Private Tales Supply Run

[Lumen]

"Ohmyohmyohmy," Mr. Abadar groaned as he got to his feet. Lumen already had her sword out again. Shield up as she pulled the middle-aged merchant behind her.

"Are you hurt?" She asked, her head on a perpetual swivel.

"I don't think so," she patted himself down, worried gaze looking into the surrounding darkness. Neck craning to look for Lothar's return.

Lumen heard Lothar's voice from behind her. "Get on the-," she began to Mr. Abadar before the darkness spit out three dark shapes. Those three creatures. They attacked at once.

Lumen parried and slashed. Even as more figures emerged. One moment Abadar was behind her. And the next he was within one of the creature's grasp, a sickly claw held up to his throat.

"That'ssssss enoughhhhh," the creature hissed at Lumen and Lothar.

 

[Lothar]

Lothar stared.

His own blade had flickered up, but there was not much he could do when trying to control two horses at once. Especially once the creatures had spoken, both mounts crowding around him in a quiet terror as they tried to step back.

Then it came to a stop.

One of the creatures grasped the merchant, and before either of the Initiate's could do anything he'd it's claw to the merchantman's throat. Lothar froze almost immediately, fingers drawing tight over the reins as he stilled both the horses. "There isn't a need for this."

The Initiate said, his voice surprisingly stern.

"We don't mean to harm you." He offered. "We just want to pass through."

He knew it wouldn't work. He knew that these monsters wanted something. There was no denying that fact, and he more than most knew that bullies always wanted something.

 

[Lumen]

"Put down your weaponssss and come with us," that same creature hissed. Abadar looked like he was either about to pee or soil himself. Lumen tensed, a questioning glance up to Lothar before she faced the one who held onto their merchant.

"Take me instead of hi-," the creature cut her off.

"No," it spoke with authority. And knowing that it had the upper hand.

"Leave your weaponssss and come with us," it repeated, drawing a thin red line across Abadar's throat. Lumen quickly glanced to Lothar again. They could try their magic. Fight with everything they had...

She hesitated.

Wondering if it would be enough to save Abadar or just save themselves.

It wasn't enough to just save themselves so she began lowering her sword to the ground.

 

[Lothar]

Lothar hesitated for a moment, glancing over towards Lumen.

For a brief moment he considered the magic in his right eye, the powers that lay within it, but his gaze swept over the crowding creatures. Lips thinned for a brief moment, but he too drew his sword from it's scabbard and threw it onto the floor.

Without being prompted, the young Initiate then pulled himself from the saddle.

It didn't take a genius to figure out that was likely what the creatures would prompt next. "Who are you?"

He thought it a less insulting question than asking what they were. Even the magic of his left eye couldn't tell him that piece of information. Just how they moved and that none of them could touch the strings of magic. A point in his and Lumen's favor he supposed.

"What do you want?" Lothar further demanded.

 

[Lumen]

Muscles coiled and a frown tugging on her lips. Clenched jaw, she fell into line as one of the creatures motioned her forward. A creature ahead of her held Abadar and pushed him along. Smart of them to keep him separated.

A glance over her shoulder showed her that there was another creature on her heels. Then Lothar. And three more behind him.

Fingers curled into fists at her side as they made their way deeper into the darkness of the woods. They were still hours away from any kind of sunlight that might be strong enough to pierce through the darkness. Morning was a ways off yet.

"It'ssssss not what we want. It'sssss what he wants," the creature that had been speaking this entire time hissed from the front. Sharp-toothed smile glinting in the darkness.

"Well, if you hurt our friend you won't be getting anything," Lumen growled, not liking the way this was going. She wondered what Lothar thought. If only she could talk with him. The creature chuckled at Lumen but didn't say anything else as he lead them to a small, gurgling river and beside it, a small camp full of the same creatures save for the one figure that stepped free from one of the stick huts.

 

[Lothar]

They seemed willing to answer questions, or stupid enough not to know they shouldn't. However small that was at least a boon for them. Right now they knew next to nothing about the situation, and the faster they could understand the better they could figure out a solution.

"Whose he?" Lothar continued on.

He figured that as long as he kept speaking and they didn't silence him, it was worth a shot.

"I just want to understand." The young Initiate continued, glancing towards the monster which had specifically answered him earlier. "So we can make sure this ends...peacefully."

It wasn't an approach that most Dreadlords would try, but Lothar and Lumen were hardly like most of their peers. Perhaps he would have acted like them were he further along in his plans, but for now the eyes he had taken would not help him much.

He needed more time, more power.

More eyes.

 

[Lumen]

"Hello initiates," the man said. He had long bone-white hair. Lumen recognized him immediately. He'd been one of the proctors who had escaped and been part of the magical cuff supply to the debacle of graduation that happened to their classmates above them. Reports had said he hadn't been there but he was wanted for questioning.

