Chapter III: Misty Streets, Clouded Minds
The path to the Silver Maré was a little more complicated than Bregun led them to believe, but it did appear that the overall point was true. All the lines of algae did seem to lead to one building or another, but despite everyone’s best efforts, they could not follow any to the tavern. Whatever the pattern, they could not crack it.
Of course, they need not have worried, the path ahead lead to a massive dead end. This dead end thankfully included a sign hanging above a door that simply read: Silver Maré.
The tavern was surprisingly crowded for the time of day, though considering their recent interaction with Bregun, perhaps this was the norm here.
Most of the tables were packed with an assortment of dwarves, human and Malenai, with the occasional elf. There was little in the way of merrymaking.. Everyone seemed to have their heads down, staring at the bottom of full glasses.
The barkeep seemed to share similar energy. She was a half orc, making her twice the size of everyone else in the bar save Hamish. She was lazily cleaning the same murky glass as she eyed her patrons warily. A large fang protruded out from below her upper lip, seeming to leave her face in a constant scowl.
Their entrance had drawn some heads, but most seemed to return to staring at their drinks and hushed whispers in short order. Argent looked about for an open spot at the counter, quietly taking the spot before anyone could object.
The barkeep eyed him a moment before commenting in a gruff voice, “Don’t think I’ve seen you around here before. You new in town?”
Argent nodded.
The barkeep eyed them all with sunken black eyes, then grunted, “What can I get ya?”
“Information,” Argent said, then turned to everyone, “but I believe my compatriots may be more interested in drink?”
Ari’s ears perked excitedly, but after thinking a moment, she mumbled out, “It’s a little early, I should probably pass.”
Hamish leaned over and whispered, “Good friend, I was hoping to drink myself, would you mind joining me despite early hour?”
Ari smiled and gave a slight nod, “One small cup of Lilac Wine, please.”
The half orc stared at Ari for a moment, who quickly began showing signs of visible discomfort, before saying, “We got Onbaran Ale and Syndra Whiskey. On a good day some Kimean Brandy, but before you even ask it ain’t been a good day in a long time.”
Ari, with crimson cheeks, nodded and whispered, “I’ll try the whiskey then.”
“Two Onbaran ale for me,” Hamish added.
The barkeep’s eyes then fell on Selene, who was about to respond when Argent said, “She’s underage, so nothing harder than milk.”
Selene huffed, feigning insult, “I wasn’t going to ask for anything…like that.”
Argent side-eyed her, a smile playing at his lips, “Of course not.”
Once Argent had his back turned, Selene motioned to Hamish.
“Share with me?” she mouthed.
He placed his hand to his chin as if considering it. Finally he gestured in response, “little bit.”
While the drinks were getting made, the three found some seats at a table nearby while Argent waited at the bar.
The half orc came to their table a few minutes later, passing out the drinks to Hamish and Ari.
“Thank you Miss…” Hamish paused, “I’m sorry, I missed your name?”
The half orc smirked, tossed her hair back with her free hand, “Ebna, folks ‘round her call me Strongarm.”
Hamish nods, “Oh yes? Is because you are good at getting their money?”
She shrugged, “Sometimes, but more cuz I ain’t one for rough housing. I catch ya, you get tossed out the door. Best record yet was a dwarf, Ogrish or something. Threw him 30 yards past that door,” She nodded toward the entrance, then added, “Never seen a pig fly, but he sure was squealing like one. Figure it’s bout the same.”
Hamish gave a laugh, “HA! IS GOOD ONE.” He offered his hand, “Brother Hamish, a pleasure meeting you Miss Ebna.”
Hamish’s good humor seemed to brighten her mood. She gives him a toothy grin as she takes his hand firmly. “Pleasure is all mine, unless you forget to pay your bill.”
Ari took her drink in relative silence but gave a quiet thank you when the mug was placed in front of her.
After the drinks were given out, the barkeep turned back to Argent quietly.
Selene wanted to hear their conversation, but was more distracted by the promise that Hamish would share his drink. Not that Selene had any strong desire to drink. Based on past experience living on the streets, she knew what happened to people who got a taste for it. No, Selene wanted a drink to mark the beginning of her journey in Syndramire and adulthood.
