Summer sat in the nest she had made with her gear among the goods in the open top wagon as it approached their destination. It rattled along the old track so overgrown and wind swept that it was more a suggestion of a path then one in actuality. The sun this fine summer day was high overhead with few clouds to break it up. The mountainside they found themselves traversing as they approached the Expedition site was mostly hilly grassland with some snarled juniper trees and a few clumps of some variation of Pine with a few scattered Purple Sage trees, kings of this secluded area.
It had been a long eight days as they had little they could do but sit and watch the countryside pass by. That first day out of Gemport the roads had been passable enough that her sister and her had been able to read in the wagon with just a bit of an upset stomach. By the afternoon of the second day they had passed the limit of Gemports influence and thus the roads they maintained. Besides the hour of running Kara made them do alongside the caravan each morning as it trembled along they had just sat and watched the mountainside landscape and fretted. So similar to home but so strange in others.
They were really in near wilderness with just the newest shepherds pushing their flocks this far out from the nearest villages. Home in Abigail you would have to be nearly 3 months outside the City to find trails like this and only in the highest and harshest areas at that.
It was truly staggering when she thought of what could be out here. The southern range of The World Breaker mountains continued to stretch hundreds of miles to the east of here and this was the farthest known point and that was a very recent change.
Their [Wagon Driver] trilled in excitement. “There she be” the old Kimber man said. He used one of his arms to raise his large stiff brimmed hat and waved it while another flicked the reins of his four mule team.
Summer half stood at his shout. Their wagon was about two thirds down the caravan and had just made a wide turn up onto another wide ridgeline. Summer saw the old stone wall and the village behind it far up ahead. It sat atop a clear rocky shelf a few hundred feet higher still and sat snug against a steep mountain side. It looked to once have been a good size town. The new repairs along the old wall were noticeable as were the new six wooden towers along the wall. Two groves of trees that had been near the wall had been clear cut and the trail had significantly been improved from the wall to about where the caravan was now.
Seeing the long caravan stretched before them as it climbed the ridge towards the dungeon made its size plan to her. At least a hundred wagons or carts in front of them and another fifty behind. Over six hundred people were in the caravan.
Summer adjusted her sunglasses and made sure her tricorn hat was snug as a strong wind blew the caravan dust at them.
“What do you think?” Summer asked her sister who stood next to her after she spit out the dirt in her mouth.
While they were truly identical twins and were almost always together they had gone down different paths. Autumn, who was going by Faye, her adventurer's name because they had always disliked the name Autumn, was dressed in traditional outdoor woman’s clothes of Abigail.
Tight blue jeans that tucked into just above the ankle black gaudy cowboy boots. With a loose long sleeve white colored blouse that had short tassels down the back of its sleeves. The blouse tucked into her pants. A tight brown hardened leather vest over it, with her adventurer's belt at her waist with its three wands and her shortened side sword. Her black rancher style cowboy hat to match her boots.
“Picked up at least two more wagons last night.” Faye said, adjusting her own black tinted sunglasses.
“Three,” Kara said.
They both looked at their only slightly older than them minder who was dressed somewhat in between the two of them. Blue jeans and Abigail style boots with her dulled solid steel chest plate over a thickened blouse undershirt. Adventure belt and warhammer at the ready.
The other three passengers on the wagon were on their feet to get a view of their destination also. Two of them looked back to see if they could spot the late night additions to the Caravan.
Mari, the handsome older Dwarf still looking forward, winked at her as she smiled at his two companions trying to locate the new wagons. The Dwarf stood atop the many crates and chests of goods in the wagon. Feet wide to steady himself as they moved.
He was the captain of a newly minted Silver ranked team, Atwood’s Axes. Although only Mari carried an axe.
“Ready for some real adventuring? The rumors have only gotten juicer since we left” Mari asked her.
“Who says we haven't, you old rock sniffer” Summer said with no bite in her words.
“Heard anything good last rest stop Mari” Faye asked with a slight smile on her face as she looked at Mari. They were all around the same height and Faye and her were short.
