Journey to Yesod

Art drawn by: Bintang Hamal

Written by: Hunter Ake

Edited by: Lilliana Steele and Dee Dee Davis

Chapter 2 (Part 1)

Quadect 10^th, 1258

          “Damn, my feet are killing me.”

          Dulani rolled her eyes at Zenebe. It had only been nine days since they left Abbayona. The man wasn’t accustomed to long marches, but did he need to make it everyone else’s problem? 

          “I could carry you, Zenebe. You’re light as a feather to me,” offered Sook. 

          Dulani protested, “Ugh, would you please stop babying him?! It’s not that much farther to the city… I think.” 

          “You said the same thing earlier today!” exclaimed Zenebe. 

          “Dulani, you do know where you’re leading us, right?” Sook spoke with concern; toeing the line between genuine and condescending.  This only added to Dulani’s irritation. 

          “I remember the way! I’m just not entirely sure about the distance, is all.” 

          “How do you know of this place anyway?” inquired Zenebe. 

          “My family used to visit this town every few years. It has a reputation of a tourist trap.” 

          “What is your family like, Dulani? You never talk about them.” Sook asked. 

          “And I don’t intend to start now. It’s not relevant.” 

          The group walked in an awkward silence. Zenebe and Sook looked at each other, both a little disheartened by Dulani’s response. 

          “Finally, we’re here!” Dulani saw the spired decorations on the defensive wall over the forest. 

          “And only a quarter day longer than anticipated, Dulani, I think that’s a new record.” Zenebe spoke with a malicious glee. 

          “Well, we might have gotten here sooner if we didn’t have to keep taking breaks for a flat-footed-“ 

          “Aaaanyway,” Sook stepped between them and draped her thick arms around their shoulders, “we’re here! Now we can restock on supplies and maybe sample some local cuisine!”

          Zenebe couldn’t hold back his laughter, only serving to peeve Dulani further. 

          Just then, something caught Dulani’s attention. She saw the top of a dust cloud brewing over the treetops to the left of the wall. She heard the shrill caws of birds flying straight at her followed quickly by thundering hooves. The others watched as cervids and rodents came barrelling out of the forest; fleeing some unknown threat. “Something big is up ahead.”

          The trio rushed toward the front gate to find the town guard doing battle with a massive hexapedal. It was Titanic with jagged antlers, easily standing 10 feet tall with six long gangly legs ending in hooves. The beast was clearly diseased; foaming at the mouth with dull eyes and heavy breaths. Two guards were already injured. Two others stood their ground, trying to keep the rabid animal away from the injured. 

          The group wasted no time. Dulani rushed forward while drawing her bladed gauntlets. She quickly sliced through one of the legs of the beast, causing it to howl in pain; a bone-chilling banshee cry. Dulani leapt back as the beast swung its head, attempting to skewer her with its antlers. 

          Sook saw her opportunity and transformed into her lizard physique. She rushed over and shouted to Dulani to run toward her. Dulani assented and as the beast rushed the two women, Sook braced herself for the impact, catching the antlers; the jagged ends glancing off her scales harmlessly. Sook tightened her grip on the base of the antlers and held the beast in place. “Now, Zenebe!” 

          Zenebe emptied his water pouch and formed the water into a circular mirror suspended in the air. From deep inside it a figure emerged. Zenebe stepped forward, solidly planting his feet and thrusting his arm forward, the water extending out into a channel toward the beast’s neck. A large carnivorous fish with sharp teeth and glowing red eyes swam up the channel of water and ripped right into the beast’s throat. It was over in seconds. The creature collapsed from the trauma and Zenebe released his summoned fish. Sook let go of the corpse’s antlers and reverted to her human form with a small wince of discomfort.

          “That was incredible! I can’t believe how well you guys handled that crazed Cougnact!” shouted one of the guards. 

          Zenebe ran over, offering to help treat the wounded. He wasn’t much of a healer, but knew basic treatments. 

          Dulani patted Sook on the shoulder, “That was quick thinking lizard-brains. Good job.” 

          “We don’t often get fighters around here. Mostly just pompous noble tourists.” One of the guards told Zenebe as he was helping the injured stand. Dulani’s eye twitched once. 

          “Yes, well, we were in the area, you know?” Zenebe stood up after tightening the tourniquet on the bleeding guard. “With the diseased state of that beast, I recommend getting them herbs for possible infections.” 

          “Yes of course, thank you again for your help. Feel free to enjoy the city!” The guards staggered toward an opening in the wall. 

          “Well, ladies? Shall we go inside?”

          The city of Banaka was lavish with bronze adornments and marble buttresses everywhere. People bustled about, crowds formed in markets, ostentatious carriages parted groups escorted by well-adorned knights. Sook stood with wide eyes, feeling overwhelmed. She had never been around so many people at once. 

          “I get the feeling we won’t be able to afford an inn here,” claimed Zenebe. 

          “Maybe not at first, but there’s good money here. We could nab some things rather easily.” Dulani purred. 

          “Oooor we could do some easy jobs and overcharge!” added Sook. Zenebe and Dulani looked at her in surprise, “What? I don’t like stealing but if they’ve got the money to pay extra then it’s fair game.” 

