Day 208: Threll...

Coqoj 34th, 4288: 208 Days in the Mortal Realm

Another intense day. I knew I didn’t want to linger any longer on Burne’s island. There was something about it that just felt weird. When I woke up and looked out of the cave we had stayed in, the whole island was a molten mass of cooling lava. It is a wonder to me how the cave was spared. I had to fly to spare my feet from being burned. Burne went with us to the area we had left the ornithopter.

All I could see that was left of the ornithopter was a sheet of glass. I felt bad for Carl. He didn’t deserve to die. I kicked myself mentally for not having gone back to Carl, to have asked Burne if he could have brought Carl to us. I shook my head and figured I wouldn’t linger on the misfortune of the ornithopter’s mechanic

As I pressed forward toward the ocean shore, I heard a sound behind me, like something growing, or a tree falling.. I looked and was surprised to see the ornithopter and tavern intact. Quickly I went to the front door and opened it up. Carl was sitting in a chair and was clearly startled by my sudden entrance.

“Woman, you surprise me,” Carl said, “You survive a bear attack and you survived the night in that lava flow.”

I ignored his confusion of my survival abilities and gave him a hug. It was short lived, I could feel Carl tense up as though I had touched him with ice. I quickly released him and adverted my eyes feeling somewhat embarrassed by my display of emotion. I was grateful he was alright.

“I didn’t know the ornithopter could merge with the ground,” I told Carl.

“What? No it can’t,” Carl retorted.

“But... a moment ago the building wasn’t here. I flew over the glass slick that was left behind.”

“I remember seeing you outside and was wondering why you passed on, but there hasn’t been any change here. I was actually contemplating trying to fly the ornithopter myself thinking you had gone off and got yourself killed.”

It stumped me how it was Carl survived. Maybe Burne had something to do with it. He seemed to be in charge of the earth and rocks on this island.

I made no further questions and informed Carl that we would take off immediately, taking it slow due to the broken windows. Before going up to the ornithopter, I looked out the door and waved good bye to Burne. He gave a small nod of the head before turning and walking off.

“You sure you don’t want to stick around and say ‘Hi’ to Jaroo?” Isaac asked.

“I’d rather not. I don’t know if we’ll be as fortunate to survive another volcanic eruption,” I said. It wasn’t that I thought Burne was trying to kill us, but something about him being the Keeper of the Mountain didn’t register as him having complete control of everything that happened.

Once at the controls of the ornithopter, I revved the engines and began our slow ascent into the sky. I barely pulled the lever down to avoid any issues we might have with having two windows out. It was a lot slower than I had hoped, but we lucked out. There was more land as we continued our zigzag navigation. We discovered it as the sun was beginning to get low in the sky. There was a clear town with a large port. The city was clearly outlined by a wall. I couldn’t recall any city on the coast of France, but we needed to make more fuel and repair the windows. If this wasn’t France, then hopefully we’d be able to rest a week, restock and what not and then head out again.

I landed the ship on one of the docks. When I came out we were introduced to the dock master. If we were to park our ornithopter there, we had to pay a fee. It was here that I quickly realized we weren’t in France. It costed 17 gold crowns. I tried to ask if a gold crown was equal to a gold coin, but the dock master laughed. I pursed my lips together and ducked back into the ornithopter.

“Carl, do you know how much a gold crown is worth?”

“Um, no. That’ doesn’t sound familiar.”

“Well, if we park the ornithopter here, we have to pay a docking fee of 17 gold crowns,” I explained.

“You know, Timmy and I would find an empty lot, park there, then I’d open show as a tavern. That’s how we avoided docking fees.”

It was a brilliant idea. Not the most honest of things, but at last when Isaac and I left to figure out where we were, Carl would be alright and have his business to keep him afloat.

So we took off, flew over the city, then landed between two buildings. Carl then instructs me to act like a customer. He kindly filled me a glass of water and soon people were wandering in. They seemed a little surprised by the new tavern, but no one seemed to question.

“Well Carl, this’ll probably be good bye. Isaac and I are going to take off. I’m hoping we’re close to home for me,” I said.

“Well, you’re welcome back here if ever you need,” Carl began before dropping his voice and whispering, “though that ghost friend of yours... you might want to lose him.”

