Curse

Minus Sign · Sep 19, 2006, 09:17 PM // 21:17

The mournful roar that woke her the next morning was like nothing she had ever heard. A peal of pure sound—and mana—echoed through the still dark air, squeezing her blanket roll tight around her. Part of her thought—impossibly—that the miserable sound could have been a war horn.

“What is that?” Melody asked as she recovered. She had transferred to Kali’s blankets for Faith’s watch. And back again when it was Stephan’s turn, to Faith’s dismay.

“It’s the same mana,” Kali said, trying to sound reassuring. Surprisingly, the monk perked. Faith felt relief as well. At least there were not two mystery powers waiting for them in Rin.

“Okay,” the monk said simply and without concern. In her mind it hadn’t hurt anyone this time so wasn’t a problem. She picked up a small steaming cup and offered it to Faith. “Tea?”

“I thought I said no fires,” the group leader said with a hard voice.

Kali pointed to the air with a finger, a tiny spark floating over the tip. “I only warmed the kettle,” she said. “Not enough mana that anything should notice unless it’s already on top of us.” The elementalist shivered. “Not even then with all the Fire in the air today…”

“Uh huh,” Faith replied, taking the cup from Melody. Stephan had Kali’s sword between his knees, stropping it softly with a whetstone. “You all are up early.”

“We’ve been talking,” the warrior said, passing the sword to Kali for her to inspect. “Won’t it be quicker just to head straight to Rin? I know we’ve orders for Grendich but if the fight is at Rin—”

“And whatever we’re walking into without knowing is too,” Faith concluded. “Grendich will have news and reinforcements at the courthouse. We don’t know what’s waiting for us at Rin.” Or Grendich either, Faith conceded silently, sipping the tea in thought.

“We follow our orders,” Faith stated firmly. “It’s the best route we can guess at right now. Besides; if the Char are as stirred up today as they were before, I wouldn’t bet on Rin or Grendich being quiet. There’ll be action at both, and we’ll be useful at either.”

“We have warm bread too,” Melody piped cheerily, handing a warm slice of crusty brown bread to the necro. “Kali warmed a rock.”

Faith sighed, taking the slice out of Melody’s hand. “What do you remember,” she wanted to ask. But she knew the answer the monk would give: “I remember everything. What did I forget?”

If there was a bright spot to their situation, it was the light cloud cover overhead. The Diessa Lowlands were not as powerfully hit as most of Ascalon during the Searing. Faint patches of grass struggled to thrive on the barren landscape, a welcome change from the mutilated plants surrounding Piken. Overhead, clouds had lightened from the ominous grey of she was accustomed to into a sickly yellow, morning sunlight slanting through at jarring angles as it could.

After being so long in the Breach—two years with only four trips out—Faith found the scene almost cheering.

Just after sunrise Faith felt the warning skin tingles and braced herself just in time to avoid a fall as another peal rocked the lowlands. It was easier to judge time here, so she knew it was about another hour past when she heard yet a third blast moan across the countryside.

Once an hour. And accurately timed. Her mind raced through the tactics she had learned training as a group leader. Trebuchets could take quite a while to reload. If the missiles used were somehow magically attuned, it might explain the delay between firings. Or it might not be a siege weapon at all. Perhaps a new Obelisk had been attuned; one that recharged with a slow but deadly power.

“Faith,” Stephan called as the group halted, “you need to see this.” Motioning Kali to stay behind with Mel, Faith forced the mourning sound from her mind as she followed the warrior away for her first view of Grendich.

Compared to Rin, Grendich had been a large town Pre-Searing. Then again, Compared to Rin so had Ascalon. Wide bases of stonework remained of the industry of Grendich, tall fluted columns twisted at a jarring angle or toppled on one another in the aftermath of the Char invasion. Grendich was a ruin packed with promise; ruble ready to topple at the first prevarication.

Faith crouched down beside a mossy tar stained rock, staring wide eyed at the sight around her. But it was not the terrain that Faith fretted. It was the inhabitants.

She whispered softly, for her ears alone. “I made a mistake.”

It seemed that every Char in the lowlands had come here. Shamans and blade storms, fire wielders and hunters. Piken had been under siege for well over a year now, but never had she seen this many Char massed together. And they were not young or inexperienced. All were of a level with her at least; many much more powerful.

Grendich was a town infested.

“Looks like every Char in the lowlands is in there,” Stephan said, fingering the sword at his hip. “How do we get through that?”

“You don’t,” came a soft voice from the mossy rock Faith was using for cover and both of them jumped back. “At least not for the next twelve minutes.”

Stephan’s sword flashed to his hand and Faith took a step back.

Minus Sign · Sep 19, 2006, 09:22 PM // 21:22

Thank you for your comments. I was concerned that the interchange between characters--especially the less than sparkling background I hint at with Melody--was putting people off in this sequel. I feel more confident in continuing the direction I've been going now.

Ristaron · Sep 20, 2006, 07:49 PM // 19:49

And rightly so! This last addition was one of the best, even though it was shorter than most of the others. I especially liked the detail of Grenditch, and the way the mystery of the peal deepens with every new bit of information we get (by presenting possibilities, you've increased our curiosity).
Keep it up, you've a devoted reader here.

D E E Z · Sep 20, 2006, 07:56 PM // 19:56

Ok now im waiting for the rest of the story i love faith shes a very interesting character you should write a book if no one will publish it just send it to me and ill buy it lol just make sure you keep the copyrights between you and A-net you never know if any of them ever care to come over here you might get a nice little job writing the first GW series of books =P id buy them all lol your storys are enthralling to say the least very excellent work you had me up till 4 in the morning last night reading and i had to be at work at 8 lol keep posting more of faith and any other characters you come up with GJ keep going Deez

Minus Sign · Sep 20, 2006, 09:35 PM // 21:35

14
“Ow,” the ground said, stirring under Faith’s foot. “Would you mind,” it asked, “getting off my hand?”

“Rangers,” Faith sneered. She did—eventually—move her foot.

The mossy rock seemed to shiver slightly, its soft covering peeling back like a cape. It was a cape in fact; moss and tar sewn over linen. The ranger turned, brushing a lock of long disheveled brown hair away from his eyes. A few days growth of beard framed a thin smile as he took in the pair.

The grey ground Faith had been standing on rose as well, into a shorter man with braided ruddy blonde hair and a mischievous grin standing up beside her. He shook his hand with exaggerated tenderness.

“Who are you?” Stephan demanded.

“Easy Idiot,” The rock ranger soothed in Stephan’s direction. “My names Colin Trueshot.”

“Who you callin idiot?”

“Him,” Colin pointed behind Stephan and Faith jerked despite herself. A stalker had perched itself behind, rough brown fur blending easily into the landscape. Finger long claws retracting back into its paws, Idiot purred affectionately at the ranger. “Its his name.”

“Trueshot,” Faith murmured. “A little old to be one of Ivor’s kids.”

“I’m his brother, miss,” Colin replied. Faith quirked an eyebrow skeptically. “His little brother.

“Are you the bad joke we were expecting from Piken?” the ranger asked and Stephan stiffened again. “No offense,” Colin continued. “Everyone knows Piken is as stretched as we are. More. Asking you guys for reinforcements is like asking a starving man for a pound of meal.”

