XI
Beta took a deep breath and began his story. “I was born to a family of modest means. It was my parents, my brother Lyric and me for years. Then when I was about 9 and Lyric 7 our parents caught an incurable sickness and became bedridden. For a time other family members came and looked after them and us. Then a year later when I was 10 our parents suddenly died and those family members that were looking after us turned us out of our parents house. Lyric and I were left homeless on the streets. We did what we could to survive in that time and that is where I first learned to steal. Mostly it was food off of a merchant stand so we could eat but soon I learned that money pouches of most merchants held far more value and I learned how to cut their purses. During this time Lyric also practiced how to sing and play. He would distract merchants with his playing while I cut there purses and vanished. We picked our targets carefully so that we only stole from those that chose used their wealth to cheat others.
During that time as we were getting acquainted with the streets we discovered a lone Neko boy who was only six. The boy was named Nix and we quickly adopted him. Nix became our brother and soon joined us in our thieving. For a year we survived like this just the three of us. Then one day as we watched the markets looking for a mark to rob we were approached by another boy. His name was Marcus and he was 12 at the time only a year older than me. He said he had watched us and wanted us to join his gang. We were apprehensive but Marcus won us over and we joined his gang. Our skills gained us acceptance quickly and over the years I rose to second only to Marcus. The gang became our family and we were happy there. When I was 16 the thief's guilds moved into our gang's territory. The guild was a coalition of the worst kinds of thieves. Our gang maintained a standard of only stealing from the wealthy who could bear the loss. The guild stole from anyone who crossed them and most often the poor. A representative came to Marcus, and he called me and another who stood high in the gang named Maliek. The representative told us that our gang was to surrender and join the guild or we would be destroyed. When the representative left Marcus asked us what we thought. Maliek was all for joining and I stood against the choice. Marcus sided with me in the argument and Maliek was argued down. When the representative returned he was flatly told that we would not join the guild and he was thrown from our hideout. For a time things were peaceful then one day I went out on a job. I successfully completed the job and stopped hiding the goods I had taken at a cache. Then as I moved towards the hideout, a group of guards spotted me and I was pursued and taken prisoner. The dragged me to the prison and I was interrogated about the robbery and thrown into a cell. Since I had not been spotted and the goods could not be found, I was eventually let go. As I left the prison I was confronted by Maliek. He told me he had joined the guild and that I would be joining with him he also told me that he had been attracted to me for a long time and that I was going to be with him in the guild. I told him no that I was loyal to the gang. He smiled and told me the gang was done. I still told him no and left him there as I returned to the hideout in a rush. When I got there, I found the hideout a burned ruin. I saw several bodies strung up before the hideout like a warning. I looked on in horror the bodied were all the older boys in the gang. I looked and found Marcus. He was strung up and I saw him stir. I quickly moved to cut him down and as he slumped down I caught him and lowered him to the ground. Marcus stirred weakly and with the last of his energy he told me Maliek had betrayed the gang and led an attack against us. He killed the older boys and took all the young ones in chains then he passed. I fell into despair and could only bury those of my family I could find. My brothers and the other children had been taken and I dedicated myself to finding them. So, for the past three years I have been seeking news of my brothers and the others and if I ever see Maliek again I will kill him” Beta’s voice broke as he finished his story to silence from the group. The first people to move were Luke and Lily that rose and hugged Beta. He felt the others rising to give him a comforting touch. Ragna rose and grasped Beta’s shoulders looking at him. “We will help you find your brothers wherever they are” Ragna said smiling softly his eyes burned with a soft possessive flame. Beta felt a stirring of feelings that he thought had died with the gang. Tears came to his eyes “Thank you Ragna”. Ragna smiled and told everyone to head into the dining room for dinner.
XII
Beta entered the dining room and was put in a seat near Ragna and having Luke and Lily on either side of him. Alice clapped and servants came and placed covered platters on the table. They removed the covers and Beta saw a banquet laid out before him on the table. Ragna called for a toast and soon Beta was enjoying the banquet. Luke and Lily engaged in small talk with Beta as the dinner progressed, and Beta let his mind wander to what he had learned that day. Beta felt eyes on him and looked catching Ragna’s gaze. “You look like you have questions Beta” Ragna said. Beta nodded “I do have questions like the nature of your cause?” he asked.