I gave a polite smile and nodded my head. I had no intentions of losing Isaac. He protected me and I wasn’t about to sever that.

The streets of the city were cobbled and narrow. There was a section of city that opened up to a square. I’m pretty sure it was the town square. It dipped down in the middle to help rainwater drain into the sewers below. I asked a few people where I was at. They scoffed and rolled their eyes. After the 5th time of meeting the same response, I figured I wasn’t going to get anywhere with these folk.

I then directed my attention to finding an Inn for the night. I had no money, but I figured I might be able to work in exchange for a simple room. However after the 3rd concierge laughing in my face and declaring they didn’t offer charity work, I had decided to go back to the Roaring Rafters. I really didn’t want to rely on Carl, but hopefully be able to find work and then pay my own way to France. Yes, I was certain then that it wasn’t France though I hadn’t received any confirmation.

When I arrived back at the Roaring Rafters, I saw the closed sign was up. I knocked and received no answer. I knocked louder.

“Who is it?” I heard.

“Um, Carl?”

“Who?”

“I’m looking for Carl.”

“There’s no Carl here!” The person snapped.

I took a step back and looked at the building. It was too dark by this time and the glare from the lanterns made it difficult to see any distinct features of the ornithopter. I shook my head and decided I must have gone to the wrong building. So I went into an ally and began to get comfortable. I realized about then that I had left the bag of holding with all the food in it with Carl. I knew then it would be a long night.

A few minutes later there was a sound. Someone was talking, ordering people to move. I could see the lanterns and realized that there were Paladins. They were sweeping the alley, telling the others that were there that they had to leave the city. I furrowed my brow thinking it strange that were were going to kick the folks out for sleeping quietly in the alley.

Not wanting to cause trouble, I got up and walked with the other homeless folk. The Paladins were quite harsh in their order too. I could hear them cursing the lot of us, saying to take our penniless forms elsewhere. Ever so often someone got shoved too. Quickly I was beginning to feel rather pleased that we weren’t being allowed to stay. The town definitely hasn’t been pleasant, perhaps this was best that I left with the homeless.

There was another city glowing in the distance. As I walked with the homeless, I asked them what country I was in. There were some chuckles all around, but someone did speak up.

“Can’t you tell?” the folk said, “This is Threll.”

My heart skipped a beat. I would hope that in the dim torchlight we had to guide ourselves with I didn’t look too shocked. I remembered talk of Threll. This place was supposedly evil. My desire to leave the continent increased. I had traveled too far north! I needed to go farther east and somewhat south now!

Suddenly I realized amidst my thoughts that the group of homeless had stopped moving. They were all eyeing me.

“What a fine dress that is you have.”

“Why are you with us?”

“I bet that dress cost a fortune!”

“We could sell it.”

As soon as my ears picked up their murmurings, I took to the sky. They sounded desperate and I wasn’t about to be robbed of my clothing. If I had another pair, I’d happily given my dress to them to hash out and sell, but I didn’t and I wasn’t about to go around nude.

I called for Isaac, him manifesting next to me. I informed him we were going to go back into the city and make a better attempt to find Carl. We had to leave. He agreed that it’d be smart to leave Threll behind us. I landed in front of the gates to the city and saw that they were closed.

“Halt!” someone shouted. Isaac decided to disappear.

“We saw you! No point in hiding.”

“I’m... right here,” I said pretending I hadn’t noticed Isaac being with me.

“No, we saw someone with you,” they persisted.

“I was hoping to enter the city,” I said, ignoring their accusations

Just then I noticed a shimmer on the wall. It was a force field about 20 feet out.

“Ha! We see you there! Thought our walls were just made of stone and mortar did you?”

“Show yourself or we’ll attack!”

I looked about me. If Isaac wanted to show himself, I figured he would. I was going to stand my ground, determined to keep the act up. A wizard came to the wall a moment later when Isaac hadn’t appeared. I could see the guards discussing with the wizard, gesturing toward me. The wizard casted some spell (probably see invisible) and looked back at the guards with a shrug.

“Where has your companion gone!?” One of the guards spat at me, “He was there with you when you were walking back up here and we saw him press against the force field!”

“Dom, calm down. Miss, what business have you at such a late hour? Can’t you see the gates are closed?” the wizard called out.

