CHAPTER 2: A NEW PLACE

    Cyrean woke up peacefully for the first time she could truly remember. She might’ve slept in longer if not for the sound of birds chirping. She looked up to see she was moving through the treeline as if being transported from one place to another. Suddenly she shot straight up in a panic, jumping out of the wagon and landing on the ground from her still half asleep body. Before she had time to get up, Shiraina ran over.

    “Oh goodness are you alright?” she said, squatting down next to Cyrean to try and help her up.

    As her hand touched Cyrean’s shoulder Shiri felt her body get yanked towards the half-elf and put into a headlock as they screamed in a blind and panicked rage. Shiri felt something poking into her from Cyrean but not a dagger. What she felt seemed more like a series of thorns from the wood-elves’ skin itself. She could see what appeared to be a thorn tattoo that was spreading across Cyrean’s body like an infection of vines.

Diana jumped off of her horse and moved her hand in a specific motion at Cyrean, “Signe apaisant.”

Diana’s hands began glowing with a bright green as the same color covered the warrior’s eyes. The thorny armor began quickly shrinking back along with the animalistic roars coming from Cyrean as she let go of Shiri, both of them collapsing on the floor. Shiri coughed and gasped for air while Cyrean shook her head, finally calm enough to realize what was happening. Diana ran over, checking on Shiraina.

“I’m fine Diana.” she coughed out.

Diana turned to the now awake Cyrean, who had picked herself up off the floor. She noticed when looking closer that she was shaking almost as much as Shiri for some reason. Diana helped the half-orc into the back of the cart before walking over to Cyrean.

“Hey would you mind walking with me up front for a bit?”

Cyrean glanced over at Shiri who was clearly too light headed to walk before nodding. The group began down the road again, Diana leading the horse and wagon while they talked.

“Are you okay Cyrean?”

The warrior stopped for a second, taken aback by the question before responding, “Yer askin’ me ‘n’ not her?”

Diana nodded

“Why?”

She turned to Cyrean with the same calm expression as always, “Call it curiosity but when I saw you both back there for some reason she did not appear to be the one in terror. So tell me, why is that?”

“Well how’d you feel if ya woke up bein’ carried through wilderness?” Cyrean replied defensively.

“Fair point.”

“Besides why’s it matter?”

“I suppose it does not matter what your reason is.” Diana’s eyes shifted back to the road, “Though you should maybe think about apologizing.”

“Why?! Yer te one that used magics on me!”

“I was talking about to Shiri.”

“Oh.. right.” Cyrean mumbled as she glanced back at the girl, clearly stalling.

“We will be at the nearest settlement soon. Please at least check on her.” Diana said, hiding her wings back under her forest-green cloak.

Cyrean grumbled as she walked back, hopping onto the back of the cart with Shiri. There was already a bruise forming on her neck and upon seeing it Cyrean struggled even more for words to say. To her relief it was Shiri who spoke first.

“You erm… you don’t get out much do you?” she joked, putting on a slightly pained smile.

Cyrean couldn’t help but chuckled, “Yer not pissed at me?”

She shook her head and smiled at the wilderness around them, “I was a little scared at first but then I figured something out.”

“Oh yeah? What would ‘at be?”

“That you were just as scared as me.”

“How does everyone figure that out so easily?” Cyrean huffed.

“There’s a secret to it.” Shiri responded, gesturing for her to lean in.

Out of curiosity Cyrean leaned closer as Shiraina whispered in her ear, “You and Diana talk really loud.” She snorted into Cyrean’s ear and began laughing.

“Yer just as odd as the elf ain’t ye?”

Shiri shrugged, “I’m just trying to have a fun adventure honestly. I thought a few jokes might cheer you up ‘cause like who doesn’t like to laugh?”

Cyrean couldn’t help but smile seeing how much fun Shiri was having despite everything, “Honestly ah don’t know any jokes.”

