The Vagrant Hero

According to Plan

"Cyrus, what in the three kingdoms are you thinking?!" The familiar voice stung everyone's ear within the tent. "I assume your actions have a reason. I can't believe what you did out there, and you came here to get Sybil." He watched as the nurses prepared Cyrus's face for treatment by cleaning up the wound. "Then, all of a sudden, you amid a fight after having a chat with that huge northerner." He knew to oversee his words around possible prying ears. However, despite what they had discussed earlier, perplexed him as to Cyrus's outburst. He had never known the man to be so irrational or thoughtless.

Cyrus would raise a hand towards Zell. "Scold me after they have done their part." He laid upon a blanket on the ground, two women cleaning up his face. Burning sensations came and went as they applied soapy water. Sometime after they dressed the wound with a cloth bandage, another person made entry into the tent. Cyrus could see his friend's face turn a look of relief. The intruder was of a unique make. There were no distinguishable features to take note of. It was all hidden underneath robes. The two women addressing Cyrus got up and took leave only with a bow to the shady figure.

"What a beautiful evening, finally I can come out to play." The cloaked voice was feminine and soft. The figure approached Cyrus with graceful silent steps, almost as though they were gliding along the ground. The mysterious person removed a glove, revealing a female hand with long white fingers, nails seemed to be thin like razors and just as sharp. She encroached Cyrus and knelt next to him. "So, your Cyrus, I have heard so much about you." Placing her hand upon his damaged face. Her voice became a whisper of nonsensical words. Palm grew warm with a faint red glow. The action was only a brief few seconds before she ceased. "Now, you're all better, keep the bandages on, however, to keep the masses from being restless."

Cyrus carefully watched her as she made her actions. He knew he wasn't in any real danger since Zell stood by, but he wasn't expecting her to have such arcane prowess to restore his wounds instantly. Most healers could mend the damage and speed up the process of recovery, but outright restoration was almost unheard of. "I will say it safe to assume that you are part of the Keepers? Not very many humans possess restoration at such prestige levels." Sitting up, he would collect himself up from the floor to better judge her height. "The garbs also tell me you are something you wish for no one to see." He looked beside himself to Zell's face. He read his expression as yes. "Well, it would appear things are moving along faster with my actions." A moment of pause as the old-timer remembered back many years ago. "Wait, I know your voice... you can't be her, though. I once knew an elf named Xanthea, but she was publicly executed by decapitation."

Removing the cowl, she would reveal. He was correct in his memory. "You're right, I was..." She would bring her hand up and run it across her throat. "Takes a lot more than severing my head to see me meet death." Her eyes of what appeared to be a luminescent gold with black flecks with narrow. "You know I went into a deep depression after our last meeting. It went south quite horrific." A heavy sigh paused her words. "After some time, though, I felt the old cause of getting the subterrans another chance at a rightful surface life. I know you are the most capable human in helping us in this regard. As you were so many moons ago." Taking a stand closer next to him, she felt a sense of relief that he was even still alive after The Great Upheaval events took their toll on so many.

"So, I guess it's true what they say. I always thought the myth of elves being able to survive that sort of thing was simply a wives tale to scare children." Clearing his throat, Cyrus seemed deep into thought. "You know the last time ended in horrible failure. The king is now even more paranoid about such things. I'm thankful he didn't execute me for what had happened." Grunting, he would stand up and approach Zell. "So, I will assume you know more than I have detailed on what we were doing. Since you know of her." His finger would point her direction. "You must be in pretty deep. So I have a bold question for you. What's your angle in it all? You have a lot to lose just as I did, and you had seen what happened when our plot was overthrown." A stern stare seemed to be gazing straight through the young captain.

"I have followed your example for ages. You are all but the standard of what I hold as a true and just champion. Even when it means defiance of the king and his court." Nodding, his words would continue. "I have known of Xanthea for some time now; I keep her informed of happenings within these walls. For me, my standpoint is it's getting out of hand with slave markets." he would turn and peer out of the opening of the tent that was slightly cracked. "Humans all over have taken a liking to take subterrans from all over and using them for s*****y. He is forcing them to work and build things. Other people force them into death dungeons where they fight for 'freedom' that never comes. A whole network is built on this skin trading and trafficking." Turning back to face the other two. "The king and his men turn a blind eye to it all, basically seeing it as nothing more than cattle being bought and sold. I, for one, cannot stand by while this takes place. So after some digging around, I found that she was, in fact, still alive and in hiding. I sought her out. Thus, began the renewal of the Guild of Mythos. However, me being a captain, I have obligations I have to abide by and follow, so my time is limited to what I can share. You, Cyrus, are a physical body that is no longer bound to this countries regulation for service. You can travel far and wide, and your knowledge of the subterrans is matched with the best scholars. We could be your avenue of whereabouts and such then you can take upon doing them."

"Well, I already have my scheme by helping the frozen land tribes. I do this because those lands are not apart of any kingdom. Also, I think that the giants and orcs would be a most appreciated aid. I've already gotten a decent foothold on making those ends meet." Unveiling, his plot had the other two in the tent with an agreement. "You are correct that I am free to do things at will. However, this is no disrespect to you. I will have to keep some things to myself or share them only with Xanthea. If something were to occur between you and the king, I would rather you know nothing and have that as an honest answer."

