The lands of the Doloreaux are in sight... or rather have been in sight for the past two days, according to the map we have to go up stream to a settlement called Epinian, seeping the frost off deck is starting to grow old, but hey it reminds me of home in winter. To our left are rocky peaks and the area all around is actually pretty mountainous, the few people we do see look to be hauling ore or look to be watching us, from what I hear they aren't too kind to outsiders... and that's putting it lightly.


Danica comes over to me as I look out onto the water "So, how are we going to tackle this? We have no one onboard from these lands to give us a work around." with her arms crossed.


A sigh escapes me, steaming the air as my breathe hits it "What do we know about the Doloreaux? You don't have to go into full detail, just a few things notable I can work with."


The red vixen puts on a thinking expression, she nods "Well, other then what you already know, they are matriarchal and their caste system is similar to the Avoirdupois... plus they do not follow the faith of S'Allumer nor the ways of the druids, but based on what I hear it is somewhat similar to the latter."


I pool my thoughts together, a female dominated society that seems to revolve around nature, I can work with that, heck most of my friends match that description. I decide to select Tamel, Mavra, Serilda, Lalaine, Relocca and Queco to come ashore with me, that way the ship has a solid defense and the great range should display something to the people here. Up ahead a somewhat robed figure is making it's way towards us, a female boar with her fur being a brown and white mix, her robe kept together by tied reeds as a bow and quell full of arrows rest on her back, I can feel a lot of eyes our way as she gets closer and closer.


We stop a few feet away from each other and I speak up "I am Adam of the..."


The boar smirks "Rinaldi." which causes me to stop "I know why you and the others are here, my communion with the spirits did say we would be getting aid from somewhere... unexpected. I am Forra Le'la, one of the blessed of these lands, no need for any formalities... lord." the last word almost has an exaggerated tone.


A glance to Tamel shows she is a little flustered but she looks to be holding firm, not wanting this to become awkward I exclaim "That is correct, we are here to see if we can help deal with the invaders."


Forra gives a nod "As you know our policies, outsiders aren't welcome here on merit alone, I can put a word for you to gain entry, but first I need you to do something for me."


The ladies on my side look to me as I state "What is this job you are offering me?"


The boar informs us that there is cave nearby that is used for getting ore for trading purposes, the dig teams haven't come out in a few days so that the next shift can relive them, I accept, however I am told I can do it with only two of my comrades backing me up, I choose Lalaine and Relocca to assist me in this, I doubt we'll face any resistance hence why I leave my heavy hitters behind and plus we are far from the battles taking place. We enter the mouth of the cave, passing a table with some books and a lantern and we go through a set of heavy wooden doors, Relocca and I take point as Lalaine hangs back safely. The torches are still lit, the wolfess and I have our weapons drawn and ready for battle should we need to, hammers, pick axes and shovels are littered about with carts sitting in place, we eventually come to a cart smashed to splinters with it's iron tub practically flattened.


The skunk blinks "What in Light's name happened here?"


"I don't know, but we don't split up no matter what. We examine the threat and we take it out." as I tighten the grip on my shield.


We move up a few hallways and we don't see anything that could indicate a cave in, but I suddenly feel something closing in on us and fast, I look to my right as heavy foot steps sound, we get into a defensive stance as it comes more into view, a being not of flesh but rock, it's form is massive and it's red eyes glare at us.


"A gnome?" as my jaw drops "An earth elemental..."


The wolf readies her spear "What do we do?"


"I can try to communicate with it, I am a trained elementalist after all." and I begin to approach it with both women speaking their protest, I put away my sword to show I'm friendly "Elemental, what has happened here? Where are the dig teams?"


The gnome stops "They are my prisoners, for they dug too deep into the rocks I call my own, I brought down my solid wrath upon them, I have not slain a single one, I took away their tools so that escape could not be met, they have earned their slow death for trespass." in a gloomy tone.


I shake my head "I am sorry to hear they disturbed you, but you must let them go, maybe we can find some common ground and make a deal?"


The elemental tilts it's head "What words shall we pass to judge?"


