AA3 24 - Gone (Patreon)

After a quick discussion, it was agreed that Barb and Hedda would begin to look for Witches while Kai and Verdan looked for the Keeper.

Padraig was their best contact within the caravan, and he was usually up to date on what was happening, so he was Verdan’s first stop.

“The Keeper is checking in with the elders of the village. He left only a minute or two ago in that direction.” Padraig pointed off down a curving path that led into the village proper.

Kranjir villages all had palisade walls, and all seemed to have the space available to house something like the caravan Verdan had joined. 

It usually seemed to put them at the far end of the village they were staying at, but Verdan imagined that was to keep their presence being too disruptive.

Thanking Padraig, Verdan followed his directions and went after the Keeper, Kai padding by his side.

A few villagers were out working, so they drew some attention as they walked through the village, though less than Verdan would have thought.

“They’re worried,” Verdan said softly to Kai. “I don’t think whatever is happening is a recent thing.”

“Agreed, otherwise there would be more panic.”

Verdan nodded, picking up on the same lack of immediate concern from the locals.

Sebastian was talking with a trio of older Kranjir when they found him. The Keeper had a serious expression tinged with worry, which only reinforced Verdan’s concerns about whatever was happening.

“Wizard Blake, Sorcerer Kai, this is Holder Shepden and his two advisors,” Sebastian said, introducing them as they approached. “I was discussing some local matters with the Holder. Is there something you need assistance with?”

“We were intending to offer our assistance. We can see that there is something amiss, and as our skills lie in different areas to your own, I hoped there could be some way we could assist.” Verdan phrased his offer as delicately as he could, not wanting to offend anyone.

“I hope you are not insinuating that Clan Thrain lacks the ability to take care of its own,” the Holder said angrily.

The Holder was an older, slender man with grey hair and a tired look to him that spoke of long years of bearing heavy responsibilities. He was wearing simple clothes but bore a carved crest on a chain around his neck, which Verdan guessed was a status symbol of some form.

The Holder’s two companions were of a similar age and were dressed the same way but lacked the carved crest, so Verdan mentally labelled them as advisers of some sort.

“Not at all,” Verdan said, considering his words carefully. “We have already worked with the Chosen of the caravan on the way here, so if it is a similar problem, I would offer to do so again.”

Verdan almost said something about minimising loss but realised how badly that could be misconstrued and bit his tongue at the last moment.

“Keeper?” The Holder turned to Sebastian with a curious look.

“The Wizard speaks truthfully. He aided our Chosen in driving away a Gormagyr and rescuing the captives I was speaking about.”

“I see,” the Holder said thoughtfully, giving Verdan a considering look.

“I don’t like it.” One of the two that Verdan thought were advisers spoke up, watching Verdan through narrowed eyes as they did. “What do you get out of assisting us? How do we know this isn’t part of some elaborate scheme?”

“Are you implying that the caravan I have led is in some way causing these problems?” Sebastian’s voice was soft, but the adviser paled and was quick to shake his head.

“No, no, of course not, Keeper. I merely think that we should question the motives of this person to understand more clearly.”

Sebastian gave the adviser a withering look before turning to Verdan questioningly. “Wizard Blacke, why exactly are you seeking to involve yourself here? Do you somehow believe we would be unable to succeed without you?”

“Not at all. I am sure that you have everything you need to do so. I simply wish to do my part. We’ve seen signs of tension and worry on the way here, and if I can act to reduce that, I believe that I should. I have imposed on the Keeper to bring me this far, and aiding others while repaying my debt to him would be a worthwhile cause.”

It was frustrating to Verdan that he had to justify why he wanted to help, but at the same time, he could understand their suspicion. The majority of Sorcerers that Verdan had encountered would either demand payment for aid or simply not realise there was an issue as it didn’t impact them directly.

“We shall welcome your aid,” the Holder said, cutting off his adviser before they could speak further. “The problem is a simple one, after all. Our people are going missing, and we believe the problem to be a Darjee hunting group that is ranging ahead of the war party. We’ve seen no sign of them, but neither have we seen the signs of any other monster that would steal people away.”

“Is it just this area or a wider issue?” Verdan asked, thinking back to the lack of travellers they’d seen in the last day or so of travel.

