Getting Back
The two warriors reached the bottom of the mountain while the night was still young. Zilfer was shinning with sweat at the effort of keeping up with Mavric, but he was still breathing easy. I guess all that training I did with Thern was worth it, he thought with a grin.
Mavric was staring at the city when Zilfer jogged over to him. “Do you want to keep moving or should we stop for the night?” Zilfer asked.
“I want to see the city before we leave,” Mavric said evenly.
Before Zilfer could answer he started running toward the buildings. With a sigh, the barbarian followed thinking, I have a really bad feeling about this. Mavric hasn’t been in a social setting in years. I really don’t want to have to fight him this early on.
Mavric slowed to a walk as he hit the dirt road that led up to the city. Even though it was the dead of night Wyrvenak was bustling. The city was known for being a place to come to party and gamble because every other building was either a bar, casino, or inn. There was also a bazaar filled with the strangest assortment of shops imaginable where one could buy almost anything if they pleased.
A group of slightly drunken men were walking out of a casino when Mavric came into sight. They all froze immediately, gaping at him. He grinned at them and with that every single one ran screaming in a different direction. Despite the city being one of many sounds and emotions, screams of fear was no common occurrence and it drew a lot of attention. One brave soul drew his broadsword and pointed it at him. “What are you doing here demon?! Stay away from our home!” he called. Despite his bravado, everyone could tell he was shaking.
Mavric’s grin only grew wider. “What a wonderful welcoming committee! I hoped you all hadn’t forgotten me. Did you miss me?” he asked, his voice fluctuating from happiness to a menacing growl.
Another man joined the first, brandishing a spear. “Get away from us!” he yelled. One more joined them, bringing the challengers to a total of three.
As they glared at him, Mavric’s grin never faltered as he reached back to grip his scythe. He pulled the weapon from its straps and slammed the curved blade into the ground. “Shall we gentlemen?” he asked.
Fear flashed across each man’s face, but they knew they couldn’t back down now. The three charged in unison, raising their weapons high and letting out a battle cry. Mavric let out an insane laugh that drew a shutter from the crowd that had gathered to watch. A loud gasp and several screams sounded as the first man to reach him fell to the ground without a head and his blood splattered across the dust. The second ducked down and aimed his spear for Mavric’s stomach. He sidestepped the thrust and broke the wooden staff with one kick from his black boot. Curling in his leg he drove a second kick into his assailant’s chest, sending him flying back into the crowd. The final man dropped his weapon and looked up at him with pleading eyes. Mavric smiled and said, “You shouldn’t have picked a fight with me you foolish little man.”
He then raised his scythe over his head but a mighty cry split the air and made him hesitate. As he looked over he found Zilfer had rammed his way through the crowd and before he could react, tackled him to the ground. Mavric thrashed around like a wild animal but Zilfer held him down. The big man looked around to find the crowd still watching and he roared at them, “What the hell are you people doing? Get out of here! I can’t hold him forever!”
Finally breaking from their horrified stupor, the people ran screaming from the street. Mavric continued to thrash until Zilfer slapped him across the face. This seemed to bring him back and he looked up. Then he smiled lightly, “Oh come on man, I was just having a bit of fun. It’s been years since I got to kill anyone. Do you know how much I miss hearing a man’s scream before I slit his throat? My hair has been so stiff without human blood to wash it with. I missed humans.”
Zilfer looked down at his friend and for the first time since the parade he thought, Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to bring him down. He closed his eyes to steady himself before saying, “Mavric, don’t you remember what we talked about before I left you to your exile? Killing people is bad unless it’s in self-defense. You can’t just go around murdering for no reason and you especially can’t go picking fights like you just did.”
His expression changed to one of a pouting child as he said, “But Zilfer, they attacked me! Didn’t you see it? I was defending myself.” As he said the last words a giggle slipped out. He pursed his lips for a moment, as if trying to hold it in, but he still failed as his insane laughter erupted.
The psychotic cackles sent shivers down even Zilfer’s spin. Two years later and I still can’t stand that sound. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to that laugh. Every time I hear it I know someone is going to die…
Abruptly, the sound stopped, yanking Zilfer back to reality as Mavric said, “Now, get off me or I’ll move you.”
“You couldn’t-,” Zilfer began but before he could even finish the man beneath him growled and pushed him onto his back.
Mavric stood, his brow furrowed in anger. But he seemed to be able to reign himself in this time as he placed his weapon back on his back. “I guess we have to leave now don’t we? Too bad, I had hopped to see a little more of the city. I’m just not welcome here anymore,” he said sadly.
