4Eyes
08-08-2002, 09:54 AM
Well, here it is then...the long awaited latest chapter in the MAS#2 story...hope you like it.
Chapter 12-2: The town outside time
By 4Eyes
The next morning dawned with a brilliant sunshine. Darkling climbed out of his tent and yawned once, then stretched. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and was surprised to see that Darius was already awake and astride Rage.
‘I thought you’d never wake up.’ Darius said.
‘Didn’t you sleep at all?’ Darkling asked, surprised. He still found the idea of travelling with the Necromancer strange, and couldn’t seem to get used to it.
‘Sleep? Why should I?’
‘Well, maybe because everyone does?’
‘Everyone except me.’ was the simple answer.
Seeing that this conversation wasn’t going anywhere, Darkling decided to wake up the others. He walked over to the other tents and began rousing them. One by one, the others appeared from their tents.
After they all had a quick breakfast, consisting of bread made by Dweeble and a healthy cup of Millicent’s milk, they started breaking up the camp in order to continue their trek.
Ilone and Darla were loading their supplies in the wagon, while Darkling and Harold were checking the horses.
Reldon approached the two men and took Darkling aside for a moment. ‘Where do we go now?’ he asked.
‘I don’t know. Why don’t you ask Darius? He said he knew where Orvellus’ Castle is located.’
‘All right, I’ll do that.’ Reldon said
As he approached the necromancer from behind, Darius suddenly spoke, without even turning. ‘What is it, Jester?’
‘Umm, you said you know how to find Orvellus’Castle?’ Reldon said, somewhat surprised that Darius knew he was approaching.
‘Yes, I do.’
‘So, where do we go?’ Reldon said, pulling out the map he had ‘borrowed’ from Harold.
‘You can put the map away again. The place where we are going isn’t on it.’ Darius said.
‘What do you mean?’
‘Just like I said. The place isn’t on the map.’
‘But why?’ Reldon asked, his curiosity piqued.
‘Why don’t we join the others, that way I only have to explain it once.’ Darius said.
- - -
It was about an hour later, and all the preparations had been made; they could leave at any time. As they all mounted, Darius spoke to them. ‘Listen up. The place we are going to travel to is a town called Trubad.’
Seeing Harold reach for his now ‘returned’ map, both he and Reldon said. ’Don’t bother with the map. You won’t find the town on it.’
The others looked at Darius in surprise. ‘Let me explain. The town of Trubad is located in the Windol Valley, which is right beside the Stormcrag Peak, on which Orvellus built his castle. He then cast a spell to hide the town and the castle from mortal eyes. Only the Dragon Gods, the Mage Adepts and those born in the town can find it. Once found, anyone who travels with someone who CAN find the town can see it.’
'So you mean to say that...' Reldon let the question hang.
'Yes. I was born in Trubad. Just minutes before Orvellus cast the most horrible spell one can imagine.'
'What kind of spell was that?' Darla asked from the rear of the group.
‘I might as well tell you, because if I don’t, you’ll all keep pestering me about it. He cast a Dweomer that made time ‘stop’ in such a way that the people in Trubad will live the same day over and over again. Every morning they wake up, go through their lives like any normal day, then go to bed again, only to wake up in the morning to relive the same day as before. The villagers don’t know what’s happening, because they forget everything they did the day before.’
Gasps were heard from all around as the true horror of the spell dawned on them. Aurora, once again perching on Loopy’s head, actually fell off in shocked surprise. Loopy stuck his paw out and catched the little fairy dragon before she could hit the ground.
Ilone was the first to speak. ‘But why would he do that?’
‘Because he’s mad. Genius, but mad. Orvellus wasn’t always mad, of course, otherwise he wouldn’t have become a Mage Adept. However, the solitude of his existence and the fact that he watched all his friends and loved ones die all around him drove him mad. He wanted to ‘stop death’ in a way, and that’s why he cast the spell, condemning the villagers to a fate worse than death.’
‘But why don’t they just leave?’ Dweeble asked.
‘They can’t. Even if they travel the entire day, they would still be under the effect of the spell when they retire for the night. The next morning, they wake up in their beds, not knowing they tried to leave the valley the day before.'
‘But if you were born there, how come you managed to leave?’ Reldon asked.