“It’s 8 gold crowns to open it at this time of night,” came the response.

“Nevermind, I’ll just fly over.”

There were some chuckles and some mutterings. As I began to fly over the wall I saw a flash of green light. For a moment it startled me, but I continued through, intent on getting back to Carl and getting out of Threll. In the back of my head, I figured it was Isaac using his gloves of disintegrate.

“Hey!” Someone shouted, “Stop her!” A horn begins to sound to which I rolled my eyes. Were they seriously going to make a big deal out of this? I then felt something wrap around my legs. I could feel myself being jerked back the way I came. I landed on the wall with a thud and charged my hand with a fire bolt to defend myself.

Suddenly Isaac manifested. He made a horrible moan that had me, the wizard and the guards all frightened. The wizard and guards fled from what I remembered. In the moment all I could think about was Erythnul and that night I saw him in the form of Heinul.

Finally I got my wits back and thought it irked me that Isaac frightened me, I was grateful he dealt with the guards and wizard. As I stood up, I had to wonder where Isaac was. Suddenly the wizard walked out of the door on the wall. I bit my lips out of frustration.

“It’s me Araja,” the wizard said, “You know, Isaac.”

“Really?” I had no reason to not believe since I was sure the wizard couldn’t have known Isaac’s name.

“Yep. By the way, I found some interesting things. For example, isn’t this yours?” Isaac said pulling the robe the wizard was wearing down. I could see the fine chain links and the familiar design of the collar. My mouth gaped open as I realized who stood before me. This was the man who did this to me! It had to be! How else would he have had my mithril shirt!

“Hand that over now!” I demanded.

“Whoa, hang on Araja. Do you want to get into the city legally or illegally?”

“Legally of course.”

“Okay then. Lets first get the situation at hand dealt with. Then we’ll get you your items back.”

Yes! I thought. I was about to get my things back.

“I’m thinking I’ll say you’re an old time friend when the guards get back. Oh wait, here,” Isaac, handing a circlet to me. I greedily snatched it up and placed it upon my head. I felt my wings disappear and my hair grow long once more. How satisfying it felt to hide in my disguise once more.

“I’m thinking you should disguise like a guard.”

“I’ll try, but my dress might give me away,” I told Isaac. It was easier to disguise outfits in color or other minor details. But making a dress look like armor will be difficult to say the least. My movements won’t sound like armor and heaven forbid if I tripped on the stupid train tonight.

Isaac shrugged, not seeming to care. I did my best to give myself a masculine face, short hair and make my outfit look like the armor the guards were wearing. We then made our descent down the wall stairs and into the city.

As we get down, we could see the other guards still in a panic from Isaac’s moan. The Captain of the Guards was chastising them for their cowardice. He then pointed to us, exclaiming how the wizard fared better than them. The Captain then asked where the ‘culprits’ went. Isaac quickly told them that ‘we’ had gone the opposite direction on the wall. The Captain assures Isaac that they’d take care of them and took off with a group of guards that were just fine.

“I’m thinking we should get an Inn for the night and then find Carl in the morning when we can see where we are better,” Isaac suggested. It was late... so I opted for that. Carl probably would have been asleep anyways.

We walked into the Drop Inn. The concierge was asleep. Isaac marched up to him and announced that he wanted a room. The man sat straight up and blinked the sleepiness from his eyes.

“High Chancellor! Oh my, what brings you here tonight?” the man said out of shock.

“I need a room I said,” Isaac repeated. I found it interesting how well he owned up to the authority the person he was possessing had. I would have felt guilty and sure they’d see through what was happening.

The concierge looked from him to me.

“For the both of you?”

“What? No, he’s just escorting me,” Isaac lied, “Now about that room?”

“Oh yes, here,” the man handed Isaac a key, “It’s the suite. Um, on the house too. We are ever so grateful for your company!”

Isaac turned on his heals without giving a thanks. I followed him up the stairs and into the room. It was a grand room. A large bed with fine linen. A table with an assortment of fruits. A few sofas arranged around a smaller table. The curtains were drawn and the door had a lock.

“Well, since I’m escorting you, I best leave you. I’ll come back disguised and pretend to be a mistress,” I said. I really didn’t like the idea of pretending to be some prostitute, but hey, I figured that’d be a likely scenario if I were to stay the night in this room.

