[Mkguild] Round Robin: Skirmishes

[Indagare]

“We’ll meet near the Jollie Collie. From there I can lead you to a clearing
not too far outside the Keep. I want all of you to bring any weapons you
have so you can show me what training and skills you already have.”

Nyein translated and Talo nodded. “Yes, Talo meet there! Nyein go too?”

The bat looked a bit uncomfortable. He replied in Draconic, “I can come
with you as long as you’re here, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to come
to the east with you. I’d have to discuss it with my master and see.” He
paused and looked at Kasaima and said in Common: “I am an apprentice, and
would need to seek a release from my duties to travel so long and far. It
is likely I will only be allowed to stay until you head East at which time
I will return to my duties.”

“I understand. Do not fear–I can help Talo-san even if you do not get
permission to come with us.”

It didn’t take very long for everyone to get their things together and meet
at the Jollie Collie. Reed was looking pensive while Aldwin and Trey, now
full sized again, looked eager. Kasaima smiled at them.

“I saw the place as I was coming here. It’s not too far from the Keep, but
it’s far enough that we should have some privacy.” Reed had his bow and
arrows and a hunting knife, Aldwin had his long dagger, and Trey was
bearing a long sword. Nyein carried a staff and a small dagger on his belt.
Talo had a bow and quiver across his back and sword with dagger by his side.

They left the keep through Euper and made a right towards the Great Barrier
Mountains. Pretty soon Talo recognized the spot as near where he’d been
found. It was a large field, a fair distance from any trees. Strangely
enough, there was a large pile of hay and an archery target there.

“I made some inquiries as to where to get things to help with training. A
fellow named DeMule was gracious enough to help me. He mentioned you
trained under him Trey-san.”

Trey looked a bit embarrassed. “Yeah. It’s part of the Keep rules; anyone
between ages ten and sixteen trains under Jack. I’m just past that now. I’m
decent enough with a sword, but I don’t stand out.”

“What’s the hay for?” asked Aldwin.

“I’m glad you asked,” Kasaima smiled and raised his hands. He started
speaking in a strange tongue and the hay pile flew apart and reformed
itself into five straw figures. “Your sparring partners, or they will be
soon. Go and touch one.”
When no one seemed eager to be first to try, Trey went first. When he
touched on it suddenly took his appearance! “Woah! What is this
Kasaima-san?”

“A mimicking spell. The dummy now not only bears your appearance, but has a
copy of your skills. It is not alive, however, and it cannot actually harm
you. We usually have something a bit more sturdy back home, but these will
do for now.”

“Can they mimic magic? Our transformations?” asked Nyein as he went
forward, well aware of how convincing an illusion could be. Talo went with
him, reaching out to his strawman.

“Only seemingly. Everything about them is an illusion. It will seem real,
but they cannot do harm. They will not actually change shape or size or
anything else. I plan to craft them some wooden weapons tomorrow, but for
now try to attack them as well as you can.”
Aldwin and Reed had each touched theirs. Their visages even had their
changes -- tufts of hay-feathers on Aldwin's, thick hair for Reed. “This is
so weird,” said Aldwin.

“Yes, it’s a bit disconcerting, but it’s really the only way to get an
evaluation of your prowess. Remember, don’t hold back–they won’t! Ready?”
They all nodded. “Then, begin!”

The dummies began immediately, Nyein’s taking into the air, Talo’s leaping
forward, Reed’s nocking an arrow while Aldwin’s and Trey’s simply charged
forward with their weapons!

Though initially surprised, Talo and Nyein quickly responded to their
counterparts, dodging and jumping. Nyein readied some low-level spells to
cast at his counterpart even as it started lobbing magic at him. Trey and
his counterpart clashed swords, though since his dummy’s sword was only an
illusion, his went through and put him slightly off balance.

