Archives: Search for Azala
Chapter 12: Bandit Raid
Two hours out of Shuva, the ride had been quiet thus far. Seri had kept to herself inside the wagon, and the mercenaries were spread out around the wagon, just as a precaution. Such a well-traveled road rarely saw trouble. In the many years Y’ezela and her mother had come this way, they had only encountered trouble once, during the Flaim civil war. The mercenaries they hired had been enough to chase the small band of marauders off. Any highwaymen they encountered wouldn’t dare risk a conflict with a group this big.
Kitsa spent the ride on top of the wagon, looking out over the desert sands with her bow strung and resting in her lap. Though she didn’t expect much trouble with a group this large, she didn’t know what sort of dangers lurked in this land. She heard legends of giant monsters created by the sorcerers of Kastuul that still roamed Lodoss.
Orion rode his mare behind the wagon, claiming the rear for once. In the past, he had taken up the forefront, considering himself one of the most skilled there, but the need for body guards still seemed less than needed anymore. The hunt was over and Estas was skilled enough to fight back whomever. He was certain that the High Elf was a powerful shaman and could summon whatever it would take. But as long as he was on the pay roll, he would do his job, no matter how silly it became. More often than not, though, his eyes sought out what he could catch of Kitsa.
Estas rode alongside the wagon, keeping close to his ward. This was the second time they passed through the desert. On their first trip, they were confronted by a small band of bandits, but one simple summon of Sylph had scared them off. He expected no more trouble with the large group they were now traveling in, though the group now seemed larger than necessary. Perhaps once they reached Blade, he would advise Seri to cut some of the mercenaries. Air, Y’ezela, and Lanir at least wanted to continue the trip with her, and they would need the priestess. Sairina was beginning to annoy Estas, but he could tolerate her as long as she was needed. Though, if she became aggressive, then he would definitely find a more experienced replacement to take care of Seri’s prenatal needs. If only Seri had listened to reason and stayed in the forest where their midwife, Lien, could have taken care of her.
The high elf soon realized that he was uncomfortably hot. He could ignore the heat for awhile, but he was not used to the direct sunlight. With a defeated sigh, he took off his coat and tucked it into a saddle bag. Underneath he wore a lighter cotton shirt, and now he could feel a refreshing breeze through it. He took a swig of his water. It was warm, but he knew he needed it. The desert was no place for high elves, and Estas actually wished they would have gone back south through Moss.
Sairina rode alongside the wagon the side opposite of Estas. Though she would have liked to be closer to him, the group was spreading out around the wagon, and she thought that it would be a good idea to help. The desert heat was uncomfortable to her. When the sun was out in Raiden, they usually had more coastal winds to keep people cool. Her long black hair was heavy and stifling, so while she rode she carefully balanced herself so she could search her bags for something to tie her hair back with and a fan to keep herself a little cooler.
Hot was the word. Phaeton’s people were used to harsh conditions and even harsher times, but even the young savage had to admit it was considerably warm. The young warrior kept his eyes about him and noticed the landscape; barren and dry. Not the place to come to unprepared.
Lanir wiped his brow and kept an even pace as he put a hand to his eyes and looked up slightly. It was hot, and while he was more than used to the forests and woods, this was different. He’d not have expected it to be so...warm.
Air sat with Y’ezela up front. “I love the desert,” she stated loudly. “Sand, sun, the overwhelming feeling of wanting to strip down and run naked amongst the dunes.” She gave a satisfied sigh and patted Craw on his head. “How much longer is it to the Forest of No Refuge?” Air asked Estas, pouting her lips at the elven man.
Y’ezela giggled at Air. “Well, that’s one way to get an even tan,” she said, trying to joke with her half-sister.
“It is the Forest of No Return,” Estas corrected, constantly annoyed by Air’s antics. “It is still many miles away, by the roads.”
“Oh sorry, mister high and haughty. The Forest of No Return.” Air stuck her nose up at Estas. “I forgot, I have to learn how to look down my nose at you, otherwise you might not treat me as an equal.”
Estas ignored Air’s comment and returned his attention the road, acting as if she had said nothing.
Y’ezela stifled a laugh that came out as a snort. While Estas didn’t bother her much, she did think that he needed to pull whatever he had stuck up his butt out. Sometimes people just needed to relax and be themselves, even if they were ancient immortal high elves.
