Jeff Inlo - Chain of Bargains

Holli found it difficult to argue with Ryson's logic. From their encounter with the soldiers in Huntston, it was obvious the guards were on the lookout for an athletic couple with the male carrying a sword and the woman a bow. Other details were certainly included, such as looking for her pointed ears or a woman strangely wearing a cap during the heat of the high sun season. If they walked into Ashlan together, without making any changes to their appearance, they were bound to be noticed eventually. She did not agree, however, with acting reckless, and she certainly didn't wish to leave Ryson defenseless.

"And you would enter the town without a weapon?"

Ryson pointed to the two war blades he wore at his hips.

"I'm not unarmed."

Holli was well aware of the weapons Sy Fenden had given to Ryson, but she also understood the delver's nature and his reluctance toward causing harm.

"I am talking about weapons you would actually use. You still carry those blades at Sy's behest, but I know you do not unsheathe them."

Ryson scowled. He didn't like to think about when he used the battle swords. It hurt, but he offered a very real truth to help aid his position.

"I've used them when I had to."

Holli saw the pain in the delver's eyes.

"I know you have, but you do not like to. If we are together, there will be less of a chance for you to need them."

"Actually, there may be more. If we get identified in Ashlan, what's going to happen? You're not going to let them take us prisoner this time, not when we'd be in Prilgrat's hometown. And we're going to be dealing with different soldiers, probably much better trained than the ones in Huntston. We're going to have to fight, that makes things more difficult and more dangerous. I'm not going to want to pull out the Sword of Decree and have it light up like a beacon for everyone to see. Not in Ashlan. If I need a weapon, I'm going to pull the war blades."

Holli sighed as she began to accept the truth.

"I see your point," she admitted. "If we separate and I take your sword, the chances of you being recognized fall dramatically."

"And if I'm careful, there won't be a need for any weapon at all."

"Very well, but keep hold of the sword for now."

"You still don't like the idea, do you?" Ryson asked.

"No."

Ryson didn't press the issue. He knew the elf guard would eventually accept the plan. Instead, he decided to focus on another question that tantalized his delver curiosity.

"Does it annoy you that Enin sends you off to explore with me?"

Holli raised a single eyebrow, offering a curious expression, then turned her gaze in every direction to gauge their surroundings. They were moving quickly on foot, despite avoiding all travelers and patrols throughout the valleys. They traveled both day and night, taking only short breaks for rest. Ashlan was not yet in sight, but it would be before the sun set that day. With a quick scan complete, she turned a robust smile upon the delver.

"You feel you are some great calamity to me?"

"I hope not," the delver responded cheerfully, quite happy to see the broad smile of his companion.

"You are not," the elf assured.

"But I'm still kind of a pain, right?"

"The only thing that pains me is that you can outrun me. That has always bothered me."

"But I don't take off without telling you first. You have to admit that."

"I admit nothing of the sort. Delvers run off after the first shiny light in the distance."

"Well, we like shiny things, and mysteries."

"Then you must be enjoying this."

Ryson considered the point. The valleys certainly offered a mystery-no denying that. Goblins taking over farms, entering towns and cities as if they were invited guests; it defied logic. He could almost understand why humans would take on the exodus to cross the plains, but he found nothing that would explain the underlying cause for it all. That was the mystery they fought to solve, and it continued to elude them. Difficult mysteries, however, were a delver's treasure.

In that, he had to admit he was enjoying the adventure. Exploring new grounds, meeting new people, seeing new sights; it was more than a simple treasure. It was a delver's delight. He couldn't deny it. Only the gravity of the situation gave him pause. Dark creatures watched the valleys from both near and far. He did not wish to believe something sinister was behind it all, but little else explained the circumstances.

"I don't know that it's all fun and games, but I can't deny it's been exhilarating," Ryson finally admitted. "What about you?

"I have been given a task, and I intend to accomplish it. That is what an elf guard does, and thus, I am content."

Ryson noted a hint of dissatisfaction in the elf's tone. He believed he might know the cause.

"But if you're here with me, you're not guarding Enin. Isn't that your main objective these days?"

The elf's smile was pressed aside by a slight grimace. Surprisingly to the delver, she spoke honestly of her pain.

"There is very little I can do to protect him that he cannot do himself. Even with the magical energies he shares with me, I am a dust speck compared to his power. Mostly, I keep the curious away from him. As for guarding him from true threats, I am no longer sure what those threats are."

That caught the delver's ear and stoked his curiosity even further.

"You think something is threatening him?"

Holli did not answer. She turned her gaze about to check their flanks.

"Holli?"

"I don't know if anything can truly threaten him," Holli finally answered without looking at the delver.

"I'm not sure if I agree with that. He got himself caught up with Baannat, separated himself from his magic. He was in a great deal of trouble then."

"And that was a threat I could not save him from."

"You think that was your fault?"

"I am not wallowing in self pity, if that is your question."

"No, I'm just trying to understand what you're talking about."

"I am talking about his own failings, not mine."

"I don't know if I'm following any of this."

"There is little that needs to be followed. Enin can only truly be in danger if he places himself in danger. If that occurs, there is little I can do about it. As an elf guard, I have to accept those simple truths. I focus on what I can accomplish, both in how I can be of service to him and to the land. That is what he wishes, and that is how it must be."

"It sounds like you would like it to be something else."

"I want only to be useful. He is training me to be a sorceress, to use my magical abilities. I do so in a way that will increase my effectiveness as an elf guard. That is all I have ever wished to be."

Their chatter ceased as they closed on the outskirts of Ashlan. They had successfully avoided contact with patrols, but their proximity to the city forced them to move with greater care. They came to a stop on a hill near a dusty road that snaked through vast grain fields of outlying farms. They made one last survey of their objective together before making their final approach.

The city was substantially larger than any either had ever seen. Six wide roads led to Ashlan's borders from various directions surrounding the city and appearing like spokes on a wheel with a massive collection of buildings forming the center hub. Even from a great distance, both Holli and Ryson could see the tight cluster of structures that lined every street. Space was not to be wasted.

"It's big," Ryson acknowledged the obvious.

"Big enough to get lost in a crowd," Holli stated, balancing advantages against possible drawbacks. "But first, we have to enter. Do you see any guards stationed along the main roads?"

Ryson pulled the spyscope from his pouch. Peering through the lens, he searched the roads for checkpoints and guard stations. His attention, however, quickly focused upon oddities beyond the main roads and within the city. He moved slightly about the hill to change his position and alter his perspective. The spectacle before him engulfed nearly every portion of the city he could see.