The Tarnished City

Vetiver

"Brief summery of what happened while I wasn't around, please?"

Vetiver looked down his nose at Jade, frowning when he saw Merrique's comb stuck in her messy mane. "We found this guy barred up in a building," he explained, "while you and the others were, once again, loitering out here doing gods know what. If you're not going to participate, you might as well carry our bags." Vetiver looked the petite swordswoman up and down, sniffed haughtily, and turned away from her.

"I believe that a meal is in order. Vetiver, start the fire and let's give him a fitting meal and some hot tea."

"I'm not your servant," the tall sorcerer grumbled moodily, but he waved his hand anyway. Purple light washed over the ground and a dozen dry sticks gathered themselves into a perfect pile. Then Vetiver snapped his long pale fingers and the sticks set on fire. He dusted his hands together and looked pleased with his work.

"And how are you not aware of this city, how long has it been isolated for?"

"There's no need for hysterics," Vetiver told the duke in a bored drawl. "Calm down and we'll tell you everything you need to know, just like you answered all our questions. The Tarnished City has been abandoned for over a hundred years. If you were trapped in there that long, you should be glad the City kept you from dying and rotting away."

 

Merrique

One second Merrique was contemplating how she would deal with Jade's snide attitude, and the next she looked at Duke Selzec and saw something completely different from what the others saw:

His appearance was inhuman, skin paler than fresh snow and eyes that matched, only a small, black pupil visible at the centre of the lidless, unblinking spheres. His hair, or at least, what little there was, was ragged, clinging to the back of an elongated skull. His cheeks were sunken, and mouth lacked lips, revealing a set of pearly white teeth, that seemed to be merging together, gaps between them growing thin as the enamel crept up the gums, giving them the same pale shade.

Merrique blinked rapidly and took a step back. She grabbed Mixine with one hand and with the other she grabbed Vetiver. "He's...he's a monster," she said breathlessly. Her wide yellow eyes were locked on Duke Selzec. "We can't trust him. Something's wrong with him."

 

He seemed unaware of Merrique's reaction, instead turning to Vetiver and drawing his spear. "And the dragons cults in the east of the belt? Were they defeated? Do the old kingdoms still stand?" He half spat, clearly full of anger and rage as he drove the tip of the blade into the ground, the stone screaming as it slid into the brick.

 

Acai

Acai had been trotting obediently behind Vetiver all day, and he had yet to learn anything about magic. Sure, it was cool to watch Vetiver do magic tricks every once in a while, like when he made that stone pillar levitate, but Acai was beginning to get a little antsy. Merrique had also promised to teach him some tricks, but she hadn't done so either. The glamour of hanging out with two of his biggest idols was beginning to rub off.

"He's...he's a monster," she said breathlessly. Her wide yellow eyes were locked on Duke Selzec. "We can't trust him. Something's wrong with him."

Acai reacted the same way he had reacted earlier, when he learned that their group had let Merrique and Vetiver go into the City alone: he bent down and scooped up a handful of loose rocks. The rocks hadn't done much in the other fight, with that one-eyed freak, but this time Acai was going to try something a little different. He held the rocks tight in his fist and concentrated all his anger.

"C'mon, c'mon, c'mon," he hissed under his breath. Finally he could feel the rocks heating up in his hands. When he opened his fist, two or three of the rocks were glowing red and steaming. If they hit anyone, they would hurt like a motherflipper. Acai jumped in front of Merrique and bounced from foot to foot, ready for battle.

"And the dragons cults in the east of the belt? Were they defeated? Do the old kingdoms still stand?"

"Stop talking crazy," Acai snapped at Duke Selzec. "Of course the Scaled Empire is still standing, those bastards are mighty hard to stomp out. I should know, I'm from that region. Now stay back, or I'll burn your face off!" Acai lifted the hand that was full of rocks threateningly.

 

Mixine slipped from Merrique's grip and moved towards Duke Selzec to draw his attention away from Vetiver. Her voice got softer as she took that tone from last night, but it was without her full power behind her, "Duke Selzec... Please restrain yourself, it is not worth defiling your spirit by spilling his blood."

