For Glory or Gold

Facing Opposition

The coming morning, Estien stretched in the bed he was in, only to find the arm of a young girl held fast about him. His back was to her and her body was pressed snug against him. He turned slowly, the soft fabric of his shirt moving with him. Torin gently lifted her head, allowing his arm to go beneath her head. Releasing a deep sigh as she laid her head back down upon his arms.

“By the Gods!” Estien exclaimed loudly, “Torin?”

Her eyes fluttered and she smiled to her great protector, “Hi.”

Estien laughed nervously, “Hi.” He moved his free hand to cup the face of the woman beside him. “How are you feeling?”

“My heads tender, but I’m ok.” She spoke slowly and softly.

“Good.” He kissed her head, “good.” He took a moment to take in her scent, the smell of honeysuckle filled his nostrils. He wasn’t sure if it was something they had washed her hair in, or something that had always been there, but a fresh wave of relief washed over him.

“Will you stay with me?” Torin asked, her eyes opening softly to look up at him.

“As long you want.” He laid down again and wrapped his arms about her.

Torin breathed a sigh of relief and wrapped her arms about him. She still couldn’t place what it was that was so familiar, but she wasn’t going to give it up for anything. They laid there, a mess of limbs, well into the afternoon. It was about the third time that Torin woke up, that she found Estien had escaped her grasp. She lifted herself slowly from the pillow she was on and looked about the room. It was the nicest room she had ever been in. The pillows were soft and the bed had curtains to it. The room was not large, but very well dressed.

Torin gathered her strength slowly, and lifted herself from the bed, steadying herself by the bed post. Her legs were tight and the muscles hurt when used, but she figured that had been from the fall. Looking at her clothes, there were holes in her pants and her shirt had a tear in it. She looked about and saw a pack by the door, opening it she found it to be a change of clothes, Estien’s clothes. She sighed and lifted the shirt from the pack. It would do until she found something for herself.

She pulled the torn shirt from her body, pausing in the mirror to examine not only her bruises, but the runes that covered her body. They were not large in nature, appearing as small flecks of gold shimmers on her body. She slowly pulled the white shirt over her head, lacing up the collar and tucked it in as best she could. She looked at the wrap about her head, and chose to leave it be. The shirt was obviously too big, but would suffice while she looked for food.

Stepping out the door, she was greeted by the small black cat she had grown to love. Nel meowed softly and rubbed herself against her legs.

“Good morning, little one.” She greeted her back quietly. “Come, let’s find food.”

Torin was approaching the stairs when Estien was on his way up. He had a tray of food and was shouting back to Sestina at the bottom of the stairs. She decided to lean against the wall and wait for him. At the sight of her out of bed, and wearing his shirt, Estien almost dropped the tray of food he was carrying.

“Torin!?” His surprise showing on his face, “What are you doing up?”

“I got hungry.” She walked over and began to examine the tray of meats, bread and cheese. “Oh, I’m sorry.” She spoke absently as she picked up a piece of cheese, “I couldn’t find anything else.” She began to eat the food directly off the tray, not giving him the chance to move.

“It’s fine,” he gulped, realizing the shirt she was wearing was much more revealing then what she had been wearing previously. “We should go sit back down.” He started to move toward the room again, which Torin followed him.

Back in the room, she sat on the bed with her legs crossed, the food in front of her. Estien leaned against the wall by the door, waiting for the healer to arrive to check on her. He watched her eat and toss bits of cheese and meat to her cat, who happily received them. Her blue eyes danced in the soft light that came in from the window, and her brown hair was almost wavy as it fell about her shoulders. The bandage around her head helped to keep much of the hair out of her face. Her lips had more color in them then before, showing to be a soft pink. He smiled as he watched her, how had he survived before?

Torin, feeling Estien’s watchful gaze, looked up and smiled. She lifted a roll from the tray and offered it to him. Estien nodded and Torin promptly tossed the roll to him.

“Good catch,” she smiled as she picked up a piece of meat and took a bite from it.

“Thanks,” he smiled. “Is this how you always ate your meals?” He gestured to the black feline, who was now cleaning her face.

“Oh, ya.” She half giggled, “Ma used to yell at me for feeding the cat at the table.”

They shared a laugh, when there was a knock at the door. When Estien opened it, it was not the face he was expecting. Indarc was in the hall.