Talo’s mind set snapped, and his eyes narrowed. Mirror image or not this
was his enemy. He snatched his bow from his back and a small number of
arrows. A moment of surprise came on him as the enemy ran sword in hand
while Talo preferred a ranged attack first. His first arrow came very close
to his foe but a quick lash of his tail shifted his body enough for it to
miss. Taking a high leap in the air he spun and loosed an arrow at what he
hoped was Nyein’s clone. As he descended he switched to his sword, prepared
to parry as soon as he would land.

Aldwin had never encountered magic of this type, and he stared in wonder at
the hay dummy's lifelike movements. The dummy was already in mid-swing when
he realized this was no demonstration of Kasaima's power, but of his own.
He raised his arm to block the attack with a shield that wasn't there, and
was struck by his counterpart’s dagger – or what would have been a dagger
if it had been real. After striking the effigy went stock-still and toppled
over.


Reed was also surprised, but he had already braced himself for combat. He
drew his bow and arrow, then leapt aside from a shaft of hay, barely
dodging the woven arrowhead. As if hunting a rabbit, Reed took aim and
fired. He missed his effigy's leg by only a few inches. His hay opponent
darted off to the side, crouching low to the ground even as it nocked
another arrow. Reed had never had to think before about how to fight off
another scout; usually, a fight between enemy scouts ended before the other
even knew there was a fight. He drew another arrow and aimed, even as his
opponent aimed.

Nyein switched into bat form, swooped over top of his counterpart just as
he banked hard to avoid an arrow. His flight was brief and ment only to
give himself better position. Changing back to his most human form he
lobbed a spell that caused his clone to crash into the ground. Talo’s
battle turned into a series of attacks and counter attacks. It ended when
an opening allowed him to lash the foe with his tail, followed by a sword
to its neck, ending their fight. Both reverted as Aldwin had. Reed and his
counterpart managed to shoot one another with an arrow at the same time
while Trey fought his to a stand-still.

“Enough!”

Trey’s finally reverted, and he panted from the exercise. “Wow, I’m better
than I thought!”

Kasaima chuckled. “You all did excellently on your first tries. I know
fighting yourself is disconcerting, but it is a good way to evaluate.”

“What do you mean ‘excellently’? I just got stabbed by myself!” said Aldwin.

“That’s true, but it also means that you could have done it. Remember,
these are capable–temporarily–of what you’re capable of. I’ll try to adjust
the spell a bit so the visages aren’t exactly yours. Even when used at
home, it’s very disconcerting. The only advantage is we find out very
quickly who’s capable of attacking without hesitation.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?” asked Trey.

“Yes and no. It is good to have someone who can put their feelings aside
and focus on the battle at hand. It is bad to have someone who can
mercilessly attack their comrades in arms with no hesitation. Now, pick up
your partners and we will begin again.”

They practiced until lunch, when Kasaima called for a break. Trey and Reed
had learned how to beat theirs and Aldwin had matched his. Aldwin panted
heavily. He had expected to be sweating heavily, but the feathers on his
chest were dry, even if his whole body was burning. There was only a slight
clamminess on his arms and his brow, where the sorest muscles hadn't been
touched by feathers. Reed was also sweating terribly, causing his shirt to
cling to his chest, his lean frame showing the slightest hint of a bosom.

“After lunch, we will try some meditation techniques for magic. Nyein-san,
I think you are already familiar with this?”

“Yes. I can help Talo, though.”

“I know a few too,” said Trey. “Not much, though. I can only do very minor
stuff.”

Kasaima smiled. “But even a little is more than none. This simplifies
things a great deal. If you would be able to help Aldwin-san, I’ll help
Reed-san.”
“I can. The meditation isn’t that hard.”

“Wait, we're going to learn magic, too? Real wizard magic?” Aldwin gaped in
wonder. After seeing Kasaima bring a hay dummy to life, he could believe
this ogre could do anything.

“That depends on how patient you are to learn. For today, we’ll mostly
focus on just trying to gather the local energies. Hmm, but before we
leave, Talo-san, would you mind helping me? I want to see if I can find
exactly where you entered this world.” Nyein, as usual, translated.

