Setting onto the King's Road once more, silver sunshine streaked through smothering clouds. Conversation was mostly non-existent, everyone wondering- and trying to plan for- whatever lay ahead. What little was talked about, consisted of Thorin and Silver picking Violet's brain for anything and everything related to the Iron Ring. Maddeningly, she refused to discuss personal anecdotes- but helpfully, she possessed an intimate knowledge of their tactics; which helped gloss over the maddening refusal to talk. Anything they could learn, anything that could glean an edge, would be helpful.
Darkening skies over the day threatened to spill rain before they made their destination. But that was nothing, compared to what they saw on the stretch into the town. Along each side of the road, posts had been erected, spaced ten feet apart. Bound to each post, hung various bodies. Mostly Hin bodies, but a few human and elven forms scattered throughout. Including an elf with jade green eyes- the one Dar mentioned, Eldaerenth. As they walked along, Thorin noticed Violet staring wide-eyed in shock.
"Violet, are you alright?" Thorin walked up beside her, she staring at one of the Hin- a young man, about her age, with glassy blue eyes. “I know it's bad, but-"
"...They really wanted to send a message... Those bastards..."
"What message? You mean how they've been executed?"
"Not just that, but rather... That." Pointing, she drew the attention to the arm of one body- and its missing hand. Now they looked, they realized with horror- all the bodies had a missing hand. "...They... They cut off the sling hands..."
"We'll make sure nobody else faces this fate, okay?" Sera could sense the disturbance within the woman. While they didn't personally understand, the significance of such an action was relatable. Gently, the Storm Genasi led Violet away- mildly disturbed themselves. Fifty bodies lined the road- all of them bearing the same fate. Just outside the town, Iron Ring patrols caught the group's eyes. They would have to disguise themselves to gain entry... Or time it right. However, things did not work out- a patrol of ten spotted them trying to sneak in- and knew the group were interlopers. Blades were quick to clash, bullets and arrows flew finding their mark. Neither could gain much ground over the other to start- the slavers were kept at bay, despite surrounding the six. As bodies began to fall, the adventurers realized they had a problem. Noise and spilled blood would draw more patrols- and while they held the upper hand now, if more came, they would be overwhelmed. Focusing their efforts on one or two at a time, the tide of battle quickly turned to victory. Instantly after the last slaver dropped, the six ran. More patrols could be heard coming to investigate. Winding through the streets, the group ended up diving into an abandoned cider cellar.
-
Flickering candlelight renders writing difficult. But it’s what I’ve got- anything more, and I risk waking the others. Figuring the early hours of the morning would be safest, we fell into our watch pattern: Sera and Jordan, Thorin and myself, Asriel and Silver. Two or three times over Sera’s watch they got close- but did not look inside. Thank gods, we seem to have-
Damn. Close call. They were right outside… arguing about whether or not anyone had come in here… And to my relief, someone (sounding more than a touch intoxicated) had angrily declared he and his company had. More arguing, then someone else barking orders to move on. Took everything I had in me, to force myself silent and still… Right. My nerves are shot, and it’s time to switch. I hope Asriel and Silver have a quiet watch; it means we truly escaped… for now.
-
Morning came, and with it, a surprise. They were not alone. Peering through a well-hidden door, an eye- watching them all. Sera was the one who caught the glance- soon as they did, however, the eye retreated. Pulling out their board, they nudged Violet with it, before quickly scribbling something down once more. Holding it up, they were careful to angle it to her. "Hey. Behind that holding tank... I saw an eye. It's a bit tight for us to get through- maybe check it out?"
"Yeah... I'll take a quick look." Violet walked over- feeling the storage tanks. Cold. Good. She slipped behind, taking a look. Just like Sera said, there was a door. Locked. Violet slid her tools into her hands- and made quick work of said lock. Sling at the ready, holding her breath, she opened the door and slid inside- poised to strike… The others inside had the same idea. Dimly lit by a single torch, Violet could see this was a tunnel network. A Hin man faced her- sling swirling in the air. Behind him in an alcove sat a woman, a small girl... and an elderly woman. Surprise painted all five faces- neither side expecting the other. Slings were lowered, Violet and the man eyeing each other.
"You're not with the black-cloaks."
"Far from it- my companions and I are here to stop them."
"Thank the gods. We heard the cellar door last night- barely made it in before your voices began. Since we heard someone all night, we dared not make noise or venture forth."
"Oh, yes. That was us- trying to evade the Iron Ring, given we killed ten of their number last night at the town's edge."
"What brings you here, then?"
"Sent by Dar to try and break their hold. Gather reinforcements for the battle coming up. And, in my case... Find out what happened to the fifty outside of town."
"The resistance. They were no match for the black-cloaks..."
"Unfortunate... Where do these tunnels go? And to that, who are you?"
"Violet?" Asriel's voice cut in, making them all jump- the man pulling his sling out again. Violet looked back, then to the man- hands put up defensively.
"No, no, it's okay- they're with me. They're here to help. I promise." Opening the door, she beckoned the man forward- to which he came, reluctant. Peering back, a strange sight awaited- a goatman, a lizard man of some sort, two elemental-touched humans and a dwarf. "These are my companions- Asriel, Silver, Jordan, Sera and Thorin. We're here to help."
Wary, the man nodded- Violet beckoned them all into the tunnels. It was tight for the taller ones, but all six made their way in- Asriel careful to close the door behind them. The group marvelled at the tunnels- this must be how people get in and out. "Where are you going from here?"
"We're trying to get to the apple orchards at the edge of town, through the tunnels."
"Then we'll accompany you there." Thorin spoke up, all eyes on him. "Do the Iron Ring know about these tunnels?"
"Some of them might..."
"Then it's definitely a good idea to escort you. Just in case."
The man looked to Violet. "And you trust these people, yallarie?"
"With my life." Partially lying, to be sure- but convincing enough to assuage the anxious group. At their nods of acceptance, the group formed- Asriel, Thorin and Silver in the front; the family in the middle; Violet, Jordan and Sera behind. The man was kind enough to explain what happened, while navigating the tunnels. Most all of the Hin outside town were from their clan, the Peachtrees. All that remained were these four- the husband, wife, their daughter and Granny. They were the resisting force- quickly overwhelmed by seemingly endless slavers. Heart-wrenching as it was, the story got worse. Of those who remained, many were kept as slaves for menial labour, and for making examples of. Before anyone could say anything, a door in front of them swung open- and another patrol spilled in. Half their force fell in seconds- the surprise onslaught catching the remaining slavers unguarded. In mere seconds, ten bodies filled the tunnel- only to be quickly tossed into a haphazard pile, in a nearby street. Sera and Violet were careful to clean the trail.
"Thank you..." The wife began, falling quiet as the group shook their heads.
"We chose to do this... Long as you're safe. That's what matters." His gentle tone, and soft smile saw her relax some, and the young girl smile back.
~
Before long, the path in the tunnels twisted around, the scent of earth much stronger here. Right at the end, the path inclined- opening a trapdoor in the earth. Sunshine met their eyes, a fresh breeze carrying the sweet scent of ripening fruit, and the allure of recently-fallen rain. As the ten crawled out of the tunnel, yet another a beautiful sight met their eyes. Golden hills beckoned in the distance, azure peeking through scattered rain clouds. Trees filled their sight as far as the eye could see, surrounding the town- a stream diving peach trees from their apple kin. Hidden within the apple trees, as the group wandered throughout the orchard, beautiful wild flowers of all colours green. Eventually, nestled deep in the heart, a series of houses. Residences of the two Clans.
Chapter 9- Two Clans Become One