“Nothing but the same from last night, great happenings and fighting vs Minotaurs and other things of the deep places.” Mari said as he sat back down.
Summer took her seat and gave her sister a quick look. They both worried about the same thing. The rumors had come flying fast and hard three days ago when people with the Message spell got in range of the Expedition site and whatever contacts they had there. From what they had heard Franco had gotten himself involved in something big again. Rumors of the Jade Temple being delved by some Coppers and Franco's name kept coming out. Last night someone had told Faye that Franco was a lost Prince of Ru and that an army was coming to rescue him now that the Expedition leader had taken advantage of him in his forgetful state.
Three hours later Summer was fuming and much hotter to her displeasure, an hour to reach the wall had been expected but two hours waiting in line at the gate was ridiculous but the had finally just cleared the entrance. The Expedition was taking security and its control of the area seriously and had turned back a full wagon and seventeen people who had tried to sneak into the village by joining the caravan mid journey.
Summer and Faye both had a side of one of their travel chests with some gear on it as they carried it down the streets. Kara was just behind them carrying one of their chests by herself. Moving from where their gear had been unloaded and now walked the crowded streets of this busy village. People of all sorts moved by them on the streets. Humans, Elfs, Dwarfs, Gnomes, Saytr and even a few Goblins which always got a second look from her but if they were here then they were adventurers like her. But half the people moving around the village were Kimber and there was real excitement and frustration in the afternoon air. The rumors were flying and had gone up and down the waiting line of wagons as they waited to get in.
They reached the old house they had been assigned near the eastern edge of the town. It had #227 painted next to the canvas door in bright red, a canvas roof and three rooms with a shared main room that had a fireplace that had been recently repaired. All four windows in the little house were covered with the ubiquitous thick brown canvas. They dropped the travel chest down next to the others.
“Did we bring too much?” Faye asked as she took her hat off and wiped the sweat off her head.
“You should put your armor on…Faye” Kara said as she drank from her canteen, stretching as was her habit when forced to be still.
She was almost a foot taller than the twins were and even with her chest plate and round Legion like helmet with its thick check guards hanging down hiding much of her figure she was as shapely as they wished they were. Her long brown hair was finally braided and Summer shared a smile with her sister as Kara was so classically beautiful she couldn't hide it, but she was the oldest twenty seven year old they had ever met. She acted like an overprotective Grandma and hated using their first names when they played at Adventurers. The perfect Guardian for them besides the fact the woman hated being still for more than five minutes.
“After we get the rest of our gear, mother,” Faye said as she headed out past the canvas door.
Summer made sure her twin swords sat well on her back hips before following her sister out. They moved back towards the front gate where most of the wagons had pulled into a wagon yard just inside the wall and off to the west. It was already late afternoon and they had a few more trips to bring their gear in. The Crown’s spy chief in Gemport had over packed for them but Summer figured too much gold was a better problem then too little here.
They moved down the cobbled street whose center was mostly intact but the edges of the street around the houses had been overgrown with grass with a few small juniper stumps showing where they had recently been cut down.
As they headed west approaching the main street that ran mostly north and south the crowd in front of them slowed and grew thick. People around them yelled asking what's happening with everyone asking their neighbor if they knew anything. Then someone who must have been using a Crier spell or Ability could be heard on the main street.
“Gather in front of the Expedition office. The Jade Temple has been opened! Helmric returns from the the dungeon!” the voice cried out and then trilled in excitement.
Summer and Faye both looked at Kara who just nodded at their look and immediately started elbowing and shoving a way through the crowd to the street. They had to get there and find a spot. Hopefully the crier was coming from the dungeon entrance as their street was close to it and they could beat the rest of the crowd there.
The crowd was thick as they moved against the house walls with several hundred people already standing in the open area around the office.