She turned and put her back to Duke Selzec and locked eyes on Merrique, Vetiver and Acai, "Nor will I allow you three to spill his blood. The moment Vetiver released him is the moment all of us were responsible for his care. What has he done to you? Nothing."

Her eyes shifted to Acai and she said sweetly, "Drop them. Before he drops you."

Mixine raised her hand up to Duke Selzec's spear and gently sought it out as if to lower it peacefully, "Duke Selzec, if it has been decades... then much has changed. Please forgive the children before you, they were not raised as we were."

A smile spread across Mixine's lips as her eyes fell to Merrique in particular, "It matters not where he comes from or by what magics he lives, he is a good man. Because of my skin, travelers call me a monster. I hid myself from the outside world. Brother dealt with people since I never was any good at it. The enemy of our enemy may not be a friend, but we owe him our hospitality and respect. If you disagree, then you will have to kill me before challenging him."

 

"And the dragons cults in the east of the belt? Were they defeated? Do the old kingdoms still stand?" The duke's facial expression soured... he was not happy. He angrily slid a spear into the rock, it screaming out at him in pain.

Merrique took on a pale white look, which spread across her face rapidly, and she stepped back. "He's...he's a monster... we can't trust him. Something's wrong with him."

Acai, off to the side, obviously heard what she had said, and grabbed a few rocks, and he could see steam fizzling out of his hand. The boy... could use magic too. The one person he had trusted not to be corrupted. And it seemed the duke was also wearing a mask.

"Stop talking crazy," Acai snapped at Duke Selzec. "Of course the Scaled Empire is still standing, those bastards are mighty hard to stomp out. I should know, I'm from that region. Now stay back, or I'll burn your face off!" Acai lifted the hand that was full of rocks threateningly. Already, there were threats on baseless evidence.

Mixine moved towards Duke Selez, slinking softly as a murmur. "Duke Selez... Please restrain yourself, it is not worth defiling your spirit by spilling his blood." She turned to Merrique, Vetiver, and Acai. The three magicians who saw some hallucination in his figure. "Nor will I allow you to spill his blood. The moment Vetiver released him from his prison is the moment all of us were responsible for his care. What has he done to you? Nothing."

She looked at Acai, motioning towards his rocks. "Drop them."

She addressed Duke Selez again, "Duke Selez, if it has been decades... then much has changed. Please forgive the children before you, they were not raised as we were."

Marcus took this brief opportunity to motion to Kent and Dart, "Watch him. If he does anything, kill him. If any of the others do anything... stop them. Don't hurt."

"It matters not where he comes from or by what magics he lives, he is a good man. Because of my skin, travelers call me a monster. I hid myself from the outside world. Brother dealt with people since I never was any good at it. The enemy of our enemy may not be a friend, but we owe him our hospitality and respect. You will have to kill me before challenging him." Mixine challenged the others, her fierce eyes turning to Merrique, who just moments ago seemed as if she was her best friend.

Marcus stepped closer to Mixine, Kent and Dart fanning out behind him into spots around the area, ready to pounce. "What kind of being are you, Duke Selez? My friends think you are a monster, but other than the alcohol, and your harsh tone, and your spear... Let me trust you. Show me. You are dead if you lay a finger on one of them."

He turned to face the others, "Have we stooped so low as to lynch a man based on a dreamy magician's hallucination? I may be a mercenary, but that does not mean I am without morals. No matter how much you talk about pride and courage and bravery and heroism, it is useless unless you are good. Goodness is a base that you build on top of. Tell me, is it good to kill without evidence? You are just as bad as the man who kills his wife because he saw her talking to another man. You are no better."

He breaths out, "Let's move on. Everyone should keep a watch out. Duke, get to the front. I don't quite trust you yet, and my friends are causing me to doubt you even more. Don't do anything stupid, please."

 

Marcus stepped closer to Mixine, Kent and Dart fanning out behind him into spots around the area, ready to pounce. "What kind of being are you, Duke Selez? My friends think you are a monster, but other than the alcohol, and your harsh tone, and your spear... Let me trust you. Show me. You are dead if you lay a finger on one of them."

