Eberron Book One Stories
Page 4
I Promise
"Alice deary, can you please come here?" Alice heard her Aunt Madeline call from the sitting room.
"In a minute Aunt Mady, I'm finishing up my hair." Alice had taken her aunt's advice and started doing more with her hair. "A young woman should flaunt her beauty, not hide it." Her aunt was known to say to her when she opted for her more reserved acolyte clothing. It was a hard habit to drop though. She had spent the past two years in Thrane studying the ways of the Silver Flame. She had graduated with honors, and was a full fledged cleric. None of that would have mattered though, if it wasn't for Ruffles.
Alice looked at the small portraiture she had commissioned of the strange birdling. It wasn't quite what he looked like, but it was enough for Alice. Ruffles had saved her life from the machinations of her cruel and intolerable mother. Alice was the sole heir to a vast fortune, one that would pass on to her on her 18th birthday, just a few months away. If she died, her mother would inherit all.
She finished preparing her hair and gathered her shawl. She gave a quick bow to Ruffles, as she did every morning and proceeded downstairs. She didn't know why she felt like she had to bow to him, but every since their brief encounter, Alice felt as if there was something unique about him. Something special and almost awe inspiring, as if he had some great destiny on his tiny bird shoulders.
Alice took the stairs slowly. She had only been living at the manor for a few months, but it still took her breath away. Aunt Madeline ir'Bressak was an Aundarian noble, and sister to Alice's late father, Jeremy ir'Bressak. Though they bore the royal "ir" in their name, they were so far removed from the line of heritage that it wasn't worth noting. Still, being a noble had its perks. The vast house and land that her Aunt Madeline had control over made for a very pleasant lifestyle.
Not that it was spoiling Alice of course. She was just happy to be somewhere that she could call home. Her father passed on when she was but a young girl and her mother had sent her to boarding school after boarding school just to keep her out of her hair. Aunt Mady was the complete opposite. She made Alice feel right at home. As much as she tried spoiling the girl, Alice still stayed humble. They finally agreed on building a small church and creating services for the nearby village, and it had brought them closer together.
"Stop daydreaming child and come here." Aunt Mady called, Alice had been standing at the bottom of the stair, staring off into forever.
"Sorry Aunt Mady." Alice walked over and sat down on one of the plush sitting chairs that resided in the sitting room. Their butler James brought her a cup of teas and some bread.
"Thank You." Alice said as she sat back and looked at her Aunt Mady.
"As you know child, you will be turning 18 in just a short while." Aunt Mady started and caught the look in Alice's face.
"I know we have talked about this before my dear, but you must start making preparations. You need to figure out what to do with your life."
Alice had heard the lecture before. Aunt Mady wanted her to go out in the world and experience its wonders. She often told Alice stories of the adventures she, and Alice's father had when they made their way through Khorvaire.
"But Aunt Mady, why can't I stay here with you? All I've done since father died was be moved from one boarding school to another. All I want to do is stay in one place and call it home." Alice saw Bressak Grove as the first place she could truly be at peace at since her father died, she didn't understand why her Aunt was do determined on having her leave.
"You are a Cleric of the Silver Flame my dear. More than that, you are your father's daughter. Look at the good you have done here, imagine what you could do with the finances your father left you out across the world. I know you love this place my dear. But it's just simply unacceptable that you spend your youth wasting around with an old woman like me!"
"Aunt Mady, you're not old!"
"Hush child, I'll not have you lie. We have mirrors, I know the truth better than most. I am not ashamed of my age, in fact it grants me some perks, like telling my stubborn young niece to go out and have fun." Alice and Aunt Mady broke out in laughter despite Aunt Mady trying to keep on a serious tone.
"Ma'am."
"What is it James?" Aunt Mady asked, she and Alice had been chatting over tea about their plans for the rest of the week.
"Your son Geoffrey is at the door. He is with a Lady Theodora ir'Bressak."
"Mother?!" Alice exclaimed as she heard her mother's voice from the entry way.
"What do you mean I have to wait at the door? I shall do no such thing, like some commoner, now out of the way." Alice's mother barged into the sitting room, with Madeline's son Geoffrey in tow.
Alice glared at her cousin. She still remembers how he had tried to capture her and collect the bounty her mother had put on her head. Aunt Madeline had banished him from the grounds for his actions.
"Why Dora my dear, what a pleasure it is to see you again. What brings you to Bressak County?" Aunt Mady stood up and gave her sister-in-law a great big hug, obviously catching the stuffy woman off guard. Alice stifled a laugh at her mother's reaction. She hated being touched almost as much as she hated the nickname of Dora.
