Chronicles of the Lone Wolf: Welcome to Fairwater

As we pulled up to the estate, a small gathering of staff came out to greet us. "If you are looking for the Druettis family," one of them said. "None of them are here."

I frowned, glancing at Paisley for a moment, before saying, "Wuornos headed out this way about a week and a half ago." I watched the crowd for any hint of suspicion, but saw nothing untoward. "He was supposed to return a week ago and hasn't been seen since."

The cook, judging by the outfit, said, "A carriage did pass by here during the storm," they said, helpfully. "The rain was too hard to see if it was the family carriage or not."

"It's a start," I answered. "Which direction was it going?"

"Kain's," the butler suggested.

"No, wrong direction," the cook answered. They pointed west, along the path and said, "Toward Wohrsoompyr Pond at the edge of the Druettis property."

I thanked them for their help and Paisley and I headed to find out what had happened to Wuornos Druettis.

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As we approached the pond, I had Paisley stop at a distance before I hopped down and started walking. The cart tracks were the right age and looked undisturbed since the night of the storm. I crouched low and scanned along the surface of the ground for anything that stood out, but saw nothing. I stood and began a slow approach to the pond from the side of the path.

Paisley followed along behind me and watching me curiously. "What are you doing," he asked.

"Looking for sign," I replied, offhandedly. I was more focused on looking for something I wasn't finding. I glanced at Paisley and saw he was confused. "Looking for clues," I explained. "The cart tracks there drive up here, but they don't go back the other way. There should be footprints, if there aren't tracks from the return of the carriage."

"Oh," Paisley said, eyes brightening. "Have you found any?"

"I'll let you know when I have," I said, further noting a lack of disturbance to indicate any tracks wiped away on purpose.

Paisley crossed the path and moved closer to the pond, which was in a dip of the land just north of the path. "Karl," he called excitedly. "Over here." I heard a splash and rushed over to find him gingerly pulling a body to the side of the pond. He didn't look happy about it at all. I helped him pull the body up onto the bank and roll it over. "I felt something hard under the water when I was grabbing him," he said, trying not to retch. "I believe the carriage is down there. It is known to be a rather deep pond and popular for fishing."

I nodded. "The cart tracks seem to run right into the pond," I said, thoughtfully. "As if the driver swerved to avoid something and drove into the pond." I looked over at Paisley who was looking pointedly away. "Is it Wuornos?"

He took a couple of quick peeks at the face, then said, "No. While the face is," he paused, once more trying not to retch. "Unrecognizable after this long in the water, the clothes are not those of a noble. Also, this person is human."

I'd been too distracted to note the ears and the facial features were distorted, so I was glad for the help. "More likely the driver then," I said. I crouched, checking pouches and looking for pockets.

As I looked for items that may help Fairwater identify the body, Paisley asked, "What are you doing?" When I explained, he followed it up with, "Oh, have you found anything?"

I stopped and looked at him. "Well," I said. "He's dead." Paisley rolled his eyes and I looked down and tilted my head as I noticed something. "He's not carrying anything identifying or otherwise, just the clothes on his back." I turned the body slightly and pointed, not caring that Paisley wasn't looking at the body. "And he's been stabbed in the back." I looked closer and commented, "Judging from the position, he went fast. Either he was stabbed coming out of the pond or while he was driving."

"Wuornos would not have stabbed his own driver," Paisley said. "Especially while moving at any kind of speed, let alone in a storm."

"Right," I agreed, turning back for Paisley's carriage. "That means, someone either saw the crash and killed the driver as he tried to escape the water or Wuornos wasn't in the carriage and whoever was, counted on surviving the crash or jumping clear in time."

"Who would do such a thing," Paisley asked. "While I can believe a lot about nobles in general, and quite a bit as far as Wuornos is concerned, but I can not believe he would be involved in anything this dark." Paisley looked worried and it didn't sit right on his face. "Murder rarely happens, and, in almost every instance since The Barrier, has been a crime of passion," he explained. "This, though," He stopped, trying to figure out just how to say what he was thinking.

As he thought, I had him stop long enough to inform the staff at the estate of what we had found. I let them know that I'd inform the magister and make sure someone was sent to recover the body of the driver and, if there was one, the body within the carriage in the pond.

