The Family Line Part 37 – The Wayward Wizard

Part 37 – The Wayward Wizard

A door, just a normal old rotting wooden door with no design or carvings, stood at the threshold of the outside. It was flanked on both sides by torches as were a count of orc bodies laying on the ground just before the door, killed as they reaching the door. The leader looked at Magla and Serkee. He cleaned the black blood stains off his sword and sheethed it, drew his bow, and breathed in quickly, ready for whatever was on the other side. He gave Magla a nod and with as much strength as he could muster, Magla kicked out the door.

Running outside, the leader drew his bow back and shot at one orc bowman still walking the perimeter of the ruins. It fell to the ground with a thump as dust sprang up from the impact. Before the dust settled the leader had already shot another orc, and then another after running out into the opening and shooting one on the second level. An orc, bearing a filthy, rust laden sword ran up on the leader. As it just about slashed at him Magla hit it over the head.

Magla bore a great club as he swung it back and forth, hitting the orcs over the head, smashing in their skulls, swinging at them as a lumberjack would swing at a tree. He ran left of the leader, taking his left flank as more orcs charged at him, growling and drooling and redying their swords but were quickly bashed down by the club of Magla.

Sergee took the right flank. His choice weapon was a long sword. He slashed and stabbed his way through the mix of orcs as arrows flew past him from the leader, taking out the many orcs aiming to shoot Sergee. There were many more orcs on the leader’s right side. It was no problem for Sergee though and soon Sargee was joined by Magla who had already finished destroying all of the orcs on the other flank of the leader.

The skill of Sergee was not outmatched by Magla. His movements were much more elagent and graceful while Magla’s were more like brute force. He moved as if he was a seasoned warrior and his look was the same. As elegent as his technique was the cloth he wore was elegent as well. It was not simple lilke Magla’s or warn like the leaders. It was decorative, yet strong. Intriquate were the designs and bright were the colors of his cloth just as beautiful were his moves.

Theomin ran from the door. He looked about and saw the area had been cleared of all orcs as the three warriors ran from the scene, hunting for more orcs. There was little Theomin could do. The three moved about, shooting, bashing, and slashing as if they had perfected their moves as a group over hundreds of battles.

Soon, Eleswith emerged from the door. She ran to the sounds of the orcs ready to do some damage. She had rage in her eyes much like when they met. She gritted her teeth and smiled a disturbing smile as if she had bloodrage. Her face told of a person happy with killing orcs, finding pleasure in the slaughter of the orcs rather than the act of helping out her fellowship.

As she continued along, hacking and slashing she yelled, cheering at every kill she made. What she did not notice was that one of the orcs she thought she had killed rose up. One arm had been severed off, still dangling down to the ground by a slight thread of flesh. It profusely dripped black pools of blood from the open wound. Without care, it took up its sword and ran toward Eleswith as her back was turned. Thoemin had to think fast. The only thing he could think of was the Light of the Rising Sun to incapacitate the orc. He raised his staff and a light was sent down to the orc, finally killing it.

As Eleswith defeated another orc the rising sun struck the orc just behind her. She covered herself quickly frightening her momentarily. She looked up at Theomin with surprise mixed with anger. She soon marched fast toward Theomin with her swords drawn. Her eyes were ablaze with anger, soon running toward him. Theomin readied himself for an attack. She swung at him. He met her swing with his staff but knew he could not deflect another swipe at him. Instead he kicked at her stomach, sending her back but not ready to call defeat. She ran to him again, one sword up and another below. He could not defend against two swipes. As she approached within a foot of Thoemin Magla tackled her to the ground. The leader held her down on the ground with his foot.

“Calm yourself, Eleswith,” he commanded her, shouting. “We saw what Theomin of the Wold did. He saved your life.”

“Lies!” She shouted at the leader. “He tried to kill me, I felt it. A light from the heavens came down almost killed me. I felt it!”

“Again, with your rage. You may have a good eye for battle but you are blind when someone is trying to save you. One of the orcs you thought you killed rose up. It would have killed you had it not been for Theomin, here. He saved your life. All three of us saw this. There’s no denying it.”

She shoved the foot of the leader off her chest. She looked at Theomin dead in the eyes, “I don’t need saving. I never have. Especially from some wizard’s apprentice who deals in magic. She pointed at him, wanting to make a strong point, “Keep your distance, boy from Rohan.” She then stormed off.

Magla looked at the leader, “What has gotten into her? She is not usually like this.”

