Chapter 6

Chapter VI

After breaking fast, the newly formed company made their final preparations for their journey. They found that Astall, through the apparently limitless resources of Fran, had provided them with almost everything that they could need. In some cases, more than they wanted. But even in the rare instances where one of the companions felt they had some unmet need, whatever their desire it was quickly procured.

Soon the small band was ready to travel. Each had been provided with a horse and two spares. The extra mounts were used as pack animals for whatever extra baggage each of the adventurers had elected to bring along. As it turned out, they were all very lightly burdened. For one reason or another, all of the members of the group preferred to travel without much in the way of possession.

As they prepared to leave, Astall entered the stables. He motioned Jerrod over to him. "Lad," the old archmage said to his former pupil, "I fear that you aren't viewing with with gravity that is its due. I know that you feel a bit out of place among this illustrious group of experienced warriors and magicians. I suppose that shouldn't come as much of a surprise. You certainly do not have on tenth of the kind of experience in magical or armed conflict that even the least of the others do."

Jerrod started to interrupt. "I...,"

Stilling Jerrod's incipient protest with a raised eyebrow, Astall continued. "Don't deny it lad. I've known you too long. Don't fret about it either. You are young and raw. But you truly are essential to the success of the battle versus Iskandar and his minions. Without you, as is also the case with each of the others, the future of Seremoreh would be bleak indeed. Rest assured that in the fullness of time, you will come to see just how important you really are. First, I am afraid, you are going to have to eat a bit of humble pie. For, you see, in order to find your true strength you must face your flaws. And that, Jerrod, may be your most challenging battle of all."

Astall looked at Jerrod and shook his head, "I hope you remember these words, lad. But I fear you won't. Whichever the case, remember that my thoughts are with you. Perhaps that may provide you some reassurance in a moment when you least expect it. Or perhaps not."

With that Jerrod's mentor sighed and patted his erstwhile pupil on the shoulder. Without out another word, Astall turned and left.

"What was that all about," Jerrod wondered. "Perhaps the old man is going bonkers....," he mused. "But if so how did he know.... Yeah, he's crazy alright -- crazy like a fox. That's why he's staying here and I am being sent on some asinine wild goose chase to face who knows what dangers." Jerrod shook his head and sighed, something he seemed to be doing or seeing quite a bit of ever since he foolishly opened the door to the twins.

The twins seemed to have taken charge of the expedition. At least, they were the ones overseeing details that were for everyone's benefit, not just their own personal preparations. They had organized the pack train and collected nearly everyone together. "Jerrod," called Urki. "Get you lazy carcass over here. It's time to depart!"

Frowning at the warrior's impertinence, but obeying nonetheless, Jerrod did as he was told. Soon the company was ready to move out. And so with little pomp or fanfare, the quest to save Seremoreh began.

The trip from Pond Eddy to Nova Ekirigilio went smoothly. Even the weather seemed to improve as they neared the coast. The sea seemed to have a salutary effect on the temperature and for the first time in what seemed like weeks (but which had really been only a few days), Jerrod felt as if he actually had all of his fingers and toes. Even more amazingly, he could feel both his ears and his nose and they didn't particularly hurt.

"Perhaps there are some benefits to this questing business after all," Jerrod thought as he rubbed his suddenly resensitized hands together and gaped for what seemed like the millionth time at the beauteous Neun Ja. A sudden jounce from his steed caught him unaware and as he bounced in his saddle he felt a shooting pain in his posterior. "Well, if there are any benefits, they are few and far between," he grumbled to himself. "I'll be glad when this is all over and I can finally claim my place as a journeyman in the Society of Mages."

Just then the party came around a bend in the road and drew within sight of the gates of Nova Ekirigilio. Jerrod was impressed. He had never been to Nova Ekirigilio before and its size surprised him a bit. The city was walled for protection, as were many of the cities of Seremoreh, but the size and extent of the walls impressed the young mage. At least seven strides high, the walls also looked to be at least two thick with strongpoints studding them frequently.

The physical defenses were not the only protections which Jerrod noted as he rode up to the gates of Nova Ekirigilio. In addition to the walls and the soldiers dotting them, Jerrod noted the presence of formidable magical wards. There were alarm systems and guardian spells lying dormant and blanketing the city's walls. Jerrod knew that it was only his imagination, but he got the sense that the spells were waiting restively for signs of a hostile magical intrusion.

The city looked like it could withstand the siege of all but the most determined attacking army. It appeared that even an army that was determined would almost certainly have a difficult time taking Nova Ekirigilio and, although he was no expert, it seemed to Jerrod that such an attacker would most likely be unable to take the city by direct assault and would have to stand siege.

"I wonder if the twins would agree with my assessment," mused Jerrod. "They are supposed to be the experts on such matters. I shall have to ask them once we arrive in the city."

