Kayne and Kismet went downstairs and the two made their way to the bar, grabbing an ale each. Kayne took a seat at an empty table in a corner near the fire in a plush chair where he could put his feet up. Kismet stood at the bar, downed the whole ale, and then asked the barkeep. “Put another in my hand and I’ll entertain the room for ya.” The barkeep looked him up and down and must have recognized something about him because he nodded and slid another into his hand. Taking a sip of the second ale, he made his way up to a small raised stage area and after a few more sips pulled out a stringed instrument that he had to assemble from three pieces and then began tuning it. Kayne, seeing this couldn’t believe his eyes. The old man never ceased to amaze at what he could produce from his cloaks and jackets. He began to strum out a few tunes to the simple applause of the room.
It wasn’t until Naia had deigned to join the room that Kismet began to sing to the crowd. His first few songs were of the five heroes and their victories against the Korrigan hordes. After he got little response from those he thought a few moments on the matter and worked up something new. He sang of dragon men and the collapse of their floating island which everyone cheered at due to the current circumstances. Apparently the impromptu song was in good taste because several people tossed coins into the hat he’d laid on the floor before him. Little of the evening was much more exciting than that and they all eventually ate and drank their fill then sought their beds.
It was near daybreak when they were all abruptly awakened from their beds. The Bard snorted rather loudly and said, “man the walls!” before realising where he was. They all heard a bone rattling crash from, what felt like, directly next to them and then bells began sounding all over the city. Coming around, in a bit of a stupor, Kayne sat up grabbing for a blade in the belt he’d slung over the bed rail. From the corner Kismet appeared to be almost completely dressed and ready after his previous outburst. Kayne wondered to himself if he’d ever even taken more than his bags off. Shaking his head he began throwing on all his things and stowing whatever he’d pulled from his pack. Fortunately he’d had the idea sometime the day before to refill his water skins and grab what extra dried rations he could. Buttoning his cloak He saw that the other two were completely ready to go. Naia had returned his Alkin-made cloak and he fastened it on over everything else and secured everything for a possible fight.
Naia, speaking up first asked; “What’s going on and what should we do?!” Kismet stepped over to where she was next to the table and the only thing lying out still was her magical map. “Judging by the situation and what we know about this time period I think we can safely assume that this is the fall of Desmonde some short time before it becomes Fargo.” He said somewhat knowingly. “I think just judging by Kaynes vision and the possible reasons behind it we need to head east, gather more information in Teswhyne and see what we can do from there. This place just became a war zone.”
Kismet looked out the curtains to where the window looked over the back alley and the street towards the northern bridge and saw a formation of troops heading to the large wooden gate that normally stood open to the long bridge between halves of the city. Barricades had been erected and soldiers were positioning themselves to defend the spot. The large wooden door itself looked to be already somewhat damaged and men were pushing against it to prevent its opening. He turned from the curtain just as another bang from that direction sounded, shaking the room. “I think that means we need to go! I don’t think that gate will hold for much longer. We should get ready with Fennic and when they push past the gate I say we make a break for the bridge. Naia think you can make us a hole in that ice wall we saw on the bridge?” Grabbing her swallow she passed her hand over the glittering blue gems on each end. “I think so, I’ve been storing mana in these since we left.”
She grabbed the map and hid it away in her bag then followed Kayne and Kismet out the door and down the back hallway. They went down into the kitchen, peering out into the main room as they went. The innkeeper had barred the door with a table, some larger pieces of furniture, and was posted up near the door with a large frying pan while peeking out a window. Kayne, oddly, took a detour into the cellar from here. The two just stood there and looked at each other in confusion. After a moment or two he came quickly back up with his hands full of five or six fish. “What?” He said with a boyish guilty grin on his face. “It will probably be a long day and Fennic will need it. I left ‘em a few silver near the storage pot. Now let’s go!” He said fervently but in a hushed tone.