“We’re what Barradin could send, yes.” Faith replied. “Us, a monk and an elementalist back there.”

“Alright,” the ranger nodded. “Grad; slip back and grab those two. Let the GL know what we found." Colin turned back to the small bowl the Char had massed in between them and the courthouse, glaring at the animals with ferocity. "You’re likely to find things different than what you expected when you left Piken miss…”

“Faith,” she replied simply.

“Well, Faith, you’ll find things are a little different than you probably expected when you left Piken Rurik—”

“What’s this?” called from behind and Faith turned to see several groups marching toward them, Kali and Melody among them. A short fire haired elementalist strode up to Colin, squeezing every inch of his height in an attempt to loom. “I thought I told you to report back to me Colin. Not send your errand boy. I want your eyes, not second hand reports.”

“Melandru spits,” Colin murmured and Faith raised her eyebrows. “Sir we’re a little close to the Char right now. I wouldn’t recommend raising your voice that high just yet.”

Wallace had to have heard the curse—and looked of a mind to roar in Colin’s ear Char or no Char—but common sense won out and he nodded slightly with a look that promised reprisals.

“Miss Faith, this is Wallace Higowan,” the Colin’s tone dropped noticeably as he added “my GL.

“Wallace, this is Faith and Stephan of Piken,” he pointed to Melody and Kali behind. “They’re the reinforcements we’ve been expecting.”

Wallace Higowan looked Faith up and down, proceeded to inspect the other three of her group in turn. “Where’s the rest?”

Faith opened her mouth with a retort of her own, but Colin stepped in again. “Questions will have to wait until we’re all safe in the courthouse, I think.” He turned to a small cluster of rangers standing apart from the larger group. “Light em up group,” he called, his voice an echo of Ivor’s commanding presence.

Taking flint and tender, the rangers pulled small parcels of oil-skin covered arrows from their packs, disentangling fuses as they prepared for an assault. At Colin’s signal, warrior’s unslung weapons, castors took a calm preparing breath.

Faith nodded to herself. Wallace may have held rank, but it was obvious who these men followed.

“Mind giving us a hand?” the ranger asked, an arrow nocked and ready, its small fuse smoldering.

“Not at all” Faith smiled.

Faith felt the warning tingle again—just in time—and hunched at the ready. The blast from Rin pushed her sideways and jostled the group. Below, in Grendich, the Char wailed.

“Loose!” Colin roared, arrows flying in a single volley. Warriors sprinted forward, Stephan near the lead, and castors rushed to catch up as the battle began.

Arrows struck a second before the warriors, explosive tips shattering into a dozen tiny firebombs that further unraveled the Char. Faith had time, running behind the warriors, to see they had done little to ready themselves. The Char were disorganized; unfocused and fearful.

And in pain. Whatever had sounded at Rin was enough to disrupt the Char even this far away.

The warriors struck, splintering into smaller groups as the Char scattered in confusion. Kali beside her, Faith felt the ground churning mana of an Eruption seconds before the Char retreated. Faith focused on the first to fall, sending a flow of spirit to begin building her army.

“Leave that corpse alone!” roared from behind. Faith flinched in shock as the Char exploded. Then another. And another. A glance behind showed Wallace in the rear, sending his spirit wherever a Char fell.

An ele necro then, Faith thought, souring even more. A minion hadn’t the power of corpse explosions, but its durability and mobile damage was much more suited to combat than this idiot seemed to think. Or, maybe, he had never mastered minion making.

She looked again at the wasted corpses. Two Char dead for five explosions. Wallace was wasteful too.

Ignoring the nuke, Faith forced her mana out. It took more time to make a minion than a Putrid explosion, but Faith pressed on, willing a small horde into being as the attack advanced.

“Push through,” Colin shouted. He had followed with the castors, arrows flying two at a time with twin explosions wherever they struck. Idiot was always behind his master, slashing dazed and burning Char before they could recover and turn on the stalker’s master. “They’ll recover soon! To the courthouse!”

Faith surveyed the battlefield, searching for corpses. Colin was right. The Char seemed to be shaking off whatever help Rin had offered. Reinforcements were running into the small bowl they fought in. If they didn’t leave soon, they would be overwhelmed.

Maybe too late. Behind, from the rise they had surveyed, Faith heard the guttural roar of mana Char on the way. Those that had survived the disoriented slaughter were reformed at the edge of the battle.

“Leave your minions for flankers and run Faith,” Colin commanded. Faith nodded, following the ranger as their lightning attack became a hasty retreat.

Minus Sign · Sep 20, 2006, 09:39 PM // 21:39

15
“Duke Gaban’s been made a general?” kali asked, shock in her voice.

“Later with that,” Faith said, focusing on the quartermaster attending them. She would have preferred to have Colin or someone else from Rin fill them in, but the ranger had been pulled away by Wallace almost as soon as they were safely inside. “What’s going on at Rin? What’s that blast we keep hearing—feeling—every hour?”

“You mean you haven’t heard?” the quartermaster asked. He was a stocky man with balding grey hair. His thin mouth puckered in an uncomplimentary manner as he regarded her group. “King Adelbern found Stormcaller yesterday. And he’s used it too! Single-handedly kicked the Char out of Rin he did.”

“What of the prince?”

The quartermaster spat. “Ain’t no prince no more. Rurik fled the field of honor in fear—showed his true colors he did; yellow!—and Adelbern disowned him on the spot. Told him if he can’t defend Rin, he’s got no place ruling Ascalon. And I agree; by Balthazar I agree!”

“Where is Rurik now?”

“He and his band of cowards went up toward Shiverpeeks. Let them fight the cold on the mount I say; they’re no use fighting Char anyway. Bunch of slack-hands all of em. General Gaban took charge of Grendich after that under King Adelbern’s orders.

“Now,” the quartermaster eyed Faith suspiciously, “what are you here for?”

“Orders,” Faith replied. “From Piken; we were told to come and investigate—”

“That’s a right hard march from Piken for a group like you to make,” the quartermaster injected speculatively.

“We walk fast.”

“Uh huh,” he said, sounding unconvinced. “Alright, put your names on the roster and I’ll get you some supply chits. You just got conscripted. If you ain’t got all your chits or you ain’t got all your equipment you don’t get fed at the chow line.

“When a GL tells you do something, you do it. No slack-hands here. Groups are first come first serve too, so if you want certain duties, you best be up early.”

“I was a Group Leader in Piken. Perhaps I should report to General Gaban. We work well together.”

“You got proof of that?” Faith fingered a small blue pin on her shoulder; a blue four detailing her GL rank as a four man team leader. "Anyone couldna got one of those of a corpse around here," the quartermaster said with too much casualness. You got any proof?"

Faith clutched her belt pouch, feeling the letter from Barradin crumpling in her hand. “I guess not; no.”

“Then you’re working your way back up, same as everyone else.”

“Alright,” Faith conceded, nodding. “We have our own equipment for now. What about quarters?”

“That’s first come first serve…and you’re latecomers. Don’t expect much.”

Faith motioned the quartet to sign the roster and led them back toward the newly repaired gates.

Grendich Courthouse was a bustle of cramped fury. Men, women and children from the lowlands and around had come here seeking shelter the day Rin was liberated. There was simply not enough room to hold this many people.

“That doesn’t sound like Rurik,” Stephan said as soon as they were out of earshot of the quartermaster.