“Friend, brother,” he was almost out of breath, “you must go.” He looked down the hallway and then back in the room, “One of my guards betrayed you. The Henti Guard are on their way, they are looking for her.” He looked to Torin, who was sitting with her legs crossed on the bed.

“What?” She spoke out, “Why are they looking for me?”

“Some saw your runes.” Estien said as he quickly belted his sword to his waist. “Thank you, brother.” He clasped the arm of Indarc briefly, then turned to Torin. Who had already slid from the bed and begun to put her boots on. She lifted her head and nearly fell over, the swift movement was too much. Thankfully, Estien was quick, and his arm was on her before she could fall.

“Shall I carry you?” He asked, one hand about her waist.

“No,” she shook her head slowly, “I’ll be fine.” She took a deep breath and steeled herself. He pulled her cloak about her shoulders.

“Estien! We must go!” Kestrin shouted from the base of the stairs.

Taking Torin’s hand in his own, he paused and looked to her, “Are you ready?”

She nodded her head slowly. They quickly made their way from the house, going through the kitchen and out the back door. The shouting at the front gate and the guards fighting was enough to send Torin’s adrenaline pumping, causing her to pick up her pace slightly. As her blood pumped harder and her breath quickened, her head began to swirl. Estien had noticed that she was starting to stagger in her steps and kept looking to her, his steps slowing to keep her pace.

When he looked up, Kestrin and Sestina had gone from view and they were deep in the southern woods from the Camp. “I..can’t..” Torin collapsed to the floor. Her chest on fire and unable to stay standing any longer.

“Sestina! Kestrin!” Estien yelled from his position alongside Torin. “She needs to rest!” His attention on Torin, he could hear their feet coming up behind him. “Are you good?”

Torin responded by shaking her head, as she knelt on the floor gasping for air. She fought her body as she tried to regain control of her breathing.

Estien rose from his position beside Torin, placing a hand affectionately on her shoulder. He turned to walk over to Sestina and Kestrin. Kestrin was checking his pack for water, which he didn’t have. Sestina began to check her pack, pulling a water skin from it, they began to pass it around.

Torin’s lungs were starting to calm down, when Estien came to her with water, which she gladly drank from. “I didn’t think it was going to be this bad.” Torin said, after gulping down some water and wiping her face with her hand. Estien laughed heartedly and turned back to Sestina, to return her water skin. He dipped it high for one more drink, when a blood curdling scream came from behind him.

Estien spun on his heels, just in time to see Torin drawn into the forest in the arms of her captors. Several armed men ran passed her and the men holding her, swords drawn and ready to fight. Estien saw Torin kicking and screaming, as they carried her further from them. Dropping the water skin from his grasp, he reached with his right hand and drew his sword. Pulling it firmly in his grasp and bringing his left hand to join his right, he charged into the battle.

He felt his rage consuming him as he squared himself to face his attackers. They were charging them head on, trees obscuring them from view. With a strong grip, Estien pulled his sword back and swung forward with a strong step forward. With that, the element of wind burst through him. Striking down trees and foes, all the while bringing up dirt and dust to obstruct those that charged them.

Estien charged forward, trying to catch up to those that had Torin in their grasp. As one attacker jumped from the ground and began his charge, he was struck down with a bolt to the front of his unprotected neck. Kestrin was taking aim from behind Estien, sending bolt after bolt at the onslaught. The ringing of steel filled the air as Estien engaged with the foes. As Kestrin retrieved a bolt from one of the men that lay dead, a glimmer moved beyond him. Chuckling to himself he announced loudly, “Move faster sister.” The Marigaun smirked to himself as he took aim with his crossbow. As he began to press the trigger, a shimmer came up behind his target. In an instant, Sestina appeared, daggers at hand and swiped through the target like butter.

“Sorry, brother.” She smiled to him and was gone as quickly as she appeared. Kestrin rolled his eyes as he continued to move forward.

By steel and bolt their foes fell, one by one. Estien had just slashed through one assailant and had looked about to see there were none about him. He continued on the path they had retreated down, only to find that they too had fallen to his sword. Standing firmly in the midst of the forest, he circled about. Expletives leaving his lips as he looked for any trace of Henti Guard.

“Something wrong?” Sestina came up alongside Estien.

“Trails cold.” Estien replied, looking about frantically.

“You mean you ran out of bodies.” Kestrin joked as he came into the area.