I make an offer that if it goes dormant for the teams to avoid it, the damage can't be undone but maybe we can save those trapped, the creature shakes it's head in decline, saying that it seeks to protect the rocks in danger. With that it comes after me, I quickly fling a fire ball with Fireweaver which smashes into it, the creatures body catching fire as it advances, it gets closer and swings a mighty fist as I swing my sword, our blows land, sending me into the rocky wall with my armor taking the attack but my sword left a nasty hit, Relocca charges the gnome with a warcry and drives her spear into it's chest, those eyes of hers lock with the elemental in a feral glare, the elemental moves it's left hand and some loose rocks begin to rise, I quickly get up and charge, Fireweaver cuts into the beings arm and with a twist from the elbow it falls off and the stones simply fall to the ground. The gnome spins around as it releases a pained groan, sending the wolf off into one of the tunnels with the acquired stone but she rolls to lessen her fall, it raises it's remaining fist, I quickly pull out one of my sidearms and fire, the bullet striking it's head and some rocks come out the back, it stumbles a little here and there and it falls back, crashing onto the ground as it releases a groan, a few moments later it crumbles to ash and gravel.


Relocca retrieves her spear "They disturbed it's home.", she looks to me "Maybe if you offered that we could try to negotiate for the Doloreaux to dig somewhere else?"


I shake my head "I wish it was that easy, there is no way they would look for another place to mine, not with such valuable ore here...", I look to her "And besides we don't have time for such an alternative, not with what is currently taking place, it can take weeks or even months to find another site."


The wolf gives a sigh "Thankfully it isn't completely destroyed, it still breathes with the spirits."


The three of us resume looking around the dark caves, trying to find where the people are trapped, the amount of iron in this mine is staggering alongside some precious gems, Lalaine's attention goes all over the place as her marval expression takes up her features, it's quite a sight seeing light from the torches reflecting off of the precious stones, out of the corner of my eye I see white diamond that is loose, I pick it up and it's about the size of my thumb, thinking it may come in handy I pocket the gem, explaining that given how stubborn these people may be it could make a difference.


We eventually start to hear some cries for help and we come to a junction with evidence of a cave in, the voices just behind the collection of debris, Relocca and I begin to move the rocks as I want Lalaine to be ready in case anyone needs to be healed, we eventually clear enough out to where the miners can fit through, some minor injuries here and there but no fatalities thankfully, our priestess gives some healing magic to some of them and gives them some patching up with the few bandages on her person and we head out of the caves, here and there I can hear the boars muttering, some chatting when it comes to Relocca and Lalaine but most of the gossip is about me... what I catch is that one of them heard about me from one of his friends in the military... the group we helped? After listening to some french accented banter we finally exit the cave, the locals starting to whisper as the workers give their thanks, a look to Forra giving a nod and grin.


Forra moves over to us "I knew you would succeed, gnomes are quite trivial for those who possess magic and fighting prowess. You are here to aid us and you have my blessing, that carries a lot of weight in our lands...", her gaze goes to my team mates "And I see you know talent when you see it.", those eyes of hers go to me "So it is true, the tales we have heard of the Phoenix are a human from another world and a knight in the name of the Rinaldi who wields flame as his magic of choice.", she moves towards the gathering crowd "These people are our guests and allies and will be treated as such, they wish to help rid us of the invaders to the south we welcome it in these trying times."


I can hear cheers from the crowd... but I can hear come scoffs here and there, compared to the lands of horses this'll probably be even more of a challenge in terms of getting the populous on our side... I have a feeling if it wasn't for Forra we would either be forced out or incarcerated. But I have another feeling... we should play our cards close to our chest and keep what we know to ourselves for the time being, it's likely they'll be listening to every word we say and every action we do will be watched.


I look to Relocca and Queco and I say in their tongue "We need to watch what we say around them, I can't whisper that without arousing some suspicion to the others, spread the word. Keep that tomb hidden and secured and the ship on lock down."


Relocca crosses her arms "Don't trust the locals?" with a raised eyebrow, using the same words.


Queco eyes her mom "They don't trust outsiders even more so then we do, we must proceed with caution. Nature's spirits tell me the same thing." her gaze just as stoic as ever.


