laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

After a long boat trip west along the Yaro River and south and west on the Ocu, the group arrived in the capitol of Baden. Nestled in the foothills of the Aran Mountain Range and cradled on the east flowing Ocu, the city boasted all the wealth of a kingdom based on mining and agriculture. Not only could the king be proud of anchoring the southwestern corner of the Astaran Empire, but he also had become friends with the elven kingdom of Tywyn to his northwest.

Kailee gladly jogged down the gangway from the Haguenau, the vessel that they had been cooped up on for what seemed like an eternity as its crew tied off the merchantman.

"You act like you disliked the ride," Tia chided as she joined her.

Kailee turned to eye her friend as Alister began leading the horses out of the hold. "What gave you that idea?"

"Your face is regaining its color, for one," the raven haired beauty stated, smiling. "Don't fear, you weren't the only one. Now all we have to do is find this merchant and get the necklace back, if he even has it."

Kailee watched and eyed the crowd of sailors, dockworkers and merchants and their wagons being loaded or unloaded as they waited for the wagon and the rest of their things to be disgorged. They looked quite the same as the people in the kingdom of Davos, not that she was expecting different. All the things that she had been learning about this large world since being freed had been an overwhelming experience. Sleek white birds glided overhead and screeched as some divebombed unsuspecting individuals holding food in their hand, successfully stealing a morsel for themselves and quickly escaping the angry victim.

"Kailee," Avion soon called, gaining her attention from the driver's seat of the wagon. "You coming?"

She rounded the horses as they reared their heads and joined the young thief on the bench and enjoyed the trip through the crowded dock and into the city until arriving at a tavern. Heat from the sun warmed the tan and light brown buildings flanking the busy street full of vendors plying their wares, horses clopping along and merchants greeting visitors or friends. The smell also made her realize that she didn't really miss land after all, at least not in a city.

"I'll get us rooms if you wish to begin looking for this merchant," Tia offered as they unloaded and dismounted.

"Elsea, why don't you, Avion and Kasar hunt this lead, I have some things to sell in the market," Lericanin directed. "We'll all meet here afterwards."

They nodded and headed inside as Kailee followed into the well appointed inn. The main room's wooden floor was a change from flagstone, the long bench seats and tables however weren't. Two elderly men sat near the hearth smoking as they listened to a younger man holding a oddly shaped case who tried to barter a deal to entertain that night. He glanced up and smiled at her, eyes wide. She studied him blankly and continued on as Tia paid for their rooms.

Afterwards, they adventured into the marketplace following Lericanin and Alister to a merchant within the tumultuous crowd. She scanned the passing sea of color, height and demeanor of everyone that walked by, listening to their surface thoughts. Concerns, worries, shopping lists and jokes flooded her mind as she also smelled their blood and listened to their heartbeats. She realized for the first time how alone she was with her abilities and unique perceptions, knowing that none of them could hear her secrets.

"What do you think of these," Tia asked, breaking her concentration.

Kailee turned to notice the bolts of cloth in various colors. "Nice. You planning on making another set of clothes?"

As Tia answered, Kailee suddenly felt the impending darkness that lingered in the distance. She focused on the feeling that led her to point northwest. His anger and hate coupled with the second, more bestial presence with him made her shiver. An arm grabbed her and turned her back around.

"You hear anything I just said," Tia asked.

"We've got company," she informed, looking to Lericanin as he completed his bargain. She stepped up and touched him on the arm. "There's a problem."

"What is it?"

"To the northwest, two of them. They're waiting for us."

"Who?"

"I'm not sure, but if we do find the necklace here in Baden, we're going to have to fight to return Elsea to her home."

Concern quickly commanded the visage of their captain as he eyed the crowd around them. "Alright, thank you. Let's return to the inn and wait for the others."

After a short visit to the cathedral dedicated to Arhus, they arrived at the tavern and waited at a table, quietly nursing water and ale until the trio arrived, smiling. Elsea and Avion sat next to Tia as the princess produced the elusive silver heirloom.

"We told him about the theft and he just handed it to me," Elsea informed joyfully. "I couldn't believe it. I was expecting to pay handsomely for it and he just gave it to us."

"That was nice of him," Alister stated as they all eyed the elegantly made necklace, round pendant reflecting the daylight spilling through two large windows that fronted the street.

"We have some news of our own," Lericanin began. "Kailee felt the presence of an evil waiting for us to the northwest. I prayed for guidance in this matter and confirmed that a demon is beyond the western gate."

"What?" Avion queried, worry on the faces of everyone now.

"I suggest that we leave at first light and take care of this problem. The longer we linger here, the more damage he may do to the surrounding farms. I can't have that on my conscience." Lericanin studied their eyes and Kailee noticed that everyone agreed. She knew however that this foe was more dangerous than the orcs and goblins they had encountered thus far.

As the sun rose quietly in the east, Kailee and Tia joined the group as they ate, backpacks shouldered and standing near a table instead of being seated. Alister quickly headed outside and prepared the horses for departure as the wagon would be stored at the church until they returned from Tywyn. It would never make the trip through the river canyons and only slow them down.

"Everyone ready," Lericanin asked as they followed him out through the front door and mounted up for the ride. Armor gleamed dimly as Baden awoke to a new day while the group rode through the quiet streets and headed for the western gate, now open for merchant traffic. Once out onto the road, she noticed the surrounding green pastures and farms nestled within sparse woods until reaching farther out where the forests overtook civilization.

Wary of an ambush, Lericanin turned to Kailee," You still feel that presence?"

She concentrated and could easily feel him to the north. "He's biding his time, that way," she pointed up the long covered highway.

"Everyone keep your eyes open."

That evening, they made camp atop a covered hillock bordering a narrow river. To the south and west the clearing would give them full view of any attacks from that way. Night fell as they waited, moonlight being their only friend as Kailee quietly followed the scent of death that closed on their position. Suddenly, he disappeared. Frantically, she focused her energies into the forest to their north until being shocked by the crushing branches and the unearthly screams as the demon and his mount charged across the stream and up the hill. Scrambling, they armed themselves and accepted the charge as Alister was nearly trampled by the nightmare.

At the same time, arrows zipped into the surrounding trees with a few hitting shields as Elsea, Avion and Lericanin guarded the south from three others charging their flank. Kailee crouched as the red glowing eyes hungrily fought their way to her through Alister and Kasar. Fighting, she dodged hooves and bites as the assailant swung and downed Alister, then turned on Kasar to his left. She lunged and struck him in the thigh as the downed fighter recomposed himself and rejoined the fray, attacking the back of the rider. Parries and thrusts finally struck the dark warrior and killed him, his body disintegrated into hissing smoke as the evil horse kicked her in the chest, knocking her down. As she turned and raised the sword, Alister swung mightily and killed the beast, sending it back to the nether world that spawned it.

She quickly turned to see Avion charge the remaining archer and down him as Alister collapsed. Tia moved quickly to assist their wounded as Kailee lay in the tall grass and sighed. Now she could rest.