“That doesn’t sound like Adelbern either,” Faith agreed. “How do you ‘find’ Stormcaller when you all but never leave the capitol? Rumor always flies faster than fact but…something doesn’t fit here and I intend to find out what.”

“We can’t stay together?” Melody asked in a small voice.

Faith checked herself before she winced, forcing a smile. “Not for right now, Mel. Look, after each run, you come find me or Kali—”

“Or me,” Stephan put in.

“Or Stephan,” Faith nodded. “We’ll meet up after each mission and I’ll try to get a conference with general Gaban; see if he’ll bump me to GL. Guard your questions all of you; and what you say about why we were sent here. It doesn’t look like anyone friendly to Rurik will be very welcome here.”

“You never gave him our letter of introduction,” Kali reminded. “That’ll make getting to Group Leader harder.”

“And I never intend to,” Faith said as she shoved the letter deep into her belt pouch. “Our orders are to meet up with Rurik; not Adelbern or Gaban. We don’t need a black mark our first day here.”

“I’ll take a walk,” Stephan said innocently. It made Faith’s head ring with alarm bells. “See if I can find anyone I know.”

“Wait a minute Stephan,” Faith ordered before the warrior could leave. “Mel; why don’t you and Kali find us all something fresh to eat and a place to sleep tonight. Grendich’s a little crowded right now, but do your best.”

“Okay,” the monk said, taking Kali’s hand.

Faith turned to the warrior. “Don’t.”

“Don’t what?”

“Don’t try to get her special treatment,” Faith warned. “Not yet.”

“But,” Stephan stuttered, “she needs it!”

Faith nodded, lips tight. “And she’ll get it if we push too hard too fast. Only it’ll be the wrong kind. Places like this,” her hand swept a slow arc around the staging area. Hard faced men and women hastily repairing weapons and armor, carelessly gulping food and water as they walked out of the shattered courthouse and back into the ruins of war beyond. People jostled one another in the cramped space, the hard faces of strangers forced to live together. “In a place like this people tend to get lost. They don’t like playing favorites here; just look.”

Stephan did, every inch of him fierce defiance at what she recommended. Melody had that effect on men. Pretty, small, naïve and needing; it was only natural for an Ascalon man to want to protect someone like that. But this damsel didn’t need a sword swinging Whammo—no matter how noble the intent—getting her more distress.

Stephan sighed, seeing what Faith saw for the first time. Any help he pushed for would only hurt his friend. “Alright Faith,” he relented. “I’ll trust you.”

D E E Z · Sep 20, 2006, 10:46 PM // 22:46

Excellent as usual keep it up i want to hear the end lol Good Luck Deez

Minus Sign · Sep 21, 2006, 05:51 AM // 05:51

16

Days stretched long in Grendich courthouse. Kali managed to barter a group of three beds together in the back of the women’s dorms, a large cramped tent that was a town in itself. Neither as cozy or private as the private tent they had shared in Piken, Faith forced her displeasures aside. The elementalist had done all she could. Still, other necros might love dark, dank, dying places. Faith had been a monk long enough to gather a taste for clean and well kept.

One bright spot to the transfer was found in Colin Trueshot. Sharp witted and—perhaps more important for Faith’s group of “strangers”—impressed by the quartet, faith had no trouble confiding melody’s peculiar situation to the ranger. Brother to a legend and a man of known rank in Rin, Colin had been made a Group Leader his second day and taken the little monk—partly—under his wing.

Group Leader seemed a possibility before long as well. A steady stream of groups had impressed her abilities as a minion master and there was no shortage of opportunity to advance.

Faith sighed as she strolled past a smaller field tent, her nose twitching with angrily as her Soul Reaping powers tasted the air around a monk field tent. Death mana wafted from the tent in tiny waves.

No. No shortage of openings to advance. Far too many she felt.

Gaban and Adelbern had worked out a moronically simple plan. Using Stormcaller once every hour, the Char were forced back to the northern regions of the lowlands. With Grendich courthouse “secure” as a foothold, Gaban would strike out with several groups at the sounding of that powerful relic. Some groups would stay outside after the first offensive, nipping at the Char from the outside and charge back an hour later.

Faith had been “assigned”—assignment here meant being grabbed by the arm and told to hurry up—to one of those patrols yesterday. The memory of it made her quicken her step away from the tent her Soul Reaping was snacking on.

Adelbern’s strategy had two major flaws as she saw it. First; this far away, Stormcaller’s power was greatly reduced. Instead of leaving the Char dazed for several minutes, they remained disoriented for only a period of seconds. Hardly enough time to mass and launch an offensive.

Secondly, the Char had advance warning of every attack the humans planned. And they exploited that edge ruthlessly. Like clockwork, swarms of humans raced out of Grendich. Every hour on the hour. Like clockwork, they managed to slaughter the comparatively small number of Char that ringed the courthouse to keep them locked inside.
And like clockwork, every hour several large groups of Char would descend on the human troops as they fought. With the nearest groups of Char keeping Gaban’s force too busy to do anything else—large enough they could not be ignored yet small enough the Char were willing to lose the numbers—a second slaughter ensued as the humans tried to disentangle themselves from battle and retreat to the defenses of the courthouse.

Faith shook her head disgustedly as she bent to enter the women’s dorm. The Char outnumbered the humans by an impossible amount. Both sides eating away at each other like this…numbers won this tactic every time.

Smiles greeted her as she made the long walk to the back. Faith took a firm grip of her belt pouch. With this many mouths to feed, the little chits handed out every day by the QM were more precious than gold. Kali had lost hers once already in the last four days. Anyone could turn cutpurse when their belly rumbled loudly enough.

If you ignored the part about desperately trying to stay alive, the day’s routine was, well, routine. Sign up on the large roster every morning for the group you wanted to run, hope the leader didn’t bump you to something else, and take your day’s meal chits. Then it was back to barracks to wait for the call or breakfast, whichever came first.

“Hey!” came a shout from behind and faith turned to see a commotion starting at the front. “This is the women’s quarters. No men allowed.”

“I’ll have her head!” a man’s voice roared from the tent front and someone squeaked in fear. Faith had barely time to turn full around before melody burst from the crowd, Peace and Harmony a beacon around her as she bolted between people toward Faith and safety.

Oh yeah, Faith thought to herself, her mood souring further. Yesterday.

Yesterday Melody had run into the kind of group Faith fretted over. All male and all too bold, the monk’s link had shattered in the heart of combat. No one seemed to notice except the warrior that had been thinking what he shouldn’t have anyway. Melody had continued to heal them, unlinked, and everyone had come home safe and alive. More than too many groups could say.

But the warrior had been blinded, crippled and bleeding heavily as he limped his way back to camp. To hear Melody tell it, the feel of him had grown so—‘ewwey’ was the word she used—so bad that she couldn’t manage to cast anything on him toward the end.

It had not been a pleasant situation for a man with no healing skills of his own, and he’d had no shortage of choice words for Melody when he chased her through the courthouse.

This must be him now, Faith decided as Melody skittered behind her friend, using Faith as a shield as a man nearly as large as Stephan pushed his way inside. Faith felt Melody probing desperately and linked, the grouping sharing Melody’s panic, fear and…bewilderment. Faith forced down a sigh. Melody didn’t even know why the man was mad.