Mixine raised her two arms and she closed her eyes while her fingers tracked them by an unknown means. There was no surge of power in Mixine, but she was serious about defending Duke Selzec from attack, "Even if we are all children before him, he is not a monster."

"No matter how much you talk about pride and courage and bravery and heroism, it is useless unless you are good. Goodness is a base that you build on top of. Tell me, is it good to kill without evidence? You are just as bad as the man who kills his wife because he saw her talking to another man. You are no better. Let's move on. Everyone should keep a watch out. Duke, get to the front. I don't quite trust you yet, and my friends are causing me to doubt you even more. Don't do anything stupid, please."

Mixine's attention shifted to Marcus even with her eyes closed, "This may be the first meal he's had in decades and I will not let you trade one prison for another. Are we in agreement?"

As she said that her head shifted to Jade and her eyes opened as if asking her the question posed to the others, "Do you trust me?"

Her eyes shifted quickly to Merrique and she mouthed the words with her back to Duke Selzec, 'What... See...'

 

He removed his spear the ground and held it level, slowly backing away from them. "A modern map. Get me a modern map." He growled, placing his helmet back on. "I received this spear from Marius, and, while I'd rather be using it for it's intended purpose, I will do what is needed to someone either tells what this 'Scaled Empire' is, or gets me a map, preferably both."

 

Mixine did not turn from Merrique as she spoke to Duke Selzec while still guarding him, "The "dragon cults" have been busy expanding. This child or his keeper might be worldly enough to carry a map, but the Brackenmarsh is as ever."

Moving backwards to protect Duke Selzec, Mixine placed her body in front of him as a shield against whatever magics Vetiver or Acai might try. Her body was no longer relying on her eyes and kept its lock on Merrique as she watched her lips, "Duke Selzec, what was the year of your imprisonment? It may be painful to hear, but it is likely everyone you knew may have perished decades ago..."

 

Mixine turned to Marcus as soon as he'd spoken. "This may be the first meal he's had in decades and I will not let you trade one prison for another. Are we in agreement?" Marcus nodded, taking in the somewhat hostile attitude of the unpredictable danger in front of him. Best to have her with him than not. However, there would be no allowance for recklessness, and he would make sure that Selez was watched.

"A modern map. Get me a modern map. I received this spear from Marius, and, while I'd rather be using it for it's intended purpose, I will do what is needed to someone either tells what this 'Scaled Empire' is, or gets me a map, preferably both." He wanted a map. Easy enough. Kent and Marcus both had one in their packs.

Mixine replied to him, "The "dragon cults" have been busy expanding. This child or his keeper might be worldly enough to carry a map, but the Brackenmarsh is as ever. Duke Selez, what was the year of your imprisonment? It may be painful to hear, but it is likely everyone you knew may have perished decades ago..."

Marcus took out the map in his pack, and unfurled it, seeing the elegant span of the different places across it. The Brackenmarsh, Tynaven, The Cracked Plains, Torun, and the famous Scaled Empire, land of dragons. Rivers crossed the land in a few places, and mountain ranges cut through the paper with a wavy stroke. Dotted with little towns and streaked by famous roads. Last updated 2 months ago, where a city had been evacuated in the Northern Wastes due to a dust storm. Maps were a beautiful thing. He offered it to the duke.

"Just give it back."

 

Jade watched the commotion around her, started by the fool Merrique. Well this escalated quickly, she thought to herself. She wanted to she the bitch by her throat. Then she remembered the girl's vision from the previous night. The city was a strange one, and the look of fear on Merrique's face was genuine. Maybe she did see something the others did not.

"One of my first contracts," she said, as Marcus handed the maps to Duke Selez, "was a sorcerer. He used black magic to prolong his life far more than nature intended. When I slit his throat, the man's skin just crumbled to dust, and all that was left was one gruesome skeleton. Like the man was already dead, and his skin was just a mask. Is that what you saw, Merrique?" She winced as the comb tugged at her hair again.

 

Mixine glanced at Marcus as he handed the map to Duke Selzec, she would need to read it as well. It was foolish to travel without knowing one's surroundings, but yet it was more fate than wanderlust which brought her to Para'ven.