Beta felt the room become quiet. He looked at Ragna as he began “The nature of the cause ties into my own story. I am sure Luke told you that I am a prince but there is more. I am the crown prince and rightful heir to throne of the kingdom of Andros.” Ragna said “My story begins with my grandfather he had three children, two sons and a daughter who was my mother. One of my uncles died of a chill in childhood and the other fell in a border skirmish with a neighboring kingdom. Leaving my mother as last heir to the throne. I was born before my uncle fell and my twin brothers Roman and Remus were born while my grandfather still ruled. While he lived my grandfather groomed I am my brothers to way of the throne and when he died my mother became the ruling queen. Something you must understand Beta in Andros the custom is that only those of royal blood can sit on the throne and rule. My father was of a noble house but not of the royal bloodline. So, he became the king in name only. He did not like this but was forced to endure it. Then my mother became in with a wasting sickness and I was to young to rule in my own right. So, my father became a regent king and quickly began consolidating his power. He removed the acting right hand of the king and replaced him with his brother lord Wargrave and then together they began to replace the council of high lords. They appointed Fairtide as the lord of coins and trade, Palewolf as the lord of the military, Ravens as the lord of whispers, Reaper as the lord of shadows, Phobos as the lord of Justice, and Doiion as lord of the interior. Each of these men and their subordinate lords and ladies have begun a systematic wave of oppression in the kingdom. You have been touched by them Beta as I am sure the Thieves guild is in the pockets of the high lords. When my mother past and I was old enough to take the throne my father had grown accustomed to the power and through his new high lords they have forestalled me taking the throne. I have little way to press my claim without the support of the lords and the people, and the high lords will hear no claims until my youngest brother Robin comes of age. That is part of my cause to take what is my by right but more than that I want to see the monsters that have oppressed my people and defiled our kingdom brought to justice.”
Beta looked at him “Is there no other way for you to stop them?” he asked. Ragna smiled his eyes bright “The only ways I have to defeat my father and the high lords would be to enter a state of open rebellion but I would need the support of the people for that or I would need to find the lost regalia of the kings of Andros.” Ragna said.
XIII
Ragna watched Beta as he absorbed what he said. Beta considered “If your choice is to rebel why don’t you?” he asked. Ragna smiled “Because the high lords hold on the land is too strong right now. If we entered open rebellion lord Palewolf will call his forces and crush us before we could get started. So, we are working on undermining their power by aiding the oppressed people and eliminating or bringing lords that support them over to our side and empowering lords that support us. We must isolate the high lords from the base of their power before we bring them to justice.” Beta nodded in understanding and a new idea came to him “What is the lost regalia of the kings that you mentioned?” Beta asked. Beta heard a snort and saw Zelda smiling “That is an old myth” she said. Ragna smiled “It is an old legend, about old relics from the first king of Andros. As the legend goes the king united the land with the help of 7 magical items taken from each of the smaller nations that rose out of the chaos after the great calamity. When he united those nations and declared himself the first king, he had a vision that on day the kingship would be in doubt. He hid the regalia so on that day the regalia would be found, and the people would know their true king. The regalia consisted of the sacred sword, the ring of prosperity, the rod of authority, the circlet of wisdom, the conquers armor, the gloves of strength, and the seal of dominion. No one is sure where the king hid the regalia, but it is said that he separated the pieces and hid them in places of significance to the nations from which they came. The legends suggest that one of the relics was placed in this manor but we have never found anything. “ Beta pushed his plate away finished with his dinner his head spinning with what he had learned. With that Ragna rose and declared the banquet over he looked at Luke and Lily “Can I count on you two to look after Beta tomorrow. He needs to be put through his paces so we can test his combat abilities” Beta saw Luke and Lily nod. Ragna smiled and looked around the table “Agni, Kai, and Kage should be back from their mission tomorrow so be on the lookout for them and I have gotten new that could potentially be trouble so Zelda, Hal, Sam, Alice, and Simon join me in the study. I want to talk about this news. The rest of you head to bed there will be things to do tomorrow.” Ragna looked at Beta and smiled mischievously “We will have to sleep together another day Beta”. Beta rose from the table as the others moved out of the Dining hall. Luke put his hand over Beta’s shoulder “lets head to bed” he said. As they moved towards the residence wing and approached the doors to the male dorm. Beta felt Lily put her arms around him and give him a gentle kiss on the cheek “See you in the morning Beta” she said. Beta watched as Lily moved towards the female dorms. “Lets go buddy” Luke said next to him. Luke led Beta up to the room and stood at his door “If you need anything just come by my room Beta” Luke said “I will see you in the morning”. Beta watched Luke enter his room before Beta entered his own room and got ready for bed his mind racing with thoughts of his new life. He lay in bed and let his mind wander as he drifted off into slumber.