Thankfully word gets around the crew and we make sure everything is secured as we resupply the ship, for now I have Zekeyal guarding the entrance to the ship and I check with Elie to make sure the ship doesn't need any major repair work down the line or anytime soon. Once all checks are made I decide to head into town with Mavra, Serilda, Maeve and Lalaine to get a better idea of where we are and how the settlement handles it's daily routines, eventually we come to this statue made of green jade and it is well maintained with patches of flowers around it, the statue itself is that of a sow covered in what I think are suppose to be leaves and other vegetation with a few candles scattered around it.


"Magnificent is it not?" a quick look revealing Forra "This is a shrine to our deity, Lutara."


A glance to Lalaine shows to me she's biting her tongue, but thankfully she quickly relaxes and I motion towards Forra "It is impressive, but I am curious though... unlike Triskellian or the lands of the Aviordupois, there is little acknowledgment of it."


The boar laughs as if I just told a light hearted joke "In our society, religion is best observed to be personal, communal and not obtuse, where the other powers build grand structures that eventually fall to time, ours is of simple word, wood and stone. Shrines in our land are simple but rare as our traditions somewhat dictate, we don't shove our beliefs down the throats of other folk, many already know what lies with nature and it's many cycles."


I read her words carefully, even though her description is short it speaks volumes of how their doctrine is taught and spread, I have seen nothing resembling a religious bible or even a list of tenants or a pamphlet and seems to be reclusive, finally I decide to say something more straight forward "A doctrine of nature and based on what you said, reincarnation?"


Forra gives a nod "Very astute knight.", she takes a few steps closer to me "The local Mystes wishes to speak with you alone, I will escort you her and if you make your case well you will have more then having the ability to walk around until you find the front."


I can just imagine everyone's stares at the scene before them, the locals look entirely spooked and I can understand everyone's concern, but I don't want to leave a bad impression with the... Mystes? I begin to wonder of that is a the same as a duchess or some other rank, but regardless I decide to accept and say to my friends that I'll meet them back at the ship. Forra escorts me through the settlement to what looks like a storehouse, she motions that she'll wait for me out here which I give a nod to and enter the storehouse, as soon as the heavy door closes lanterns light up around me and a boar stands across from me, her clothing looking like that of some kind of priestess with a wooden necklace and vine lace of some kind of plant going to the center of her chest, her hair having some kind of crown of sticks and twine.


The boar looks me over, her gaze looking a little glarish "To what do the Rinaldi have business coming to the lands of the Doloreaux? I understand that you claim to help aid us in the war, but when a grey sends an errant to fight another it gets a lot of attention."


I stand firm "This isn't a civil war if that is what you are implying, I have come as someone offering aid."


The boar begins to walk around slowly "So the blessed has told me, while your life saving efforts are appreciated, you also bring the S'Allumer and the druid.", those eyes of her's go to the phoenix then back to me "The phoenix, the bird of flame and resurrection, a powerful choice for heraldry. But as far as I am concerned you are just an entry noble flaunting the title of Rinaldi, your privilege is that you may complete your shore leave and then depart."


I can feel that something isn't right as my sixth sense from my mystical training kicks in, but I know that I am in a no win situation as she doesn't look to be up for negotiating. Eventually I make it back to the Normandy with Forra telling me that her Mystes name is Kama and explains that this is common practice. I gather my team mates and priority crew to the lower deck and explain the situation...


Danica scoffs "I should have expected as much, even when you extend an olive branch they reject it!"


Serilda raises an eyebrow at me "Why are you smirking Adam?" which earns everyone's attention.


"I think there's a reason why she wanted to talk to me alone, during our conversation... or rather her monologue, I felt my senses detecting something being amiss."


Mavra puts on a thinking expression "Makes sense, the more of us there were the more likely we would have detected the use of magic."


I look to everyone "Here we are not opposed by an army, we may very well be opposing a shadow... arguably that is even more dangerous.", I raise a finger "Now, we only have two or three days, we can't go outside of the settlement but we weren't told we cant search, we just have to be discrete."


Maeve crosses her arms "What are we lookin fer?" with a grin.


