DORULL SAGA - SWAMP OF DEATH
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The stone building of the main, mercantile guild stood in the town’s central western block. It was the largest building in the entire business district, full three stories taller than the rest. Its white walls were decorated with dark, wooden beams, and stone sculptures, holding the window frames. It certainly stood out from the other buildings. Which helped a lot, because it was the first destination for all new coming traders, willing to start their own, legitimate work.
Guild was
open almost all the time, but as the news of attack on the caravan spread
across Vallsynk, it saw the doors of the guild locked, for the time being. In a
dimly lit office, at the far end corner of the last building floor, four glum
figures were in the midst of somewhat heated discussion. Couple of empty
bottles of strong alcoholic drinks and remains of dinner, indicated their talks
lasted much longer than planned.
“Fletcher,
would you be so kind reading the message, one more time?” obese, balding man,
reclined in armchair covered in leather, said between two burps.
“How many
more times will there be Panmorn?” retorted the tall, emaciated merchant
standing in front of the fireplace “It won’t change what it says with another
read.”
“If I’m to
ask, to be read a hundred more times, it will…”
“Gentlemen
please, calm yourselves.” the quiet voice of a silver haired, but remarkably
young looking elf, interrupted the balding councilor “We are all a bit tired,
but we can’t afford to lose our composure.”
“How are
we supposed to stay calm, when every damn scumbag dares to rob our caravans?” Panmorn
said “This unfortunate event just proves to me that Thirel fort is not
functioning as it should. If only councilor Falkner could stop meddling in
our…”
“And here
we go again!” Fletcher yelled “Every single conversation with you turns into a
slander of Issurk. Stop thinking about them for a second, and let’s see what we
are going to do. I think it is most important to act fast, if there is still a
chance of returning the goods.”
“That is
precisely why I mentioned Eilonna.” Panmorn was fast to add “We need to act
before her.”
“What are
your suggestions?” a fourth merchant, excessively flamboyant halfling, joined
in the conversation.
“Perhaps
an opportunity, to once and for all end our ties with Issurk.”
“How are
we to do that, exactly?” the elf smirked, as he gracefully walked around the
varnished office desk “We would need a substantially larger number of soldiers,
if we decide to venture that road.”
“Yes
Zanveen, much more.” Panmorn’s face lit in excitement “If we are to play it
right, her troops could easily become the unfortunate statistic of this
dangerous swamp.”
“Playing
it right, more like playing with fire.” Fletcher waved “Because if it
backfires, we could lose much more than one shipment.”
“You worry
too much. Eilonna knows that without us, she could not keep the fort and the
route safe, not even for a month.”
“So, we
are all agreeing on launching the attack?” Zanveen asked looking at the floor
“Your thoughts Xavnier? You are awfully quiet today.”
“This is a
mission for at least three hundred of our men, whatever your plans are.”
halfling retorted, between two sips of his drink.
“Well,
that seems about right.” Panmorn jumped from his chair “Perhaps one or two
hundred more, just to be sure?”
“In that
case, allow me to conclude the meeting.” Fletcher said, writing something in
the guild’s thick, old journal “Just a reminder for you all, the talks
regarding the expansion of docks and warehouses are scheduled for tomorrow in
the city hall.”
“Until
then.” Panmorn waved, walking out of the office.
“Good
evening gentlemen.” Xavnier said quietly, following his fat colleague.
They soon
found themselves outside, on a wide, cobblestone street, leading from the
building, into the main square. The place was well lit with numerous oil lamps,
which were hanging from the fifteen foot poles, surrounding the entire merchant
plaza. The streets were empty, besides them and several soldiers, on apparent
guarding duty. Chill, even breeze, brought the thick carpet of fog from the
lake. The mist had already engulfed the entire docks. And was now moving slowly
over the entire town. Droplets of rain, pattered melodically on the tin
rooftops, in a calming, soothing manner. It was usual weather for Vallsynk, at
this time of year.
Not far
away from the square, just to the south, in the nobleman’s quarter, mercantile
councilors had their own residences. They were neighboring mansions, but each
surrounded by huge walls, and guarded with several private soldiers.
Exquisitely decorated entryways and gorgeous surrounding gardens, somewhat
contrasted the bleak, gray city. Luxurious glow attracted Xavnier, he enjoyed
living in it more than anything else. He was a bit obsessed with displaying his
wealth, fortune and power. And by doing so, his house became more tasteless,
and even vulgar than the rest.
Eccentric
halfling picked some quite strange fads, which especially showed inside of his
home. Collecting various artifacts, many of those being worthless junk, became
his obsession. Every Room and hallway was full of statues, paintings, and old
furniture. His cabinets were overflowing with outfits and jewelry from all
parts of Dorull. Every room of his mansion had to be lit from the early sunset,
regardless of whether he was at the house or not. Xavnier displayed his wealth
shamelessly, and by all means.
Halfling
flaunted, slowly walking into a large hallway of his mansion, dominated by the
forked, white stairway. Beautiful, gilded chandelier brightened the whole room,
decorated in paintings and armor stands. Xavnier ran up to the gallery, from
where he went through the short corridor, into a study room. It was pitch black
inside, contrary to his strict rule.
“Incompetent
fools!” halfling hissed, cursing his servants, as he tried to find some matches
on his desk “I’m to replace you all at first chance.”
“Do you
need some help?” a bone chilling whisper came from the far end of the room,
shocking him momentarily.
“E…Eilonna?”
Xavnier trembled scared, but still managed to lit the candle “That was not
funny, Eilonna!”
“I’m
deeply sorry, my little friend.” The Issurk councilor smiled, “I couldn’t help
myself.”
“What are
you doing here?” halfling whispered nervously “How did you get here, inside?