Shiri audibly gasped, “Oh by the wisdom of Tempstra there’s so many awful puns I can tell you!”

Cyrean cocked and eyebrow, “What’s a pun?”

“Here I’ll show you. Why was the druid never invited to parties?” Shiri asked through her own giggles.

Cyrean shrugged, “‘Cause shapeshifters are annoying?”

Shiri shook her head, still barely able to talk through her own snorts, “No, cause all his jokes are unbearable.” she burst out into a laughing and snorting fit.

Cyrean took a second before getting it, “Oh cause ‘e can turn into a bear?”

Shiri nodded through the laughs, her neck clearly making them painful as her eyes watered from both the pain and the bad joke.

“So a pun is jus’ sayin’ words ‘at can mean different stuff as a joke?”

Shiri nodded as she started calming down, “Wanna try one?”

Cyrean shrugged, “Sure why not. Uhm do dwarves always get mad so easily?”

“I dunno tell me.” Shiri said giggling.

“They have short fuses.”

Cyrean chuckled as Shiri burst out laughing again. As they laughed Diana walked around the cart as they’d parked in Coalthen.

“I see you are both getting along. May I ask what has Miss Shiraina so excited.”

“We’re telling bad jokes!” Shiri said through her snorts, “Come on Diana try one.”

“Bad jokes? I do not know many but I will try.” She thought for a moment before speaking again, “What did the human say after a fight with a dragon?”

Cyrean shrugged as Shiri spoke, “I dunno what?”

“Nothing. He was the dragon’s dinner.”

Shiri only giggled a bit while Cyrean suddenly burst out into laughter.

Diana cracked a slight smile, “I am hilarious.”

Shiri got up out of the cart, followed by Cyrean. The group was in a small town no bigger than Rithnar, but the small town had a completely different feel. Unlike the jagged edges of orc architecture the town had more box-like structures along the edges of the road. The snow was far less abundant, only showing up in incredibly light patches rather than the soft layer that covered the ground atop the mountain. The town was also built directly on a curve in the road, bending with it. In the center of both the curve and the town was a single tree with a small circle of green under it. The people even looked notably different, especially to Shiri. There were a pair of humans, looking almost like tan tuskless half-orcs, and a gnome, who looked like a short human with pointy features. He was carrying a large bag that clanked and rattled as he walked by. 

“The people here are so fascinating!” Shiri said as she stared in wonder.

Diana looked around, “Oh I suppose there are. Shiraina please don’t stare though, it is considered rude.”

“Sorry Ms Diana!”

“Besides you will see plenty of even weirder things along this journey.”

“Will I see a dragon?!”

“You may see one flying around but do not get your hopes up.” Diana responded calmly

Shiri kicked a rock, “Dang.”

Seeing her get upset Diana turned, “Maybe we’ll find a pseudodragon in a store somewhere.”

Shiri perked back up from hearing that, “Woohoo! Dragons!”

Diana looked around at all the signs, “Shiri take Cyrean to the tailor, I’m sure she’d like to get out of those old rags. I am going to get us a spot in the stable for Nectar and maybe a room for the night.”

Diana handed the half-orc a small bag of coins as she led her horse to the stables. Shiri led Cyrean over to the tailor shop, the half-elf having to duck to get through the doorway. An older looking human woman was in the shop, helping a younger human male adjust a set of leather armor. Cyrean looked around the store, seeing it mostly consisted of regular garments and leather armor. There were still several bits of animal fur scattered about from the wintertime. As the human male paid the older woman she stood and turned to the new duo that had entered her store.

“Ello there, how can I help ya?”

Shiri walked up and gave a slight bow, “Hello, my friend here needs some new clothes.”

The woman eyed Cyrean who was covered in rags, mud and blood, “Yes I see.. Mayhaps a bath too…”

Cyrean went to say something back but as she thought about it she hadn’t had a chance to properly bathe in what felt like weeks.