"Something that doesn't belong here, odd behavior, things of that nature, I know it'll be hard but I think these peopleare in danger in their homes and we don't even know it. The problem is that they have our magic users, priests and myself under scrutiny, so well have to fight this a little differently.", I look to Maeve and Wovka "I want you guys to select a few who are stealthy and of slight of hand and split into two teams, make your patterns as random as possibly and inform Danica if you find anything. Tamel, Zekeyal, Lalaine and I will be one of the distraction teams, the other distraction team will consist of Serilda, Mavra, Relocca and Queco.", I look to Danica "Danica, you're the lynchpin for this operation, so we'll need you as close to the center of the settlement as possible without arousing suspicion with a select few of bodyguards. Everyone else is to protect the ship, we can't run the risk of a saboteur doing anything to the Normandy."


Danica gives a nod "Sounds like a solid plan, but this is going to require perfect timing."


Mavra raises a hand "What if it doesn't work and we have no choice but to leave port?"


I sigh "Then the Doloreaux could be lost as a result. I know it's a lot but we can do it...", I raise a fist "Valor against the odds!" in pure optimism with a confident smirk.


The crew returns te raised fist with the same words, the paladins give me a couple smirks of their own while my friends cheer. I know to the paladins this is a little unorthodox but in this case discretion is the better part of valor, even though other species are born in the Doloreaux lands they are extremely xenophobic to outsiders conflict or not, I may not be able to amend such a thing but hopefully I can make it easier for us at least if I can make a better case.


The next day rolls around and we put the plan into motion, just from the looks my group is getting it's working perfectly but I'm not going to leave anything to purely chance. I just hope the others can find anything before the time is up...


.............


Maeve and her group is moving about in the alley ways to the east, being careful to blend in with the green and brown and to stay as quiet as possible, being a ranger this is her element, the trees and grass have always been her disguise and one where she always made her mark. The sight of Forra gets her attention as the boar walks by and she motions for everyone to move to cover, thankfully they aren't spotted but the fruit bat opens up her ears to try to get a better idea of the layout and to try to see if there is anyone out there with those eyes of hers, she doesn't detect anything and so she has her group press on.


Wovka and and his hunters on the west side are making use of their training, a weird smell hits his nose, it's faint but it's there and it doesn't match what other odors are present even with the locals taken into account, he remembers something similar when being back in Triskellian which they called cologne with dozens of different scents. He whispers to the other wolves if they can smell it and if they remember getting a hint of it back in Triskellian, they do smell the scent but they can't pin it down. The wolf decides that they are going to try to follow it without raising any alarms should they need to trek closer to the port and it's settlement, surprisingly while the scent is faint and is close to the settlement it's actually pointing towards the woods, Wovka can feel his ears twitch as the smell of the cologne slowly gets stronger. The group eventually makes it to where the scent is fresh and strong, Wovka and his wolves begin to move leafs, fallen branches and they find something they weren't expecting.


Wovka glares to what they found 'Adam is goin ta want ta see this.'


Danica is moving through the market place, blending in with the shoppers as best she can but she is legitimately looking for anything they can use to make this venture a little easier, maps, armaments, armor, anything at all. Danica eventually finds a set of maps for the northern shores and water ways, old trade routes mostly but some of it could yield to something useful with her bodyguards also looking for similar materials, out of the corner of her eye she sees Wovka approaching her, she gives a slight nod to show all is clear.


The gets close the vixen "Adam needs ta head ta west, we found somthin." in a whisper.


The vixen gives a quick blink "I'll send someone to go his way."


.............


One of the crew approaches me with information that Wovka has found something on his search, I thank him and tell the paladins and to make it look like they are heading back to the ship and slip away and meet me there as I quickly slip a cloak on to hide my visage, on top of that I give the order to the crew member to locate Maeve's team and to meet us there as well and to inform the other distraction team to head back to the Normandy and assume defensive posture. Gee, they make this look so easy in Assassin's creed, plus being covered in heavy armor isn't the easiest thing to move around with as it's make to take a hit, not something for a sunday walk.


I make it to Wovka as I ditch the restrictive cloak "What have you found?"


The wolf motions to me "We smelled somethin strange ere, I believe it's called cologne." while pointing to the ground.