Did anyone see you?”
“Relax, no
one knows I am here.” she came closer “I couldn’t wait for…I have a proposition
for you.”
“What’s
the urgency, milady?” a curious councilman leaned forward instinctively.
Indication
of any sort of business venture or proposal, would send waves of joy through
the Xavnier’s body. He lived for it. He loved it. And no matter how small or
trivial it seemed, it would always make him excited. But this, this was
different. He was dealing with councilor Falkner. Alone, without his
colleagues, and in secrecy. That made it even more sweeter.
The first
time Halfling had met Eilonna was just before she became Issurk’s councilor. He
immediately recognized her potential, her desire to move up. A difficult task
for anyone, let alone a woman. Even more so, because she was a halfbreed. She
was a half-elf. Xavnier glanced over Eilonna’s garment, somewhat surprised she
was wearing a leather armor, instead perhaps some of her beautiful, silk gowns.
Her jewelry was replaced with a couple of shortswords, and half a dozen
daggers. It was the first time halfling had seen her dressed like this. And he
had to admit, it wasn’t looking strange at all. On the contrary, it suited her
quite well.
“Don’t let
this scare you.” councilor Falkner said, noticing the look on Xavnier’s face
“I’ve decided to ride with my soldiers to the Thirel fort, but had to meet with
you first.”
“You don’t
expect me to ride with you there?” Halfling asked “Long gone are the days of my
weapon wielding.”
“That
dagger you keep hidden in the sleeve of your tunic, is not a weapon?” Eilonna
smiled “Don’t you worry, that’s not why I’m here.”
Xavnier
smiled back, trying to stay calm, despite burning with desire, to find out what
councilor Falkner had in mind. And Eilonna knew that, purposely prolonging the
reveal. She had dealings with halfling on numerous occasions, learning in time
to use his weakness.
“Not so
long ago, I came into possession of one old, very valuable document.” The
Issurk councilor said finally “A document, that could make us incredibly
wealthy.”
“But, I am
already incredibly wealthy.” Halfling feigned to be disinterested, although the
sparkling in his eyes said a completely different story.
“It seems
then, that I’m talking with the wrong councilor.” Eilonna made a move for the
door “If so, I’ll try my luck with someone else.”
“W…wait
Eilonna! Don’t go, I am the one you are looking…” temporary weakness had
passed, as Xavnier’s mercantile instinct sharpened his mind “Why exactly do you
need only one Vallsynk councilor?”
Eilonna
bit her lip, sitting back in the chair. She was a little annoyed, it
immediately came to this. She made a mistake, by provoking the halfling. By
bluffing far too soon, thus losing all the advantage. There was no turning back
now, Xavnier had to be convinced.
“As I
said, I have in my possession one old document.” Councilor Falkner repeated
herself “An agreement that specifies the control of the cities, allocation of
functions, assignments and most importantly, the resources.”
“And it
differs from the current one in?
“One town,
one lord.” Eilonna was quick to answer “Arrangement in which there is no more
need for the council, as it was written by…”
“The
Olveen Zaanan.” Xavnier calmly completed councilor Falkner’s sentence.
“Do you
know of this document?”
“Never
seen it, but I’ve read about it, among many others written by Zaanan. We were
combing the archives, trying to find a way of weakening your influence.”
“Well,
isn’t that mighty sweet of you?”
“I’d never
do such a thing. Especially if I knew you would offer me a chance to become a
Lord.” halfling winked “What are your demands?”
“Oh I
don’t know, a fair split of resources and goods. Help in the construction of
small docks, perhaps expanding town and farmlands. The usual.” It was obvious,
Eilonna was prepared and thinking about this matter for a long time “But, we
could agree on all of the details, after our armies make a safe return from the
battle.”
“You
obviously thought of everything.” Xavnier smiled “But you skipped one crucial
detail, councils were put together to replace the single ruler.”
“Yes, but
councils can be dissolved.”
“As if the
councilors would simply decide to stand aside, letting you mess with their
business. Their lives. They are all well connected, powerful men, with many
allies and friends. Why do you think we work together? We are not friends. We
just find our union beneficial. And why change something that makes us rich?”
“Because
it is a false power. Because we are not in charge.” Eilonna said passionately
“And you know that very well.”
“I can’t
see a way. How could this even be conceivable.”
“I didn’t
say it would be easy, but I found a way.” councilor Falkner smiled “And to
prove it, I’ll share a secret with you. As we speak, the Issurk council is no
more.”
“W…what?!
How?” Xavnier’s wide open mouth, told of the shocking revelation.
“You don’t
have to worry about that, but I’d be glad to do the same for you.”
One thing
was for sure, Eilonna’s resolute words left the halfling stunned. Her
confidence was overwhelming. She was sure of a positive outcome. And it rubbed
on Xavnier. Somehow, he could always sense when the deal in front of him is
certain. This one felt the same. But why? Councilor Falkner’s plan was anything
but certain.
“I’m in.”
halfling said, trembling.
“Excellent!”
Eilona clapped her hands “We’ll have to agree on the details on a later date.
I’ll let you know of a meeting place. But now, I must be going. With luck, I’ll
be at Tvayas by the morning.”
“Be
careful.” halfling said, following Eilonna to the window she used to get
inside, and was now climbing out.
Xavnier
glanced down the street, but could not see a thing. Fog was much too thick, and
by now covering the entire Vallsynk. He was a bit relieved, at least Eilonna
could now slip out of town unnoticed. Splashing of the waves against the wooden
ships tied at the docks, disrupted the silence of the sleeping city. Cold gust of
wind brought shivers down halfling’s spine. He yawned closing the window, as he
headed for his bedroom, on the other side of the hallway.
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