“Whoa, for reals?” Isaac asked almost too eagerly.

“It’d be just an act, so don’t be getting any ideas Isaac,” I said sternly.

“If you say so,” Isaac punctuated with a wink. I shook my head and smiled at Isaac. It was somewhat flattering, but I had more important things to think about. I wanted my mithril back and I was going to get answers from that Chancellor!

The concierge gave me a look as I came back down.

“What?” I asked.

“Oh nothing. It just seemed odd that the Chancellor had you guard him.”

“Hey, I don’t ask questions. I just do as I’m told,” I snapped, hoping I came off as a guard under orders.

“Yes yes, that is smart of you.”

I didn’t say anything else as I continued my way out. I went down an alley and examined it to be sure I was absolutely alone. I sensed for auras and only found my circlet and dress to be magical. I then grew out my hair, leaving it black, shrunk my height a little, and made my dress black with the opal adornments looking crystal like.

When I walked back in, the concierge once more was asleep. I thought about just going up the stairs unannounced, but I figured I’d play the part up. I walked up to the desk and placed my arms on it, resting my head on my right hand. I then noticed a bell on the desk to which I slammed my left hand on it to make a loud ring.

The concierge jumped to attention. Once he registered I was there, I pursed my lips and raised an eyebrow.

“Uh- H-how may I help you?” he sputtered.

“I was told the High Chancellor is expecting me. Which room is he in?”

The man cocked his head before his eyes lit up with realization..

“Oh- OH! Um, room three on the right,” he said without further questions.

I went up the stairs and knocked on the door. I saw the body of the Chancellor open it. Isaac gave me an impressed look to which I scowled.

“You’d look even nicer if you smiled,” Isaac commented. I dropped my current disguise to my usual one. I then looked at Isaac, surprised he’d be critiquing my attempts to look stunning.

“I’m not here to impress Isaac. Now hand over his gear,” I demanded.

“There’s the Araja I like,” Isaac said. He then pointed over to the bed that had many items on it. As I walked over I noted in my head how Isaac pointed out I was mean a few weeks back but now seemed to like me that way? I quickly shoved that thought aside since I didn’t care much what Isaac thought of me. It wasn’t like we could be together anyways... and I don’t like him that way.

The gear consisted of my mithril shirt, draconic and deflection rings, my belt of many pouches, gloves of storing, cloak, amulet, and the dagger! There was a bag of holding, short sword, two wands and some slippers, but I didn’t bother with them. I was grateful to put my items on me and feel the protection they gave me. I was especially grateful for my mithril shirt. It felt just as strong as I remembered it being. I checked the magics on it and sure enough it still could reflect a spell each day.

I looked back to Isaac who was sitting in a chair at the table. I somewhat regret what I did next. The dark thought of killing this man overtook me. He had cause Hell for me! I didn’t want to justify his innocence, clearly he was evil and he was going to pay!

The sheets on the bed I began to rent. Isaac seeing what I was up to pulled the chair closure to the bed and sat down again. I took the strips of sheets and firmly tied Isaac into place, taking special care on the hands and gagging him. Eventually I’d have to take the gag out for him to answer me, but hopefully Isaac will be able to instill such fear in him that he’ll be cooperative and not try to fight back.

After Isaac made a gallant effort to break free of the restraints and was unsuccessful, I gave him the cue to unpossess the Chancellor. Isaac came to stand next to me as we watched the wizard gag, muttering something about how foul cotton was and how only the finest of silks have touched him.

Finally the man’s eyes rested upon me and Isaac. He paled some.

“Now, here’s what I’m going to propose,” Isaac began, “We’ll happily take that gag from your mouth, but you if you so much as make a scream, I’ll destroy you.”

The Chancellor paled further and made no sound. I carefully undid his gag. After dropping the strip of cloth to the floor, I got in front of him and pointed to my mithril with one hand while holding the dagger in the other.

“Why did you poison me and take my thing?” I seethed at him. He furrowed his eyebrows questioningly.

“I did no such thing.”

“Then why did you have my things!” I snapped.

“When I got this job, they were given to me.” The man was being honest, I could tell from how confused he looked.

