Questlander

Chapter 6: Fields of Yellow Grass

A warm and gentle breeze caressed the azure midmorning sky. The evening's storm was nothing more than a remnant; for wisps of scattered grey clouds was all that remained. The valley below, slick with dew, sparkled under the sunlight.  And off on the horizon a rainbow, deep in its hues, colored the sky. It was an omen of good luck, but the pair had no time to admire the exquisite scenery.

 For although, their spirits were weary, their limbs sore, and their eyes heavy they had to return to their quest. The pair awoke and set quickly to work, gathering what rations they could and preparing their packs to travel. Once this was completed, they set about building a fire in which to burn the corpses. It was a belief that the fire would purify their souls as they traveled to the afterlife. As they did this, they also searched the cadavers for any information that might be valuable.  However, there was nothing of importance to be found. 

"Look here." Yarlin bent down beside the husk of the umbrauz. Right besides the fade was its black blade. It was sheathed in a simple brown leather scabbard that had no marks nor designs upon it. Its pommel was steel and wrapped in the same leather as the scabbard. Without looking upon the blade it would be impossible to know its true identity.

  "I have heard tales of such weapons forged from frozen fire. But never have I laid eyes upon them. For they are rare and can only be made from master smiths. It is said, such swords vanish in the light, fading in its entirety, only to return sheathed once its scabbard returns back beneath shadow. How the process works I do not know. But, I do know that the weapons are used by the worse characters known to all honorable folk. Assassins!"

"Quite a vile weapon then. If what you say is true, I vote to cast it sheath and blade into the funeral pyre. Let it burn among the coals and return back to the earth."

"That is a wise course of action. But Kael, we are enroute to the dwarves. Why not take the blade to them? Perhaps they could learn how it came to be and if its design is recent or one forged long ago."

"Will you carry the weapon then?" Kael inquired.

"I cannot." Yarlin replied. "I was not the one who fell the fade. The burden falls to you. It must be your decision to make." Yarlin turned from Kael, and continued preparing the funeral pyre.

Kael stared at the weapon considering what to do. He did not wish to carry it. For the weapon for vile and tainted by innocent blood. And yet, he was deeply troubled at the mere presence of the umbrauz and its orcish allies. It hinted at a conspiracy not seen since the last true breaking of the world's harmony; when the Great Sage Kindala broke her covenant as a guardian of the world. The mere thought frigthened him, and it drove him to his decision. He would take the weapon to the dwarves for them to examine. He prayed as fitted the weapon to his belt, that it was old and not some new design.

It was not long after that the pair exited the cave. Each carried out with them a small pack of their belongings. Smoke billowed out from behind them as the bodies burned and their spirits cleansed by the fire. They took the trail back to the umber cobble and trekked westwards towards the hamlet of Suregrass.

The walk to the village was not all that far, but the previous battle had taken its toll. Their legs were bruised and their limbs were cut. Each step was an ounce of pain and so the duo traveled ever so slowly.

As Kael trudged along the stone step by step, he lamented the difficulty placed upon him and the unfairness of his condition. "I traveled for two days in haste; deprived of sleep and barely little to eat. All I wanted was to quicken my journey. I thought I was being quite clever, but look at me now.  I am already a day behind and we will to delay in Suregrass to rest our wounds."

"But look at it this way." countered Yarlin. "You have only lost what you have gained. I should think that is much better than losing and gaining nothing at all. And besides, your troubles are not without benefit. You are forgetting, that if you would have followed your plan, you would have passed my home without a second thought. You should be mighty fortunate then. For now you are in great company." Yarlin smiled gleefully at Kael. His mood had improved quite rapidly, now that the draco had found a sense of purpose.

Kael wanted to spit back at Yarlin and counter his claim with the urgency of his quest. But he kept his tongue and smiled back. Secretly he was quite glad to have a companion along, although he would never admit it. 

"Well Yarlin, I must hope that your feet are swift for after tonight's rest we will be flying across the country side. I am most adamant to regain the time lost. For I will need every spare moment I can get to figure out a method in which to convince the dwarves to relinquish their treasure."

"You need not worry about me. I might not be as fast as an elf, but I swear that my endurance is much greater. I might not be able to keep stride with you, but I will keep close behind."

"And if it rains? How will you keep up then?" Kael inquired.

Yarlin laughed at the inquiry. "I can handle myself just fine." Yarlin patted his pack and lifted out a helmet for Kael to see. "Yesterday was a cursory decision, which we should hope does not need to happen again. This helmet, you see, is covered in the scales of iguina lizards. They are big and dangerous beasts that inhabit the swamps southeast of Dune. You may think of them as crocodiles that travel in packs and have strong, stockier legs. Solemn due they leave their watery homes but when they do, they wreak havoc on our live stock and people. 

"I was a young lad, when I had an encounter with one set on devouring me. I was fishing down near the swamp when it stumbled upon me. All I had was a knife and a net, but I was victorious. This was my prize." Yarlin pointed again to the helmet. "From its hide a helmet was made for me wear. It is strong, light, and best of all water proof. So I can say with plenty of confidence, that you need not worry about me I will be fine."

"I will hold your word to it then." Kael replied. "But remember I will not slow. Not even for a fallen tree or moving stream. Yarlin countered Kael's claim with his strengths and Kael responded in kind. The two chatted away the rest of the morning as they traveled. 

 The green sea of grass gave way to square lakes of green and gold. For along the flat land of the country, great fields spring wheat, barley and oat sprout into the sky. Off in the distance and on the top of small inclines, farmhouses stood as sentinels watching human farmers nurture their crops. All the fields grew grain but each field had an assortment of livestock gallivanting around.   As Suregrass popped into the distance, the farms became less fields of grains and instead full pastures. These were sectioned off with fence and mostly consisted of cattle and horses. 

Soon enough, the duo reached the hamlet of Suregrass. It was a small farming community that neighbored a small clear stream. Its buildings were all quite small, with only two building reaching a second story; the inn and the mayor's home. Around the village were cobbled walls, of the same umber stone, and a wooden gate where the path met the village. 

"Yarlin in truth, I would prefer if we did not have to stay at all. For I would be more content to skirt around this settlement and camp in the wilderness. Humans are too varied for my liking. You can never know the true character of one upon your first meeting. Unlike elves and other fair folk, their emotions are quite entangled within one another. It makes them impossible to read and to know their true intentions. I find them all quite unsettling."

"I think you are too hasty in your judgement Kael. Let us approach and see what they are about. For they could be a kind and courteous people. We should not let our fears decide our judgements. If they are hostile, then have confidence in knowing that I have your back." Yarlin began walking up to the gate. He stood tall and although he was wounded and uncomfortable, took long and strong strides. 

Kael watched for a moment as he left. He anxious nature began appear, but deep down he knew he was being foolish. With a deep breath, Kael followed Yarlin up to Suregrass.