As they approached the gates, it became apparent that the walls were not merely for show. The gates themselves were well-guarded and the battlements above them were also peppered liberally with soldiers. Each wagon or caravan that entered was inspected by the constabulary and its contents noted by a scribe. Those that left were also inspected, their contents also noted and in some cases apparently compared with earlier notes. In such cases, the departing merchants seemed to be charged a levy on the goods which they had sold. As for the rest of the departing merchants, they too had to pay some sort of surcharge on the goods which they were taking off to trade elsewhere.

When their turn came at the gate, the adventurers were also inspected and the contents of their packs noted. Derazha's fearsome appearance seemed to cause a bit of consternation among the constabulary and Jerrod noticed that, although Wolf who was just ahead of him submitted to inspection readily enough, the woodsman seemed a bit amused by the process. Wolf's slight smile turned to a wink when he noticed Jerrod's gaze upon him and he whispered so only Jerrod could hear, "Aren't cities grand, Jerrod? They keep such good track of everyone." The ranger then began to chuckle for no reason that Jerrod could see.

Wolf noticed Jerrod's bewilderment, and said, "Anyone can see we are but a party of seven travelers with naught more than our packs and horses, eh, lad." With that the woodsman began chuckling and again turned his attention back to the guard who was going through his bags.

"Seven?" Jerrod thought. "But there are eight of us! Ordolf, Derazha, Brianna, Wolf, myself, the twins and Neun Ja." Suddenly Jerrod realized that Neun Ja was no longer with them. Her pack horses were there, but the beautiful young sorceress had disappeared!

Not only was Neun Ja gone, but the horse on which she had been riding had disappeared as well. Jerrod couldn't believe his eyes. It just didn't make sense. Where could she have gone since he had beheld her but moments before? Why would she disappear? Why hadn't he seen her leave? Was she wanted in Nova Ekirigilio? Was she smuggling something into the port city? Had she decided to abandon their mission already? What possible reason could she have for leaving?

As Jerrod started to voice his as yet unspoken questions, Wolf once again caught his eye. The woods runner shook his head almost imperceptibly. "We've all the time in the world to see the city and plumb its mysteries, Jerrod. No need to rush things," Wolf smiled.

Reluctantly, Jerrod let his questions die unanswered before they had even truly been given voice. It was, he supposed, a mystery to which he would find the answer soon enough. The more time he spent with his companions, however, the more he wondered about them. Was this really a group that was going to save the world?

Whatever the answer to Jerrod's doubts was, it had yet to become clear. But part of the answer was soon to be given. Even if the newly-formed company failed in its quest and Zemelia fell under the sway of Iskandar and his foul minions, it was at least a group which was going to see the world. Soon after the group's arrival in town, the twins left for Nova Ekirigilio's harborside to arrange for a ship. The remainder of the party accompanied them most of the way to the docks, but turned aside at an inn near the piers. Entering the hostelry, the group booked rooms for the night with little trouble. The innkeeper did repeatedly glance apprehensively, albeit furtively, at Derazha. However, it was evident that whatever trepidation he might have felt, it was far outweighed in his heart by the tinkle of coins.

"Her appearance doesn't just unnerve me," thought Jerrod. "It frightened the guards at the gate. It frightens the innkeeper. It frightens almost everyone! And Neun Ja is so pretty that she seems to catch everyone's attention just a tad more than any of the rest of us – besides Derazha," Jerrod frowned as noticed the hostelry's balding owner leering surreptitiously at the sorceress. "Neun Ja?"

Neun Ja was back! Not only hadn't Jerrod seen her leave, he hadn't seen her return! "I've got to pay more attention to things," Jerrod muttered to himself. "Next thing you know, a troll is going to sneak up on me in the middle of the night!"

The inn had had only three rooms available so Jerrod, Ordolf, and Urki were assigned to one, Neun Ja, Derazha, and Enki to another, the married couple, Brianna and Wolf to the last. The inn, called the Laughing Cavalier, was much like the Horse Brass -- nothing too fancy but a good, solid upper middle class establishment which not only provided lodging but which also served food and drink.

It wasn't long after the rest of the party had arrived at the inn that the twins reappeared. They had booked passage on a ship to the Islands of Despair. Oddly, the ship that Astall had chartered for them was absent. At first that had seemed an ill omen. Fortunately, as it turned out, the twins reported, there was an alternative. Apparently, there was a ship which was headed in that unlikely direction at dawn the next morning. Not only was the Mermaid's Tit, as the ship was called, headed in their direction, but it was half empty. Its captain had accepted a commission to deliver a diplomatic pouch to one of the petty kingdoms of the region and needed to leave with haste. It seemed that the party's luck was very good so far. Not only could they get immediate passage to the area which they needed to go, but since the ship was half-empty, they could bring all of their horses and equipment along as well.

It was near midday when the company arrived in Nova Ekirigilio, so there was plenty of time for each them to take care of whatever they needed to before they must bed down for the night. Wolf and Brianna seemed to need to spend some time alone together and, with only perfunctory farewells to their colleagues, quickly clambered up the stairs to their room and closed the door behind them. Ordolf followed them with smiling eyes and said, "I believe I will go for a walk. There is an old acquaintance whom I would like to look in on."