“Same difference.” Estien looked to the sky, no sign of Harpy, he looked to the ground, no sign of Nel. Those that had always surrounded themselves with Torin, were no where to be found. Listening with all his might, Estien tried to hear the screams of the girl from Vinla.

“Well, I got news, none of it good.” Sestina came back. “There is a group that went West and another that went North.”

“Seriously?!” Estien yelled in exasperation.

The familiar screech came in overhead. Estien quickly looked for it, watching as the large bird came flying low through the forest. Her shrill as unique as she was. Their eyes watched intently her graceful descent as she soared lower to the ground. She was merely feet from the earth when a white cloud engulfed her, out stepped a young woman of elvish lineage. Her eyes were cast white, marking her vision. Her gown was marked with the feathers of her large bird form, the cape along her back mimicked the marks of her wings. Her hood was drawn up around her long, straight silver hair.

“You lost her!” Her melodic voice froze the party in their tracks. With eyes wide, they stood still while she approached. The last of the white cloud diminishing behind her.

“You…” Kestrin began to speak.

“No!” The tall, slender woman interrupted him, "You lost her!" The long digit on her left hand pointed firmly at Estien. The bright silver rings that adorned her hands shone in the light of the evening sun.

“I did not lose anyone.” Estien corrected her, “she was taken.”

“That’s not much better!” The woman stated fiercely.

Estien dropped to his knees, in apparent defeat. His fingers dug deep into the earthen floor, calling out under his breath, “Oh great La’Octa, hear my cry. I need your eyes to find her.”

Taking the time to listen, Estien waited for the response. Meanwhile, Sestina and Kestrin set out to look for more tracks and information. It was several minutes of silence, as Harpy stood there waiting for an answer.

“East!” Estien jumped from his position on the floor. “We need to go East.”

"What?" The arrogance in her voice was unnerving.

"East, she is East of us."

"Impossible." She declared over me, "None of those whom you battled, traveled in that direction."

There was a loud rustling behind Estien, as Sestina came unceremoniously through the bushes. “East!” She exclaimed, as she regained her footing. “There are more tracks to the East.”

Kestrin came up behind her, entering the area more gracefully. “You’re losing your touch.” He looked at his sibling with an evil grin, which quickly prompted her to push him over.

“There isn’t much,” Sestina continued, “but they’re there.”

“Then we go East.” Estien announced. Looking to the woman beside him, she nodded and began to walk away. The white cloud forming as she went. “Wait!” Estien yelled, reaching a hand out to stop her. The white smoke that began to rise quickly dissipated. "Who are you? I mean," Estien shook his head and tried again, "what should we call you?"

"The girl preferred the name Harpy, which I have grown to enjoy." She smiled as she recalled the name which Torin had given her. "La'Octa would call me Sariphyn."

Gesturing to himself he announced, “Estien”, "Sestina ," he said as he pointed to the brown haired girl, she responded with a gentle nod of her head. "Kestrin," again he pointed toward him, Kestrin lifted his crossbow on his shoulder and gave a small nod. "Somewhere around here is a small cat, her name..."

"Nel, yes we have met. She should be with Torin." Sariphyn interjected. "We should be off, I will scout ahead and rejoin you at the evening camp." The white cloud quickly swirled about her feet as she lifted her eyes to the sky. Small flecks of shimmer could be seen floating about in the cloud, as it engulfed her. It was merely a moment later when a large bird emerged, rushing toward the evening sky and moving East.

"Here's hoping they are heading to the same place." Sestina said as she shifted her pack on her shoulders.

They all exchanged a concerned look and then headed East. The path they followed took them East to the river. The woods cleared as the night sky darkened and the stars began to hide behind the clouds. After the river, the path turned sharply South. It was difficult to find, but Sestina’s keen eyes were quick to spot it.

"We should make camp," Kestrin spoke out.

"No," Estien said as he continued forward, "we press on."

"Estien, you are no good to her tired." Sestina placed a hand on his shoulder as he pushed beyond her.

He froze and turned with a cold gaze to her, “I promised to protect her, and I shall.” He turned to continue on, “I will find her.”

Sestina quickened her pace and took up the lead, “Not without my tracking you won’t.” She glanced quickly at her friend and then moved ahead. The night passed and they pressed through, the tracks becoming more and more difficult to find. The pace that they were moving at made no sense to the party. Somehow they were out pacing them.

