Fan Fiction ❯ Gelden ❯ Risks ( Chapter 9 )

Chapter 9: Risks

As Adem began his trek across the desert, and Falon and Lodon turned in for the night, two riders emerged from the forest that Cedar had exited just that morning. The sunlight was fading fast and Aurora had given up hope that they would reach Merivan before it was completely dark. Lyle looked over at her in the receding light and quickly looked away. She was staring out over the field ahead, the road curving off in the distance, with an expression of determination. Lyle knew she was looking forward to sleeping on a real bed tonight. And why not, he added to himself, a good-looking lady like her deserves better than hunting down thieves and sleeping on rocks.

Merivan was still a good two hours off, and Aurora had been pushing hard to reach it. Lyle's legs and back ached from riding hard all day on a rough forest road. For some reason going through that forest had been harder on him than the mountain ride had been. Or maybe the mountain road had just caught up to him. Again, he looked over at Aurora. She was sitting straight backed and seemed to look rather cheerful. But he couldn't fail to notice the bags under her eyes and the slight droop in her shoulders. She was just as weary as he was. She's just trying to intimidate you again, he thought with a mental sigh.

"It looks like the ride will be easier from here…" Aurora said, as if reading his mind. Lyle grinned and looked down the road. She gave a cluck, and began riding again. Lyle looked back at the mountains, now burning behind them in the fiery sunset, before following her.

"Well I'm glad to be out of the woods…" Lyle said. "And I'm certainly looking forward to a hot bath tonight…"

"It was a bit rough, but I enjoyed it." Aurora said. Lyle noticed her voice now carried a softer tone. "Forests remind me of my home…"

"Oh? Where're you from?" Lyle asked. She tilted her head back slightly and turned to look at him. The red color of the sky played across her features and for a second, Lyle thought she looked like some princess, standing on a balcony looking for her prince to come. Like a picture from some story, Lyle thought.

"The Upper Continent… There is a great forest near Temyna called the Woodfall there. I remember going there once with my family when I was six." She said. "It's rumored that fairies live in the Woodfall. I remember… my brother… talking me into looking for them…"

Then she turned away quickly. Her voice had risen slightly and gone quite cold at that last thing she said. She rode a bit further ahead, and he noticed her shoulders shaking slightly. Lyle figured that she was angry with him again, for some reason. He didn't reply and just continued riding. They continued in silence the rest of the way.

It wasn't till sometime weeks later, did Lyle realize that she hadn't been angry. Aurora had actually been crying.

Raven Ta'Shiek was in Merivan, waiting for the two knights to arrive. As she had known Adem would be lying unconscious in the alleys of Cerik, she knew Aurora and Lyle would come directly by her tent. And she knew Lyle would want to come in. So she did what she did best, and waited.

Her tent glowed like a beacon on the edge of the main town. Most everyone except for a few rambunctious bar goers were turning in for the night. Raven watched as two drunks straggled down the clearing street singing loudly. They would pass out eventually, and then there would be silence…

She sighed, remembering the days when she would get drunk and hang around in bars with her friends. It had been so different then, in those days. They were long gone now though. She had given it up along with so much she cherished. She sighed, remembering. Suddenly she jerked her head up, sensing something.

In the distance, she could see them, now. Two pinpricks in the dark slowly coming closer. The names flashed into her mind. Aurora… Lyle… she thought and put her fingers to her mouth and chewed her nail nervously. Then as if realizing something was off, she pulled her hand away and laughed. Still chuckling, she pulled back the tent flap and went inside. She would wait in here until they came. She began lighting the rest of the candles and incense. If she were going to play the fortuneteller, reading Merrik cards, then she was going to make it seem authentic.

She pulled out her card deck, setting them next to a crystal ball that gave off a fiery glow. Then she pulled her cloak over her face and sat down on a large cushion next to the low table. And there she waited the stereotype image of a fortuneteller, until she heard the clip clop from the pair of horses, just outside the tent. The hoof steps stopped, she smiled and began her magic.

"The inn is just down the road." Lyle said. Aurora gave him a look. Her face had cleared of anger and she looked weary but content.

"Have you been here before?" she asked. Lyle shrugged and looked over at the tent they had stopped besides.