“We’re not really welcome anywhere Mavric. We never have been, but it’s never stopped us before,” Zilfer said once he got his breath back. Mavric offered a hand and helped his friend back to his feet. “Come on Mavric, we’ve got a doctor to talk to.”
Nodding, the two turned and headed back down the road they came in. As they neared the entrance however, something made Zilfer stop. “Oh no, not them,” he whispered. Mavric followed his gaze and found what made his friend so worried.
Three men were blocking their path. Each was dressed very similarly, but in a different color. Each wore a heavy overcoat, large fedora, shinning sunglasses, and had long hair. The man on the left was in all yellow, the right in orange, and the man in the middle was in bright red. “The Diefendorf brothers,” Mavric said in contempt.
The brothers ruled Wyrvenak as an oligarchy; each had equal power and made decisions as a group. They had taken over when their fourth brother that wasn’t related by blood was killed by Oriax and his band of demons. The brothers had changed Wyrvenak from a respectable city to the hive of greed and glutton it had become.
“What do we do now?” Zilfer wondered aloud.
“Talk with them, and if they don’t get out of our way push past them. What else do we ever do?” Mavric said, his tone exasperated.
Nodding, Zilfer followed as Mavric walked up to the trio. The man threw open his arms and cried, “Rot! Orange! Gelb! It’s been far too long my friends! How have you been?”
The man in red, Rot, pointed his cane at Mavric and yelled in a thick accent, “Vhat zhe hell do you zhink you are doing in our city Zakainhi?!”
“You can’t just show up and kill a man!” Gelb, the man in yellow, yelled.
“Ve told you never to come back!” Orange, the man in orange, finished.
Putting up his hands in mock innocence Mavric said, “I swear we were just passing through and those men attacked me. I never intended to kill anyone.”
“Bull! You always kill people vherever you go!” Gelb yelled.
Zilfer finally caught up and said, “Please brothers, we honestly didn’t mean to cause any trouble. We were just on our way to Javion and some men stopped us and picked a fight. You know how Mavric reacts when that happens, please forgive us, we were just about to leave.”
Rot glared at Zilfer but said, “Because I like your brother, I’m going let you leave this time Yendgar. But zo ‘elp me, if you two come back to our city and cause trouble again, we will ‘ave you killed! Now get zhe hell out!”
“Thank you sir, we won’t come back, I promise,” Zilfer thanked as he all but dragged Mavric past the three. Once they were out, both men broke into a run. Once they were far out into the grassy planes, far enough that Wyrvenak was just a bright dot on the horizon, they fell down laughing. “I can’t believe that worked,” Zilfer said with a giggle.
“Neither can I. Those three must be getting soft. I remember last time I killed someone in the city they hired a few assassins to kill me. This time they barely seemed to care!” Mavric laughed.
Growing grimmer, Zilfer said, “Maybe that’s just how bad it’s gotten there. I mean it’s only been, what, five years since those three took power? In that time Wyrvenak has become a pit for all kinds of sin and blackness. Maybe a murder means no more than petty theft to them now.”
Mavric had looked serious throughout the whole speech and when he finished a dark sneer took over his features, “Oh? And your city where a holiday means everyone goes out into the streets and has a murderous free for all is perfectly okay?”
“Procka is different-,” Zilfer started but he was cut off.
“Don’t waste time with excuses my old friend, every city has its own brand of evil. Some are just more on the surface than others. Just look at some of the things Ation has covered up over the years. And Javion? They have a nineteen-year-old girl running things. There’s no way some kind of shifty old council of men are either running things or letting her do as she pleases by sleeping with her. Dummheit is a dark place Zilfer, we just have to accept that and protect what we can.”
As Mavric finished his speech he began walking. Zilfer was frozen in place by the horrible truths his friend had spouted. Has my home really become such a corrupt place without my noticing? And what have I been doing to change things? Sitting around training with my brother. If this threat hadn’t come before us would I still be there?
A voice broke his thoughts and he jumped slightly when he realized Mavric was right beside him again. The smaller man placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder and said quietly, “Don’t let it get you down Zilfer. The world has always been evil; you can’t take all that responsibility on your shoulders. You may be strong, but you’re not that strong. Dark events have always driven men to action. Are they always the best men? No, they rarely are. But in the end things change, and that’s just what the world needs. Men willing to try and change it for the better.” He then patted his friend on the shoulder and began walking again.