“Ez...what’s your favorite spirit?” Air asked after Estas had decided to ignore her quip. “Mine is Sylph. She’s cute, quick, and belongs to the element that shares a name with me.”
“Oh uh...I really don’t know much about spirits,” Y’ezela admitted with a small shameful shrug. “I never knew any elves to teach me spirit magic.”
“Oh,” Air smiled softly. “Well...my adoptive father...uh...my uncle, he taught me a little. He taught me about smithing and spirits. He couldn’t teach me much because he didn’t really practice his elven half much. Don’t tell mister high and haughty, but even humans can learn how to communicate with spirits.”
From her high perch, Kitsa looked to the road ahead and something caught her attention. There seemed to be a large group on the road a good distance ahead. The quarter-elf hopped to her feet and stood, managing to balance on the rocking roof of the carriage. Shielding her eyes from the sun, she examined the group. She couldn’t tell what they were doing, but it seemed suspicious. She dropped back down to her knees and leaned over the top of the carriage to look down at Y’ezela and Air. “There are many people on the road ahead. They appear to be standing still,” she warned them.
After hearing Kitsa’s warning, Y’ezela was suddenly overcome with anxiety. The bard tried to look ahead, and she could just barely make out what looked to be people, though the heat was causing the road ahead to waver in a near mirage. Y’ezela slowed tightened the reins, slowing the horses. Leaning over the side of the wagon, she looked back at Estas. “Kitsa says there are a lot of people on the road ahead. I think they might be bandits,” she said to the elf. “What should we do?” Despite her years on the road, she rarely dealt with bandits on her own. The mercenaries her mother hired always protected them and made the strategies.
Estas was a little unsure as well, but he seemed to be considered the leader. His pride would not allow him to consult another. If they were indeed highwaymen, the desert didn’t allow them to do much but go onward. They couldn’t turn away, they couldn’t avoid it. The carriage would never make it through the sand. “Prepare for a fight. There doesn’t seem to be another option but to move onward,” he told Y’ezela, loud enough for Air and Kitsa to hear as well.
Kitsa gave a nod, then quickly turned around on the wagon to call back to Orion. “There are men on the road ahead! They may be bandits,” she warned him. “Prepare to defend the wagon.” Turning back around, she knelt on the roof of the carriage and drew back the arrow she had kept nocked on her bow.
Orion nodded calmly to Kitsa. If it was a fight they would want, there would be one thing they would never see coming. “Great spirits of invisibility, of whom I call friend, bring forth your shadowy essence. Bind me to you and make me as the air itself...” he whispered. The spirits arrived, but were nearly impossible to see. The hot, dry air shifted and bent the light, and, as if hidden in a rain-battered lake, his body rippled and disappeared. Even his mare was caught up in the spell and consumed by the illusive spirits. Orion fell back a few paces and drew his bow. He knocked one arrow, with several others readied in his lap. He then laid it down on the saddle in front of him and unhinged his whip. Orion pulled to the side to see them ahead. His eyes were sharp and his arrowtips sharper. None would get close enough to breathe in anyone’s direction...
Estas urged his horse forward to catch up to Phaeton, Lanir, and Luria, who had taken the lead. “Weapons at the ready, there may be bandits ahead,” the high elf alerted them, then dropped back to protect the side of the carriage. He paused, however, realizing that Sairina was on the opposite side. The priestess was no use to them there, and only in danger to herself.
“Air, switch places with Sairina. You are better equipped to defend in her place,” he said to the half-elf, hurriedly.
“Wh-what? ’Better equipped’?” Air grumbled the last part. Sure she had plenty of weapons with her, but they were like her babies, she’d never dirty them with blood. “Can’t I just fly?” she whined. “It’s better if I fly. I’ll have more maneuverability.” It’s not like I know how to ride a horse anyways you dimwitted high elf.
Estas grit his teeth in frustration. This was not the time to complain! “That side of the carriage must be defended, and Sairina cannot do it!” the high elf insisted. “Go on foot, or fly for all I care, just take care of that side of the wagon!”
“FINE!” Air growled. “Littlest sylph, sister to my name, hear my gentle call and grant me your wings for a while,” she evoked under her breath. With a small gust of wind she lifted out of her seat and maneuvered over by Sairina’s side. She removed her spear from her back and readied herself for the fray.