They stepped out the backdoor to find Fennic curled up in a corner looking around very alert. He caught sight of Kayne and nearly bowled him over in excitement. He rubbed up against him until he found the fish Kayne was holding at which point he stared eagerly at him. Kayne set the fish in a pile on the ground and told Fennic with a motion to be quiet. He must have understood because he began scorching the ground, when Kayne stood back, charring all the fish he’d put in the pile. While he did this Kismet and Naia had moved to the fence-wall that lined the road where the soldiers had set up to guard the gate.
They peered over after having heard a third loud bang and a loud woody crack. The gate had broken. Shouting and the clash of weapons had immediately followed. Though they were unaware of it, the front gate had also been assailed by the vicious looking Pisca Enribata, as the book had described them. The men of this age were woefully under-developed in the use of most magics and so their only defense from the fire wielding Enribata at the front gates was what little stone magic a few of the dwarves, from Doromont, could use. Only a small number had been able to come to their aid as the vicious Enribata and Enriba had been slowly taking over all routes between the two cities for months. In fact they’d nearly secured everything along the Sargone river to the northwest as well.
Peering back towards Kayne and Naia, Kismet whispered at them; “be ready, we may have to wait a while but once the moment strikes we have to go quickly!” Nodding at him silently Kayne drew Kaybulan and one of his daggers and stood guard at the corner or the building looking up the alley. He whispered to Naia; “watch Kismet and let me know when he gives the signal, I’ll watch this path in case someone gets through.” She nodded once and put her hand on his shoulder leaving it there so she could alert him silently. As Kismet watched the fray unfolding before him it was clear the Enribata had the upper hand. Their scaly blue bodies were well muscled and they had no need of armor or weapons. Every now and then one would have to call on magic to blast apart two or three of the more well equipped valiant guards.
Though they fought their hardest, it wasn’t long before the fray was lost. It was then that Kismet was going to signal them to jump the stone fence but Kayne was preoccupied at the moment. One of the Enribata warriors was sniffing his way down the alley but hadn’t noticed Kayne yet as he watched from under his Alkin cloak which was pulled up over his head. Naia saw Kismet's signal and gave Kayne a squeeze on the shoulder. He watched a moment longer and the soldier seemed to have gotten a whiff of something it didn’t like and so it turned the other way. Looking down, the smoke from Fennics breakfast was wafting towards the open alley. He turned away and put his Alkin blade back in its sheath and drew a second dwarven dagger. Seeing Fennic beside him, he patted the back of his head awkwardly with his arm while trying to avoid accidentally stabbing him with a dagger.
Kismet stood on a box ready to leap over the fence with a long curved dagger that seemed to shimmer red. In his head Kayne thought; “where in the name of Ifia does he keep getting new things from?” Kismet held out three fingers in preparation to count down. They all peered over the wall and then tucked back down. There was one Pisca that looked important and three more Enribata soldiers standing on the other side as they brutally mopped up the last few guards. Kayne looked at the other two and quietly whispered. “You two run for it Fennic and I will take care of these foul creatures.” They nodded in agreement. Naia on the far left, Kismet in the middle and Kayne on the right with Fennic.
Kismet counted down and they all three leapt over the fence. Immediately Kayne had launched two of his daggers at some unsuspecting soldiers a few feet from their captain. Kismet hopped over and, having not seen one directly below him, had to awkwardly grab the ledge as he flew over so he could drop right down on top of the unsuspecting Enribata. It was not fully aware of what happened but managed to catch his hand as he tried to swipe at him. Dropping the blade from the hand the creature had caught to his other. He snagged it from the air and sliced a gash across its abdomen. The wound began burning and curled outward several inches from where the gash had been in all directions and continued burning the creature. He turned and dashed towards where Naia was already running across the gate towards two Enriba, the more fishy looking Pisca, that were standing near the ice wall about four hundred meters across the long bridge.