Theodora sat down, completely ignoring her presence as she grabbed at a cup of tea James had brought her and proceeded to give him a disapproving look.
"Well Madeline, I am here to have a word with my daughter." Alice noted that her mother still didn't look at her.
"Well Alice is right there Dora." Aunt Mady said, motioning towards Alice who was doing everything in her power to sit still and not betray her discomfort.
"May we have some privacy?" Theodora said, still not acknowledging her daughter's presence.
"No." Aunt Mady said, this time sternness in her voice.
"Excuse me? I am her mother I have every right…"
"You have no rights in this house Theodora!" Aunt Mady interrupted her sister-in-law before she went on some self righteous rant.
"Pardon me?"
"No. You don't deserve pardon, forgiveness or anything Theodora. You put a contract out on the life of your very daughter. That I haven't had you arrested is for the girl's sake. I won't have you rotting in some prison bringing down her good name. So unless you are here to apologize, no, unless you are here to beg her forgiveness, I suggest you be on your way."
Alice nearly hugged her Aunt Mady right then and there but controlled herself. She saw her mother turn various hues of red. Her mother's temper was torrential, that she is holding it all back was amazing even Alice.
"Alice, is this how you feel?" Her mother said, finally looking at her. Alice felt her mother sizing her up. It had been nearly two years since they had seen each other, but this felt more like someone sizing up an opponent than a mother looking at her child.
"I'm sorry mother, but it is."
Theodora stood up, and with as much dignity as she could muster, proceeded to walk towards the door. Geoffrey, whom everyone had forgotten was even the room, followed his Aunt Theodora like some dog chasing it's master.
"You had your chance Alice, this won't be the last you've heard of me." Theodora said as she walked out the door. "Let us go Geoffrey."
"Yes Aunt Theodora."
"Geoffrey." Aunt Mady said as she stood up and looked at her son. Alice knew Geoffrey's action deeply disappointed her, but she still loved her son, despite his flaws. "Please Geoffrey, think before you choose to follow her."
Geoffrey took a long look at his mother. Alice thought for a second she saw regret in his eyes, but the snarl that followed quickly wiped that way. "Sorry Mother, but Aunt Theodora and I have plans." And he rushed out the door.
"Geoffrey!" Aunt Mady called out as she reached the door, he son turned back to look at her. "You're adopted!" Aunt Mady slammed the door.
"Aunt Mady is that true?" Alice said as she rushed to her Aunt Mady's side.
"No, but that should make him squirm and worry about his inheritance for a few weeks." Aunt Mady laughed, and took Alice back to finish their cup of tea.
* * * * *
It would be a couple of day, but Alice would soon learn what her mother meant when she said this wasn't the last time they heard from her. It was tea time again, though Alice was down in the village when word came for her to rush back to the manor.
Fearing the worst, Alice was glad to see her Aunt Mady was fine. It wasn't until he cleared his throat that Alice noticed the presence of the armored man in the manor.
"Aunt Mady?"
"Alice, this is Commander Anterix ir'Wynarn of the Queens Guard."
"My lord," Alice's eyes went wide as she quickly bowed. Anterix was the Queen's nephew, and head of the Queen's personal guard. Why was he here in their home?
"May we sit Lady ir'Bressak?" Anterix said, his voice was relaxed and calm.
"Of course, his way Commander."
"Please mi'lady, Anterix is fine."
Aunt Mady led them all to the sitting room. Anterix refused a cup of tea as James served them all.
"Forgive my forwardness Commander, I mean Anterix, but what brings you to Bressak Grove?"
"I am on officially mi'lady. I have some question here for your ward."
Alice looked at the Commander. He was an attractive man, and though his face was welcoming, there was something in his eyes, a coldness she couldn't place. It made her shiver.
"Alice? What could you possibly have to question Alice about?" Aunt Mady shifted and sat closer to Alice. She had heard the rumors about Commander Anterix. He was a loyal servant of the Queen, and though was an honorable man, he was doggedly persistent. He abided no betrayal to the crown and she did not like having him in her home.
"Do either of you recognize this creature?" Commander Anterix reached into his bag and pulled out a sketching. Alice gasped as she saw staring back at her the picture of Ruffles, one far more accurate than the one she had done.
"He is wanted for attacks on the Crown, and for the destruction of not only the Queen's Theatre, but also for destruction of the Aundarian airship tower."