"Once of twice I've ridden through here." He said, then added. "You think there is a fair going on?"

Aurora looked around towards the town and shook her head. "I don't think so, it's rather quiet."

"I wonder what a tent like this is doing here. It looks like the kind gypsies have… And usually they're only permitted in towns on fair days…"

And then, as if something had possessed him, he swung down out of his saddle and strode over to the tent entrance. He reached to pull back the tent flap.

"Lyle! What are you doing? Don't disturb whoever's in there. They could be asleep." Aurora cried. Lyle blinked and pulled his hand back, snapping out of his daze.

"Oh… But there is a light inside. I just thought I'd ask if they knew if the thieves came through this area." He said and when Aurora gave him another look, he quickly added, "It doesn't hurt to ask around."

She was about to open her mouth to respond when a misty voice from inside the tent interjected.

"Come inside, seek truth… asking never hurts, but responses can…" The voice said and Aurora gaped. Lyle shrugged again and pulled back the tent flap. Aurora scrambled down off her horse to follow him in.

Lyle's eyes widened when he looked around the inside. It seemed impossible, but the room was incredibly large. A delicate golden fog glittered in candlelight along the floor. It swirled up around his boots as he started forward. The scent of roses was in the air and he thought he could hear running water.

The candles seemed almost to be floating, but as he looked closer he realized they were…

"Fireflies…" he whispered and reached out towards one. The firefly blinked and flew off. Suddenly, the light seemed to increase and he saw his surroundings better. Roses grew up the sides of tent, which almost seemed like a maze of bushes. Lights within them twinkled. Statues of gold, silver and ivory glittered in the firefly lights. And there was a fountain near the center. A mermaid sitting on a shell pouring water into a pool filled with water lilies. Above the mermaid the moon glowed. The water shined under it's light. Lyle gasped in amazement, then noticed the small gazebo behind the fountain. It shimmered silvery under the `moon'. Drapes of violet and white and gold surrounded the gazebo. It was like some garden out of his most romantic fantasies had come to life within this tent. He heard a gasp and turned back toward the entrance as Aurora stepped in. His heart leapt.

Raven sat within the `gazebo' watching the man walk around her `garden' in amazement. He wouldn't see her until he entered the gazebo, but she could see him just fine. The look of wonder on his face reminded her of a child. She found it entertaining. This illusion was incredibly lifelike she had to admit. It was one of her finer designs. It would entertain and amaze anyone.

Aurora stepped into the tent a few moments later and Raven had to resist the urge to laugh. Lyle had been so enraptured in the illusion he hadn't noticed that his own clothes had changed. Now he noticed Aurora enter and Raven could see the sudden dreamy look pass in to his eyes. Aurora had been wearing a pair of soft leather pants, a mud stained tunic, belts, riding boots and shoulder guards when she had gotten off the horse. As she entered the tent, all that had changed to a silk gown fit for a princess. Her hair was up in an elaborate tiara and the weary look had been replaced by sheer wonder. She stared into the garden and saw Lyle, standing by the fountain, his riding clothes changed into the finest silks of a lord.

Raven put her hand over her mouth to stifle the giggles as their eyes met and Aurora turned red. She obviously had realized what she was wearing and was embarrassed to be seen by him in it. Raven watched as Lyle began walking toward Aurora, whose eyes widened.

"What is this?!" Aurora practically screamed. "Is this a JOKE?!"

Lyle's eyes still held a glazed look as he reached out to her. His voice was soft and dreamy. "I don't know… You… look…"

Aurora jabbed a finger to his chest and brought her face as close to his as she could by standing on her toes. "Don't you dare say anything, or I will tear you apart…" she said in a deadly whisper.

Lyle seemed to snap out of his fantasy at once and took a step backwards.

"Right… I forgot who I was with for a moment. That dress made you seem like the woman of my dreams…" He said and gave her a wink. Aurora rolled her eyes and picked up her skirt and strode toward the gazebo as fast as she could.

"Where are you going?" Lyle asked as he watched her go. Aurora just kept walking. She reached the gazebo and drew back the drapery. Raven stared out from under her hood and Aurora blushed again when she realized someone was sitting there.

