated him back, and for you young Knight which colours or coat of arms needs to be shown on your shield?
Once again, they talked as one man and demanded as the war drums were echoing in the valley.
Once more the Forge Master answered them all at the same time, checking their purses with a worry look. The knight was already checking his gold while putting down his spoils of war and used weapons trying the new ones fighting imaginary enemies. Easily slain as he could see. Gustavius requested to rent his forge and tools for a while. While speaking with Erleothir he could send gestural messages to Gustavius whom accepted the prices knowing he should pay much more. Buts as Erleothir, he knew that the Kais won't allow wrong doers in their walls, so he acted both out of charity and greed, helping them to by the most expensive, but still fair priced, items in his store. Gustavius was bound to come back later on to finish his enhanced Erleothir's shield . Mulchanor, was less proud than usual, knowing than cunning and smiles will pay more than shouting and intimidation today. Not even enough money to by a pistol. Nor goods to trade...
- Master Aron?
- Yes Master dwarf? What can I do for you today?
- Well, as you know, I am looking for a Bor's rifle...
- That I don't have
- And that I cannot pay...
- Which I already know
- But I am a poor unarmed dwarf in need of a boum weapon...
- Which I can get
- For a reasonable price...
- Which would be all your gold
- But I'll still need something to shoot with...
- That's why I gave you away fifteen bullets and enough powder to shot with
- Euh...
- You are welcome Master Dwarf, today is my lucky day too, next time you come by bring me good deals, and we'll consider each other even.
With that he gave to Mulchanor a tiny but Effective short range pistol to the dwarf. Seems to already had some use, but he can trust a shopper whom Forge from the Monastery. Silently he left, before the luck could turn away from Aron or him.

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Standing around in the large courtyard of the Kai Monastery, Alast caught glimpse of a training circle were Kai disciples were fighting each other under the guidance of an older Master. With a smug grin on his face he approached the training grounds and hailed the sword master: "Maybe the younglings would like to face a different opponent ? I would also gladly learn a few tricks from you during a small friendly competition... what do you say?"

The sword master detailed Alast from head to feet "this could be amusing..." he nodded at one of the disciples while the class was was forming a circle around both combatants. Their lethal weapons were put aside and while Alast received a wooden sword, his young kai opponent grabbed a wooden axe. Remembering his good manners Alast offered a quick sword salute to his adversary. But before the young Kai could even react Alast had allready disarmed him in a quick strike to the wrist. The young Kai looked in shock and dismay over to the sword master while Alast sighed: "I want opponents, not victims..."

The swordmaster could hardly contain his rage and ordered his disciples to form a larger circle around himself and Alast. For a moment both faced each other like petrified. Alast tried to deliver a quick swipe from the right towards the liver of the Swordmaster but this one parried without effort. Alast stork a second time. but this time he feinted an attack from the right while quickly stepping on the foot of the Kail ord thus imobilising his movements a bit. His natural instinct for gold helped him to snatch the Kai Lord's purse with his leftt hand while parrying a blow that never came to his right. The Kai Lord's purse in his left hand and his sword in the right hand he stepped back and waited for the Kai to attack him. But this one did not moved. slightly annoyed by the chance of his opponent and the lost of his purse he simply posed and waited for Alast to make a false move. Slightly nervous Alast taunted him with a move of his sword from his wrist. the Kai Lord still did not reacted. Alast held the Kai Lord's purse high in the air to make sure all disciples might see it. "want it back? what are you waiting for? attack me !" A small crowd had now gathered around the circle of training and all were curious about who would have the final word. With a scream the Sword master made a forward roll and stroke Alast in the leg just as this one evaded to the right. Both stood up again but Alast was quicker. As the Kai Lord was about to deliver a straight forward strike to his chest, Alast grabbed the Kai Lords left arm in a lock - a small movement from his side would be enough to break the Kai Lord's arm at the elbow - while he was quickly aiming the sword at the throat of his opponent with the right hand. Murmurs of surprise where to be heard around the circle and both opponents quickly let each other go. The unthinkable had happened, their Sword Master had been vanquished. Alast tried to stay humble. "it was a nice fight master. I know I used many 'dirty' tricks to win. hence my hope that you might teach me a more regular method of fighting?" The Kai Lord sharply replied "a nice fight indeed. but there is nothing I could teach you, I am afraid." After a few polite words Alsat was about to go when the Sword master interrupted him: "Actually, I would really like to have my purse back now..." and to this word all disciples grabbed their training swords as one and grinned at Alast.