I move to where he's pointing and it's some kind of hatch with some vent slits, I take a small wiff and it is definitely cologne of some kind, but nothing I remember from where we've been. Maeve and her team arrives a little while later with Tamel, Zekeyal and Lalaine arriving soon after, Maeve's team will cover our rear while the rest of us head down below to investigate whatever is down there. With some effort we get the hatch open which reveals some brick stairs, I take the lead with my sword ready followed by the paladin's, Lalaine, then Wovka and his team, the stairs goes on for about three stories down and the bottom having a lit torch on the wall.


"Tamel and Zekeyal, you're with me, Lalaine stick with Wovka and his team, stay within twenty paces of us."


We keep advancing and despite the occasional torch we haven't found anything yet, but the stench of the cologne is getting stronger and stronger, we make it to this room with the ceiling held up by stone pillars, the scary thing is that this all looks recent as in it can't be more then maybe a few years old at most. On the right side is a bed and to the left looks like some kind of study station with an assortment of jewels and books, but at the far end is a figure standing in front of a fire with it's back to us, I look to the paladins and motion them to flank on either side and we press forward.


The figure slowly turns toward us, revealing it to be an otter with his coat being blackish-grey wearing a brown cloak and hat, a rod in his right hand topped with a silver head with some kind of symbol, he locks his gaze onto me "I knew you wouldn't simply walk away, your track record shows just how hard headed you are."


Something is really off, my senses are telling me something is wrong with this guy, a glance to Tamel and Zekeyal showing to me that they seem just as uneasy, I look to the otter "I am Adam Rinaldi, who are you?"


The otter raises his left hand as if waving me off "That is surprising, I guess that fox didn't fill you about me at all. Ashame that Danica didn't prepare you for such an occurrence."


I blink "Danica?"


The otter raises his staff as it glows white, I can feel my mind being engaged by some kind of magic, images of Danica fighting this guy from his point of view while she defends a grey fox which looks like a freightend Fabrizio, it goes by pretty quick but I can see that Danica was successful in knocking him out. I grip the side of my face with my free hand as crimson leaves my nose, I look to the otter, I have read about the kind of mage he is, but I was told that they were somewhat uncommon...


Tamel readies her blade "A spellbinder?!" with Zekeyal following up "Green and purple mage! Everyone stand back!"


The otter lowers his staff "The name is Lystragones, I am one of Vaslov's agents, but I haven't spelt any blood, I am but a spy and at times saboteur. I hear by humbly surrender and motion that I am taken to your superior."


I look to the paladins before look motioning a nod to Wovka, he moves over to the otter and knocks the otter out as I think 'Danica is going to love this.'


We get the otter binded up and as a group we head back to the settlement but I ask the paladins and some of Wovka's group to gather the otters belongings before hand, a crowd instantly gathers as we head towards the center with Danica snapping a glare at our prisoner, she grabs a tankered of beer and splashes it on him before delivering a slap which echos across the air.


Danica growls "Wake up!"


The otters eyes slowly open "Still as fiery as ever bounty hunter, you haven't changed much at all."


The vixen grabs him by the neck "If you are here then Vaslov is up to something key here! What is it?!"


Lystragones wags a finger "I am not saying anything, but I might in exchange for a deal."


Danica grabs his neck and begins to strangle him "You threaten my brother, you aided in the potential destruction of my house and you want to deal?! How dare you!"


Lystragones looks to me to which I begin to count down from five on my right hand with my digits, once they run out I look to Danica "I want to hear him out, for now at least."


Danica looks to me with the strongest glare I have ever seen, she sighs and let's him go.


I begin to walk around "I will allow you to speak, but being an enemy of Rinaldi isn't a good start. So I suggest you start talking.", crossing my arms as stand next to Danica.


Lystragones looks to both Danica and I with quite a poker face "I was tasked to act behind enemy lines and to use the religion of these people against them, up until now it has worked, Vaslov's forces are closer then you expect and his war machine rivals a finely crafted blade indeed.", he straightens himself out "I have a proposal, one that'll benefit both you and I. Release me and I will break the spells I have casted which will make things a little easier for you. I'll also give you the information of where the troops are and where they are being deployed."


