Leaf stretched as they walked, feeling a satisfying pop to his back that mimicked the knocking of their boots against the stone below them. He groaned following the release of tension across his back.
“All Father’s balls that felt good,” he said with a sigh, “That’s been bothering me for ages.”
“I did tell you to stretch when you could,” Jahora pointed out, “tis your own fault for letting no one else drive the wagon.”
“And let you lot have a go?” Leaf scoffed, “As if I’d subject Bessie to that.”
Elly shook her head, “I am certain our hands are far more deft than yours, but shoulder your burdens however you please.”
‘If it means more time for rest, then I certainly have no objections,” Helbram said. He stopped ahead of the group and looked onwards, “This looks the part.”
Leaf followed his gaze, eyes falling upon the structure that lay off to the distance. The shrine of the Sword was on a small protrusion of land that extended off of the cliff. The natural bridge that extended from the cliff face was bordered by a railing of white stone carved into a curved design, its extravagance a stark contrast from the simplistic design of the other buildings. As they crossed it, Elly ran a hand over some of the runes carved into stone, a curious look on her face.
“Strange… I do not recognize this script,” she mused.
Helbram swayed closer to the railing and took a look himself, “I cannot say I’ve seen anything like it either,” Leaf followed their eyes, making note that the runes bore a much more curved, flowing design compared to the previous rigid Ruhian ones he had seen.
“Perhaps it relates to the Sword’s origins,” Jahora suggested
Elly nodded, “Most likely, but we can research such things later.”
They reached the end of the bridge, the path guiding them to an isolated isle with a large building at its center. The sound of crashing waves was much more prominent now, its intensity a low roar that seemed to coincide with the breeze. Leaf smelled salt water, a briney scent that wrinkled his nose, but he was distracted from his displeasure by the large dome-like structure that stood before them.
It was carved from the same white stone that the other buildings were made of. However, rather than the simpler designs of the town’s structures there was a level of embellishment to the dome’s design that gave it an aged look. A ribbed exterior sat over the dome, the raised portions of stone engraved with the same flowing script of the bridge. It was clear that the structure was magical given its flawless appearance, absent of any damage that could have occurred from wind or rain. The doors of the building were made of an aged, lighter wood, and were currently cracked open as a line of people funneled out from the building.
“Looks like we were not the only ones who had this idea…” Helbram said with a sigh. He shrugged and walked to the back of the line, which was just at the bottom of the stone stairs that led up to the dome.
“Aye, I figured this would happen,” Leaf shook his head, “I bet most of these people are from The Maiden’s Kiss.”
“Most likely,” Helbram agreed, “People who braved the frigid cold to draw a magical sword. It almost has the makings of legend, doesn’t it?”
Leaf made an unsure gesture and smirked, “Maybe, perhaps we could find ourselves in the presence of a future king.”
“Gods I hope not,” Helbram said, “drawing magical swords is not the most stable foundation for forming governments.”
“Voltun handles themselves quite well,” Jahora said, “ and the royal line is certainly fond of that spear of theirs…”
“I’d like to think that it’s far more than that,” Elly said, “you don’t raise such hardy citizens with just a magical stick.”
Helbram snorted, “Countless years of history, just to be called a magical stick…”
“Tis merely an observation. You certainly don’t find worship of magical arms in Ruhian or Saputan history…”
Leaf sighed, “Yes yes, they were ahead of their time and all that. Can we focus on the here and now for the time being?”
Elly shrugged, but respected Leaf’s request as they formed up in the line. Helbram stood last out of their group, followed by Jahora, Elly, then Leaf, who looked back at the armored man with some confusion.
“What? You don’t want to try your hand first?” he asked.
Helbram shook his head, but smiled, “Tis for dramatics. Doesn’t quite feel as momentous if I draw the blade before any of you got your turns.”
Leaf scoffed, “I suppose we’ll find out,” he noted his companion looking further up the line, “What’re you looking for?”