“I know not,” the leader admitted. “She is growing angrier as the days progress. I feel she is a good captain but in recent days her anger has made her blind.” He paused, contemplating what to do with Eleswith. He sighed and looked at Theomin. “This place is cleared of orcs. They will return in force, though. They always do. Now, though, we are safe.” He looked away to the north. “Over yonder across the great east road is the ruins of Ost Guruth. You will find Frideric the Elder there. Speak with him about your wizard.” He and the others started on west.

“Are you not coming with me?” Theomin asked sadly.

“I’m afraid we are not. Earlier Eleswith, Sergee, and Magla left one of ours in the ruins west of here. We are needing to recover his body and give him a proper burial.”

“Thank you, my friend.” He started north but stopped. “Wait, what is your name?”

“Helesdir.” The leader said.

“Helesdir, I am glad to make your acquaintance.”

The leader smiled, “As am I.” He then left with the other two abruptly headed north, running as the daylight was waining. Theomin looked around at the ruins he was standing in. He looked at some of the old designs in the rock. Throughout the entirety of the walls of the ruins were the sever sided star, especially some prominently placed and one above an arched doorway surrounded by six other smaller stars, three on one side and three on the other. Seven all together.

As interesting and thought provoking as that was, the hour was growing late. He needed to head to the ruins across the way before sundown. He was unsure what perels lurked around the corner. He headed north toward Ost Guruth and by gloaming he had reached the base of Ost Guruth.

The stone masonry was drastically different from that of Ost Cyrn. The stone was darker and the carvings there did not hold the seven sided stars. Insead the designs were much like those in the hideout of the group he had just met. Ost Guruth had dark stone with designs of a crown. Above one of the crowns facing south, visible from the road, four figures were carved in stone, three below and one above. The carvings looked like kings of some import. It then hit Theomin that he passed these ruins earlier in the day. He must have backtracked a bit as the day progressed. He continued toward the ruins.

Soon, after a moment or two of seeing a stable, there he saw Bragga. Bugging a dwarf there was Aches. “Shoo, shoo, go away,” the dwarg was saying while pushing his hands away, hoping but not succeeding to get rid of the little lynx.

Theomin was delighted. He had never come across a dwarf before. He was happy to talk with that dwarf stabling his horse. Theomin jogged down the hill, “Excuse me kind sir,” Theomin said approaching the dwar. “It looks like you found my horse and my little lynx.”

“Ah, good sir. This fine horse and this,” he looked at Aches, “this little annoying ball of fur.” Theomin nodded. “Then how can I help you, fine sir? A ride to the Forsaken Inn, perhaps?”

“First and foremost, I must reclaim my horse. Second, I need to keep him stabled while I speak with a man called, ‘Frideric the Elder.’”

“Well, my master, Frideric the Elder is up the stairs in the courtyard of Ost Guruth. But claiming your horse my be a little more difficult, fine sir.”

“What do you mean by being more difficult?”

“It will take some coin to buy her back.”

“I have no coin. Only my belongings in my bag, the clothes on my back,” he looked at Aches, “and my little lynx friend.” Theomin quickly thought of an idea, “I would have my lynx friend come with me to absolve any cost of stabling my horse. If not, I will be more than happy to leave him here in your care while I look for some coin.”

The little dwarf thought for a moment and grumbled, “Nice doing business with you.”

Theomin gave a smirk, “Come Aches!” His little lynx friend came along with Theomin as he followed behind him up the stairs of Ost Guruth. As he reached the summet of the stairs he saw the courtyard of the ruins. Small shops lined the western end of the ruins. To the north was a single tall tower behind a wall. In the center of the courtyard a man stood stairing at Theomin. He walked down to meet the man. “Hello, I am looking for Frideric the Elder.”

“And you have found him, he’s me.” The man joked slightly. “What can I do for you?”

“I hear there was a wizard by the name of Radagast the Brown here. I am looking for him.”

“Yes, he was here for a while. He was looking after Agumaur for a time, tending to the corruption of the trees there. I know not why he left but it was in such a hurry that he didn’t address us of his leave. He just left.”

“Oh, so you have not an idea of where he went?”

“I didn’t say that. He left a note saying, in a cryptic way, where he was headed.”

“Okay, and where did he go?”

“I have not a clue. I just set it aside as I have better things to tend to than figuring out puzzles of wizards.”

“Then do you mind if I had a look?”

“Sure,” he said happily, “It’s up on the bookshelves near the kitchen. It’s over in the back of Ost Guruth.”

Theomin headed to the other side of the ruins. It was easy to find, just following his nose he came upon the kitchen. He entered and found to the right a flame pit and to the left a bookshelf filled with books. It was a little unusual that a bookshelf would be in a kitchen but that was the least of his worries. He approached a woman who was reading nearby.

“Excuse me, I am searching for a note left by Radagast.”

