Law War: Chapter 5

Law War

Chapter 5

World 1141, Designation “Meridocia”
Angio
Any Ports Brothel
Evening

Eylen and Kameran were in one of the bedrooms in the brothel. It was not a bad looking room. The beds and floor were made of dark mahogany and the bedspreads were maroon with red highlights. A window faced out over the ocean.

Kameran slept while Eylen kept watch. She remembered how the group was almost dead on their feet before Fraenk flagged down a stagecoach heading into town. Tefgir did not like owing strangers money but Fraenk said he would take care of that.

Someone discreetly knocked on the door and Eylen took a quick glance at Kameran before opening the door.

A blonde young woman wearing a short dress stood outside. She bowed before she introducing herself.

“I am Lamia and the Madam wishes for the pleasure of your company at her dinner table,” Lamia said with a smile.

Before Eylen could reply, Lamia continued.

“Don't worry about cleaning up, we will provide something for your hands. I will wait while you wake the other guest,” Lamia said with another smile.

Eylen went back into the room and went to shake Kameran awake gently. The sleeping team member flinched from Eylen's light touch.

“Don't touch me!” Kameran said with anger.

“Fine. We are needed downstairs,” Eylen said and turned away from Kameran. Eylen walked to the hallway thinking how several years on a dead planet had definitely eroded Kameran's social skills.

She stood in the hallway with Lamia. After a few seconds, a yawning Kameran appeared at the door.

Lamia said, “Follow me.”

They followed Lamia through the maze of stairs and rooms. Eylen wished she could keep track of the many twists and turns but the exhaustion from spellcasting and walking weighed heavily on her. Keeping her eyes open was enough work.

After what seemed to be an hour of walking about they arrived at their host's dining room.

The room had a similar color scheme like the bedrooms except maroon was switched with a darker red color. Several paintings covered the walls and the dining area was well lit by candles. The black table was covered with silver bowls and beige towels.

At the head of the table was a woman with glossy dark hair and brown eyes. She smiled at her new guests. Fraenk sat on her right and on her left was Tefgir.

“Come sit and wash your hands. We have a young night to discuss our plans. I am Amylia Dirocensia,”  Amylia said and pointed to a seat next to Fraenk.  

Kameran walked up to the table and took a seat next to Fraenk. Eylen sat next to Tefgir. She peered into the bowl in front of her. It was filled with an aromatic pink liquid.

Eylen looked up to see Kameran daintily stick her hand into the bowl and wipe it off with a towel. Eylen followed Kameran's example. This hand towel is softer than many bedsheets I have slept on, Eylen thought.

“My second cousin, Fraenk has told me about what happened to Ceslia. The relationship between Ceslia and Angio was not the most friendly but I shudder to think what will become of that poor town now. A new cult has arisen to plague the northern city states. It is called, The Tenders of the Sorrowful Flame.

What I have been able to hear about this cult is very disturbing. Unlike other cults that try to convert everyone, this one just recruits quietly. Also, they do not seem to be very moral or should I say they do worship something. It seems to be that gold is important to them. I have heard that most of the northern states except Zivgna, has problems with the cult,” Amylia explained.

“Zivgna?” Fraenk asked with surprise.

“Yes, Zivgna, where your family holdings are. Do you plan to visit your family?” Amylia asked.

Fraenk looked away from Amylia's direct gaze.

“No. I will not be going home. Is this where the cult is coming from?” Fraenk asked.

“Yes.

Stubborn, proud Ceslia refused to pay and look what happened to it. Angio on the other hand, paid up. Of course gold was always the religion here but there are those that wish not to do any more payments. I also have misgivings about this cult. Anyone who is capable of burning an entire town to the ground is probably not very close to being sane.

If you need a place to stay for a bit, you can stay here,” Amylia offered.

“Thank you for the kind offer, I would like to stay overnight and then take care of my affairs tomorrow. We have been traveling a while and could use a small amount of food and more rest,”  Fraenk replied.

Amylia nodded yes and gestured. Servants came in with covered dishes. Eylen stifled a yawn and hoped no one could hear her empty stomach.

The meal started with a salted cod soup, then it continued with a pork and noodles main course with sliced vegetables. Everything was quite tasty. Dessert was a lime ice sorbet. Eylen did not make too much small talk, her attention was on the food. It had been a while since she had eaten.

Fraenk and Amylia did most of the talking as they caught up on each other's affairs. Kameran and Tefgir just focused on eating too.

