Melody of War 14

“I hope you’re not hiding anything I’d rather not deal with this morning.”

Looking out of his inn room window Varen addressed the fog that was almost thick enough to block out even the light of the Great Bird Sol. Were it not for the light towers that dotted the city of Nest Cliff the city itself could have seemed nonexistent within the fog that swirled with heavy laziness beyond the glass. The laziness of the fog reminded Varen of something similar and he let the curtain close as he turned his attention back into his inn room.

“And what’s with you Chain, saying it’s too risky to use magic and then drugging yourself? At least when you use magic I know I can wake you up, but a potion.”

Varen sighed heavily as he looked at Chain sprawled out on the inn room bed deeply asleep from the effects of a sleeping potion. Choosing not to dwell on his complaints Varen laid out the swaddling blanket on the bed that he would soon use to store Chain in the sleeping sling she would be occupying until whatever time the sleeping potion’s effects would end. Before he set about storing the maid away like luggage however Varen grabbed a fur lined leather jacket that had made its way into the room along with the breakfast provided by the inn staff.

“I didn’t think I left that much of an impression on these guys but I won’t complain. Besides, it’s better than a uniform jacket for staying warm and where I’m going…”

Varen did not finish his thought as he donned the jacket and a weary smile before finishing his preparations for the next leg of his journey. A short while later Varen descended from the upper stories of the inn and into the common room where he saw the inn keep and his wife waiting for him by a table with a map of the region laid out.

“Come on, you don’t do this for every traveler who comes through here do you? What makes me so special?”

“It’s not that you’re special son, but the circumstances are. This fog outside isn’t natural and there is no doubt that Bright Rift is up to something. All morning long I’ve had my morning customers coming in here talking about how a Bright Rift airship took off into the night from Cliff Home according to the guards on patrol.”

“I’d agree with my husband and suggest that you stay, but then there are the rumors of war automata wandering the Teeth…”

“I wouldn’t worry about it ma’am. I’m a traveler who just wants to meet back up with my traveling companions.”

Varen offered the inn keep’s wife a reassuring smile to calm her nerves as he brushed aside any potential danger.

“It’s a shame that they weren’t picked up by the army like you were after you got separated in the fog yesterday.”

“Yeah, but your husband says that if they aren’t still lost out there and that Bright Rift’s army picked them up then they’ll either be in Cliff Home or what was it… Misthead?”

“That’s right; Misthead. It’s a sleepy little town high up in the peaks of the Stormroots. It’s so isolated that it’s the perfect place for travelers like you to wait out a war if it really is coming to that. Besides that, if your friends get picked up by our army and brought here like you were I know a man up there I can call by radio phone so you guys can all meet up again. Also, an isolated place like that is safe enough even with their Dragon God and bandit problems to wait long enough to have no choice but to give up on your friends.”

“Dear.”

The inn keep’s wife sharply chided him with but a word as he indirectly implied that Varen’s traveling companions would likely not survive for long out in the wilds. Varen simply smiled for he was not unaware of the reality of the situation but had faith in the abilities of Elliot and the others. He had also been educated by Chain when she returned to the inn about how they were being led by Melody through a massive underground tunnel system to Misthead of all places. The inn keep did not have this knowledge however and maintained a more realistic outlook.

“I won’t take your chiding maid, not when I’m speaking the truth. But I’m also doing my part to help at least. Which is why I’ve called ahead to let the man I know up there know to expect you. Also…”

The inn keep reached under the table he was at and pulled out a small but stuffed sack that he promptly dropped onto the map on the topside of the table.

“Since you will be taking the mountain path to Misthead you’ll need this. Though I wonder if a man of your height can.”

“Yeah, my height is a problem sometimes but…”

A sigh slipped past Varen’s smile and the inn keep’s wife gave the nearly two meter tall man a concerned look.

“Look son, just worry about getting out of here before all hell does break loose. The Builders know the tensions between Highroot and Bright Rift have never been higher and with rumors of the Bandit King putting together an army drifting around there’s no doubt that something bad is about to happen. You can worry about your height another time.”

“Yeah, I guess I can. So, what exactly is that? I’d guess if you had anything else for me besides the jacket it would be advice on how to get to Misthead from here on foot. I’m guessing there’s a road at least that I can follow even in this fog as long as I keep my head down and my ears open.”