“The tavernkeep’s brother,” Helbram explained, “she requested that we bring him back to her. Should not be too hard to spot, they have the same eyes…”
As the armored man spoke, Leaf’s ears twitched as he picked up the sound of footsteps behind them. He turned around, eyes falling upon a young man that approached them. His features were of the fairer sort, but there was a distinct rigidity to them that gave off a more masculine appearance. He wore simple clothes, and the man’s hands held a small basket covered by a cloth, and his attention was preoccupied with keeping it secure. He looked up, gazing ahead with clear, round brown eyes, a feature he shared with his sister.
Leaf looked at the approaching man, “Found him.”
His companion followed his gaze, “Ah, perfect.”
Helbram turned towards the man and raised a hand, “Ho there!”
The man’s gaze snapped up from the basket, Helbram’s loud voice catching him by surprise, even drawing the attention of some that stood further up the line.
Helbram continued, “Is your name Marcus, perchance?”
The man stepped back, “Yes… d-do I know you?” Marcus’ voice carried a lighter tone, suffused with clear confusion.”
“I would be quite surprised if you did. Your sister Mary requested that we bring you back to the tavern,” Helbram explained.
Marcus grimaced, “Did she?” his hands fidgeted around the basket, “how upset was she?”
“Oh she was all smiles,” Helbram said in a light tone, “I recognize the look. Many mother’s wear it before they scold their children.”
The fairer man winced, “I don’t suppose I could convince you to look the other way?”
The armored man shook his head, “Were you the one to approach me first, perhaps, but I am not one to break my promises.”
Marcus looked Helbram up and down, noting the larger man’s size. His shoulders sank and he sighed.
“But, if we go now I fear the line will only be longer by the time we get back, so let us postpone such matters till after we have proved our unworthiness, shall we?” Helbram held a hand out.
Marcus looked up with a brighter expression and shook his hand, “That’s fair, though if you must know I have already proved my worth.”
Jahora perked up at that, “Really? How so?”
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Marcus, his posture gradually straightening, puffed out his chest, “The Sword spoke to me you see, told me I showed promise.”
One of the men ahead of them - a shorter, stockier sort - scoffed, “Promise? The lad’s been here everyday saying the same blasted thing. Us being here tells us that’s a load of shite.”
Marcus frowned, “Tis the truth! Sophia can attest to that.”
Another man -somehow both built and lanky- groaned, “The Maiden’s taking the piss lad. Granting a fleeting kindness from all those gift baskets you’ve been bringing her.”
A larger man, around the size of Helbram but with a more portly appearance turned around, revealing a blushed face under a scraggly beard and unkempt hair. Leaf picked up the scent of alcohol from him, which, when mixed with the briny smell to the air, forced a frown to tug at his lips.
“We’ve all seen you go red in the face trying to draw it,” the man spoke in a slurred speech, “with all the might in your hips it looked like you were trying to make love to it.”
The three men laughed, and Marcus shrunk back.
“It’s not like you have had any more luck,” he muttered, a slight voice that Leaf could barely register over the laughter ahead of him.
The line shifted forward, and the laughter of the men was replaced by a loud, muffled yell that Leaf could only guess was a curse of some sort.
The stockier man whistled, “Must be a first timer, they’ll get used to the disappointment.”
The three men paid no further attention to Marcus and started to chatter amongst themselves as they walked forwards.
“Pay them no mind,” Helbram said, “if you have been here every day you must have some conviction.”
“I heard it, I swear it,” Marcus growled. There was a clear hunger in his voice.
“And I can neither confirm nor deny it,” Helbram said, “I am merely here out of simple curiosity, and a request.”
Elly tapped her cheek, “If what you say is true, it merely said promise, not that you were its destined wielder,” she shrugged, “That is something I would take heart in. Should you not draw the sword perhaps there is something else that you’d excel at.”
Leaf looked at her in surprise, “Are you consoling the lad?”
She rolled her eyes, “What? I’ve not become quite as soul crushing as my master. Not yet at least.”
Jahora walked up to Marcus, a familiar curious light to her eyes, “Tell me, how long has the Sword been here?”