The Holder hesitated, his eyes flicking to Sebastian before he shook his head. “No, the whole area is suffering, though sporadically and never many at any one time. It’s why we believe there is a hunting party somewhere.”

“I will ask our Chosen to take a patrol through the area before we leave,” Sebastian said before looking over to Verdan and Kai. “Would you both be willing to accompany them?”

“Of course,” Verdan said firmly, knowing that Kai was just as ready to assist as he was.

“Thank you, Keeper. We all appreciate you delaying your travel for this,” the Holder said, giving Sebastian a respectful nod. “Thank you as well, Wizard. Anything you can do to assist will be gladly received.”

“I will return to the caravan and speak with the Chosen,” Sebastian said with the finality of someone ending a conversation. “Thank you for your time, Holder Corstan. May Govannon guide you through these troubles.”

“Govannon bless you, Keeper,” Holder Corstan said, giving Sebastian a slight bow before leaving them, his two advisers following behind him.

“If it were anyone else, I would assume you were meddling and trying to seek some benefit from this,” Sebastian said softly as the three began heading back to the caravan. “Using the debt to justify your actions was good. It is simply a shame that you had need to.”

“Is it so unbelievable that I would wish to help?” Verdan asked, lowering his voice to match Sebastian’s.

The Keeper was quiet for a long few moments as he considered his words. “It is not so much that it is unbelievable, more that there are political issues at the moment. One particular issue is regarding foreigners and our stance on how we traditionally deal with the world beyond the Clans.”

“I see, which is why you were so hesitant to bring me north with you,” Verdan said, nodding to himself as a few things began to make sense.

“My Clan are quite outspoken in favour of doing more,” Sebastian said, more or less confirming Verdan’s statement. “There will be many other Clans present in Glarn.”

“I see,” Verdan shared a look with Kai, picking up on what the Keeper didn’t seem willing to say directly.

“That is a problem for when we arrive. Let’s focus on the local issue,” Kai said, nodding to where they could see the Chosen and their followers assembling at the caravan.

“Agreed.” Verdan nodded, putting the matter to the side for now. He was already dreading the political nonsense that would be coming, but worrying about it wouldn’t make anything easier.

“Keeper, what news?” Ciaran called out as the three of them drew near, his eyes flicking between each of them with curiosity.

“The Holder believes a Darjee hunting party is in the area. The disappearances that we were aware of have spread, it seems. It may even be two or three smaller groups.” Sebastian explained, causing an angry mutter to rise from the assembled fighters.

“We will ride a patrol for them,” Ciaran said, Jarn grunting his assent.

“Indeed, but we must also make it to Glarn quickly. I’ve agreed with the Holder that you will ride a long patrol tomorrow. I can give you the morning to spend on it, but no more than that.”

“What if we split our forces?” Ciaran asked, clearly unhappy with such a short time frame.

“We can not risk the caravan being attacked and our cargo lost,” Sebastian said, his voice firm but sympathetic. 

“Yes, Keeper,” Ciaran said, visibly mastering his frustration before turning to the others. “Sleep well. We ride out at dawn to hunt!”

A chorus of hungry approval came back from the assembled Thearns before they dispersed into small groups.

As the gathering broke up, Ciaran walked over to the three of them and shared a look with his father before turning to Verdan. “Will you be joining us, Verdan?”

“I will, and so will Kai.” Verdan hesitated before deciding to reveal a bit more about his magic. “I can create a spell that will detect Darjee in the area as well. It won’t have a lot of range, but it may help if we are on a tight time frame.”

“That would be most useful,” Sebastian said, giving Verdan a contemplative look. “Is it restricted to just Darjee?”

“Yes and no. I can adjust to other creatures, but it requires some time,” Verdan said, not wanting to sign himself up for endless detection spells.

“I will assign Padraig and a few others to ride with you tomorrow,” Ciaran said, tapping his hand against his leg as he frowned in thought. “Jarn and I will lead two other groups, and we will spread out to cover more distance. If we can only do the one patrol, we will make it as thorough as we can.”

“I will leave it in your hands then,” Sebastian said, patting Ciaran on the shoulder before heading off into the camp that was being set up for the caravan. “All I ask is that you are all back by midday. Anything later than that, and we won’t make it to the next stop before dark.”

“Agreed,” Ciaran said with a nod before turning to Verdan and Kai. “Rest up. We’ll have a hard morning of riding ahead of us.”