Together Again

The messages were sent. The carriages arrived. It was time.

Cody, Derrick, and Orm each packed their belongings and left in the morning. They had no idea where they were going, nor when they would reach that destination. So they waited.

The two carriages finally converged on a small dirt road about mile away from town. I'd love to give you the name of the town, but I don't know it. I could give you list of all the towns it was said to be, but that would take quite some time. It was as non-descript of a town as you'll ever see. It's the type of town someone immediately forgets as soon as they leave. Hell, it's the type of town that someone immediately forgets while they're still there. It takes a lot of effort make a town well known; to really put it on the map, so to speak. Let me tell you this, it takes even more effort to take it off the map, but that's exactly what they did, and with good reason.

Upon arrival they exited their carriages, which turned and went the way they came. The pleasantries were short, if they happened at all. Sure, it had been a long time since they'd seen each other, but there were more pressing matters. Two men who looked as if they just so happened to wander to the town line as the carriages arrived looked over the visitors. Then, strangely, they each removed a monacle from their pockets and looked upon the visitors again.

"Please come with me" is all that was said.

They followed the men into what appeared to be a tiny greenhouse. It seemed that this town was attemping the ever-daunting task of growing plant life. They seemed to be succeeding to some degree, which is to be admired. but in this case the plants were a mere afterthought. Although the onlookers were unsure of what exactly happened, a tile in the walkway shifted, revealing a staircase leading underground. The men lead them down, through a complex maze of underground caverns, and then to an underground structure.

Once inside they were greeted calmly, and their two escorts left them.

"Welcome," said one of the guards. "He will see you now."

Orm and Cody were no doubt curious as to whom they were to see, but Derrick knew full well. They were here to see his father.

They were led into one final room, and the guard left them. There, sitting at the table was the man behind everything. Father Benjamin, in the flesh. No more than a dozen people had laid eyes on him since he organized the resistance. His presence was commanding, yet kind, not unlike Derrick's, but he exuded such powerful confidence and steadfast resolve that even the strongest of wills couldn't help but be intimidated. His soft, yet strong voice pierced the silence.

"Welcome. I've waited a long time to finally meet you both. It is my pleasure."

With that, the story was told. As much as it could be. He assembled the original group with a purpose, and more of that would be revealed in time. Right now, however, they were short one. Actually, two...

"Blain," he yelled. "Come here!"

Blain casually walked from the room next door, from a doorway which was seemingly absent a split-second ago. He greated his brother and friends in his typical, sarcastic style, but his smile gave away his happiness. He was glad to see them, and glad to be moving on.

So now they were only short one. They needed to find Theddis Noren. After years of misinformation and faulty leads they finally found one. A contact who knew the real Theddis Noren: the smartest, most cowardly soldier. Willem Boscogne. It would seem that he had made something of a life for himself in Greenmont, a town that's a noted haven for liars, thugs, lying thugs, and thieves. Apparently Theddis had, too. The mission was clear. Bring him back at all costs.

The four men were off the next morning. They were all given amulets that allowed them to silently communicate with each other over great distances. A distinct advantage in many situations. Their trip was uneventful to say the least. They took the time to catch up and exchange stories about the last five years until they finally arrived. Word is that Willem hung out at the tavern. This wasn't exactly news to anyone, because in a town like this just about everyone hung out at the tavern. The tavern was like town hall. It was not only the biggest structure in town, but easily the most well-built.

The tavern didn't allow weapons, so they had to check them at the door. Orm, never feeling very comfortable without his massive blade, which he began to call "Sizzle," at arms length, opted to wait outside. The others did as required and gave their weapons to the attendant, then began their search.

Cody went off and tried to put some of his skills to the test. He began playing Three Dragon Ante with some of the bar patrons, besting them in nearly every hand. They were so impressed that they opened up to him quickly, but none of the information they gave was of any more use than what they already had.

Derrick and Blain started where most people would likely start, with the bartender. He was told that Willem often came in later in the evening, but wasn't currently there. Derrick didn't recognize anyone in the bar, but questioned to himself if he would recognize this man even if he saw him. He took the opportunity to ask the bartender about Theddis Noren. An old, fat, grizzled man at the bar appeared to peak up ever-so-slightly at the mention of this name, then put his head back down in his drunken haze. The bartender did, in fact, know Theddis. What luck! Could it be possible that all along he would be this easy to find? He followed the direction of the man's finger, but oddly enough didn't see anyone. Confused, he cast his gaze down ever so slightly and saw him. Theddis? No, of course not. This man was barely over 3 feat tall. Clearly a halfling. Was this also going to be a dead end? Before any questions could be asked of him, Derrick received a message from Orm outside.