‘That is Mother Goody’s handiwork. She tried to stop Orvellus before he cast the spell, but without success. Instead, she snuck into the village and took me, only a little baby boy at the time, from my house. She had just left town when Orvellus began his spell.’
The silence that followed Darius’ explanation hung heavily in the air. After several minutes, Darius said ‘Don’t you think we ought to be going now? It will be at least three days of steady travel before we reach Trubad.’
- - -
Their journey was uneventful, and on the morning of the fourth day, they crested a hill and saw the town of Trubad, lying in the valley before them.
The town looked just like any other town, peaceful and serene. The red-tiled roofs, with their stone chimneys breathing out small puffs of smoke gave the town a homey atmosphere. As they rode down the hill into the town, the villagers looked up from their dayly tasks in surprise.
‘Let’s see if we can find an inn or tavern. We have almost depleted our supply of rations and I think a good healthy meal won’t hurt anyone.’ Darkling said. The others agreed and they rode on.
After perhaps two minutes, they heard a strange sound from a house on the left. As they neared, it became clear that someone was crying. At that sound, Darius stiffened in his saddle and looked about uneasily.
‘Shouldn’t we help whoever is crying so loudly?’ Darla asked.
‘What is the point?’ Darius said, a bit more sternly than he’d intended. ‘She’ll have forgotten your help come tomorrow, and she’ll just start crying again.’
‘I knew you were cold, but I hadn’t expected you to be this heartless.’ Darla accused.
‘Look, I just don’t want to go in there, all right?’ Darius said, a mixed expression of fear and pain on his face.
‘What can be so bad in there that has a man as powerful as you so afraid?’ Reldon said, noticing the look on Darius’ face.
Darius stiffened his shoulders and sat up straight in his saddle. ‘My mother.’ He whispered.
‘WHAT??’ Darla exclaimed. ‘But that should be all the more reason to go in there. Don’t you want to see her after all this time?’
‘No, I don’t. Don’t you understand? She’s been crying day after day for over 400 years now. Every morning she wakes up to find my crib empty and despair comes over her. And what for? Only because Mother Goody felt she had to take me away. My mother doesn’t know that I’ve grown up, let alone what I’ve become. I don’t want her to see me like this. She would never understand. I do not act out of coldheartedness, but rather the opposite. Now can we please move along?’
‘I’m sorry, I misunderstood you.’ Darla said, feeling somewhat ashamed. Perhaps there is more to that Necromancer I initially thought.
- - -
‘Excuse me, sir,’ Ilone asked the driver of an approaching ox-cart, ‘but could you please direct us to the nearest inn or tavern?’
The driver gruffly answered and told them where to go. Several minutes later, they all dismounted in front of the inn. ‘Why don’t you wait out here while we arrange our stay?’ Darkling said. Then he, Harold and Reldon entered the front door of the Inn, a sturdy building made of bricks and three stories high.
The innkeeper looked up from his desk in surprise. ‘Travelers...You are a rare sight. We don’t see many of your kind here. Tell me how I can be of assistance.’
‘Thank you, my good man. My name is Count Darkling Cole of Faraway, We would like rooms for our party, and a good meal for tonight. We’d also like to purchase lodgings for our horses, a cow, a mule and a dragon.
‘Uh, sir, Count Darkling, did you say a dragon?’ The Innkeeper's voice was skeptical. ‘You didn't say horses, a mule, a cow and a small dragon? I must have misheard. Could you have possibly said horses, a mule, a cow and a small wagon?’
‘Well, we have a wagon, too, actually, but no, I did say a dragon. It’s quite small, actually, slightly larger than a horse, and very gentle. A thick bed of straw in a regular horse stall will do him just fine for one night.’ Darkling said matter-of-factly, as if wanting to purchase lodgings for a dragon was something seen every day.
The innkeeper swallowed visibly, then said ‘Very well, sir. I will make the necessary preparations.’
‘Thank you, my good man, I believe these coins should easily cover your expenses.’ Darkling said as he slipped a small pouch over the table.
After the animals had been taken care of, and their belongings transported to their rooms, they all went into the common room for a nice meal and a good drink. They had all agreed on the plan to spend the night here, then begin their trek to the top of the Stormcrag Peak early the next morning. Weary from the long journey, they were glad they could relax for a bit. Their minds at ease, they didn’t expect any trouble. However, trouble would soon find them…
Let me know what you think,
4Eyes (Reldon Brimstone)
Chapter 12-2: The town outside time
By 4Eyes
The next morning dawned with a brilliant sunshine. Darkling climbed out of his tent and yawned once, then stretched. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and was surprised to see that Darius was already awake and astride Rage.