Amylia bade everyone a good night and Lamia led them up to their rooms. While they were traversing the different hallways, Eylen asked her a question. Maybe a good conversation would stop me from yawning?

“Lamia is the name of a mythological creature, is that your real name?” Eylen asked while admiring some of the artwork on the walls.

“Lamia is my name while I work here, Mistress Dirocensia likes to give her special servants fanciful names so the guests feel more at ease,” Lamia replied with a smile.

Finally, they were at their rooms.

Kameran stopped and turned to Eylen. “I am sorry that I snapped at you earlier, I am just not used to being with people. Can we talk a bit?”

Eylen wondered about Kameran's request. “Yes, sure.”

They went into Kameran's room. Kameran sat on the bed while Eylen sat in a chair facing her.

“I do not like Tefgir, he should have let me die but I guess I should be thankful. You have to know that my relationship with Hamlin Morris was... complicated,” Kameran gazed at Eylen while she remembered the fights and the making up.

Eylen looked back at Kameran. ”I saw people being changed by Law into crystals that forever sing a certain note. I hope your “complicated” does not interfere with the mission.”

Kameran looked away. Eylen yawned.

“Good night,” Eylen said around another yawn.

Eylen went down the hall and crawled into bed. It has been a long time since I have been in any relationship, Eylen thought. To her, it seemed like there would be very little chance to start one, work seemed to get in the way all the time. With that sad thought, sleep took her away. Tomorrow would bring its own affairs to deal with.


World 1141, Designation “Meridocia”
Road to  Zivgna
Carriage
Late Morning

Eylen looked out the window of the carriage and saw the dark trees roll by. Earlier in the morning, they had been awoken by servants, given a traveler's bun and put on a carriage heading to Zivgna.

“Why are we heading straight to Zivgna and not stopping by an Org local station?” Kameran asked with some anger.

Tefgir and Fraenk exchanged a look. Eylen was not interested in this squabble and she did not want to get crumbs all over her clothing. The bun was tasty but it was very crumbly. Kameran was not so lucky, crumbs dotted her lap like stars.

“We do not have time for extra paperwork, its best to get to Zivgna as soon as possible so we can continue with our mission,” Fraenk replied with a bit of annoyance in his voice.

“If we had stopped at an Org station, we could get info on what is going on in Zivgna, instead of going there blind,” Kameran replied while brushing the crumbs off of her clothes.

Fraenk and Tefgir eyed her with distaste. Eylen watched with growing amusement.
Beneath her high spirits, there was some concern about Fraenk's desire to rush north without intel on the status of Zivgna.

“We are not ignorant of the situation there. My cousin has told us what she knows of the area. We will be safe as long as we do not interfere in the cult's affairs,” Fraenk replied.

“Please stop that!” Tefgir said as Kameran's crumbs seemed to be heading his way.

“Yeah, he has no idea what is going on up there. The Org knows even less. Be careful and alert,”  I'xazula whispered to Eylen from inside the necklace.

Eylen slowly and carefully nibbled away at her breakfast so she would not get involved in a nasty mage fight. Kameran seemed to have gotten Fraenk and Tefgir mad at her. After a half hour, the tasty but messy buns were eaten and tempers cooled.

Late Afternoon
Lecino

It was late afternoon and the setting sun painted the town of Lecino red. The exhausted horses pulled the carriage up to the Sheltering Arms Inn. Eylen saw a crippled child with a crutch staring into the sun with a peaceful smile. It seemed that he looked at Eylen and winked. Then the strange child hobbled away behind the inn. She was almost as tired as the horses. Hours of just sitting on a jostling carriage just wore her out.

“As soon as we get some food, we should head to Rosagone!” Fraenk pushed.

“Why are you rushing this? We should go during the day and when we are fully rested,” Tefgir suggested forcefully.

Eylen looked at Kameran. She just shrugged. After a few minutes of back and forward between Tefgir and Fraenk, they decided to get a room so the affair could be sorted out.

When the group entered the inn, Fraenk rented a room and arranged for some food and drinks to be brought up. Nothing alcoholic, just water or grape juice. Eylen was not comfortable getting drunk so close to enemy territory. When the mission was over or they were in a safe place, then she would indulge.

The room just had one bed, it was not as good as the bedroom in the brothel. The furniture looked scuffed but everything was clean. Eylen was quite sure in her tired state, the sheets will feel soft enough.

Tefgir and Kameran sat on the bed, Eylen sat in a chair while Fraenk paced back and forward with nervous energy.