She’d forgotten again.

“That damn monk almost got me killed!” the warrior roared. Melody eeped weakly, pulling Faith further back.

Faith’s tone was cold as she stared down him down. “Your mouth is about to do the same.

“Get out of here. Now.”

The Warrior scowled, looking as if he wanted to say more. Faith sneered, almost willing him to. She had gained a slight reputation over the last four days. He stomped off angrily. Melody clutched Faith from behind, trembling slightly.

“Melody,” Faith said trying to keep her voice soft. It wasn’t easy. “Melody; let go. He’s gone.”

The tiny monk peeked out from Faith’s right side, straightening slightly when she saw the warrior had indeed left. “You wouldn’t have let him hurt me would you?” she asked, still trembling as Faith pulled away.

Faith sighed, slightly annoyed. This happened every time a Warrior snapped at the monk. It was growing old, even if Faith knew the reason. “No,” the necromancer replied. Then for Melody’s ears alone. “You remember what Kali and I promised when we left the Sanitarium. No one’s ever going to hurt you again.”

Melody looked up to Faith, a wide smile spreading slowly across her rosy lips. Faith felt the monk reach out, grouping more deeply with her. The sudden change from repressed terror to sugary sweetness made Faith’s stomach turn. Melody lurched forward, gripped the necromancer in a firm hug.

“Get off!”

“You love me,” the monk sang sweetly.

“Shut up Mel,” Faith snapped, disentangling from the monk.

“You do,” Melody sing-songed, smiling ever more broadly.

“I said shut up Mel,” Faith fumed. “Go…go get us our breakfast already,” she handed over one of her chits to the monk. “Kali can get her own.”

“I love you too Faith,” and the monk skipped away toward the tent flap.

“Merciful Grenth why won’t she die!”

Minus Sign · Sep 21, 2006, 05:52 AM // 05:52

17

“Still wearing the GL pin I see,” an all to familiar voice called as Faith stepped out of the women’s tent to follow Melody.

“I earned it Wallace,” Faith replied, turning toward the canteen.

“Uh huh.” The elementalist was leaning on a tent rain barrel beside the door. He hitched exaggeratedly as she stood up and followed her. “You’ve been earning a name for yourself as a Death necro the last couple of days. I’m impressed. Maybe you were a GL back in Piken.”

“You calling me a liar you stubby legged toad?” Faith wanted to ask. She forced her mouth to stay closed, forced her hands to stay at her sides instead of polishing the GL pin. He was trying to bait her. His rank was recognized. Hers wasn’t. yet. It was that simple.

“You need something in particular?” she asked instead. “I’m hungry.”

“You know death magic,” Wallace continued. “What about Curses?”

“I’m a necro. I know it all,” she said, more than a little heatedly. “But I’m best as an MM.”

“Good,” the GL smiled beside her. It made Faith’s skin crawl. “I need a proper necro for a deep patrol today. You’ll be running a curse build of my own design.”

It took every ounce of will not to wince at that. “I ran one of those yesterday. I’m off hard duty rotation because of it GL,” Faith said simply. It was fact. No one wanted to kiss Grenth twice in two days; that’s how good material was ruined. Even Gaban knew that. “Besides, I’ve already signed the roster to run with GL 6 Ruthgar today.”

“Ruthgar has enough people on his sheet,” Wallace snapped. “I need a good necro to run a curse build. You’re it.”

Faith stopped where they stood, turning a glare at the elementalist. “If you’re going to insist I run a heavy rotation again, fine. But at least let me run what I’m best at.”

“Curse build, noob,” Wallace sneered. “I need a Render.

“Or are you not up for it?” he pressed. “I can tell the QMs you disobeyed a Group Leader. You know how much they love feeding slack-hands around here. Maybe I should ask your big friend Kali. Rocks for brains, using earth when everyone knows its fire or nothing, but I’m sure she’ll come around.”

“What do you want?” Faith growled.

“You’re not in Piken any more newbie,” Wallace answered in the same tone. They were of a same height; standing on tip toe, he did manage a credible loom. He stood, nose to nose with her, said “I’m goanna show you that today.

“And I’m goanna show you how a real GL operates.”

* * *

“Real” group leaders didn’t need to think about their groups, Faith decided as she followed Wallace to the front gate. A tired looking elementalist ranger and a monk warrior with an all too blank stare looked her up and down, appraisingly. Faith sighed. Wallace insisted on spinal shivers and a pure curse build. No self heals; it was a waste of energy with a monk. She would be their interrupter, staffing enemies as they “nuked the world”.

Faith sighed again as she looked at their “tank”; a Moa bird three days past dead and as exhausted as its master. The ele ranger smiled apologetically, patting the bird on the head. It flinched.

“Hi,” the monk said. “I’m Jules. I heal.” Faith regarded the monk again. If he did heal, he hadn’t been for long. The boy—he was a boy—couldn’t have been out of training for more than a handful of weeks. “This is gram. He’s a fire ele.”

This is going to hurt, Faith thought, but kept it to herself.

“Alright,” Wallace said in a “voice of command” that was really just shouting at his people. “We got another necro Gram.”

“Hi,” Gram said sleepily. “Just stay in the back and let Frisky get their attention.” The Moa squawked sleepily too. If Gram was a regular in Wallace’s groups, the man didn’t appear to get much chance to rest. “We keep em hurting while you shut them down,” he concluded.

Faith considered the skills Wallace wanted her to run. It wouldn’t take many runs for her to be swaying the way Gram was now. The man pressed his team too hard. They walked out of the courthouse with the first groups of the morning.

“It’s almost time,” Wallace said in a voice anything could hear. “Stay close and rush through. We’ll turn around and nuke them when they pass.

Faith felt the tingle and braced. The blast was followed by a singular roar—Char and human in fear for their lives—and faith’s group ran for the bowl.

“Past!” Wallace screamed. “Run past them all! We have to get to the other side!”

You think we don’t know that? but Faith ran, silent.

The group turned, following their leader. Wallace stopped them on a hill well away from the main fight. Several clusters of Char waited here; searching for the patrols they knew would be coming through. He pointed to the largest, a group of ten coming straight at them. “Rend that Shaman!” Wallace screamed.

Faith focused and fired on the Shaman just in range, rocking from the burning power as the mana of his enchantments tore though her.

“Shower!” Wallace commanded and Gram winced beside her. Above, the sky dimmed further in patches as balls of fiery rock rushed to meet the ground.

“See?” Wallace scoffed. The Shaman dropped to a burning heap before them, crushed under one of the rocks. “Rend doesn’t hurt you nearly as much as it hurts your enemies.”

He turned to the rest of the group, a triumphant smile on his lips. “Now that we’ve a proper necro, lets see about killing some Char.”

“You okay?” The monk asked quietly.

“I could use a heal,” Faith replied, eyes crossed in the aftershock of Rend’s price.

“Right,” Jules nodded, thinking. “Here you go,” and she felt the familiar touch of an Orison spell soothing her. Faith almost baulked. He’d had to think about sending her an Orison?

“Come on Gram!” Wallace shouted again. The idiot was a beacon for every Char this side of the field. “Grenth take you Gram, I said Meteor Shower!

“Just a second,” Gram called hoarsely, exhausted. “Just a second.”