Urki went in to the common room and began flirting with the serving maid, a tall, leggy blond. Enki tapped Derazha on the shoulder and suggested that they follow her brother's lead and get a pint. The two of them went into the common room and sat at a table, where they quickly became ensconced in quiet conversation.

That left Jerrod and Neun Ja alone. "Neun Ja," Jerrod began then stopped, as the saffron-skinned beauty turned her gaze on him. "Uhh, would you join me for a bit of lunch or a pint or something. It has been long trip and I thought maybe...." The young mage trailed off under the force of her steady gaze and the slight smile that was beginning to quirk her lips.

"What I mean is, umm, we seem be the only ones who are alone....Well, we aren't alone because we are together.... Well, not exactly together, but....Anyway I thought you might be hungry and I know I am so I thought we could share a meal and get to know one another better...that is learn more about each other...if you don't have other plans or anything," Jerrod stuttered in a rush.

Neun Ja studied him for moment, a moment in which Jerrod's stomach felt as if vultures were flying around in it, his ears felt as if they were being baked in an oven, and his palms and armpits seemed to have suddenly been doused in enough liquid to put out a forest fire. It was a moment which seemed to Jerrod as if it would never end. Then, Neun Ja smiled and nodded as she said in a soft voice, "I would like that...and you do look as if you would like to sit down somewhere. Here? Or did you have somewhere else in mind?"

Jerrod blushed and replied, "Well, umm, I have never been here before but perhaps if we walked about for a bit we could find somewhere else that might be nice to eat and get to see a bit of the town...If that's alright with you...?"

"That is a fine idea. I have never been to Nova Ekirigilio either and I admit I am a bit curious about the town," she said as she began to stride toward the door.

Jerrod hurried to catch up. "If you have never been here before, then why did you disappear at the gates. And how? And why did Wolf know when I did not?"

"So many questions! Well, I suppose I can answer them without compromising the safety of our quest. But it might be better if we waited until we found somewhere where we can have our meal. One does not know who might be listening on the street," Neun Ja smiled.

Jerrod nodded and the two walked down the streets in silence for a few moments. Although the thoroughfare on which they strolled was filled with colorful sights and sounds, Jerrod had a hard time paying attention to anything but his companion. She, on the other hand, seemed interested in everyone and everything they passed.

Suddenly, Neun Ja pointed to a nearby almost shanty-like tavern. "This looks to be just the place. We shall have a quiet lunch and I may answer your questions. Is this establishment acceptable?"

"Uhh, sure. Anyplace you wish is more than acceptable to me," Jerrod responded gallantly.

"Very well." Neun Ja took Jerrod by the arm and led him in. His arm felt like it was being gently kissed by the fires of an early summer's midday sun. He followed in a daze.

The tavern turned out to be dimly lit and not too crowded. It seemed to be some sort of a lovers' or spies' rendezvous. Not only was it was the lighting subdued, but it also had high-backed wooden booths which were well separated from each other so each table had a sense of privacy about it that was rare.

Neun Ja led Jerrod to one of the booths where she sat down opposite him. She made a small gesture with one of her hands and said, "There, now we may speak. You wished to know why I disappeared earlier, is that correct?"

"Yes, and how did Wolf know you had gone? I never saw you leave," Jerrod replied.

Neun Ja smiled and responded, "Let me answer the second question first. Wolf knew I was gone because he has developed a strong sense of himself and of reality. It is very difficult to deceive his senses or to create a situation which can misdirect his attention. You, on the other hand, have not yet developed a strong sense of yourself and you have an active imagination. It is still relatively easy to beguile you or distract you from that which one wishes to remain hidden. In the case under discussion, that which I wished to remain hidden was me. Over time, you, as a mage, will most certainly develop a most powerful center and it will be well nigh impossible to use duplicity or distraction effectively when you are around. At present, however, you are still susceptible to such trickery as I used to hide my presence from the gatekeepers.

Jerrod felt a bit irritated at his companion's assessment of his abilities, but since Wolf had known she was gone and he had not, there was little he could say to dispute her estimation. "You still haven't answered my first question: why did you disappear in the first place? You said you have never been here so you can't be wanted. You can't be smuggling anything, there would be no need. We are leaving tomorrow and we have access to all the money we want."

Neun Ja smiled a secretive little smile. "Do not be so certain about there not being a need, Jerrod. One can never know the future or be completely secure about the past. Sometimes, it is well to be able keep even one's allies from knowing all there is to know about oneself. We have a saying in my land: what remains unknown to one's friends cannot be accidentally divulged to one's enemies. Let this be enough explanation for you: we have brought things into Nova Ekirigilio which will remain known to us alone and my presence here is now something more of a mystery than it might otherwise be."

"Ahh, here is the serving person. Let us order!"