We continued on and were well on our way before Paisley was able to put his jumbled thoughts into words. "This kind of intrigue is the stuff of myth," he said. "There are ancients stories of the brutality and bigotry Vaysoom was once, supposedly." He shuddered, thinking about it. "Bloody wars and mass destruction came of it. I do not know what to think. Or even what to do," he said, the pain in his voice heartbreaking.

"Maybe it's an isolated incident," I said, soothingly. "I'll tell you this, my friend," I said, my voice growing cold. "I'm not stopping until I can end this in Fairwater." I turned to him and made sure he was looking in my eye when I said, "I promise to track this down and stop it."

He saw the resolve in my eyes and could hear it in my voice. He nodded and swallowed hard, maybe seeing or hearing something deeper in my words. "Th-thank you," he stammered, before turning back to the road and getting uncharacteristically silent as I watched the road for dangers.

The silence may have been a bit of a blessing because I don't think I would have heard the noise on the far side of carriage. I turned, wondering what the sound had been and that likely saved both Paisley and me. A dagger swung toward me and I only distantly wondered where the figure had come from as I worried more about avoiding the blade. I leaned back, just ahead of the blade and remembered, too late, that was I seated on a moving vehicle. I snapped my hand out and caught the back of the driver's seat just in time to not fall completely to the ground.

I swung down, twisting awkwardly and my grip was nearly torn from cart, but panic kept me hanging on. I yelled to the horses and, startled, they shot forward as I twisted my body the other direction. My foot caught the running board on the side and I pushed hard. The springs of my modified boots compressed and then snapped open. I nearly panicked again as I was launched onto the carriage roof easier than expected. I might have cleared the far side and ended up in a tumble on the ground anyway, but I impacted with the off balance attacker who was struggling to hold on to the carriage after the sudden speed change. I dropped down beside them, hard, and almost fell yet again, but I got a hold of the opponent.

The whole thing happened so fast that we just stared at each other for a moment, their amber eyes unusual enough to me, at least, that they caught my attention in the masked face. They rolled toward me, blade flashing in the sunlight and I brought my arm up to redirect it, but I wasn't fast enough. The tip of the blade slammed into my chest plate, but I saw their eyes widen in surprise as we both heard the muffled thunk against the metal beneath. I really didn't want to kill them, so I tried to give them the best chance to survive. "Paisley, whoa," I yelled, watching as he instinctively yanked back on the rides, calling for a halt. I tucked a knee up between myself and the figure and bucked, rolling with the momentum and twisting.

"Go," I yelled to Paisley and he didn't wait. The horses hadn't even fully stopped yet and they took off in a near panic. I was ready for it this time and held on tight with both hands, watching the unmoving form of the figure I'd thrown to the side of the road. I climbed back into the seat next to Paisley and bowed my head, just trying to catch my breath. "Where id they come from," I asked.

"I do not know," Paisley said woodenly, clearly shaken. His thoughts must have been racing for him to have not noticed anything until it was too late. "They tried to kill me," he said, quietly.

"No," I reassured him. "They tried to kill me. I'm willing to guess they were from the Onyx Blade."

He looked at me, eyes narrowed. "The ones who attacked the Sunforges?"

"Yeah," I said, my own thoughts racing again. "There is a lot more going on here than I'm being told," I said, mostly to myself. "It's time I get some answers."

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Constable Ood looked up, startled, as I stormed into the magister's office without knocking. Before he could mover otherwise, I grabbed hold of his armor and spun, the motion yanking the constable forward and then back out the door I'd entered through. I kicked the door shut on him and spun back on the magister, himself. "What the hell did you get me into, Garlin," I demanded. The door burst open again and I whirled, catching sight of a blur of something large, malleable, and the color of the constable. I kicked out again, knocking the thing back out through the door, which I swung closed again.

Magister Druettis answered by asking in return, "What do you mean?" He sounded scared, and I didn't blame him. This time the door exploded inward and I dropped into a low crouch, drawing my right baton and snapping it open as I spun, catching the half-giant that had once been Ood in the shins and sending them crashing to the floor. Garlin Druettis just stared in shock as I turned back to him.