This time a smile came over Zilfer’s lips and he watched Mavric move farther away. You may be a psychotic murderous bastard, but you’re still my best friend Mavric. Thank you for that. He then jogged to catch up and followed the direction he was taking. Time to find our other friends, he thought with a smile.
As neither man had lived a very exciting life since they had split, Zilfer just training in Procka and Mavric exiled on a mountain, their conversation dried up quickly. In the silence, Zilfer was finally able to appreciate the beauty that was the northern dominance he lived in.
The vast majority of the north was made up of wheat fields and tall grasses. The skies were clear and the red sun always shone brightly during the day and the moon at night. While there were roads available to caravans, they were rarely used by travelers, as it was generally faster to just walk straight to the city you intended to get to.
The sparsely populated lands of Dummheit were concentrated in big cities scattered around the north mostly. Thin rivers ran alongside the cities but both the north and the south had the problem of having no massive body of water to draw from. Caravans to the west to take trips to the Endless Sea were where the cities of the north got their water.
On the third day of their trek, as the sun was beginning to set, the steel city of Javion came into view. Javion was known to be the most ‘advanced’ city in all of Dummheit because everything in the city was built of either metal or glass. It was also the newest city to the north, being little five hundred years old.
As the two approached the place, the cities lights began to spring to life, giving an even glow. All power was gotten from burning coal that was shipped from the southern dominance.
Two guards stood at the massive gate leading into the city as Mavric and Zilfer neared. The guards grew stiff as they came closed and one held up a hand while crying, “Halt! State your names and business in Javion travelers!”
Mavric chuckles but he stopped when Zilfer shot him a dirty look. The large man straitened himself and said, “My name is Zilfer Yendgar and this is my friend Mavric Zakainhi. We have come to visit our old friend the doctor, Voult Vesadris.”
One of the guards jaw dropped open. Both men reached for their swords in unison and the sound of metal grinding filled the air. “Mavric Zakainhi is the most wanted man in the whole Northern Dominance. We will have to take you into custody, demon hunter!” the second man yelled.
Rolling his eyes, Mavric pulled his scythe from his back. “Do you fools really want to fight me? I’m already in trouble with Zilfer for killing someone at the last place we visited, I don’t want him to yell at me again,” Mavric whined.
The first guard’s armor began vibrating from his terrified shaking. “It’s our duty sir, we have to take you in. Our honor will be damaged if we-,” but before he could finished he screamed as Mavric launched himself.
He cowered, covering his face. The only sounds that came from outside his helmet were the sound of a loud grunt, and metal grinding on metal. When he dared to open his eyes and look around, he found Zilfer had Mavric in a choke hold and he had knocked the other guard to the ground with a punch. The giant of a man looked down and said, “I would recommend not raising the alarm. I, unlike my friend, do not enjoy killing innocent men, but I will defend him and me if that is what it comes to. The choice is yours.”
With that he walked through the gate, finally letting go of Mavric when they were far enough away. Rubbing his neck, Mavric said, “What that really necessary? Did we have to let him live? I hate those idiotic guards with their constant honor defending speeches.”
Rolling his eyes, Zilfer just said, “Of course it was necessary. We can’t see Voult if we can’t even get into the city. If I let you kill those men there would be a search party. No we can move without their hunting us and hopefully by the time that fool raises an alarm we’re be long gone.”
Crossing his arms and shaking the hair from his eyes, Mavric didn’t say anything. Zilfer grinned and thought, Can’t escape that logic, can you my insane friend?
The pair slid into the massive crowd all headed for parties or friend’s homes with ease. No one noticed them, despite how obviously they stuck out. Javion was not only a modern city in its structure; it was modern in its lifestyle as well. Nearly every resident had grown accustomed to wearing with a full suit or a gown everywhere they went. Javion was a city of class, they insisted on being presentable no matter the circumstance; whether that be sitting down for tea or watching a fighting tournament.
“So, where are we headed?” Mavric asked, “You’re the one who’s been in the loop lately, where would Voult be on a night like tonight?” Zilfer chuckled at the question. Mavric looked up and found his friend with a wide grin on his face. “What?” he asked again.
“Well Mavric, as you remember our friend Voult is a classy guy. He’s also one of the richest men and most accomplished doctors in all of Dummheit, so he will most certainly be hosting a party at his mansion,” he explained. He then looked down with an even wider grin, “Let’s go crash it.”
