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Lokintr
Dec Member 2014

Lokintr

Posts: 2,432 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
We need trained spies, not over eager children.”

“Speak for yourself!” interjected Faohin, coughing weakly. Sparrow grinned at him.

“I did*’t get myself almost killed, Faohin. I think it was an oversight on my part to let you-”

“You’re damn right it was!” snapped the first speaker. “He wasn’t ready. You almost ruined a year of preparation from letting your friend get involved.”

“That’s unfair,” said the dark woman. “Faohin knew the risks, and he was more than capable of completing this task. The circumstances were unfortunate.”

“ ‘The circumstances were unfortunate’? Sanuye, you take after your father, talking like a politician already.”

Sanuye smiled, white teeth flashing in the semi-darkness.

“Enough,” said the first man. “We have wasted too much time here. What is our immediate plan?”

“Send out spies,” answered Sparrow. “I have contacts in Ardougne. They can make enquiries there.”

“Good. I will contact the wizards and ask for them to test the power they felt. Sanuye?”

“There is not much I can do at this stage. My people’s shamans are no good for this – their magic is combat and healing. I think what we have planned so far is acceptable.”

“I agree,” said the other woman, stepping lightly off the table. “We shall meet again in a week’s time.”

“Until then. May the wisdom of Saradomin be with us, and may he bless our endeavours with good fortune.”

They all murmured “Amen” and made to leave. Daren turned and scampered back to his bed, head reeling with what he had witnessed.




* End of Chapter ~

02-Jun-2011 21:00:28 - Last edited on 02-Jun-2011 21:01:52 by Lokintr

Lokintr
Dec Member 2014

Lokintr

Posts: 2,432 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Chapter Three:




By the next day the storm had broken.

Watery sun shone weakly down from a scrappy sky: wispy clouds wafted to and fro across the wide expanse of blue, some grey, some fluffy white, but there were no heavy rain clouds to speak of. Stepping outside, the air was cool and fresh. The citizens of Varrock were all busy repairing storm damage and clearing the wrecked decorations. A proclamation had been issued that the celebrations of the Prince’s birthday would take place a week hence; a renewed current of excitement ran through the city, putting most of the gossip to bed. There was no omen: it had been a freak of nature, just a summer squall. By the day after that the blazing sunshine was truly back: the land literally steamed with the heat.

Faohin’s wounds were healing quickly; his ribs were sorted practically overnight. Daren was puzzled by this, and to make his confusion worse he still had no idea what he had witnessed, only that there had been something wrong with that storm, and his family had something to do with sorting it out.

With the new heat Varrock’s central square was buzzing with activity. Children splashed in the fountain, shrieking joyfully, while hawk-eyed mothers watched intently. The local economy had somewhat suffered since the Grand Exchange to the northwest of the city had opened, but it was on days like this that small traders flourished. Makeshift stalls had sprouted up in the space of a few hours, wily businessmen selling food, drink and trinkets. Entertainers had small areas to work in, acrobats and musicians; small crowds surrounded them, tossing coins into the hats provided. Varrock was not only a trading hub but a major tourist attraction; people came from all over Gielinor to see one of the largest and most diverse cities in the land.

04-Jun-2011 19:15:17 - Last edited on 04-Jun-2011 19:27:01 by Lokintr

Lokintr
Dec Member 2014

Lokintr

Posts: 2,432 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Situated on the borders of so many different countries, Varrock contained many different races and nationalities: Al Kharidians from the south, the strange denizens of Morytania to the east, the hardy folk of Edgeville to the north. Occasionally one would even see one of the rich tribal leaders that sometimes came from the vast isle of Karamja. They all brought with them a taste of their various homelands, all brought together in the vast melting pot of culture that was Varrock.

It was into this hubbub that Daren followed his brother; Faohin had left the house unusually early, with a strange look of intent on his face. Seeking answers as to the mystery he had discovered on that stormy night, Daren decided he would shadow Faohin and just how involved his brother was, and if he could convince Faohin to let him help. He was young and naive enough not to realise just how foolish he was being, and Faohin’s injuries hadn’t deterred him in the slightest. Nothing occupied his head now but discovering the meaning behind it all, and he would do everything he could to work it all out.

He was in his own eyes a master of secrecy as he followed Faohin through the crowds, keeping a well-measured distance with plenty of distractions between himself and his brother. Faohin was seemingly oblivious to the colours, noises and smells around him; he made straight across the square, heading south towards one of the poorer districts of the city. He paused for a moment outside the old general store, its windows boarded up with a sloppy “closed” sign stuck to the door, and glanced around. The street was for the most part deserted. He slipped around the side of the store, took a key from his pocket, and unlocked the back door. It opened smoothly, gliding on well oiled hinges.

Daren, unable to follow him inside, crouched behind a pile of old crates in the alleyway and settled down to wait. It was several hours before Faohin exited, and he was not alone.

04-Jun-2011 19:15:28 - Last edited on 04-Jun-2011 19:17:54 by Lokintr

Lokintr
Dec Member 2014

Lokintr

Posts: 2,432 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Accompanying him were his friend Sparrow and two other young men that Daren did not recognise. They looked similar, both muscular and tall, with the same shade of chestnut hair and matching blue eyes. Daren supposed they were brothers, perhaps a year or two apart. Sparrow handed each of them a letter. They performed a complex salute and then hurried off down the alleyway, passing dangerously close to Daren’s hiding place. Sparrow and Faohin turned and strode off in the opposite direction, back towards the square.

