The castle hall is quiet...only the moans and groans of injured guard remains, as well as the smell of acid and melted irons. I scan the hall for the Baron's body, aware that our return to Betancuria is greatly dependent on it.
See to it that Baron Ravenstower is back amongst the living, then we may speak.
Finally, I found the baron's corpse and sit him upright. I hold the rod of resurrection close to him and invoke the power. His eyes slowly open.
Ugh....these traitors got what they deserved.
He spits in the direction of Terek's corpse.
Will you help us get home now?
One moment. I need to speak with Lady Dana.
He rises and exchange a few words with the dragon. Then, the giant white dragon glances at me with eyes blue like a glacier.
You have done the Barony a great service. Both of you.
You're actually a dragon?
I am. Dragons have served this Barony for as long as it exists, both as guardians and as advisors.
Pleasure to help.
I'll have the heads of Terek and Claire adorning the walls!
I always suspected Claire wasn't true to her husband. Poor Timin.
He made his choice and paid the price. Though I grant him that he did not do what he did out of malevolence but out of loyalty to his wife. He'll be buried in the Ravenstower crypt.
Yes, that would be good.
What about Castias' corpse? I assume you will want to take it up into the mountains?
I shall place his remains next to Mother, yes. *She sadly shakes her head* I still cannot believe he would take part in this conspiracy.
The baron nods in agreement.
It has not been a good day. For all of us.
Yet we live. We are fortunate that these girls were sent to us.
Maybe there's some sense in this, after all.
LP Comment: Right, random teleportation. Exploration to the mountain to recover a rod we never thought we needed and nobody actually mentioned, and discovered by COMPLETE accident, mind you.
I think it would be fair reward if we return them safely to their homes, M'lord.
You would take them across the mountains? You know there's no other way at the moment.
Yes. *I* would.
Fine with me. I'm not too eager to have them around until spring. Tlak about inviting trouble to your house.
The feeling is mutual.
Dana will take you home, that should be reward enough for your assistance. Take care of it, Dana. I need to see the steward.
He walks off without another word.
Alright. Just let me know when you are ready.
We spend some time poking through the corpses, picking at any valuables. There's really a lot to be had. In the end we settled for some magical items and inform Lady Dana that we are ready to leave.
We're ready. Take us to Betancuria.
That is quite the journey. But although I am loath to be in that warm climate of yours, I will take you there. All the way.
Thank you, Lady Dana.
Come. *She bends down her neck* Find a safe spot to sit. I will fly at great height.
I climb onto the dragon's back. Pia gulps and follows me. And shortly later, we are off.
Days later...
Even though Lady Dana travels at great speed, it takes over two days until we leave the icy areas of the north, and yet another day and a half to reach my father's kingdom. I feel very uncomfortable at first, the height making me shiver, and the motions of the dragon under me add to the feeling of being very, very small and helpless should anything go wrong.
We only stop every few hour for breaks. Lady Dana is careful to avoid any signs of human life and we did not encounter anyone throughout our journey. At the end of the fourth day, when our supplies are beginning to run low, we finally reach Betancuria. From above it looks different, and for a while I forget about being afraid and watch the landscape below me curiously. It all looks so familiar, yet so...small.
Lady Dana circles above the city for a few moments. No one notices us, the mighty white shape invisible in the cloudy sky. Then she turns south and swoops down to drop us off. She gives me a final pondering look, then she's back in the air, gaining height rapidly. We watch the dragon disappear. Then we start our way back to the city...
Oh, it's so good to be back home!
Yes, I thought that flight would never end.
Me too. Ahh...My butt hurts from all the sitting! This is worse than a night with...uh...Never mind.
Pia!
But..seriously. I am very, very grateful for what you've done for me, Aisha.
Of course, Pia.
She smiles.
Well. Let's go and visit Alfons. I'm sure he's been missing us.
The familiar sight and sounds...the stench...the sewers. It's been so long.
Aisha! I've been worried! Where have you been?! And Pia! Gods, it's so good to see you!
He hugs her tightly. Pia smiles and hugs him too.
Where have you been all this time?
It's quite a story. I have to thank Aisha, I owe her my life.
She's exaggerating..
Tell me already!
Pia tells him what happened at the Academy, Ravenstower, and the conspiracy we helped to foil.
Holy smoke, now that is what I call an adventure! I cannot say how good it is to have you two back! And you even killed the bastard Andrik at the academy! You two are really something!