Proctor Gashall.

This wasn't good.

A worried look to Lothar.

He clasped his hands behind his back. "I have a job for you. I need something in that Keep. Go there. Get it for me. And bring it back and your friend will be released. Unharmed."

Abadar cowered as he was shoved to his knees in the dirt. Lumen clenched her teeth. "But," she began.

"And don't even think about bringing soldiers back here. I have eyes everywhere."

 

[Lothar]

Lothar tried to recall as much as he could about Proctor Gashall. The man had never lacked for a stern hand, that much he knew. How he had ended up in Vel Cirak the Initiate didn't know, but that didn't matter either. Another assignment was issued, and like always there was little choice in taking it.

"Two Initiates coming to Vel Cirak for no reason will be suspicious." Lothar said, surprised at the calm he felt in his tone.

It was the same tone that he had taken with those like Leander. Those who had pushed him into a corner and beaten him half to death.

"They'll ask questions." He continued to point out. "We should take Ab-"

A hand struck across his face before he could finish, the Proctor spitting on the ground.

"Don't catch me as no fool, boy. Get what I need, and you'll live. Don't bargain."​

 

[Lumen]

Lumen took an instinctual step forward, fingers curling into tight fists at her sides as the resounding sound of the strike echoed through the small space. Gashall's face snapped toward Lumen.

"Don't test me initiate." One of the reptilian-like creatures stalked forward. The one holding Abadar squeezed on his shoulder until he was whimpering.

"Lothar is right," Lumen said quietly, murder in her tawny-eyes. "They won't believe it when two initiate-,"

"Tell them you lost him to werewolves. You two managed to escape. He wandered off. Be creative." Scowling at Lothar and looking like he wanted nothing more than to squash him beneath his boot, the Proctor took an envelope from within the coat of his jacket and offered it to the boy.

"Get what's on here and come back in two days. Don't make me come find you." His eyes flickered to the merchant. "For his sake."

Gaze went back to Lumen.

"Don't do anything stupid Adagio. Now go."

 

[Lothar]

It was not long after that Lothar and Lumen found themselves on the road back towards Vel Cirak, this time not on horseback but instead walking on foot.

In his head Lothar was going over everything that had happened. Noting the way the Proctor had controlled the creatures and how they had bent to his will. He tried to remember the other man's magic, though it didn't come to him as they walked.

Would it be useful? "We have to tell the Guard."

Lothar was the first one to speak up. Silence brought on by anger and shame was not easy to break, and Lumen was likely busy thinking about how they could get out of this anyway. She was a good person like that, likely worrying more for Abadar than herself.

He had to give her credit for thinking that way, he'd stopped long ago.

"Gashall is wanted." Lothar pointed out. "He might even have a connection with Gilram."

Though that was unlikely, there was still a chance, and right now the rogue Archon was the number one criminal in all of Vel Anir. Anyone associated with him was held in the same status, and even if Gashall was connected, his relation to what had happened at Graduation made him more than valuable to the Republic.

 

[Lumen]

Lumen had recovered her sword and shield. The former back in her scabbard at her side and the latter strapped to its place on her back. Her mother's sigil decorating the curved surface. Their horses gone. Perhaps arriving at the fort long ahead of them. Or taken down by other creatures that prowled these woods.

She frowned, eyes flickering to Lothar's strange ones.

She'd thought of the Gilram connection too. Head shook at his suggestion. "No. Gashall said he had spies everywhere. He might be lying but...," thoughts turned to Abadar.

"We can't risk it." She sighed, gaze trained ahead. Further down the road she could make out the high fortress walls rising in the distance. "I also don't like the idea of giving him whatever is on the list. But what else can we do?"

 

[Lothar]

For a brief moment a frown touched his face. If Gashall was telling the truth and he had spies everywhere, that meant they couldn’t really do much, but who was the man to have an entire network of spies? He’d been a Proctor, they weren’t all that well paid, and Vel Cirak was located far away from the Academy.

Though that only lead more credence to the idea that the man had help.

If he really was connected to something bigger than capturing him was absolutely imperative. Yet there was no way for just Lothar and Lumen to actually do that. They were outnumbered, and apparently already outsmarted. They had to go about this intelligently, smartly. ”We could always tell the Guard anyway.”

It was a harsh suggestion, and not one that Luman would like.

Lothar knew that already, but the most important thing was the capture of the rogue Proctor.

In the old days Abadar wouldn’t have even been a question. The merchant would have been a good sacrificial lamb, someone whose life didn’t matter in the face of the overall goal. Of course in the New Republic it would be harder to judge if that was true or not. Abadar might certainly still be considered an acceptable loss even now.