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Once again on her own, Griselda looked for a way to turn this despicable wait for movement as a way to learn more about the flora in Magnamund. heading now toward the Herbalist working on his field.
- Good morning Master Kai.
- Good morning, Telchos said without looking the Kai Lord.
- I wish to learn more about the plants here, maybe you can teach me?
- Why wish you to learn the science of plants?
- It may help me in my quest, I gather knowledge about the plants of Magnamund to be able to use it when needed.
- Very well, good luck in your studies.
- Are you going to teach me something?
- Are you an apprentice or a Kai I don't know yet?
- No I am a Telchos, as you can see.
- So I fear that I cannot. I am here to teach Kais. Join us and I'll teach you.
- I have other plans... Can't you teach me some tricks or show me how to do some potions?
He looked now, stopping to work saying:
- I am afraid not.
Griselda, more angry than comprehensive childishly responded:
-May I look at least? Will my staring bother you?
-No, Telchos, you won't bother me, you can watch and learn.
So, she looked, and learned nothing.

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A librarian led them along a corridor past a few alcoves where disciples were studiously taking copies of the older and more fragile books. the book shelves were encasing them until they emerged in a reading area flooded by yellow sunlight falling from the high windows. a few tables were put together and the kai lords were discussing, shaking their heads and pointing at different areas on a large - and now corrected - map of Magnamund spread before them. as one of the kai lord moved to the side the company recognized Huldrak sitting on a chair, absorbed by an old parchment. The company hailed him, obviously very happy to finally see an old friend, their only constant in a world slowly but noticeably slipping into chaos.

- "My friends, I am sorry to hear the loss of Lightning, Sharpen Fox already informed me. Nevertheless I am glad to see you alive and in one piece" he smiled.

after a exchange of politeness they quickly related their stories again to Huldrak.

- How is the situation now in Ljuk asked Erleothir
- you will be glad to hear that there is no war. The trade and negotiations with the Barbarians are running again but the entente is, all in all, pretty.... cold.
- at least our trip there was not a complete disaster acknowledged Gustavius
- far from it, it is just too sad That Dark Raven could not find you earlier, Toran had even dispatched a skyship to help him finding you. but since you got kidnapped he had to continue on horse. Flying into the darklands aboard a skyship isn't exactly discreet..

all interrupted Huldrak "a skyship?! they do really exist ? I thought it was the stuff of legend." he nodded impatiently "yes, yes, all at a time for now we have some information for you." he took a deep breath and started explaining the result of his own research.