Faye noticed Allen first. He stood slouched against the building opposite the office on the east side. The large building that this Master Helmric had picked was clearly used as some kind of meeting place as its front door faced the open area at an angle and not either street head on. Sir Mills had of course beat them here and found a perfect spot for them. There was a large windowsill in the stone wall where he slouched and it was a good four feet up, empty and wide enough that Summer and her sister could sit there and see over the heads of the too tall crowd.
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Mills was giving off his Gold ranked killer aura in his sleek matte black half plate armor with his black spear resting against his armor and wicked looking blue short sword on his adventure belt.
He had his back to them and when Kara got them within a few feet Sir Mills started to push his way through the people in front of him towards the Expedition office.
“Out of the way, Gold ranked coming through” Mills barked at those around him. Many shouted back at him and cursed but they watched him as Kara took over the spot Sir Mills had just been. She cupped her hands and easily pushed up Faye and then Summer onto the windowsill.
They turned and sat, feet dangling off the large windowsill watching the camp come in from all the side streets. It took another thirty minutes of the crowd growing louder in stages as people waited before a group coming down the main street from the north could be seen and then heard.
Summer and her sister watched as an older Kimber man wielding a spear cleared a path for a large group of clearly Gold and Silver rankers.
“There he is,” Faye said, loud enough so Kara could hear. “He’s the nearly bald one in the plain clothes next to that elf in that incredible armor, walking with that black girl and Kimber.”
Summer saw him now walking in the middle of the group making for the Expedition office. She let out a soft whistle.
“He has a nasty scar on the left side of his head. Looks big and permanent. Brigham’s basement! Look how stiffly he is moving, are those freshly healed burn scars on the back of his neck” Summer said, also feeding information to Kara who couldn't see well with the crowd in the way.
“Yea, I see them. Looks like they might cover at least his upper back with how it's moving. His armor is gone and those aren't any clothes he has ever owned. He might be penniless” Faye said with a hint of her sadness and anger bleeding out.
Summer knew how they felt about it. They were furious and would not let Franco be taken advantage of. Right now he was looking very rough and tired. Very much like someone lost.
The group he was in reached the front of the Expedition office and the leading Kimber man stood atop a platform of crates that had been set up in front of it, to speak to the crowd.
“Welcome Welcome, what a day to arrive. I am Helmric Finstrider, Master of this Expedition. Innosaa just told me before I jumped on here that there are 622 of you with 143 wagons. They told me she had to chase out four wagons and over thirty people who tried to sneak in with the caravan.” The Kimber trilled in anger.
“Let it be known, you gossiping goldfish that no one enters this campsite until I or the Adventurers Guild in Gemport say you can. Why such a hard line? Because I bring you news that will shake the world and give you you a chance to be real adventurers.” Helmric let out a slow trill as the crowd grew very silent in anticipation.
Faye made eye contact with her and she agreed. This Kimber knew how to handle Adventurers, a hard line of who's in charge and then offer them riches they could get.
“By the efforts and great sacrifices of the Bronze ranked team the Stone Eaters” Helmric said. That made Franco, the black girl, the elf and the young Kimber boy look at each other in surprise.
“He just promoted their team” Summer said softly just in case Kara couldn't see Franco’s reaction.
“Finn Exodae and Gull Swan, two Gold rank members of the Fishmongers. The lost Temple of the Jade Goddess has been found and opened. A quest given by the last Priest of the Jade Temple. Brother Zif a now [Soul Bond Golem] who was alive the day the city of Desanigh sank into the earth mind you” Helmic said and tried to continue but there was an audible sound of surprise and sudden conversations.
Summer saw her sister’s eyes go wide and she knew what she was feeling, like always. This was incredible. The things he could tell the world. A living golem? Was that a thing of the lesser Evils?
“Shut up and let me finish. You want to hear the rest.” Helmric yelled and then smiled, his bill opening wide in that Kimber smile. That got people to shut up.