Alice had heard the stories of the outlandish attack and destruction done in the capitol, but she couldn't believe that Ruffles had anything to do with it.
"I thought that the tower was attacked by some monster?" Aunt Mady said, trying to distract the Commander, she didn't like the look that he was giving Alice. This man knew they had encountered Ruffles. This was some ruse.
"Investigation discovered a massive series of illusions were set off to make it appear as if the damage was done by monsters. Do you recognize him Alice?"
Alice knew he was hoping for her to lie, this man came here intent on one thing, and she didn't like what that could be. "Y..yes. Blackcrow accompanied me from Flamekeep. He was hired by my mother." It was technically true, except for the name of course, she didn't want to give the Commander any more information than she had to.
"Did you come straight here?"
"No, we were originally supposed to go to Passage, but I asked if he could take me here instead, we had to take a detour mid-trip."
"Oh, and why was that?"
"I called for her." Aunt Mady spoke up. "I hadn't seen my niece in quite some time. I knew she had recently graduated and she would be nearby, I asked her to come spend some time here with me before she went home."
"I see. And did anything unusual happen along the way? Did you and this Blackcrow encounter anyone else along your way? Did he leave you alone for any period of time?"
"Commander, May I ask what you are looking for?" Aunt Mady asked, interrupting the commander before this became an interrogation in her own home.
"We have affidavits here from several men who claimed to have seen you niece and this outlaw committing unlawful acts within Aundarian borders. She is accused of attacks on Aundarian citizens, conspiracy to commit treason, and other crimes against the crown."
Aunt Mady hugged Alice to her as Alice went to shock over the idea of what she was being accused of. "That's impossible! Alice is as loyal to the crown as I am. She is a good girl and is incapable of those things."
"She is a Thrane priest is she not?"
"Silver Flame. And since when is it a crime to worship something other than the Host?"
"Nevertheless, she is accused."
"By whom!"
Commander Anterix produced a few more parchments, unfurling them and dropping them on the table as he read out their names.
"Jonathon Dale, Michael Breeks, Urix Potter, Brian Quickling, Isais Dale and your son, Geoffrey ir'Bressak."
Aunt Mady went pale and reached for the final parchment. She read it over and over again but could not believe it.
"This is a courtesy Lady ir'Bressak. Alice is to be arrested and taken to Fairhaven for questioning and to stand trial."
Alice broke out in tears, as Aunt Mady just sat there dazed.
"I am not a heartless man. Ir'Bressak is an old noble family in Aundair. The young woman has until tomorrow to prepare her things and set her affairs in order." With that Commander Anterix left, excusing himself from the manor.
"This is her doing." Alice said, finally breaking the silence. "This is all mother's doing. If I am found guilty of treason my entire claim to the inheritance is forfeited. She must have planned all of this." Alice's anger was quickly pushing away her desperation.
"If I ever see her again…"
"Hush child." Aunt Mady said. "You leave your mother to me, until then we must keep you safe."
"What do you mean Aunt Mady? I can't go, they'll know you helped me, you'll get yourself in trouble."
"I am head of the ir'Bressak house my dear, I will be fine, you have no such protections. I'll make arrangements immediately. You leave tonight."
"No Aunt Mady, I will not leave you!"
"Enough Alice. I love you as if you were my own daughter. You are the blood of my beloved brother, I will not let any harm come to you." Aunt Mady hugged Alice tightly. "You have to go Alice, this is the only way."
"But what will I do? Where will I go?"
"You're a smart girl. You will find a way to survive, besides, you have friends."
Alice gave her aunt a quizzical look. Aunt Mady reached out and pulled one of the papers the Commander left behind. Alice looked at the portrait of Ruffles and understood what her Aunt Mady meant. She had friends.
"I'll find him Aunt Mady, I'll make this all right. I swear to you."
"I know you will my dear, I have faith in you."
"I'm coming back Aunt Mady, I'm coming back and I'm going to stop her, I promise."
Allies
"I do not like this Edea." Captain Scar said as she paced around the apartment in the lower districts of Sharn. Since their arrival almost 2 months ago, they had done very little beyond keeping an eye out for trouble and waiting for some news from House Tarkanan.
"Sit down Nerissa, you are making me nervous."
"You of all people should be nervous Edea. We are in Sharn, where House Cannith is consolidating its power if the rumors are true. And you aren't exactly in good standing with the house."
