Shadow War campaign In-Game: Chapter 73- Crisis on Infinite Asheareas

[Gaumer]

"Stop!

We be needin' to be caught up on old 'appenin's 'fore ye be bringin' up current 'appenin's.

Sure'n ye can be doin' wit'out Tren for a few minutes?"

[Navarre]

Serena curls her nose.

"You'd better tend to whatever's in your ass before I kick both, Enghart."

She gives you one look, Tren. It is not a happy look.

She flies back into the sky, taking a moment to do aerial acrobatics and calm down.

[Strifeter]

Tren smiles to her .

"You know Enghart she blinks and we die. From what you say you have experienced death once already in my absence. We can catch up to everything up there in the sky. You say Lyric was behind all this while the elves over there say it was an elven one. I suppose its the Lyric of this world.

I managed to become the leader of the Hobgoblin village in my absence and I have a contingency of them up there in the cloud castle. The ones up there are known as the defenders. They worship some God of Air and gave me this ring of flight. THey are on their way to West Wellington for the same reason you travel there.

To my knowledge the elves are in progress of expanding their empire due to their princess being taken. Another act of general mayhem I would acredit to our friends in Dark Tomorrow if you ask me.

There is a lot more to go over but we need to discuss this in detail and not in the open. Let us get everyone up to the castle."

With this Tren takes the scroll Serena gave him and prepares to cast the spell.

[Gaumer]

Bed talks as they travel.

"Be stowin' yer ego, witch. I 'ave no wish to see e'en the blood o' me enemy spilt after the day I be 'avin', an' I no desire to be seein' that o' friends such as yerselves. I want nothin' but to be gettin' the knowin's out o' the way, 'fore the meetin's, as to be on the same page as the rest o' ye. The both o' ye been proven yerselves to be o'er 'gain, an' there be too much to be doin' to be settin' wills 'gainst each other.

Oi, well that be a might nice o' 'em to be givin' ye such fine things. Sure'n I want to be meetin' these Defenders but first I be wantin' to know o' 'em an' what ye be makin' o' 'em. The both o' ye.

Lyric be speakin' o' puttin' things back the way they be 'fore. In the other world we be from. Sure'n she be crazed, but I also be knowin' she be smart an' skilled, makin' 'er dangerous. 'Er goals, from our guessin' from 'earin' 'er, be tellin' o' 'er not bein' set wit' another god, but wantin' to be riddin' the world o' 'em all. We be suspectin' Hyde; well, Liv be suspectin' 'im. I not be so quick to think there ain't a god usin' Lyric as 'is weapon.

Who be takin' their princess? Tradin' land for a monarch don't be seemin' right..."

[Navarre]

Serena flies around for a minute but sees Tren standing stoic and silent. She lands next to him, eyeing him curiously.

"Alright, look. None of us have exactly been having the best of days lately."

"I didn't mean to snap at you, Enghart. But watch your tongue just the same."

"Speaking of tongues, Tren seems to have lost his and I didn't hear what you said to him. If someone has a question, I'll try to answer it."

[Strifeter]

Then looks to Serena and smiles.

"That's alright Serena I was just lost in thoughts.  Enghart, the defenders knew where the trust would be found and they seem to come to the defense of any who need it. They were on their way to West Wellington when they found me at the Hobgoblin village. They told me many interesting things including how the girl which I may no believe to be Lyric was able to teleport but it's only a theory yet.

The defenders told me of the elven princess disappearing and gave me and those you untrusted in my care with these rings of flight. And though I am never inclined to trust anyone I am inclined to stick near them in case they do find the trust. We need to speak more of Lyric as she was with the hag in the other universe which may explain the ambush and the knowledge of us. That makes her incredibly dangerous but tell me. This lyric is from this reality if she has a corperoal body no?

In any case let's go to the castle but first those elves are willing to give you a favor. A rarity amount my kind I assure you. Do not waste it.."

