6 The Bandits (1/2)

Mordred

Khoron

As we approached the sprawling mess that was the outskirts of Khoron I noticed two banners flying above the city gates. The banner of the Galian Empire and the banner of the Commonwealth of Skandia, a testament to the city's unique status. As I recalled, Khoron was a trading city that had joint jurisdiction between the Galian Empire and the Commonwealth of Skanadia. Because of the city's unusual political situation it was possible for Galians and Skanadians to mingle freely and live in peace among each other, creating a mixture of both cultures that I found fascinating when I visited previously. I also remembered everything being ridiculously overpriced. I still had an ill founded but optimistic hope that it was no longer the case.

After passing through the city gates, where they undoubtedly let us in on account of my handsome visage, we made our way to the nearest inn. Unfortunately, upon reaching the Dancing Hog inn, I learned not only that they had atrocious naming skills, but that their prices were even higher than before when I was forced to pay for rooms in the inn with prices as high as one gold per person a night. Other than being forced to cough up four gold, our stay was largely uneventful. Xavier and Solskin went scouting for a job on the way to the Capital. Persephone spent her time at the local temple praying and preaching the joys serving Thanatos. I spent my time in the local library purchasing books on dimensional travel. They had a surprisingly large collection. I met with many scholar mages and researchers, who all told me that the idea of sustained extra-dimensional travel was only a theory and would have to remain so due to power limitations. It was explained to me that only the most powerful of wizards were able to break into other dimensions for any longer than a few minutes. It was not much, but it remained a source of hope.

Three nights later, Solskin and Xavier had found us a job. 300 gold split four ways, to guard a caravan going to the port city of Westeria, a route that festered with bandits from the Three Kings gang. Although a slight detour, it would put us on route to the Capital. We gladly accepted the offer and prepared to head out.

Xavier

My arm began to ache. It was a persistent, cold feeling that sent pins and needles up my arm. The winter solstice was approaching and I wasn't any closer to finding Epoch. I felt the desperation rising within me, causing daggers of fear to stab my back every waking hour. I calmed myself with a few deep breaths and headed out the door to meet with Solskin.

Wearing a full suit of armour, his golden features were covered head to toe with chain, leaving only a pair of blue eyes exposed. The breastplate gleamed brightly from polishing, giving him an aura of confidence. He looked nothing like the young and immature boy I had known before. He had the makings of a young soldier eager for the front lines. Outside the tavern, we met up with Persephone and Mordred. Their day to day wear hadn't changed much; Persephone was still in her clerical robes, but she was wielding a large iron scythe, and Mordred, was in some new elegant robes covered with runes and symbols. As Mordred dejectedly leaned against the wall, mumbling how dangerous this job was and why we shouldn't be going, the three of us unanimously decided to ignore him, dragging him along with us to the main gate of the city.

There we met our employer, a man with a quiet voice and more money then he had hair. The job was simple, to guard his caravan from Khoron to Westeria. Geared up and ready, we set out with the caravan late afternoon and began making our way across the rolling plains. For the first few days, the journey was uneventful.

Persephone

I was sitting on top of the lead carriage, starting out toward the horizon. I was the first to notice it, followed by Xavier, who was sitting next to the lead driver. Solskin, who was on top of the middle coach, was then informed through a series of hand signals, who then left to inform Mordred who was guarding the back carriage.

”What is it?” Mordred asked after he noticed Solskin approach.