Smiling and not-so-smiling Faces

Bert did not realize the whole relationship, either, for he is only a human. His concern was an old acquaintance, a creature skilled in both magic and contraptions, one that lived west of the Southern Caves even though still within the Shreken.

When the explosion ceased its awful reverberations Bert stood up. There was still ringing within his ears and there was blood on his arm, but other than that he was in one piece. Chucky, however, was a different story.

"By the goddess!" cried Bert when he saw the gnome. The diminutive creature's face was a bloody mess. "Gruuu... glllpuh... aiigh..." gargled the poor creature. "Don't speak," said Bert. "Let me get some clothe." "Aigh!!!" screamed the gnome. "I.... I... can't see. Maigh... my eyes... whaugh... did thaaghtt little mahnnsterrrr... aigh! ...do to maiiigh... eyes!"

What followed was the best first-aid that Bert could muster. Luckily he had some experience in wounds and their care. His medical skills would have to suffice, for Bert was a geomancer - a user of stones - and without his gem or the others he keeps at his home and various resting places, he was completely without magic! The whole while all he could think of was what he saw before his gem and the gnome's contraption were destroyed: the innocent face of a little girl sticking out her tongue, right at them!

Far from that scene and a few days earlier, something else was taking place:

"Fellow Allarians," announced Fred. "Men of the Vale in the Shadow of the Shreken; you have come to my aid and I thank you! But our work is far from done. We seek another man, a companion of mine who is still lost, and a woman of brave heart. I fear that my friends have been captured by the House Mollari" - at this there was much booing and hissing - "but I have no firm proof. I feel we must diverge, take two paths in order to find our friends. One goup must return to Mudspot and take up the search there; another must travel these roads to Absollom and this will be the much deadlier mission."

Even before Fred could continue there was an uproar and ruckus among the fellows of the Black Hand. "I do not know these 'friends' I only know our enemy... let us kill the whoremonger!" "Aye! Death to Zular!" And many other such comments were voiced.

"STOP!" commanded Fred. And sure enough, they did! All became quiet. "If you run higgly-piggly into the arms of the House Mollari you will run straight into your death! If you want change for your villages, if you want a smidgin of peace, then listen. The man we have lost is dear to our King, and the woman a warrior from Aqualaria." All was deadly quiet in the field. "If we find them we shall have a chance to bring much peace to the Vale. Put aside your hate for a while and think with your minds!" Fred and Velus had agreed earlier to let the men know of Astra, but to let on that Prince Cedrik was still alive was too explosive to let out.

The night of the New Moon was hailed with a bonfire not far from Old Alfred's home. He had returned, accompanied by a few of the Fellows and the shephard Velus. He still clutched the talisman, he still knew what it should mean, he still had many an unanswered question. But he was also mixed up with the workings of the Black Hand, and if they said he'd use his skill to find the missing man and woman, by golly, Alfred was smart enough to not say no. Besides, he thought, if he did find them he might receive a handsome reward!

Still not too close to Absollom, Fred and twelve of the Fellows lay crouching within some bushes. Patrols were frequent in this land; few Allarians held any love for Zular; the peasants held outright hatred.

1. ...and what of King Emry...
2. ...what about the grumpy old miner who didn't get to celebrate and immediately began his donkey-ride to the Fieflord of this minor fief...
3. ... what about the coming of age ceremony of Sir Quentin of the Duchy Terentino...

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