Ascending Legends

[BookWyrm]

Dayn laid back and enjoyed the feeling of Arryn laying against him. It was a simple pleasure yes, but by far one of the best a man could experience in his book. "I'm not too tired, but a little more sleep would have been nice. Then again, I could find many excuses if it meant being able to have you laying against my chest." Dayn looked out at the fire before kicking up a small breeze with his aeromancy, stoking the flames around one of the damp logs he had laid on the fire. "I could help you out with your swordplay, if you want. You are teaching me a new style, maybe we could both learn something new?"

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn shrugged a bit. "It just... hurts." Without moving, she cast a thin shield about their camp to keep in the heat of the fire. She pulled up her blanket and nuzzled against Dayn's chest, before falling asleep. Again, she revisited the moment where the banshees attacked her team. The unearthly screams, the sound of her teammate's bodies hitting the floor, the feeling of her blade cutting into the banshee, then of her own body hitting the floor. But this time, she noticed something just before she collapsed again - the banshees hadn't screamed, they had sung. Arryn had alwyas thought this was merely a stronger form of their scream, but... perhaps not? Again she felt the dagger hit her shoulder, and saw herself slipping from consciousness, forgetting her realization for the moment. She woke up with a yelp, then looked to Dayn, panting. She put her arms around his neck before curling up against him again to sleep.

 

[BookWyrm]

Morning came around in a dreary manner. Dayn stirred from his sleep at the beckoning of the dawn, though he would have never had known it at first glance. The sky was overcast as a mix of sleet and rain pelted down against the shield Arryn had formed around the camp. Dayn closed his eyes, sighing at the depressing onset of the day. He looked over to the fire, stoking the embers until there was a decent burn going. Now to somehow move without waking Arryn. Dayn managed to get out from under the blanket, and unwrap himself from his love's embrace, albeit regretfully, and tended to the fire. By the time Arryn started coming round Dayn had cooked breakfast. Before they had left Dayn managed to smuggle a small amount of ingredients from Riverbend, and now seemed like a good of time as ever to cook them. Hot cakes and bacon, a meal Dayn had grown up on. He had even managed to find a portable container for the maple glaze.


"Arryn, love, breakfast is ready. I hope you're hungry, I made something special." Dayn cupped his hands around a mug filled with coffee, another small item he happened across. He had brewed some tea for Arryn, since she preferred it over the dark beverage.

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn woke up slowly, opening her eyes to look at Dayn. She smiled slightly. "It smells wonderful, love." She moved to his side, putting the blanket half over her shoulders and half over his. She looked at the maple glaze and asked him with a little laugh, "What is that? I hope it is not like coffee - something you southerners like that is disgusting." She kissed his cheek and leaned against him. For some reason she wasn't sure of, she just wanted to be close to him at the moment. "You need to teach me how to cook," she said as she sipped some tea to wake herself up more.

 

[BookWyrm]

"When we actually have some time I will be more than happy to.", Dayn laughed as he plated the food, handing one to Arryn before grabbing the glaze. "Don't worry, this is just a simple syrup made from maple sap. If I would have had some fresh blueberries and some wine I might have improvised a little bit more, but then you would have thought I was spoiling you." Dayn snuggled as closely to Arryn as he could and still be able to eat properly. With the rain and sleet, or was that slush coming down, all Dayn really wanted to do was go back to sleep. "I know we need to be going, but there is no point in getting out in this mess until it lightens up."

 

[Dragongal]

"Technically, I could cast a shield over our heads, and I have traveled in far worse - being from mountainous North- however, let's just say you're entirely correct," she said with a slight smile. She was uncomfortable with the idea of the necromancers - they worked with spirits then, didn't they? Could they perhaps... summon a banshee? It was ridiculous of course, but she didn't have to like the idea any. And with the curse on her, that made her a potential liability. Of course, now that she had mana back, she had one spell that could wipe away her enemies - the price was steep, but they wouldn't be able to summon anything. She took a bite of the food, then looked to Dayn with a smile. "It's really good, love. Thank you."