"One of my first contracts," she said, as Marcus handed the maps to Duke Selez, "was a sorcerer. He used black magic to prolong his life far more than nature intended. When I slit his throat, the man's skin just crumbled to dust, and all that was left was one gruesome skeleton. Like the man was already dead, and his skin was just a mask. Is that what you saw, Merrique?"

The act of killing was more horrific to Mixine then the notion of a being held together by magic, but she nodded slightly as if the possibility that Duke Selzec was an unwilling participant in some dark magic. If one did not need to eat or drink, then it was likely time itself could be manipulated. Since Duke Selzec claimed a divine weapon, there was a chance that he was perhaps a powerful mage as well.

"Heh... hehee..." Mixine giggled as she craned her neck back over her shoulder to look at Duke Selzec, her arms dropping to her sides, "Wight...lich.. any of the undying... it would not matter. To put their fears to rest, may I caress your face to show them how you are still very much alive?"

It would be easy for Mixine to detect the mechanisms of a living body from a single touch, but she did not believe that Duke Selzec to be some ghastly creature held together by dark magic. With the laying of hands, she would be able to gauge his health and well-being from his captivity.

 

Vetiver

While everyone was arguing, Vetiver slipped out the Black Wand and pointed it at Duke Selzec. The Tent was trying to block Selzec, but frankly, Vetiver was getting pretty tired of her. If the Tent Thing wanted to die for some foul creature that they had only just met, so be it. She had already proven herself to be an insane lightning mage, and Vetiver would take any excuse to get rid of her to increase the safety of their group.

"I don't understand why they doubt your vision," Vetiver told Merrique. "Especially since Marcus had his own vision last night. But don't worry, if that thing tries anything, I will deal with it." Vetiver was also glad to see that Marcus had told his companions to kill Duke Selzec if he attacked. Marcus was quickly becoming Vetiver's favorite person in their group, even if he called Merrique a "dreamy magician". In fact, Vetiver liked it better if Marcus thought poorly of Merrique; that way, he wouldn't try to make a move on her.

 

He took the map from Marcus's hand in an instant, placing his spear down, as he knelt and unrolled the map. "Venic, Rasadome and Nos'Tasna. The trio is missing, replaced by this, Scaled Empire." He spat out the last word, filled with venom and bile before standing again. "The Dragon Cult won, spread like the wildfire." He stood up, taking his spear with him, though now his grip was lax, no longer aimed at any of the group. Instead he stood in silence, not replying to Mixine and his features hidden by the helmet.

 

Merrique

"Is that what you saw, Merrique?"

Merrique nodded, but her eyes did not leave Duke Selzec. She was torn. On one hand, she had just had a terrible vision of Duke Selzec's true self. On the other hand, he looked like he was grief-stricken by the fact that everything he once knew was gone or altered. Merrique was glad that both Marcus and Vetiver had promised to kill Selzec if he tried anything, but she couldn't help but feel a little sorry for the poor creature. He was locked away for so long...it must have been terribly lonely.

At last, Merrique decided to swallow her fear. She nervously pushed her wild ringlets out of her face and chewed her full bottom lip for a moment before speaking.

"Duke? Selzec?" the Lady Sorceress said in a voice that was kind, but trembled slightly. "Are you alright? I know this must be...um...hard for you, to say the least." She rooted around in her satchel and took out a small purplish radish. She held it up to Selzec and gave him her signature friendly smile. "Radish?" she offered.

 

"I don't understand why they doubt your vision," Vetiver told Merrique. "Especially since Marcus had his own vision last night. But don't worry, if that thing tries anything, I will deal with it."

Mixine smirked and nodded as she turned to Vetiver, "Visions are blessings, but not is all as it seems. By your hand, Duke Selzec was freed and your duty should be clear."

"Venic, Rasadome and Nos'Tasna. The trio is missing, replaced by this, Scaled Empire." He spat out the last word, filled with venom and bile before standing again. "The Dragon Cult won, spread like the wildfire."

"Struggling infinitely in the flameless cycle..." Mixine's shoulders fell a little, "May the gods have pity on us..."

