Private Tales Supply Run

[Lumen]

Firelit torches sprung to life around them, lighting the way to the clearing. Lights flickering to life in that clearing ahead of them as well. Arcane magic sitting heavily in the air. Lumen's magic drifted forward as those reptillian-beasts stepped into the torchlight from the darkness.

"There are more around us that we can't see," Lumen whispered to Lothar, feeling their dips in temperature around the woods.

"Glad you showed," Gashall called from the clearing. Their trembling guide from earlier was still bound, knees pressed in the moist dirt of the jungles in front of Gashall. Lumen and Lothar had no choice but to move their horses forward. Tara began trembling, her little hands digging into the mane of their horse.

"There are a lot of monsters," she whispered. But her eyes caught sight of one familiar man. "Dad?"

 

[Lothar]

Lothar’s jaw set.

He tried to school himself as Lumen whispered, trying not to call on the magic in his left eye. It would let him see, but within a few moments the pain of it would be too much to bear. Best to wait. He knew a time was coming where he would really need it. ”Of course we did.”

It was difficult to keep his voice steady, but as he responded to the Proctor he wrapped an arm around Tara. He held her, almost defensively, as if somehow the gesture would be able to keep her safe in the coming scuffle.

”Just like we were told.” Lothar continued. ”It’s what we Initiates do.”

His gaze flickered to the forest around them for a moment.

In his chest he could feel his heart thundering, pounding again again. He waited for Friar, he waited for something to happen so he didn’t have to give up this little girl. His fingers flexed tightly, free hand roaming ever closer to the pommel of his sword.

Come on. He thought. Come on[i/]

 

[Lumen]

Lumen thought the same thing as Lothar.

Where was he?

Where were the guard?

But her eyes remained on Gashall's. Gashall's eyes fixated on Tara. Not as a father about to be reunited with his daughter in love. Or true loss at being apart for so long. But more as though Tara was a prize to be one and possessed. More like a starving wolf looking at its next meal.

"Hi sweetie," she called. Lumen saw how he tried to look less dangerous. But it wasn't fooling her and she knew his attempts would't fool Lotahr either.

Lumen quickly dismounted and went to the front of her horse, stepping out in front of Lothar and his mount and Tara. Her feet planted as she continued to play this role.

"We brought here, now let him go," her chin tipped to their guide. Gashall barked a sharp laugh and motioned his hand behind him. As if he'd never question Lumen and Lothar being naive enough to do this for this one man. One of the creatures stepped forward to unbind Azar (?).

 

[Lothar]

It happened fast, and suddenly.

Lothar was getting ready to stop Gashall somehow, to draw his sword and say fuck it all, but before he ever had a chance to a strange sort of line cut through the clearing.

He wouldn't have noticed it before, not ordinarily, but his stolen eye was better than anything he could have asked for. The line traced through the clearing, and through several of Gashall's monstrous allies. Passing through and seemingly doing nothing when just a heartbeat later the creatures exploded in a shower of blood.

As though something had cut through them in an instant.

"YOU LITTLE BA-" Gashall began to shout before he was forced to throw up a hand. His fingers unfurling as he shouted a spell.

Seconds later an explosion, this time one of fire ruptured against the shield that the exiled Dreadlord had woven. Lothar's eyes widened, and he looked to his companion, shouting. "Go!"

He demanded of her. "GO GO GO!"

There was no winning staying here, they had to get the fuck out.

 

[Lumen]

Relief painted her features even as some gore from the creatures splattered against her armor. Friar had come through! He hadn't also been a traitor like she and Lothar feared.

"GO!" She yelled at Lothar in agreement even as her horse bucked and the reins slipped through her hands. There was another line of something and more creature on the opposite side suddenly exploded. She had no chance of hanging onto her spooked horse now. It bolted.

"Whatever it takes Lothar, GET HER OUT!" She yelled at her friend in case he hesitated as she suddenly ran after them, drawing her sword.

On foot for her it was.

She heard Gashall's angry screams and curses behind them even as the air around them suddenly crackled as if it was being charged.

 

[Lothar]

It seemed that Lothar's grip on his horse was tighter.

As was his grip on Tara.

The little girl let out a panicked scream, her lips parting in a cry of terror as the monsters around her exploded in showers of crimson. Her face was splattered, but Lothar didn't give her even a single minute to relax. His arms wrapped around her, and in an instant he tugged her against his chest and threw her onto the saddle.

Seconds later he pulled himself up, masterfully dragging himself into place as he dragged on the reigns. His horse let out a loud whiny, and turned...but not away from the clearing. Instead if shifted three hundred and sixty degrees, charging directly towards Lumen.

In an echo of their first encounter with the creatures, Lothar and Tara road towards the other Initiate.

"Lumen!" He called out, his free hand extending out towards her.

If they were going to get out, they would all be getting out.