"Oh.. I'm sorry…" she said but Raven lifted her hand to silence her.

"That's not necessary… You aren't the first to become distressed by my garden…" Raven said in her misty voice. Lyle walked up to the gazebo behind Aurora. He was still looking around in awe.

"You have questions. You seek answers." Raven said. They weren't questions. Lyle nodded slightly. Aurora didn't look very impressed.

"What is this?" Aurora asked. Raven merely produced her cards from her robes and began shuffling. She reached out and grabbed Lyle's hand and placed it on the deck. A few seconds passed and she shoved the hand away. Lyle frowned and stared at his hand. Raven began laying the cards in an intricate pattern. Aurora frowned.

"A Merrik reader…" she sighed. She stepped back and leaned against the side of the gazebo. Lyle looked interested.

"I've known a few Merrik readers…" he said. The added, unsure, "but most of them were just con artists."

"Like you?" Aurora added and rolled her eyes. She didn't believe in Merrik readers, having seen several cons herself.

"I'm not a con artist." He replied flatly. Raven ignored them and continued her card weavings. "Besides, this is better than having no leads."

Once again Raven interrupted, as Aurora was about to respond.

"You seek thieves." She said in a whisper. Both Aurora and Lyle stopped glaring at each other and turned back to Raven. "They have done horrible deeds in Cerik and you seek to bring them to justice."

Aurora's jaw dropped open. Lyle looked impressed. Raven smiled to herself, keeping her face hidden in the shadows of her cloak. Ironically, she thought, in much the same way Ademsen Nor often hid his face. Of course, she was doing it for a completely different reason than he had.

"Can… these cards… tell us where to find them." Aurora asked, recovering herself enough to make her voice sound somewhat disbelieving. Tough customer, Raven thought. She flipped over another card and smacked it down under her palm.

"The cards say many things…" She replied. "Thieves are three but act as one. You will find them sooner than you think. But not all together. One is south of here, while the other is west. One is very close, but you won't find her."

"Damn them…" Aurora cursed under her breath.

"Would you like to know more?" Raven asked. Lyle stepped closer.

"You don't happen to see where my friend Tal is, O great Merrik Reader?" he asked. Another card went down. Raven waved her hand over the cards.

"His path may cross yours again, but he is not with any of the thieves. I wouldn't worry about your friend." Raven replied. Then she turned to Aurora. "You…"

She flipped over two more cards. Aurora stared at them.

"The Warrior…" Aurora said. For a moment the figure on the card resembled Lodon. "And the Magus…"

"Your future is very interesting indeed… I have a feeling you will accept something you've hidden within, for a long time." Raven sighed. Lyle looked curiously at Aurora and saw a strange expression pass over her face. And then she turned and walked away. Lyle turned back to Raven.

"What do the cards say about me?" He asked, with a hopeful expression. Raven smiled to herself again and flipped over two more cards.

"Firspus and the Daredevil…" Raven announced. Lyle cocked his eyebrow in interest. "You're very lucky when you take risks."

Lyle nodded, slightly confused, then reached for his pouch. Raven held up a hand.

"My services do not require payment." She said and waved Lyle away. He smiled and bowed to her.

"Many thanks, O great Merrik Reader…" he said and whirled around. He started down the steps of the gazebo and headed back into the garden, wondering what his reading had meant. He pulled back the tent flap and walked back into his normal self, the illusion releasing its hold on him. He looked around and saw Aurora leading the horses to a nearby stable. In his head he heard the misty voice once more and he smiled at what it said.

"Let's just hope you're lucky enough to win that risk's heart…"

Wind whistled through the passes of lofty mountains. Violet and emerald hues sang out as the silver sunskiff bore down from the clouds near a small stone dugout. Standing in the dugout was a squat, dirty and ugly little man, clad in heavy leather and shining metals. Dark matted hair covered almost his entire flat face and he sneered at the giant shining thing as it landed. He reached up and tugged on his thick beard as if showing his annoyance at the thing. But although his actions seemed rude, under heavy eyebrows, the dwarf's eyes shone with interest at the machine. He may not have liked the reason for leaving his work in the mines, but he enjoyed seeing creations such as that. But that would only last until he would have to invite the Hardis fiends inside. Then he would be seeing something that would enjoy him far beyond a human made craft.