XIV
“Beta” a familiar voice said. Beta stirred still deep in sleep. “Beta it is time to wake up” the voice said louder and Beta woke with a start and looked up to see Luke standing over his bed. Luke was only in his underclothing with the light material revealing his slim toned build. “Luke” Beta said sleepily “what time is it?”. Luke smiled “It is almost dawn and time to get up” he said. Beta looked at him “Why so early, and do you go into everyone's room half naked”. Luke smiled and looked down at Beta “We start early here. We get up with dawn bath and start our day and I sometimes come into people's rooms like this”. Luke smiled suggestively as he looked ran his eyes over Beta as he got out of bed. Beta looked at Luke and saw he carried his clothing in his hand. “Get your clothing together, Beta, and we will go down,” Luke said. Beta gathered his clothing and together they went down to the baths. When they entered they saw the baths were already had a number relaxing in the warm water or standing beneath the falling water out of the figureheads. Beta felt embarrassed as he saw the others in the baths and more so when he saw Luke stripping off his underclothing revealing his completely naked form. He placed his clothing in a stone alcove and smiled at Beta as he entered the warm water. He watched Beta strip off his clothing and enter the water as well. Luke and Beta moved in the water and stood under the steaming showers. Beta stood under the hot waters and enjoyed the refreshing feeling of the bath. He felt Luke next to him as they bathed, and then Beta felt a hot gaze on him and turned to see Ragna come in and get in the baths. He watched Ragna’s gaze move to Luke and then others in the baths. Beta and Luke lounged in the water for a time and Beta saw Lily approach. Beta blushed as he looked at her body revealed in the steaming water. She smiled “Good Morning Beta, did you sleep well?”
Beta nodded “Yes, I sept well Lily”. She smiled at him and looked at her brother “I thought Luke might try to keep you up most of the night”. Luke smirked and draped an arm around Beta “Perhaps another night I will keep him up”. Beta blushed more as he understood Luke's implication they talk for a time before Luke, Lily and Beta got out of the baths. They dressed and traveled down to the dining hall and took plates of prepared food. Luke and Lily talked to Beta as they ate only making small talk and then the sun mounted the sky they went outside to the training ground. Jax and Jake. Beta looked at them “Welcome Beta are you ready for some weapons training?” Jake said in his deep voice. Beta nodded and Jake began to look over him. “Hal gave you a knife if I understand correctly and he said you might do well as an archer” Jake said “Lets start there and we will see”. Jake began to drill Beta testing his use of his knife as well as his use of a Bow. Jax approached Luke and Lily and began to drill with them.
It was in the middle of this training that a man rode up on a horse. He looked to be about 26 and was dressed in the light clothing and cloak of a ranger. The man looked to be deeply agitated as he spotted the group drilling “Where is Ragna?” He asked. Jax stopped and approached the man. “He is inside probably in his study. Is everything alright, Kage. You look agitated,” Jax asked. Kage nodded and got off his horse “I am going to find Ragna, and you will know what is wrong when you see Agni and Kai” Kage said as he moved towards the manor. The group broke off and waited as they heard singing coming from the gates. Two more horses rode in with two boys looking to be around 16 sitting on their backs. They sang loudly but that was not what interested Beta it was that the two boys were torn, bloody, and burnt. There clothing was torn and scorched by fire and their bodies bore unmistakable scratch and burn marks. The wounds should have left them suffering on the ground or worse dead, but they sat straight on their horses and sang merrily into the air like nothing had ever happened to them. Luke looked slightly shocked and stared at them as they approached. “What happened to you two?” Luke asked. The boys stopped singing and looked down at them, smiling. “We just had the most glorious hunt of our lives” they said with great pride.