“Sairina! Move into the front of the carriage,” the high elf barked at the priestess. Estas dropped back to the side of the carriage, muttering elven curses to himself. {“Useless half-breed brat,”} he growled. {“What a waste of Sylph, floating along when you’re better off on your feet using that energy for serious spells.”} He laid his hand on his sword, but his first defense was his magic. He too summoned Sylph, but as a shield to protect from any arrows that may be launched at them. The shield, however, would allow the archers on his side to fire out, but wouldn’t defend against melee attacks.
Lanir listened as he heard Air’s angry outburst and the half-elf afforded himself a glance backwards. Her behavior was starting to wear on even his nerves, and after Estas told them to be ready for possible attack, this was not the time for foolish antics. He’d have a talk with her later whenever they made camp. But for now the ranger chose to hold his tongue and keep his mind on his job. Protecting Seri was paramount.
No less annoyed was the young savage human that also rode in the lead. Phaeton brought all his senses to bear, keeping an eye on what was ahead of them and around them. He’d slung his spear around to the side as not to interfere with his horse’s walk and for easier access, though his other weapons were at the ready. This would prove a prime opportunity for any that wished to attack them. And he’d be ready.
As they came closer, it became obvious that the people ahead were indeed highwaymen. The caravan rode into the obvious trap, all members ready to fight in an instant.
One large, burly, and scared brigand stood in the center of the road, with several other men flanking him. He appeared to be the leader. “I’ll be relieving ye folks of yer gold and valuables now,” he stated.
Estas didn’t dare leave his place alongside of Seri’s wagon. He should have ordered Phaeton to fall back and guard that side. “We will do no such thing. Allow us to pass and you will not suffer the rage of the spirits,” the high elf warned.
“Feh, I ain’t scared of yer elfin tricks,” the bandit leader spat. “Archers!”
Suddenly, the sand flew up from either side of the wagon as the entire band of bandits rose up from alongside the road. They had been hidden under sand-covered sheets of canvas. Archers were ready with nocked arrows along with a few other swords men who ran around to rear of the carriage to box the caravan in.
“Now will ye be handing over yer goods?” the bandit leader asked with a smirk. Estas offered no reply. “Well then, FIRE!” the leader ordered.
The archers fired, but the arrows only ricocheted off of Estas’s air shield. “Son of a...” the leader growled. “ATTACK!”
There was no space for the archers to fire again, so instead they drew weapons and leaped out of the gully they had hidden. Most men circled the caravan uncertainly, then a few tried to hack at the air shield, finding that it didn’t resist their swords.
Estas drew his rapier and prepared to fight...
Normally upbeat and optimistic, Kitsa became serious and cold as she joined the fight. As the bandits drew around the wagon, Kitsa stood on the roof of the carriage and drew back the arrow she had kept nocked for the ride so far. One of the bandit archers was hanging back and still had his bow ready. Kitsa aimed and hit his shoulder. She couldn’t bring herself to fire a killing shot, but he wouldn’t be able to fight with a wound like that. The quarter-elf nocked another arrow and fired at a man who was coming up behind Estas. She brought him down with another shoulder shot.
The battle began and the bandits were no fools. Several made their way around to the back, which appeared perfectly unprotected. “Its a shame,” Orion whispered, still hidden under the veil of his favorite spirits, “that you are not the only one capable of a trap.” Just as one pulled away the back flap, an elven arrow ripped through the chest of a bandit, seemingly out of the air itself. Orion was quick to nock his second arrow and take aim, still a few yards back. It was easy fighting for him as long as they kept one by one. Another of his arrows struck another bandit’s neck just as he began to pull upwards into the back. His choking form heaved and slid back out, his fingers only inches from those inside the wagon before falling back.
Sairina felt the tightness of anxiety in her chest as the enemy surrounded the wagon. There was little she could do, and she could only hope that the fighters would protect her. Aeru, her mare, was just as anxious. The horse danced to the side and tossed her head, forcing Sairina to rein her in harshly. Estas told her to take this position so she could use her magic. Mustering her will, she began to pray. “Mighty Cha Za, lend me your strength to protect my comrades. Revoke your blessings of luck upon my enemies, destroy their chances and turn the odds in the favor of your follower!”
