“Thalamar’s bloody taint, that was a close one.”
Leaf slumped to the ground against the wagon.
“Could we not talk about the genitalia of the Gods at this moment? I can hardly stand on my feet let alone deal with such colorful vocabulary,” Jahora emerged from the wagon with an unsteady gait. Tried as she might, she soon succumbed to weariness and slid against the wagon until she sat next to Leaf, “Regardless, thank you for the assistance.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Leaf said, “That magic of yours has more than returned the favor.”
“I suppose it did,” she said with a smirk, which quickly turned to a frown, “At least, I wished it did. It took everything I had to keep just a few arrows away,” she held her trembling hands up.
“I would not be too hard on yourself,” Helbram said, “those arrows were infused with Ether.”
“Ether? Ahhhh… that would explain it. In all that chaos it was hard to tell.”
“Some blasted bandit can use Ether?” Leaf asked, “Bloody Hells, I guess that halfling wasn’t lying about them being a cut above your average thieves.”
“I suspect that Halfling was working with them,” Helbram said, “I could not see him with the caravan and his magicks were noticeably absent during the battle.”
“Could it be that maybe he was subdued first?” Jahora suggested, “As potent as Magic can be, it makes little difference if there isn’t time to prepare a spell.”
“You may be right, but given that there did not seem to be any attempt at a spell, even when you warned them, it’s best to assume the bandits also have a Mage on their side.”
“So, the bandits have an Awoken and a Mage in their ranks,” Leaf sighed, “This is far out of our league.”
“He is right,” Helbram said, “We should get back to town, war-”
Helbram stopped as the air around him went still. Silence followed, the cries of the surrounding fauna drowning in the stillness. The air swelled with pressure, keeping the words at Helbram’s throat as his skin prickled at the unnatural energies that followed. A brief moment passed as the group remained frozen in place, eyes darting as they searched for the source of this alien presence. A snap broke their search, releasing the pressure around them only for it to be replaced by a torrent of force as a column of light tore into the sky in the distance. It barreled into the stars themselves as it reached its peak, washing over the sky with a pale blue light. The light eventually turned downwards and sped towards the ground, right where Helbram was standing.
He dove forward, just barely dodging the light as it struck the ground with a thud. Soil burst into the air, enveloping the clearing with a cloud of dirt. When the dust cleared, the light had recessed back towards the singular column that pierced the sky, leaving behind a small trench from where it struck before.
“Melissandra’s tits, the Hells was that!” Jahora yelled from under the wagon.
“Couldn’t tell you,” Leaf said from behind the wagon, “Helbram? Are you alright?”
“I am fine, just a bit dirty,” the helmeted man said with a sigh. He picked himself up from the forest floor and looked back at where the light struck, “Huh, there may be an issue.”
Leaf poked his head out from cover, “What do you me-oh”
“What? What is it? Stop being so vague,” Jahora crawled from under the wagon and when she looked ahead, she knew.
A trench had formed from where the light struck, stretching off into the darkness of the trees as it looked to wrap around them. The forest beyond the trench looked distorted even in the dim lighting of the night. It was stretched, oblong as if being looked at from the bottom of a glass. Helbram stepped forward and reached out, only for his hand to be stopped just at the perimeter of the trench. He pressed against an invisible force, as sturdy as any wall he’d ever felt.
“It looks like our bandits have deployed a barrier of some sort,” Helbram said as he knocked against the invisible wall. A translucent ripple formed at the site of impact, fading as it traveled along the magical barrier.
“Ahhhhh, it's like that eh?” Leaf said.
“Shite,” Jahora spat.
“Agreed.”
“So not only are our Bandits numerous, organized, well armed with possibly both an Awoken and a Mage on their side, but they somehow have the means to deploy a force field over a large area in a near instant,” Jahora said in an increasingly hopeless tone.
“Aye,” Helbram said walking towards the wagon, “That about sums it up.”