"Your son never made it to the estate," I began, noting his widening eyes at that news. "And someone just tried to kill me on a moving carriage on the way back."

The constable, in their new form, explodes onto their feet, but the magister calls them off with a sigh. "I do apologize," Garlin said. "I did not know that the Onyx Blade was involved or that these events, if any, were connected. Not until the events on the docks. What do you know about my son?"

I narrowed my eyes suspiciously, but went through what I'd found with them. "The carriage left here heavily packed during a storm despite warnings from the driver," I explained. "The carriage drove right past the estate to Wohrsoompyr where the driver was stabbed and left floating in the pond." They stared at me, horrified, and I added, "Based on the location and position of the wound, the killer may have wanted to make it appear as if the driver drowned. His body is still beside the pond and the carriage has sunk within."

The magister and constable exchange a long look, and I watch as Ood shifts back into the form I recognized. They looked at me strangely and said, "You are not surprised?"

I shook my head, and said, "I knew you reminded me of someone, but I couldn't quite place it. That just reminded me, so not so much a surprise."

"Hmm," they responded before glancing back at the magister. After a moment, they said, "This is what we know. We know that Wuornos left here on that carriage."

"No," I said, simply. "We don't. We know someone was in the cart and insisted the driver go out in the storm."

Again, the two shared a look and frowned. "That is true," the constable said thoughtfully. "Well, we do know for a fact that it was Wuornos who told the Onyx Blade about Darkwater."

"No," I said again. "He wasn't. If they had already known, why try to kidnap Jezley?"

"Another good point," the magister spoke up. "However, there is the delivery for the Ravensedge Mint. We know that is was Wuornos who told them about the delivery."

"No," I said, patiently. "He didn't. From what I hear, Wuornos expects to be the person to step up as magister one day. He wouldn't risk that without some serious pressure. That brings us back to the attempted kidnapping." I took a moment to let that sink in before saying, "Unless Wuornos is the client the Blade had mentioned, that just doesn't fit. Only way that works would be if Wuornos is trying to buy votes, which I've been told isn't possible."

"Valid points," Ood said. "Due to the attempted theft of the Ravenfell package, we looked into a few things during your absence," they said. "The molds for the Ravensedge Mint have gone missing. Combined with the other events, it appeared as though Wuornos must be behind it all. Your analysis does point to an unknown party being involved."

Garlin put his elbows on his desktop and hung his head in his hands. "We do not know what is going on, Karl. While we have asked for some additional hands from Ravenfell, we will have to call in emergency reinforcements with the molds missing."

I thought things over. "Someone is going to a lot of trouble to, at least, make it appear like they are making an unknown amount of money for some unknown reason, yes?" They nodded, letting me ruminate aloud. "They've tried to put the blame on Wuornos and yet have found a need to kidnap his daughter to try and force him into something. Was anything found in the Mint that was out of place? Something dropped and left unnoticed?"

"There was nothing to indicate the identity of the thief," Ood said. "All that was found were a pair of scratched coins."

I looked up in surprise. "Old coins," I asked, knowing that they weren't. When confirmed, I said, "May I see the coins?" I'd had to look very closely at each, but I could see the marks rather plainly. "Do pine trees mean anything to you," I asked, wondering where they could have seen a pine amidst this jungle.

The magister blinked. "There used to be that theater," he began.

"Yes," Ood nodded slowly. "I vaguely remember the theater built on the north bank."

"About seventy-five years ago," Magister Druettis explained. "A theater was built on the north bank of the river, though it was short lived. Most of the performers preferred larger venues, so it was left as it was." I nodded, wondering what this had to do with my question when he said, "There were two, solitary pine trees in front of the theater. That was why it was called the Twin Pines Theater, but I can not recall where it is on the far bank."

"You suspect something," the constable said to me, shrewdly.

"Well, it's more I'm hoping something." When he looked at me questioningly, I explained. "I hope that Wuornos left these behind for someone to find to lead them to him. I'd guess someone grabbed him before his expected departure and had someone else take his place." I thought a moment and said, "Only question I have now is, what is here that has a high enough value that someone is willing to kill and even hire mercenaries to get their hands on it?"