“Oh, that note,” she said rolling her eyes. “We’ve looked at that note for quite a while and could not make out its odds and ends.” She pulled out the note. “You can figure it out.” She handed it to Theomin.

 

It read:

              Upon daylight it flows blue

              Upon twilight it burns red

              It is fed by ices of the north

              And under the great man in the south

 

              Morning it sees light

              Twilight it sees the shadow.

              Heat rises mists rise up

              And settle upon the heights.

             

             Corruption has plagued its ranks

             Death they draw upon unsafe travelers

             Death some unsafe travelers bring upon the pines

             I go to end the corruption up from the banks.

Theomin looked up at the woman. “You are right. It makes little sense. I know not what it is saying.” The lady gave a look of agreement. “I would like to bring this with me, if you do not mind.”

“If you wish I’ll pen a copy for you to take. I don’t know how Frideric the Elder will take to you taking the only copy he has.”

“That sounds okay.”

“It’ll only take a few moments. While you wait how about you fill your stomach.”

“A good idea that is.” Theomin walked over to the oven and grabbed a plate of food. Flies were buzzing around it and landing all around it. The meat looked old and unsavory. A closer inspection of the meat revealed maggots wiggling around the meat. His stomach churned as he had no want for that food.

“What’re you looking at, stranger?” the cook asked. “Certainly not at that meat.”

“As a matter of fact I am,” Theomin said sickened by the sight.

“No, no, no, that is for the flies. Fierce creatures they are. This plate is for the horrible flies to eat.” She gave Theomin a plate filled with appetizing hot boar meat, steaming bread, and a slice of warm pie. “This is not for the flies.”

“Oh,” Theomin said involunterilly. It had been such a long time since he had a good large meal. He took the plate as a drip of drool started forming from his mouth. He wiped it with his shoulder as he took his plate to a bench sitting outside of the building. He placed it down and tore into the food. Though he had a full stomach two nights prior that sensation had faded, the appetizing look and taste of the food was unmatched. It took not a long time for him to finish the entire plate of food. His stomach was not full but he was satisfied.

Theomin took the now empty plate back to the cook as she looked at him surprised, “How long ago did I give you this plate? Not but two minutes ago, I would say.”

“I know, it was too tastey to just let sit around.”

“An amazing eater you are. I’m sure in Bree there are eating contests. You’d win with no effort at all.”

“I do not ususally eat like this.”

“Mmhmm,” she just said, not believing Theomin.

The lady writing the letter from Radagast then called out to Theomin. “Your document is ready.”

He walked over and retrieved it. “Thank you very much. Why are you all so helpful to travelers?”

“We were not always this helpful. Lately, though, there have been problems with orcs that travelers have been able to help with. For that we are greatful and therefore we, in turn, reward their help with food and shelter. I’m glad of the change. Before, we let no one else into our ruins. To the west, Minus Eriol was invaded by goblins. We don’t want the same thing to happen here.”

“I see.” Theomin said. “Thank you so much for your help.” Theomin left, approaching Frideric the Elder, whom was busy with other needs. It was Eleswith speaking with him. She did not seem as upset as she was before. Theomin just kept his distance from her, not wanting to make a huge scene as he was sure she would do. She then made her way into a doorway to the south. Theomin quickly approached Fredric. “I have my copy of that note Radagast left and I will be off.”

“Ah, did you make any sense of it?” Frideric asked with hope.

“No,” Theomin admitted, “not even a little.”

“Ah well. It’s not my place to understand the ways of wizards.” He looked around, “The hour is late. How about you stay here the night. Take some rest. I the morning you can continue on wherever you’re headed.”

“Thank you. I will take you up on your offer. Where am I to sleep?”

Frideric pointed toward where Eleswith went. “There are some beds there. How about you take one.”

“Uhh,” Theomin said, wanting to protest but did not know how. He did not want to sound ungrateful.

“What is the matter?” Fredric asked.

Theomin did not want to sound ungratefulbut could not help it. “That lady you were just speaking with scares me,” he admitted.

Frideric laughed, “To tell you the truth, she scares me too. Once you get used to her, though, you’ll still be scared of her but you get used to it. Just don’t cross her.”

“Thank you again,” he said, gritting his teeth. He walked over to the enclosure, afraid of what he would find. Was she going to argue with the people there? Was she going to argue with him? As he entered, there she was, just talking with one of the people sitting there. Theomin reached one of the beds and sat in it. As he sat there he looked in Eleswith’s direction. She glanced over at Theomin as Theomin turned his head, emberassed, hoping not to make a scene.

He removed his boots and layed down in his bed. Almost feeling paranoid of Eleswith being in the same room, he kept one eye open. Unfortunately he did not realized how tired he was. He then fell to a fast sleep.