‘I thought you’d never wake up.’ Darius said.
‘Didn’t you sleep at all?’ Darkling asked, surprised. He still found the idea of travelling with the Necromancer strange, and couldn’t seem to get used to it.
‘Sleep? Why should I?’
‘Well, maybe because everyone does?’
‘Everyone except me.’ was the simple answer.
Seeing that this conversation wasn’t going anywhere, Darkling decided to wake up the others. He walked over to the other tents and began rousing them. One by one, the others appeared from their tents.
After they all had a quick breakfast, consisting of bread made by Dweeble and a healthy cup of Millicent’s milk, they started breaking up the camp in order to continue their trek.
Ilone and Darla were loading their supplies in the wagon, while Darkling and Harold were checking the horses.
Reldon approached the two men and took Darkling aside for a moment. ‘Where do we go now?’ he asked.
‘I don’t know. Why don’t you ask Darius? He said he knew where Orvellus’ Castle is located.’
‘All right, I’ll do that.’ Reldon said
As he approached the necromancer from behind, Darius suddenly spoke, without even turning. ‘What is it, Jester?’
‘Umm, you said you know how to find Orvellus’Castle?’ Reldon said, somewhat surprised that Darius knew he was approaching.
‘Yes, I do.’
‘So, where do we go?’ Reldon said, pulling out the map he had ‘borrowed’ from Harold.
‘You can put the map away again. The place where we are going isn’t on it.’ Darius said.
‘What do you mean?’
‘Just like I said. The place isn’t on the map.’
‘But why?’ Reldon asked, his curiosity piqued.
‘Why don’t we join the others, that way I only have to explain it once.’ Darius said.
- - -
It was about an hour later, and all the preparations had been made; they could leave at any time. As they all mounted, Darius spoke to them. ‘Listen up. The place we are going to travel to is a town called Trubad.’
Seeing Harold reach for his now ‘returned’ map, both he and Reldon said. ’Don’t bother with the map. You won’t find the town on it.’
The others looked at Darius in surprise. ‘Let me explain. The town of Trubad is located in the Windol Valley, which is right beside the Stormcrag Peak, on which Orvellus built his castle. He then cast a spell to hide the town and the castle from mortal eyes. Only the Dragon Gods, the Mage Adepts and those born in the town can find it. Once found, anyone who travels with someone who CAN find the town can see it.’
'So you mean to say that...' Reldon let the question hang.
'Yes. I was born in Trubad. Just minutes before Orvellus cast the most horrible spell one can imagine.'
'What kind of spell was that?' Darla asked from the rear of the group.
‘I might as well tell you, because if I don’t, you’ll all keep pestering me about it. He cast a Dweomer that made time ‘stop’ in such a way that the people in Trubad will live the same day over and over again. Every morning they wake up, go through their lives like any normal day, then go to bed again, only to wake up in the morning to relive the same day as before. The villagers don’t know what’s happening, because they forget everything they did the day before.’
Gasps were heard from all around as the true horror of the spell dawned on them. Aurora, once again perching on Loopy’s head, actually fell off in shocked surprise. Loopy stuck his paw out and catched the little fairy dragon before she could hit the ground.
Ilone was the first to speak. ‘But why would he do that?’
‘Because he’s mad. Genius, but mad. Orvellus wasn’t always mad, of course, otherwise he wouldn’t have become a Mage Adept. However, the solitude of his existence and the fact that he watched all his friends and loved ones die all around him drove him mad. He wanted to ‘stop death’ in a way, and that’s why he cast the spell, condemning the villagers to a fate worse than death.’
‘But why don’t they just leave?’ Dweeble asked.
‘They can’t. Even if they travel the entire day, they would still be under the effect of the spell when they retire for the night. The next morning, they wake up in their beds, not knowing they tried to leave the valley the day before.'
‘But if you were born there, how come you managed to leave?’ Reldon asked.
‘That is Mother Goody’s handiwork. She tried to stop Orvellus before he cast the spell, but without success. Instead, she snuck into the village and took me, only a little baby boy at the time, from my house. She had just left town when Orvellus began his spell.’