“Run back!” Jules squeaked and Faith gapped at Wallace. He was pressed out as far as Frisky. “Gram! You took too long! No! The other way Jules! Run on! We can’t go back to the courthouse now!”

The group ran, dozens of Char fast on their heels. Faith felt something graze her shoulder. Arrows from the hunters. If we keep running, we could keep this lead. The Char would stop following soon and we can circle around, take them out piecemeal. Maybe…

Wallace, however, had other plans. He turned just as the thought came to her. “Now dammit!” Wallace roared in his command voice/petulant shout. “Cast it now!”

“No! Run on!” Faith commanded. “There’s too many on us to take all at once!”

“I knew it!” Wallace cried victoriously. “I heard you and your little friends talk! I know about your secret letter! Coward! Rurik lover! I’ll see you swing girl!”

Faith stared in shock at the mad man before her. He stood on the rise, triumphant in some petty bait in the middle of what had to be the worst tactical disaster she had ever seen.

And Faith realized-- with total certainty--that Wallace didn’t care. His whole team could die; he’d just go and get another. That’s what a “real” group leader was to him.

Gram screamed, clutching his chest. Faith turned, pain for the young man deep in her soul. Life spirit turned death mana from the arrow through his chest and Gram fell dead beside her.

“Rez him Jules! What is wrong with you noobs!?”

“That is enough!” Faith roared, turning to a corpse nearest her. Gram shivered—sorry Gram, she thought—and a bone minion lurched free.

“I told you no minions you idiot!”

“Shut up,” Faith wanted to say but her mouth was clenched shut in a silent rictus as her horde began to form.

“Gurgle!”

“Jules!” Wallace screamed, “heal me!”

Faith forced Wallace out of her mind, concentrating on Death. It took time to change the skills you used, like changing the rhythm of your stride mid race. It was deeply frowned on to try, dangerous even when successful. But she had to do it. She had to, or they’d all die. “Jules!” she screamed. “Wallace!” a reluctant afterthought. “Get close inside my horde; let them take the damage!”

“Shut up noob!” Wallace roared from beyond the mass. His voice was growing more distant. “Forget her Jules! She’s an idiot; get out of there!”

“I can’t!” the monk screamed. “I can’t get to you Faith!”

“Gurgle!” Faith panted, a pair of bone minions turning to the fray. It was becoming easier now. Soon…”Hang on Jules, I’m coming!”

“Come to me; forget her!” Wallace roared.

“I can’t Wallahhhhhurtsss!”

“Gurgle!” Sorry Jules…I should have stopped this in the courthouse. Should have found a way to save us there…

“We have to get out of here!”

“Gurgle!” Sorry Frisky…

“Help MEEE!”

“Gurgle!”

Dead, Faith could feel it. All dead…but me.
The minion wall buckled and heaved, a wave of undead undulating as the Char tried desperately to reach their Master. Faith felt Death mana all around; the horde was stretched out, trying to reach her. The few around were scant protection, but the ones outside were dealing a deadly price.

“You,” she gritted, willing her horde to fight, “will,” the horde rocked, pressed tighter back by the Char.

“PAY!!!!”

The horde buckled and Faith felt pain. Deep in her abdomen, a tightening pinch. Something foreign inside. Hard and sharp.

A sword, she concluded, surprisingly calm. I’ve just been stabbed in the stomach.

Fire raced from the wound and Faith fought to breathe. Fought to stay alive. They have to pay. They have to pay.

But she couldn’t move. Her arms were suddenly rubber. Her knees buckled as the horde collapsed atop her, minions crumbling to ash or flailing wildly out of her control. She knew it was happening, refused to believe. They have to pay.

Then nothing. No pain. Her stomach didn’t feel better. It felt nothing. Like it wasn’t there. Strange. Too strange to feel nothing. Too wrong, feeling nothing. Faith didn’t like feeling nothing. Still she fought.

“Faith?” the voice behind her was kindly and familiar. She had dreamed of that voice for two years now; yearned to hear it just one more time. But now that she did, dread crept into her. “Stop now sweetheart. Its over.”

“Karim?”

“Yeah.”

“Am I dead?” Faith opened her eyes. No; the dead had no eyes. But she “saw” fog in green light. The world she was in seemed a soft glow. It wasn’t comforting. It wasn’t anything. It was like her stomach now; nothing where there used to be something. Faith wanted to shiver. She was afraid.

“Yeah.” Karim said.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah Faith. I’m sure. You just died.”

“Is this the underworld?”

“No. This is a waiting place. It’s between.”

“Then…you’re an envoy?”

“No. Just me. They thought you might like some company while you wait.”

“Wait? Wait for what?”

“I don’t know. They won’t tell me. They just said you were dead and asked if I wanted to see you while you wait,” a laugh. “How could I refuse?” Faith “turned” to the voice at last, looking at the man behind her. Karim smiled sadly. He was as she remembered in her good dreams: face smooth, head freshly shaved with a twinkle in his eye just for her. But the twinkle glistened, almost a tear. He touched the fan of shock white hair covering a dark red burn forever etched on her left cheek. “Gods Faith. What did you do to yourself?”

“I tried Karim.” And she did feel. She felt grief. She felt love. She felt impotence for a price not paid in full. “I tried so hard.”

Karim took her into his arms. Squeezed her tightly to him. But as much as she squeezed back, as much as she wanted to, Faith could feel nothing.

Minus Sign · Sep 21, 2006, 04:24 PM // 16:24

18

Melody giggled. “I don’t believe you,” she said, smiling. Leaning closer to Stephan, she buried herself in his side like a daughter would with her father. The warrior let her, pausing from his sharpening to pat her shoulder.

Colin quirked an eyebrow, his grin mischievous. “It’s true. I was a regular Wintersday pig before Idiot found me. And that’s really how he got his name.”

“Uh uh,” she laughed again.

Colin raised his hand as though swearing the Oath to Serve. “Every night for a solid week he followed me home. And every night just before dinner you’d hear Pa Trueshot shouting at the top of his lungs ‘git off mah table ya idiot!’ and Idiot would barrel out the front door with our dinner between his teeth.”

Stephan could feel Melody relaxing through the group link. Colin had been very frank about his needs in the monk but had proved as patient as anyone could hope. Tomorrow was to be her first sweep patrol—something no one could avoid here if they wanted to eat—and the ranger was doing what he could to set her at ease before the big day.

“After almost a solid week of him sneaking in at dinner time,” Colin continued, “Pa said ‘alright. You want that moron Colin, you can keep em. But whatever he eats is comin outa your share!’

“And I’ll tell you one thing sure if nothing else. Half rations in the Trueshot house will skinny a boy up right quick!”

Despite himself, Stephan snickered. He forced his mind back to his sword and his whetstone, honing the edge back to razor sharpness. It was easier to concentrate on that than anything else when he was alone with Melody. Stray thoughts were a hazard when you were getting her used to someone, so he forced his mind to stillness, reciting the mantra Tasha had him memorize.

I’m here to help. I’m here to protect. No one hurts here; no one is afraid. I’m safe, I don’t hurt people, and you won’t hurt me. I trust you. I know you can trust me.

Over and over with each pass of the whetstone, Stephan recited his litany of the mind. On Melody’s other side, Idiot, turned to regard the warrior. She turned and scratched his ears, getting an affectionate head-butt in return.