“We have no escape route,” Leaf tacked on, “And given that the majority of the caravan was incapacitated back in the chaos only means we have no chance of back up either.”
“Also true,” Helbram jumped back into the wagon, taking note of the various barrels and crates that lay within. Most remained undamaged from the attack, with a few others cracked from their reckless charge into the forest. The lid of one barrel had popped off, revealing a bounty of hardtack within. He grabbed a few pieces from the barrel and hopped back out of the wagon.
“You two are oddly calm about this,” Jahora said in her own steady tone.
“Oh I am terrified,” Helbram said with a relaxed voice, he tossed both Leaf and Jahora a piece of hardtack, “But panicking here will not do us much good. Best to take a moment and collect our thoughts, come up with a plan if we can.”
Jahora nodded and bit into her hard tack absentmindedly.
“So we have rations, as… mouth watering as they are,” Leaf knocked his hardtack against the wagon, producing a hollow metallic sound.
“Indeed, hopefully not just hardtack, but food should not be an issue if this turns into a prolonged endeavor,” Helbram slightly lifted his visor and took a quick bite of his ration.
“If we can keep the wagon with us,” Jahora said, “They could easily be patrolling the perimeter right now,” she made a strained sound as she swallowed her ration, “Oh gods, does anyone have a waterskin? It feels like there is a brick in my chest.”
Leaf tossed her the one attached to his hip and continued eating, “You have to let it sit a bit so it goes down easy. But, she is right, if they continue to be this organized I suspect patrols are happening right now,” He nodded towards the Auroc at the head of the wagon, “cuddly as she is it’d be like tossing a greased up pig into a pottery shop if we tried sneaking around with her.”
Helbram snorted, “You do make a point, I suppose our Mage would not be able to come up with a spell to assist with that?”
“...maybe if I... I’m sure I could think of something if you give me some time.”
He nodded, “Take the time you need. Leaf, mind keeping watch while I take inventory?”
“Will do, numbers and spells aren’t my thing anyways.”
Leaf walked to the perimeter of the forest clearing, hands fixed to his bow. His stance appeared relaxed, but there was a tenseness to his shoulders that Helbram recognized. The half elf, for all of his relaxed attitude, was wary, much like the gnome that muttered to herself as she examined the wagon and the trees around it. Helbram was in no position to judge, and he was glad he kept his helmet on as he grit his teeth.
“One thing at a time…” he whispered to himself.
Taking inventory of their supplies proved to be a good distraction from the odds against them. He noted two barrels full of hardtack within the wagon along with another that was filled with dried nuts and fruits. One of the crates was also loaded with jerky, but beyond that he found that most of the crates were loaded with various camping tools such as tents and ropes. Ropes were especially abundant, taking up the majority of these supplies along with plenty of pitons and spikes for securing them.
“I do believe I have an idea,” Jahora said, “But it is a bit of a gamble.”
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Helbram poked his head out of the wagon to listen.
“What if we don’t move the wagon at all?” she asked.
“That would indeed be quite the gamble,” Helbram said.
“Now hear me out,” Jahora started, “We may be in a clearing but the surrounding area is dense with shrubbery. I’m not the most skilled in illusions but if we manage to get the wagon to the ground I should be able to hide it from a simple glance.”
“I see, thoughts Leaf?”
“She does have a point. If we tried moving the wagon anywhere we’d probably leave an obvious trail.,” the bowman was silent for a moment, “We’re going to need to get rid of the Auroc.”
The beast of burden stopped chewing at the grass and looked up at the group, its beady eyes oblivious to their conversation.
“Oh don’t look at me so,” Jahora said in a pained voice, “The man’s right, I’m afraid you just make far too much noise for us.”
Helbram hopped out of the wagon, “Right… then let us do it like this.”