The two daggers Kayne had launched had landed square in the necks of his two unfortunate targets. Before he’d gone over the wall his eye had shown him exactly where they’d land so he hit the ground and drew Kaybulan and his last dagger in their respective hands. He landed and swung at the captain as the two he’d hit already screamed their harsh hissing deaths. Unlike the usual Enribata this one seemed more upright and carried a scimitar. It parried him and they locked in combat. It sneered at the challenge as they danced and twisted around Kayne made several complex maneuvers. He shifted Kaybulan from a short sword to a rapier and scored a few scratches on its skin which it completely ignored.
Behind him Fennic had come over the wall and began spraying a stream of fire at a few more Enribata soldiers that had taken interest in the fight and began to run over. Unexpecting him they jumped back as his stream of fire lashed out towards them. In their hissing and harsh tones several of them must have sworn something saying; “aaaahhhh Pili-afi desca tranqdica." Or at least that's what Kayne thought he heard amidst his duel with the captain.
Realizing what was going on and that he’d be surrounded soon Kayne spun, hurled his last dagger, with the accuracy he still couldn’t truly explain, into another foe. This freed up his other hand. With a scream at the Pisca captain, not enraged or in fear like the time on the boat, but with a focused strength. His blade shifted into a five foot long, fourteen inch wide blade that was blue and one sided with a long curve at the tip. Kayne struck downward and the Captain's scimitar was shattered as he tried to block and he was thrown to the ground. When Kayne followed through with the strike blue bolts of lightning shot out from the blade and burst through the captain and continued to strike the, now four additional, Enribata soldiers that were attempting to help.
Oddly the bolts arced past and around Fennic, which still startled him, causing a distressed burp of flame to come from his nostrils. He turned back to Kayne and scurried towards him, lowering his neck so Kayne could quickly swing on. He glanced back and noticed that all five of the Pisca lay dead on the ground, smoking.
As they ran on, several of the city guards had come from somewhere to reinforce the position and had seen what happened. Though, from their perspective, they didn’t see a boy wielding a magical sword shooting lightning at his foes. They’d seen a tall blue-skinned well muscled Alkin man brimming with magical power. What they saw after that couldn’t be agreed upon by any of the men that were there at the time. Some say he vanished and others say a boy rode off on a Pili-afi across the bridge. One thing they all agreed upon was that they had all seen three Enribata soldiers with daggers in their necks and then all three daggers flew off towards the hero and vanished.
Further up the bridge by the ice wall Naia and Kismet were both engaged in fighting the two Enriba that stood by the ice wall. Apparently, unlike their more hunched and angry looking cousins (the Enribata), they wore some light leather armor and carried small spears. Naia spun and weaved around her opponent swiftly slaying it after she’d had to dodge and return several icicles he’d thrown at her as she ran up. Fortunately Kismet managed to occupy the attention of the second with a few thrown knives. Though they missed, the attention was clearly on him.
Again using his long red dagger he ducked the fist icicle and the second seemed to vanish into steam. He batted away the spear pointed at him and a small fire spell was placed on the spear causing it to burn the wielder's hands. In the confusion he cut three quick slashes across the unfortunate guard which also began to burn outwards. This guard was so stricken with pain he stumbled and fell over the edge of the bridge. It was so high up that they never heard a splash in all the excitement.
Kayne, holding on for dear life to Fennics neck, showed up just as the guard had fallen off the side. “I really need to find him a saddle!” he said, and they both looked at him in exasperation. Without a word Naia began working a spell drawing as much energy as she could. Blue light flowed from her swallow and into her open left hand. Gathering it all in she reached forward and a spell circle formed on the wall. At first it was small but a moment later it grew to the size of the bridge's width and was forming on the wall above and below it.
All around Naia, small blue fairy-like incorporeal spriggen sprites began to sprout and swirl with her magic circles. The magic sparkled for a moment, rotating around her hand, and then glittering rain poured down on them. The dozen or so Spriggen shot upwards and flew off into the sky. The wall had vanished all the way to the surface of the river and lake. Naia looked flushed and began to sway. Kayne stepped up behind her and caught her as she fainted from the effort.