The woods thinned out as the sun began to rise the next day. There before them lay the Sesra Plains. The open fields that would lead them into Sesra. Estien paused briefly to take in the path ahead, Sestina and Kestrin came in along side him. Out of the woods, a few paces off, came Sariphyn. Her cloak pulled tight about her, the sun shining on her white hair.

"They have entered the town, it is not safe for me to enter there in my previous form." She said as she came alongside Estien. They crossed the open field, the exhaustion from the night pressing on them.

"State your business!" A guard shouted gruffly at them as they approached the gate.

"We are looking to resupply and then be on our way." Estien said as he watched the guard circle them slowly.

"Not many coming through here with this kind of equipment," he said as he tapped at the crossbow Kestrin had at his waist.

"We are hunters," Estien interjected quickly, "We are chasing after fabled beasts."

"Ahh, trying to make a name fer yerselves?"

"Trying, so far not much more than the usual beasts about." Estien said as he stepped before the guard. "Perhaps you could suggest the name of a good place to get a warm meal?" extending his hand, with a few coins nestled in his fingers. No noise was made as he placed them in his hand, shaking it in the exchange.

"Aye!" He said as he pulled his hand back to himself, "The Seafarer Tavern is the best in town. Look for Gahl on the wharf, tell him Jaho sent you." He gave a wicked grin and Estien nodded in thanks.

Entering the Northtwestern gate, put them in the midst of the marketplace. The sound of money changers and voices haggling about prices, filled the air. The stench of the busy city filled their nostrils, as Estien wiped his face, attempting to wipe away the filth that was settling around him.

"Let's make our way to the docks." Sestina spoke as she too wiped her face.

They all nodded in agreement, they truly hoped the smell would leave as they were closer to the water. Sadly, they traded one bad stench for another. Instead of the the filth of unclean beings, they received the overwhelming smell of rotting fish. There, along the road that would take them to the docks, stood a house high on posts. The sign that rocked in the wind stated clearly, 'Seafarer' with a large image of a ship above it. Kestrin pointed toward it casually and they made it through the crowds of fisherman and sailors to the tavern.

The salt air off the wharf filled their nostrils and for a moment they felt relief as the stench of dead fish left. That smell was replaced by stale ale and urine as they entered the tavern. It was not much to look at inside. The large room had a bar in the corner and tables with overturned benches and chairs littered the front area. Toward the back were nicer benches, obviously better cared for and it was obvious that few used that area.

They made their way to the L-shaped bar, where the barkeep stood. He was in the midst of wiping down what appeared to be a spilled ale when they approached.

"A pitcher and four mugs." Kestrin said as he set coins on the bar, out of the spill that was currently being cleared. "No rush," he said as his eyes met the barkeep, who nodded and passed over four mugs.

"I'll send the maid over with your ale." His voice was gruff and his beard was kept. The dark hair of his head matched his beard, both were tied neatly and out of the way. He had a small scar on his hand, that showed the wear of his job on his body.

They took their mugs and went to a table away from the crowd. There was a wall that separated the nicer tables from the rest. There were others reading at the few nice tables, as they sat down quietly and placed their empty mugs on the table. The maid came by with a pitcher for the table, which she kindly poured.

"We have rooms if you need them." She spoke as she lifted each mug to pour away from the table. "The cook just put fresh stew on and the bread was made this morning." She set another mug down on the table. "I'm Moire, if you need anything." She filled the last of the mugs, as a loud commotion broke out in the front area. She gave a sigh, "Just a moment." She half smiled and rushed off.

The double doors opposite the bar opened and Estien watched as a man entered into the common area. His lightweight clothing marked him as a sailor, and the way he strode on land showed he spent more time on the water then off it. Something about him appeared familiar.

"How will we find her here?" Kestrin was asking to the table.

"We have to trust we can track her here." Sestina replied, taking a deep drink of her ale.

Sariphyn toyed with the mug in front of her.

"Something wrong?" Kestrin asked, as he swallowed his ale.

"I don't drink ale." She told him, trying to not sound offending.

Estien glanced from the exchange at the table back to the man at the door, he was still there and something was still familiar. He turned his head to his boot, there stood a small cat that they knew very well. Jumping from his chair, Estien charged the man. Slamming him back through the door and into the hallway wall with a very loud thud.

"Well, hello Estien." His thick accent filled his ears as the salt smell on his clothes filled his nostrils.

"Hello Hesashin, nice cat."