[Gaumer]

"I be makin' a right might set o' friends, both 'ere an' gone. A few elves added to the list ain't sayin' much. O' course I'll be takin' what I can be,

To what ends do they make their search? Sure'n we seek the Trust to free the elders, same as the group we be meetin' in Forest Falls. Be a might strange we be meetin' only 'em lookin' to find the Trust, an' who be knowin' where the Trust be, yet they be needin' the 'elp o' us to be doin' it. An' what o' 'em 'gainst freein' the elders? Sure'n they be a might weak foe if'n they not be knowin' where the Trust be while their enemies do.

Me point be, e'eryone be set on bein' big 'ero types wit' knowin's on 'ow an' where to be doin' it, an' all the while WE be the ones gettin' attacked an' ambushed.

Be a fancy bow on nice an' neat package, ye ask me. Sure'n we be set up for 'nother trap.

O' course, I not be seein' nothin' to be doin' 'bout save settin' the trap, hohoho.

Let's be meetin' these new friends o' yers, mate."

[Navarre]

Serena's Mass Fly scroll lends buoyancy to your bodies as Liv's wings carry her without such magical aid. Bedlor, T'Ning, Rachel, Moira, St. Caelun, and a discretely pocketed squirrel find themselves gaining elevation next to Tren, Serena, and Liv as you approach the golden and blue cloud.

The cloud is as large as a small village. You think it to be about the same size as Forest Falls.

But, where Forest Falls is comprised of several small and medium-sized buildings, the sole occupation of this cloud is a massive castle.

It seems made of brass, with tulip-shaped tops and high vaulted archways. Small round windows dot the architecture, a building style you have never seen before.

You land in a courtyard as large as a house. Lilacs adorn the high walls.

Within the courtyard are two horses. Both are stallions; one chestnut and one snow white.

As they loiter in the courtyard your eyes are immediately drawn to the fact that both horses have large feathered wings growing from their front shoulders. Both are still gilded for riding, with saddle and harness, their large dark eyes regarding you.

The white horse approaches Moira curiously. She smiles, offering an accepted hand to gently stroke the horse's nose.

As she does, she looks down at the harness across the horse's chest, where a small silver plate has been affixed to the leather. She reads it aloud.

"Valor. ... What a noble name for such a pretty horse," she says.

Your attention is diverted though by a voice behind you that replies.

"Yep-yep, he's a fine one. Glad we could save him."

You turn to see the grinning face of a most familiar Half-Folke in orange trousers and a bright yellow vest as he extends his hand toward you.

"Hi there! Coby Wayne, defender. How ya doin'?"

[Gaumer]

Bedlor greets the familiar face

"Bedlor Enghart. Would it be a surprise to ye, Wayne, if'n I be tellin' ye yer voice be a song in me ear? Hohoho."

Bedlor examines the horse

"Hm. Fine name. What ye think, Dubya?

Be tellin' me, what ye be savin' the steed from, mate?"

[Navarre]

Coby continues to smile at you but blinks, seeming a little preoccupied with some thought.

"Bedlor. Sure-sure."

"My friends and I saved Valor and his brother, Valiant, from an attack. Off the known maps there's a kingdom, y'see. It's the kind of place where you might find flying horses and castles and clouds don't ya know."

"Once ruled by the Djinn, it's been claimed by the Einshar Maldomkin. Not many Djinn left, nope."

"Even worse, Maldomkin conquered the land with the help of some Djinn traitors. Seems they'd taken to mating with human folk and over some years a lot of those half-Djinn decided they wanted control over their more powerful Djinn ancestors. Sad as the last sugar-milk cone at a birthday party, yep-yep."

"A lot of that kingdom is ruin and rubble now. The pegasus herds were mowed down in the attacks. But we saved these two fine steeds and may have 'happened upon' a cloud castle someone wasn't using," he grins, his charming grin.

"Oh, and by 'We' I mean my friends coming up there behind ya," he says, pointing.

Turning, you see a middle-aged man in good physical shape. He carries himself with dignity, his brown handlebar mustache dropping along either side of a mouth that is grim but offers a polite smile.

