Wouldn't you know it, I had to take out my "Post Script", so to speak, because it put me over the 15,000-character-limit. Anyways, here it is.
Thanks for reading, more to come. If I may implore you all to keep the chatter limited, that way this thread won't get clogged for when I post chapter 2. Comments are welcome, as are constructive criticisms. Try to phrase everything in the form of a compliment, too.
--------------- Added 27 Mar 2008 at 02:02 am ---------------
Chapter Two
"I hate to be a third wheel", Tebryn began tentatively, "but since I'm here, might I inquire as to whether or not either of you have paid any mind to the individuals following our progress?"
"Way ahead of you, priest", Arial replied with a touch of disdain. The sorceress and Matthias had been aware of their pursuers for some time, and were forming a plan to thwart the ambush that would no doubt take place at the bluff up ahead. Tebryn's brash remark had threatened to compromise their cover. Arial sighed under her breath. Ever since they had embarked, two days past, the tall red-haired priest had been more akin to a nuisance than a contributing team member. His experience tracking wild-items was his only redeeming quality, in the eyes of the sorceress.
Matthias surreptitiously slowed his pace, just enough to allow the priest to come to even pace with the couple.
"There's a blind-bluff up ahead", the scribe informed, "we're undoubtedly going to meet them there; Arial and I were deciding how we should meet them". Tebryn subconsciously touched the mace at his hip, somewhat concealed by the large red cloak he wore over his robes.
"Hopefully we can dispatch of them before any physical combat is required", Arial remarked disdainfully at the priest. The sorceress had already noted that nobody in the trio was exceptionally proficient in combat. Their task had demanded the discipline of spellcasters, anything else would have been nothing more than baggage.
"Hopefully", Tebryn echoed, "but I'd still like to be ready for surprises".
As the trio approached the bluff, they called to mind spells that seemed appropriate. As they turned to round the bluff, they each had a grip on the wands inside their robes. Though magic was an Art one could wield without the use of a focus, many wandmakers made a fortune creating tools to increase the potency of a spell cast using a special kind of wand as a somatic component. Unlike the wands that stored a single spell to be discharged on command, these items held no power of their own. They were simply an instrument for the spellcaster to focus their Art. By the time the trio came around the bend, they were fully prepared for a royal welcome.
Before them stood a man, clad in worn leather armour. The rough vest was in poor condition, with only a few of its original metal studs still attached. At the highwayman's hip was a short sword, and in his hand -- almost completely concealed beneath his folded arms -- was a hand-crossbow.
"Greetings, travellers!" he called jovially, "a fine winter's day for a ride, I see". He indicated the mounts that bore the trio.
"So it is", Matthias replied, matching the man's auspicious tone.
"A good thing this road is free of dangerous wild", the highwayman prattled, "if only it were a more rewarding job to guard the safety of those who trek along its stretch". Tebryn could not contain a small grin at the cleverness of the vagabond. A guard of the roads indeed!
"Alas", Matthias said with a hint of sadness inserted into his tone, "if only we had a tithe to offer your noble heart, but we are weary travelers in possession of nothing more than the clothes on our backs and the faithful steeds we procured at the grace of the Count of Waterford". The highwayman's smile wavered, and he inclined his head as if to admire the wildlife.
"A true shame tha-" his sentence was cut short by the roaring inferno that Arial had evoked on his position, a blazing fireball that consumed the highwayman entirely. Within a heartbeat, Matthias had summoned a protective wall of force that deflected the hail of arrows and bolts from above, and Tebryn had sent a ray of searing light into a poorly-concealed archer.
As another barrage pounded on the invisible wall, Arial elegantly finished another incantation. Five magical projectiles of pure force sprang from her wand and made a beeline for another poorly hidden highwayman on a rocky outcrop thirty feet above the road. This individual had the sense to try to evade the spell, but it was a futile effort. The missiles knew their target and altered course to match, slamming into his chest with enough force that if he wasn't killed outright, they pushed him over the edge of his perch so that the fall would finish the job. Matthias also had begun another incantation, but in the heat of the battle his mount frighted. It reared, and the scribe had to abandon his spell to grab hold of the reigns so as not to be thrown from the beast's back. He cursed as an arrow whizzed by his head, almost scraping his temple. A moment later Tebryn brought the archer down with another well-aimed ray of searing fire. The remaining highwaymen scattered, instantly knowing their error in underestimating the trio.
Finally getting a handle on his horse, Matthias calmed his steed and dispelled the wall of force.
"And you wanted to take the trails", he scoffed mockingly at the sorceress, "look at the fun we would have missed!" With a barely contained smile, Arial kicked her horse forward.
"Let's just get to Evertide", she said with feigned exasperation. But even if one wasn't familiar with the sorceress' penchant for destruction, they would not have been able to miss the twinkle in her emerald eyes. Yes, today was a day worth living.