This earned a maniacal cackle from Mavric and the two turned for the rich district. It took no time at all to find that biggest mansion, Voult’s home. They walked up to it and Zilfer raised his fist to knock. As the sounds echoed around the mostly empty square, the two began to wonder if he was home. That was when the door creaked open and inside came sounds of music and laughter. I think we found the right place, Zilfer thought happily.
The one that had opened the door for them was an old man in a fine suit. “Good evening gentlemen,” he said calmly, “This is doctor Vesadris’s home, if you are here for the festivities I will need your names to make sure you were invited.”
“Of course,” Zilfer said, “I am Zilfer Yendgar and this is Mavric Zakainhi.”
The old man’s eyes widened when he took a closer look at them. Then he smiled for the first time and said, “Of course, Master Voult’s old companions. Please do come in Master Yendgar.” As they took a step into the house, the old man turned and placed a hand up to Mavric, “You on the other hand are not aloud in Master Zakainhi. Master Vesadris made it very clear that he did not want you coming in under any circumstances. You will have to find a way to occupy yourself while Master Yendgar and Master Vesadris speak.”
Mavric’s eyes narrowed. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Just let me in old man,” he said harshly. He tried to push past, but the man put his hand up to stop him again. “I said, let me-,” he started to yell, but the old man their thrust his arm forward and propelled Mavric onto the cobblestone street outside.
He quickly jumped up in surprise and the old man said, “I insist you follow his request sir.”
He threw a pleading look to Zilfer but his friend just said, “I think we should listen this time Mavric, I’ll be quick, I promise.”
Growling something under his breath, Mavric stalked off in the other direction. Zilfer threw his own worried glance at the old man thinking, I don’t think anyone but me and maybe my friends has ever stood up to Mavric and gotten him to back down before. He can sense things about people, he can sense power. Who is this man?
“Shall we get back to the party then Master Yendgar?” the old man asked with a warm smile as he slammed the door.
“Of course,” Zilfer said, mimicking the smile so as not to antagonize the strange man. As they walked down the hall, Zilfer couldn’t stop himself from asking, “Might I ask your name sir?”
“My name is Rufus sir. I am Master Vesadris’s butler. I make sure everything is in order in his home. I apologize about your friend, but I understand Master Zakainhi to be a bit of a trouble maker and Master Voult made it clear that he was not to come in without his consent,” he explained.
“I understand,” Zilfer said simply, still dwelling on what had just occurred. His thoughts were quickly push aside however when they reached the end of the long hallway to find the party in full swing. You never were one to skimp on flair were you Voult? Zilfer thought as he looked at the massive room.
The middle was taken up by a large dance floor, which had couples in their finest twirling about to the music of a band playing joyful music off to the side. On the far side of the crowded room was a long white table with dozens of different wines sitting, waiting to be tasted. “And here is where I leave you sir. Good luck getting his attention, Master Vesadris is a very popular man,” Rufus the butler said as he walked back into the sea of people.
Zilfer scanned the room and found Voult with no trouble at all. He was at the center of a group of laughing partygoers. The life of the party as ever I see, Zilfer thought with a grin.
As he made his way through the crowd he couldn’t help but laugh at how much he stuck out. Everyone there was at least a head shorter than the barbarian and they all were very fair skinned. His lack of a shirt also made him stand out quite a bit.
When he drew close enough, Voult looked up from his audience and his jaw dropped. Throwing his arms in the air in welcome he cried, “My old friend Zilfer! It’s so good to see you!” He pushed his way through the crowd and threw his arms around the man in greeting.
“It’s good to see you too Voult,” Zilfer said as he patted his friend on the back. Voult was much different from the rest of their group. He was a man of class, he was always dressed in sharp white suits, his hair was always cropped short, and he had a full but well trimmed beard despite his young age of twenty four.
When he finally pulled away, the doctor said, “Come with me Zilfer, I am sure we have much to catch up on and it is very loud in this room.” Nodding his approval, the two slipped through a side door in a smaller sitting room. Snatching up a bottle of wine and a glass on the way, Voult poured himself some of the dark red liquid and fell into an armchair. “So tell me, what brings you to Javion my friend?”
Falling into chair himself, Zilfer waved his arm at the offer of wine and said, “Well Voult, you know I’ve never been one for drawing things out so I’ll just get to the point. There is a traveling priest named Morroar Urthadar who has been giving a sermon about how Oriax is coming back. This time with an army.”
Voult chocked on his wine at the news and he wheezed, “What?!” Zilfer just nodded that he had heard right. “But we sealed him didn’t we? Mavric’s spell was supposed to make sure he could never come out of Hell again!”