As you recognize Tom Knox, you catch sight of a young man and woman following him. The boy, no more than eighteen, is immediately recognized.

Jackson Forge now wears a fine breast plate painted bright yellow, the color of Ferraki God of Protection. His shaggy hair still marks his appearance but his face shows a confidence and presence you never saw in the Jackson you once knew.

A long scar lays across his left cheek but he wears it as if it were a mark of service. He too smiles, no longer bashful, as a young woman takes his arm.

Aldina Gilkerson literally glides next to him in a yellow dress that matches Jackson's armor. The trim on her dress is a radiant blue, actually glowing with magic, making a rather festive sight. But then, Aldina was always a captivating vision.

A squawk from above draws your eyes up to Azure, the great eagle of Fjod and once companion to Bedlor. She flies onto a peak of one of the castle's turrets, watching you. The blue of her feathers perfectly matches the glowing blue of Aldina's gown.

Knox steps forward and offers a hand.

"Welcome, strangers. Sir Thomas Knox of the Defenders. This is Sir Jackson Forge and his wife, Lady Aldina."

"We make way for West Wellington in Illumian's holding. Tren tells us you have already had quite an unbelievable journey yourselves."

[Gaumer]

Bedlor looks up at the bird

"Azure? Sure'n a mighty ally if'n I e'er be seein' one."

Bedlor looks to the squirrel on his shoulder.

"Go then. Be takin' a look 'bout if'n ye wish to.

I be 'opin' ye'd all be thinkin' twice o' 'urtin' me mate 'ere."

And he pets Saint

"I be thinkin' ye two should be talkin', eh, Saint? Sure'n the animal ally o' a god be 'avin' somethin' worth sayin'."

Bedlor greets the newcomers

"As crazy as ye be thinkin' it, I be knowin' the all o' yer faces as friends to me already. Sure'n the world spirit be guidin' us all.

Aye, our journey be long, that be a fact. But, sure'n as well, there be time to talk o' such 'round a table o' ale?

We can be sharin' tales 'til our throats sore an' ears ache, but only after we be findin' a quiet spot."

[Navarre]

Tom Knox, or 'Sir Thomas now, nods.

"Of course. Please, you are welcome into our castle."

"Tren had told me there were more of you? As shocking as it is to see people who could be twins of the Pontiff and Lord Commander, Tren has explained all that."

"Your other friends are in the annex courtyard."

As you see Azure fly down to a an archway just over the courtyard you exit, St. Caelun approaches her. The two regard each other with low growls and squawks and you know they are having their own discussion.

In the annex, the first thing you see is a dozen hobgoblins in breastplates, armed with crossbows. Rachel's hand drifts toward her satchel but then you see the bowler hat of Vinnrog Redclub come into view.

He grins, showing his large yellow teeth, as Inoke and Aphra appear from behind the line of hobgoblins. Vinnrog approaches you, Bedlor.

"You being lazy, Bedlor, taking walk in woods? Me have to get army all on own?" he smiles. He unabashedly throws one burly arm around your shoulder.

"Me glad you still alive. People die a lot around her, uh-huh."

"uuuh...Where's Donovan and Erika?"

[Gaumer]

"Aye, mate, ye be 'ard workin'. I be meetin' a chipmunk though, hohoho.

Ye be a grand sight to these weary eyes. As ye said, mate, folks die 'lot 'round 'ere. We be losin' Donnie an' Erika.

'Bout be losin' a might more."

Bedlor addresses everyone

"I be sent that way meself. Sent back by the god o' death 'erself, preachin' somesuch 'bout 'ow important I be an' such. Oi, so 'igh an' mighty I be lettin' to 'umans die as I be lettin' lil bitches set aims on us."

Bed looks to Vin

"Lyric."

Before looking back at everyone

"She be puttin' an arrow in a 'ead o' elves I be makin' gains wit' - buildin' armies o' me own, eh - an' the lot o' 'em be seein' it as treachery by us an' turnin' me into a seamstress's pincushion.

