Vedek

What now?

It was the question on everyone’s mind. The question that came when they finally made their way out of the tunnels, when they knew they were safe and they had won the battle of Outpost Onx. Cole wondered it as he packed his salvaged clothes into his hodag-skin bag. Azeroth wondered it as he cracked open the last crate of stolen goods. Frost was still weak. His wounds were being patched with makeshift bandages under the supervision of Cory Montelban. Still, Vedek didn’t doubt that he was pondering the same question in some aspect:

What now?

Up to this point the five of them had been allies of circumstance. Working together after losing everything. But now they had mostly recovered what had been lost. Even Vedek’s paranoia was eased when he pulled his signet ring out of Solind’s pockets (though he did so when the others weren’t looking.) So now the question lingered: is this where their joint travels end? The only one who seemed to have an idea of what to do next was Rerume, but none were keen to talk to him after the grisly way he had killed Solind.

“Well, if wecher bodies are the same as human ones I’d say I’ve done all I can for your friend.”

Cory dabbed the blood off his hands. They had made the bandages for Frost’s wound from some of Cole’s recovered shirts. Frost’s breathing was labored, but even. “I surmise this has only extended his time. Now if you don’t mind me asking, what do the five of you plan to do next? Other than getting your friend to someone who can patch him up proper.”

That was one reason to stay together. Vedek didn’t know the going rate for healers. He never had to pay for his own healing before. Now that someone had actually asked the question the five members of Vedek’s group all shifted uncomfortably.

“I only ask because Saltspring is a far way from here, and my people need to get back to view the damages. I worry about us being caught by more bandits or even some hungry wildlife. There’s a lock box full of coin that I hid in Saltspring should we ever need to rebuild after a raid. If any of you can escort us home then some of that coin can be yours.”

Cole rested his chin on his fist. “I guess it shouldn’t take all of us to transport Frost back to Ramuf. That coin could help us pay for a healer.”

“They’re not the only ones who need escorting.” This objection came from Odile Ruaidrí. The girl had been sitting quietly since Azeroth had carried her out of the gigantepede nest. After weeks in the darkness she had to sit in the shade to allow her eyes to adjust. “My father employs the best healers in the Confederacy. Sráid is known for its medicine as well as its silver. Take me home and I’ll see to it that your friend will be mended for no cost.”

Cory grimaced. He knew he couldn’t beat offer. Evidently so did Cole. “You’re suggesting that we just abandon these people?”

Vedek wasn’t certain of the maneuver Odile used, but she somehow managed to pivot towards Cole, leap, and slap him all in one motion. Her blue eyes struck lightning into the boy’s skull.

“Of course not! Do you take me for one of those selfish nobles that can’t see past the the golden plate that holds their dinner? I know better than most the strain Solind and his barbatus inflicted on their captives. No. I’m not suggesting you ‘abandon them’ I am suggesting that you split your party so that both of us find our way home. My father has been worrying over me for a month, now that I am free of that cell and that man I will not have them suffer any longer.”

As far as impassioned speeches from elden fae nobles, Vedek had heard far worse. Odile would make fine queen when Fellior deferred the throne.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply...” Cole mumbled. He threw up his hands to protect his cheeks from further attacks.

“You didn’t, but you did.” Odile coldly responded.

“There was that tunnel where the silver ingots were,” Rerume said, “I take it that leads all the way to Sráid?”

Odile nodded. “It leads to an abandoned quarry near the city. That was where I was kept for the first few days after capture. The tunnel was formed to make the weekly payments of silver easier to transport.”

Vedek drummed his fingers on his empty quiver. Odile had certainly made a convincing proposition. It would leave the question of how they split the group should they vote to follow her advice.

Azeroth was still elbow deep in the crate. His mouth spread to the closest thing Vedek had seen him make to a grin. He ripped his arm free of the crate, a copper medallion clenched tight in his hands.

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“That’s not a cleric’s mantel, is it?” Rerume scowled. The medallion was similar to the one Solind had used. Azeroth’s was flatter and bore only the symbol of a single clenched fist reaching for the sky.

“Absolutely not.” Azeroth looped the medallion over his neck.

“Will you tell us what it is then?” Rerume glared at the half-orc.

“You haven’t earned that privilege.” Azeroth said. It was the same words Rerume had used when they inquired about his status as an Avenger.

Vedek decided it was time to bring up the other question on his mind. He gestured to the dozen or so crates left, all filled with valuables stolen from other raided villages and towns. “What are we to do with the rest of this?”

“I’m not taking what isn’t mine.” Azeroth shook his head. Now that he had his medallion he sat on one of the crates.

“Not while their owners still live.” Frost breathed. His eyes were shut but he was listening to everything being said.

“I only ask because Solind implied there was a master above him, how long before that master learns of what happened here and sends reinforcements to collect the collateral?” Vedek looked gravely to everyone in the room. “If we are determined to remain honorable and not take these items for ourselves then we also take it upon ourselves to return them to their rightful owners, do we not?”

