Trough 14, Aboard the Ale’s Lament – South of Eldor

“I don’t feel right about this, Doogan.” Said a deep gravelly voice from under a large metal helmet. The man was sporting a chest piece of leather spotted in places with small plates of a dull metal. He was taller than the man leading their party and twice as wide with a large hammer strapped upon his back in some method than no one could figure out.

“Quite your worrying little brother.” Came an equally gruff voice, like rocks falling into a quarry. “We volunteered and you are only complaining now because we’re on a boat.”

The second man was built to the same design as his brother with their only difference being that this man wore only a leather smithing apron over his every day homespun clothes of deep brown. Strapped to his back was a pair of long scimitars, glistening with oil in the chilled moist air.

“That is not my worry, little brother.” Said the first man, clearly arguing his title. “My worry is that we are out under open sky during the blasted Turning.”

“In a boat.” Said the second man to finish what was left unsaid by his brother.

“Melbeck,” Doogan said as he turned to the pair from his place at the prow of the ship, “We haven’t got a choice in the matter. Also, you should remember the teachings. Good men with a purpose are blessed by the gods and shall suffer no harm in their duties.”

“Don’t quote the book to me, Brett.” Said the first man, Melbeck, with a scowl.

“He speaks true, my good man Melbeck.” Another voice came from the stern.

Melbeck glowered as he looked back at the priest manning their rudder.

Darius had been among the first to join the party and was probably more powerful in his role than anyone but Doogan. It was the pair of them that had worked through various channels to assemble their group for the raid on Avery’s manse.

To think that the spider of North Jaga had taken a citizen, and a guild member, as a slave. Let alone the fact that she had been working as a slave trader for several years without anyone being aware. They had slipped up somewhere and as the two brothers shared a glance, they both understood that things would most likely be changing rapidly for some time. There was always some fallout when taking down someone with such long reach.

There would likely be several small issues noticed by only a few as a certain company has its doors forcefully closed in the near future.

Darius only smiled as the brothers shared in their twin speak, using their eyes alone. He had worked with everyone aboard, most everyone aboard. On the port side of the ship stood an unlikely pair, people Darius had known but only through reputation as they kept to themselves. It would be strange to see people of their level with so few friends in the area had not the pair been translocated themselves to the land of Talindrone.

These two were instead brought here by the very thing they were now facing, the Turning. It was a change of seasons, a refreshing of the very magic of their world. It was written in the book that this time was when the gods were closest to their world and could act more directly in their lives.

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No one believed that the hand of God would descend and help guide them so thoroughly in their lives as they would need no longer serve; or rather most did not. In a great many cases people would wake up after the Turning was done with some new skill, or spell.

Sometimes they would gain a level in the night due to a large growth of experience. Though most often it would only be the people who were born during the season of a particular celestial shift. That is to say, people born in Fall or even Winter receive their first blessing during the Turning of Spring after one year of life and continue to receive boons upon only that particular event. The children of Spring and Summer would receive their particular gifts during the Stilling of the Fall.

It was also a time of upheaval for some. As was the case for the two sitting together alone while all these others were speaking together and sharing the anticipation of the upcoming battle.

Darius had been waiting for the others at the docks in town when he was approached by these two and he could not help but recall their meeting.

Four hours earlier.

“Hey priest.” Said a voice from behind Darius who turned to greet the speaker.

“Hello to…” he began looking for the speaker who had interrupted his ruminations.

“Down here.”

Darius had been forced looked down to see a profoundly serious, mustachioed gnome. Before Darius could respond and perhaps save himself from appearing to be discourteous another voice sounded from further down the pier.

“You beat me here, I see.”

The second man to arrive was actually not a man. He was an elf.

The two smiled warmly at one another before looking back at him, both of them sharing the same bright green colored eyes. Darius was somewhat intimidated by the look and could feel the distinct pressure that comes from two older men and perfected through years of combined effort. These two could not be trusted.

That was not to say they were evil men, no. These two were old, and with age and some link they shared Darius knew they would cause no small amount of mischief. He had no idea why they had shown up here and now, but he was on his guard.

He knew what it was like to suffer the company of irascible grandfathers.

“You know, Cal. I think he’s having unfavorable thoughts about you.” Said the gnome through his large moustache. The way he grinned at his friend was almost comical as his large bushy, black brows were set waggling.

“You jest, Castor. The man is a priest.” Said the elf as he gathered his robes about him and took to leaning against a large staff at his side. No, not just a staff. It was a bow-staff, only missing the string to bind it into a more formidable weapon.

Darius frowned at them before speaking, “What brings the two of you to visit me at such an early hour?”

The two looked at one another again and frowned before nodding. The gnome took the lead while the elf began to busy himself with sorting through a large satchel he had removed from around his shoulder.

“You see…” began the gnome.

And Darius did see.

The pair had been struck a blow to the heart recently. Their protégé had been slain in a ruthless manner only a day before. Castor told Darius of their time together and the training and nurturing these two had done for the girl, barely an adult even by human standards. He explained that he knew why Darius was there and he had told his protégé before her demise that he would assist in freeing her.

He did not elaborate on how the young girl had known of Olea, but Darius had some ideas. All true blessings came in sets of three, as the book said.

Castor added that he would like to speak with Darius after the mission was completed while also listing his abilities as a mage of some skill, while his friend was a passable archer. They had apparently known each other for an exceptionally long time and had been removed from their home continents during the same year almost four decades earlier.

Fate may be a fickle mistress, but it seemed as if she were on their sides this day.

Again, Darius smiled.

They had talked among themselves, Darius serving as the dutiful listener while Castor regaled him with fanciful tales and Calen occasionally corrected him about who suffered what. It was an entertaining hour spent before the ship arrived bearing the rest of his party.

Darius spent some time making introductions and then took his place at the rear of the ship. The two from Eldor had walked off alone to converse amongst themselves after that.