The Hardis agents filed forth from the giant bird, stopped, and stood at attention, saluting as The Great General Kasmyr Artega embarked on his negotiations. The dwarf yawned as the general looked back and gave a Hardis salute back to his officers. Although they remained rigid and disciplined, the dwarf sneered as he sensed a ripple of excitement run through them. Excited that he was going to bully the dwarves out of yet another discovery. He rubbed his squashed nose and waited impatiently for Kasmyr and his assistant to make their way over to him.

He looked over them roughly. Kasmyr was still ugly, with his light complexion, scar-less and almost perfectly smooth features. Dwarves hated smooth skin as much as they hated washing off the dirt that was constantly clinging to their skin. And Kasmyr was clean, far too clean for any dwarf to trust. Plus there were his eyes. Although most humans had dismissed the strange contrast between the one blue violet eye and one red eye as exotic, to the dwarves it was like a sign from the Demon God himself. Not one of the dwarves had ever dared stare him in the eye, and if he fixed them with a gaze, they were too terrified to go against his will.

Kasmyr's assistant wasn't much better. The dwarf couldn't quite tell if it was male of female, humans all looked the same, clean and too well groomed to be properly distinguished. He did recognize the expression that crossed the assistant's face when it saw him. It was utter disgust. It goes for both of us, the dwarf thought.

"Ahhh, Stonewell, it's good to see you again." Kasmyr greeted the dwarf, bowing slightly.

"Kasmyr." Stonewell the dwarf grunted and returned the bow, awkwardly. The assistant continued to stare at him. Kasmyr smiled broadly and presented his assistant.

"May I introduce my assistant, Lady Illumin." He said stepped aside. Stonewell nodded toward her and she politely, though still looking disgusted, nodded back. The disgusted looked annoyed him, but he felt just as disgusted at them, even if he wasn't showing it at the moment. By the deepest pit in the tallest mountain, they even smelled clean!

"Well come in then, general… and Lady Illumin." Stonewell said and stomped on the rock. A crack appeared below his thick boot and began to widen, revealing a large stone staircase leading directly into the side of the mountain. He waved them in and looked back at the sunskiff in all its beauty. Then he followed the two humans down into his mountain home, muttering under his breath.

Although Kasmyr looked as though he was thoroughly enjoying his time Juno was quite the opposite. She scrunched up her nose at the strong earthy smell and kept glaring at the various other dwarves they passes on their way to Stonewell's meeting hall.

"Stonewell is the leader here, Miss Illumin. I believe Kione informed you of our purpose for coming." Kasmyr said.

"Briefly." Juno replied shortly. Kione had made the mission seem like it was extending a hand of friendship to the Stunnties. Kasmyr had made it seem as though he had met the dwarf, Stonewell, before. According to Kione, this was Hardis first meeting with the dwarves. And she had mentioned a negotiator coming along. Juno had seen no negotiator and assumed by the general's attitude he would be leading the discussion in whatever Hardis was interested. This was turning more and more strange and it was only in Juno's nature to become extremely suspicious.

Stonewell lead Kasmyr and Juno into a great cavern. Large torches reflected off a shining gold ceiling, illuminating the space in a fiery glow. In the center of the cavern was a large circular table. Various important looking dwarves were seated around it, chatting amongst themselves. A feast was laid out on the table. To Juno, everything seemed to be extremely expensive. Gold, silver and jewels of every sort seemed to makeup all the dinnerware. Even the dishes looked exquisite.

Stonewell lead the to the opposite side of the table, in front of a large roaring fire. He indicated for them to have a seat at two chairs slightly larger then the rest and after they sat down, he did so himself. The chairs were large and cushioned. No matter how disgusting Juno thought the dwarves looked, she couldn't help but admit that this place was very comfortable. She started to relax, but suddenly her instinct warned her against letting her guard down. She stiffened, watching the dwarves chatter excitedly. Something seemed strange.

"Are the Stunnties usually this hospitable?" Juno couldn't help but whisper to Kasmyr. He gave his usual smile and nodded.

