Taking an exaggerated swig while only sipping a little was a feat that was becoming well-practiced for Talina. She sat at the bar next to Harek, the mercenary that had approved her posting on this mission, and tried to pretend she was just another mercenary in Tav Rock. “Is this the farthest you have been from home?” Harek asked, as he lowered his own cup. Continue reading East Storm Company 22
Blood drizzled through the man’s clenched fingers, pooling on the ground below him. Burned flesh—stinging and dripping with boiled moisture—pushed painfully against the ornate, black-painted breastplate as the man pushed himself up from the dirt. Had it worked? Had he escaped? The man’s blood-webbed gaze flicked around him. This was not the debris-decorated town square of the Isle now. Continue reading The Renegade
The riverboat drifted into the docks of Maykren in the early evening on the 9th and Aralim disembarked with the Aura, hurrying across the city boardwalks in his new city clothes. He quickly put distance between himself and Grendar’s guards, who had disembarked on the shore just beyond the docks. For now, Aralim was not the Ambassador of the Empire—he was another of many merchants, labourers, and couriers that frequented the Ake’ma River. Continue reading Aralim 159
The Boundless Star and its ignorant-but-dedicated crew brought the vessel alongside the coast of the Great Isle by another long, sandy beach, dotted with dark, wet rocks. Master Kelren knew from the maps he had studied that the shore grew more stony and rough the farther southeast from this point one travelled. That was the direction that the troop of intense veteran mercenaries had set out on, once they had disembarked from the ship. If they were lucky, they wouldn’t have to look beyond the land-bridge between the Southern Sea and Copper Cove to encounter some of Tarro’s subordinates and complete their secretive mission. Continue reading East Storm Company 21
Tirak slowly glided along the cobblestones. It was his tenth rotation of the warehouse this afternoon. As he watched the sun slowly set on the city, his mind repeated the events of the last few weeks for the fiftieth rotation. That drunkard had known more than he had told Tirak—after Adrix had confirmed the stolen Company badge was a legitimate sigil, the squad had spent a few days tracking down the fool. After all, Tirak had forced him to lay low with that midnight bellow and broken front door. Continue reading East Storm Company 20
As the sun reached its zenith, the sermon at the Temple was concluded and the priests gathered to sing another hymn to the congregation. Niamh enjoyed the singing, and figured she was rather good at it, too. She also loved mornings like this one, seeing the faithful citizens of the city come to the Temple to learn and worship. Her work for the Reformer’s Creed often took her to those in need and those whose faith had been shaken—it was refreshing to see those who had found their way. Continue reading Niamh 5
“It’s time,” said the servant at Arn’s door. Arn closed it gently after a stern nod, and turned back to Massema. It was early enough in the morning that she had not finished getting ready for the day.
“Already?” she asked. Continue reading Arn 79
The sun’s movement wasn’t the only difference Tali noticed as Kelren and Relis raised their heads. Where before there had been only water on all sides, there was now a long sandy beach and a dense jungle. The coast bore no landmarks. Feeling a little disappointed, Tali looked down at the magicians once more. She had imagined them sailing through a magnificent portal. Continue reading East Storm Company 19
At long last, Therelin went to the shops of Saanazar in search of a sword. He brought Kren along, though Kren was not much of a warrior. They perused two smithies and an arms stall in the market before Kren found one he assured Therelin was a reasonable deal. Purchase in hand, Therelin uncomfortably fastened it to his belt. He tried to ignore it, and move on, but Kren also purchased an oil and a whetstone so Therelin could learn to care for his blade. Therelin also reluctantly agreed that they ought to occasionally train with the weapon, too. Continue reading Therelin 45
Descending the stairs from the second storey of his West Corid Avenue estate, came a much different Aralim than his friends had seen ascend the night before. Dressed in baggy pants that tied off at the ankles and a loose, faded blue tunic, Aralim had shaved his beard clean off and had trimmed his long, brown hair short.
Miresh and Nill, waiting in the foyer for their farewells with him, stared in shock as their much-changed friend came down to them. His staff was strapped to his pack, but there was no sign of the lantern that usually hung from it. Continue reading Aralim 158