Plus, Argent said no. So she was going to do it anyway.
As she took a sip of the drink, she noted two things. One, ale tasted terrible. She gagged the minute it passed her lips and pushed the drink back towards Hamish. Two, the whispering had stopped. Now everyone simply sat at their tables, staring into glasses. The room felt eerily quiet, save the hushed tones of Argent and Ebna talking.
Hamish and Ari noticed it, too.
“This isn’t right,” Ari muttered, “It’s like we’re the only people in here.”
Selene nodded.
Hamish tried chatting with a fellow patron, a human male, seated nearby.
“Excuse me, friend,” Hamish tapped the man’s shoulder, he turned toward Hamish slowly.
The man was like Bregun, almost half asleep in his reactions and response. His eyes rose to stare at Hamish, sunken and lifeless.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
“You alright, friend? You do not look so good.”
The man jumped at Hamish’s word, “What?!?” Then blinking slowly, he seemed to gain some lucidity, “Oh, yes. Right,” He stared down at the ground, “I’m not.”
“What’s wrong?” Selene asked, confused.
The man stared blankly in her direction, “Can’t sleep-won’t sleep. Too many….” The man paused, his head bobbing as if he was about to fall asleep. Suddenly he raised his hand to his face and slapped himself hard enough to redden his cheek, “…bad dreams.”
After that the man no longer responded to questioning, turning back around to face his nearly empty glass. Hamish frowned, but further attempts to speak with the man gave no results.
After finishing their drinks, they each tried again with another table. All had similar results. Either the person ignored them entirely, or was only lucid for a few moments.
“They won’t respond differently,” an elf said in the far right corner said as Selene passed.
“Why not?” Selene said as she turned to face him.
The elf’s face was gaunt, his eyes, much like the others, were sucken and his eyelids drooped. Still, there was a lucidity in his eyes the others lacked. He took a big gulp from his canteen as he met her gaze.
“The first one you spoke to, his name’s Donnick. He gave it right. Nightmares.” The elf shuddered, then offered her the seat beside him, “Name’s Lenov, by the way.”
She accepted and offered her hand to him as she sat, “Selene. Selene Bryseis.”
“Uh huh, pleasure, but let’s skip the pleasantries” the elf answered quickly, “None too sure why you folk are here, but I think you should get whatever you need then hightail outta here. Nobody that stays here’s gonna last.”
“These nightmares are that bad, huh?” Selene asked, wringing her hands below the table.
Lenov nodded, “Seem to affect even us elves. We don’t dream o’course, but I feel it in my bones. Can’t find any rest, 'cept at the bottom of a bottle.“
Selene nodded, noting that most of the other elves lacked Lenov’s energy. “I’m surprised, you seem…fine. Or least…better than everyone else we’ve seen.”
Lenov chuckled, “It affects us all differently. I seem more resilient than others.”
He sighed, taking another drink, “Still, I’m better now than most days. Ran into that wizard on my way over, handed me some of his potion. Helps lessen the affects before sleep or rest. Gave most of it to Ebna so she can use it in her drinks on the worst off folk here. The two together seem an effective combo. ”
He paused again to finish off the last of his drink, “It ain’t much, but it keeps us sane. For once, I think we’re all glad that wizard’s here…”
“Wizard?” Selene jumped as she realized Argent had suddenly appeared behind her, “What’s his name?”
Lenov struggled for a moment, “Jezran, I think? He’s from that big college down south? Dunbarrow, I think.”
“Can you take us to him? The barkeep’s no help.” A loud huff is heard from Ebna’s direction, “In exchange, I’ll give you 5 Izaran silver.”
Lenov’s jaw dropped. “S-sure, my home is on the way, actually. If we move quick, we can get you there before the mists come down.”
Ari and Hamish, realizing it was time to go, quickly paid Ebna and made to leave.
“Hope to see ya folks around again. Don’t get much new business in these parts.”