"Duke? Selzec?" the Lady Sorceress said in a voice that was kind, but trembled slightly. "Are you alright? I know this must be...um...hard for you, to say the least." She rooted around in her satchel and took out a small purplish radish. She held it up to Selzec and gave him her signature friendly smile. "Radish?" she offered.

With Merrique's offer, Mixine exhaled with relief before saying to Duke Selzec, "My protection was not about dishonor, but your safety is still my concern. Do as you must, this is a lot to take in."

Mixine slowly moved away from Duke Selzec and approached Jade. She raised her hand up through the black cloth and wiped her brow as she shook her head, "Those two did it. The enemy of our enemy is a friend, they said. Vetiver released him without a moment's hesitation or thought. Hmph, did he survive this long by stupid luck, sacrificing others or something else? All power and no judgement... such a tedious way to live."

 

"My daughter was wed to the king just before the dragons came, true love they said." He spoke, his voice soft. "I didn't believe it. She was a sweet girl, while he was a fool, a warmonger, likely a tyrant if given enough time. If the dragons hadn't come I'd probably have tried to kill him myself. I fought those that served the beasts, better the tyrant you can slay with a single stab than one you can't." His grip on his spear tightened, and he fell silent, as if mulling something over in his head.

 

Vetiver

"All power and no judgement... such a tedious way to live."

Vetiver's eyes narrowed into hateful slits and moved away from Duke Selzec to Mixine. There it goes, he thought darkly. Bad-mouthing me, yet again. Maybe I should point my wand at The Tent, instead. But then Vetiver smirked and shook his head slightly. Nah, that thing is insane. Sooner or later it will kill itself somehow. Crazy people always have a tendency of defeating themselves. Besides, it's punishment enough that The Tent has to go through life looking like it does. I won't add to it's humiliation.

He chose to ignore Mixine completely and focus on Duke Selzec. His mood kept changing and now he was ranting about his daughter marrying a king or something. Vetiver cleared his throat loudly to get the duke's attention when he was done rambling.

"I have an idea," Vetiver told him. "You've lost everything. You have no family to go back to. But look where we are: Para'Ven, a treasure trove of magical artifacts. Yes, it's dangerous, but if you joined us then we would stand an even better chance of penetrating it's defenses. And you might find something here that could help you...travel...back to your time."

Vetiver was spinning a tall tale and he knew it. He had never heard of a magical artifact that could manipulate time, but he was hoping that Duke Selzec was desperate enough to believe him. Then they he would be on their side, and if they were attacked by the one-eyed lunatic again, Selzec could help fight him. Vetiver had no reason to believe that his current company would be any use in a fight: so far they either avoided every obstacle or went sight-seeing while half the group was in pitched combat. Duke Selzec looked like a proper warrior that wouldn't run from a fight; he would make a fine addition to their group.

 

Mixine grumbled under her breath to Jade in the Brackenmarsh tongue, "So he is just a grave-robbing trinket collector after all... But what are you after in this place or are you just employed by one of them?"

As Vetiver made a ludicrous proposition to Duke Selzec, she realized that there was perhaps some sense in Vetiver after all. It was a bit late, but it lended credit to the idea that Vetiver would stay from danger and let others fall into the traps of this place whenever possible. Would his greed lead him back to those daggers in the square? Perhaps she could get him to float those blades to her for inspection since they may be trapped. Any prize, any trinket, was potentially a deadly ruse or trap. Though having an able person with a divine weapon was good, so long as they could be put down quickly if they turned on you.

 

"Simple logic dictates that that is impossible. If it was possible to alter the past there would be no tyrants." He shook his head. "I suppose we were losing, that's why I came here. Get something to slay both tyrants. I even stole my daughter from the king, Tyniva herself promised that she'd be kept safe. I can't remember the city changed. I supposed I merely exchanged and failure for another." He shook his head. "I apologise, I'm getting far too open with mere strangers."

 

Merrique

"I apologise, I'm getting far too open with mere strangers."