          The three adventurers agreed to split up in search of patronage, however, Zenebe noticed Sook’s discomfort in the city and offered to accompany her. The pair proceeded to explore the city together, taking in the sights. Zenebe found an arcane staff;  a tool he had dreamed of acquiring for quite some time now. 

          “What exactly does it do, Zenebe?” Sook asked. 

          “It’s a magical conduit that would allow me to channel my magic more effectively. Lessening the strain on my mental stamina. Unfortunately, it is well beyond my price range.” The hydrosophist place the staff back down on the booth with a deflated sigh.

          Sook and Zenebe exited the shop, but Sook could tell he was disappointed, “Well maybe after we complete a job here, we can come back and get it?” 

          Zenebe looked up at her and smiled, “Yes, hopefully.” 

          As the pair continued through the city the beautiful statues snagged her attention, “Isn’t it so amazing how they were able to make the stone resemble clothing? Especially this one, look at it! It’s like a veil out of stone! How could one make something like stone resemble see-through cloth?!” 

          Zenebe watched her childlike wonder and smiled, “I had no idea you were so enamored with the arts. I’ve never done any sculpting, but I’d be happy to paint you something if I had the tools.” 

          “REALLY?!” Sook ran over and grasped Zenebe’s hands in her much larger ones. “You mean it?!” 

          “Of course, Sook, I’ve missed painting. It’d be wonderful to start again and it would be more motivating to have someone appreciate it for once. Er, I mean, what’s the point of beauty if not for beholders, right?” 

          Sook was still ecstatic, “Then that’s another item for our future shopping list!”

          Dulani traveled the streets of Banaka, inquiring about job opportunities. She ducked into stores, inserted herself into group discussions, and even considered touring the back alleys. However, It didn’t take long before a hand was placed on her shoulder. “Excuse me Miss Vijayabahu?” 

          Her back straightened in surprise. How did this woman sneak up on her like that and how did she know her surname?! She eased the tension in her muscles, clearly this person is well trained and well informed, if this woman wanted to kill her, she could have. Dulani slowly turned to face her in the middle of the street.

          “My Lady is aware you are looking for work. She sent me to offer you her proposal.” 

          “I’m not alone, I’m traveling with companions.” Dulani replied. 

          “That works out perfectly then. Let us collect them.” 

          Dulani was escorted to a gaudy estate and asked to stand idle while her companions were found. The black-clad woman didn’t have to wait long before Zenebe and Sook walked in through the gold trimmed purple curtains. “Fancy seeing you two here.” 

          Zenebe smiled, “Yes, well, it appears you got us a job rather quickly. I’m impressed.” 

          Dulani flipped her hair, “Save it, this job found us.” 

          Zenebe’s expression changed because Dulani seemed nervous. “So, who is this mysterious patron who would like to enlist our services?” 

          Zenebe was quickly answered, “That would be me, my good man. This is my manor, after all.” In walked a dark-haired woman wearing an extravagant purple dress with gold accents that contrasted with her dark skin. Her skin glistened from her golden blush and truly popped alongside her deep amethyst jewelry. 

          “You’re a member of the Dakouo family, aren’t you?” Dulani asked. 

          “Yes, though I prefer to be addressed as Mali.” Dulani felt a bit at ease upon this realization. “My apologies for the impromptu nature of my summons but I have a very important task I needed done for a while. I sensed an ideal opportunity when my attendants noticed you entering the city.” Mali spoke with a sophisticated eloquence. 

          “It’s quite alright, we’re rather set on finding a job ourselves,” replied Zenebe. 

          “Oh? Do you not have all the funds you need from your affiliation with the Vijayabahu family?” Zenebe and Sook looked at each other confused. 

          Dulani’s jaw tightened, “We are operating on business, independent from my family.”

          Mali smirked as she spoke, “I see. Then I suppose it is most fortuitous that you arrived in Banaka when you did. Better late than never, I always say. I would like you three to eliminate some unruly characters in the area.” 

          “What kind of unruly characters, if I may ask, Madam?” Zenebe inclined in deference.

          “Just Mali, please, and they are poachers. They’ve been searching the area for rare animals. My attendant told me that you three killed a Cougnact earlier today. That was not a natural phenomenon. It appears these poachers aren’t just killing animals for body parts or to make exotic pets. They also seem to be experimenting on the local wildlife of low value. Possibly in an attempt to create some new breed they can make money off from.” 

          “Why have the guards not taken care of it? And why would you take it upon yourself and your personal fortune to take care of the problem instead?” Dulani demanded. 

          “They have a duty to the security of the city and they’re rather understaffed at the moment. All of the bloated cowards who like to frequent Banaka bring their own private armies along with them. As a result, most city resources get funneled into them. As for why I care so much; I find what they’re doing to be personally distasteful. I’m an animal lover, you see.” 

          Dulani didn’t believe her at face value, but she didn’t have an alternative explanation yet. Sook hesitated to ask, “So these are mad scientist poachers?” 

          “Honestly, I don’t know for sure, but that seems to be the word around town.” 

          Dulani stepped in yet again, “We can scope it out for the proposed fee but depending on the scope of their operation we may require a greater incentive.” 

          Mali didn’t usually haggle, but this was too prime an opportunity, “No problem at all. I understand this could be a dangerous task.”

          Dulani, Zenebe and Sook all shared a look. Dulani spoke for them, “Alright Mali, we accept your offer.”