Hamish turned and laughed, “Ha, no problem! I promise to return with empty stomach, great thirst, and heavy pockets!”
Ebna snorted as the door closed behind Hamish.
Selene, however, had a thought and ran over to Lenov. “Wait, I thought you said everyone was affected by the nightmares. Why isn’t Ebna affected?”
“She is,” Lenov said, a smile touching his face, “She’s only about half as charming as she used to be.”
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The group followed Lenov for a while in silence after leaving the Silver Maré. Each seemed lost in their own thoughts. As time passed, Selene noted that mists had begun gathering on the streets. At first it was small pockets here and there, but slowly, it seemed to fill entire alleyways. Only the streets beneath the algae were unaffected, for the time being.
It felt like they were being watched, as mists closed in around them.
At this point, Selene looked for a distraction. She moved closer to Argent and asked, “Something is going on here, isn’t it?”
Argent sighed. “It’s Syndramire, Selene. Something is always ‘going on’ here,” Argent remained silent for a moment, then added, “but you’re right. Something has changed.”
Selene breathed a sigh of relief. She knew so little of the world outside her home, it was nice to know this wasn’t just more culture shock. “Are we going to do something about it?”
“Perhaps,” Argent said, “Depends on what we learn from Jezran.”
“Is he the reason you and Ari are here?” Selene probed.
Argent was silent for a time, then said, “No, but he might know what’s going on, and can point us in the right direction.”
Selene nodded, but had no idea what he meant.
Before she could ask Argent for more information, she suddenly found herself on the ground. The splitting pain throbbing from her head and the man in front of her nursing a similar head wound was all she needed to grasp the situation.
He was a young human, probably only a few years older than her, but it was hard to say with the massive brown beard covering the lower portion of his face. He seemed to be wearing some strange robes and a weird glass device on his nose.
Argent ran up to her before she could get a better look at his face, kneeling beside her, “Are you alright?”
“Yeah, just…owwww.” Selene groaned. The man must have been flat out running to hit her with such force. Argent said nothing as he stood up and offered his hand to help her.
As she got to her feet, Lenov had come to assist the man sprawled out in front of her.
He gasped, “Master wizard, are you alright?” He exclaimed as he helped the man to his feet.
“Lenov?” The man spoke in a forced deep voice, “Yes, yes. It will take more than that to keep me down.”
“Wizard, you mean this is Jezran?” Argent asked, confused as he turned around to face the man.
The strange man blinked, his eyes a vibrant green. “…yes? Who are you?”
Lenov jumped in, “These folks were looking for you, I was leading them back to your place.”
“Oh?” Jezran said, eyeing Argent up and down, “What do you want with me?”
“We need answers and lodging for the night,” He paused, looking around, then added, “but the mists seem to be growing around us, I suggest we continue this conversation at your home.”
Selene looked about and realized the mists were thicker than before. Now, almost every alleyway was filled, and it had begun to pool at their feet.
Lenov suddenly grew pale as he stared at the mists around them, “…I didn’t realize it was this late already. How long was I…?” He swallowed sharply.
Jezran thought about Argent’s words for a moment, then nodded, “Very well, I was en route to the tower when I…I ran into your friend. So let us be off before it is too late.”
Lenov took several steps back, “I’m sorry, but I…I best get back to my home. I did what I could, a-and Master Jezran can lead you the rest of the way.”
Argent nodded, but Hamish protested, “Are you sure it wise to wander streets alone? All this mist make it difficult to see. Maybe you should join us to Wizard house?”
Lenov stared into the mists for a moment. He then turned to face Hamish, then shook his head, “N-no, it’s too far, too dangerous now. I’m sorry.”
Jezran watched him run off, shaking his head sadly. “Poor elf. The effects are getting worse, the potion might not be effective soon.”
“What do you mean?” Hamish asked.
Jezran didn’t respond, “We need to hurry back to my home. It’s safer there, but he is right. It’s far, so we’ll need to run.”
With that said, he bolted down the path, leaving the rest of the party little choice but to follow. Hamish gave one final glance back down the way Lenov went, before turning to follow.