A man was walking up toward the tavern and glanced over at Orm as he passed. He stopped, did a double take and continued. He took a few steps before stopping dead in his tracks. He barely had time to remember Orm's face when he looked forward and saw Blain, who had since moved into the doorway. He tried to run but was easily subdued. Orm took this opportunity to message Derrick, who along with Cody, joined them outside.

Willem was understandably terrified to see these men again. It was, after all, only five years ago that he watched every other member of his assignment killed unmercifully by these very men. He said the first thing to come to mind.

"You've come to kill me, too. Please don't. I'm no harm. I'm done with the military, I swear."

His ramblings were cut off by Derrick, who explained the situation. The man was so panicked that he didn't even require the gold they were going to pay him, although he was given some for his troubles. He explained the situation, and clarified a bit of confusion. Theddis often was in the bar, so often that Willem didn't remember a single time that he was in there and didn't see Theddis sitting at the bar. It was weird, though, because apparently he'd been calling himself something else. Kain maybe? Cade? Yes, that was it. Cade. Another guy, the little guy, was calling himself Theddis. He wasn't sure why, but just assumed it was to help him stay hidden. He said one other thing, in passing, that struck a chord with a few members of the group: "Geez, a lot of people looking for this guy, lately."

With that done, they allowed him to leave, and leave he did. It's been said that most humans, regardless of size and athletic ability, can only run about 120 feet in six seconds, but I'll be damned to the nine hells if this guy didn't run at least 200 feet in that time.

Now that they had their info, they just had to wait for the real Theddis to arrive. The agreed to play it cool and strike up a conversation with the fake Theddis to maybe get some information. Blain took the reigns and began. He stood in front of the table at which the diminutive fellow was sitting and spoke.

"I'm looking for Theddis Noren," he said, loud enough for the entire bar to hear. "Has anyone seen him? I'm an old friend of his from a few years back."

"I'm Theddis, mate," spoke the man.

"Wow! It's great to see you again. Have you gotten taller?" He said with a smirk. It was the typical Blain smile that you couldn't forget even if you tried.

The banter went on for quite some time, with each group member getting involved in various ways. Except for Orm, that is, who continued to wait outside. After a time the game became tiresome for everyone, but Blain is the one who finally took the next step. Underneath of the table he called upon his Eldritch energy, fueling it with fire called from the brimstone of the Hells.

"Enough of this game," He spoke, calmy, an expression of carefully suppressed anger on his face.

The halfling did his best to swindle his way out of it, but wasn't the least bit worried. You see, he made a very specific point to employ an insurance policy for just these types of situations. It was a good thing, too, because he found himself in situations like this quite often. Seeing the trouble from the bar, the drunken, passed-out old man sprang to life and darted toward the back, wrapping his hand around Blain's neck.

"And who might you be?" Blain asked, all the while maintaining his Eldritch energy.

The question wasn't answered with words, but nothing could've been more definitive than what wasn't said. From this man's hand came a blade. Not a hidden dagger or wrist knife, but a mental blade. The very same weapon that Theddis had used. They found their man!

Blain managed to spin away from his grip, and the standoff lasted a few seconds that seemed to be hours before they agreed to discuss the situation like men. With their weaponry dispersed, they talked. Now that they knew, they could all see Theddis' thinner, younger, clean-cut version hidden amongst the dirty, unkempt, out-of-shape body they saw before them. Their diplomatic relations barely had time to take off before the halfling, having snuck off during the staredown, made his play.

He informed the barkeep that the strangers had snuck in weapons and threatened his life. Immediately the bartender dispatched his bouncers to take care of them. Three men marched to the front of the bar and told the group to leave. Having no weapons, and being in no position to start a war, they obliged.

If you're wondering why they weren't searched or questioned to verify the accusations, the answer is simple. In a town like this, you pay your dues and eventually work you way into the social inner circle. They do not take kindly to strangers, and if one of those circle members wants you gone, you're gone. Simple as that. Not only that, but you deserve to go home with a black and blue reminder not to come back... if you go home at all.

The bouncers did what they do best, and tried to rough up the members of the group, as Theddis and his small friend watched from the doorway.

During the commotion, something else somewhat curious happened. Another man, as inconspicuous as any other, was looking for his wife. Not at this very moment. Not literally anyway. I mean, she wasn't in the bar or anything like that. His search up to this point was haphazard at best. He went from town to town, asking anyone who would listen, but turning up nothing. It was recently that he heard the rumor of the midnight caravan of great importance that was hijacked by the resistance, and of the magical boy that was rescued. Of Theddis Noren. This piqued his interest a great deal. Hmm, I suppose I should tell you his story before I go on.