Shaking his head, Zilfer said, “That’s what we thought too my friend, but this man says otherwise. According to him, we have about a month before he puts his plan into action. The sermon has also been convincing people to side with him so he’ll have humans on his side as well. He is supposed to make his reappearance on the Fields of Morsus. I don’t know how, but I don’t want to take any chances. Can we count on you Voult?”
The doctor had put his glass down and was holding his head in his hands. “I was supposed to be down with all this,” he said to himself, “I didn’t want to have any more trouble. I just wanted to heal people, grow old, and be happy. Damn it, why did this have to happen?” Zilfer hadn’t expected this reaction. The surprise yes, but not this sad reluctance. Voult had always been there for them, despite his protests. But before he could say anything, he lifted his head and said with a sigh, “As long as I can stay here, I will help you Zilfer. When the time comes you can use my home as a base. Javion is the closest to the Fields of Morsus anyway.”
A grin spread across Zifler’s face and he said, “Thank you Voult. I knew we would be able to trust you.”
The man offered a weak smile and said, “Of course you can Zilfer, you guys have saved me more times than I can count. I’ll always be here for you. But you should probably get going, if you’re looking for everyone I’m sure that’ll eat up time that you don’t have much of.”
Pushing himself out of the chair, Zilfer said, “You are absolutely right my friend. I’ll go find Mavric and get out of your hair-er, beard.”
Laughing, Voult rose as well and shook Zilfer’s hand. “Goodbye for now my friend. I guess I’ll see you in a month.”
The two walked back into the party and Zilfer froze. The room had gone silent but for one man. He was giving a sort a speech, and he was bald wearing a long robe. Around his neck was an 0 shaped pendant. Morroar Urthadar had come to give his sermon. “I thought I recognized that name you gave me,” Voult said under his breath, “Morroar was invited to my party.”
“Who is this man?” Zilfer wondered quietly as the priest was finishing up.
It had been as if the people were in a trance because the moment he finished, they filled the room again, hiding the priest from view. Shaking himself, Zilfer said, “I need to get out of here, Mavric can’t see this man or he’ll attack.”
Voult looked up at him with a curious expression, “Why wouldn’t you want that? Wouldn’t getting this guy out of the picture early on be a good thing?”
“It would, but you’re forgetting he works for a demon. There’s no way he’s defenseless. I’d bet anything he’s trying to goad us into a trap,” Zilfer speculated.
Nodding, Voult said, “Good point. I’ll get you to the door.”
As the two made their way out, they passed Rufus balancing two huge trays of food. Zilfer glanced back and asked, “I am curious Voult, where did you find that man?”
His brow furrowed, Voult said, “Rufus? He came to my door one day asking for work. I think he’s an old warrior to be honest because he sure is good at keeping unwanted visitors out. Why do you ask?”
“What?” Zilfer asked, lost in thought. Then it registered and he said, “Oh, no reason. I’ve just never seen a man that could push Mavric back so easily. I was just curious.”
They reach the door and Voult pushed it open. “Well, I guess this is goodbye for now,” he said sadly.
Zilfer clasped him on the arm, “For now my old friend. Stay safe.”
“You too,” he said with a smile before closing the door.
The moment Zilfer turned Mavric was standing in front of him. “Well?” he asked impatiently.
“He’ll help, just like I said.”
“Good, we’ll need a good healer. Can’t be too careful,” Mavric said grimly, “Now let’s get out of here. I hate how this city feels.”
Nodding, Zilfer decided not to tell him any more and the two walked back to the gate. “So where are we headed next do you suppose?” Zilfer pondered aloud.
“Ation’s close, why don’t we go find Xam?” Mavric said. Nodding, Zilfer grinned. “What are you so happy about?” Mavric asked with a sneer.
“We’re getting the team back together, doesn’t that excite you a little?” Zilfer asked.
Mavric chuckled. “Oh Zilfer, the prospect of Xam’s horrible manners and zero attention span just thrills me.”
“Says the man who kills people who bother him,” Zilfer teased.
For a moment he wasn’t sure if he’d crossed a line but then Mavric just laughed. “I guess you have a point there. Now let’s go, we don’t have much time.”
Not much time at all, Zilfer thought, being truthful. What will happen when you and this Morroar man meet I wonder? What will Oriax’s personal priest be able to do? I just hope we make it out with all of us alive.
I’m not sure how either of us would handle losing a friend.