On the other side of the wall there had been two more enriba guards that looked completely stunned. Kismet and Fennic immediately crouched into defensive postures. Far across the bridge there was a full company of humans and dwarves fortified just before the gates that stood open. The two Enriba which stood guard on the opposite side of the ice wall looked back and forth in surprise, seeing the four behind them and the company of warriors. Clearly the west side of the city housed the barracks. Seeing the wall dropping, the company cheered and charged forwards. The two Enriba didn’t wait for an order. They dove from the bridge to the safety of the water. They knew no men could harm them down there.
Holding Naia as she faded in and out from the effort he gently set her down behind them. Kayne stepped forward, Kaybulan in hand, and stood ready to fight the entire company if he had to. They continued to charge towards him as he stood there, his blade had once again entered the form from a few minutes ago five feet long and crackling with blue lightning. In his head he thought; “you’ll take her from my cold dead body.” Their charge ended early with much lackluster. Or, so he thought, allowing the form of his blade to dwindle. As he did so, they all heard a sound like wind on the mountains. A fierce gale blew across the bridge forcing them all to duck and lean into it or be flung from the bridge.
Behind them in a deafening flap of wings a massive blue glittering dragon with grey eyes touched down on the bridge over top of Naia. It wrapped its tail around her, between them and her limp body. Everyone but Kayne cowered in fear and backed away from the massive creature. In one of its front claws the dragon scooped up Naias limp body, bag, weapons, and all. Like thunder echoing in his head Kayne heard a low intense rumbling voice. “Child of Lumiara, come east to the isle of the dragon if you want to save her.” And with that the dragon bolted into the sky with a single wing beat and everyone including Kayne had to cling prostrate to the bridge. Kayne got up and just stood there, his sword in its base form almost limp in his hand. The company regained its composure and resumed charging across the bridge. He did nothing, though Kismet and Fennic took a defensive posture around him. Near a hundred of the city's knights ran or walked past ignoring the three. It wasn’t until the sun crested over the ramparts and touched Kaynes face, moments later, that he stirred after turning to watch helplessly as a dragon flew off with Naia.
No one bothered the three standing there in the midst of their victory and failure until eventually a well dressed knight, a captain, or general perhaps, walked up and addressed them. Kismet stepped forward. “I am Kismet Arvad, or ibhadi d’orlock, King Zerclaw should be expecting me.” The very formal looking man tilted his head in confusion at this proclamation. But he looked behind and whistled. Four other formal looking knights came up and surrounded them. Fennic bristled and began smoking and growling. “Uh… sir, we can escort you to his majesty but you’ll have to calm the pili-afi. I don’t need any more of my men being scorched today. Those Pisca Enribata are bad enough with their damned fire magic.” In response Kayne put his arm over Fennic and stroked his nose. “It’s alright, we’ll get her back, just be good for now.” he said to the lizard. Seeing Kayne relax, Fennic dropped his guarding posture and stopped smoking. “Now, if you wouldn’t mind following me, this is still very much a war zone. We do thank you for your help with that ice wall, but we don’t know who you are or why you’re here dressed like that.”
The captain led them off to the section of the city where a citadel was centrally located away from the wall but high enough to see over almost everything including the far side of the river. They were led into the first baley of the castle and left with the four guards. All around them troops were moving around and taking orders from people and marching off in formations towards the gate they just came from. As all this happened Kayne and Kismet just stood there waiting and feeling useless. Kayne, in particular, was deep in thought over the strange circumstances of the arrival of the dragon and what it had said. “Child of Lumiara, come east to the isle of the dragon if you want to save her.” It just kept swirling around in his head over and over.
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Eventually the commander returned moving quickly. “You four, head to your assigned posts, I’ll be taking these two from here.” in sync they gave a “yes sir,” and saluted then moved off as a unit. Reaching out a hand, he shook Kismets. “I’m commander Jaynus. Cole Jaynus. You can all just call me commander Cole. You’re not military and we owe you a huge thanks for dissolving that wall but, if you don’t at least call me commander one of my men may try to duel you for no reason. I’d really hate to see them loose to that sword of yours.” He then turned his attention to Kayne shaking his hand as well. Kayne replied with, “Thanks Commander Cole.” “No, really, we owe you a great debt for the wall and killing that ‘Captain Yushi.’ I saw the way you fought from on top of the river wall. That was quite impressive. I would not have believed it was you until you stood before your friend ready to fight my whole commando unit. I think my men would have just as soon fought that dragon as you.” He said with a chuckle. As he did so he took a solid look at Kaynes eyes.