After Estas’s warning as they approached the group, both Luria and Lanir had readied their bows. As the bandits encircled them, the two half-elves let lose with a barrage of arrows, taking down as many of the bandits as they could before they got too close. After Sairina’s spell, they found themselves making better shots.
Phaeton was no expert on fighting from horseback, but he managed with his spear. The savage warrior returned to his roots, swinging and stabbing his fear at the bandits mobbing his mount. He would not hold back in defending Lady Seri and her unborn child.
* * *
Everyone was acting like they were seasoned veterans of the battle field, there seemed to be no hesitation in their attacks. Air could hardly believe her eyes. This was the first serious fight she had been in within the entire span of her young life. Sure she roughed up some bandits who wanted her purse on the road once, but it was more like a bar fight than an actual battle. The half-elf shook unsure of what to do, gripping her spear tightly with both of her sweat-soaked hands. Something moved to her right, catching her eye as it did. Without thought and aim she lashed out with her spear, in a large arc to her right side, the motion stopping mid swing as it collided with something hard and wet. Air shook with fear that she may have hit someone, the fear confirmed as blood oozed down the shaft of the spear. Mustering up what little courage she had, she shifted her eyes towards the tip of her spear. To the young half elf’s horror there was half a man’s scalp on the end of her spear, and a fallen man beneath it. She swallowed hard against the rising bile in her throat, as her first urge was to vomit at the sight. I killed someone...I...actually killed...I’ve taken a life... Air couldn’t contain her fear and stomach any longer, for as she vomited she fainted, falling from her spell as well as the conscious world.
Seeing his fiancé collapse, he decided that this was the best chance to get her. As everyone was already occupied protecting the carriage from the bandits, he sent his henchman to go retrieve Air quietly and quickly. Finally his half-elven bride would be his. He almost giggled out of the sheer glee of the matter. He never expected in a million years that it would be this easy.
The henchman crept up from his hiding place near the wagon and grabbed the unconscious half-elven girl. Half-lifting and half-dragging, he pulled her away from the scene of the battle and towards his waiting master.
* * *
As the bandits converged on him, Estas summoned Sylph quickly to blow them back. After the spell, a few of them lost their resolve, for fear of a greater power, and turned tail to run. Others were yet driven to attack him again and returned to their feet. Estas now turned to his sword to fend off the attackers.
Seri heard the fight outside her carriage, and she had peeked out through the curtained window momentarily to see what looked to be bandits. She was anxious, but she felt it best to leave it up to her guardians and conserve her strength. Unfortunately, there seemed to be more bandits that she thought. Raising her hand, she began a summon.
“Pixies of sand, spirits that bring sleep. Flood the eyes of my enemies with your dust, put them to rest,” she spoke.
Outside the carriage, sand began to swirl around the bandits, though it avoided Seri’s protectors. After a moment, the wind died down, leaving the bandits to collapse into a deep slumber.
Once the bandits collapsed, Estas sheathed his sword. Someone had cast a sleep spell. He looked around to see who it might have been, but only one shaman in the group would be able to cast a spell with that much range. The high elf maneuvered his horse back toward the window Seri’s carriage, then opened the door. “Seri?”
She was still in her seat, but looked slightly winded. She nodded to him to let him know that she had cast the spell. Her body didn’t have the energy to share between supporting her child and summoning spirits. Estas shut the door, then rode forward to investigate the group. “Is anyone hurt?” he asked the mercenaries.
As much as Seri’s act was useful, it defeated the purpose of his presence in the first place, he thought. Pulling a cloth from his mare’s bag, he wiped his daggers clean. The spirits of invisibility faded away from him, to which Orion whispered his thanks. Orion took a wary glance to make sure Kitsa was alright before sheathing his blades and remounting and returning to the wagon’s back.
When the bandits suddenly collapsed, Y’ezela was grateful, and confused. “Estas, what was that?” she called from the wagon seat.
“Seri had to cast a sleep spell,” Estas replied to Y’ezela while he rode around the front. Lanir, Phaeton, Luria and Sairina were accounted for in the front. Kitsa was on the roof of the wagon, Y’ezela in the seat. “We must leave quickly, before they wake. Move the fallen out of the path of the carriage,” Estas ordered any of the mercenaries in earshot.