We be catchin' 'er, an' reachin' gains wit' the elves despite 'er, but she be gettin' 'way 'gain. We caught wind o' 'er speakin' to someone; maybe god, maybe mortal villain; we not be knowin'. But it seems the aims o' 'er an' 'ers be to set things back the way they be 'fore we be gettin' 'ere. No gods; no nexuses; no war.

But sure'n tales o' flyin' castles an' 'orses be grander than elves killin' Protectors. Let's be 'earin' words o' that.

An' where be the damned ale? Hohoho."

[Navarre]

Coby grins, "A soul that has its priorities in line, I say! Let's grab some grub and hash this all out."

He leads all of you through several large corridors, first open outer passages then inner hallways, before coming to a set of brass double doors. Opening the arched doors, he enters into a great feast hall.

Yet, unlike the feasting halls you knew, there is no large oaken table surrounded by chairs. Instead there are a multitude of large soft pillows with small eating trays littered among them.

As you enter, Aldina stares slightly upward at the wall and addresses seemingly nothing.

"We wish for enough food to satisfy everyone here."

Things begin to appear on the serving trays. Smoked meats, fruits both familiar and foreign, sliced breads, honey-butter, and nuts all pop into existence alongside tall flutes of dark wine.

Coby, Aldina, and the Knights settle themselves onto selected pillows, Aldina cozying up to Jackson. You notice only two of the hobgoblins came with you. One is Munir, the goblin that was Tren's captive. The other is a tall hobgoblin that Aphra introduces as Kofi, a field leader of his hobgoblin village.

Everyone is gathered: Coby, Aldina, Tom, Jackson, Bedlor, Liv, T'Ning, Rachel, Tren, Serena, Moira, Aphra, Vinnrog, Inoke, St. Caelun, Azure, Chaser, and the squirrel.

Coby looks around.

"We got ourselves a lot to discuss. Gotta sort out enemies and friends if we can and figure out what we need to do. Sounds like whoever's against us has a good jump on being ahead of us the whole time."

"hmm..First, a question I gotta know."

"I had a dream last night. I was me...but a bit different. No cloud, no castle, just a tricky and my-gods-devilishly-handsome bard from an orchard somewhere I don't know."

"Some of you were in my dream. Not Tren or Serena, but I sure remember Bedlor and Liv and the redheads. Vinnrog's unforgettable. Sorry to say I don't know T'Ning to be quite the same."

"Anywhoever, the dream felt as real as if I lived it. Anyone else have a dream like this? What's it all mean?"

[Gaumer]

Bed looks around for some ale after taking a seat

"Nice place ye all be 'avin' 'ere. Good for livin' an' good for makin' an attack. Sure'n the steerin' o' the thing be magic? I not be one for magic by no means,"

Bedlor places Warsong on the floor beside him

"I be findin' the use o' such things as mighty as the worry I 'ave when it be an enemy usin' such."

Bed begins eating, and drinking

"We only be knowin' o' the wagon that drives yer dreams. The driver 'imself be a mystery. Broomstick be 'avin' the same sort o' doin's 'fore we be meetin' 'im 'ere. In 'nother world, I be knowin' 'im as a gnome, a short race prone to trouble but kind no less. 'Ere, as ye be seein', 'e be a man, still likin' to trouble, mind ye, hohoho.

Oi, be forgivin' me. The food be makin' me mine cart fall easy from 'er track. Where I be from, this other world, I be knowin' the lot o' ye. An' in this place ye be a bard, Coby. An' same as Broomstick o'er there, ye died.

Now, I not be thinkin' the knowin' o' who ye were in this other world be as important as ye knowin' 'bout it on nothin' but this dream. There could be others in this world who can be dreamin' o' 'nother world' one where the lot o' us be mates to be startin' wit'. Could be turnin' foe into friend wit' just a showin' from us.

If'n we can be knowin' what be bringin' on such dreams.

But me mule be put in front o' that wild cart, eh? Speak o' enemies an' friends 'fore we be speakin' on makin' new ones o' both."