Shadow War campaign In-Game: Chapter 74- Where It All Began

[Navarre]

The Shadow War

Chapter 74
Where It All Began

In only a short time you have found your numbers greater. In your company now are a dozen Elven scouts, allied with Tren, to recover their kidnapped Princess Iridia.

More unsettling are the four Angels that now hover over your cloud island. Nephros, Sashca's Angel of Death, and her three male compatriots watch you all closely, especially Liv.

Perhaps it is curiosity, even suspicion, that holds their interest. Or, considering their occupation and duty, they may simply be waiting.

Below you is West Wellington. The banners are white now instead of royal blue but, otherwise, it appears rather like the city you know.

It is all in good repair and of uniform appearance though. There is no visible old city on the eastern side but instead only more city; bold and secure. The stone walls are properly mortared on all sides, surrounding the city in eighty foot barricades.

You see only two gates, each with a road passing through them. One leads to the east into Gallia Forest, disappearing into the trees. The other leads west, toward Illumian's capitol city of Hallow Hold.

The sun burns fiercely above you as noon time arrives. Your best intelligence suggests that the man carrying the Trust will arrive within less than two days.

"So what's the plan, boss?" asks Aphra of you, Bedlor, as she peers over the edge of the cloud island, her bronze eyes glimmering in the bright sun. Kofi and Aerik look to you for that same answer, Tren.

Rachel takes your arm, T'Ning, and leans into the sky to observe a city she knows as home from a life she never lived. Memories of a former life come unbidden to your mind. You recall first meeting Rachel in a library that must now bear a different name. You also recall that first kiss, in the rain behind that same library.

Below is a place of both memory and destiny for each of you. It is only the nature of that destiny that makes your feet feel slightly less steady than even the cloud affords.

[Gaumer]

Bedlor looks around at everyone

"Still lookin' to me for the word, eh? I be 'avin' some.

What be the aim 'ere? Our we set to gain the Trust? If'n so our plan be the same: we seek out the man we seek be coverin' the roads in an' out o' town.

Sure'n that be a might easier wit' so many eyes in the sky. Sure'n we can be settin' out travelers on both direction an' meetin' the man on 'is way if'n we think it wise.

Be tellin' true, right now I be wantin' nothin' more than takin' to the sky, maybe summonin' a 'awk an' showin' 'im a thing or two, hohoho."

Bedlor looks toward Moira for only a brief moment

"But sure'n there be time for fun later, eh?


Now be when e'eryone speaks their peace, which be takin' nothin' but time, 'fore we do what I just be suggestin'. Hohoho."

[Strifeter]

Tren looks at Enghart almost scrutinizing him.

"Interesting. Enghart I must aid my fellow kin to find their princess within the walls of West Wellington. My suggestion is that we continue with the original plan with you and Kofi watching both roads. I will take a look within the walls of the city to see if I can find a trail for the princess."

Tren looks at Aerik.

"Can you spare a few men to help with the search while I take a look within the walls. I would prefer it if you could join me in the city. As well as the one who says she know the city."

With the last remark Tren looks at Rachel.

"If anything it would give me a day to search for the princess. If we can locate her it may work in our favor with the elves of this world. I also believe that Lyric is responsible for her capture."

[Gaumer]

"Well...be careful in there, mate.

Ye be 'avin' a way to call fer 'elp should ye need it?"

[Navarre]

Aerik nods.

"I have eleven scouts with me. How many do you wish me to bring?"

Rachel watches the city. She looks almost nostalgic as she replies.

"T'is a big city, full o' dangers. We might be needin' a scrapper as much as some sneaks."

"I t'ink we be takin' T'Ning wit' us, aye?"

[Lutharian]

T'Ning grins and looks towards Tren, "I can be very, very sneaky when need be."

He gives Rachel a nudge and a little squeeze.

[Navarre]

Rachel grins back.

"Aye. Sure'n we be better aboot t'e city t'an a flock o' elves wot nev'r set eyes on t'e place."

"I mean, supposin' we 'avena eit'er fir real...but ye know wot I be meanin'."

[Navarre]

Vinnrog stares toward the solid ground.

"Which road we takin', Bedlor?"

[Gaumer]

"Roads, Vin?

Where we be goin', we not be needin' roads.

Oi, ye be meanin' which one we be lookin' after? It be makin' no ne'ermind to me, mate. Ye be makin' the choice, Vin. Sure'n Liv an' the angels'll be takin' the other."

[Navarre]

Vinnrog ponders aloud.

"East road goes back into forest. Me tired of woods, uh-huh."

"West road would be choice, 'cause any human probably come through there."

[Gaumer]

"Wise! Sure'n I be just as wise for makin' such friends, hohoho.

I be ready to take to air as soon as we all be ready."

Bed mounts Valiant and whispers to his stallion

"Soon, mate. Soon an' we take to air. We be set on tasks o' searchin'; lookin' for an' old man wit' a limp; but sure'n there be time for some fun, eh?"

[Navarre]

Valiant whinnies, apparently quite content with you as his rider and ally. He holds position until the party breaks but you can tell he yearns to have even the clouds fall away beneath his hooves.

Inoke looks to Vinnrog.

"Me and Vinnrog-Ru go with you to western road, Bedlor. If trouble or man comes, we with you, uh-huh."

Aphra nods.

"The man is the trouble, ask me. I'm with you too. No offense to the goblins and elves but I'd rather fight with the pack I know will watch my haunches."

Coby replies, casting a secret look at Aphra's thighs.

"My team can keep an eye in the sky for you; I'd reckon with these Seraphim. Not gonna hear me giving orders to the Angel of Death, nope-nope."

"Guess that leaves Liv and Moira. Ladies?"

[Navarre]

Moira replies.

"I would not be comfortable hiding under a log in the eastern forest. I would prefer to go into West Wellington. My clerical abilities could be invaluable in finding a religious artifact tied to divine forces."

"I admit I am also curious to see this universe's West wellington. I lived there for half my life and would like to see if it is similar to the place I know."

"Yet, like Bedlor, I would be more than conspicuous. So, unless someone has a suggestion on how I might travel more discretely, I suppose I would stay at the side of Bedlor...that is, his party."

"Um, Liv?"

[Gaumer]

"Not that I be mindin' ye close-by, Moira, but do ye 'ave a way to be flyin'?

Ye be right 'bout yer ways wit' the knowin' o' the town an' findin' the Trust an' such.

We be needin' a disguise for ye, that's what we be needin'..."

[Navarre]

Moira winces.

"I fear I have neither skill nor prayer that might facilitate a disguise."