"No, don't apologize, it's alright," Merrique said, still smiling. Her voice was stronger than before, less scared and more certain. She put away the radish she had offered Duke Selzec; if he had wanted it then he would have taken it, and a small part of Merrique had wanted to keep the radish for later. She didn't know when they would come across any vegetables in a desolate place like Para'Ven.

"So, are you joining us, or not?" Merrique asked. Her smile turned into a playful grin and her bright hazel eyes glinted wickedly. "What do you have to lose?"

Now that she wasn't scared, Merrique was getting a bit impatient to continue their mission, so she was trying to charm Duke Selzec with her looks. She wanted to go look for the First Scholar's ring, or whatever they were going to do next, before night came and they had to set up camp. Ever since she had lost her powers, a sort of desperate panic had taken up residence in her chest. She had to keep busy, or it would swallow her whole.

 

"So he is just a grave-robbing trinket collector after all... But what are you after in this place or are you just employed by one of them?"

"None," Jade replied. "I was brought here by some Lord who wanted to useme for some dark ritual. Now I just want to get away from them, and besides, I have nothing better to do."

Jade turned her attention back to the group.

"So, are you joining us, or not?" Merrique asked. Her smile turned into a playful grin and her bright hazel eyes glinted wickedly. "What do you have to lose?"

"Yes," she said. "And I would suggest we start our journey, east I believe we decided. I'd rather we finish before the mists return. So make up your mind quick."

 

Vetiver

Vetiver was slightly embarrassed, and a little annoyed, that his ploy to get Duke Selzec on their team had failed. But when Merrique started smiling and directing the full force of her womanly charms at Selzec, Vetiver's hopes soared. What man could turn down such a beguiling creature? It still amazed him that Merrique managed to look so very attractive, even with her messy curls and wrinkled clothes. Vetiver felt a little pang of jealous that she was using her charms on someone other than him, but he didn't interfere. Getting Selzec on their team was more important than his personal feelings.

Jade also joined in, in her usual brusque manner. Vetiver smirked to himself; she might have run away during their fight with the one-eyed freak, but Jade's tough demeanor still impressed Vetiver. Vetiver wondered if he wasn't giving her enough slack. She had lost her shadow powers, after all...that had to be a big shock...but then again, Vetiver had stayed to fight, and so had Acai, and he's just a lowly peasant boy.

We'll see how she does next time, Vetiver assured himself. He didn't want to believe that he was traveling with a band of cowards, even if all evidence pointed to the contrary.

 

"None," Jade replied. "I was brought here by some Lord who wanted to useme for some dark ritual. Now I just want to get away from them, and besides, I have nothing better to do."

Mixine replied in the Brackenmarsh tongue, "Shall we help them while we find ourselves? I may have nothing, but along the way... maybe... I will be of use to you."

As she said it, Mixine's right hand flipped the hood up over her face and she reached instinctively for the smiling mask she was so used to wearing. As she pulled it out from under the wide cloak and affixed it to her face, Mixine's voice became masculine again as she continued to speak in the Brackenmarch tongue, "It has been long since we gazed upon the beauty of our homeland. I will not let anyone hurt you, this I swear with my life."

Now assuming 'Mix', she held out her hand from her side there was a certain sense of tone in that voice that meant it. It was not a lie or a weak promise, it was an oath to a fellow troubled soul, "Do you trust me, sister?"

 

"I have my own search." He replied. "Something that might redeem myself in my own eyes at least."

He then moved towards Merrique, his mouth next to her ear and whispering, the voice clear despite the muffling of his helmet. "Do not try such acts on me, harlot. Not five minutes ago you were screeching that I was a monster, nor do I follow my cock like the one you have wrapped around your fingers, though I'm sure he desires the reverse and little else."

With that he stepped back again and addressed. "My spear was not the only tool given by the gods. Relatus provided a blade as well, a rapier he named The Dueling Dancer. I remember a voice saying that it was taken to Tyniva's quarter, the large half a mile west of the cathedral. I hope it will serve you well." With those words he left, walking back into the city, the sound of glass being crushed leaping into the air as he stepped on the discarded bottle. His shield was still in his hand, and his spear rested on the shoulder. Relaxed, yet ready swing.