They were waiting for news. Ruthgar’s group had left at lunch time and returned, but Faith had never returned to the dorms. Lunch had passed, and dinner was starting. Kali had gone out to find Ruthgar; she should be back any minute—

Melody shifted again, shivering as if cold. She pulled away slightly, both mental and physical.

No. I’m here to help. I’m here to protect. No one hurts here; no one is afraid. I don’t think about Kali when I’m alone with Mel. I’m safe, I don’t hurt people, and you won’t hurt me. That part was weird, Stephan thought. Melody couldn’t hurt a fly. Why had Tasha insisted it was so important?

“You know he never did again?” Colin answered a question Stephan had missed. “He never did jump on the table again after I started to feed him. I think maybe it was his way of introducing himself to the family and me.”

The ranger laughed, concluding “And he’d never answer to another name I’d give him so—”

“That’s why we call him Idiot,” Melody finished with him, giggling.

“Think of Lyssaa and there she is,” Stephan mumbled, waving a hand as the elementalist strode past. “Kali,” he called. “Over here.”

The elementalist warrior strode on as though she hadn’t heard.

“Kali?” Stephan stood, calling her name louder. Kali stopped—jerked as if struck, and turned to his voice. She moved like a minion…or an invalid just out of bed. Her face was slack, her eyes glazed and glistening.

Stephan felt Melody’s fear and concern through the link; felt his own compound on hers. No one hurts here; no one is afraid. No one hurts here; no one is afraid…

“Kali?” Colin asked as the three of the reached her together. “Kali; where’s your sword?”

“What?” the elementalist jerked again, glancing down at her hand. “I must have lost it. Dropped. Somewhere.”

“Kali?” Stephan took her shoulder, shaking her gently when she turned away. “Kali what’s wrong?”

Kali stared ahead, her face blank.

“Kali?”

Her voice was hollow; rushed. “Faith didn’t go out with Ruthgar. Wallace had him switch her out for a sweep.

“They left before breakfast. That’s why we couldn’t find her.”

“Did Faith go away too?” Melody stared at Kali, shivering again as she buried herself in Stephan’s side.

“She’s not in camp,” Kali finished, staring at Stephan with dead eyes. “The QMs just took their names off the roster.”

Stephan felt confusion and fear in the link. I’m here to help. I’m here to protect. No one hurts here; no one is afraid.

But it didn’t help, and his heart wasn’t in it.

Minus Sign · Sep 21, 2006, 05:33 PM // 17:33

19

The dead are in stasis. Life moves on. The next day’s dawn saw men coming out of the courthouse, fighting for survival. One group broke away from that fight followed by a stalker, running swiftly. Char gave chase, stumbling under the disorienting power of Stormcaller’s blast. But the humans had a safe lead and kept it; the Char gave up—let them go, there are more to kill—and out into the lowlands four people wandered.

They moved quietly, skirting the edge of the Char held land around Grendich courthouse and the ruined landscape ruled by gargoyles. One man broke away from the quartet, the stalker following as she came to perch on a rock outcrop high above a small valley of tar and ruined buildings.

Colin Trueshot took a chew from the beef jerky and placed the salty stick back in his pack. It was his first time running as group leader for a sweep and the patrol had been largely uneventful until now. He turned from his perch, walking back to his team.

“Looks a mess down there,” Grad said, unslinging the bow from its hoop. “Want us to check it out.”

“Naw,” Colin said, shaking his head. “Nothings moving. I’ll do a quick sweep though. Grad, take Frasier around the other side, see what you can see. Stay close just in case; Melody: with me and Idiot.

“Ok.” The little monk said sullenly.

“You ok kid?” Colin asked, slipping down into the valley.

“Yeah,” she lied, following. It was a dumb question to ask. She’d lost a friend yesterday; that was always rough. Stephan and Kali had wanted to follow this sweep. Knowing that pair, they’d have tried to shake off and find Faith no matter what. Colin had put his foot down—he’d had to, he was a GL—and spoken to all the sweep teams, warning them to keep an eye on that pair for the next few days. Good men and women were inshore t supply at the courthouse. They couldn’t be wasted on chasing ghosts.

“Well, keep an aegis ready in case.”

“Okay,” Melody said hollowly. Colin tried to recite the litany Stephan used. I’m safe and you are too. No one’s scared here and...uh…Aww look girl; I’m not going to do anything bad to you and that’s that. You can believe it or don’t. Never was good remembering things like that anyway. You just stick close and I’ll watch out for you when I can, okay? Colin sighed when he saw Melody shiver from the corner of his eye. Maybe he should have tried to get her the day off. She was a great monk when she was on top of things, but yesterday had shaken her. Hard. Unstable as she was, she might do anything.

“Careful,” he cautioned, the battlefield coming into view. He kicked a pile of bones, watching them turn to ash as his boot touched them. “Minion husks. Whatever made these might still be around.”

“Okay,” Melody replied. Colin wondered if she’d actually heard him. Nope; not stable. Things got dicey when people stopped thinking.

“Looks like a warzone,” Colin mumbled to himself. He paused next to an ash pile, Char bodies scattered as they died. Minions lay scattered around the pile, crumbling to decay.

“Okay,” Melody replied. “Here?” Nope, Colin decided. Not hearing and not wanting too. Probably in her won world. He’d have to cut this sweep short; get her back to the courthouse and talking to a mesmer.

“O my Gods!” Melody cried, diving into the ash pile face first. Colin grabbed her arm, then saw what she was doing.

Girl hadn’t gone nuts. She was digging.

He made out the shape of a nose in the ash, saw a head tilt slowly back as Melody grabbed shoulders and heaved. The monk smiled—she actually smiled!—at the day old corpse. “Hello Faith.”

* * *

Karim took her into his arms. Squeezed her tightly to him. But as much as she squeezed back, as much as she wanted to, Faith could feel nothing.

It wasn't that bad, feeling nothing, Faith decided. She could still feel love. That was enough for anyone to feel.

She didn’t know how long they stood like that. Time had no meaning here. Eventually, he pulled her away—she clutched him to her, but strong hands became insistent and they parted—smiling again as he said “You were always stubborn.”

“What do you mean?”

“Just,” Karim shrugged, “you’re not one to let go.”

“I never have to let go of you again,” she said, a teasing reminder.

Faith saw mana flicker in the fog. She smiled at it. Mana was always pretty. But this was beautiful. Familiar. The smile faded and she looked at it closer—no; it was coming closer. The mana was more than familiar. She recognized the spirit behind. Someone…but who? Who would come here looking for her? Who could, for that matter?

“I love you Faith,” Karim said softly. He squeezed her gently, nuzzling her hair. “I’ll always love you.

“But its time to go.”

“What?” even as the question passed her lips the mana grabbed her and she gasped. It was surprising, the gasp, as though she had not breathed air in a long time. Then again, what use had the dead for breathing?

The mana tugged, insistent, pulling her away. Faith felt fear and pulled against it. Petulant, the mana tugged again, pulling her with stubborn firmness away from where she was.

Another gasp, painful and harsh, and Faith slipped from Karim’s arms. Cold air inside her lungs; hardness where there was nothing. How had she never noticed how much breathing hurt? She reached out, back toward Karim, but he made no move to help. Unbelievingly, he looked happy. “Karim?”

