Revenge of the Gamer

Soft sunlight filtered through the towering redwoods providing a warm glow to the fronds around the pond. Lilypads the size of dinner platters floated across its surface, and the cicadas chirped a soft melody. It was an idillic day and Kavak couldn’t help but grin.

Stripping off another piece of armor he added it to the pile already stacked atop his tower shield, before removing the breeches and tunic he wore underneath. He added his sword Misery before jumping from the ledge to cannonball into the pond below. An enormous fountain of water shot skyward as he disappeared beneath the surface, and he came up laughing a moment later.

It had been two weeks since his meeting with Thelia, and a lot had changed. For the first time in nearly two centuries Kavak had renewed his relationship with Tunare, and much to his shock the goddess had welcomed him home with open arms. His powers were returning and they brought with them something long absent from his life. Hope.

He floated on his back enjoying the sunlight and the serenade of the cicadas. Or he tried to anyway. A sudden weight at his hip dragged him under the surface, and he had to paddle to stay afloat.

“You couldn’t wait on the shore?” Kavak laughed as he wrapped a hand around Misery’s hilt. He unbuckled the swordbelt and let it sink before resuming his previous position. A moment later the sword reappeared on his hip.

You will never be free of me. Misery’s voice was full of contempt. This mystic you seek will not have the answer. She can not help you.

“We’ll see.” There was no answer, which Kavak considered a small victory. For so long he’d given into despair and spent his days brooding. Now he realized what a mistake that had been, because it was exactly what the sword wanted.

Misery was well named, and seemed happiest when Kavak’s life was ashambles. Now that he’d taken control and was actively working to improve things the sword was silent most of the time. The blade was full of surly anger, and the smug certainly it had exhibited in the past seemed gone forever. Unless he missed his guess the sword was worried. Worried he might find a way to break its hold and destroy it once and for all.

In the last few weeks he’d given considerable thought to getting rid of the sword, and if he didn’t have the answer at least he had some ideas on where he might find more information. A great deal of thought had gone into the matter, and Kavak had come to the conclusion that the secret to destroying the sword lay in understanding it.

The blade came from a tomb in the ancient city of Caerthiel. The figure holding it when Kavak had found it had been wearing a silver diadem, which probably indicated royalty. A crimson eye adorned the hilt, and if it followed typical Teir’Dal custom that symbol represented the house of the man who’d wielded the sword.

All he needed was someone who recognized the symbol, and he’d be able to find the name of the person buried in the tomb. He wasn’t sure what knowing the man’s indentity would do, but instinct told him that was the key. He also knew that somehow, through necromancy most likely, a spirit had been bound into the blade. That meant he needed someone knowledgable about spirits who might be able to explain how the enchantment worked, and could possibly even break it.

He’d heard rumors of a powerful mystic who specialized in such things. Unfortunately, her village had been assaulted by orcs and no one had seen her since. Kavak suspected the orcs had taken her to their stronghold, and was still seeking a way into Crushbone to find her. A direct assault looked suicidal, at least if he went by himself. He’d need help if he wanted to reach the mystic.

Kavak swam through the shallows and waded his way to shore, a wide smile still plastered on his face. It pleased him that Misery was so, well so miserable. It was only fitting after all the cursed blade had put him through.

Scanning the beach Kavak’s mouth fell open in shock. Where were his clothes? He hurried over to the place he’d disrobed, and found his armor still piled atop his shield. There was no sign of his tunic or breeches, which left him as naked as the day he was born. Then he realized Cassie was gone as well. Had someone stolen his horse?

He scrambled up a small rise next to the pond, his toes enjoying the feel of soft grass despite his predicament. Cassie was on the other side of the rise, but no one was stealing her. She stood with Kavak’s breeches and Tunic clutched between her square teeth, and as soon as she saw him she gave a whinny and took off at a trot. The mare was stealing his clothes!

He ran after her, but could only go so fast as he’d neglected to pull on his boots. Kavak was acutely aware of his nakedness, but a quick scan of the road showed it empty of travelers. Tunare’s light let him get his clothing back before he ran into anyone.

Cassie followed the road at a trot he couldn’t quite match, and she tossed him a mischevious glance as she disappeared around a bend. He raced after sending mud flying with every step, but he skidded to a halt when he finally rounded the bend. Cassie stood there waiting patiently with his clothing still held firmly in her mouth. That wasn’t what made him stop though. The mare wasn’t alone.

A stunning high elf with auburn curls pulled into a loose ponytail was stroking Cassie’s muzzle and talking softly to her. She’d taken his breeches and tunic from the horse’s mouth and was peering between the garments and the horse.