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn smiled before taking a sip of coffee. "One day love, I will teach you the way of the skillet." Dayn laughed, choking on his coffee slightly as he did.


They had broke camp and resumed the Path swiftly during a lull in the storm. Though Dayn hated traveling in this kind of weather they needed to make time. Ironcrest was just a short distance away. They stopped once briefly to let the horses rest and to water them, taking a few minutes of respite for themselves as well. "We should be in Ironcest by noon, probably a little after to be honest. And it is all thanks to you love." Dayn kissed Arryn, hugging her tightly and rubbing her back to help her stay warm. "This merchant path is something else."





Within a few more hours they came out to an awe inspiring sight. A vast plain stretched out for miles in front of them before coming up to the towering walls that housed Ironcrest Proper. Out in front of the walls lay a large stretch of farms and towns that housed the various fiefs that were controlled by the vassals of Lord Rorik. Behind the towering walls lay the winding streets of the vast fortress city, the five lower burgs and the upper palace made up the six fold city proper. Dayn stared out at the massive work of stone and iron, an imposing sight to behold even for an ally. "By the beards of Antiquity, I forgot how big it was. This may be more challenging than I remember. And with the old town buried beneath the city streets, we may be in this for a while."

 

[Dragongal]

“I always hated how big this place is. Too many places for people to hide, too many places to keep an eye on. I’ve never been past the first burg… we took out a Black Market leader. He thought he was safe because he just handled the money, gave the orders… I put my blade through his throat.” She looked at him and said, “I may have a few enemies yet hiding in the city… I also happened to get quite drunk here once. That was… not my best time…. Lianne had died, and I knew it was stupid, but I… I don’t know, getting drunk just made it easier, and getting into brawls made for a good distraction - it stopped hurting as long as I focused on the fight.” She looked at him, and said, her voice faltering, “She took an arrow to the throat, but she didn’t die right away….” She let her voice trail off, then glanced at Dayn again, smiling weakly. “In summary, I hate this city.”


She cleared her throat and refocused, saying, "I'm sure there's some... trail we could follow."

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn frowned as he reached over and took Arryn's hand, rubbing it gently with his thumb before bringing it up to a kiss. "We won't stay longer than we need to." Dayn nudged his horse to get it moving again. Despite it's sprawling layout and massive size Ironcrest was built around a series of easily traveled main roads that formed the skeleton of the city. Dayn looked around him as they passed through the farm lands that provided the food for the city. It was truly amazing that such a city could be sustained by it's own farms without having to import anything, though the farms circled the whole of the city and were fed by mineral rich water that flowed throughout the farms and city itself thanks to clever irrigation and aqueducts. But as they rode further the farming communities ended and the first wall loomed ahead. The gates leading into the towns were open, and even though they were nowhere near the size of the giants that loomed over the city this gate was still built to withhold a siege even from a well equipped attacking force. The various slits, openings, and gargoyles that decorated the walls provided means for archers to fire out or boiling oil to be flow on the unfortunate attackers below. Atop the ramparts several long range catapults and ballistae lay in wait alongside the larger trebuchets. Any army foolish enough to attack would be within range of those weapons long before their forces could reach the city, let alone begin their assault.


As they passed under the gate they earned a few stares, maybe even a slight comment of two about new comer rubbish and travelers, but Dayn let it roll off his back. The guards stopped them shortly after crossing into the gate. "Halt, what say you?"


"Sir Dayn and Lady Arryn, here on summon from Lord Rorik himself."


Another guard, this one wearing an embroidered breast plate and no doubt the sergeant, waved them on through. "Go on, the Lord is expecting you. Gods blessings, first Inquisitors and now these two. With any luck this'll be done before the solstice." Dayn couldn't help but over here the guards talking. "Inquisitors?", he pondered as he looked to Arryn. "Hopefully that is a good sign."

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn looked to Dayn,rather surprised at his words. She had never heard of herself referred to as a Lady; no matter how well behaved she was she wasn't a lady in the classical term. However she was not about to correct him, because she honestly didn't mind. "I'm even going to try to guess, I've never dealt with inquisitors... let's hope for the best, I suppose...."