“Son, what did you say your name was?” Looking somewhat abashed after the complimentary words of the commander, Kayne eventually replied. “Kayne Atula, and this here is Fennic.” Gazing at the lizard that had nuzzled under Kaynes arm. “Ah, a pili-afi, or that's what the Kindel folk call them. We just call them flame salamanders. You don’t have a saddle for him yet. Did you just train him?” Taking a look at the salamander Kayne nodded. “He just kind of found us a few days ago.” Cole rubbed his chin in contemplation. “Yes, I hear once you befriend one they’re fiercely loyal. How do you ride him without the saddle?” Kayne once again looked abashed so Kismet broke in. “Actually commander Cole, if you happened to know where we could get one we’d really appreciate it. Riding him is very fast but a bit rough without one.”
Taking a step back, commander Cole bowed slightly. “I may be able to help you with that but first, let me show you to his Majesty. We’ve already tarried too long with pleasantries.” And, with a curt but polite turn he led them off up into the inner bailey of the citadel. Eventually they were led not into the throne room but up onto a high tower where a table stood in the middle of a large gazebo and several other important looking individuals and the King stood apart from the other four individuals. Commander Cole stepped up first. “Your Majesty. May I present Kayne Atula and Kismet Avrad, whom I believe you already know.” He bowed and stepped back. Giving a second bow to Kayne and Kismet he said; “you’ll find Fennic by the front gate when you’re ready to leave.” And with that he was down the stairway they had come up.
Stepping up to the table Kismet performed the same sweeping bow flourishing his cape with as much exaggeration as he could manage. “Your Majesty.” Once he stood from the somewhat ridiculous bow, King Zerclaw came and stood before them. “Once again, Kismet, you appear like a harbinger of doom. I’m not sure if I should thank you or fear you. But I know you’ve got your reasons.” With a slight smirk he looked back at the king. “As perceptive as always Aylon. I thought after all these years you’d have forgotten me.” Sticking his hand out the king clasped forearms like old war buddies. “Your Majesty, I wish I had better news for you, but unfortunately today is not your day. If what I’ve learned is correct you need to use this time while the north bridge is open to consolidate your civilians and forces on this side of the city where you’re more well protected. The far side will fall until help unlooked for arrives.” Staring hard into Kismet's eyes an imperceptible conversation must have occurred between them. The king broke their moment and looked up and down Kayne for a moment.
“Well, if I’m to trust the fate of my city to him I’d better have a look. Well boy, draw that sword of yours and let's have a look. Commander Cole says you’re quite impressive.” Unsure of what to do here Kayne glanced at Kismet who gave him a nod. He drew Kaybulan from behind his back and held it before the king, across his hands. “No, no, Kayne? Was it? Swing it about a little I hear you smote down Captain Yushi along with ten of his Enribata guards. In one strike nonetheless!” Kayne held his sword to his side and raised his left hand to interrupt the king then must have thought better of it. “Yes? What is it? I’d have you speak freely here, son.” King Aylon said to him.
Kayne, looking around and seeing the war council all staring at him, did as requested. “I’m sorry sir. It was only five or six. And I think I got three of them before then. And I’m not sure how I did all of that.” Breaking into a belly laugh the whole council followed suit with their king. “And he’s humble about it all! The boy stares down our best commandos and a dragon then has the sense to be humble.” He laughed once more and clapped Kaynes shoulder. Kismet stepped up behind King Aylon and said something in his ear.