“Talo help! Talo want to go home!” He eagerly walked up to Kasaima, who
touched him on the shoulder.

“Stay with me.” From a pouch he brought out the crystal Trey had seen used
earlier. “Hold this.”

Talo held it, and Kasaima held Talo’s claw. As before, Kasaima closed his
eyes and focused. A slight glow seemed to envelop Talo and the pendant
began to swing. Finally it stopped still in midair and pointed.

Nyein watched intently as the Oni worked his magic, watching every aspect
of what was taking place.

“Follow it slowly.” Kasaima kept contact with Talo and the two moved
forward slowly. They kept moving until the pendant suddenly pointed down.

“Yes! Here! Talo remember here! No no how got here, but yes!”

“Move a little, please Talo-san.”

Talo moved where Kasaima pointed. Kasaima then focused on the ground. He
bent down and gently removed ground and grass until he revealed a smooth,
flat, circular stone surface. The surface was a dull gray.

“What’s that?” asked Aldwin.

“A Gate,” said Kasaima. “It’s a Gate between worlds. Long forgotten and
neglected.”

“Likely a remnant from the Suielman Empire.” Nyein commented, examining it
with his mage sight.

“Go home? Talo go home now?” There was a desperate, plaintive tone in his
voice.

Kasaima touched the surface of the stone and closed his eyes. After a long
time, he rose and look at Talo sadly. “The Gate has closed. The magic is
gone, for now. I do not know how long it may take it to reopen.”

Nyein translated and Talo’s whole body drooped. “Not go home? Never go
home?”

“I didn’t say that. I now have a much better idea of the forces that
brought you here. With others, back home, we may be able to open one for
you.”

Talo perked up after that. “Talo wait.”

“Once we’re back at the Keep, I’m going to report that to Master Myrtice.
I’m sure he and the other guild-masters will be very interested. It might
be quiescent now, but it’s best to keep an eye on it.”

Kasaima nodded. “I was going to ask you to do just that. Gates like that
are usually very old, their secrets lost with the secrets of the runes.
Still, as far as I can tell it’s dormant and will be for some time to come.”

***


The road was one that once linked the Suielman Empire and that of the
Zhōngyāng Empire, when they both still existed. It was mostly an abandoned
way now, though some travelers were still going on it. Trade happened
slowly, but it happened.

Yuèliàng wondered how close he was getting. It seemed like it was taking
forever, and if he couldn’t reach the Valley before the monster left, it
would surely destroy all nhe held dear! A scream drew his attention; a
group of bandits had surrounded a woman and her children!


He rushed forward to help them. *It seems everywhere there are those who
want to take that which is not theirs!*

“Give us yer money and no one gets hurt!” said what was likely their
leader. They wore animal pelts that were half-cured and had rusty-looking
weapons, though the leader’s short sword looked good enough.

“But I ain’t got no money!” The woman and her children huddled together.
“We was just on our way to town ta earn some!”

“Well, if not yer money, yer daughters will do. Been some time since me and
me men had fun!”

“You leave my sisters alone!” One child called out and rushed the lead
bandit. He kicked the boy hard enough to send him flying a few feet back.

“That’ll learn the bastard, if he’s not dead. Now then…”

Before he could do anything, he found himself unable to move! Vines wrapped
him and his men as tightly as any rope. “Carrion dog! You and your ilk are
unfit for the name human!”

Yuèliàng had acted as fast as he could, but hadn’t been able to stop him.
He first attended to the fallen child. The child was unconscious and had a
nasty wound on his head. He was still breathing, though.

“Is poor Elim dead? Me boy was so brave!”

“No. He’s badly hurt, though.” Yuèliàng looked to his sword. *Please keep
those thieves bound while I heal.*

*Sure, though if the child dies I will strangle them all.*

Yuèliàng nodded and placed Yuèjiàn into the ground. He concentrated, using
his arts to reach within. Yes, there and there! An internal wound that
needed mended. The head wound looked worse than it was, but he also used
his energies to staunch that and to ensure there was no head trauma. When
he finished the boy took a big breath and opened his eyes.