"That is a frightening question," Magister Garlin Druettis said. "We will reach out and see what we can discover. Will you help us to solve this and clear this shadow from our town," he asked, almost pleading. You will have any help you may require and any equipment you may need is yours as well."

"Garlin," I said, seriously. "I already made a promise to deal with this situation whether you were honest with me in here or not." He blinked, surprised, but I didn't care what had surprised him in my words. "I have a working agreement with both Flayrian and the Sunforges. Guarantee me a discount at Mercayr's in perpetuity and up the pay, and I'll say I did it for you." Ood's eyes narrowed and I said, simply, "I don't trust career politicians. Too many use the people as their excuse to continue doing whatever they want. You owe me for work done and continuing to take on these tasks are going to cost you because I won't risk my life the way I have been without it."

They both took a mental step back and looked at each other then back at me, eyes wide with surprise. "I understand and respect that, Karl. I am reminded that you are not a citizen of Fairwater and your assessment comes from experience with others. I appreciate you specifying most within that assessment. I agree to your terms, with an added stipulation, if you are so inclined." I narrowed my eyes suspiciously, but nodded. "Do the job and help my town and leave my name out of it."

It was my turn to be surprised. "The badge does kind of say otherwise, but," I paused thinking over his possible reasons and fell back on the same point. "You want me to fulfill my promise. Not because you hired me to but because you truly want your people safe." He nodded solemnly and I reached across the desk to shake on it. "You have a deal."

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I swapped my badge for the new one that the constable had given me. The new version was strange, but they'd said it would guarantee the assistance of the Town Guard while indicating to the citizens that it wasn't anything official. Apparently, a couple of weeks ago, someone had come through acting very suspicious. Not a good idea in a place where half-orcs are particularly rare. The actions, however, had drawn Ood's attention and prompting the making of a specialized badge labeled Breakfast Inspector. While the constable was sure that Mog the half-orc was trying to steal from a pair of little folk, but couldn't prove it. When spotted, Mog's only answer had been, "Breakfast Inspector." The badge had been made to subtly tell Mog and his group of travelers that they were being watched.

I rolled my eyes thinking about the story on my way back to my room. I quickly divested myself of my armor and lay down for a rest. The trip and the fight on the road had taken a lot out of me, but my mind wouldn't let me sleep. I laid there for an hour before kicking the blanket off in frustration and sitting at the desk instead. I glanced out the window and saw I had about an hour before the sun went down, so I decided to read through that first book again. I had no intention of trying any of it, but I did hope that the reading would help my brain settle so I could sleep.

I took my time reading, trying to see it more as a game system than an instruction manual, as it were. The shift in perspective may have made things a little easier or maybe it was whatever had allowed me to be able to read the signs in town. Either way, I began to understand how to visualize drawing in power from the elements around me and how to focus that intent into manifesting effects in the real world, but not what would take the knowledge from the academic into the practical. The setting sun and dimming light was making it harder to read further and I glanced back at my pouch with the tinderbox in it and sighed. If I had this figured out already, I thought, reaching a hand toward the candle. Then I wouldn't need the tinderbox to get some more light. In my mind I could imagine the candle giving off light and warmth. I mimed flicking a lighter and muttered, "Ignus".

A moment later, I was flat on my back from tipping backward in shock. I stared up at the ceiling, blinking, stunned. I was distantly aware of the flicker of candlelight across my room, but the moment I'd seen the wick ignite, I realized two things. First, that magic truly was real, at least on this world. Second, the one piece I had been missing had been belief in the effect, not just the mechanics of the spell. I got up slowly, rubbing the back of my head and stared at the open book on the desk as the possibilities expanded in my mind. It would take time, but I could learn the ones that would be most helpful in keeping me alive and, hopefully, returning home.

The excitement of the discovery washed away my weariness and I stayed up for another hour or so. Many of the things spelled out still felt far too complicated for me, so I took the time to focus on the things I felt most likely to keep me alive. I was particularly pleased to find that that first one I'd learned could also be used for a small variety of things, including cleaning. I found myself yawning, so I hid everything away with the books slipped into a hiding place I found behind a loose board in the wall. I practiced the spell I had learned following that as I got ready for bed. I got all of my things cleaned, but was disappointed to find that it didn't fix the pair of holes in my armor. "Oh well," I muttered, slipping into bed and realizing that I'd left the candle burning.