His name is Tristan Ludlow. He was an unassuming man in an unassuming town in the middle of somewhere. He was upstanding and outgoing, and took an important role in the town guard. He finally married the love of his life, Quinn, and was ready to settle down. He thought he knew everything about her, but little did he know her one huge secret. On day, shortly after their marriage, the extraction crew came under cover of night. They took her, and although Tristan did all he could to stop them, he could not prevail. Since then his demeanor changed drastically. He is now morose and quiet, and his combat skill has taken a turn for the much more ruthless. He has shut down his softer emotions, and barely keeps himself from drowning forever in his sorrow with the thought that his beloved might still be alive somewhere. He will stop at nothing until he finds his wife or destroys those responsible for her disappearance. He will display their corpses for all to see, as a macabre warning of what happens to those who harm the innocent.

Back to the story. Once Tristan saw the strangers removed, he stood up and took action himself, albeit in a subtle way. He knew that the town guard would be arriving shortly, and although the tend to look the other way quite often, they never avoid a fight, and very often fight to the finish.

Theddis, despite his hesitations, and his desire to never see these men again, would not have wished these events on his former allies. He wanted to help them, but refused to let himself go back to his old life. He knew in his heart what was right, but he just couldn't find the motivation to act. Luckily for everyone, the motivation found him.

The town guard arrived, and upon surveying the situation, took a shot at Cody and tried to muscle him to the ground. Perhaps Cody was tactically the best target, or perhaps the guard was simply ruthless and cowardly, and wanted to take his shots on a young man who was still a week removed from his 18th birthday. Nevertheless, seeing this aggression awoke something in Theddis. Maybe it was the flood of memories of where things went wrong with Hayden, or maybe it just his innate good nature finally escaping from it's prison of alcohol, self-loathing, and fear, but he couldn't let this happen. Not again. He activated his mindblade a sprung into action.

Tristan also saw his opportunity, darting into the weapon room with nearly magical quickness and grabbing his trusted halberd. It would finally get a taste of battle. Cody also took this same opportunity. He surveyed the area, and with a subtle gesture pulled the hood of his cloak over his head, activating it. With that, he was gone. Invisible, he darted to the weapon room and retreived those of his comrades. He returned them to their respective owners, who were no doubt happy to have them. Now that each side was armed and prepared to fight, things escalated quickly.

The group made short work of the bouncers and town guard, but knew that more would be on the way shortly. Their victory was even more short-lived than before, as the bartender - who already had something of an aversion for Theddis and his friend - screamed at them. It was clear that they were no longer welcome.

After a heated discussion about the nature of right and wrong, good and evil, and of course, the double-standards that come along with fighting an enemy, the group left together. The real Cade took this opportunity to introduce himself.

The group didn't exactly convince Theddis to join up for their cause so much as he wanted to protect Cody. He still wasn't able to completely differentiate these men and their tactics from those they were trying to usurp, but he could see the good in them. He also didn't trust that they were going to act in the best interests of the boy they rescued. Despite their assertion to the contrary, Theddis believed that they viewed Cody as a weapon to be harnessed instead of a person. He didn't know if protecting this boy would be able to heal the scars that came from Hayden's death, but at this point it was the best he could do.

Cade, having grown used to having his muscle at his side, came along as well. Despite his own complaints and accusations, he knew it was the only option. Besides, he also had his own code by which he lived, and the idea of being a thorn in the side of the entity that made it so hard for him to live his life from day to day was definitely appealing. Sure, he was a thief. He would readily admit it. But oppression and cold-blooded murder? That made his blood boil. Actually, who was he kidding? This was all about steady pay and lodging. He didn't give a shit about all that other stuff... did he? The group wanted nothing to do with him, but getting Theddis back was paramount, and if Theddis required that he come along there was no avoiding it.

Finally, there was Tristan. He saw these men as his best lead to finding out what happened to Quinn. He was welcomed by Blain and Derrick, who appreciated his help at the bar. They didn't know if they could fully trust him yet, but they were not ones to turn away a potentially strong ally. He seemed genuine, but where do his loyalties lie?

They returned to Father Benjamin immediately. Arriving back in town on the eve of Cody's 18th birthday. Father Benjamin spoke to them briefy, although he did not allow Tristan or Cade into his inner sanctum, although both were no less amazed to be in the presence of such an iconic figure. He was unable to explain the specifics to everyone at the moment, but theorized vaguely about important events. He asked them to return just before midnight and he would explain further.

As the time approached, the men showed up to meet him. Before someone could ask what they were doing here, Benjamin interrupted and pointed to the sky and the full moon. With perfect timing when midnight struck, they saw it. Streaking across the sky was the Al Hazarde comet, a portent of great events, bathing the sky in emerald light as it passed.

Father Benjamin seemed more relieved than anything else. He closed his eyes and sighed. When he opened them again he spoke.

"That is the most important event you will ever witness."