- "after you crossed the plans of the Nadziranim back in Kalte we could manage to gather a parchment and some notes from his belongings. The agents of darkness are not sleeping and it seems their search has led them to two new place of interest for them. we dare not to say what they expect to find there. be it Key or Chest..." he abruptly stopped and looked at Erleothir "you did not say anything, did you?"
- "not a word" replied the knight proudly
- "and your own keys?"
- "retrieved. actually, Gustavius and myself discovered something interesting."
Huldrak raised an eyebrow
- "As you know," started Gustavius "the drakkarims had us in captivity for more than a week. During those days they had plenty of time to search though our confiscated belongings, find our two keys and sent it to their masters. then probably killing us. Not only did they not killed us, but they also did not discovered the keys. This led us to the following conclusion: they think the keys are just 'normal keys' and not random objects..."
Erleothir continued
- "this would imply that at some point in history the craftsman who made the keys suddenly had to recreate them and transform the original keys into completely innocent-looking items"
- "and this brought me to an idea" finished Gustavius "we can simply continue leading the dark lords on a false trail by forging six wrong keys and hide them at the place were where we will find the real keys... this can buy us some time..."
Erleothir turned around to Gustavius "six keys ? you mean seven, right ?" for a short moments doubts crossed the dwarf's face but the knight already had interpreted it and was chuckling "oh, actually you are right. six keys are great! they'll keep searching for the seventh for a very long time." Gustavius smiled briefly and looked at Huldrak and the Kai Lords acknowledging in the background.
- "Interesting idea, the measures will be taken" nodded Huldrak, he went on "The parchment I am working on was found in the belongings of the Nadziranim, it is coded and I have difficulties translating it."
- "may I have a copy of it" asked Yesnarel
- "if you think you have better chance.. I will have a copy done for you." replied Huldrak amused "still, we were able to get the confirmation about two potential locations. we are not sure if keys or chests were found... first in the jungle of Boari: there is a report that some agents of darkness were spotted there along with a Telchos warrior." all eyes turned to Griselda "and this warrior seems to have a bear as a companion." all frowned, Erleothir the first.
- "what did the Liganim said on the ship back then "another one?"" quoted Gustavius. But Griselda was quick to put him back in place.
- "Am I counting all dwarves involved in this story until now?"
Huldrak coughed and continued
- "Our agents also informed us that the City of Shotia might also hold something of value for us. The leader of the thieves guild has been assassinated and it would seem the guild has split in two parts fighting each other. We now suppose they also possess an item" Gustavius sighed upon hearing this information but Huldrak was going on "A dark lord has been seen there probably trying to finish a deal with the guild. He is in company of a girl..." he stopped for a short moment consulting his notes "ah yes, here is it, we even have her name: Mellini." in the background Erleothir had turned pale.

- "We will offer you the service of the Skyship that was planned to catch you up three weeks ago." Sharpen Fox started, he pinpointed a few areas on the map "As you can see the Boari jungle is not just to the west of Dessi, a trip there would take twelve days." he went around the table "here is the city of Shotia, Capital of Mythan, 24 days of travel..." while tapping at one a peninsula on the most southern reaches of Magnamund "it's up to you to decide were you want to head. time is of the essence."

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The skyship would start in a few hours and the group went to the refectory, looking forward to a good meal and discussing their options.

- "I... have something to tell you" said Erleothir after a heavy gulp. He reached for his necklace "Mellini. I know that girl. she was the one to give me the necklace"
All turned around to him making it clear that now was the time to lay down the cards. and so he started relating his story:

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In the village were I lived I had a good friend, Eolfrid was his name. we were exactly the same age. except that he was one day older than myself as he liked to remind me all the time. It was a good friendship... We were both designated to be knights of sommerlund. and he started one day earlier than myself. all things went well. until she arrived. Mellini. It was obvious that both of us fell for her. we decided it to settle it down in a classic way. the first to fall on the ground would loose and leave the girl to the winner. Eolfrid won. he could not resist reminding me that it was due to that one extra day of training. But we respected our agreements and stayed good friends. Monthes then years passed by. One day I was travelling in the forrest still in training at the royal stables, I can not exactly remember what I was doing there. But I will never forget what happened on that afternoon. I heard screams coming from a clearing, when I headed there I could see Mellini lying on the ground. On the other side of the clearing was a large bear. It was clear to me that I had to interven else the bear would surely have killed her. I fought the beast and finally drove it off as I managed to slash his face. Mellini... gave me the necklace as token of gratitude... we decided to go back to town seperately to avoid any gossip if people might see us coming out of the forrest together. I let her go first. When I arrived in town lateron - here he stopped recalling the events - she did not came back to the town. no one had seen her. and the next morning at the casern Eolfrid was also nowhere to be seen. I asked around but noone knew where both of them were. it was just as if they had completely disappeared from the surface of the earth. I came then to Huldrak seeking for help. He was the one to reveal me that Eolfrid was capable of changing into a bear... That's all I dare to say for now.