That was a statement that had no immediate rebuttal. Even the verbose Odile couldn’t think of a response.

“The Order of Suffering.” Cole pounded his fist into his open palm. “They’re honorable. If we tell them I’m sure they’ll take command of Outpost Onx and return everything to its rightful owners.”

Vedek exhaled. That was true. The Order was honorable, or at least some of its members were. Azeroth avoided looking at Cole, his distaste for the Order was that obvious. Odile had a similar expression, but she held her tongue. Rerume wasn’t looking at Cole either. His eyes lingered on the eight villagers of Saltspring.

“The Order is in Ramuf.” Rerume said.

“Ramuf is less than a day’s travel from Saltspring.” Cory said hopefully.

“That’s by horse, grandpa.” Hays, the youth with the Kurtzkith tattoo, spoke up. He had been avoiding bringing attention to himself after what Rerume had done to him earlier.

Confirming his fears, Rerume walked towards Hays. Like before, Hays’ mother and Cory stepped between Rerume and the youth. The tension in the room had increased with this one action.

“I’m sorry for my actions towards your grandson.” Rerume’s eyes flitted to Cory’s. He was treating the senior as an equal. “I acted without thinking of the consequences. As recompense for my behavior, I volunteer myself as protector of your people until you are returned home.”

A chorus of small gasps came from the people of Saltspring. Cory’s old eyes squinted. Vedek didn’t know if Rerume’s apology was genuine, especially after he had so brutally accosted Hays before, but it was certainly a hopeful thought.

“I’ll go with you,” Cole stood. “When we’re near Ramuf I can break off and go the rest of the way on foot.”

“You’re sure you can travel on your own?” Vedek asked.

Cole smiled back. “Positive. You remember what Rodd and Zam said: the road to Ramuf is the safest it's ever been. Besides, it doesn’t take more than one person to deliver a message.”

Once again Vedek was taken with the boy’s optimism. The smile Cole was making was the same one he had flashed Vedek during that first night in Devil’s Rest.

“I’m the only one strong enough to carry Frost.” Azeroth stood as well. It was assumed this was his way of volunteering to go to Sráid.

“If that’s how it is then he should come with us.” Odile pointed a dirt-packed finger at Vedek. “I mean no offense to the two of you, but if you enter the city limits looking like you do with the missing princess then you risk a misunderstanding with the guards. I won’t have that, so the other elden fae comes with us to stay the hands of the impulsive.”

Once again the princess spoke true. It was fortunate that Vedek had his bandanna still, so that the others couldn’t see his proud smile. He had decided from the beginning that he would be of the party that went to Sráid. Fellior was an exile, but he was still an ally of Fae’Riam and would recognize Vedek’s signet ring. Sráid should have been the first place Vedek went after fleeing to Athshin. At the time, all he could think of was finding safety by putting as much distance between himself and Fae’Riam. It was rash thinking like that that led him into the path of Solind’s barbatus. Vedek wondered if Fellior knew anything about Zexven’s coup.

“Are you sure you’re 110? You speak more like your 410.” Vedek let cheer into his voice. “I agree to your logic. Azeroth, Frost, and I will ensure you are returned to your father.”

Vedek stood, joining Azeroth, Cole, and Rerume. Frost attempted to stand, but Azeroth forced him to stay reclined. Odile’s blue eyes twinkled with hope. The villagers of Saltspring looked to Cory, he gave them a brave smile as confirmation they would be home soon.

“How do we find each other again?” Frost rasped. His eyes were open and worried. If he was a full-blooded hound he might have whined.

“Once I have done my duty I will be heading to Spiral City to pursue the necromancer Corban.” Rerume looked out the open doors. The sun was setting and the sky was vibrant as autumn leaves. “There is a library in that city called the Pavilion of Scrolls. I visited there as a child and I intend to go there again to study a means to counter Corban. I propose that as the site of our reunion.”

The others absorbed this information. Vedek had been to Spiral City once when he was a prince. Cole held out his closed fist. “Spiral City. Pavilion of Scrolls. Two weeks time.”

There was confusion as what this meant. Vedek remembered it was a gesture by the humans of Mercin to show a promise. Vedek held out his own arm so that it crossed Cole’s.

“Spiral City. Pavilion of Scrolls. Two weeks time.”

Frost raised his good arm. He mimicked the gesture and the words. Next was Azeroth, Vedek would swear there was amusement in the half-orc’s voice. Last was Rerume, who let a frown cross his face before extending his arm.

They were agreed then. Vedek and Azeroth would take Odile to Sráid so that Frost could be healed. Cole would travel with Rerume until they were near Ramuf, then he would set out on his own to notify the Order of Suffering. Lastly, Rerume would escort the people of Saltspring back to their homes.

Then they would all reconnect in Spiral City, at the Pavilion of Scrolls, in two weeks time.