The Enchantress

Chapter Three

Kalia looked at Azan as he carefully entered her workshop, making sure not to touch anything, given the explosion that had happened last time someone had randomly touched something in her workshop.

To prevent further unwanted explosions. It was decided to give Kalia a practice field to test her devices in. Markus even went as far as to make a long-term contract with some of the local dwarves to construct buildings for Kalia to try out new tools. Also, materials for her to make tools and gadgets for any mission Markus needed the guild or his men to undertake. She could also make jewelry to be sold in the shop. One of the dwarves helped mentor her along the way, as it was evident that jewelry making was a weak point for her. Which was odd until it was discovered that she lost her family at an early age due to trolls. Though Kalia did manage to learn enough skills to be able to make basic items, her resilient spirit, along with the way she was eager to improve her skills, impressed her guildmates.

She could also cast some illusion spells, which had come in handy. Azan admired her for being both skilled and resilient, but he approached her workshop with caution, nonetheless. Given that she made explosives. “Azan, what brings you here?” Kalia asked, wiping her flaxen hair from her face. Looking at the drow curious about what she would be doing this time. “When Aldo gets here, I will explain the mission,” Azan answered, wondering what she was working on. “I’m here, and what did she do this time?” The halfling commented, ignoring the look Kalia gave him. “Nothing, Lord Markus has requested that we help extract an enchantress that was born in Mordia, and gather intelligence to see if the Inquisition is funding the bandits on the border. You will be assisted by Zorina, a retainer of Lord Markus, along with a mercenary from the Blood Hawks, and a fairy who alerted Lord Markus and Captain Leta about the enchantress. Kalia, you are only to use items that you have made before.” Azan ordered, pleased that Kalia was good at following orders even though she was a tinker gnome. Granted, she did cause chaos from time to time, but it was always contained. The dwarves did learn new ways to fortify their masonry work. Markus learned both offensive and defensive tactics as well.

Kalia began to figure out which of her spell materials she would need to bring and what gadgets would be safe to use. As the days progressed, each of the party worked on gathering supplies that he or she would need for not only the journey to the meeting place, but also for the infiltration of Mordia and rescuing Flit’s enchantress friend.

Zorina looked at her two companions with a raised eyebrow. They were good picks for the mission, though they were a bit late. “A damn merchant with connections powerful enough to jeopardize everything insisted that Kalia make a jeweled trinket that would detect all kinds of poisons. Along with alerting him to any potential assassins targeting him. One of the dwarves attempted to convince said merchant that he could make the same kind of trinket, but the merchant insisted that Kalia make it.” Aldo explained as Kalia continued to curse about the merchant.

Zorina herself was a ranger, so navigating the forest came easily to her. Her party members could generally keep up with her without making too much noise. Zorina just hoped the other two people they were going to meet would have no problems navigating the wild. When they set up camp for the night, Kalia pulled out some hearty bread and a type of jam. Given how she was a gnome, all her food would be vegetables, fruit, and bread.

“I hope you take no offense at me asking as to why you would join a rogue’s guild? Azan is wealthy enough to hire you, not to mention Lord Markus.” Zorina inquired, hoping that she was not overstepping her bounds. “Trolls had slaughtered my family, and the only reason I survived was because my parents hid me well enough not to be detected. Though no one else had that luck. I had learned enough to make enough to live off on, and one day Aldo asked me a few questions about how I felt about rouges, which don’t bother me at all, so he asked Azan if I could join. The guild has been my family ever since.” Kalia explained sadly, noticing the look of understanding in Zorina’s eyes. “I see, so Azan took you in the same way Lord Markus took me in. One of his knights saw my potential and introduced me to his lordship. My parents had drunk themselves to death, and most people at court were shocked that Lord Markus would even consider taking in someone like me.”

“Then again, he does insist on being called lord rather than king, which is his actual rank. Considering the vast amount of land he has, and that he married Princess Roselia of Beriloa. He claims it is his personal preference, and given how powerful he is, no one is inclined to argue.” Zorina stated matter-of-factly, noting the curiosity that crossed Kalia’s face. “I was wondering how a lord would have the ability to make a long-term contract with dwarves. To not only teach me jewelry making, but also other metalworking skills that I had not previously learned. Not to mention, with making buildings that would possibly be destroyed by any of my new creations,” Kalia remarked after she took a bite of her bread. “Lord Markus is the richest man in all Silverguard, so it’s not that much of a surprise that he can afford to do what he does. His family has been around for a long time, so he’s established and hardly worried about how much wealth he has, or land he owns.” Aldo explained, not bothering to mention that Markus was an ancient vampire. The general public viewed ancient vampires as pure evil. Markus was different, though Aldo suspected it was due to his age, as he had settled down to mind his own affairs.

Granted, he was a force of stability in the region (though Princess Roselia had to convince him to help by agreeing to marry him). As far as Aldo knew, very few people outside Markus’ immediate family knew that he was an ancient vampire, and Aldo would like to keep it that way. Considering Markus was a patron of the guild (which made all guild members extremely rich). So, ensuring that Markus was happy with the guild’s work and safe from any assassinations was a top priority for him.

It took them a week to reach the Blood Hawks' base, and the weather was growing colder. Although the mountain pass they were going to take was kept as clear as possible, given that it was a trail rather than an actual road. Zorina’s party was guided to where Leta was with Constantine and Flit, both of whom were wondering about the other people who had been chosen to help them. After the introductions were made, Flit informed them about the route they would have to take. The post that Demeter ran, and where they could stay. Once everyone was ready, they headed off.

Guided by Flit, who used some of her magic to make her glow bright enough for her party members to follow her. “When we get into Mordia, I won’t be able to do this, so we will have to tread lightly,” Flit commented, trying to hide her nervousness. “Relax, we will manage. Everyone was chosen for a reason.” Aldo assured the fairy, wondering how she managed to sneak into Mordia so many times.