“It’s a cliff side sleeping kit.”

“A what?”

Varen looked surprised as he final paused long enough for the inn keep to answer his question about the sac. Having been stunned into simply repeating himself the inn keep took the time to answer more thoroughly.”

“A cliff side sleeping kit. The road you’ll be taking isn’t so short that you can reach the gondolas before nightfall on foot. Combine that with the fog and you’ll be needing to sleep more than once on your way up to Misthead. That’s where the sleeping kit comes in. It’s designed so you can sleep dangling off a cliff and out of sight of most monsters that come out at night on the road to Misthead.”

“Dangling off of the side of the cliff…? And just how far is it to Misthead from here?”

Varen’s apprehension was perfectly understandable especially after the inn keep had pondered if the tall man could even use the sleeping kit. The inn keep had seemingly already put such thoughts behind him though as he proceeded to answer Varen’s second question.

“In good weather it’ll take you about a twin-day to reach the gondolas and if they’re working about another day from that to reach Misthead.”

“A whole three-day?! That’s almost as long as it took me to get out here in the first place.”

“And as I said, that’s in good weather.”

Varen’s disbelief was writ on his face for all to see and he cared not to hide it. The Inn keep’s wife was at least a little more sympathetic and attempted to offer Varen some small measure of comfort.

“Well you shouldn’t have to worry about the gondolas at least. If the people of Misthead know you’re coming they’ll make sure that they’re working at least.”

“Small consolation if he can’t even get there.”

“Well I’m certain I can at least pull that much off. This sword isn’t for show and I’ve survived some pretty harsh environments long before I came out here. As it is, fog or no fog I’m never going to get to Misthead if I don’t head out. So, thanks again for the help and if I’m ever in the region again I’ll try to pay you back.”

Snatching the sack off of the table and tying it to his hip beside his scabbard Varen made for the door of the inn. As he opened the door to leave the inn keep called out to Varen.

“Before you go, if you’re going to keep your head down then you’ll want one of these at least so you don’t get turned around.”

Having gained Varen’s attention the inn keep threw him a small object that Varen caught easily. Turning his hand over Varen discovered what he had been tossed was a simple compass. He was not afforded much time to look at it however as the inn keep offered him some final advice.

“And definitely keep your ears open. Between the Bright Rift automata and bandits that are dumb enough to risk the dragon’s wrath, in this unnatural fog there might be even some monsters brave enough to come out in the daylight.”

“Yeesh. If you’re trying to discourage me you’re doing a good job. But, I’ve worse things to worry about if I don’t go so, try wishing me luck instead. See you guys around.”

Varen smiled as he offered a departing wave and disappeared into the fog beyond the threshold of the inn. The inn keep and his wife watched for a moment until the door swung shut and they returned to their morning routine which included the inn keep’s wife offering the lone morning patron a refill of coffee. The shirtless, muscular, red head with a very distinct scar on the right side of his face refused with a wave of his hand.

“I’m afraid I have no time to indulge in anymore of your fine brew this morning. No, the time to fish has finally come this morning.”

Lowering his coffee mug to the table Kyte rose to his feet and picked up his spear, twirling it into place behind his back. Dropping some coins onto the table the Hero waved to the inn keep and his wife as he too walked from the inn with a smile on his face.

“Oh~ I am so glad I decided to check out that story of a lone adventurer who was brought into town. Now the Chainmaid’s words make a lot more sense if I’m not guessing wrong. But this overly tall fellow is heading for Misthead which surprised the Chainmaid when she heard it was also Finch’s name so I don’t think I am. And…”

Looking around the fog strewn streets Kyte smiled even more as not even the distinctive displacement of a person passing through the mist appeared in any way including the slightest of signs.

“I don’t think that man is good enough to so disappear from my sight in such a short time. No, I believe this is definitely the work of the Chainmaid and so the hunt takes me to Misthead. Won’t Finch be surprised when I find the Hero from the Eastern Kingdoms first?”

A laugh escaped from Kyte as he to disappeared into the fog for Misthead.

Copyright © 2018 Joshua D Tarwater