Riding around to the side, he couldn’t see Air, but Orion was there. “Air, where are you?” Estas called out. After a quick search around the wagon, there was no sign of Air. Estas paused for a moment, searching the desert. Had she shied away from the fight? Was she hiding somewhere, or did something happen to her? Was she worth finding?
Estas went back to the side of the carriage to report the information to Seri. He knocked on the door, then spoke, “Air is missing. Do you want to send someone to find her?”
Seri suddenly pushed the door open. “What? Where could she have gone?” Seri paused for a moment to consider what to do. There were so many options on what could have happened. “Summon Sylph and ask her to find Air. If Sylph finds her, send someone after her.” Normally, Seri would have summoned the spirit herself, but she was still feeling drained after the sleep spell. Which reminded her, it might not hold long. “We must move on soon, we cannot sit and wait for her.”
“Very well,” Estas replied. The high elf turned and began a summon for the wind spirit. “Sylph, spirit of air. Find your ’sister’ with utmost care. Return to us, mistress of air, to bring us news of how she doth fare.”
Orion pulled the dead off of the end of the wagon, his face a pained stoic expression. They announced Air missing, but the tired body guard could only be so concerned until they found out what happened to her...
The spirits returned to Estas. {We cannot find the one you seek,} was Sylph’s simple reply. Estas scowled. That meant Air was not in their domain. There was no water to go beneath...but the sand...Was there an underground entrance somewhere?
Estas looked over the mercenaries. Lanir and Y’ezela would be the most concerned about Air, but Y’ezela had to drive the wagon. He would send Lanir.... Who else? Orion could be spared, and perhaps he could send Kitsa with them. Orion and Kitsa were the ones that cared for Air when she was drunk, perhaps they would be more concerned for the half-elf’s well being.
“Lanir, Orion, Kitsa,” Estas called to each of them. “Dismount and search the desert for Air. Seri must get to the city, so I will leave this in your hands. Sylph cannot find Air,”—if the situation wasn’t so worrisome, Estas might have even chuckled at that— “She must be underground, there is nowhere else to go without Sylph knowing.”
Orion came to the side of the wagon to help Kitsa down, which she took. “If Sylph cannot find find her, then Gnome will have to do.” Though Gnome was not a spirit Orion was most familiar with, he was not incapable. He had summoned them in the past and they had been helpful and useful. The need was simply rare.
The silver-haired elf closed his eyes and knelt on the sands, immersing his fingers in the warm earth. “Masterful gnomes, stoic sentinels of the barrens, I call upon your strength...” Around Orion, the sand swirled and shifted like water. “Seek the half-elf Air wherever she may be, either atop your shoulders or in your belly, and lead us to her...” At his last syllable, the sand stopped suddenly.
For a moment, there was nothing. Orion stood slowly, hoping that Gnome did in fact grant his request. In front of Estas, he felt foolish. Surely, the high elf would not have lowered himself to calling on an earth spirit. And no immediate response was not helping the vague tension.
And then a sign. At his feet, the sand shifted into the shape of footsteps, showing the trail Air’s captors took as they had been when their boots first hit the ground, before the tracks dissipated. Orion nodded his head. “My thanks to you...” Looking at the tracks leading off into the desert, Orion turned back to Estas. “We shall retrieve Air. Good luck on the rest of your voyage, sir Estas.”
Y’ezela had been quietly listening to Estas, chewing on her lip anxiously. Where could Air have gone? Estas hadn’t been too pleased with her earlier, but he at least cared enough to organize the search. Y’ezela was tempted to speak up, but she would be useless in the search. The anxiety would eat at her, though.
Lanir turned his horse around and rode to Y’ezela’s side. “Don’t worry, Ez,” he assured her. “We’ll get Air back.” He gave her a weak smile, then rode his horse to the back of the wagon and dismounted. He tied his horse’s reins to the back of the wagon and joined Orion and Kitsa. He was grateful that Estas had chosen him to help search, he couldn’t bear to sit around and wait while other people looked for his half-sister.
With the three assigned searchers ready, Estas went to Y’ezela’s side. “We are ready to leave now,” he told her. Y’ezela nodded and urged the pair of horses leading the carriage on. As they moved away, Estas fell back to take Orion’s previous position while Luria and Phaeton stayed in the lead.
Kitsa took notice of the footsteps that appeared in the sand. As Lanir joined them and the rest of their group moved on, Kitsa looked in the directions the footsteps led and began to follow.