XV
Beta and the others looked at the boys with shock as they dropped off their horses. They both swayed a little and steadied as they moved toward the group. “You were on a hunt?” Jax asked “I was under the impression you were sent to stake out a bandit den”. One of the boys nodded “We were, but we found a dragon instead and so we went hunting,” he said. “Really” a familiar voice said “You were sent to watch a bandit camp. Yet you hunted a dragon instead”. They turned and saw Ragna coming forward. He had a hard look as he saw the boys. He stood before them his arms crossed “So why exactly did you end up hunting a dragon?” Ragna asked. The boys vibrated as they stood before Ragna. “We were watching the bandit camp like you said and dragon camp and attacked them. We saw it enter and attack their camp, so we went in after it. We fought with it and we caught it” one of the boys said holding out a crystal to Ragna. Ragna took the crystal and stared into it there was a flash from deep within the crystal. Ragna looked down at the boys and Beta saw the light burning in his eyes. It was not the deep burning passion that he had when he looked at others but something softer like he was looking upon favored children. “This is a Fire Drake, you two took it on by yourselves?” Ragna asked with an impressed look. “Yes we did” they said with pride. “What are you going to do when Zelda sees that you have been fighting with wild creatures again” Ragna said. The boys looked alarmed “Maybe we should go back to the menagerie before she finds out” One of them said. “She already knows” said the familiar matronly voice of Zelda. They looked around and saw Zelda moving towards them she had a look of deep anger as she caught sight of Agni and Kai. “You boys have been playing with dangerous creatures again.” She said and one of the boys opened his mouth to respond “No don’t Agni, I did warn you about this. You will go to Leo first and make sure those wounds are healing properly. Then you will go to the baths and get cleaned up. Afterwords we will talk about your punishment” Zelda said. Agni tried to argue again. “Do you want to go to Alice then?” Zelda asked “She would be so happy to punish you again”. Beta saw the first look of fear in the boys as they ran towards the manor Zelda following them.
Beta looked at Luke and Lily. “What was that about?” he asked. They smiled “They were Agni and Kai our local tamers and summoners. They like to play with dangerous creatures and they are fearless.” Luke said. Beta looked at him “But those wounds, they should not have been standing,” Beta said. “True but they are able to disconnect from their pain and have extraordinary healing powers.” Lily said “That is one of the reasons they are fearless”. Beta nodded and saw Ragna talking to Jax and Jake. “Why did they seem to be afraid of Alice?” Beta asked them. Luke snorted and Lily smiled “Because since they have their powerful abilities it is very difficult to punish them. Alice is the only one who can punish them. Last time she fed them poisons that left them stuck in the privy for days” Luke said. Beta looked shock and Luke and Lily laughed. “Don’t worry Beta, Alice would never do anything dangerous to them. She only likes to experiment with some less lethal potions, and you never really know the effects” Lily said. Beta saw Ragna looking at them with a smile, his eyes burning with their old passion. Then he turned back to the manor, and they saw Jax and Jake moving back towards them. “Let us continue our training” Jake said and they went back to training.
XVI
Beta trained with Jake and Jax until midday when they broke off for the midday meal. Luke and Lily went with Beta into the dining hall and picking up some food they approached the table and Beta saw Agni and Kai sitting at the table. They were clean and had new clothing and Beta got a good look at them. One had flame red hair and the other a softer gray. They both had silver eyes that looked at them with interest as they sat down. “So, you are the new guy huh” The boy with red hair said. “Yes, he is Agni. His name is Beta,” Lily said. Angi nodded, looking at his brother. “I am Agni and this is Kai” said Agni reaching out a hand to Beta. Beta took his hand and then Kai’s. “How did it go with Zelda?” Luke asked. The two boys got a forlorn look. “Aunt Zelda has not told us what our punishment is yet” Kai said “were not allowed to start training the dragon or even going back to menagerie until she tells us”.