The three set their plan in motion. After positioning the wagon near a group of shrubs near the edge of the clearing Helbram and Leaf removed the reins from the Auroc while Jahora began to conjure a spell, gathering the ambient Aether into a pale purple glyph that formed at the base of the wagon. Whilst the two men guided the Auroc to the forest Helbram caught the formation of leaves slowly wrapping around the wagon, its magitech engine turned off so it lay flat against the ground. At a simple glance it took the shape of a large bush, but enough scrutiny would reveal its unnatural make.
The Auroc looked at both Leaf and Helbram as it was guided further into the woods, a docile expression across its bushy features.
“Why do all of you have to look so bloody innocent…” Leaf muttered, “Listen here, you keep looking nice and naive like that, ok? Next time I see you, you'd best be attached to some bandit’s cart. That way we can just whisk you off again.”
Helbram noticed a chip at the head of one of the beast’s horns along with a small scar that ran across one of its eyes. He sighed and petted the beast on the head, digging into her fur and scratching behind one of her ears. The Auroc let out a soft bellow at his ministrations.
“Listen to the man,” he said softly. He petted the beast for a moment more before slapping a hand against its rear, jolting the Auroc and sending her speeding into the woods.
The two men watched the beast disappear into the trees and by the time they looked back Jahora’s illusion had settled further, the wagon’s location revealed only as the gnome looked upon it with pride.
“I do believe that is some of my best work,” she said with a grin, “It’s nothing like you’d see from the Illusionists back in Helios but for a few bandits I’d say that’ll do the trick.”
“If they don’t happen to have some random boon that lets them see through it, that is,” bitterness was plain in Leaf’s voice, “Bastards are just full of tricks…”
“Oh don’t say that, now you’ve gone and spoiled it…” Jahora pouted.
“Well let us just allow ourselves a modicum of hope and say they will not, shall we?” Helbram said, “But we still need to maintain watch, who wants to go first?”
“I suppose I will,” Leaf volunteered, “I’ve no fancy magic sight but these eyes haven’t failed me in the dead of night.”
Helbram nodded, “Then I shall take second watch. Jahora, save your strength, we will be asking much from your spells in the future.”
She frowned as if she was about to protest, but then sighed, “Alright, I suppose you’re right, but none of you push yourselves too hard already, understand?” she said, “Odds are one of you is carrying me as we navigate this mess.”
She waved them off and disappeared into her illusion.
Leaf snorted, “Well at least she’s honest.”
“Are you going to be alright out here?” Helbram asked.
Leaf gave a flippant wave, “Don’t worry about it, you get some rest. I suspect that tomorrow is going to be a long day for us.”
Helbram nodded and put a hand on the half elf’s shoulder before walking into the illusion. Jahora was already asleep next to a barrel, her breathing steady. The sight of the sleeping gnome made his own weariness evident and by the time that he sat down he fell fast asleep.
__
Helbram found himself standing in the void. Expansive darkness extended as far as he could see, and he stood upon an invisible floor. Despite the blackness around him, he could see himself clearly, noting that he was still in his armor, sword and shield in hand.
“Here again I see…” he said with a resigned sigh.
Out of reflex he slipped into a stance, shield held up and sword elevated over his head. As he did, a humanoid shape formed in front of him. The figure shifted between the smaller, graceful frame of a woman and the large, bulky frame of a man. It was adorned in a suit of plate that held no distinctive features other than its constantly shifting frame. The figure wore no helmet, but its face was formless, possessing no eyes, no mouth, and no nose. Its hair grew to a long blonde just as quickly as it faded to a shorter, militaristic cut of brown. A longsword rested in its hands, its blade an immaculate white against the black background that was their arena. The blade was broad, but gradually thinned towards the tip, and he could have sworn it was glinting even within the darkness.
The figure said no words as it slipped into its own stance, its sword held directly in front of it. Its lack of a face meant that it betrayed no emotion to him, but if Helbram had to guess it almost seemed relaxed as it stood before him. They stood facing each other for a moment, the silence growing heavier as it grew thick between them.