”Whatever we do, we can’t let Gashall escape.” Lothar added, trying to show that he wasn’t heartless, just trying to make sure that the mission succeeded. Or the new mission anyway.

 

[Lumen]

"I agree," she said quietly. "To that last part." Gashall was dangerous. He was connected and who knows if he worked with Gilram? He was wanted and a criminal. And if he could do this much to one merchant and themselves?

What else would he be capable of if he escaped?

"HALT. WHO GOES THERE?" The wall-guard called down to them from his fortified position.

"Initiate Adagio and Initiate," Lumen paused. And for the first time, realized she didn't know Lothar's last name. She wasn't even sure if he did. "Lothar," she finished. A mildly apologetic shrug to him.

"You lot were supposed to be with the supplies," the guard searched behind them as if expecting to see something.

 

[Lothar]

"We were ambushed." Lothar said, simple, and the Guardsmen frowned and offered a quick question in retort.

"Wolves?"​

For a brief moment he was entirely intent on divulging the entire story to the Guardsmen.

The man wouldn't be able to make a decision of course, he was little less than a watchmen, but he would run it up the chain almost immediately. Within just a few moments they would be standing in front of a lieutenant and perhaps even someone higher up.

Maybe they might even get to speak to anther Dreadlord, someone who could actually do something.

Vel Cirak had more than a few permanently stationed.

Despite that logic though, the reason, Lothar held his tongue. Glancing over towards Lumen for a brief moment with a slight frown. "We...need to speak to your commander."

The Initiate said in answer simple. "I think it best that we explain ourselves to him."

A long sigh escaped the Guard, but he nodded.

"Aye, above my paygrade anyway. Head on in, sorry for the trouble ye went through. I know those woods aren' pleasant."​

 

[Lumen]

With a groan, the gates to the keep were raised. Lumen walked with Lothar inside. The gates were quickly lowered behind them. The fort was a bustle of activity. Guards were running drills. Merchants had stalls set up and were selling their goods to the families that inhabited the keep. And those few travelers that passed through the area.

Which weren't many.

Glancing up, there was movement upon the ramparts. She assumed word was getting to the commanding officer to meet them.

Fingers gently tapped Lothar's wrist. "What did the note say? What do we have to get for the outlaw?" A hurried whisper.

 

[Lothar]

For a brief moment Lothar didn't say anything. He stayed quiet, considering whether he should simply tell Lumen that it was better she stay out of this.

It probably would have been the better choice.

Over the years, Lothar had always been picked on. His classmates had called him weak, worthless, and they had been right in a way. His magic had never been the best, he was decent with a sort, but hardly better than Lumen or some of the others.

But he, unlike Lumen, he knew that he could do what needed to be done here.

"His daughter." He said simply.

"She's in the city with her mother." His voice was low, quiet. "He wants us to take the girl."

Kidnapping a little girl. That was what they were there. "And kill the mother."

 

[Lumen]

She paused. Teeth ground in her mouth. Silently, she weighed the pros and cons of each choice in her head. If they didn't follow through, Abadar would die. If they did, a known and powerful outlaw would most likely go free and a child's blood could be on their hands.

Abadar might be saved but he also might be killed.

There was not an easy solution to this.

She was certainly not going to kill anyone unprovoked and just because the ex-proctor asked them to.

"We should go ta-,"

"Initiates!" The commander was a female with raven hair and a prominent scar down her left eye. "Come to my office immediately. I'm Commander Reven. I want a full report." With a smart turn on her heels she didn't wait for them to catch up as she lead the way inside another set of doors, down a short hall, and through one more door into a small and tidy office. Not one pile of parchment of quills were out of order.

"Take a seat and tell me everything." Still managing to keep her back straight and at attention, she sunk down into the chair behind the desk. Dark eyes on them both.

 

[Lothar]

Lothar sat himself down in the small chair, a frown touching his lips for a brief moment as he considered his options.

The Commander stared at them expectantly.

He knew his choice. He had known his choice from the moment they had been set back upon the road. Did Lumen agree with it? Lothar had no idea, so, when the Commander pressed, the young Initiate only stayed silent.

Waiting for his companion to give her answer.

 

[Lumen]

"Commander Reven," Lumen began. "Initiate Lothar and I were escorting a merchant here."

The Commander sighed. "Abadar, right? Sells the best hotcakes that come through here."

Lumen blinked and paused for a moment before continuing. "We were attacked by reptilian-like creatures." Her eyes flickered to Lothar's strange ones for a moment. If things had been different. If that list was different...

"Proctor Gashall was behind the attack. He is holding Abadar ransom with his retinue in the woods in exchange for something he wants. I would like to request permission to return to try to free him. Spare some of your elite archers if you have them. Maybe he won't see us coming."

Voice trailed off even as it was clear she didn't believe what she said.