Beta started for a moment “Zelda is your aunt?” He asked. Agni and Kai nodded together “Yes, she is our aunt and she took us in when our parents went away” Agni said “We appreciate that she took us in and all, but she is really strict”. Luke smiled “Well you guy enjoy making trouble so can you really blame her”. They looked upset “I guess not, but I wish that she didn’t treat us like kids” Agni said and Kai nodded. Lily gave them a stern look “If you guys don't want to be treated like kids. Then don’t act like kids” she said. The boys looked at each other, smirking “That is what Aunt Zelda said too,” Kai said. “You should listen to her then,” Lily said. Luke snorted and Agni and Kai laughed. Beta couldn’t help but smile as he listened to them. “What happened to the Dragon?” Beta asked. “Ragna is keeping it until Aunt Zelda has given us our punishment” Kai said “It was a powerful dragon, and I can’t wait to start training it and to get back to the other creatures”. Beta looked at them “That sounds cool, I still need to see the menagerie so it i would like to see the dragon when you get it trained”. Agni and Kai beamed as they finished there meal and Agni and Kai told them more about the creature that they had captured. As they finished there meal and left the dining hall Beta felt a tough from his mark. He looked towards the direction from the tough and saw Ragna standing in the door of his study. Ragna motioned to him and telling Luke and Lily that Ragna wanted to speak to him he moved toward the study. Ragna motioned him to a chair and set across from him in the study “I have a mission for you Beta” Ragna said. Beta looked at him with shock. Ragna smiled “I have spoken with Jake, and he said you have proficiency with bow and knives, and an opportunity has come up that I think will be an excellent starting mission”. “What is the mission?” Beta asked. Ragna smiled “I sent Agni, Kai, and Kage to watch a bandit group and report back on there movements. Since they were attacked by the dragon the bandit base is empty, but I don’t expect it to stay that way long. So, I am sending you, Kage, and Matt to find retrieve the bandit's treasure.” Beta looked at him “How do you know there is a treasure?” He asked. Ragna smiled “Our reports say that the bandits rob many citizens and well as plundered many tombs and old sites across the kingdom. They also worked with the thief's guild as a secure place for valuables. I expect their treasury has quite a few things of value, and I want them. We can put that treasure to good use for the good of the people and the kingdom. So, get yourself prepared today, you will leave at dawn tomorrow with Kage and Matt. I know you will do well, Beta”. Beta rose thinking about this mission as he left the study and found Luke and Lily waiting for him.
XVII
“What did Ragna say?” asked Luke with an excited look.
“He is sending me on a mission tomorrow” Beta said still in shock at the turn of events.
Luke and Lily looked at each other in shock and then an excited look came to their faces and they hugged Beta in turn. “You're going to do so good Beta” Lily said “Come on we have to get you ready”. They grabbed Beta’s hands and the afternoon was spent getting a pack and gear for the journey. Beta had his enchanted knife and was given a sturdy bow by Hal as well as a bottomless pouch.
“These pouches are rare, but I think you can handle the responsibility Beta” Hal said “To use it just think about what you want to pull out. It can hold a vast amount of goods so it can serve as an excellent camp pack or thief's pouch. I have already fill it with some camp supplies and you can add anything else you need.”
Beta nodded “I will take good care of it” he said as he took the pouch and felt it. “It is so light,” Beta said “Is it really full of camping gear?”
Hal nodded and began to list off the things that he had put in the pouch. “Just think about what you want to pull out and reach in. It will appear in your hand.
Beta thought about a bed roll and put his hand into the pouch at first he felt nothing and then he felt soft material in his hand and when he pulled his hand out, he was holding a bed roll. He smiled as he looked down at the tightly folded bedroll and placed it back in the pouch and closed it. He was finishing packing with Luke when they felt the dinner call through their marks.
They walked together into the dining hall and found the group assembling around the tables. Ragna smiled as he saw Beta and Luke enter. Beta sat between Luke and Lily as Ragna rose “A toast to the safe return of Kage, Agni, and Kai” He said “Also to a safe journey for Kage, Matt, and Beta one their mission tomorrow” The group raised their glasses and toasted and the meal began. The meal was excellent and Beta watch and chatted with others at the table. When all were sated from the meal Ragna rose again. “Now that we enjoyed our meal. I have some new to report that will not be well liked.” He said, “The king is planning to come here, and he is planning to bring the High Lords” There was a shocked silence and grim stares from the others as they took in this news. “I do not know when they will come but we will be ready for them” Ragna said “For now rest”. Ragna smiled as the group rose to go to bed. Ragna moved to Lily “You can sleep with me tonight Lily” He said and led her smiling from the hall.
Beta felt a stab of jealousy as he watched them leave. Then he felt Luke move up behind him and wrapped a arm around him. “Since they are spending the night together. You want to spend the night with me”.
Beta turned to him and nodded “That would be great, he said”. Beta followed Luke up to the room and followed Luke into his room. Luke opened the door and turned to Beta. “I have been wanting to do this since we met Beta” Luke said. Luke pulled Beta into his room for a night of passion.
XVIII
Beta woke up in the early morning in Luke’s bed and with Luke pressing against him “It is time to get up Beta and go on your mission” Luke said as he ran a hand down his body.
Beta stirred “I don’t want to get up yet I am still to sleepy” he said as he turned over and looked at Luke next to him in bed. Luke smiled and leaned in for a kiss. Then he rose and got out of bed. He put out a hand and pulled Beta out of bed.