“Now why would you be out here all by yourself, and how is it you came be carrying these?” the woman mused in a melodic voice. She wore tight leathers that barely concealed more than ample curves, and was tall enough to come to his shoulder. Tall for a Koada’Dal, but graceful despite her height.

“Uh, those are mine…” Kavak grinned sheepishly, and the woman turned to face him. When she saw his nakedness her eyes went wide as saucers and her face turned scarlet. She didn’t look away though. Kavak stepped forward unabashadly and offered her his hand as if he wasn’t standing there in nothing but his dignity. “I’m Kavak.”

“Nice to meet you Kavak. My name it Kethaia,” Her face split into a wide grin that dimpled her cheek, and emerald eyes twinkled mischeviously, “Can you prove these belong to you? You could be some ruffian trying to steal them from that poor horse.”

“Oh those clothes were stolen alright,” Kavak eyed Cassie balefully, who was doing her best to look innocent. She started clomping at grass along the side of the road. “I should sell you to that gnome that runs the glue factory you unfaithful nag.” he shook a fist at the horse, but she continued munching contentedly without so much as glancing up. Her ears flicked with amusement.

“So, uh, can I have my clothes back?” Kavak turned back to the woman who was eyeing him appraisingly. Her gaze was a good deal lower on his body than was proper and he flushed. “Hey, the pond was cold. I’m not normally that, uh, flacid.”

“I didn’t say anything,” she shot back faintly, but if her cheeks were scarlet before they were positively on fire now. “I guess you can have them back.” She pushed the bundle at him, but didn’t turn away. Cassie gave an amused whinny.

“Traitor,” Kavak raised an eyebrow at Cassie, but the mare seemed unimpressed. He pulled on his clothing as if an army of orcs were chasing him, but the woman’s face was still scarlet even after he was clothed. At least she was smiling.

“So why were you running along the road naked?” She blinked suddenly.

“I was smimming in a pond near here and that traitor,” he inclined his head at Cassie. “Picked up my clothes and ran off with them. I think she was trying to get me into an embarassing situation. She gets this way when I don’t give her enough apples.”

“Maybe you should bring more apples with you then,” Kethaia laughed. She walked over and stroked the mare’s neck.

“So what brings you out here Kethaia?” he asked in an attempt to change the subject. “I don’t see many people in this section of Faydark. Most people are afraid of the goblins down by the pond,” Kavak combed his fingers through his hair trying to straighten it at least a little. What must he look like?

“I was told goblins were polluting the pond,” she frowned and her eyes glittered fiercely, bringing a smile to his face. “I’m going to stop them.”

“Too late,” Kavak’s smile broadened to a grin. “I gave them a barrel of wine and after they were all drunk I convinced them to get on a boat. They’re half way to Freeport by now.”

“You did?” Kethaia blinked, and then burst into laughter. He liked the way it sounded. It was warm, like lying in the sun on a spring day.

“I did,” he grinned, walking over and took Cassie’s reins. She eyed him balefully, but didn’t protest. “I need to head back to the pond and get my armor. You can see for yourself if you like.”

“I’d like that,” smile smiled warmly, and her gaze was more than friendly. He glanced nervously down at his sword before he could stop himself.

If you get close to her I’ll kill her. Misery snarled. I won’t let you find happiness.

Kavak ignored the sword as he swung himself onto Cassie’s back. He stretched out an arm and grabbed Kethaia by the waist. Hoisting her with one arm he desposited her onto the saddle behind him.

“I figure I may as well punish Cassie by making her work for a change,” Kavak leaned over his shoulder to meet Kethaia’s gaze. She was still smiling. Cassie turned and snorted, but she plodded forward at a walk. The horse carried them back to the pond, and Kavak found he enjoyed the feel of Kethaia pressed against his back. It had been a long time since he’d enjoyed a woman’s company that way.

When they arrived Kethaia made an impressive leap from the saddle to land nimbly on a nearby rock. Kavak slid to the ground as well and began buckling on his armor. Kethaia sank into a cross legged position and watched him as he buckled on his breastplate.

“Forgive me for saying so, but you don’t look like the adventuring type,” Kavak pushed his tangled auburn mane out of the way long enough to buckle on his gorget. “What brings you out here hunting goblins?”

“I’m a warden of Tunare,” Kethaia’s eyes flashed and he knew he’d touched a sensitive subject. “I’m more than capable of taking care of a few goblins, thank you very much.”

“I wasn’t implying that you couldn’t,” Kavak tried a smile he hoped she’d find disarming. Her gaze softened a bit. “I didn’t realize you were a warden. That means you are blessed by Tunare, doesn’t it?”

“I command many of her powers,” Kethaia nodded somberly. “I can heal, or assume the form of many forest creatures.”