“Who gave them to you?”

“I shouldn’t say-”

“Tell me!” I demanded. The man jumped a little at my brashness.  

“It was Szen who gave me these things, saying they would protect me,” the man answered. I thought for a moment. Szen didn’t ring any bells for me, but I at least had a name now. “He travels around a lot. He’s probably not even in the country right now,” the Chancellor added.

“That might be... what do you know of Araja?” I asked.

“Who?”

Once more I could sense he was being honest.

“What does your position entail for you to do?” Isaac asked.

“Well, I’m just a battle wizard and at that I oversee all the other battle wizards on the wall. I also ensure that the laws are being upheld,” the Chancellor explained, “Our gracious King already has enough on his plate.”

“What’s keeping him busy?” I asked.

“Well, we’ve had dragons invading our lands, but thankfully the King had made a pact with many Red and Black dragons. When the Gold and Silver dragons came to our borders, we were able to fight them off.”

“Wait, your King is aligned with evil dragons?” I asked incredulously.

“Well... yes,” the man answered seeming confused by my shock, “Look, I don’t know who you are, but Black and Red dragons up hold our peoples ideals. So you can take your so called righteous self elsewhere.”

My thoughts raced. I laughed to myself for being surprised by Threll’s King aligning with Black and Red dragons. I suppose it should have been expected. Also, I had for a moment considered letting this man go, but the dark determination I had to kill him was renewed. If I let him go, he’s only report to Szen what has happened. That was the last thing I needed.

I turned toward the bed and picked up the sword sword.

“Whoa! You don’t need to resort to violence. Take everything I have if you must!” the Chancellor begged. My stomach knotted up. Make it quick, I told myself, One less evil person in the world would make for a better place.

I made it a point not to look the Chancellor in the eyes. I picked up the cloth from the floor and tied it back into place.

“Here,” Isaac said. He then went into the wizard’s body and possessed him.

“I’m leaving the gag in to muffle any screams,” I told Isaac.

“What!” Isaac shouted, though muffled. He tried to jerk out of the chair, but I was pleased that my restrains held true. I then stabbed the Chancellor, Isaac letting out a muffled cry.

Isaac came out of the Chancellor’s body to which gagging and sobs sounded.

“Are you trying to kill him?” Isaac asked.

“Yes. What did you think I was trying to do? We can’t leave a loose end,” I explained.

“Well lets stop him from talking,” Isaac said. He reached over and touched the wizard. Soon all sound stopped. I made another attempt to stab the man. He still was breathing and didn’t show any sign of dieing. Granted there was a lot of blood, but as I looked, I could see his wounds healing. In a panic I stabbed him again... and again. I finally slit his throat but was shocked at how quickly it healed.

The Chancellor moaned.

“That’s weird,” Isaac said.

“You think!?” I snapped in a whisper, “Something’s healing him!” I could feel my hysterics rising.

“I took all the magic items on him off. Oh! Stand back Araja,” Isaac said. I took a few steps back, almost slipping on the pool of blood that had become a 5 ft puddle.

Isaac pointed a finger at the wizard to which a green light shot out. The Chancellor disappeared, that is all except a piece of flesh that was about a foot in size. It looked to be some sort of tattoo. It wasn’t the mark thankfully. Yet something curious happened. The flesh began to grow. We watched it begin to take the form of a man. Isaac then zapped it again with his disintegration spell. Once more all that remained was the fleshy part of the tattoo.

While Isaac zapped it a few more times, I figured I knew how to destroy it. I grabbed the dagger and told Isaac to hold off on his spell. I then stabbed the bit of flesh with the tattoo. The regeneration of skin stopped. Isaac then beamed the flesh again, barely missing me, and the this time the flesh and tattoo was gone.

I’m still feeling a bit shakened from how horrible that experience was. I thought killing evil people would be easier. Yet I’m worried I’ll end up a cold hearted murderer. I’ve already killed and harmed a criminal amount of good people... I guess I just don’t want my nightmares to become true... I don’t want to be the evil one. I don’t want people living in fear of me.

Anyways, I’ll be staying the night in this room, even though the blood everywhere is disturbing. I’ve already washed my hands, face, and the dress, but I still feel icky. Hopefully some sleep will help me feel better about what had happened.