Fantasy Cursed Island

[Darkling0096]

"Well," Jalin raised an eyebrow, "We expected you would want to reclaim that stolen gold, so we packaged it for transport." But if they were just going to hand it over... "Emilia?" Jalin tapped his cane and headed for the treasure room to collect those other bags of gold.

"You'll have to excuse them," Turac apologized, "We've been having some financial issues lately. The banking system on this continent took resources we were not prepared for at the time."

 

[Fangs9090]

"Well, our only reason to reclaim it would be to return it to those who lost it, which is unfortunately not possible. So, instead it goes to those who provided a service to the kingdom. And we'll keep it separate from the bounty reward. The details of that will be settled back at the capital."

 

[Darkling0096]

"There is a bounty?" If Turac had known he could be paid for killing bandits, his hoard would have been so much bigger! He looked to Roy, "Did you know there was a bounty?"

 

[Fangs9090]

Roy shook his head. “I mean, I suspected they would be wanted, but I didn’t know for sure.”

Fitzroy spoke up. “Speak with the guard captain in the capital. He’ll handle the details and see that you’re paid accordingly.”

 

[Darkling0096]

"We'll get on that as soon as we're ready to travel," Turac nodded, calling to Siege on the battlements, "Get everyone together, we're moving out!"

"Got it!", Siege left it up to the ones in charge to figure out how they were going to get to their goals, she didn't know enough nor had the skills to figure that part out.

 

[Fangs9090]

Fitzroy looked at Nidia. “You said you’re a healer, yes?”

Nidia nodded. “Yes!”

He looked to the bandit leader. “Can you heal him so he won’t die on the walk back? Better that he live to face justice.”

“Will do!” Nidia pranced over to the bandit to work her magic.

 

[Darkling0096]

Around that time, Jalin and Emilia returned from the treasure room, having deposited all of the gold to sort out amongst the party later. Such fortune probably wouldn't be common, however, unless the dragonstones were guarded by actual dragons, so they would have to be smart about their spending.

"I assume you did not march an army to reclaim a fortress simply to banter with adventurers," Turac said after a bit, "What brings a prince to the front of such a small battle?"

 

[Fangs9090]

“Even the small battles are important. These bandits were a problem, so I chose to take it upon myself to resolve that.”

Roy blinked. “That’s it?”

Fitzroy smiled. “I’m not the type to sit on a throne and rule from afar. I’d rather see the state of the kingdom with my own eyes.”

 

[Darkling0096]

"Surely there are other matters that demand your attention more than simple bandits?", Turac pressed, "Our homeland is constantly dealing with border struggles that demand the momarch's attention to a greater degree than simple bandits can reach."

 

[Fangs9090]

“I may be crown prince, but my father is still king. Not everything is on my shoulders just yet. As for border struggles, Woodvale has always been peaceful. They’ve no interest in expanding, and neither do we.”

 

[Darkling0096]

Turac didn't look convinced, but he didn't know enough about this country's politics to dispute that.

"Well, the fortress has been taken," Jalin said, "And the bandits evicted by force," he nodded to the campfire. "Do you intend to stay at this fortress for long? It has proven to be in exceedingly poor condition for habitation."

 

[Fangs9090]

"I won't personally. I came to help take the fort, not to hold it. I trust our soldiers to handle that. Since the fortress is ours, I'll be heading back to the capital with the soldiers whose aid is also not required here. We'll send someone to make repairs."

 

[Darkling0096]

"I see," Jalin nodded, "Then we are heading in the same direction. I hope you won't refuse if we ask to travel with you?"

 

[Fangs9090]

Fitzroy smiled. "I was hoping we'd walk back together."

Roy gave a nod. "Sounds like a plan. Are we all ready to move?" He looked over at the others. Nidia, Emilia, and Katsuo all nodded.

 

[Darkling0096]

"We've got our stuff together," Siege said.

"We are prepared," Jalin agreed.

 

[Fangs9090]

The prince gave a nod. "Right. Then let us depart." He turned and started heading back, followed by the soldiers designated to return with him. A couple of them guided the bandit leader, once he was let down from the wall. Nidia hadn't given him the full healing treatment, so he could only just barely walk.

Roy waited a moment before following with his own group.

 

[Darkling0096]

As the group walked, Jalin occasionally tapped his cane, and frowned. By now, the group was familiar enough with him to know that that was his preferred method of sending out noise for echolocation, but he usually wasn't doing it this much.

"What's going on?", Siege asked after a bit. Jalin pointed with his cane.

"There is something there, but it keeps moving, and I cannot get a read on it." Jalin frowned again, "Can you see it?" There was nothing there, and Siege said as much.

 

[Fangs9090]

Katsuo looked around confirm. "There is nothing visible. Do you think we could be followed by something unseen?"

 

[Darkling0096]

"It's not hiding with magic," Roy and Siege had passive True Sight, courtesy of being half Shade, so whatever was hiding had to be using extremely strong camouflage.

"Is anyone here of the Paladin vocation?", Jalin asked.

 

[Fangs9090]

No one in the party was, and no one from the prince's soldiers spoke up either.

Roy looked at Jalin. "How long has it been following us?"

 

[Darkling0096]

"Damn," Jalin muttered, "I've only detected it in the last hour, but it may have been with us for much longer."

 

[Fangs9090]

"Well, we haven't been attacked yet, but let's stay alert."

 

[Darkling0096]

"Indeed," Jalin nodded, "I will keep watch..."

 

[Fangs9090]

Roy dipped his head. "Thank you."


After walking for some time, Nidia's mirror started receiving a call. She glanced down before picking it up to answer it. She blinked in surprise as Raine appeared. "Oh, hello."

"Hi. Is Roy there?"

"Ah, yeah." Nidia looked over at Roy before handing him the mirror.

"Hello, Raine."

"Hey. So Asta asked me yesterday to check Turac's lake, and a found an old hole where Shuffle must have dug her way out. Jerry said that if she hasn't shown up by morning, I should call you. Well, it's morning, and there's still no sign of her."

 

[Darkling0096]

"What?", Turac's head appeared behind Roy's as he looked into the mirror, "How did she get out? I froze her solid!"