Marcus looked at her, his frown replaced by a smile, “No one knows,” he said, “It was there long before the town’s founding. The Shrine is a more recent addition, though that was still made far before I was born.”
The mage rubbed her chin, “I see… what of this Maiden business then? Has there always been one?”
Marcus’ expression brightened further at the mention of that, “Ever since the land was settled, yes. It is said the first Maiden heard the blade’s whispers before the first house was even built, and her daughters have borne that talent ever since. Sophia is perhaps the most gifted we’ve had in a while.”
Helbram tilted his head, “How so?”
Marcus closed his eyes in a prideful expression, “Normally, Maiden’s are only able to hear the Sword once they enter their adolescence, and even then some have only been able to hear a whisper every now and then. Sophia, on the other hand, has heard the blade since she was a child, and with her presence more people have heard the Sword’s voice than ever before.”
“What, does her presence make it stronger or something?” Leaf asked.
Marcus shook his head, “It is more that she is able to translate for the sword, convey meaning when only the barest whispers are heard, or if nothing is heard at all.”
Elly closed her eyes and tapped her foot, “Is that so? Would a Maiden be capable of utilizing magic by any chance?”
Marcus nodded, “Yes, most Maidens have served as the town’s Healers as well. Sophia has been mending my scrapes since we were children.”
Jahora smirked, “Oooooh, is that what it is? You fancy her don’t you?”
Marcus blushed, “What? N-no we’re merely good friends.”
Helbram placed a hand on the younger man’s shoulder, “And it will most likely stay that way if you keep saying such things,” he pulled back and held his hands up, “but, tis not my place, our turn to embarrass ourselves is fast approaching.”
The line continued to move forward, the occasional bellow or scream of frustration echoing out from the cracked wooden door ahead. A wide variety of people stormed out of the door soon after such irritation was voiced, men and women, halflings, dwarves, orcs, and even a goblin were among those that had tried their hand. Given all of their sour expressions, none had been successful in their attempts, and in the case of one man who limped away, might have pulled something beyond the blade. Leaf had believed that more would soon show up behind them, but to his surprise no one else showed for some time, all except for one other group.
It was a trio of two men and a woman. The woman was at the head of the group, keeping her red hair out of her face as the wind billowed it around her slightly pointed ears, placing her as a half elf. She was armored in a mix of leather and metal, with only the barest hint of curves revealed by her choice of clothing. Despite that, the way in which she carried herself showed a more athletic stride. She was more pretty than handsome, with a face that was more suited to a charming shopkeep, but a certain intensity sat behind her green eyes that gave her an air of hardiness. That, and the sword that hung from her hip.
The two men that trailed behind her only added to this. One was a man adorned in full plate, the armor finely polished and flawless to the point that even the barest hint of the sun glared off of it with a distracting intensity. Much like Helbram, a full helm was strapped to the man’s waist, but it was more conical in shape. His brown hair was longer, but tied back to keep it out of a paler face full of hardy, strong features dotted by whiskers along his jawline. A metal kite shield hung from his back, and the mace at his side clattered against his armor as the wind rattled it.
The other man was a half orc, evidenced by the light green skin he had and the tusks that jut from his lower lip. He was dressed in robes that did not cover his arms, revealing thick arms lined with muscle. He bore no hair on his head save the thick, black beard that lined his jawline. It was braided in a few places, the style maintained by the various bits of silver and metal that clasped to the facial hair. Rather than weapons, the rest of him was also adorned in jewelry that ranged from the piercings in his ears to the bracelets and rings that filled his wrists and hands.
“Did we really have to come here right away?” the man in armor complained as they fell in line, “We’ve been on the road all day,” his tone was light, with a tinge of annoyance.
The robed man snorted, “It was your idea to travel in your armor. This is your bed to lie in,” his voice was gruff, but there was an air of mischief to the tone.
“Might as well try it right away,” the woman said in a measured tone, “we’ve plenty of time to set up later.”
The man in plate’s armor rattled as his shoulders dropped with a sigh, “Don’t try to be casual about this, you’re the most excited out of all of us.”