A wave of my hand, a whispered word, and I rested my head on the pillow and welcomed sleep. My night, however, was far from restful. My dreams felt more vivid as I relived difficult moments in my life. A night spent reliving the loss and heartbreak of good friends long gone amidst the terrors and stench of fighting for one's life on the battlefield. Finally, there was just calm, empty darkness and I began to relax for the first time since I blew out the candle.

I floated in the blackness feeling the tension slowly wash away when a voice spoke up. "You are surprising, mortal. Who are you?"

"What," I asked the darkness. I could distantly feel my body jerk in surprise in bed, but I didn't feel like I was dreaming anymore. I stared around me, fear and suspicion fighting for dominance in my mind. "Who are you," I called into the darkness. "What are you?" Again, I could sense my body back in bed and got that feeling you get when you try to scream in a dream and no sound comes out. You know, all you hear is a loud exhalation of air, but your voice never engages? Yeah, that.

"Fear not, mortal," the voice answered. "I mean you no harm. I simply find you... curious." I got the impression of something circling me, looking me over. "You have survived much," it pondered aloud. I realized that it had been able to see my dreams or memories and wondered if it had caused them in the first place. As if reading my thoughts, it said, "I ask for your pardon, but I had need to learn the mettle you are made of. I did not intend to cause distress." As suspicion began to outweigh fear, an unsubstantial but vaguely humanoid shape coalesced before me and quickly continued. "You impress me and I wished to know more before I contacted you so directly."

It was then that I noticed a pair of amber eyes and the feline pupils within that almond shape and I jerked away. "You were the one on the cart," I yelled.

From the shift in the eyes, I got the feeling that they were smiling at me. "I was, though I meant only to test you," it said. "Something drew me to you and I needed to know why. Should harm have come to you, I would have repaired any offense."

Something about the words rang in my mind and I asked, hesitantly, "Puck?"

The returning laughter was musical. I know that seems cliched, but I do mean it literally. You could have played this laughter on most stringed instruments. "Nay," it said. "Robin Goodfellow I am not, though we are all aware of him. You may call me..." the figure paused, not comfortable with telling me its name. I knew enough of magic and Fae in literature that giving one's true name surrenders some power to the one who knows that name. I was about to suggest a nickname, when the Fae leaned in close and whispered, "Luvena. I beg that you please not share that name with anyone." Something in the touch of the being conveyed a sense of the feminine, which made sense to me with the Faerie Courts being matriarchal.

Amazed by this encounter, though still not without my suspicions, I replied, "I could call you 'Lily' instead," I offered. "Should I need to mention you." Again the sense of a smile.

"I find that acceptable," she said. "I understand the feeling of being torn from your home. If you will permit me, I would like to offer my aid in seeing you find your way."

Having read enough stories, I looked at her suspiciously. "What kind of aid?"

"Your trials and decision to still hold life in high regard intrigues me," she explained. "But I am bound by the Law of the Courts which prevent me from offering direct aid. My offer is this. In return for allowing me to travel with you and witness your journey, I will assist you as much as is physically possible while constrained within the confines of a small, natural, physical form so as not to violate the Accords nor upset the balance."

I narrowed my eyes further, "No more than that," I asked and, when she shook her head, I thought about the terms. "What kind of small, physical form," I asked, picturing something sprites and pixies in my mind.

"Small birds and mammals, such as a raven or cat. Certain, small aquatic creatures and insects, though I would prefer not the latter." she shuddered and ducked her head apologetically. "As I said, I am limited by the Accords and the balance."

I smiled, kindly. "You understand that I'm not from this world, and you do understand it. That alone could be a big help, but will we be able to communicate if you're an animal?"

"Much like this," she replied. "We may communicate through the mind for a limited distance and other things we can learn together as we journey, should you be willing."

I didn't really need to think about it, honestly. Someone from here offering help that I can talk openly to about what I'm thinking and where I've been? Unless there was some hidden fine print somewhere, it seemed like a smart play. "You have a deal," I said, reaching out a hand. As we shook on the deal, there was a flash and then the deep darkness of a much needed rest.