 

[Lumen]

Her sword sliced the outer scales of one of the lizard beasts before it exploded in her face, sending ripe blood and guts across her hair, skin, and armor. Head jerked upward as Lothar yelled her name.

What the hell was he doing?!

Still, she didn't hesitate as she reached up to grab his offered arm, swinging herself up onto the saddle behind him and Tara. Arm snaked around his waist to keep from falling off. One of the beasts lunged for them and she shot her hand forward, instantly freezing the creature from the inside out.

Tara screamed.

"Go!" She urged Lothar, eyes sweeping the chaos on their area.

 

[Lothar]

He didn't need to be told twice.

Heels went digging into the flank of his horse. Pressing so hard that the great steed nearly bucked and threw the three of them clear from the saddle. Yet a tight control of the reins, panic, and perhaps even a bit of trust saw the horse stay true.

With the sound of a loud whiny the mount suddenly bolted forward.

Another of the strange creatures in Gashall's thrall threw itself forward. The great Anirian Warhorse didn't stop though, instead it went barrelling forward as though part of some great cavalry charge. With a thud it went crashing I to the creature, sending the foolish being flying to the ground as it was crushed beneath the horses hooves.

Tara let out another scream, and almost instinctively Lothar reached down and covered the girl's eyes. His remaining hand staying glued to the reins as he continued to guide them forward. "Left!"

He shouted to Lumen, the magic of his right eye catching something in the trees.

"Above!" Lothar shouted in a desperate signal to Lumen. Hoping the other Initiate would be fast enough to take care of the lurking danger coming right at them.

 

[Lumen]

Lumen couldn't see as well as Lothar’s magical eyes. But with his warnings, she saw the movement. A frozen beast fell from the trees. Another froze in the grass, a claw outstretched and nearly piercing the hoses’s side as they passed.

There was another and another.

With each hit of magic, she felt it take a toll on her energy. Sweat began dripping down her brow. Breaths came harder and deeper. She felt herself slumping against Lothar’s back.

“I can see the fort’s walls,” she panted, looking through the trees ahead. Behind them, she sent a wave of frigid air, hoping to slow any pursuing them down. At least the creatures being cold blooded was on their side. She just had to stay alert.

 

[Lothar]

Vel Cirak came back into view.

Lothar wondered if they would get in trouble for any of this. Technically they had disobeyed no orders, and all they'd done was ensure a civilian didn't get hurt. Sure the Guard could be upset with them, Friar could even ream them a new one, but had they disobeyed any orders?

Broken any laws?

The answer, perhaps shockingly; was no. They had made it through this mess free and clear, despite what others might expect.

Thus has they came riding back up to the city Lothar leaned towards Lumen. The weight of her tired body pressing against him as the child in front did the same. "Stay quiet."

Lothar warned his companion as they turned on the road. Let me do the talking.

"Alarm! Alarm!" He shouted towards the Guards at the gate. "Help! Help us!"

The Initiate's words boomed out towards the city, and before long alarm bells began to ring.

 

[Lumen]

Lumen's head turned sideways as she rested it between Lothar's shoulder blades. He didn't have to worry about her not talking. She kept looking out of her peripheral, behind them. To try and keep an eye on the woods. Sounds of fighting and booming magic still echoed in their wake. For now, no more monsters lunged from the dark trees.

The cold seemed to be doing its job.

"OPEN THE GATES!" The guard called, seeing their own.

Tara remained quiet but trembled slightly, perhaps in relief at making it back to her home. Lumen felt a weariness in her bones and fought just to stay somewhat alert even as the gates lumbered open and they were ushered inside. There were shouts on tops of the walls as the soldiers stationed there caught movement in the trees.

More guardsmen and women ran to join those up on the walls, weapons ready. There were a shuffling of feet as dreadlords began filing out as well. Lumen tensed, wondering if what Friar had alluded to was true. Were there traitors here?

 

[Lothar]

The same thought that flickered through Lumen’s mind touched Lothar’s. Gashall could have more people in Vel Cirak, infiltrators. Dreadlords who would attack or try to get to them. There was always a chance.

As the gates open, his teeth sank into the inside of his lips.

He mulled over what he should do, the choices that lay before them. They could lie, try to frame the story as though something had happened which had not. They could try to speak with the Captain and divulge some of the information.

Every choice they had, every decision they could make had an element of danger. A blade which was hidden away and could find them if they were not careful. So as the gates opened as as the Guards rushed up to them, Lothar made a choice; he chose the option which would offer them a shield.

A buffer at the very least. “Dear gods, what happened?”

One of the Guards asked as he ran up and clutched Lothar’s horse. The man having been on duty during their departure. Lothar answered quickly, projecting his voice so that everyone at the gatehouse would hear. Traitors and Loyalists both, so that Vel Cirak, a city which was loyal over all, would be swimming with rumors by sundown.

So the traitors had nowhere to hide.

”We were attacked on the road.” Lothar said. ”By traitors, a Dreadlord.”

