Impromptu adventures…

[Tannas]

Impromptu adventures…

The wind was behind us, pushing us, as rain began to steadily fall. Aikenn, Menry and Tannas rode hard for Haven. With the little intel we gained from favors called in over the past day, it left little time for us to make the trip before anything worse could happen. Markus, aka: MEAT, was captured in Tourailles. Word has it he was moved to a cell in Haven. We still know not what outcome awaits him, or us, for that matter. We three push our mounts harder by each bend in the road.

Thoughts of the events after the tournament haunted Tannas. He had never seen Simon that way. Out of control and dare I say feral in nature. When he lashed out at him, it triggered his foresight. It was Simon but something enveloped him like a cloud, a fog of primal urgency. I fear there is a greater storm coming with unexpected consequences. When Tannas came to, Simon had walked away and gathered his things. I had too many questions to follow him for answers. There were other priorities at hand.

The three riders crested a rain covered Ridge as the lights of a nearby town lay dim within. The horses were shot and they needed to move faster. Time wasn’t on their side and there was no telling what MEAT was subject to while in wait.

Once they made it to town, Aikenn looked for fresh mounts while Menry found food and water for on the go. An hour later we were given Roudakren, a large predatory bird with smaller wings that they use for steering instead of flight. They run twice as far in half the time, as their horse counterpart. They’re scary looking and not cost effective. Like an oversized, ill-tempered chicken without comb or waddle.

Tannas and Menry looked to Aikenn, with wide-eyed astonishment. Aikenn looked to them and said, “Come on. We’ve got to go.” Once the massive avians were saddled, goggles were passed to each rider. Aikenn took the lead as they made way to the road in a fiery blink, the rain hit harder as they crouched low to improve wind resistance. Everything was a blur.

Next stop Haven.

…

As the sun crested the horizon, Haven was in view. The night was long and our bodies were weary. Our minds were focused, though, and that’s what kept us going. Once our mounts were boarded, we stretched and prepared ourselves for the retrieval of MEAT.

We had picked up a room at an inn called the Lofty Loft. We changed our garb and began our priorities of work. Eight hours later, we were rested and knew where MEAT was being held. He was alive, thankfully, and we knew just how to get a hold of him. A few hours before dusk, we positioned ourselves outside of a moss covered city wall adjacent to the cells.

Darkness came and we moved as a unit toward our objective. With a fist full of rocks, Tannas began to throw one at a time into a small cell window. After the forth stone, MEAT’s head popped up and we all began to smile. MEAT told us to go away, he didn’t need help, and then he ducked back down. Menry looked to Aikenn and, in a hushed tone, said, “We didn’t just ride all that way just to be told to leave.” Aikenn’s eyebrows shot up as he frowned, “I’m not leaving without him if that’s what he thinks.” Then they both nod.

Tannas low crawled towards the cell window and peered in while the other two watched for guards and lingering strangers. In a calm voice, Tannas tried talking to MEAT. “Alyssaria told us you were captured. Are you hurt? Do you need food?” MEAT has always been stubborn, always headstrong. Without looking at the window, he answered Tannas. “I’m fine. I’m taking care of something that doesn’t concern you or the Consortium.”

Tannas paused in thought thinking about what to say. “Marcus, we can get through this together if it gets out of hand. I’m not leaving you here, not alone and not unarmed.” Tannas passed a throwing knife through the window, along with a healing potion wrapped in a rag. He paused again waiting for a word or sign of recognition. There was nothing.

Tannas backed away from the window, slow and sure. Once he made it back to Menry and Aikenn, he filled them in. Later they would find a dwelling close enough to rotate a guard easily and check on MEAT until it’s time to act.

…

The next morning, Menry came back with the breakfast he’d taken to MEAT… Marcus. Menry shook his head and we all knew what it meant. He then threw the bag of fruit and bread onto the table in a huff. “He didn’t send Alyssaria back for us to recover him. He doesn’t want our help.”

Aikenn ran his hand through his hair in pensive thought as he sat on his cot. In the middle of the night, he had made his way into the jail, “acquired” a guards clothes and opened up MEAT’s cell to escape. Marcus kindly got up from his bedroll and closed the door. Once he returned to his roll, he used a very plain speech in protest. “I do not require help from the Consortium and you shouldn’t be involved with this. These people can hurt you, and I don’t need that on my conscience.”

Tannas had been walking the local grounds, counting guards, nobles and access points. If Marcus won’t come back under his own volition, getting him back through shadowed means will prove more difficult and problematic. His hand gently rubbed his beard as he stared into the distance, thinking. Why is he carrying this burden alone? Why stay when he could go? What is holding him here? Tannas left the room in haste. It was time to send a letter.

…

Some hours later, a large bird lands in the Consortium hall with a message affixed to its leg. Drandor walks over and opens it. Two minutes later, he’s written a larger version of the message and posted it on the mission board.

All avaliable Consortium members, mount up. We’re heading to Haven.

[Author]

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