Helcêh's Corruption

[POMC S117]

Two horsemen, leather helmets strapped to their chin, rode past Fùrin. They each carried a green banner, for that was their identity, the marshals of Arag. With a great neighing, the horses suddenly came to a halt. One of the riders, his face obscured by a visor, spoke to Fùrin.

"Who goes there, little bearded man? Surely you are not a dwarf, you look a man yet your beard and your size will not permit me to assume. Though a dwarf has not been seen in these lands for many a year, you certainly look like one. Well, speak up!" said the captain, marvelling at Fùrin's appearance, for not one dwarf had moved outside the halls of Khâ for over fifty years and he was Grobik, a bandit lord.

[Gandalf]

Kthor was meandering along the North Road to Esgaragoth. He was taking his time, as he was wearing his massive plate armour, with a square shield slung across his back and a steel sword at his hip. Every once in a while he would look around, as he found it unusual that there were no travellers other than him. There are always people on the roads, he thought. Always.

[POMC S117]

Suddenly, there was a movement in the treeline next to Kthor. Though Kthor was new to these parts, he knew what to expect, for the shadow was everywhere, as were the pawns of evil.

[Gandalf]

Kthor brought his shield down, close to his middle, and drew his sword. His shield went forward, while the sword went point first, pointing from the hilt in his chest-height hand to the point just past the shield.

[POMC S117]

The movement stopped for the thing that had caused it had fled, though Kthor was not sure why.

[Velvet LeChance]

Alva headed along the Arag road for Esgaragoth, it had been many years since she had fled and she had promised herself she would never go back, but it was her home and she knew she would have to go back sooner or later for one reason or another. As she walked she lifted her hand to feel the long thin scar stretching across her left cheek, a cruel reminder of her last time in the city. I will only stay here for a few nights. She told herself. She wanted to be gone from the small port as soon as she had garnered enough supplies as to be able to make it to the next city. No one will remember me. She tried to convince herself of this, but couldn't. Even a new initiate to the smuggling cartel she had previously worked for would recognise her scar as a sign of her deceit and treachery.

[POMC S117]

Alva's eyes soon witnessed the two riders speaking with a dwarf, or whom she could only perceive as being a dwarf for he was of smaller stature than most.

[Velvet LeChance]

Alva looked over at the two horsemen and what seemed to be a Dwarf wearily. Although she had never seen a Dwarf before, she had heard stories. These stories rarely painted the Halfmen in a positive light and she remained cautious of the group. Dropping one hand so that it hovered over the hilt of her dagger she continued on without a word. Why would a Dwarf leave the safety of the mountains ? She asked herself, remembering tales of old about the glory of the Dwarven kingdoms. Perhaps he was exiled for a great crime of some sort ? Though she had never heard of a Dwarf being exiled from the Dwarven cities before and doubted this. After another few moments of thought on the subject she pushed all thoughts of Dwarves from her mind and concentrated her thoughts on the trek to Esgaragoth and what she was going to do when she reached the city

[Nova]

"I am Furin, son if Grunvar." Furin beckoned, anger in his tone. He ran his fingers through the point if his beard and continued: "And yes, I am a dwarf. I escaped the confines of Kha, and now I seek a purpose."

[Gandalf]

After a moment, Kthor sheathed his weapons and continued along the road.

[unokitsune]

Raelaha had been walking for what seemed like an eternity. Her tall legs could fool someone for going slower but in fact it was just an illusion of her height. She could go faster if she wanted to but she was a bit bored as she travelled the North road to Esgaragoth. She played with her thick Red hair, unlike on humans where most red heads resemble orange or autumn leaf heads, hers was more of a thicker red a genuine red but not as thick as blood red, unless you looked at it under the shade. Her parents had begged her not to travel and even partially threatened she would loose her inheritance and her place at home if she left, but she knew they didn't mean it and were only doing it out of love. Her hair was falling out of the hood she was wearing, for her Short Robe also came with a hood. She was hoping having it up would hide her elven ears so she could be confused for a tall lean human, who at the time wasn't carrying any pysical weapons.

[POMC S117]

"Let's hope that your purpose lies not at the end of my blade. Hurry along, Fùrin, son of Grunvar, whoever that may be. Do not tarry. A darkness has come." and with that the riders were gone.

---

A few hours later, Alva could see the wooden wall erected around Esgaragoth, protecting the thatched houses from harm. The road became straighter and wider and more sophisticated. Gone were the dirt roads, now replaced with cobbles, for the Aragian roadlayers had learnt their trade from those who were well-learnt in Imperial roads. She passed two cloaked men, both mysterious and in a sombre silence.

---

Raelaha came across the spectacle of a small, bearded man, putting away his weapons. To an outsider, the scene would have been odd indeed, an elf and a dwarf.

[Justice knight]

Markus had been walking for days- weeks even, but he would not stop.
His quarry was close and he knew it.

[POMC S117]

Spoiler:

What road is he walking on?

[Nova]

Furin frowned and yelled at the men: "Darkness? I will meet it with a smile on my face and a battle axe in my hands!" With that he continued the walk, dwelling on the situations of his brothers. He needed a way, a way to bring them back onto the surface and show the rest of Eusiac the spirit of the dwarves. We are the greatest! He told himself every day. Just a common goal. A goal that brings forth the armies of Kha onto the surface and leads our race to glory. A reason, Just one. But, alas, he could not think of one.

[unokitsune]

'He's so tiny.' Raelaha thought, not sure if she had seen a dwarf before, 'Could he be a dwarf?' She decided to move closer, removing her hood to get a better look as she travelled the road to the city of Esgaragoth.

[Justice knight]

Spoiler:

North one.

[POMC S117]

"You do that! Lokve knows, we need a man who can fight! I fare thee well, if one can fare well in these parts!" shouted the riders, disappearing down the road.

---

If an outsider were looking, they would have died of shock. A 100 year old man that looks twenty, an elf and a dwarf, on the same section of the road, walking towards the same place.

[Justice knight]

Markus had one goal -get the witch to reverse the curse or die trying.
He would not falter in this goal.

[Nova]

Concentrated on his thought, Furin ignored the riders blessing and trotted slowly down the road. At the sound of his stomach growling, he quickened the pace; deciding he will ponder the subject during a meal.

[POMC S117]

The dwarf, Markus and the elf eventually came across the boundaries of the city of Esgaragoth, but ten miles away. A large boat, one of the few warships of this time, was docked in the harbour. Sareusia, they called it, the Hope of the World.

---

Fùrin arrived near Esgaragoth, not too far behind Alva.

[Nova]

Furin slowly gazaed at the wooden wall and continued on to the entrence, giving Alva only a slight look.

[Velvet LeChance]

Spoiler:

What time is it ?

Alva avoided making eye contact with the two cloaked men, keeping her head down she began to walk into the city. As she walked inside it's gates she marvelled the things that had changed since she was last there, they weren't big things but they were big enough that she picked up on them. After entering the city proper, she began looking around for a place she could stay for the next few days, all the while her had hovering over her dagger hilt to ward off danger.

[POMC S117]

Two guards, clad in leather armour not unlike the attire worn by the riders, stood at the front of the gate, blocking entry to those undeserved.

"Speak your intent! And who is that funny looking man, back there! Be you an orkish spy or a small man?" they shouted at Fùrin, letting Alva go by.

---

The sun had slowly crept down towards the horizon, bathing the region in a purplish glow. An inn stood beside the main gate. The Dancing Gnome, read golden writing.

[Justice knight]

Markus glanced at the boat- taking in it's beauty before carrying on.