“Where was I, Yes yes. Brother Zif led the Stone Eaters, Finn and Gull through the main temple and down what he is calling Vaults. Sections of underground. Each one 120 feet deep but with a different amount of floors per Vault. Over the millennium since the fall of Desanigh Zif the golem has led an army of lesser golems to defend the 200 Vaults of his temple. He has retreated floor by floor, Vault by Vault till he only held the first Vault and its seven floors. Yes, so he tasked them to help help him retake the second Vault and its seven floors for him to completely open the Temple to us. Their quest turned more dangerous when they discovered that Denizens of the Deep, Minotaurs, yes Minotaurs of legends and Goblins were coming up from their lairs through an entrance in a deeper Vault to try and break into The Grand Armory of the Jade Temple.” He said clearly emphasizing his last few words.
That's right, think about it you idiots, an ancient lost temple with a living golem that is over 4000 years old and has an armory of ancient relics. Summer could almost hear the flood of people running to get here, or would it be the sound of marching boots as armies moved to secure this place. She didn't need to look at the others, they all understood that Mr. Atkin would need to be contacted as soon as they could.
“There in front of the doors to the Grand Armory did they face an alliance of three Clans. Two of the fabled Minotaurs and one Goblin tribe. There Zif made made a deal with one of the Minotaur Clans and the Goblins vs the other Minotaur Clan for they had summoned a Greater Demon.” Hemlric said and then grew silent as that news seemed to stun them all into silence.
Faye looked at her and she just wanted to say it couldn't be real, but she couldn't for some reason. It suddenly felt like a sacred truth. What she would have said just a few minutes ago was that such a thing was just superstition and was a thing of old stories but now she fully believed it was real, and that scared her and it seemed everyone else.
“Our adventurers along with Zif, their new Minotaur and Goblin allies then fought the mad Minotaur tribe and its Chieftain. They under Truth Spell, and by the account of Brother Zif who I have spoken with with, there did battle. Where Gull Swan and Sarah of the Stone Eaters died fighting Abominations and half demon possessed Minotaurs. Where Franco Young killed the Chieftain of the mad Minotaurs and banished the Greater Demon. All this as a Copper ranked team, but now Bronze and well deserving.” Helmric said all three of his arms out before he turned and said something to a tall elf woman standing behind him.
Then Summer saw that same elf woman chivy Franco and his team onto the crates next to Master Helmric. Where the four stood next to an old looking Kimber man who must be Finn, the Gold ranker that had been down there with them. They joined in with the crowd and Helmric himself in clapping and cheering for the heroes of the hour.
Franco had journeyed through the lost Temple of Jade, fought Minotaurs and banished a Greater Demon. Could all this really be true? Was this a lie for some reason? No, why tell them and effectively tell the world. More was coming, she knew it.
Helmric waved the crowd to silence. “With the Grand Armory secure and a great evil banished, Brother Zif sought to reward them. Maphfairein Da’nah Olaynorein”.
Summer was impressed with Master Helmric’s pronunciation of the elfs full name.
“Was rewarded with ancient and powerful Elven armor of old. Each one was rewarded but Franco most of all. Come forward human and show them the Relic blade Brother Zif had you bond through ancient magic” Helmric said waving for Franco to step forward.
Summer had never seen Franco so uncomfortable and she didn't understand why Master Helmric was doing this. Having him show off a Relic level weapon.
He stepped forward to the edge of the large crate and unhooked the sheathed saber. Summer along with many gasped as the sun caught the Jade pommel of the saber as it glittered in the light. Even from a hundred feet away she could sense the power of the weapon he held, even sheathed. With the silvery grip in his right hand and the sheathed saber in his left. He slowly drew out the saber in front of the crowd.
Summer was glad she was wearing her sunglasses as she had to look away just briefly as the sun reflected off the Jade and silvery metal blade. It must have been at least 40” long but Franco held the shimmering green, magical blade in front of him showing the crowd. It was beautiful. The most beautiful weapon she had ever seen.