"It's only polite." He whispered back. "It's also polite not to refer to them as Stunnties, my dear. They find it… highly offensive…"

Juno grimaced at that and decided to keep her mouth shut. Suddenly all the dwarves stood up and turned to Kasmyr. One particularly gray one pounded his chest in a salute towards him.

"Kasmyr! Accept this feast in honor of the Hardis!" The gray dwarf cried. At that all the dwarves pounded their chests and gave a cry that suddenly turned to a roar. "Schya kundir!"

Kasmyr looked alarmed at this. He jumped up suddenly and glared a look so frightening Juno could hardly believe it came from such a carefree man. She felt herself being wrenched from her chair and pulled backward. One of the dwarves dragged her back in a chokehold. She watched as Stonewell reached up and grabbed Kasmyr's collar and tugged him over. Several nearby dwarves grabbed their axes and hammers and hold them over Kasmyr's back, ready to crack a blow at the slightest sign of resistance.

"Kasmyr, you bastard." Stonewell growled and threw a punch. Kasmyr didn't even try to dodge. He fell to his knees, gasping. Stonewell took this opportunity to get a kick in as well. Juno moved slightly as if to help her general, but the dwarf restraining her, tugged her back, choking her even more.

"This is the LAST time, Kasmyr!" Stonewell screamed, landing another blow. A couple of dwarves snickered. Kasmyr put a hand down and wheezed. A thin stream of blood flowed from the corner of his mouth.

"No more negotiations <kick>! No more `civil' talks <kick>! NO MORE

PLANNED MASSACRES TO GET WHAT YOU BLOOD CURSED ORGANAZATION WANTS!" At that last, three or four dwarves began to beat him along with Stonewell. One even threw in a blow from the broad side of his axe. A crowd began to form around Kasmyr's crouching form. The dwarf restraining Juno got so excited he dropped the position and joined the riot. Juno coughed and rubbed her neck where the dwarf had held her. She looked at the mass of bodies in horror. Then, from the midst of yelling and jeering, one single strangled scream silenced them. Juno's eyes widened, fearing now for her life. It was something she had not felt in a long time.

There was a clatter of steel and the dwarves began to back off. One turned towards Juno and she had another surprise. The dwarf had a look of pure terror on its face.

"What in Naz"- she started, but a large explosion cut her off. Dwarves flew from crowd, smashing into the cavern walls. Kasmyr stood up from where he had been crouching. He now held Stonewell to his face; about two feet off the ground for the dwarf. His handsome face was now contorted in a rage, and his exotically red eye shone with a burning fire. Strangely, he didn't seem to look like he had just been beaten by a mob.

"Noooo…" Stonewell moaned. Kasmyr took his eyes off the dwarf and looked around. There were screams as he passes his eyes over several of the thrown dwarves. To Juno's horror, several of them suddenly seemed to explode. She felt weak and she sunk to the floor. As if from a far, she heard Kasmyr growl.

"If you will not cooperate voluntarily…" His voice was deadly, "Then, Shayne curse you, we will force you to cooperate. If you rebel, Hardis will crush you. You mean not a thing to us. There are always others willing to work your mines, if the dwarves should suddenly disappear."

He gave a shrill laugh and tossed the dwarf aside. Stonewell landed with a grunt.

"Noooo…" he moaned again. Kasmyr turned to Juno and his face returned to normal. She stared as he came closer, and then as though waking from a dream, she found herself being help up by him.

"For now, let us return to the skiff… my officers will take the negotiations from here." He said cheerfully. Juno nodded, lightheaded. Thoughts buzzed in her mind and before she knew it she was back outside in the sun. She walked toward the skiff and soon was sitting in her cabin lying on her bed. Hardis wanted to unite the world… but if someone was to even go against them, Kasmyr had noted at genocide. Juno suddenly felt very small and for the first time she hoped she had only dreamed that entire scene of the feast. She fell asleep and when she woke upon arriving back in Y'Xar, she had no doubt in her mind that it had only been a dream. But as she left the skiff, she caught the sight of Kasmyr and for some reason, became very uneasy.

Kasmyr watched her go, realizing at once why Kione had chosen to send her on the mission.