AA3 17 - Journey II (Patreon)

The second day proved to be as uneventful as the first, with the caravan making slow but steady progress north as the day wore on.

There were bouts of activity among the outriders every now and then as something was sighted or tracks were found, but whatever the issue was, it was dealt with by the time the caravan rolled past.

Another old outpost was waiting for them as the sun began to drift down in the sky. They had a few more hours of daylight left, but Verdan would much rather rest in an outpost than make a few more miles of distance.

The caravan rolled in and set up as before, but this time, there was an air of tense anticipation throughout the camp, and there were more people on watch than last time.

Kai went on a patrol around the outpost once they were set up and returned with a concerned expression. “Something’s happened, but no one is talking about it.”

“The whole camp seems tense,” Verdan nodded, eyeing the nearby Kranjir. “No one is walking alone. Do you think they intend to betray us, or has there been an attack?”

Verdan didn’t think that the Kranjir would turn on them, but with all of the caravan acting strange, it was a question that had to be asked.

Kai grunted softly as he considered Verdan’s question before eventually shaking his head. “No, they seemed more concerned with doing their job than watching me. I’ve seen no sign of an attack either. Perhaps we should talk to the Keeper?”

“Agreed, we need answers one way or another. See if Gwen wants to come as well, and let Barb and Hedda know to be on guard.”

Kai nodded and headed off to where the others were finishing off the camp, returning with Gwen a few moments later.

“I’m glad I wasn’t imagining things,” Gwen said as the two of them came over to join Verdan. “Kai says we’re going to talk to the Keeper?”

Verdan nodded and started towards the centre of where the Kranjir were setting up. “Hopefully, he knows what’s going on and will share.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to send Barb or Hedda in?”

“Maybe, but I’d like to keep them out of things for now. This will be a good test of how much the Keeper will share with us.”

Gwen nodded slightly, a look of understanding in her eyes. “Let’s see what happens then.”

The three of them carried on toward the larger tent where Verdan assumed the Keeper would be staying, pausing at the entrance as Jarn moved into their path.

The Chosen was a large and powerfully built man, giving him an imposing look even before considering the armour and weaponry he carried.

“Chosen,” Verdan greeted the Kranjir with a slight nod. “We were looking to speak with the Keeper.”

“Is there a problem?” Jarn asked, grounding the butt of his two-handed hammer between his feet as he stared at Verdan.

“I could ask you the same question,” Gwen answered before Verdan could say anything, the Storm Witch’s eyes narrowing as she took in Jarn’s posture.

“We can see that something is happening. I simply want to understand what’s going on and see if there is some way we can assist.” Verdan interjected quickly, giving Gwen a glance and making a motion for her to keep her calm.

The last thing they needed was more tension between them and the Kranjir.

“We don’t need your help, so you can go back and work your fancy magic in private,” Jarn said in a low tone, a hint of a growl creeping in.

“Jarn!” Ciaran’s voice cracked through the air as he came out of the tent and fixed the other Chosen with a piercing gaze. “Let them pass; the Keeper wants to talk to them.”

“Understood,” Jarn curled his lip at Verdan before hefting his hammer up and stalking away without another word.

Ciaran waved them forward and into the tent but stopped Verdan as he went to step past him. “This is exactly the problem, you will draw trouble to you for every moment you travel with us. Please, reconsider.”

“Thank you for your concern, but I am fine right where I am,” Verdan said stiffly, fighting down the urge to give Ciaran a more pointed response.

Ciaran scoffed but stepped aside, leading the way into the large tent and ignoring Kai’s glare as he walked over to his father.

“Ah, Verdan, welcome,” Keeper Macstan said, looking up from a table where a large map of the area had been spread out. "I was just asking your companions how their travel has been so far.”

“With respect, Keeper, I think such questions should wait for after our discussion,” Verdan said, gesturing out at the camp around them. “Something is clearly going on, and Chosen Jarn’s reaction only reinforces that.”

“Yes, an unfortunate encounter from what we heard. I apologise for his behaviour, though I lack any way to change it.”

“Are you not the leader of the caravan?” Kai challenged the Keeper, his eyes narrowing at the other man’s words.

“Yes, but I have no authority over the Chosen. The political structure of the Clans is not important right now, though. What matters is that our outriders went ahead to make contact with an unaligned village that was nearby. Unfortunately, the village has been destroyed, and many of the villagers perished along with it.”

“How many were lost?” Verdan asked with a sinking feeling.

“Almost fifty bodies were found,” Ciaran said with a grim expression and a haunted look in his eyes. “For a village this size, that will be almost half of everyone that lived there.”