 

[BookWyrm]

"It really depends on which ones you work with. From what I've heard they can range from fantastic to fanatical." Dayn watched the streets, searching for any sign of the Necromancers or possible collaborators. Any situation like this had to have collaborators. No cult of Necromancers would just walk into a city like Ironcrest unless there was some extensive planning before hand. "I guess we will find out the details when we get to Rorik."





Luckily it didn't take nearly as long as he thought before they came to the massive gate leading into the first burg. All along the upper portion of the wall citizens of the city went about their daily lives, the walls having homes and shops built into them on each layer up until the last. Dayn looked up at the towering monument of stone and iron in absolute awe. "They say the city was built by mages." Dayn looked around at the walls curiously. "They also said you can still see the faded runes that were carved into the rock, but to tell you the truth all I see is weathered stone."

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn had pulled her hood up as they enterd the first burg, and muttered in reply, "I can. Runes are a branch off defensive... It's giving me a headache. They's so old... some of them don't even work any more and have been written over. It looks like a mess of glowing symbols in different colours...."


Arryn patrially kept her hood up because she didn't want to risk being recognized. However, she quickly forgot about that when she looked to the side and noticed an alley, and a young girl cornered by some men looking for a quick coin. She was off her horse in a second after handing Dayn the reins. A fire that she’d thought long dead sparked in her. An old, lively burn returned to her eyes, that hadn’t been there in years. Without even stopping to ask, she grabbed one of the men from behind and kicked his knees in, pushing him to the side as he fell. She ducked a swing from one of his companions, grabbing his wrist and twisting it, hearing a loud snap before the man reeled back and fled. The man she'd already thrown ran after him, leaving her facing her last adversary, a young lady in dirty, yet rich, clothing, seeming to think that Arryn wouldn't touch her. She stood between Arryn and the young lass they'd been robbing. After the woman said a few... unsavory words and made it clear she wouldn't move, Arryn looked at her for a few seconds before back-handing her and shoving her aside as the woman reeled from the smack.


Arryn spoke to the young lady, "Are you alright, miss? They didn't rough you up too bad, did they?" The woman thanked her and told her that she was fine. Arryn smiled, then returned to Dayn, the fight having taken mere moments in summary. She took her reins and mounted her horse, saying, "Terribly sorry love, just another headache to deal with."

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn pulled up his own hood as they continued on. "Alistair was right. I'm going to need to keep my eye on you." The remainder of the trip up into the other burgs went without hiccup thankfully, though the scenery slowly changed as they climbed higher. With each new burg the architecture became more opulent and decorative, and the people were wearing more and more fashionable clothing. Dayn laughed at the display. It was foolish in his view, and he knew Arryn shared his opinion. People walking around flaunting their money and status by wearing outrageous clothing. What amused Dayn even more was the fact that many of the so called "gentlemen" wore rapiers at their sides. That was amusing. Dayn bet that most of them didn't even know which end to grab in an actual fight. "I wonder if they were the rapiers to compensate for their lacking in other areas?"

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn couldn't help but laugh, though it didn't do much for her headache. She was tempted to say, "What does it mean that you wear a broadsword then?" but she refrained. While she figured he would laugh, she still didn't want to risk making him uncomfortable; not before their meeting with Rorik. Thinking of that, she probably would best make her headache go away as much as possible before meeting with their next employer. She focused, toning down her defensive magic so she wouldn't feel the runes as much as they moved higher in the burgs. By the time they were at the top burg, she could lower her hood, though she still had a faint ache in her skull. Besides, she doubted that anyone would recognize her up here.


After letting stable-boys see to their horses, Arryn took Dayn's hand so they could walk inside together, though she'd of course let go once they got in so they'd look professional. She gave him a smile before they walked in.

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn smiled when he felt Arryn's hand in his own. As they walked into the palace Dayn couldn't help but sigh. Just another waste overly opulent waste of space. There was a tenant waiting for them in the main hall of the palace. "Aw, good, I had heard you two were in the city. Please, Lord Rorik is this way, and he asked that we make haste. He is currently holding council with the Inquisitors and the captain of the city guard, he wants you two to attend as well." Dayn looked over to Arryn, raising an eyebrow in question as they continued on. The tenant opened the door to the room and stepped aside, letting them walk on in before closing it behind them.