Danica looks like she's about ready to snap with crowd around us looking just as angry, but if the enemy is closer then we thought we have to act fast, I glance to Maeve who nods and takes to the sky, the situation isn't like the one we faced against the undead hordes but we may very well be on shorter time then expected... but maybe we can work worth him to a degree. Forra and Kama come into view and I can already see the sour look on the latters face, I want to make a better deal but we simply don't have time.


I raise my right hand "Deal." earning a look from Danica but I look to her "I'll let you carry out the interrogation, don't be too rough."


Lystragones gets on his feet "Let me break my spells first, what you see may be of interest."


Within a few moments he looks to be in some kind of trance, chanting something and then he stops with opening his eyes, Kama suddenly grips her head and almost collapses... his magic is what I was sensing, now it makes sense he was using his purple magic to control and influence her and who knows who else. Kama doesn't even know our meeting even took place as she openly asked who we are and what I was, something she didn't even ask on our first meeting. Eventually the situation calms down and she gives us her blessing to help aid us and she'll send word that we are friends in their defense. We learn from Lystragones that it wasn't just Kama he was controlling but also a few other religious leaders and a few generals... not gonna lie if I thought such a thing gave me an edge I would probably do the same thing. After getting the information we need I make good on my word that Lystragones is free to go, much to Danica's dismay but I also whispered to her that if she want to she can chase him down when she's up to it as the agreement was with me and not her, the smug look she gives speaks volumes. Maeve returns with some troubling news...


I exclaim in surprise "They are that close?"


The fruit bat gives a stern nod "They ere practically breathin on us."


Mavra looks my way "Three armies, each a thousand strong.", the vixen looks to me "This won't be like facing the undead, it's likely they have taken loses but they could just be using mercenaries in general and they are well armed and well equipped."


Maeve sighs "They also have siege engines, likely fer when they reach the fortresses and capital to the north."


In my mind I begin to go over the facts, we don't have enough time to make barricades, nor do we have any real standing forces, Vaslov and his forces are trying to envelope and wrap around the Doloreaux until only the capital city of Burges and whatever is surrounding it is left. Looking at the reports, Vaslov and his forces broke through somewhere around Mount Gremarte with some statements saying that Moremere to the far north simply surrendered and have just been punching holes in the defenses and the economy of the Doloreaux by targeting their most precious resource... their mines.


I look to Maeve "Can we form a defense of any kind? Most of Vaslov's forces are to the south."


The fruit bat sighs "The mountains an woods certainly will lead them into some choke points but nothin that we could use ta slow them down long enough to get reinforcements here en time."


Serilda looks over the map "To the north we are completely exposed, if there is anyway we can slowly them down from that direction in particular I am not really seeing it."


Tamel speaks up "And we certainly can't win a battle of attrition either even with magic."


I look to Forra and Kama who have been quiet "What are your thoughts?"


Kama snorts "I doubt want us to evacuate if we can help it, but it is looking to be the most viable option."


Forra looks to Kama "We can't be stubborn at all.", she looks to me "You're the tactical one it seems, what should we do?"


I feel everyone's gazes land on me, I want to hold the line but I'm not sure if we can do it, I sigh as I formulate a plan "Okay, here's what we're going to have to do, any open passage to the north no matter how big has to be sealed with whatever we can use to buy us time, we're evacuating, anyone who is combat capable will remain to hold the enemy back, we'll use the terrain to our advantage for ambushes and close combat, but we need a contingency plan.", I look to one of the boars that works the mines "Do you have any black powder left over or any explosives?"


The boar smirks proudly "Aye, that's the one thing we got plenty of."


I nod "One thing we have to be clear though, the docks is our alamo, from there we rig the whole settlement with explosives, if they push us back that far, light that fuse get on whatever craft you can and move like hell. Our destination should that come to be will be Burges where we can regroup and with any luck we can petition the Aviordupois or Triskellian for aid."


The boars begin to talk to each other... please tell me I got through to them...


Kama raises her hands and the crowd dies down, she lowers them "Any soldiers we did have are on the front, we have only a small militia a few dozen strong at most, to stay here would be a fools errand.", the older sow eyes me "We'll make sure we are ready Phoenix, let's hope your fall back plan doesn't happen."


I sigh "I share that notion, but if this settlement falls, we'll make sure they can't use it either."


To be continued...