“Excellent,” a slow smile grew on his face. “I could use your help then. Have you ever fought an orc?”

“Many of them,” her eyes flashed, though this time the anger seemed directed at the orcs and not at him. “I fight them wherever I can, but there always seem to be more. They cut down trees and kill for the pleasure of it. They’re the greatest danger in these woods.”

“So you’d remove them if you could?” Kavak raised an eyebrow. He was leading her to the question he really wanted to ask.

“Of course. They are a blight on the land,” Kethaia bristled. She was even prettier when she was angry.

“Recently a village was attacked, and a woman I am seeking was captured by orcs. They brought her to the stronghold called Crushbone,” Kavak explained. He picked up his tower shield and slung it over his back. “I’m going after her, but I can’t do it alone. Will you help me?”

“Crushbone?” Thaia squeaked. She blinked rapidly as the reality of what he was asking sank in. Once it had her mouth firmed into a determined line. “I’ll do it. When do we leave?”

“We need to stop by Kelethin to resupply. I’ve posted a bulletin asking for more help, so we might even find a few more people to join us,” Kavak explained. He retrieved an ivory handled brush from his pack and combed the tangles from his hair.

“Alright,” Kethaia nodded. “I live in Kelethin. I can pack us provisions if we stop by my house.”

“Great,” Kavak beamed. “Pretty and you can cook. Maybe I shouldn’t be so angry at Cassie after all.” Kethaia blushed and looked away at his comment, but he caught sight of a smile under a cascade of auburn that covered her face.

The pair remounted and road towards Kelethin. Walkways connected the platforms that were centered around many of the tallest trees in the forest, and together they formed one of the marvels of Norrath. No matter how many times he rode the lift he never lost the feeling of wonder as it creaked its way hundreds of feet into the air.

Cassie glared at him from the small stable at the base of the lift, and she may as well have shouted ‘get me more apples’ from the expression on her equine face. Kavak shot her a grin and mouthed, “I promise.” It seemed to mollify the mare who went back to clomping at grass as the lift continued higher into the air.

“If we run into any guards, let me do the talking ok?” Kethaia bit her lip as she gazed at him in what he took for nervousness. Was she on the run? He decided not to press. After all he had his own secrets so she had a right to hers.

The lift creaked to a stop and they stepped onto the wide oaken planks forming one of Kelethin’s famous sky platforms. Kavak offered Kethaia an arm and helped her off the lift, though he had no doubt she could have exited on her own. It felt good to touch her, and besides it was the polite thing to do.

“What’s your business in Kelethin, vagabond?” a cold voice came from behind, and he turned to see a trio of guards all wearing scowls. Those scowls were focused at him for some reason, and the hostility in the speaker’s voice caught him off guard. What had he done?

“I’ve recently moved here,” Kavak told the man who’d spoken. He was tall for a Feir’Dal and fairly well muscled, but the way he cradled the hilt of his sword suggested an impulsiveness that could be exploited if a fight erupted. “I wasn’t aware I needed to tell the city watch my business, especially as I’ve broken no laws.”

“Theron, don’t you go harassing him,” Kethaia bristled and the man quailed as she shoved a finger under his nose. “Kavak hasn’t done anything wrong. You’re just giving him a hard time because he’s with me.”

“I’m just looking out for you, you know Silas would get upset if I didn’t.” Theron took a step back and raised his hands defensively. “He looks a disreputable type, and I wanted to make sure he had honorable intentions is all. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

“Who I spend time with is my business, thank you very much,” Kethaia gave a sniff and seized Kavak’s hand. She tugged him away from the lift leaving the guard to stare dumbly after them.

“Friend of yours?” Kavak glanced over his shoulder at the still bemused guard.

“They’re all like that,” Kethaia rolled her eyes as they crossed the platform. “My older brothers are in the guard and I grew up around them. They all see me as their little sister, and they don’t like to see me with men. I hope he didn’t offend you.”

“Not at all, in fact I can’t say I blame them. If I was in the guard and my little sister was off by herself I’d want my friends looking after her, ” he grinned as Kethaia stopped in front of a building he didn’t recognize. “You never know what kind of ruffian she might meet.”

“This is one of my favorite restraunts,” she pointed at the acorn building. “It’s owned by a fae named Joleena. The seating isn’t that comfortable, but the food is amazing. Do you want to stop for a bite to eat before we leave?”

“I’d love to,” he smiled down at her as she pushed the door open and headed inside.

So many things had changed in the last few weeks. He’d gotten the upper hand on his cursed sword. He’d renewed his faith in Tunare, and she in him. Now he’d met a pretty girl, and one who might be able to help him get into Crushbone. Things were finally looking up and Kavak had never felt more alive.