Helmric continued to speak then. “A Jade Blade, personally gifted by the last Priest of the Jade Temple and bonded to him for banishing a Great Demon. Truly a weapon fit for the legends. I spoke only briefly with Brother Zif when these heroes returned to the entrance of the Temple. He has invited me to talk to him in five days to negotiate missions for the Adventurers Guild. Ones to help clear lost floors and Vaults of monsters and worse. Missions that he says he will reward well. Missions that he will offer this other Minotaur and Goblin tribe so he can build trust, so that we may trade with them and for him to reclaim the two hundred lost Vaults of the Jade Goddess. Decades worth of work, levels and reward. All this and more as we have found a third entrance into the Dungeon of Desanigh as well. So don't give our young heroes too much trouble but get settled in in quickly because you are first and an entire world will come running here soon to seek the riches at your feet. Now go, the work starts tomorrow for you new folks.” Helmic shouted and then gently pushed Franco in front of him down the crate and into the building behind them.
The crowd instantly exploded into a loud cacophony of conversations. Kara offered them a hand to help them down but Summer just pushed it aside to slide off the windowsill with her sister. They didn't speak as they would have to yell but they walked back to where they were staying. They needed to talk.
When Kara pushed through their canvas door to their place Sir Mills was sitting in a corner so as to not be seen by anyone outside. With the door closed they gathered close together where Kara activated a Muffle enchantment on one of her rings.
“What the ever Living God was that” Faye said, as she looked at each of them.
“Yeah tell us why a supposed Level 35 Expedition leader had Franco show off his Relic rated weapon like he was a Tin after his first loot?” Summer said
Kara and Sir Mills looked at each other before Sir Mills spoke.
“Well it must mostly be true, that's why he would do it, and there are no hiding teams doing missions for the Jade Temple in a week. Everyone will talk, their adventurers doing a thing of stories. The first teams being all those Golds who watched a bunch of Coppers get to do a legendary quest while they apparently sat outside waiting. We need to find out why only two Golds and the Expedition leader’s sons Copper team, including Lord Young went into an unknown Death Zone” Sir Mills explained softly to them.
Kara spoke next, “and because there is no hiding that armor the elf is wearing and the Jade Saber if they wish to use it. Notice how Master Helmric spoke of a bonded weapon that this golem Zif had to give for him to use it. That could all be lies, or it could be true, or probably a mix to help protect Franco from knives in the dark. The random thief won't be stopped, but the professionals would need to find out first how true that is. Killing Franco would at least make an enemy of the Adventurers Guild and probably this Zif for stealing a relic Jade Blade. The possibilities of the Jade Temple and this Grand Armory need to be greater than stealing a weapon that they couldn't use anyway to protect him.”
“This needs to be reported as soon as possible. We can give you the name of a more reliable contact that was given to us or should we stick with the one we have been using.” Faye asked Sir Mill and Kara who up to this point had made contact with one openly known information broker that was in their caravan.
“No, Master Simms will be perfect. He probably has a full copy of Master Helmrics words already. I will see that sent out now. I would recommend getting the rest of your gear before it walks away and then to be seen out and about. Get dinner, make friends and sign up for some safe but visible missions. I expect Master Helmric will keep Franco and the rest of that team out of sight for a while. For things to cool down and some others to walk out with some loot. It might be a little bit before you can interact with Franco like you planned.” Sir Mills said
Summer and Faye looked at each other and Summer just nodded her head and sighed.
“Well let's get to it Summer, if we are playing the part maybe we can team up with Mari for a mission or two and get you a date to make this time more interesting” she said sharing a smile with her sister as they could almost hear Kara and Sir Mills grind their teeth.
Summer took her sister's elbow and they walked out of the Muffle Spell and their little house arm in arm.
“He is very handsome and he does look very experienced,” Summer said, a slight smile on her face as she enjoyed the fading summer sunlight as they walked down the street.
Kara was behind them and they both felt her frown. This waiting wasn't going to be all bad they knew, but it was clear to them that Franco had lost his memories or some part of it and that he needed help and needed it now, but they would earn his friendship again, and then take him home.