The woman shrugged, but said nothing more save the smirk on her face.
Their conversation drew the attention of the rest of Leaf’s group and Marcus. They all exchanged a brief nod as their eyes met, but Marcus' mouth opened in surprise.
“You’re the Hawk of Dunwich!” he exclaimed.
The proclamation drew the eyes of the rest of the line that was outside, and a murmur traveled throughout the small crowd as a result.
“The Hawk of Dunwich?” The lanky man from before asked, “what’s she doing so far out here?”
The red-haired woman had a shy smile on her face, “Now now, we’re just stopping by, no need to pay attention to us at all.”
Her robed companion scoffed, “Don’t act like you don’t enjoy it.”
“She’ll be boasting about this soon, tis a matter of time,” her armored friend said with a smirk.
She cut both men a glare, but said nothing to them before looking back to Marcus, “Just Majorie is fine, the armored oaf is Holden and the robed fool is Geren. I wouldn’t pay much attention to them honestly.”
Helbram looked to Leaf and the others, a confused expression on his face. They all shrugged in response, a gesture that Marcus noticed.
“You don’t know them?” he said in a surprised tone.
“I cannot say that I do,” Helbram admitted, “though to be fair my knowledge of the Freemarks is middling at best.”
“Likewise,” Jahora added.
Leaf nodded in agreement.
Elly shrugged, “My knowledge lies in other areas.”
Marcus sputtered, “You must have heard at how she struck down the Manticore of Todal, or how she and her companions hunted down and caused the collapse of the Bronze Hand? It’s been the talk of taverns everywhere!”
Helbram shook his head, “I have not.”
“Tis nothing to boast about, I was just doing my job,” the Hawk said as she walked up to Marcus. She placed a hand on the young man’s shoulder, “For now let us not speak of such things, I’d rather we perform this deed without drawing much attention to ourselves.”
Marcus flinched, “Right, my apologies. It’s not often you meet a hero in the flesh.”
Marjorie smiled, “Well, perhaps I can entertain you with a tale or two later. After our business here is finished.”
“She’ll talk about them all night,” Holden said in a blunt tone, keeping a dull expression even as Majorie glared at him.
“I wouldn’t say all night. Just until she talks herself to sleep,” Geren said with a smirk.
She sighed.
Helbram walked up to them and held his hand out, “Well, regardless, it is a pleasure to meet you all.”
He shook hands with them all as Jahora walked up to them, “Same here. I assume you’re like us, satisfying a curiosity,” the mage said.
“Yes,” Majorie said, “We’ve always wanted to make our way out here, and the rumor was a good opportunity to do so.”
“We needed a very good excuse,” Holden said in a dry tone, “the towns of the east are a bit lacking in size, aren’t they?”
Majorie rolled her eyes, “Pay him no mind. He’s always been a bit of a sour one.”
As he looked them over he saw Majorie turn to him, meeting his gaze with a knowing stare. They shared a brief nod before the woman turned back to Helbram and Jahora.
“We have one of those!” Jahora grinned back at Leaf. He frowned at her, but said nothing else, “But he’s a softie on the inside.”
“Oi oi,” Leaf finally said, “Don’t go telling lies about people right in front of them.”
Helbram snorted, “Let us call it a mild fib,” he looked back at Marjorie and her group, “Best of luck to you all.”
Majorie and Geren smiled at him, but Holden regarded Helbram with an impassive look. Leaf knew the expression well, the gaze of someone who’d already decided to forget the person they’ve just met. He suspected that the man’s companions shared the sentiment behind their polite expressions, seeing as the smiles never reached their eyes. He felt his eyebrow twitch, but suppressed the impulse of his tongue when he saw Helbram’s unflinching expression.
The line continued on, Helbram’s group fell silent as they walked forwards as Marcus poked at Marjorie’s entourage with questions that, regardless of their previous objections, they appeared more than happy to answer. Their discussion faded into background noise as Leaf felt himself fall into a daze, and before he knew it, he was in front of the door.
The Sword lay just beyond.