King Aylon snapped his fingers. “Tucci, spar with the boy, he needs a bit of a workout to show what he’s capable of.” A guard clad in gold and silver stepped from beside the gazebo to where the three stood. “Sir!” Was all Tucci said and drew his sword, looking menacing. “Take it easy on him son, I’d hate for my personal guard to be embarrassed today. And we don’t need to lose any ‘more’ men.” At that proclamation the king and Kismet stepped back from the two standing off before them. Without warning the knight dashed at Kayne, his long broadsword coming in low sweeping up at him.
Seeing his danger moments before in his left eye Kayne hardly reacted. He stepped sideways and allowed the man to whoosh past hearing the blade whistle through the air. Kayne hadn't bothered to change the shape of his own blade in the move. Taking a step and a spin backwards, Kayne reached with both hands and the short dagger changed into a long three pronged spear which he used to make three quick jabs at the guard. Barely blocking the two and then parrying the third he dove in around Kaynes spear. The man watched as a spear formed into a light shortsword which Kayne used to quickly deflect the man's attack. The move then allowed him to sweep over the top and begin a downward strike. Again Tucci seemed to barely hold off the attack. He had to use two hands as Kaynes blow swept down on top of him. Kaynes ax-bladed hammer that he’d used to smash the vultures out of the air halted mid strike, and the man knelt there with a grimace preparing to get pounded below his guard. The strike never fell. His ax-bladed hammer shrunk to its usual size and Kayne sheathed it.
From his right there was a quiet clap from the gallery. “My boy, you need not injure this man's pride any further. Commander Jaynus understated your vigor! And if this is the strength we must trust then I’m convinced. Your friend, Kismet here, has yet to lead us astray. However we cannot just stop fighting.” Clasping the King on the shoulder Kismet spoke. “I don’t ask you to stop fighting your Majesty. A strategic retreat is all.” They went and stood by the map on the table overlooking both cities. And continued to talk with the war council. Kayne, having been forgotten, moved forward and offered the guard a hand up. He accepted and stood before Kayne, brushed off his reignment and stowed his sword as Kayne had done. “Thanks, nothing in our training ever taught us how to anticipate so many weapons from a single foe.” Kayne smiled weakly at him. “I’ll be honest, much of it comes from the blade itself. It seems to know me and how I’ll respond. Although, if I hadn’t been expecting your first attack you would have probably gotten me.” With a small chuckle the guard responded. “The royal sword master taught me to never hesitate and that an unexpected attack is usually the most fatal.” Kayne thought on that. “Thanks for the duel.” And with that the guard returned to his post.
Kayne stepped up to where the council was being held and quietly observed for a few moments. He peered at the map and it showed a large view of the city and surrounding area. A second map off to the side showed a Sacalia as they knew it currently. Kismet and the King were pointing and talking over one, then the other. “Kayne, according to Kismet and the sources we have the Pisca have taken and secured all of this. Your best bet, if the two of you are to make an attempt to get to Teswhyne, is to make haste to the forest here to the south. It seems that, even though the Enribata are not only fire wielders but made for land combat, they don’t like to be too far away from a major water source. It will be tough to get you two out of the city but I think we can manage.” Looking at the map and remembering what the voice in his head had told him. He screwed up his courage and asked; “Do we know where their city is? And where do dragons come from? That big one has my friend and I have to save her. If all this prophecy stuff is true I need her.”
They all looked at him in surprise. The king pulled forward the large map of Sacalia. “Well my boy, intelligence tells us that their ships come from this direction, but we have no way to confirm.” He pointed at the northwest corner of the map far off the coast of Sacalia. “The problem is that almost no one but the Pisca can even set sail on the seas. Over the last hundred years or so the sea monsters and Pisca have become more and more dangerous. Especially in that area. In the last few years almost no one but them can sail anywhere. The south seas don’t seem as affected by it but all of this area is basically off limits to us. They sink every ship we can build.” Putting both hands on the table, Kayne looked upset. “There has to be a way.”