“Who–who are you?”

“My name is Yuèliàng, though you may call me Moonlight. This is my sword,
Yuèjiàn whose name means ‘Moon Sword’ in your language.”

“Are ye a magician from Marigund, Sir Moonlight?” asked the woman.

“No, I’m from the eastern coast of this land. I am on a mission to hunt a
monster who went this way. But why are you and your children alone on this
road? Where is your husband? Have you no uncles or brothers?”

“Ah, me husband’s been gone these many years and the children and me ‘ave
been doin’ what we can to get on. Me father’s sent me a stipend but now
wishes me to return ‘ome to Braasem, and it’s a fair march from Llarth.”

“Which are we closest to madam? I’d like to turn these over to authorities.”


“We’re closest to Braasem. Perhaps you ought to tie them regular-like?”

“Yes, that’s a good idea. Let me get my rope.” It wasn’t long before he had
the bandits tied and had taken their weapons as well.

When they reached Braasem, the woman helped him find someone to turn the
bandits into. He got a substantial reward for their capture. “What would be
the next town north of here?”

“Giftum, a fine place to visit. Aye, there are places further north of it
too, but do not be keepin’ too long to the north road or you’ll end up in a
curst valley fulla unnatural things!”


“I’ll keep that in mind, thank you!” Before he left, he gave most of his
earnings to the widow woman, who blessed him.

***


Giftum proved to be very interesting, with lots of hustle and bustle and a
fair amount of traffic up and down the river. From it, he went further
north to Komely and then a place called Midtown.

Yuèliàng was considering who to ask for further directions when a small
trade caravan caught his eye. Three guards were standing around an empty
wagon, next to a splendidly-dressed merchant and an austerely-dressed man
in furs. It was the latter that got his attention.

“What did I tell you? We got a fine deal and all five of us will be well
off until next time, eh?”

“I suppose,” said one of the guards. He was a homely-looking guard with
shabbier armor than the others, a reflection of long years on the road.
“But if it’s all the same, I feel I need to part ways. Oison and Achem seem
well-able to take care of you.”

“HMPH! If you’re still feeling guilty about Jarrod, Gallus, don’t,” said
the merchant. “He was a drunk and a fool and no better than those other two
deserters!”

“We left him behind to be cursed.”

“Hardly! They won't hold common brutes like him for long. Why, he’s
probably on his way south as we speak.”

“Excuse me, I couldn’t help but overhear, did you say cursed?”

Gallus looked at the man addressing him. He was oddly dressed, and his eyes
seemed very odd, almost pinched at the edges. “Yes, the Curse of Metamor
Keep. I’d have thought everyone’s heard of it.”

“Oh, I have. I have something to do in that place. How far is it from here?”

Gwayn took over. "Not far at all. We were just up there a couple days ago.
Just watch out for the curse,” he said. “If you stay much longer than a
week or fortnight you’ll get one of three curses. One changes your gender,
another turns you into a youth, and a third will make you into an
animal-man.”

“Ah! I see. I don’t intend to stay very long. In fact, I’m looking for
something odd.”

“Plenty of odd things in that Valley!” said Gwayn. “The oddest we saw was
this big red ogre with yellow horns. Walking around, drinking with the
animal people. Nasty, and judgmental too. He had the nerve to call me
greedy! Why, I never cheated a man in my life!”

Yuèliàng didn’t need Yuèjiàn’s warning to know the man was lying. “Ah,
thank you for letting me know! I’ll be sure to keep a look out!”

As he left, Gallus looked after him and wondered. Oison and Achem also had
odd looks on their faces, though Gwayn didn’t seem to notice anything and
Howell was, as usual, trying to stay out of sight.

Both Yuèliàng and Yuèjiàn rejoiced. Soon their mission would be over! They
would slay the evil oni and return home.

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