She'd just condemned a man to die.

 

[Lothar]

The Commander's features seemed to tighten the moment Lumen mentioned the word Proctor.

By now what had happened at Graduation had of course spread to the far corners of the Guard. Not every rank and file soldier knew of the incident of course, but Commanders had been well informed of the former Dreadlords now condemned as criminals. "Shit."

He swore, his head shaking.

Lothar, for his part, kept his face the same stone mask as it ever was. He'd been surprised by Lumen admitting the truth. A part of him had thought she would try to find some third way, argue that they could somehow still win.

Perhaps she was less naive than he thought.

"He demanded we retrieve his daughter." Lothar added. "The girl and her mother are in the city somewhere, I think it would be best if they were placed under protection."

A long sigh escaped the Commander's lips, but she quickly nodded. "Aye, it'll be done, and you'll get your soldiers too."

The words were quick, and there was no doubt that this fight would be efficient.

"But, Gashall is dangerous, I'm not just sending a pair of Initiates after him." The Officer added, knowing how foolish it would be. "I have a few Dreadlords on hand. The Wolves have been quiet, I can spare one of the stronger ones."

 

[Lumen]

A silent look to Lothar.

Was he thinking what she was?

It sounded like Gashall had spies in the fortress. Only time would tell who they could trust. She was torn about staying behind and offering the young girl and the mother protection. Lothar hadn't revealed who they were yet, so perhaps they'd be safe for a little bit.

What if the dreadlord they were being assigned was a spy?

And for the first time, she almost missed the days prior to the revolution. When they could at least trust their own enough for getting missions done. If things didn't change, the paper-card foundation of the revolution would crumble. And then what?

Lumen's gaze returned to Commander Reven. "Understood. And who is the dreadlord?"

"Dreadlord Friar. Don't let his red eyes spook you. I'll send him to meet you two in a few hours. You're dismissed."

 

[Lothar]

Lother tried to remember if he had ever heard the name 'Friar' before, but quickly came up empty. The man had not been a Proctor, and although there were fewer of their number than there had once been they were still well into the thousands.

For all he knew the man was Gashall's brother.

In the end they would have to trust that the Commander wasn't a fool. The Guard promoted based on merit, and a post like Vel Cirak was an important one, that at least marked her as more competent than most. She must have been aware of the dangers here.

"Thank you, Ma'am." Lothar said as he stood from his place.

A frown touched his lips for a brief moment as he looked at Lumen, but he said nothing as they stepped out of the office and into the hallway. It, like everything else in Vel Cirak, was built with no garish decoration or anything of the like. Instead holding nothing but bare stone.

As they walked through the gloomy surrounding, Lothar finally spoke. "I didn't think you'd do that."

He admitted quietly, no hint of judgment either way in his tone.

 

[Lumen]

Eye flicked to Lothar. Hand rubbed the back of her neck. She was tired in more ways than one. Members of the guard eyed them as they walked past onto their posts or other places.

"Sometimes being a dreadlord is about picking between the lesser of two evils," a quiet response. It wasn't the first time she'd had to make a choice like that and it wouldn't be the last. She still remembered their screams echoing from the back rooms. Those two small voices.

Fingers curled into a fist at her side before she forced her hand to relax.

"Maybe there's still a chance to save Abadar," her unbelief in the statement was evident in her tone. "We should come up with a plan in case Friar is not who the Commander believes him to be." A half step closer to Lothar.

 

[Lothar]

"I think that's all being a Dreadlord is." Lothar said equally as quietly, agreeing with Lumen in a way.

They, nearly from birth, were faced with impossible choices. Being a Dreadlord meant fighting impossible odds, keeping Vel Anir safe, and yet they were beholden to masters who would gladly use them for their own self-interest. Not to mention all the Proctors, Politics, and other bullshit.

A frown touched his face for a brief moment, but he didn't continue that particular situation. "I doubt Friar will be one of Gashall's spies."

It wouldn't make any sense.

"If he has another Dreadlord in his pocket he wouldn't need a pair of Initiate's to do his dirty work for him." Lothar pointed out. "But."

He added, glancing at Lumen. "You're right. It can't hurt to be prepared."

Though Lothar personally considered their bigger problem to be everyone else, and not their fellow Dreadlords.

 

[Lumen]

"I hope you're right," she said quietly. About Friar. "Come on, I need to go re-fill my canteen. Let's find a place to talk more." Looking around, she began leading them back out to where the merchants had their stalls. Next to a vegetable cart embedded into one of the fortress walls was a water spicket. Digging her canteen from her pack, she unscrewed the cap and began filling it.

Shoulder leaned against the wall as she did so, facing Lothar.

"I don't know our chances against a full dreadlord anyway. And I can't remember what Gashall can do, do you?"