"I feel that would be for the best also." Xanthea would pip in. She would approach the two. "I think you have built yourself quite the adventure ahead. It beats me building one up for you, and you seem to have already thought your actions through. Zell, please take your leave of us. I have a private matter I wish to discuss with Cyrus."

"I have things that need to be tended to as is, the evening draws near, and I'm sure the guards will need assistance calming down the masses. If either of you needs anything, please do not hesitate to request me or seek me out. Have a good evening, until next, we meet." The captain would give his farewells and retreat from the tent to do his evening watch duties.

"Cyrus, it has been so long since we last spoke. I find it a relief you are still amongst the living. I find human lives so short and with little meaning, but your life is unlike most of the men." She pressed herself closer to his person and spoke with whispers that seemed to carry like the wind into his ears. "I was so saddened by what happened to my cabal and you. My followers were murdered without mercy, along with what they thought was me, as you know though my age prevents the common deaths from being my downfall. However, I still feel emotions and pain beyond the most. I often think that I have evolved to such a point where I feed on life essence itself to exist. I can either take it away or grant it." She would pause and softly sigh, her large eyes looking him up and down. "You still seem to have the vigors you did more than ten moons ago." Pointing a long-nailed index finger at him, a wisp of purple energy would produce on the edge of her fingertip. "See, purple as it was so long ago for you." She would reframe from doing to much damage to his very being, so she ceased her actions.

That familiar sensation overtook his body as she tugged on his life force. "I never imagined you were telling me the truth of your age until today. Like I had said earlier, I had always assumed being that resilient to death was a wife's tale. You have proved me wrong on that. I knew that some of your kind fed upon the blood of the living, some the very life essence. Age must very well be the reason as you had claimed to me before." Bringing his hand up, he would rub along his chin deep in thought. "So with you alive, I feel we still have a chance at this. Do you feel my plan is a solid one?"

"Yes I do, the man tribes in the frozen lands are in a vicious fight with trolls. Also, I have learned that some strange dwarves are attempting to gain grounds there as well. These are not your typical dwarves made of clay and stone. These are made of flesh and bones." Her head shook at the very thought of dead people hacked up and stitched together, making these strange dwarves.

"Dwarves? I thought they only made themselves out of natural elements and imbued it with their essence to give it sentient life? They can make themselves out of flesh and bone?!" His eyes widened at the fearful thought of them being able to do such an act.

"Yes, that is what I hear, which is why I am grateful you are already well on your way to assisting the man tribes and giants. This problem, you will need the help of the Or'ka tribe of orcs. They will also make a potent ally for us. It will be quite a simple feat to gain their favor, defeat their matriarch leader." Reaching out, she would clench his shoulder, his eye to eye. "You challenge her, defeat her an honor fight hand to hand. This will be for you to best figure out, given your fight with that man earlier. You are resourceful, but your giant friend may be a good champion to use in your stead. The Or'ka tribe is akin to murder whales. Strong and powerful creatures that I do not feel a human would stand against very long, with only bare hands."

Groaning at the thought of facing off against one, he shook his head in agreement. "If what I have read about them is true, I'll certainly need more than just myself to defeat her in a fistfight. I will figure that out as I travel there. Orson has shown his skills against others. I believe he can handle her."

"Good thinking, my old friend. I want you to leave here at a random time and day. Do not tell me those times, as I do not want Zell to know either. Keep it from anyone except your family as I doubt the king and his men will take a liking to attempt anything with them. Ensure she keeps it to herself. Send her home after you have prepared and hit the road. We must do this quickly to keep the king guessing on what's going on. These Fairemoore events are the best at keeping him distracted. Maybe when you return, you can show me your house and family. We can relax and fully catch up on lost time." Her ebony lips would purse into a gentle smile as she pulled away from him, placing her cowl back over her head. "I am taking my leave of you now. You'll know how to find me. Good hunting out there, and may the spirits bless your journey."

He listened to every word she said with great detail. She had always been a careful planner and knew how to make things work even when it all seemed broken. Their plan was already placed together, and they hadn't seen each other in years. Almost as though they completed each other's thoughts on the matter. "I shall see you around, I am sure. I will be heading out shortly after taking care of some things. Maybe a day or so at most. As always, thank you for your guidance on the matters at hand." He bid her farewell, and they both took leave of the tent going opposite directions.

They both left each other full of ideas for the future of their endeavors. Perhaps the spirits will shine upon them and give them all the stepping stones needed to achieve their ultimate goals of a surface world that didn't hate and discriminate against other races. However, only time would tell if their plight was folly. They had a mighty mountain to climb to reach their destination, and they had to tread the path carefully to avoid the wrath of the kingdom once more. By branching out beyond the realms reach the wild, untamed lands, they could slowly build up these alliances and hopefully squeeze the nation into believing by showing that Terrans and subterrans could live together peacefully and learn from one another.