"Neither are you dear sister." Lady Cannith jabbed back as she continued to work enchantments into her armor and weapons. She had not spent her time idling waiting for trouble. She knew she had to be as prepared as possible for anything. She still did not trust Lilia a'Tarkanan. A'Tarkanan. The stupid moniker still left a foul taste in her mouth. Still the girl seemed truly honest in their need for help. And Lady Cannith had to have some hope that they might be able to restore her mark.
"Exactly Edea. Neither you and I are exactly loved by our house, and being underneath their very noses makes me uncomfortable. Even with that worm Zrath dead, and good riddance, I don't like pushing our luck."
Lady Cannith laughed, "You're just nervous because your ship is out running jobs without you."
"You damn right." Captain Scar said, finally sitting down and laughing alongside her sister.
A knock on the door quickly quieted them both. Captain Scar reached for her weapon as Lady Cannith went for the door. Placing her hand on a blast rune she had inscribed when they first moved in, she waited for her sister to be in position and slightly opened the door.
"It is I, I bring a friend." It was Lilia, the child they had followed to Sharn, and a taller man that looked familiar, though Lady Cannith couldn't quite place from where.
Removing her hand from the blast rune, she let them in. Captain Scar didn't lower her weapon.
"Who is he child?" she said as she pointed her weapon at the newcomer.
"Harken a'Tarkanan, he is my brother." The young man, probably in his early twenties, bowed to both of them. Captain Scar and Lady Cannith noted that his movement showed he was a skilled fighter, and his youth hides his true capabilities.
"Brother?" Captain Scar continued her interrogation, "You two don't exactly look alike."
"We are all siblings in the eye of our Queen. A strong family builds a strong house." It was Harken that spoke. His voice was cool and calm, and showed that he had no fear of the two sisters. He and Captain Scar stared at each other, as if proving each other their fearlessness.
"What news do you bring us?" Lady Cannith broke the silence first.
"We've lost two more this morning, which brings us to 12 missing members." Harken spoke, his eyes never leaving Captain Scar's.
"What were they this time?" Lady Cannith decided to sit back down, she remembered the young man from Latch's memories, the one who could wield fire with his mark and saved the current guild council's lives. She mentally laughed, the idea of such naïve adventurers being the council for the Guild. She also worried, she hadn't heard from them in months, no news at all since they foolishly went after that demon seal.
"A lesser and a greater mark," Lilia said, also ignoring the small test of wills going on in the room. "Two sisters who are very dear to us, we can't wait any longer." Lilia yelled out, finally breaking the staring match between Captain Scar and Harken.
Lady Cannith stared, it was the first time she had seen the girl show any emotion, she understood the pain she must have felt, losing those she considers family.
"You're right child." Lady Cannith spoke softly to Lilia for the first time. "We can't sit here any longer, it's time we move."
"What are you planning Edea?" Captain Scar asked.
"We're going after them. Where did they disappear Lilia?"
"The Cogs, near one of the entrances to the old city."
Captain Scar swore and Lady Cannith's eyes narrowed. The Cogs were some of the lowest and most dangerous sections of the City of Towers. There were countless secrets and dangers that made that part of the city its home. Even worse was the idea of the old city. Many rumors and myths surround the countless times the city was built over another one in the very same place. The deeper you went, the further back in time you went, and the dangers in the old city made even Lady Cannith take pause.
"Alright," she finally said. "Nerissa, get your gear. Harken, take Lilia back, we'll meet up with you in the Cogs. Latch is still within reach, I'll conta.."
"No!" Lilia cried out. "I'm going with you."
"It is too dangerous; I can't look after you and myself down there." Lady Cannith replied.
Lilia's mark flared, making over half her body glow with power. "I'm a Daughter of Khyber! I bear the great marks of House Tarkanan. I am the Queen's Heir. I can take care of myself."
Lady Cannith saw the determination in the girl's eyes. This was not the arrogance of a aberrant-marked, this was the determination of a young girl who wants nothing more than to save her family.
"She's your responsibility." Lady Cannith said to Harkan. {{Latch, meet us in the Cogs.}}
[[Yes Mistress.]]
"Let's go."
* * * * * * *
The five of them descended into the lowest sections of Sharn, deeper than any of them had gone before. They had encountered virtually no problems, and were now in places that had probably not seen any life, humanoid life at least for countless years, if not centuries.
"I don't like this." Captain Scar voiced what was on everyone's mind. "There should be something down here, some clue; some sign of passage, even from the rats, but this place feel as if it…."