“I love you Faith. Live and know that. But live on.”

“Karim?” a third breath; easier but no less alien. “It hurts!”

“Living does sometimes,” her lover said. Through his smile Faith saw tears. Not tears though—the dead didn’t cry—loss. Yearning for something he could no longer have. “But it’s worth it. Trust me; I know.

“Live your life Faith. Let the dead go.”

* * *

“I don’t want to…”

“What’d she say?” came a voice from above. Faith winced, a jarring spasm that made her want to faint. It hurt. Gods, living hurt so much. Still…she forced another breath.

“Faith?” another voice, loud and insistent with concern. Faith opened her eyes, seeing sunlight for the first time in too long. It was too bright and she closed her eyes again, turning her head away. “Faith?”

“Mel-o-dy?”

“Uh huh.” The little monk said more softly this time. Faith felt warmth around her hand, someone squeezing gently. “I thought I lost you. I was scared again.” The fearful voice turned slightly reproachful. “You don’t go away anymore, okay. You stay with me, okay? Please?”

It hurt so much to live. Death held no pain. But… Live your life Faith.

“Ok. For you…”

“You’re a lucky necro,” the first voice said from above. “Another monk might have given up on you. Mel’s just too stubborn for that though.

“Alright,” the voice called again, far too loudly for the newly raised. “Grad! Frazier! Rig a stretcher and lets get her back to the courthouse.”

huwbie · Sep 24, 2006, 06:39 PM // 18:39

Awww that was really well written. Poor Faith, but at least she got to see Karim again..

On with the story need more

Ristaron · Sep 27, 2006, 07:37 PM // 19:37

I had to wipe away a tear with that whole "life hurts sometimes" thing. Seeing Faith's vulnerable side was quite moving... more so than I would have expected.

And in order to get that kind of effect takes a brilliant author. Keep going, my friend, this is good stuff.

Paul Mahdi · Sep 27, 2006, 10:36 PM // 22:36

Love the story. I Couldn't stop reading 'till I got to the latest entry

Minus Sign · Sep 28, 2006, 04:24 AM // 04:24

20

Being famous had its perks, Faith decided as she lay on a cot in a small private tent. She hadn’t been dead for the whole day, the masses had decided, but for quite a long time.

Over the last week and a half—and many times during the three days she could remember—a constant surge of people had been in and out to check on her and explain the miracle. Mesmers checking for signs of possession. Necromancers wanting to ask questions. And monks. How many monks she couldn’t count, but it seemed every monk in Grendich from master healers to newly raised had popped in to “check on her.”

Questions had been easy to answer. When asked, she answered—quite truthfully, even though it left out a world of detail—that she remembered “nothing”. Mesmers had finally relented that Faith was Faith; no hitchhiker’s from the Underworld. Necros had given up—though they’d been the most stubborn of her visitors—were beginning to accept that she hadn’t sat down to tea with the God of Death.

And the monks, begrudgingly, had accepted that Faith was Melody’s patient. Any questions they had about her condition they could ask her monk, instead of “popping in” to check on her at all hours.

But such attention required a quiet place, away from other patients who needed their rest too. Melody had seen to that, finagling a private tent for Faith to recuperate in. Sometimes it was private. That was a surprising relief for Faith—she should have known though; when it came to the health of her groups and her patients Melody had an iron will—as the solitude gave her time to think.

And much to think about once she could again.

The tentflap parted and Faith steeled herself for another barrage of questions.

“Good evening,” Melody chirped, bouncing in. Peace and Harmony crackled freshly in the air, and whatever had made her apply the enchantment was already dimming to lost memory as she smiled at her “patient”. Faith wanted to howl. The monk was falling back on bad habits. Easier a doctor than a patient, Faith surmised. “Are you up for a few visitors?”

NO! “Yeah Mel,” Faith said, sighing softly instead. “Who wants to pick my brain today?”

“We do,” came from the tentflap as Kali bent nearly double to walk through. Stephan followed, the two of them having to hunch uncomfortably to stand in the small tent. With just her and Melody Faith often forgot how small it was.

“Was wondering when you two would find some time for me,” Faith teased. Stephan chuckled. She knew they’d been as near as they could during the first few days. That she’d been asleep for all their visits wasn’t their fault.

“I did see you when I was coming back from my sweep,” Kali said, forcing a smile. Faith took another look at Kali after hearing the weariness in her voice. It wasn’t just the tent that made her hunch over. Stephan pushed her toward a chair and the woman nearly fell into it. “I would have come over, but you looked a little busy.”

“Terrance Hexbiter.” Faith said sounding like a lemon was wedged between her cheeks. Melody had authorized Faith's second excursion from the tent today, and the necromancer had waylaid her in the canteen. “That man won’t be satisfied until my voice starts shaking walls again. He’s convinced me being Godspoken had something to do with my ‘miracle’.”

“I don’t like that man,” Melody said, earning a raised eyebrow from the trio. “He keeps asking you too many questions and he keeps asking me creepy ones.” She mumbled under her breath “I’m not nuts.”

Faith smirked but let the slanting tone slide. “How many’d you lose?” she asked and Kali blanched.

The elementalist shook her head wonderingly. You don’t miss much do you?” Faith waited, silent. “Two,” she replied at last. “In my group. I don’t know how many more; that’s when they ordered a withdrawal.”

Kali coughed.

“You don’t look well Kali,” Melody said. “You ok? Have you been eating?”

“She’s running ragged,” Stephan said and Faith heard strain from the warrior as well. Not the bone cracking tiredness of Kali. Mental strain; concern for his friends. Sometimes, that could be worst of all. “They’re starting double rotations Faith. Each person in Grendich is expected to run a sweep every two days. Those that aren’t on a sweep run in at least two offensives a day.”

“I’ve just gotta stop using Obsidian,” Kali replied, fending Melody off. “Don’t know what else I’ll use but,” another sigh; resigned. “Too much exhaustion; not enough sleep. This pace is just…”

There was pain in her voice as she looked at her old Group Leader. “It’s insane Faith.”

“I know,” the necromancer replied, her tone ominous. “That’s exactly what it is.”

Minus Sign · Sep 28, 2006, 04:27 AM // 04:27

Sorry guys. I got sucked into the Nightfall event, same as everyone (grin).

TY for the comments everyone

@Ristaron & huwbie: you must be psychic; knowing exactly what I'm worrying about and telling me its working. I was afraid Faith was too 'mushy'. that part only stayed in because I couldn't bring myself to edit it out.

Minus Sign · Sep 28, 2006, 05:50 AM // 05:50

21

“The king’s lost it,” Faith continued. “We stay here like this we’ll die.”

“What are you talking about?” Stephan snapped, fire in his eyes. Despite herself, Faith pulled away from the heat of his gaze. “King Adelbern is fine. Fine!”

“Wait a minute Steph,” Kali joined, gripping his hand familiarly. “This isn’t like you Faith.”

Faith kept the sneer from her face. “I’m not possessed Kali.”

“Then what have you heard?”

“More than I wanted to over the last few days,” Faith replied. Yes; being famous—being wounded and forced to stay in camp and listen to gossip—had its perks. “Rurik found Stormcaller; not Adelbern. He used it in Rin; he saved the cities populace.