Lord Rorik was slightly over middle aged, yet his hair was grey as a winter morning. He had a square face and a long but neatly kept beard, and despite his age still maintained an imposing figure. Beside him was a man that looked more like a bounty hunter than an inquisitor. Form fitting clothing underneath a gambeson, all of which was topped with a leather coat with a high collar that could be close around the face, the inquisitor almost appeared like the ancient monster hunters of old. The captain of the guard, though, looked just like he was expected to, though he bore only one eye. "Sir Dayn, Lady Arryn, it does me good to see you both. I received your message, and I can assume you already know why you have been brought here."


Dayn nodded. "Aye sir. The coven that had come to Riverbend mentioned Ironcrest, though Arryn, who had tracked them up until that point, heard them speaking about it."


Rorik nodded as the inquisitor gave an approving look. "It would seem their reputation is well deserved, M'Lord."


"Come, join us. M'Lady, tell us everything you know. You were the one that rescued Sir Braegland's sister were you not?"

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn stepped forward. Did they have the wrong idea and think she was a noble? Odd. Normally formality would have her be called "ma'am," at most. And they had a reputation now? She hid her questions, replying, "That I was, sirs. Because I am a defensive mage, I can feel when there is an illusion or rune nearby. That was how I found them; they were cloaked by a fantastic illusion spell, I doubt any but a mage could have seen them. I followed them, but from the roof-top, so I didn't hear any of what they said. I didn't recognize the language, I'm afraid, however, I most definitely recognized the word 'Ironcrest' being said. There were four fighters and one mage when I stopped the ritual. After doing research, we've discovered that a ley line is required; thus, the reason why they chose the woods near Riverbend. In truth, I know little besides that, except, of course, that they can raise the dead and use that as a distraction."

 

[BookWyrm]

The inquisitor nodded. "Yes, unfortunately we found out about the ley line too late. It has to specifically be a dark ley line, or the must corrupt it before hand. Obviously there is at least one ley line passing into Ironcrest, what with all of the magical energy at free access, but what we didn't know was that there was a second one that had been corrupted years ago. But we're getting ahead of ourselves.


"About five years ago there were reports that spread out all over Trulane about the dead rising and mysterious figures being seen. Jump ahead to three years ago and the first member of the living dead appears in the villages outside of the first wall. Of course there are the usual noon wraiths and what not that you expect from areas after a while, but a a fresh living corpse was a sight to see nonetheless. Jump ahead six months from there and the sightings randomly stop. Last year there were sightings of several dark masked figures moving about the first burg near the entrances to Old Town. That was around midsummer last year, and from then to now we have had several outbreaks of the dead being raised. These continued until we were called in last fall, luckily before Samhein. We managed to cremate the remains of the recently deceased before Hel could have a field day, and the coven disappeared. From that point to last night there have been multiple kidnappings, all of them younger kids ranging twelve to sixteen, and all of them virgins. Their bodies haven't been found, but we can only guess as to what is coming. That is why Rorik sent out the call for help, and Aric vouched for both of you. Judging from what Lord Rasrik has said as well, I think you two can help us."


The captain of the guard cleared his throat. "We have assembled a team and have been training them for some time now. Our scouts have reported that the coven has sacked up in Old Town, closer to the ley line and opening up the ability to work unseen. Or mages have reported that the performed a welcoming ritual on Samhein, and that if we do not act now something terrible could be unleashed. We can't make this any more clear. We need your help with clearing out Old Town."


Rorik waved his hand. "I am willing to offer a substantial reward for your services, and I am taking care of the expenses while you are here. All I ask in return is that you would help us. There have been others that have answered our cry for help and they should begin to arrive within a matter of hours, the latest tomorrow. Our plan is to raid Old Town in three days. What say you?"


Dayn looked over to Arryn. "What'll it be love? I say we yes."