Shiri responded, “Yeah but she’ll freeze before she gets back here if we do that first.”

The woman nodded and turned to Cyrean, “So uhhh.. Miss? What sorta outfit are you looking for?”

Cyrean eyed both women for a second before walking off, rummaging through the shelves. After a few minutes she came back with a small pile of fur and leather, with the few bits of metal lying around. She’d almost entirely grabbed scrabs rather than full pieces of clothing despite such objects being plentiful.

“What can ye do wit’ all this?” she asked

The woman looked at the pile of assorted objects, “I’ll try something though making an outfit from scratch will take some time.”

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Shiri handed over a handful of the coins Diana gave her, “Will this cover it?”

The woman nodded and got to work, “Come back by nightfall and it will be ready.

As the pair left the store Shiri was counting the coins left in the bag, “We have what amounts to roughly ten gold left.”

“Is ‘at a lot?”

Shiri shrugged, “It depends on where you go. Here it’s probably about average pay.”

“So at’s bad?”

Shiri turned and looked at the signs around town, “Not necessarily…” she trailed off as a sign in particular caught her eye, “Hey Cyrean follow me I might have an idea.”

Shiri led Cyrean to a blacksmith shop, noting that the warrior was immediately more interested in weapons here. The blacksmith was another human who didn’t seem to notice them enter, or at least he was so absorbed in making a chestplate that he didn’t care. Shiri handed the pouch of gold to Cyrean, closing the larger woman’s hand around it.

“Yer givin’ me money?”

“Of course! Not like I need a weapon, I have spells.”

Cyrean seemed genuinely flustered by the smaller woman’s gesture, clearly unsure what to say.

“Besides, that short sword looks kinda small for you anyway.” Shiri smiled, “I’ll be outside when you’re done!”

Cyrean watched the half-orc walk out in a stunned silence. Nobody had ever just handed her money before, and Shiri could’ve easily spent that money on something magical. She walked up to the blacksmith who’d finally noticed her presence as she pointed to a bastard sword on the wall, placing the pouch on the counter of the store. The sword in particular she’d gestured to was a rather plain weapon compared to some of the better looking longswords in the building.

“Straight to business huh?” he said, counting the coin, “Can’t say I sell to many bastard swords ‘round these parts.”

“Why’s ‘at?”

The man shrugged, reaching up to grab the blade from the wall, “Most people can’t wield them. Though I’d wager you might have better luck.” he gestured to her scars and muscles as he handed the blade over.

Cyrean smirked, taking the blade in her hand. As she held it she did a few test swings, gauging the balance of the blade to make sure wielding it wouldn’t hurt her wrist. She noticed the hilt felt a little light compared to the blade itself.

“Ye got any wraps?” she asked.

The man nodded and dug around under the counter, producing a studded leather wrapping. She placed the sword back on the counter as he began setting the wrap onto the hilt. When he finished she picked the sword up again, noting the weight felt more balanced now. Satisfied she nodded, taking the now empty pouch back and heading out the door. Shiri was sat under the central tree in the patch of dry grass. As Cyrean walked up she noticed that Shiri was clearly struggling to focus, her eyes shifting between a new normal brown eye color and her regular orange glow overtaking them completely. Cyrean knocked on the tree as she walked up, causing Shiri to turn, the orange overtaking her eyes again.

“Oh hi Cyrean! Got a new sword I see.”

Cyrean nodded, taking the old shortsword out of its makeshift rope sheath and replacing it with the bastard sword.

“What’re you gonna do with the old one?”

Cyrean flipped it in her hand, grabbing the blade lightly in her hands so it didn’t cut her as she handed it hilt-first to Shiri, “Yer mum said ye should learn ‘ow to use one right?”

The half-orc gave Cyrean a confused look, “Mum? What’s that?”

“Uhhh… Shogil?”

