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

Once outside, the group of women made their way back towards the road which Tess and Brittany had arrived on. Still dark, she was sure they had been inside the mountain city for at least a day judging by the moon which hung low on the horizon and peeked over the eastern ridgeline.

“Is Breagan with Lericanin and the group,” Kristal inquired.

“No,” Brittany began. “They died at the entrance trying to save Kailee. I’m sorry.”

A long moment lingered. “He and his staff were brave men. I shall miss them.”

“Why don’t you all head to Stolberg for now, I’m going to head to Carbost and see if I can get the group’s help in this,” Tess said, keeping her eyes on the distant stone bridge which they used to enter Enkhuzen.

“Alright. Good luck and if you need us, just call,” Kristal neared and gave the dark elf a tight hug. “Thank you for coming after us.”

“You’re welcome. We couldn’t let you remain in his care, for sure.”

Brittany chuckled as she backed. “He wasn’t the best host.”

“Perhaps when we return you can teach him on the proper etiquette for hosts,” Tess smiled.

“I have a feeling that our return trip won’t be cordial,” the blonde returned the grin as the others hugged her in thanks.

“Wait a second,” Tess finally realized that someone else was missing. “Where’s Alandria?”

All thought for a long moment when Sarah spoke up. “She was out hunting when they attacked. We never saw her.”

Adgertesse’s shoulders sank. “Great. She’s still on the other side of the Valga? I can’t believe this.”

“I’m sure she’s fine,” Brittany assured. “She’s been traveling with the group for almost four years, she knows the way home. Soulfire is with her also no doubt.”

“I can’t believe I forgot her,” she shook her head in disbelief. Events were becoming more complicated as time went on.

Chuckling, Brittany hugged her also. “Don’t worry. She has more on her side than we do,” referring to Elminoir herself. “She’s fine, I’d wager it. Stop worrying.”

Soon, Tess watched them all morph into bat form and fly westward leaving her to her thoughts. She had to hurry, no telling when the Dark One would wish to gain his vowed enemy and toy with her personally. A thought that Adgertesse’ couldn’t bear.

Moving south, she evaded patrols which remained heavy in the interior of the Shadow Range until a few days later. Shouldering her pack, she felt the rumble of cavalry which came into view as she gazed down towards the long grey road which hugged the ashen hill she had rested in. Dark, long forms raced southward as she recognized battle boars carrying their orc riders towards some unseen danger. She needed to find out who was causing the alarm.
Keeping out of sight, she paralleled their journey as fast as her feet would carry her until soon noticing the fog which had shrouded the southern border was somehow missing. Perched on a nearby hilltop, a tower was under siege as the cavalry unit streamed up the hillside towards the top. Suddenly, a shower of fire engulfed the unit burning all in a large area which caused her a moment of pause. Reinforcements were a few days late, she thought as she then moved up towards the tower itself. Might as well help out.
Using cover, she soon neared the base of the round home of several nadlac whose reputation in battle was unmatched, as far as their enemy was concerned. Invisible, she moved to the stone staircase and approached the door as it swung open, causing her to dodge backwards. Pouring out, four nadlac nearly ran into her. Dark metal armor and black, stringy hair which fell down their strong faces, piercing green eyes hungry for battle prompted her into action. In a swirl of attacks, she caught them off guard and dropped two before they turned on her. Now visible to her attackers, she parried and struck in a flurry killing the remaining pair within moments. Turning, she raced into the tower now open to her and searched for more defenders to take her frustrations out on. Finally free to engage the enemy, the nightblade fought her way to the top and found two of the defending nadlac pierced through with neat black holes. Moving towards the merlons she looked down to notice the pair of brunette’s fighting for their lives while a familiar black horse kicked, sending a nadlac rolling downhill. Her heart leapt as she recognized Alandria and Galena.
Concentrating, she immediately teleported to their aid. Attacking from behind, she stabbed and swung until the remaining four lay at their feet.

“Good timing,” Alandria smiled as Galena stood nearby, terror in her eyes as several minor cuts bled freely.

“You alright,” Adgertesse’ inquired, looking at the mage who finally looked up and nodded, then collapsed. Running to her side, the nightblade began doing first aid. “I can’t believe you two. What were you thinking,” she asked angrily, glancing to the ranger.

“We heard that Kailee was captured by a demon in the Shadow Range and you were going there to free her. I wanted to help and Galena did also,” the younger girl replied defensively.

“You realize these things were about to kill both of you had I not arrived when I did,” her wrapping of bandages became more violent as the moments went by. “Don’t ever do this again!”

Alandria’s hazel eyes stared quietly. “We all love her.”

“That’s not the point. Neither of you are ready for this kind of thing yet. This tower was the first of many. You may be able to travel quietly and between trees and such but what about her? Galena can’t do that and would’ve been spotted easily. Even if you were able to get inside their territory, demons were filling the halls of Enkhuzen as were an army of grey dwarves. How were you planning on dealing with them?” Adgertesse’ could feel her face burn as she finished up. “Don’t ever let me catch you two doing anything this wreckless again. You hear me?”

Alandria glanced to her friend and sighed, then nodded.

Once her patch job was done, Tess rose and walked away as tears streamed. Right hand covering her face, she wept. Frustration from so many things had piled up and she felt as if they were hitting her at once. Not able to travel freely in the human kingdoms, captured by liches, and unable to free her friend was too much to bear. Soon, a long snout rested over her shoulder as Soulfire comforted the nightblade. Her left arm reached underneath it’s strong head and held it close.
Now composed she returned to Alandria and Galena as the mage sat up and drank from her waterskin. “You two ready to go?”

“Yeah,” Alandria stood. “I thought Brittany was with you.”

“She and the other girls are safe now. I’m heading back to Carbost now, let’s go.”

“Wait,” Galena interrupted. “Is Kailee safe then?”

“Not yet.”

Alandria sheathed her bow and approached. “Where is she?”

“The prison she’s being held in is protected magically. I need Selyria’s help with this one.”

Turning to the mage’s understudy, Alandria eyed her companion. “Can’t you dispel magic?”

Galena shook her head. “Not yet, no. It’s on the list of things I still want to learn.”

As they headed southward, the ranger’s head looked up into the sky as she sighed.

“We all have to be a bit more patient,” Tess said knowing herself how hard that was. “We’ll free her soon.”