Unable to contain himself any longer, Daren leaped up and sprinted after them.

“Hey, Faohin!” he yelled angrily. “What's going on?”

Faohin spun round, startled. He saw his younger brother running towards them and his eyes widened. “Daren, you little idiot! What are you doing here? Shut up! You’ll draw attention!” He grabbed Daren’s arm and shook him slightly, to make sure his attention was entirely focused.

“Faohin, what is he doing?” whispered Sparrow urgently. “We have a schedule to keep, remember?”

“I know, I know! Daren, go home immediately. You can’t be here right now!*

*I’m not going until you tell me what you’re doing!” Daren stared petulantly at his brother, wrenching his arm free and crossing them over his chest. Faohin moaned, exasperated and at a loss of how to get rid of Daren. He turned to Sparrow, who was looking both amused and worried at the same time.

“Look, Daren, I can’t tell you. Just go. You really, really shouldn’t be here,” said Faohin desperately.

“Why not?*

*You just ... can’t! OK? Please go!”

“No! I won’t, I wo—”

“Quiet!” interjected Sparrow; the command in his voice silenced them instantly. It was then that they all noticed just how quiet their surroundings were; all through Daren had been able to hear a constant hum from the marketplace that now seemed to have died completely.

04-Jun-2011 19:15:38 - Last edited on 04-Jun-2011 19:19:10 by Lokintr

Lokintr
Dec Member 2014

Lokintr

Posts: 2,432 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
They glanced skywards; it was actually growing dark. It made them uncomfortable. The safety of crowds and sunshine had vanished.

“Maybe we should go,” suggested Faohin slowly. He took Daren’s hand and started him leading back towards the main streets. “If we find people we’ll be safe.”

“That may be too late.” A large knife had appeared in Sparrow’s hand, twelve inches of tempered steel that he gripped with assurance. His eyes were intently focused on the other end of the alleyway where a figure was lurching out of the shadows. Obviously injured, the figure stumbled between the walls, clutching its side. Faohin took a firm hold of Daren’s shoulders and pushed him backwards, putting himself in front.

They waited until the figure staggered out of the shadows and collapsed before moving to see it better. It was an old man, haggard, with a wild mane of flyaway hair and a wispy little beard. He bled from many cuts and his face was more bruises than skin; they could hear his gurgling, choking breath as he pulled himself across the ground. Wary, they approached, Faohin keeping Daren behind him. Sparrow, speaking tentatively, asked, “Sir? Are you all right?”

Suddenly the man looked up, eyes blazing with fear and anger. “You! I’ve found you!”

Sparrow looked back at Faohin confusedly. “Me? What do yo—?”

“This must be kept safe! You are the one to carry it! I have searched for many days, eluded many of our enemies – but they caught me eventually! I escaped, just, but –” he stopped for a moment, coughing roughly. His rattling breath was reminiscent of that of one with consumption. “—but I am not long for this world. They have made sure of that ...” he tailed off for a moment, his eyes clouded. Sparrow opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted again. “But now I have found you! Oh, the gods smiled down on me this day! You must take it, and keep it safe. They must never get it! The consequences could be most grievous. Take it, take it!”

04-Jun-2011 19:15:47 - Last edited on 04-Jun-2011 19:31:18 by Lokintr

Lokintr
Dec Member 2014

Lokintr

Posts: 2,432 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
From within his filthy tunic he pulled a small pouch made of old, scuffed leather. It was tied securely with several lengths of cord and seemed to weigh a surprising amount. He thrust at Sparrow, who, thoroughly bewildered, took it from him.

“Keep it safe!” cried the old man. “I trust you with this most important of tasks. Keep it safe! They must never get it.”

“Who are they?” said Sparrow urgently, the pouch clasped tightly in his hands. “Tell me what you know!”

“They are—” his words were cut short. From within his open mouth spewed a green cloud, sickeningly corporeal. Horrified, they all jumped back, Faohin tripping over Daren and sending them all sprawling backwards. The cloud solidified into the form of a snake and struck at his jugular. Fangs sunk deep into flesh; the man’s piercing scream rent the air. His face was frozen in a rictus of agony as the snake’s body curled around his neck, squeezing the life from him even as the venom coursed through his veins. With his last gasping breaths he managed to yell at them, “Keep – it safe! And run! Run! Ru –”

The snake constricted with a massive jerk. There was a loud snap; he fell to the ground, his glazed eyes staring at them. The snake released his body and turned to them; it hissed menacingly, spitting venom at them, then dissolved into the green cloud from whence it came and seeped back into his skin. After that his skin started bubbling, starting mainly around the bite, but soon spreading across his whole body. Slowly it started to peel and dissolve, sloughing off in great lumps that turned to greasy liquid, mixed with blood and horrific amounts of green-tinged and glowing poison.

Faohin and Sparrow stared at his mutilated body, afraid to touch it or even to turn their backs on it. There was a retching sound from behind them as Daren vomited onto the cobbles; only twelve years old, he had never witnessed anything so ghastly.

04-Jun-2011 19:16:00 - Last edited on 17-Jun-2011 13:42:42 by Lokintr

Lokintr
Dec Member 2014

Lokintr

Posts: 2,432 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Faohin hugged him around his shoulders as Sparrow said, “We should go.”

And they left, leaving the quickly decomposing corpse behind them.






~ End of Chapter ~

04-Jun-2011 19:17:08 - Last edited on 04-Jun-2011 19:21:45 by Lokintr

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