Shiri still looked confused and Diana spoke up, “Cyrean, orcs do not have standard familial units, it’s community based. Shogil is her assigned guardian.”

Cyrean had a confused look now, “Uhhmm a’ight. Well Shiri yer guardian wanted ye te learn ‘ow to wield a blade ye?”

Shiri stood up and nodded, taking the shortsword in her hands. Being smaller than the half-elf Shiri could wield it properly, if she knew how. She gave it a test swing, accidentally flinging it into the ground a few feet away.

“Oops. she said as she walked over to pull it out.

Cyrean laughed a bit, “Try t’not take any arms off will ya’?”

Shiri nodded, holding the blade more carefully as she gave it another swing, “How was that?”

Diana spoke up as she walked over, “Your stance is sloppy. But you look like you are enjoying yourself.”

Shiri turned excitedly to Diana, "Could you both show me how to wield one properly?!"

"We can certainly try. Would you like to help Cyrean?"

Cyrean shrugged, "I do need a chance to try out my new sword."

Diana led the trio to the outskirts of the town. The area was mostly an empty field, the nearest treeline being at the base of the mountain Rithnar was on. Cyrean was posed to be Shiraina's opponent so Diana could give proper instruction since she actually knew how to properly wield weapons. Diana showed Shiri how to properly take stances and swing a shortsword. As they practiced Cyrean occasionally chimed in with some more underhanded techniques such as throwing kicks in though Shiri struggled more with adding them on top of swings. As the sun set Diana seemed satisfied with the progress made, even though it wasn't much.

"Shiri." Diana said, "Why don't you try a duel with Cyrean?"

"What?! But she'll easily destroy me in a sword fight!"

"Ah gotta agree with 'er there Diana. Ain't exactly a fair fight."

Diana gave Shiri a thumbs up, "Trust me you can do more than you realize. Just try to hit Cyrean before she knocks you down."

"Uhm. I can try.." Shiri responded, clearly scared.

Diana leaned in and whispered to Shiri, "Instead of kicks, try a spell."

Shiri nodded and took up a basic stance as Diana walked off to the side of the fight. Cyrean had a less rigid stance. As the pair prepared Shiri's eyes turned back to brown as she tried to focus on the fight. Something ain't right Cyrean thought to herself as she saw the eyes. Diana gave a signal and Cyrean charged at Shiri, easily knocking her blade away. Given how stiff Shiri's stance was, it was almost too easy for Cyrean to push her off of her feet. Before she hit the ground Cyrean grabbed her wrist, pulling her back up as she noticed that the orange glow overtook her eyes again.

Diana sighed, "It's alright Shiri we can try again tomorrow."

As she began getting ready to head back into town Cyrean called out, "Hey Diana lemme try somethin'"

She handed Shiri her sword back as they got back into position. Intrigued, Diana turned back, raising her hand again to give another signal. Again Cyrean saw Shiri clearly fighting off the magical glow in her eyes.

"Don't fight it Shiri."

Shiri looked over in surprise, "Fight what?"

Diana paused as they talked.

"That magical glow. Stop fightin' it. Ye can't focus when yer fighting it."

"But I can't-"

"Just give it a try will ye?"

Shiri shifted a bit, "I'll try."

Diana dropped her hand for a signal and Cyrean charged again. This time Shiri let the magic take over. When the orange glow covered her eyes she could see several different Cyreans charging for her alongside the real one. Each one seemed to be taking a different possible movement she could make. Shiri focused on the magical copies instead. As Diana watched the fight she saw a sudden flicker from Shiri as if she casted a spell. Cyrean didn't seem to notice as the orange flickered across her body. As she swung at Shiri the half-orc managed to dodge the attack as if she saw it coming. She deflected Cyreans blade away and extended a glowing hand to the warrior. Before she could cast her spell her eyes began to flicker again.

"I… I can’t" Shiri cried out as she collapsed under the half-elf.

Cyrean sighed and lowered her blade, “Guess it weren’t ‘at magic.”

