The Enchantress

Chapter Two

“That is good to know since I need both of you to work alongside some of my men to get the information I need. I have a feeling that if Mordia continues this path, then war will break out. The consequences of which will be terrible for the common people of Morida, to say the least. Considering the families of those foreigners that have been taken will want vengeance upon anyone from Mordia.” Markus remarked as he took the paperwork.

“Given how all of the highborn are going to run away and hide like the cowards they are, it will be the common folk who are probably going to bear the brunt of any kind of retaliation.” Leta agreed with Markus, glad his reputation was not exaggerated. Given who he was, this was no small feat. The discussion then went to how coordination and communication would be done.

“Why the hell do you need me to sneak into Mordia?!” A man shouted, breaking their concentration. “Because the only enchantress worth a damn had the misfortune of being born in that forsaken country, and she has no way out. It’s only a matter of time before she gets caught by the Inquisition, and Obrion only knows what’ll happen to her then!” A fairy snapped back, her iridescent wings fluttering frantically.

“I thought all magic users in Mordia had either fled or been killed,” Markus remarked, as both he and Leta came out to see what all the commotion was about. “There are a few circles of mages that have managed to stay hidden, though they are dwindling. The enchantress I am worried about is one of the few who can use the more difficult materials. Such as fire sap, which is so fickle that most enchanters can only use it to make fire-starting kits. Even then, only in tiny amounts, since it can burn through all the normal containers. This particular enchantress, whose name is Daniella, has been able to use it in multiple ways. However, it does take her a long time to complete anything since she must not only hide from the Inquisition, but she also must make sure her stepfamily doesn’t find out that she does magic.” The fairy explained.

“We need to get intelligence from all areas of Mordia to find out if they are trading with the bandits. The enchantress could help with the local knowledge she has. Constantine, who is your friend?” Leta asked the man, looking at him curiously. As she never expected him to do business with a fairy, since most fairies only carried items that related to beauty and fashion. Though a few fairies did make practical supplies that would be useful to a mercenary. “This is Flit, Captain; she deals in healing items and potions. As well as charms that resist elemental and magical effects. Flit, this is Lord Markus, brother-in-law to King Rutherford of Beriola, and Captain Leta of the Blood Hawks.”

As he introduced everyone, he saw Flit shudder a little bit when Markus laid eyes on her. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both,” Flit replied with a curtsey, hoping that she was hiding her fear of Markus. Which was due to the dark aura she sensed emanating from him. “We have spent enough time with introductions. Now, where exactly is your friend?” Leta replied as she motioned for both Constantine and Flit to join in the conversation. The intelligence was reviewed along with a map Flit had of the areas where the Inquisition had cleaned out dissidents marked on it. Along with rebel hideouts used to help people escape the country. However, such locations were hard to find unless you had someone connected to those posts with you. Flit mentioned that there was a woman named Demeter who could help them, as she had the closest post to the town where Daniella was. She also warned them that Demeter’s help would not come cheap. Flit assured everyone in the room that Demeter would not cheat or betray them. Leta told them to leave immediately, as it was now late summer. By the time they arrived at their destination, it would be autumn. The weather would start to turn, with the decrease in temperature and an increase in storms. Flit worried if Daniella would be physically able to handle a long journey immediately. Her lack of nourishment and workload left her health compromised.

After the route was selected, Constantine and Flit took their leave to prepare for their mission. After Flit gave both Markus and Leta a communication device that human magic could not detect. “Now I see why you buy items from her.” Leta commented, wondering what else Flit could make. As well as her prices. “Since you both are willing to put your reputations on the line for rescuing my friend, I’ll give you free supplies.” Flit told Markus and Leta, grateful that they were helping her get Daniella out of Mordia.

Zorina looked at Markus curiously after she answered his summons. As he was still wearing his traveling gear. Which told her that her mission was extremely urgent. “My lord, what would you have me do?” she asked patiently. “I need you to find out exactly who is funding the bandits and why. You will have help from Azan and from the Blood Hawks. Also, this is a rescue mission. It became known that there was an enchantress in a town that a fairy wanted to save. You are also to convince any local resistance to assist in your mission. The fairy vouched for one, but I need to know about the other resistance leaders.”

“Take this package to Azan along with this pouch, and please be careful.” Markus instructed, handing her the two items. “As you wish, my lord,” Zorina replied with determination. She stealthily made her way to the back entrance of the store, where Azan hid his guild. No one suspected that the high elf who ran the store was the right-hand man to a drow. Not that Zorina cared about what he was. All she cared about was making sure that Markus, who took her in from the street, was pleased with her work.

Once she was allowed in, she made her way to Azan, who was waiting for her. “What does Lord Markus need this time?” Azan inquired, looking at both the package and the pouch. “Intelligence on the resistance in Mordia, as well as helping an enchantress escape the country.”

“It looks like some of the mages that hail from Mordia managed to hide from the Inquisition.” She responded, handing over both items, wondering who she would be working with. “I see. Well, given your skill set, along with the mercenary and the fairy that Captain Leta is sending with you, Kalia the tinker gnome, and Aldo, one of my best thieves, will complete the party.”

“Before you ask, Kalia will be ordered to only bring proven inventions,” Azan stated as he looked over the paperwork Markus had sent him. Zorina was a little bit surprised that any tinker would join Azan’s guild, but then again, people were surprised when Markus took her in and trained her to be a spy.

Zorina saw then why everyone who served Markus was loyal to the death, as his treatment of those under him was fair. As she gathered her gear, she briefly wondered about the personalities of her party members. She knew that Markus only hired the best, and that anyone Azan would choose would be professionals. So, she dismissed any apprehension about the mission.