“When we are rested, we need to get to Rosagone!” Fraenk urged.

“What's in Rosagone?” Kameran asked.

“I am hoping to either talk to her mother or at least her while I am there,”  Fraenk said and looked away.

Eylen could sense that coming back home like this was making Fraenk nervous.

“Fine, but we can't just go rushing around in a possibly dangerous area. Lets move out in the morning,” Tefgir suggested.

“No! No! If we wait too long we will be too late!”  Fraenk replied while his hands clenched into fists.

“I have to agree with Tefgir, we should take some time and scout out the area,” Kameran suggested.

Eylen just watched, she had a feeling that something was coming. Was it good or evil, she did not know.

Someone knocked lightly on the door.

“We can't sit around and take our sweet time! It might be too late. I think I will go by myself,” Fraenk said while he stomped back and forward.

He had a wild look in his eyes.

Someone knocked a bit louder. Eylen ignored the increased tension between Tefgir and Fraenk to open the door. The child she saw earlier was standing outside. He seemed even more grubbier now.

The child walked through the doorway while Eylen watched. She caught a quick glimpse of divinity off of the child. Kameran got a chair for the child. Elylen closed the door and went back to her seat.

“You can call me Francis,” Francis said with a smile and bow in his chair.

“What the hell? What is this kid doing here?”  Fraenk said forcefully while an unreasoning anger filled his heart.

He was going to say more when the kid touched him with his crutch. Fraenk collapsed onto the floor.

Eylen started to charge up a spell for attacking, she could sense Tefgir do the same.

“He will be OK. Listen to me carefully, I have important things to say. I know about your mission here and I want you to be successful,” Francis said.

Even though it was said in a child's voice there was something behind the words that gave them more power.

Fraenk woke up and shook his head. The rage or fury he was in was gone. He was filled with a degree of peace. He looked at the child.

“My apologies, Holy One,” He said in an awe filled voice.

Eylen stopped charging up her spell.

“Be at peace, Fraenk Haess. Be at peace all of you. Fraenk, do not blame yourself for what happened. You have acted honorably. Regina Desardo's path was a tough one. She really loved you but instead of letting you go, she obsessed about you.

You did not know or barely suspected that she is mage born like you. Such power is not ignored by those who serve Light or Darkness. The demon, Apyeron of the Burning Desires was attracted to Ms. Desardo. He worked hard to woo her and eventually she led a coven of other people with some mage powers,” Francis took a breath and waited a bit.

“No, not Regina! I should have stayed!” Fraenk screamed.

He looked at Francis.

“For a while she served her demon lord until she slowly realized that she was working for a demon. Finally, when Regina could not take any more foul deeds, she turned against her demon master and the coven. There was a great battle and Regina was defeated. Apyeron bound her soul to a tomb up in the mountains and using another vessel, he leads the coven,”  Francis stopped talking and looked at Fraenk.

“That means that Regina will be in Hell forever? Right?”  Fraenk asked quietly.

“No. Because she repented and fought the demon, she will go to the cavern of Umiol,” Francis said with a smile.

“Cavern of Umiol?” Kameran asked with curiosity.

“Hell is forever, the Black Plain of Tears is for a long time depending how wicked a person was. The Cavern is for the really wicked who finally repent. Its a dark cave filled with the burning tears and screams of the victims of the judged. There are Keepers that strike the judged too but the worst is the Scythes of Repentance. They are the blades of light that a truly repentant soul must hurt themselves with to eventually leave the cavern,” Fraenk explained.

“You are mostly correct, except that Hell is not forever. It will require a lot of effort to leave though,” Francis said.

“So much emotion for a woman that you no longer love?” Tefgir asked.

“We had a special relationship, if I had not been given a mission offworld, maybe things would be different,” Fraenk said sadly.

“Regina's tale is not quite over. Apyeron traded her to a Law creature. She serves Law unwillingly. Let me be clear. You must go through the cult and free Regina's soul from the tomb. Be careful, there might be more dangers there. I wish you well on your mission,”  Francis bowed and stood up. He hobbled to the door. Fraenk opened it and Francis left.

A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Fraenk opened the door and the innkeeper walked in with some bread, meat, cheese and drinks. Fraenk made arrangements for separate rooms.

After Eylen ate and drank enough, she went to her room. Tomorrow was going to be an eventful day. Before she went to sleep, she cast several wards for protection. Eylen just had a feeling that things were going to be hectic the next day. She had no idea how.