Shiri looked away and nodded, “Sorry miss…”

The warrior looked down in confusion, “Miss? Ahm barely even older t’an ye. Jus’ call me Cyrean.”

She reached down and helped pull Shiri back to her feet with a short stumble.

“Are you alright?” Diana asked.

Shiri nodded, “I’ll be okay. Though I’m a bit hungry, we’ve been here awhile.”

Diana nodded, “Cyrean your clothing should also be ready soon.”

“Oh yeah Ay’d sorta forgot ah did ‘at.”

As they got back to town the group sat down in the local tavern. Shiri slumped over, lying her head down on the table as she tried to work through a lightheadedness that the visions were causing. Since they had to wait for a bit for her to be able to move again Cyrean decided to take the tailor’s advice and actually bathe. Upon coming back from the bathhouse Cyrean sat back down with the others, looking around and noticing that despite it being what felt like dinnertime. As they began eating she turned to the others.

“It seem quiet ‘round ‘ere ta anyone else?”

The others looked around for a moment, Shiri speaking first, “Thinking about it, there’s hardly been anyone around at all.”

Diana got up and walked over to the tavern keeper, a gnome man, “Excuse me sir, we were curious as to where everyone is.”

The tavernkeep looked up from a book he was reading, “You all been away for a bit?”

Diana nodded, “I do not tend to enter towns much, and my friends are new to travel.”

He looked at the strange group and noted Diana’s clearly being a ranger, “Ah I see. Well for your own safety you should know, there’s been a pretty nasty virus going around.”

Diana looked around again, “What sort of virus is so bad that we are the only people here?”

The man leaned closer, speaking in a much more serious tone, “They say that it’s some sorta magical virus. Unable to be cured by any form o’ our modern magicks.”

Shiri and Cyrean had scooted their chairs over to the bar by this point, Shiri speaking up first, “What happens to people affected?”

The man shrugged, “I’ve heard all sorts o’ things from physical weakness to vomiting black ichor. Alls I really know is that people are bedridden from it.”

“Are there any known treatments?” Diana asked

“Cold. That’s all the doctor’s have got.” The group all glanced at each other in silence before the man spoke again, “Honestly mercenaries and adventurers are pretty rare ‘round these parts. If you’re lookin’ for work I don’t got any but I hear the people over at Dewell are in need of some help.”

Diana pulled out her map, “That’s not far from here. Any idea what’s been happening?”

The man shrugged, “Not sure, but from what I understand the Baron is too overrun with the plague to help them.”

Cyrean looked up from her mead, “Why’re ye so interested in this town anyway?”

“In truth? I’m betrothed to a woman over there. I ‘aven’t heard from ‘em in awhile and I’m getting nervous.”

“That’s terrible” Shiri said, “We can head out there and find him. Right Diana?”

Diana held a hand up to Shiri, “Unfortunately we can’t do this work for free. We need to be able to afford food.” she turned to the barkeep, “We would require some form of payment.”

The gnome sighed, “I don’t have much since there hasn’t been much business but I could provide you all with food and drink for the journey.”

Diana looked through her bag, noting how low her coin purse was getting. She looked 

over to Shiri who was still staring at her with a pleading look. With a sigh, she looked back to the gnome.

    “What does this fiance of yours look like mr.. what was your name again?”

    “Oh I’m Theetllick Whistlewrench, She’s a halfling woman, short curly hair,bright smile, bright blue eyes.”

    “Anything more specific? A lot of halflings fit that description.”

    “Her name is Caramella Lightstream, she likes music.”

    “All half-heights got as strange’a names as ye both?” Cyrean asked.

    Diana spoke before the clearly offended gnome could, “Please ignore her, she does not get out much. We can help.”

    “Thank you so much miss.”

    “Please do not thank me. Miss Shiri is the only reason I am doing this.” She stood up, having finished her meal “We can head out in the morning. For now I am going to get some rest.”