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn looked to Dayn and nodded. A team... it had been a while since she'd worked with a team on a raid. She wanted to meet these people, know their styles and weapons preferences, talk with any mages and healers, work out a good solid plan. If the team was good and their numbers were in the perfect median - not too few, not too many - then they could easily go in two days. She had to remind herself that she wasn't leading this mission - she was just a part of it. That didn't stop her from asking, "How many are expected to be on the raid?"

 

[BookWyrm]

"We have a full garrison(20) from the guard prepared.", the guard captain began. "On top of that we have six rangers that have been using guerrilla tactics since they found the coven's lair. We have two battle mages, and then you two."


"No more inquisitors?"


"No. Unlike what most people believe, we prefer to work alone. We are only deployed in force when the situation is most dire."

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn nodded, then glanced at Dayn, then back to Rorick. “I assume that you have a plan for contacting us. If there is a practice run or planning for the event itself, we are, of course, available. At the moment though, I need to purchase a few items for our weaponry - bolts and regents and the like, as well as more bandaging - since I assume I will be playing the role as healer in addition to fighting.” She didn’t trust the inquisitor. Likely the fact that he seemed to know more about her than she liked. What if he knew too much about her past? It didn’t seem out of his reach - then another thought occurred to her. What if Dayn wolfed out during the fight? There’d be no hesitancy in killing him.

 

[BookWyrm]

"You will have time to prepare. Outside of our gathered strength we are still awaiting two more to arrive. We are going to meet tomorrow around midday with the entire team to cover the raid in detail.", the inquisitor explained. Dayn was suspicious of him as well, though so far he seemed like more of the reasonable variety instead of the fanatical. "Is there anything else for tonight? If not we would like some time to acquire any goods that we will need and rest, we have been traveling almost non stop since we left Riverbend."


Rorik nodded as he stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Yes, that is all for tonight. As promised I have provided accommodations for you at the Sitting Rock, hand them this ledger and they will understand."


Dayn took the rolled parchment and thanked Rorik before turning and leaving the room with Arryn. "I'm not the biggest fan of that inquisitor.", he finally whispered when they were out of ear shot.

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn nodded almost imperceptibly, showing her agreement. She got the idea that he was the kind who thought of all people as puzzles: figure out enough facts, and you can figure everything else out. She put her hood up again as they exited, and took his hand once they were out of the Inquisitor’s sight. Mentally she took note not to do anything that might pique that Inquisitor’s interest; they were allies now, but what about after? If he thought Dayn was a lycanthrope… that would cause major problems. She gently rubbed his hand with her thumb and smiled up at him. “I need a few regents to make more of those holy poisons, and I need more silver bolts for my crossbows. Mind takin’ me for a stroll through the markets?” She smiled, then paused and asked, “Why does everyone keep calling me ‘Lady’? I mean… is that a culture thing around here?”

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn grimaced at the mention of the silver bolts, but he knew they would need them. "To a degree yes. It is a sign that they respect you." Dayn stopped in the street before turning to face her, taking her hands in his. "One day, though, if I have my way, I would like it to be a formal title, not just a courtesy." Dayn smiled as he leaned in to kiss Arryn, hoping that she would understand what he meant.

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn looked at Dayn with wide eyes before he kissed her and she closed her eyes, kissing him back, putting her arms around his neck. This wasn’t a proposal, of course - if it was, it was some queer Southern form that she didn’t understand. At the moment though, she was too busy passionately kissing him to care. When they separated, she quietly said with a smile, “I think I would...like that. But perhaps we should clear my name first.”

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn held her close to him, dying to make the moment linger on as long as possible. Of course it wasn't a proposal, not by a long shot. Dayn knew that when he was going to do that he would make it worth her while. No this was something different. He wasn't even sure why he had said it, but he sure didn't regret it. Dayn smiled as he gently traced his finger along her cheek and down her jaw. "That is a reasonable request." Dayn leaned in and kissed Arryn, his hand gently tracing down her back as their lips locked against each other. After savoring the kiss Dayn slowly pulled back and whispered, "Maybe we should head to the markets? Other wise I fear we'll spend the whole night here."