“I know you want to stay in bed with me but there are missions to finish” Luke said “We can spend more time together after you get back”. Beta reluctantly got dressed and grabbed his gear and his pouch. Luke followed him out of his room, and they travelled out into the main yard of the manor. Beta saw Ragan, Kage, and Matt waiting with groom holding three saddled horses. Ragna smiled at Beta as he saw him walk out of the manor with Luke.
“Good morning Beta” Ragna said, “Are you ready to go?”. Beta nodded and smiled back at Ragna. Ragna turned to Kage “You know the way best Kage. Be quick and get back to us safe” he said. Kage nodded and turned to on of the horses. He mounted and looked at Matt and Beta. One of the groom approached Beta leading a grey horse. She was spirited and tensed as Beta mounted. The groom told Beta the horse was named Shade. Beta stroked Shades' neck as he took the reins. He looked at Kage and Matt on their horses and they nodded and set out.
They rode through the morning over the plain and into an old forest. It was as the sun was rising to midday that the bandit base came into views. It was an old fortress set into a high hill. Beta saw the scorched earth and tumbled stones of the dragons attack as they got closer to the fortress.
Kage motioned for them to halt and they got off their horses. “I am going to scout ahead and make sure everything is still safe. Get the horses secure and I will be back shortly”. Beta and Matt nodded and they found a clearing where they tied the horses and let them graze as they waited for Kage to return.
“So how are you settling in Beta?” Matt asked with a smile “I know that you and Luke are getting close”. Beta blushed and smiled back at Matt.
“I am settling in okay” Beta said “It is a lot to take in with so many things going on and new things to learn”. Matt laughed and nodded
“I understand” Matt said “There are lots of things to learn and do with Ragna. It has been that way since I joined the group”. Beta looked at Matt and waited for Matt to continue. “I can see you want to know my story Beta” Matt said with a roguish smile. He turned towards Beta and began his story.
XIX
“My story begins with my teacher. He was an incredibly powerful mage that lived away from others in a forest. He took me in after I was abandoned out in the forest, and he began to teach me magic.” Matt started “He taught me everything that he could in those years. Then when I was 12 he showed me his most important work. The Grimoire Magika he told me that it was ancient and had all the collected wisdom of dozens of magic users that had carried it before. He told me that one day when I was ready, he would pass the grimoire onto me and I would continue adding new secrets to it.” Matt paused for a minute staring down at a silver bracelet on his wrist. Beta saw a small charm on it that looked like a book. Matt saw Beta looking and smiled.
“It was two years later that the messenger came first. He declared that all magic and its users are now subject to the authority of the throne, and they were to declare themselves and serve the throne. My teacher laughed at him and sent the messenger away saying he would never submit to the will of the new king. He told me his story of how he had helped out the royal family before under the Old King and that he had heard of the rise of the queen and her sickness. The messenger came twice more and my teacher sent him away. The last time he said that there would be more drastic actions taken. My teacher laughed but underneath I could see his worry. He laid down many powerful defensive barriers and taught me what to do in the event of the worst and we waited. I was 15 when the blow came. It was a group of powerful mages that served the king. They came with soldiers and attacked us. My master stood against them and even alone he was more than a match for them together. I am not sure by what trick they managed it but they managed to overcome my teacher and one of the men managed to stab him through the chest. They captured me as I was trying to flee and held me. The mages entered my masters house and took his grimoire. I learned that the leader of the group was a man name “Salomet” who had been a former apprentice of my teacher and what he wanted was the grimoire and the secrets within.” Matt looked down at his bracelet again and beta could see the unshed tears.
“My teacher managed to foil Salomet even in death. In the event of his death, he made sure that the Grimorie recognized me as the new owner and when Salomet attempted to claim the Grimoire a trap was set off. I had to summon a portal to escape an explosion that consumed my teachers home and everyone within and around for a mile. The destruction was great and the whole group of mages were destroyed. All except Salomet who by using a powerful shield managed to survive the blast but he lost the Grimoire in the blast. After that I travelled alone using my magic to help me in survival and always fearing that Salomet and others like him might track me down. That was until alone and hungry Ragna found me, he offered me a place with him. It did not take long for me to wish to share with him who I was and my secret. Would you like to see my secret Beta?” Matt asked this with an earnest look as he toyed with the small book charm. Beta nodded unable to speak and Matt smiled he began to speak words that Beta did not understand, and the small ornament on his bracelet shone with a bright light. Suddenly a book appeared before them it was ancient yet shone with it own power. “This is the Grimoire Magika, It was not destroyed but came to me it’s rightful master. I keep it hidden for the most part and can summon it at need.” Matt let his hand fall and the light faded, and the book disappeared again. Beta looked at him for a time thinking on Matt’s story. They fell into some small talk as they waited for Kage to return.
