Under The Rogue's Shadow Episode 1-5

Chapter Five: Volunteer “Be traditional, be corny, be cultural, all ya had to do is to be creative, all life is fine art.”
         After the banquet, they planned on what to do. “Right now, we had to warn The Imperials about it. But how?” Clan Lord Stonehammer ponders. “Yes, how? The Imperials are so stubborn, it takes an impact from a large hammer to dislodge them.” Classic follows. “The Nage should be all over Varesar by now.” Jenna said. “Good point, considering how many of those Nagi bastards had been in Thousark and Mithril City.” Myasha agreed. “Not to forget Starfall Village.” Lunaria added. “The only village that was not touched by The Nage is Arrow Keep, The Village of The Deadbow Clan.” Clan Lady Autumn claimed. Deadbow Clan? What a silly name. Are they undead archers? “Sorry I was late, I had a run in with Nagi Ravagers.” a voice sounded. I turn and see a tall, slim man with silver hair and small, thin, grey bow. His armor is almost like mine but seems lighter and made mainly for mobility in a forest. His cloak is leather with leaves attached to it like a second pelt. He wears an eye patch over his scarred right eye. The crescent scar under his eye patch looks like he was cut in the face by crude blade. Did the “run in” could have cost him his eye? Or his kept his eye but lost his eye in a way Zho did? “Later than usual, Clan Lord Deadbow.” Clan Lord Stonehammer said. “I said sorry for that, Reni was sickened when a hawk attacked her without any motives. So I had to kill it but realized its talons was poisoned on purpose.” Clan Lord Deadbow explained. “I’ll send a healer to take care of Reni.” Clan Lady Autumn said. “No need for that, Reni is recovering. Luckily I knew the poison and made an antidote for it.” Clan Lord Deadbow assured. “Well, we are in the middle of planning of how to get The Imperials’ attention.” Xaeriar explained. “The Imperials are always concern about their economy, so if The Nage caused so much trouble and distrupt the trade, The Imperials had no choice but to act if they still want the economy to flourish.” Clan Lord Deadbow said. “How you know that?” I asked. “Easy, I work as a spy master for Clan Lord Spikesword, that includes Myasha.” Clan Lord Deadbow answered. Clan Lord Deadbow sat down and thinks for awhile. “Seems that The Nage Clan is becoming more bold these days, attacking caravans and anybody of importance, like Reni and Clan Lord Necrofear, even me.” Clan Lord Deadbow pointed out. “What you planned?” Myasha asked. “It is certain that we either wait until The Nage got The Imperials attention or we travel throughout the land to persuade the Clan Lords and Clan Ladies to convince The Imperials of the current crisis.” Clan Lord Deadbow answered. “Running messages? Ha! I can top that! Easy as Dwayna’s Smile!” Classic erupted with confidence. “I’m not sure about that, I don’t trust the girl. What will stop her from telling The Nage about the mission? I say she’ll go with Classic.” Xaeriar claimed. Why am I not trusted? I would have toasted Classic and Jenna if I was part of The Nage. “I’ll come along for the trip, not like there is anything worth a challenge.” Jenna said as she volunteer. “I’ll go, if my father is being stubborn, I can talk to him.” Myasha stands. “My faith said to follow, I shall do so.” Clan Lord Stonehammer stands. “My magic is not as good as my father’s but I’ll do what I can.” Lunaria stands. “Alas, I cannot come along like the times when I can. I must tend to the land because the possible war will wound it.” Clan Lady Autumn declined. “I must protect Ariana as she do so.” Xaeriar also declined. Six people, so many Clans to cover and considering the chances of The Nage attacking us, it is already hard to do. “You already got the Autumn Clan’s support, but the other Clans, well let’s say they have to be convinced to lend in support.” Clan Lady Autumn said. “How we can convince them?” I asked. “It is pretty simple. Do their challenge and they’ll be convinced.” Clan Lord Deadbow explained. I’m not looking to fight their war, I just want to go back to Ascalon! Sad to me, I had to fight their war so I can get back. “Well, luckily I know some people who can assist us.” Classic said. “That is good, who are they?” Lunaria asked. “Sarah Frostpride, Zarina Nightshadow, and Nutt Oakwood.” Classic answered. I laugh at the name, Nutt Oakwood. Sarah Frostpride sounds like a Norn’s name. Zarina Nightshadow sounds like a stealth specialist. “So where we go first?” I asked. “We are going to drop by Ryssna in Moonstrike Territory. It is a desert land so we had to dress lightly but remain covered.” Jenna explained. Desert? First is a barren wasteland, second a living forest, now I going to a desert! “Well, if you don’t like the trip through the desert, too bad, it is the quickest route to Bane Territory and the other way is through the Frozen Swamp of War, which extends longer than the desert itself.” Clan Lord Stonehammer said. What is worst? Burning up like a roast in the desert called, Moonstrike Territory? Or freeze to death or sink in the swamp? Oh well, I guess I had to endure fire, like Elementalist Aziure told me. We gather our gears and prepare ourselves, I only had a suit of armor and staff, while the others are dressed to be legends. Lunaria dressed in a gown with mithril plating in few places, like the shoulders, hands and feet. She uses no staff and her gauntlet has a gem that changes colors in a swirling pattern, like a vortex. Clan Lord Stonehammer is wearing a white robe with mithril chain mail over it. He have his hammer latched on the quick release hook on his armor’s back and a round, steel and mithril coated shield attached to his left gauntlet. Classic wears an armor that is close to what I think is the Prestige Druid Armor that Rangers have at the Grotto but some parts of his armor is light blue steel. He uses only one dagger, a rather unique looking dagger. Myasha is wearing the same armor as did when I first met her. Her twin swords did not match, one is a long sword that look like it meant to open a wound and the other is a short sword that meant to cut the wound deeper. Jenna is wearing an elegant lightweight armor, made with the patterns of golden leaves and as flexible as new leaves without falling apart. She has a sword that looks beautiful, like a butterfly sword, sheathed on her side. I an odd weapon, it is like a oddly shaped staff, it seems to fire like a crossbow but no shafts and it makes a loud sound every time it fires. Plus the arrow, it goes so fast, it cannot be seen. I look like a citizen compared to those five, wearing a light armor and a staff like a traveler. As we step out of the palace, I was hoping for a farewell parade but we are greeted by five cloaked men, each bearing a symbol that looks like a spiked helmet with two jagged swords behind it. “Nagi Sword Masters!” Classic shouted and two arrows hit two of the cloaked men, the others charges at me. Why they go after me? I ready my staff, but the cloaked fiends pass by me like they are after someone else. I turn around to go after them but I was too late. The cloaked fiends are already on their knees and their swords are broken. “Too easy for Sword Masters. They must be recruits, dressed like the Sword Masters.” Jenna said. Clan Lord Deadbow comes down with his bow in his hand. “The other two are ok, I used the Powder Head Arrows on them, they’ll be sleeping until next morning.” Clan Lord Deadbow said. “Well, off we go.” Clan Lord Stonehammer said. We continue out of the capital and through the forest, heading North I think. “How long until we reach Moonstrike Territory?” I asked Classic. “We had to pass that forest, which is called, Ryouku Forest.” Classic answered. I was thinking of shouting with frustration of why the land is formed so randomly.