Gasps immediately flowed from the surrounding Guardsmen.

 

[Lumen]

Lumen's head snapped upward.

It was a bold and brilliant move.

She could already see the tension in the guards. The hushed whispers turn to shouts turn to annoyance as heads swiveled to and fro. Weary glances at the dreadlords stepping toward the group and toward the gates. The Captain of the guard soon broke through the group, her salt and pepper dark hair with that scar near her lower lip. Shoulders set with the weight of having lived and survived through many battles.

"At attention! You three come with me. The rest to your posts. Defend the walls." Lumen dismounted and lifted her hands to help Tara down. Eyes did a quick scan of everyone around them, still surprised not to see Tara's mother running toward them yet.

Where was she? Surely she would've heard by now about everything? And about Tara missing?

Lumen did not release Tara as she helped her down from the horse. She held her protectively in her arms as she offered Lothar a look over his shoulder. Silently communicating with him that it wasn't over yet. That they still needed to protect the girl.

Reluctantly, she turned and began following the Captain of the Guard back toward the meeting room they'd been to at the beginning of this mess.

 

[Lothar]

The Captain of the Guard was an ally, that much they knew at least.

Lothar caught Lumen's look, but needed no instructions on their remaining fight. Weariness gripped him even as the woman ordered them to follow, his gaze flickering towards his companions for a brief moment. Fingers rested on the hilt of his sword uncomfortably, some of the Guardsmen seeming to linger and watch them for just a little too long.

For a brief moment it almost appeared as though Lothar wouldn't comply with the Captain, standing in the threshold of the gatehouse for far too long. Then, quickly, he snapped to attention and moved down the same hall. As he walked he kept his back straight and his grip loose, as if expecting another ambush to suddenly spring out from the walls.

He glanced towards Tara and Lumen, looking over his shoulder as they moved.

Eventually the Captain of the Guard lead them through the rest of the small Keep. Cutting past several open doors before once again they reached her office. The woman practically threw herself down in her chair, expression one which could cause steel to wilt. She stared hard at the two Initiates, her expression softening only ever so slightly when her gaze passed to Tara. "You two are going to tell me everything that happened."

The Captain said simply, as though there were nothing to question. "Now."

She added.

 

[Lumen]

Tara's big eyes stared at Commander Reven. She made no move to squirm out of Lumen's arms nor did Lumen offer to set the child down. Might as well go for the truth at this point. Like Lothar, Lumen believed they could trust the Commander. Even Friar had said the guard was untainted by any of Gashall's spies at this point.

"Friar ordered us to bring Tara to Gashall as planned."

Lumen paused, knowing this had gone against what Commander Reven had originally ordered them to do.

"So we did. There was a huge battle and I think Friar enabled the three of us to get out."

Tara began playing with Lumen's blonde hair with her little fingers. "And there were lots of scary monsters!" Her little voice explained. Lu glanced to Lothar to see if he had anything else to add while Reven's gaze burned into all of them.

 

[Lothar]

Reven leaned back in her chair, pinching the bridge of her nose. "What happened with Gashall?"

The woman asked, and Lothar hesitated.

"We don't know." For a brief moment he could see the tension flicker through the woman's features, but her eyes darted down to the little girl standing in front of them. He thought that he saw her soften, though maybe he was just hoping. "We thought protecting the child was the most important thing."

Silence drifted into the room, and for a moment Lothar thought Reven would send Tara out to begin screaming at them. Instead the woman let out a long sigh, her head tilting with a nod.

"You were probably right to do so." The woman said, leaning forward and pinching the bridge of her nose. "You're just kids yourself."

She murmured herself, so quiet that Lumen and Tara probably wouldn't hear, but he did. The magic from his left eye enhancing not just his eyes.

Reven stayed quiet, then her stern tone of voice returned. Her eyes not filled with malice, but the reprimand of a disappointed parent. "I should have both of you flogged and imprisoned for two weeks for disobeying orders."

 

[Lumen]

Sometimes being an initiate was a lose-lose situation. Their proctors often enjoyed putting them in missions just to fail. Providing them with just enough information to think they might be able to succeed. And pre-revolution, they'd been pitted against each other enough times. Lumen could remember what happened with Marcie.

And she could only imagine what they'd done to Lothar.

It only made her frown deepen as Reven pointed out them disobeying orders. When Friar had made them disobey in the first place. Whose orders trumped whose?

"I underst-," there was a sharp knock on the door before it barged open from a private.

"Commander Reven. We need you outside immediately!"

It took several weeks to track down the rogue dreadlords at Vel Cirak but it was done. With a mixed review to their superiors, Lothar and Lumen were sent back to the Academy. Gashall was still on the loose and they never found the body of Abadar. Lumen had no doubt they'd be running into Gashall again. It was just a matter of when.

A few months later, Lumen found herself assigned on another mission with Lothar. She had mixed feelings about that but those were neither here nor there.