The silence that followed Darius’ explanation hung heavily in the air. After several minutes, Darius said ‘Don’t you think we ought to be going now? It will be at least three days of steady travel before we reach Trubad.’
- - -
Their journey was uneventful, and on the morning of the fourth day, they crested a hill and saw the town of Trubad, lying in the valley before them.
The town looked just like any other town, peaceful and serene. The red-tiled roofs, with their stone chimneys breathing out small puffs of smoke gave the town a homey atmosphere. As they rode down the hill into the town, the villagers looked up from their dayly tasks in surprise.
‘Let’s see if we can find an inn or tavern. We have almost depleted our supply of rations and I think a good healthy meal won’t hurt anyone.’ Darkling said. The others agreed and they rode on.
After perhaps two minutes, they heard a strange sound from a house on the left. As they neared, it became clear that someone was crying. At that sound, Darius stiffened in his saddle and looked about uneasily.
‘Shouldn’t we help whoever is crying so loudly?’ Darla asked.
‘What is the point?’ Darius said, a bit more sternly than he’d intended. ‘She’ll have forgotten your help come tomorrow, and she’ll just start crying again.’
‘I knew you were cold, but I hadn’t expected you to be this heartless.’ Darla accused.
‘Look, I just don’t want to go in there, all right?’ Darius said, a mixed expression of fear and pain on his face.
‘What can be so bad in there that has a man as powerful as you so afraid?’ Reldon said, noticing the look on Darius’ face.
Darius stiffened his shoulders and sat up straight in his saddle. ‘My mother.’ He whispered.
‘WHAT??’ Darla exclaimed. ‘But that should be all the more reason to go in there. Don’t you want to see her after all this time?’
‘No, I don’t. Don’t you understand? She’s been crying day after day for over 400 years now. Every morning she wakes up to find my crib empty and despair comes over her. And what for? Only because Mother Goody felt she had to take me away. My mother doesn’t know that I’ve grown up, let alone what I’ve become. I don’t want her to see me like this. She would never understand. I do not act out of coldheartedness, but rather the opposite. Now can we please move along?’
‘I’m sorry, I misunderstood you.’ Darla said, feeling somewhat ashamed. Perhaps there is more to that Necromancer I initially thought.
- - -
‘Excuse me, sir,’ Ilone asked the driver of an approaching ox-cart, ‘but could you please direct us to the nearest inn or tavern?’
The driver gruffly answered and told them where to go. Several minutes later, they all dismounted in front of the inn. ‘Why don’t you wait out here while we arrange our stay?’ Darkling said. Then he, Harold and Reldon entered the front door of the Inn, a sturdy building made of bricks and three stories high.
The innkeeper looked up from his desk in surprise. ‘Travelers...You are a rare sight. We don’t see many of your kind here. Tell me how I can be of assistance.’
‘Thank you, my good man. My name is Count Darkling Cole of Faraway, We would like rooms for our party, and a good meal for tonight. We’d also like to purchase lodgings for our horses, a cow, a mule and a dragon.
‘Uh, sir, Count Darkling, did you say a dragon?’ The Innkeeper's voice was skeptical. ‘You didn't say horses, a mule, a cow and a small dragon? I must have misheard. Could you have possibly said horses, a mule, a cow and a small wagon?’
‘Well, we have a wagon, too, actually, but no, I did say a dragon. It’s quite small, actually, slightly larger than a horse, and very gentle. A thick bed of straw in a regular horse stall will do him just fine for one night.’ Darkling said matter-of-factly, as if wanting to purchase lodgings for a dragon was something seen every day.
The innkeeper swallowed visibly, then said ‘Very well, sir. I will make the necessary preparations.’
‘Thank you, my good man, I believe these coins should easily cover your expenses.’ Darkling said as he slipped a small pouch over the table.
After the animals had been taken care of, and their belongings transported to their rooms, they all went into the common room for a nice meal and a good drink. They had all agreed on the plan to spend the night here, then begin their trek to the top of the Stormcrag Peak early the next morning. Weary from the long journey, they were glad they could relax for a bit. Their minds at ease, they didn’t expect any trouble. However, trouble would soon find them…
Let me know what you think,
4Eyes (Reldon Brimstone)