The figure struck first, shifting to its slender form as it lunged forwards with a quick thrust aimed at his head. He’d seen this movement hundreds of times before. Every night, the same exact same opening.
He stepped forward, catching the thrust with his shield and forcing the blade to the side. He followed the figure as it skipped back to avoid his follow up strike, watching as his opponent switched to its larger frame. It brought its blade down towards his head, a blow he caught with his blade and forced away from him. He drove the edge of his shield into the figure’s torso, knocking it off balance. Helbram took advantage of the opening and swung his sword at the figure’s head. His blade was deflected by a quick flick of the figure’s sword and it managed to regain its balance once again, slipping into the same stance as before.
From there, their melee descended into a dance, like all the nights before. He knew how the figure would react, move according to his action. If he was more offensive the figure would remain in its bulkier form, deflecting his blows with its armor and attacking with single swings. The strength behind each blow was heavy enough that he had to shift his footing with each strike to keep balance. This would push him on the defense, and the moment that happened the figure would shift into its more lithe shape, striking at Helbram with an onslaught of precise strikes that he could barely deflect with both blade and shield.
But deflect them he did. He’d been through the motions countless times, his muscles acting more off impulse than direction.
A strike to his left flank.
Intercept with shield, thrust with sword into an exposed gap in the armor.
The figure retreated from the attack, shifting to its larger form.
He pursued, striking the figure on the leg with his shield.
Its leg buckled, leaving it exposed.
He struck again at its head.
It rolled back, shifting to its smaller frame as his blade leaves a small cut across its cheek.
The exchanges continued, with each small clash gradually granting Helbram more of the advantage as he pressed his assault against the ever changing forms of the figure. With each small scratch, each exploit of the figure’s weaknesses, its speed slowed, its strength faltered. It eventually fell to it’s knee, rapidly shifting back and forth between its forms as its featureless face looked up at Helbram. The helmeted man placed his sword against its neck, his breaths heavy.
“Looks like I win, again,” he said with a tired voice. He withdrew his sword and slipped back into his stance, “Come, finish it.”
As he spoke, the wounds on the figure started to close and it stood back on its feet as if nothing had happened to it. It readied its sword again, but this time a pressure emanated from the figure. A soft blue aura began to form around its blade, condensing around it until the sword looked to be sheathed in light.
You know how this ends.
He braced himself as the figure shifted to its smaller form, and charged. It moved in a blur, its steps too fast, too sudden to react as it struck at him. He knew where it was aiming, where the attacks would land, but the moment he blocked the first blow the second struck his flank. His armor soaked the worst of the attack, but even with such a quick, light blow he felt the force behind it strike his lungs.
You cannot win.
Helbram jumped back to lessen the impact of the strike, keeping his shield up as the figure shifted into its larger form. The aura around its blade flared red and it stepped forwards, striking Helbram’s shield in an explosion of force. Helbram flew back, feeling the blow cut into his shield as he was knocked off of his feet. He landed on his back, rolling with the impact to catch himself upright. The moment he did, the figure was on him again in its smaller form.
Try as you might…
He raised his blade in an attempt to block, but it was quickly knocked to the side.
As hard as you fight…
The figure struck him multiple times in his torso, knocking the wind from him. He fell to his knee, but kept his guard up.
As much as you know where they will strike…
The figure switched to its larger form and struck his shield again. His arm snapped back as his shield broke from the force of the blow.
What good does that do if you cannot stop it?
He swung his sword at the armored figure. It was weak, more of a flail than any proper attack. The blow landed, leaving only a scratch against the figure’s armor.
No matter how hard you practice, no matter how hard you try…
The figure loomed over him, it’s expressionless face staring down at him, unreadable. It raised its sword over its head.
You cannot overcome that which you know to be true about yourself, that which is at the core of your very being.
Silence sat between them, broken only by the weathered breaths that escaped from his lips. The blade flashed red, and was brought down upon his head.
No talent, no potential.