The room at large grew silent. “We’ve not had word from Teswhyne in some time, son.” The King said softly. “I suggest you go there and find out. You’ll need to attempt the paths through the dwarven city of Randoont. We’ve not had much news from there either but I think it's your best chance right now. You’d need magic to ascend the river to the south.” At this suggestion Kayne perked up. “What kind of magic, your Majesty.” He looked up from the maps. “I’m really not sure, my boy. Very few of us humans have been able to learn very much magic, it's a wonder that you have performed such deeds right before my eyes, in fact. But enough about that, we’ve much more work to do here.” He turned to the guard by the stairs and said, “Summon Commander Jaynus back up here. Tell him to provision these two with whatever they need and send them out the south drainage tunnel. You’ll have to wait till nightfall but I think you can make it most easily at that time. The Enribata don’t seem to have very good night vision.”
From the stairs below Commander Jaynus appeared with a bow. “Your majesty, you called for me?” “My gods Cole, that was fast. Yes, take Kayne here and show him to quarters for the afternoon and provision him with whatever he may need. I need to speak a bit more with Kismet here.” Bowing once again he showed Kayne down from the tower to a room far below near the kitchens. “It’s not much but I have a feeling you two won’t spend much time in it. Now, you can leave your gear here for a bit and I have something to show you.” Kayne didn’t bother leaving his gear and made to follow Cole right away. They passed through the kitchens as he led the way and Kayne snatched a few pastries that looked tasty. Much to the chagrin of the cooks. He quickly took Kayne through several corridors and back out to the courtyard that led to a stable.
When he entered the very large stable Cole summoned one of the dirty looking stable hands by yelling, “Chaffy!” From inside a horse's stall a boy who must have been Chaffy popped his head out. “What’s all this then?!” He said before he realized who had summoned him. He hurriedly stood to attention and brushed his clothes off that were covered in hay and horse hair. “Commander Jaynus, sir. What can I be doing-you-for?” It was pretty clear the societal differences between the two but Kayne kept that to himself. “This is Kayne. I need you to see to his very…” He paused and coughed politely. “... Interesting stabling needs. Furnish his ‘steed’ with whatever it needs and see that you find and outfit a free horse for his companion by this evening. Something fast. King Aylons orders. And tell the tanner to drop what he’s doing and start on a saddle for his steed as well.” Cole then turned to Kayne and said, “Good luck, son.” With that Commander Cole gave Kayne a short bow and marched out to see to his own duties.
Chaffy offered a hand. “I’m Chaffy, Kayne was it? Where is your… um, steed? Uh, sir?” Kayne looked taken aback and waving a hand in the air. “I’m not royalty or even part of your military you don’t have to use any formalities with me Chaffy.” At which point he took the offered hand and shook it firmly. “I’m not familiar with this place. I left him in the outermost uh… entryway? I’ve never been in a castle before I’m not even sure what to call it.” Chaffy grinned at him. “Ah, not to worry then. It’s just over here. I’m sure I can handle whatever type of horse you’ve brought me. Me da’ brought me up to raise the finest steeds in this part-a Sacalaia.” Leading him around a few corners Chaffy stopped dead in his tracks. “Tha-tha-thas’ no ‘orse.”
Fennic saw Kayne and burst away from the two guards that had been stationed around him to prevent others from disturbing him. “Damn, I should have grabbed a few more fish from the kitchens but I was so hungry myself.” Said Kayne apologetically. Chaffy finally found his voice again. “You mean to tell me you ride that thing?” Kayne looked back at him. “Only once or twice. It’s really hard without a saddle. Which I guess is why Cole. I mean Commander Jaynus asked you to find the tanner. Even just a simple harness would help, his scales dig into my legs when there’s nothing else there.” Lifting up his pant leg he showed Chaffy the red marks along his calf. “These are just from this morning.” Chaffy grimaced at the marks. “Right, better see to those while the tanner works on a harness for… him?” Fennic was now under Kaynes left arm affectionately leaning into him. “Yes, Fennic here is a boy. Well actually I have no idea. How would we even tell?” Chaffy just shrugged.