"As if it is a tomb." Harken finished the sentence.
"Lilia" Lady Cannith asked, "Why were they down here?"
"Dark Sight, I mean Sheela, the Greater Mark had visions, it was a side-effect from her mark. She and ColdStorm, Delila, came here after Sheela had a vision that the source of the disappearances was down here."
Harken continued, "Her Highness sent them to see if they could gain more information. It seems this was a new threat, not the one that her highness has sensed coming."
"Great, two evils for us to fight, this is why I stay above ground sis." Captain Scar said as she followed them.
[[Mistress]] Latch sent a quick vision to his mistress of what he noticed.
{{Be ready to step out of sight Latch, that looked like trouble.}}
[[I'd rather we not be here at all Mistress.]]
{{That's unlike you Latch, since when do you show fear?}}
[[Can't you sense it? There is something…wrong about this place.]]
{{What are you talking about?}}
Latch stopped, and walked up to his Lady Cannith. He placed his hands on her shoulders and closed his eyes.
"Edea?" Captain Scar asked. She knew that when they got this close it was because they needed to share more than just their memories with each other.
"Shh." Lady Cannith said as she began to lower the walls on their link.
"What is going on?" Lilia asked, concern in her voice.
"Latch must have sense something. He can share what he feels with Edea. They have worked together for many years; part of her literally went into his creation. He's the closest thing she has to a child."
Harken looked at the warforged, if he shared any of Lady Cannith's traits, he was not to be underestimated.
Lady Cannith pulled down the walls and fully immersed herself in Latch's consciousness. If she told anyone how close they got, she would be sure they would be appalled if not afraid. She however, relished it. Latch saw the world in a unique way, and there was something about his consciousness that was special, something that surrounded her and exhilarated her. Whatever she may say or act, there was no doubt in her mind, in these moments, that Latch indeed had a soul.
She looked at herself through his eyes, felt her shoulders under his hands. She closed her eyes and focused on what he felt. She could see he was aware of every subtle movement of the others. His skills as a fighter were incredible, his awareness greater than her own. She touched that part of him that was his instinct. Then she felt it, the resounding darkness, the latent magical energy, subtle but unmistakable. How could she have missed it, she should have been able to sense this herself unless…
"Get Ready!" She yelled as she restored the link and she and Latch reached for their weapons. How stupid could she have been? Something was hiding itself, lying to all but the most astute of sense. It was a bloody trap.
The others reacted just in time as vicious monsters seemed to appear out of nowhere. Lilia activated her mark in time, creating a protective shield around everyone. Just in time as the four being unleashed a massive attack.
"Vrock Demons! Interrupt their dancing, if they unleash another one of those attacks this whole place will come down!" Lady Cannith yelled. Everyone understood and reacted.
Captain Scar lunged forward with her rapier, the air around her seeming to still itself, until her rapier suddenly attacked with blurring speed, piercing one of the demons an innumerable number of times.. Latch vanished, only to appear a few seconds later behind one of the Vrock Demons, unleashing a flurry of attacks. Harkan's chest and arm glowed as he spit fire from his mouth, turning one of the demons into ash in the blink of an eye. Lady Cannith held both hands out as wands suddenly appeared. Saying a few arcane words, symbols appeared around the wands and two massive rays of lightning erupted and tore the last demon to shreds.
"Where the hell did they come from?" Harken yelled.
"This entire complex is a demon summoning pit, look!" Lady Cannith said as the energy from their attack illuminated countless arcane circles along the walls, floors and ceilings.
[[Mistress, those circles are recharging.]]
"We need to get out of here fast, everyone gather around me!" Lady Cannith ordered as she pulled out a small ring with various pieces of rope attached to it. She handed everyone a rope as she started to awaken the spell in the ring.
"What about the others?" Lilia pleaded.
"I'm sorry child, but we're in over our heads."
"We'll come back for them." Harken said, the first time his voice showed any sign of compassion.
The circles glowed brightly again, and more demons began to appear just as Lady Cannith activated the ring. The complex vanished, and the group found themselves on the outskirts of the city.
[[Edea….]]
Lady Cannith looked at Latch as he shared an image he saw before they teleported. A rakshasa, a massive Khyber Shard imbedded in half his face. It smiled at them.
"Now what?" Captain Scar asked as they looked at the city.
"Now, now we call for help." Lady Cannith said.
"From who sis?"
"From those who will bring light to darkness." Harken said, surprising Lady Cannith.
"Aye, we need allies, we need the guild."