XX
Kage soon returned and said“I have scouted the bandit fort. I saw a lone horseman come up to the base and depart. I expect we only have a day or two before reinforcements come and the base is crawling with people. Come on we can do some scouting before it get to dark.”
They followed Kage to the fort entrance, and they saw broken doors where the dragon attacked. They looked around and saw charred bodies of men that had been brought down by the dragon’s fire. Beta saw the fire had been intense and had destroyed their clothing and flesh as well as anything of value on them. Beta followed Matt and Kage into the fort, and Beta saw more bodies in the main entrance of the base. Matt and Kage began to wander ahead into the fort but Beta felt something draw him towards on of the bodies. It was scorched with large parts of the skin burnt off but Beta noticed the glint of silver. He began searching the body and found a jeweled amulet shaped like an eye, a golden ring with a strange rune inscribed on it and a strange bracelet that was made of curved white rods with clasps shaped like skulls. He pocketed these items feeling that they were valuable and moved quickly to find Kage and Matt.
He found them standing in the main hall of the bandit fort. The damage to the interior was immense; some passages had been blocked by rubble, and the interior was torched by intense fire. Matt stood in the middle of the hall. He was chanting in a strange chanting voice and glowing orbs began appearing around him.
Kage looked at Beta “I was wondering where you got to new guy. What were you doing?” he asked.
Beta looked back at Kage “I was inspecting one of the bodies. I found some interesting things on him, I can show you back at camp” Kage nodded and turned back to Matt who was still chanting the bright orbs swirling around him and suddenly they flew away in all directions. Beta watched “What's he doing?” He asked as a bright model of the fort began to materialize before them.
Matt stopped chanting “I am searching and making a map for us.” he said and watched as the model began to take on definition. The orbs I sent out can detect whats around them and show us on the model. Beta watched the model as rooms were displayed in miniature. They could make out storerooms and barracks but nowhere could they make out the treasury. Then one of the Orbs found a tunnel in one of the lower rooms. The tunnel traveled out into the depths of the hill and then met an obstacle it could not pass. “That is the most likely position of the treasury” Matt said. Kage nodded and they moved as a group to where the tunnel was marked.
They met some obstacles in their path and Matt made short work of them with his magic. They soon found themselves at the tunnel. It was dark and Matt created orbs of light, and they followed him into the tunnel. The radiance reflected off the stone of hill and soon they saw a flash as the light reflected off of a great door. The door to the treasury was smooth stone with no holes or fixtures. They approached it and Kage touched the door “How do we get in” Kage asked.
“I don’t know” Matt said, “there is probably a password or a special key you need to get in”. He touched the door, chanting under his breath and no change appeared on the door. He changed his chants becoming more forceful in his words. There was no change on the door. “The door has powerful magic protecting it. We need to find the key or password to open the door or we will never get in” Matt said.
Kage nodded “Let's go back to camp and we can discuss how we should search for the way to get into the treasury.” They headed back out of the fort and move back to the clearing and set up camp. Beta pulled out the camp gear that Hal had packed for him and set up tents and bed rolls. Matt set up magical defenses so that no one could sneak up on the camp and they settled in as the darkness began to lengthen.
Kage looked at Beta “You said that you found something on one of the bodies Beta?” Beta nodded and pulled out the amulet, the ring, and the bracelet. Kage looked at them with vague interest, but Matt became more excited.
“You found these on one of the corpses Beta?” Matt asked “They have a powerful magical resonance”. He picked up the ring and began to chant softly. He did the same with the other two pieces. Then he put them down “They all have powerful enchantments on them. Some of them I cannot recognize.” He said “The ring seems to have a luck enchantment, The amulet has a spell to clear sight and calm the mind, the band seems to have a muffling and shrouding enchantment. There are others but I would need time to Identify them.” Matt pushed the objects back towards Beta “You keep them Beta the Items seem to be suited to you and you are the on who found them and you can find out the other effects of the Items”.
After that they spoke about how they would go about looking for a way to open the treasury door and what they would do if anyone else came.
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