“Right then lead him into the stables where I’ll get him some fish.” He began to walk off and Kayne followed him back to the stables. The three arrived and Kayne looked around hesitantly. “Uhh…. this might not be the best place for him. He has a habit of, ya know… breathing fire.” They both looked around at the room full of hay. “Across the river we put him behind the ovens. He seemed to like that.” Chaffy rubbed his chin and then nodded. “I know just the place.” He led the two back to a similar spot full of wood and warm from the ovens of the castle. “This should be perfect.” Kayne said. “But perhaps we should show him to the tanner first?”
Once again Chaffy led them around the outside of the castle to where a smithy and tanner were working on a large pile of gear. “Oi, Ole Bill!” From where he was working the tanner looked up and yelled. “Shut it Chaffy, it’s just Bill! What do you want?!” “Got a job for ya, King Zerlaw says you gotta drop what you’re doing and make this fire lizard thing a saddle.” A stream of swears that neither would repeat came from the tanner for several minutes. But he eventually got up and came to look at the beast. He held his spectacles up to his eyes so he could take a better look at Fennic. “Hmmmm….. Yes. Fine looking beast. You want it for just yourself or do you plan on taking passengers?” As he asked this he began haphazardly taking a measure of Fennic. Fennic seemed to take some pride in this because he stood very straight and puffed up his chest like he was showing off. “I’ll probably have at least one passenger if we’re to get Kismet a horse of his own. And we have a long way to go, so some bags would be nice as well.” Hearing the name Kismet the tanner looked at Kayne and raised an eyebrow and said nothing.
“Yes, yes, bags are made already.” Standing up from his crouch, under the narcissistic lizard, Bill said to the room at large. “How long do I have?” Kayne spoke up. “I think we’re leaving just after nightfall.” Looking completely aghast Bill rubbed the back of his head. “Oh boy, this is going to have to be some rough work. You ok with that?” Kayne opened his palms in a shrugging gesture. “It’ll have to do, we can’t wait any longer.” Going to the bench he’d been at before they arrived he sorted through several stacks of tanned hides looking for the right one. “Come back later, I’ve work to do, and if you see that lazy assistant of mine send him round right away!” He said in the most old and cantankerous tone he could muster. If he was even trying at all.
“Ah’right Kayne, lets head back to the stables and pick out a horse for whoever it is that’s gon’ ride with ya.” They made their way back to the stables and left Fennic back by the ovens as they had intended, leaving him a bucket of fish to occupy his appetite for the day. After rummaging around in the stables for some spare tack they looked at a few horses that Chaffy told Kayne could be leant or given out per his Majesty's wishes. “I’m really not sure Chaffy. My family wasn’t poor by any means but we never had any need of a horse, and I won’t be the one riding it. That’ll be Kismet.” Chaffy, stroking the nose of a mare that had been nosing him for attention, thought a moment. “I s’ppose it will have to be something fast, as the king said, that won’t mind being near that silly lizard of yours.” Kayne broke in; “and it’ll have to be ok with some combat we seem to get into a fair few fights.” Pondering a bit, Chaffy walked them out to a small pasture where a rather spirited pinto was trotting in a pen. “She might do just the trick eh? ‘Er name’s buttercup. She’s a bit of a pain in the rump here, but maybe she’ll do better out in the open plains.” Kayne nodded. “Alright then, I’ll have her ready by this evening for ya. I won’t be here then but, I’ll make sure the night groom knows what to do.”
Chaffy once again offered a hand and Kayne shook it politely. “I don’t know what you two are off to do but if it’s got the King and the whole castle jumping at your needs I guess I’m better off not knowing. Good luck out there Kayne.” “Thanks Chaffy, now where can i get a proper meal and something to drink?” Chaffy had a quick response ready for him. “Ah, proper livery can be found any time in the main hall, go back out to where you first came in then go straight up the big steps and keep going straight till you find a long table. Have a seat and let em know Commander Cole says you’re to have full livery.” Kayne took off going exactly as Chaffy had told him.