“And you, my darling will accompany them. I need you to provide them guidance to the Sorrowmoore. Once there, return to the coven.” Aurora’s expression twists in frustration.
“Mother, I do not wish to accompany them. I have many duties to atten-”
“Aurora. The Black Rose has sent them to us as a gift. As an answer to our prayers for help. We must not throw them to the wolves.” Nyx looks at Aurora with soft eyes, pleading with her daughter to help. Aurora looks between us and her mother, and with a sigh, agrees.
“Fine. I will do as you ask.”
“Thank you child. I and The Black Rose thank you.” Aurora rolls her eyes at the mention of The Black Rose giving thanks. “Now, you two have had rest enough for a lifetime. Off you go.” She waves us towards the door and it opens, beckoning us through. Aurora guides us through the house and back outside.
The air has grown colder and the magical light dimmer. Night is upon us. We wend our way through the now empty streets to a small shop with a sign in the shape of sword above its doorway. Aurora approaches the door and knocks in a peculiar pattern. After a short moment the door cracks open with the rattle of chains.
“Password.” A man asks.
“Lux damnetur.” The door shuts again, the muffled sound of locks being released permeates through the door. The man swings it wide and waves us through. We follow Aurora into the darkness of a damp cellar. Rats scurry about the floor and webs hang in every corner of the place. Our only light coming from the stairwell at the opposite end of the cellar. Climbing the stairs we reach the main floor. It’s a blacksmith’s shop, though at this time of night there is no clang of hammers on anvils or forges bellowing embers. It’s quiet except for two men that stand on either side of the service counter, trading stories.
The one behind the counter is short and broad in stature. A dirty apron tied around his waist and a pair of goggles set on his forehead. His hair is wild, bushy and unkempt as is customary with dwarves in his field of work. His voice booms out into the room with a strange accent. The other is tall and gray, though despite his age he is a handsome man. His hair hangs loose behind him, wrapped into a tail. He scratches his beard thoughtfully at something the dwarf says, before hearing our approach. Noticing Aurora first and bursting into a bright smile.
“Aurora! So good to see you safe.” He strides to Aurora and wraps her in a brotherly embrace. They part from each other as the dwarf emerges from behind the counter.
“Aye, we were worried sick about ye lass.”
“You two worry far too much. The wood is no danger to me.”
The tall man sighs. “Were it a decade ago I would agree with you. But with the cult out there, no one is guaranteed to keep the breath in their lungs.”
“Rhys, I’m not a little girl. I can take care of myself.”
“Yes. Yes of course.” He smiles sadly at her, lost in some past memory.
“So lass, what brings ye here at such an ungodly hour?” Aurora gestures back to us.
“The Matriarch sent me after these two. She has since tasked them with investigating the encroachment of the Noxbleum cult near The Sorrowmoore. I’m to lead them there and return.” The two men exchange hesitant looks. The scars that cover their exposed skin make it clear they have seen years of blood and battle. Of which their nervous expressions no longer want to find. After a moment Rhys speaks.
“We will come with you.”
“Rhys, no. I can handle-”
“Yes yes, you can handle yourself. But I can’t handle the thought of you being out there by yourself. We’re coming.” She rolls her eyes but gives a faint smile.
He turns his attention to Ivar and I. “Come friends, let’s get you fitted into more appropriate attire.”
“I do not like this.” Ivar whispers to me as I help him into his new armor.
“I don’t either, Ivar. But we don’t have much choice in the matter. They did save our lives.”
“Or perhaps they were the ones who set the beasts upon us.” I dwell on this for a moment as I begin working on tightening the clasps of his chestplate.
“Even if they’re responsible for the ambush, we must play their game. If you wish to see the morning.”
He groans in agreement. “Fine. We will play their game, for now.” I tighten the last clasp on his chestplate and slap his back.
“We’ve been through much worse than this friend. We’ll find a way out of this mess.”
Ivar and I rejoin the others at the counter in the main room of the shop. Our new armor clanking loudly as we walk, the sound catching Rhy’s attention.
“Well well, look at you two. Everything fits well I trust, Durin is the finest smith in Mournewood!”
“Then he must be the only one.” Ivar says. I jab him in the ribs through the gap in his armor. Replacing his insult with a sharp wince.
“The armor is great. Thank you. Were you able to recover our weapons?”
“Ah, yes. Armor wouldn’t do much good without a way to defend yourself.” Rhys disappears into the armory. The sound of clashing and clanging metal rings throughout the shop. I glance over at Aurora who has since taken up conversation with Durin. She’s smiling at something he said and I can’t help but smile myself. Her eyes notice my lingering stare and her smile quickly fades, replaced by her usual vexed expression. I drop my eyes to the floor.
“Here you are!” Rhys has returned from the armory with our weapons in hand. “Aurora had them sent here after she returned,” He sets them both on the counter and we move to retrieve them. “So,” he says, and turns to Aurora. “When do we leave?”