“Adelbern disowned him when Prince Rurik declared Rin too dangerous to rebuild. He didn’t run from the fight. He and his teams saved Rin; fought and died to protect the refugees that wanted to flee into the Shivrpeeks.”

Stephan shook his head, disbelieving.

“Adelbern did nothing,” Faith pressed. “Nothing to help the civilians, nothing to aide in re-taking Rin. He’s just been puffing his chest for the last two weeks; blowing Stormcaller like it were some sacred ceremony and all the while letting his brain soak up whatever the Royals tell him is true. The man’s got no control in Grendich. The orders he is sending here have been countered twice by Gaban.”

“Then we should tell King Adelbern,” Stephan retorted. “He won’t stand for this sort of treason once he knows about it”

“I’m glad they were countered,” Faith snapped, trying to appear commanding in her sickbed. “They were idiotic in the extreme.” She stared Stephan down, ready for another explosion. “You’re worried about two offensives per person a day? Adelbern wants us in all of them.”

Kali gasped beside him and Stephan jerked. He looked to her and Faith saw fear in his eyes. She’d seen that fear too recently for comfort. He knew what she had said.

“Grendich is expendable Stephan. As long as we’re killing Char, the man doesn’t care how many of us die.”

“Faith,” Kali spoke quietly, sounding forced. “I don’t have to tell you that, well, coming from you calling a man Char hungry is a little,” the elementalist fumbled, searching.

“Hypocritical?” Faith supplied, forcing the smile back in place. Kali sighed, nodding. “You remember what Mhenlo said to us once? ‘I don’t have a problem dying so long as it’s for a reason.’ I know sometimes I seem overzealous when we were in a push, but I’ve always tried to live that way. I’ve always been willing to die that way too Kali.

“We stay here, the way this place is going, we won’t get that chance.”

Silence stretched in the tent; only the labored breathing of the enraged and the desperate filled their ears. “I’m scared,” Mel said, clutching Kali’s other hand in a firm grip.

“I know Mel,” Faith said. “Look; Rurik is west of here with his defectors. We make a break for it, these guys probably won’t raise too much stink and we can meet up with his men. He may be brash, but he’s not gone crazy.”

“What about Barradin?” Stephan countered. “Couldn’t we try to get word to him first? See about getting some help

Faith sighed slowly, pointing to the stack of parchment she had managed to get hold of. “Piken fell six days ago. Reports are sketchy still, but it looks like the Char hit them from the south gate and managed to break through.

“Without Rurik King Adelbern has no one left in line of succession. Without Barradin, the Royalists can’t hope to supplant him. None of them are popular enough to hold Ascalon together.”

“Then why even mention them?”

“Because Rurik is ‘disowned’,” Kali replied. “When Adelburn dies—and he’ll die if he keeps pressing us the way he is. If someone on his own side doesn’t stick a knife in his back soon, the Char will do it for us—there’s no one left to hold Ascalon together. That leaves only the wealthy landowners; Royals.”

“And they couldn’t stop their squabbling during the Guild Wars,” Faith finished. “That’s why Adelburn won the throne.”

She looked to the tent flap, searching for a way out. “This country can’t handle a civil war and the Char at the same time. The country will split into small territories and the Char will devour it one Royal state at a time.” Faith could see it in her mind. Roaming bands of Char supplanting the human patrols that held Ascalon together with twine and treesap. Humans scattering into tiny hovels; little more than caves. Death, destruction. Then…nothing…Faith shivered at the thought. Not for herself. For her home. For her people.

“Faith,” Kali called her back, “what are you saying?

Faith looked them in the eye, each in turn and said “Ascalon is lost.”

Stephan stared back, his eyes hollow. “You’re talking about defection. What makes you think they’ll take us anyway?”

“I’m talking about following orders,” Faith said, forcing a smile. “The last order Barradin gave us was to report to Rurik’s camp.

“But you destroyed that letter,” Kali replied, shaking her head. “I thought it was too dangerous to keep.”

“Too dangerous for me to keep,” and Faith's smile was genuine. “Melody?” the monk perked out of her fog again. “Can I have my paper please?”

“Okay,” the monk replied. Tugging the buns on her head, Melody pulled her hair loose. Hidden inside one and tied to the clip she used, a small roll of parchment fell out. “Remember,” the monk chirped “it’s a secret.” she put a finger over her mouth and made a shhh sound.

Kali and Stephan looked from monk to necro in shock as Faith took the small piece of parchment from Melody and unfolded it. The wax seal was bent in a curve and slightly cracked, but showed the lightning strikes and hammer of House Barradin.

“You both could have been flogged for hiding that,” Kali rebuked halfheartedly.

“Who would have thought to look?” Faith asked and smiled. Melody saw her humor—if not the cause—and smiled too. “I’m still your GL Kali, if you’ll have me. Sometimes, I may have to take a risk to avoid a bigger one later.”

“Alright,” Stephan said. ‘that might get us to the dissidents.” He shook his head, his mind racing with everything that faith had said. She really did wish they had found time to come by sooner. Dropping everything on them as she had…it hadn’t been fair to them. The warrior took a claming breath, forcing the next sentence out. “But what about getting out of Grendich? They may not ‘kick up a fuss’ but I doubt they’ll take kindly to us trying to walk out on them.”

“Probably not,” Faith agreed. “And that’s exactly what we’re going to do. You two try to set accept evening sweeps for tomorrow. Tomorrow afternoon, I’m putting my GL tags back on and we’re walking out with the after-lunch offensive.”

“Uh uh,” Melody said with a firm headshake. She pouted prettily with an admonishing finger toward Faith. "You’re still too weak to be going outside and making minions. I know you; you always make minions when you go outside and you’re not going out until you’re better.”

“Mel,” Faith said, keeping her tone calm, “I’m talking about going to a place where I don’t have to make minions any more. A place where there aren’t any Char or things that hurt us any more.”

Melody looked skeptical. “No more minions?”

Faith nodded.

“And none of us would get hurt any more?” Faith nodded again and the monk beamed, ecstatic. “ That’s great! And it doesn’t have to be just us. We can take Colin and Alia and Grad and Frazier and—

“Mel,” Faith’s snap was whipcord, cutting the monk off. Melody jerked and Kali raised a hand out, only now realizing the little woman had been walking happily to the exit to tell all her new friends about “the great idea where no one gets hurt any more”. “Barradin’s orders were for us. Only us to meet Rurik. I know it’s sad when people go away, but sometimes…it happens. This time we have to go away. We have to follow our orders.”

“But they’re our orders,” Kali injected, taking Melody by the shoulder and turning her around. “Not everyone else’s. They wouldn’t like it if we tried to get them to do our work for us would they?”

“You’re being sneaky again,” the monk accused. “I know you are.”

“Maybe a little,” Faith admitted. “But I’m also being honest. We can only take ourselves. The rest…can follow as they may…”

Selerious · Sep 29, 2006, 04:27 AM // 04:27

damn this story's good, havent checked Lyssias for a while but this story made me glad I did.

Necro Lord Nottsy · Sep 29, 2006, 07:47 PM // 19:47

Wow your last piece of writing was amazing it kept me amused through business studies every friday but this this is amazing keep up the good work

Necro Lord Nottsy · Sep 29, 2006, 08:16 PM // 20:16

Very good minus i love it i still think faith should be able to animate a flesh golem now and again