    Theetllick turned to Shiri, “Well thank you miss uhm.. Shiri was it?”

    With a bow she spoke, “Miss Shiraina of Rithnar. Though my friends call me Shiri.”

    “Well it’s a pleasure to meet you Miss Shiraina.”

    Shiri and Cyrean finished their meals, heading out to get Cyrean’s clothes. The tailor was noticeably tired when they entered, but still trying to keep up a cheery face. She led the pair over to a mannequin with Cyrean's new outfit, a strange hodgepodge on its own, though knowing the seemingly random way Cyrean picked out the parts it made more sense. The outfit had knee length boots with matching elbow length gloves, one shoulder of tamed fur and another of rough unkept fur over what amounted to a leather bra and a fur loincloth. The metal had been turned into bits of armor scattered about on the arms, legs, and the cloth.

"Sorry it's so.. skimpy." The shopkeep said, "It's the best I could do with what you gave me."

Cyrean shook her head, "Can't believe Ay'm sayin' this but ya did perfect."

"Really?" The shopkeep had a look of shock on her face.

Her stunned look was still veiled in a shroud of tired that was only broken at the sight of Cyrean boldly stripping down and starting to put her new outfit on. The shopkeep looked to Shiri to see her reaction only to find she was even more surprised and flustered, her face turning a deeper shade of green than normal. As Cyrean finally donned the eclectic outfit she nodded in approval, turning to head out of the store as she'd paid earlier. Before she left she noted the faces of the other two women inside.

"What?" Cyrean said, "Not like either ye ain't seen any o' that before."

~

    In the morning the trio set out for Dewell, the journey would only take a few days but to Shiri it couldn't come fast enough. The entire trip she was, often times literally, bouncing for joy at the prospect of her first real mercenary job. Diana however, seemed more monotone than normal. She seemed almost bored with the mission they'd taken on. Periodically through their three day journey the group would take breaks to practice teaching Shiri how to wield shortswords. 

Upon finally arrived in Dewell they immediately noticed the black scorchmarks in the grass where a house should've been. The rain was washing away some of the scorches, but the blackened husk of what was the building still remained a grim omen. As their cart made its way to the center of town they saw several people hiding in their homes. When getting to the center of town Diana saw a group of people behind a church. She led the cart to the entrance to the graveyard, tying the horse up to the fence outside as the trio entered.

"What happened to them?" Diana asked calmly.

The strangest of the group walked over to respond, she was a strange halfling wearing a white and purple jester outfit, "They were killed for trying to stop the Mainka."

Cyrean clearly started getting riled up at the mere mention of the slaver group.

Diana continued, "Where are they now?"

The jester shook her head, "I'm not sure, they show up every now and then from the forest, taking people with them."

"Are they taking anyone specific?"

"Anyone who's physically able."

Shiri looked at the graves, "Who were these people?"

The jester turned, listing off the names of the dead, "All of them were good people."

Shiri pulled her fur-lined hood down, “I’m sorry.”

    The jester sniffled, “Thank you miss.”

    Shiri gently placed a hand on the short girl’s shoulder. The group stood in silence for awhile with the rest of the mourners. The only noises being the occasional sniffles or cries, and the jester’s costume jingling. Diana seemed disinterested in the entire display, as if she’d seen it a hundred times. Cyrean was silently scowling into the forest, her hand gripping the pommel of her sword. As Shiri looked up at Cyrean’s tense expression she began to hear a low rumbling noise. Diana's elf ear twitched as she'd been listening. She recognized the sound of horses and the tangible feel of the fear from the villagers in the air. As the noise got closer the group stopped out front of the church. Clad in dark blue garments with symbols of a winged owlbear, they dismounted their horses, walking back towards the crowd with weapons drawn. The moment Cyrean saw them she pulled her blade from her sheathe, glaring directly at the members of the Mainka Organization.