It's good to be back, yes.
You must be dead tired! Well, take some time off and rest. Both of you! Oh Aisha, Nathan wants to see you. He's been worried as well.
I'll go and tell him I'm fine..
No need, he already knows. But still, he probably wants to see you.
Okay I will.
I leave Alfons office and head towards the sewer entrance.
Seems like our adventure's over, for now anyway. How about we got to the Bear's Pit and have a nice meal and some good wine? Oh, and I'll pay, of course.
Sounds like a nice idea!
Her gaze meets mine.
But before we go, I've got something for you.
She produces a small ring from one of her pockets and gently places it on my finger.
A gift, for rescuing me.
Thank you, Pia.
Let's be off, I'm hungry!
This isn't a bad ring, it's very attractive and has magical traits to it. But my new found wealth allows me to procure even more premium goods in the jeweler....like this one!
I smile as the jeweler's eyes glow at the gold I paid him and slip the trinket into my finger.
Outside the Bear's Pit, we run into a familiar face...
Lady Aisha! Finally, I've found you! Remember me? The castle in the woods? You freed me from those bandits!
Hello, Anden.
What a pleasant surprise.
You know him, Aisha?
I explain to her how I met him in the wilderness. Pia listens attentively. When I have finished, she giggles.
Sounds like you rescued a real damsel in distress, my sweet.
She gives Anden a dismissive look.
And who would you be, Miss Pompous?
Pompous?
Pia raises her eyebrows at Anden.
This is Pia. She's a friend of mine.
Pia curtsies overly deep before Anden. It's a wonder her breasts are not falling out from her top. Anden blushes and averts his gaze from Pia.
I've been looking for you Anden, but you were nowhere to be found.
Really? That is most strange, M'lady. I have been looking for you as well...Truth be told, I wanted to see you again. You're pretty hard to find, you know that?
Seems like you've found me now.
You work here?
He points at the Bear's Pit.
Yes, I do.
Well, I..I've been thinking. After all you've done for me, I could at least buy you a nice meal. *He looks at Pia* Both of you, of course.
Pfft...Pompous!
Sure, that'd be nice.
I'm very glad. Come. Let's go inside!
Anden is all smiles as he escorted us inside. I'm all smiles as well, knowing that I'm finally back and among friends. Wait till I meet Master Nathan again!
One of the waitresses walks up to Anden.
Greetings, good sir. May I offer you a table?
That would be most kind.
The waitress leads us to a free table where we are seated.
I hope this table is to your liking. May I brin you the menu? Or would prefer to have some wine only? Oh...what?
Suddenly, the front door burst open. The restaurant patrons stop and stare.
I nervously glance behind me...a squad of Dhorn rushes into the restaurant. One two, no ...four..eight...dozens...they're rushing upstairs! Pia's face grew concerned as well. Anden mood turned sour as he gaze at the Dhorn.
Finally, a Dhorn Commander moves in and orders the whole restaurant not to move.
I wish to speak to an employee of this place!
I...I'm working here...
Take her to the cells!
A Dhorn wizard grabs hold of the waitress and teleports out of the restaurant.
I grit my teeth, unsure what to do next when suddenly the commander shouted an order to clear the place. I turn around and witness him stabbing a patron on the back.
What the fuck? That does it. Pia!
I put on my thief outfit, weapons at the ready. Pia nods grimly and does the same. Anden's eyes grew wide, but he too reaches for his weapons. I give them a three second signal as I rummage through my pack for something to even the odds...hmm...magical scrolls...ah. This will do. I lower my left arm and raise my short sword to signal the attack!
Hey, why don't you pick on someone your own size, bastards!
I break the seal off the magical scroll and concentrate! The guards advance on us as Anden blocks one charging at me. Pia meets another in battle.
The temperature rose several degrees as an Elder Fire Elemental appear. It roars in rage, awaiting my command.
Take them out!
Two Dhorns surround me, and I felt the room grew cold. What could be causing it?
Shit! There's a mage! Ice storm! I roll out of the way, past the two guards and charge at the robed caster. Who is busy focusing on his spell on two helpless patrons...if I'm fast enough...
I might be able to...
No! Damn you!
I plunge my sword and dagger deep on his back, instantly killing him. I turn around and find the elemental roasting another Dhorn to death. Looks like we've done it...
How could this have happened? I stop to catch my breath and scan my surroundings...
There's no other survivors. Only us.