“Were there tracks for either the attackers or survivors?” Kai asked, all trace of his suspicion gone as he focused on the task at hand.

“This is the difficult part,” the Keeper said heavily before nodding to Ciaran.

“My people saw signs that there were two dozen attackers, at least, and that when they left, they were dragging a large number of things. Combined with the lack of tracks for survivors, we think they took the survivors with them.”

“Any clue as to what these attackers were?” Verdan asked, closing his eyes as he whispered a silent prayer for the survivors.

“The trackers were unsure; they said the tracks were confusing and varied heavily between whatever these things were.”

“Which brings us to our problem,” Sebastian said, drawing their attention back to him. “We have two dozen lightly armed skirmishers, who act as our outriders, and a dozen trained warriors ready for combat, as well as two Chosen. Enough to protect and ward the caravan, but not enough to also launch a rescue mission.”

Verdan nodded, inwardly pleased that Sebastian was thinking of attempting a rescue and not simply riding on. “I see, which is where we come in.”

“Exactly,” Sebastian said with a tight smile. “You and your companions are powerful combatants in your own right and may be enough to tip the scales in our favour.”

“Jarn and I will both be going, as will our best fighters and the trackers, with the rest of the guards staying here. We do not need any assistance; they will be best used to help protect the camp.”

“What if you encounter some sort of magic user?” Verdan asked, raising a brow in Ciaran’s direction.

“Then we deal with it,” Ciaran said flatly as he stared defiantly at Verdan. “We are the Chosen of the Clan.”

“You are acting like a fool,” Kai’s voice cut through the tense silence following Ciaran’s declaration. “This isn’t about you, and it isn’t about your pride. How long ago were those people killed? How much time do they have left?”

“Within the last two days, and we have no way of knowing,” Sebastian answered for his son, holding up a hand to forestall Ciaran’s answer.

“Then we should leave as soon as we can and take as much strength as we can without compromising the outpost here. Anything less invites failure, and that means the potential death of innocents.”

Ciaran’s eyes narrowed before closing as the Chosen took a steadying breath. “You are right, thank you. Any assistance you can provide while also keeping the caravan safe would be most welcome.”

“Verdan and I will go, as will Barb,” Kai said confidently, not needing to look to Verdan for his opinion. Turning to the Witch at his side, the Sorcerer continued in a softer tone. “Gwen?”

“I want to come, but you were right about protecting the caravan. If something with magic attacks while you’re gone, it will be difficult.”

“Please, do not think we are entirely without our protections. We have not survived this long by accident,” Sebastian interjected with a frown.

“Apologies, I meant only that having either Verdan or myself here would make defending against such an attack easier,” Gwen said, which seemed enough to mollify the Keeper.

“So, Kai, Barb and I go with them while you and Hedda stay here?” Verdan asked, already considering a few methods to help protect the rescue group.

“Not quite. I think Hedda should go with you,” Gwen said, lifting a finger as Verdan started to answer. “Her magic is best used offensively, and we have a solid position here. She will do more good with you.”

“Very well,” Verdan conceded the point, knowing that Gwen was right. Looking back over to Sebastian, Verdan gestured away from the camp. “When will we set off?”

“Within the hour, the sooner, the better,” Sebastian said, looking between Verdan and Ciaran before nodding. “Ciaran, you will have command of the force, but I ask that you defer to the good Wizard for any questions regarding magic. Understood?”

“Yes, Keeper,” Ciaran straightened and gave his father a respectful nod before turning sharply and leaving the tent.

“I assume that you have no issue with this either?” Sebastian asked, looking over to Verdan questioningly.

“Not at all. We will be happy to work in support of the Chosen.” 

“Good, may Govannon bless your shields and temper your souls,” Sebastian said, raising his eyes upward as he uttered the prayer.

Verdan’s eyes went wide at the unexpected blessing, and he instinctively checked for any Exeon, but Sebastian seemed only to be a believer, not a Cleric.

Govannon was the God of Crafts and Will; he favoured those who dedicated themselves to a pursuit and worked hard to achieve it. An interesting God for the Keeper to pray to.

Putting it aside for the moment, Verdan, Kai and Gwen returned to their wagon, passing on what they had learned to Barb and Hedda.

There wasn’t much they could do to prepare themselves, but Verdan took a few minutes to apply a basic ward to the armour that Barb wore.

“Wizard, it is time,” Jarn called out as he approached their wagon. The big Chosen looked unhappy that they were joining but made no further comments as he led them to where Ciaran was gathering the rest of the rescue party at the gates.