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Gustavius was the first to break the silence.
- "Well, then we need head down Shotia, strike at the thief's guild while they are weak fighting each other. Saving your girl on the way is just the icing on the cake"
- "what is it with you and the thief's guild ?" wondered Erleothir
- "not much" replied Gustavius defensively "it's just a logical way of thinking, it's obvious to me they have an item and at least further information about it." he played a bit with the octagonal box and added after a brief pause "and besides you get to save the damsel in distress."
- "I disagree" interrupted Griselda "we should head for Boari and find that Telchos. Your girlfriend is safe."
Gustavius glanced at her quickly "Safe ?! since when is 'being-kidnapped-by-a-darklord' safe? and how come you suddenly feel concerned about Telchos you did not wanted to hear me talk about five minutes ago?"
- "Your girlfriend is safe, Erleothir, the dark lords must think she knows something about the keys and will not dare to harm her. She is a prisoner, yes, but not in immediate danger. besides she probably knows nothing and the dark lords are losing their time."
- "Time !" retorted Gustavius "It's 24 days to Shotia and by then the thieves guild may already be restructured."
- "and ?"
- "and what ? the girl will be dead. Shotia is the most obvious road to choose, look: we have two confirmed tracks. the name of the girl and the thieves guild. what do we have in Boari ? nothing. Just a random telchos with an unusual pet"
- "I really don't see in what the thieves guild is a hint in our quest. And it's not just a a random telchos. I'm sure of it."

The tone of both Griselda and Gustavius had clearly risen and what has started as a calm discussion was about to erupt into an open dispute. Between them, Erleothir sank his face between his palms while the rest of the group carefully stepped aside and started admiring the environment around them with forced intensity. Obviously they did not wished to be dragged in the discussion. Only the young prince tried half-heartedly to settle down the argument.

It was Griselda to turn around to Erleothir - "I need to talk to you. alone." Silence fell over the table. Erleothir looked at his friends and nodded. All went out. Gustavius the last snarling "it's not over" and spilling half of his tankard while grabbing it along on the way out.

once outside he turned over to Alast. "kid, make yourself useful and try to listen to the door."
- "and what will you do ?" inquired Alast nervously
- " finish my drink..."

After a few minutes Erleothir appeared again in the door frame asking them to come back at the table. Daring stare crossed the company while Yesnarel -still trying to defuse the situation- was looking for setting up a leader for the group. He pointed Erleothir whom wasn't so keen in becoming one. Lost were they trying to figure out what to do and how to decide. Alast set himself aside claiming he was not here to think and rule. Mulchanor was talking to himself looking at his new tiny pistol as he may get it grow talking about his own lack of luck since he joined this Company. Obviously, he was out of the decision process. Ít left the Company on a point of view stand off with only four voters for an obvious vote to be cast.
- We should vote, anonymously. and decide where we go first. said Griselda with a smile.
- Look, she speaks now, Claimed Gustavius, still crossing his arms.
- I agree, said Erleothir, we will act as a group and make the choice definitive.
Yesnarel nodded and grabbed paper that Griselda took unceremoniously from his hands
- Here, she said, write down were you want to go, Shotia or the Boari Jungle. We can't stay here two days to decide!
- Erleothir took his piece of paper and wrote on it quickly. Griselda tried successfully to do the same while Yesnarel wrote, in a beautiful handwriting, his decision. Gustavius was lurking around, trying to know more about an outcome that he feared to be already set.
Griselda started to count:
- 1, 2, 3 for Boari. And one for Shotia. We go to the Jungle, do not fear Erleothir, your friend is safe, we'll deal with the bear and the other of my kin first.
- Let me see those papers grumbled Gustavius.
He counted, not one, nor two but three times the tiny pieces of papers. All the time with the same result. All his complaints were shutted before being pronounced...
- So fine! We'll go to the Boari Jungle and let the girl kidnapped. So much of a choice, but Alas! It is the one I'll follow.

The evening ended and unlike the meal they just had finished, the bill the cook handed over to them was way to salty. They realized, only too late, that they could have shared the Kai's supper as the guests they were.

*
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Still moved about their own motivation the group was creating his first inner alliances and allegiances. The unpredictable result won't be seen before they face their firsts dilemma. Soon, they'll board a Skyship. Mythical or legends it was for them, but in two days it will be a reality which will transport them to more dangers than solutions. One last day at the Monastery will bring them the peace and quiet needed before entering the never sleeping Jungle of Boari, holder of a piece of the puzzle they undisclosed with Marghal's death.


New adventure starts the 10th