Derian’s shoulder was throbbing, the wound cleaned and tended by the innkeeper’s wife but still painful despite the mug of ale.
“Do you know why that thing attacked you?” The innkeeper was wiping out a mug with his bar towel as he spoke. Derian was not ready to start that line of speculation just yet.
“Not sure, maybe he had a bone to pick with me?” The mustachioed man rolled his eyes and chuckled.
“Yeah, I bet. You’re in rather good humour for someone who got stuck yesterday.” The innkeeper had a gruff exterior but seemed genuinely concerned. Whether it was for empathic reasons or for legal ones, Derian had no idea. Still, it was nice even to have someone pretend to care.
“Happy to be alive,” he drained the ale in one final gulp and set his mug on the bar, “very confused though. There’s no reason a Dark Eternal would do that. At least none I can think of.” Derian’s fingers twiddled along the mug’s handle momentarily. “But I have to find out, it can’t have gotten far.”
“Whatever you do, pal, be careful. He’s already stuck you once.” Derian nodded in agreement. “You sure you don’t want to take it easy for a day or two before heading out?”
“Oh, I’ll be safe,” Derian pulled the assassin’s boot from his sack and put it on the bar, “it won’t be moving quickly, I have its foot.”
After a few quick goodbyes and thank yous, Derian pulled the rucksack over his shoulders, quickly realized the error as pain flashed down the entirety of his left side, then slung it over his good shoulder instead. The bag contained the skeletal foot and its accompanying boot along with the rest of his belongings, not the least of which the token that represented a hundred plots of as-yet-unseen land.
The city square was bustling today as more future landholders were arriving and inquiring where to sign up for the lottery the Wizards had introduced. A Ferexian General, along with a large entourage, was disembarking one of the ships fresh from The Burning Lands. The militant group was marching directly toward the booth the Wizards had set up in the market. Derian shook his head and chuckled, woe be to the clerk who dealt with that lot.
Staying close to the shop windows that lined the street, Derian found where the window the assassin had escaped through and turned down the alleyway, immediately looking for any signs the Dark Eternal had come this way.
It did not take long before he found some drops of blood next to a barrel at an intersection of alleyways. Derian frowned, rubbing his shoulder as he followed the trail of droplets.
After a few minutes, the trail ended at a sewer grate, a sewer grate not quite in its proper place. Derian knelt beside it and pulled with one hand. The grate moved easily, the lock falling away and clattering on the cobblestones. A voice behind him snapped his head around.
“Not the best idea there son. I’d guess you aren’t supposed to go in there.” The voice was warm but commanding and held in it the confidence of someone who already knew the answer to the question they asked. Derian turned to see a tall man with a strong looking brown beard and a crossbow over one shoulder. A Silver Shield shaped crest on his lapel glinted in the dim sunlight.
“I’d guess there shouldn’t be any Dark Eternals down there either. Least of all ones who stab shoulders in the night.” The man paused for a moment before continuing.
“I’m thinking there might be a story here you want to tell.” He extended his hand. “Sheriff Randall Turner. And you are?” Derian took the man’s hand as he stood up.
“Derian Kell of House Kell.” The Sheriff nodded and frowned at the same time, which Derian found mildly disturbing.
“Not a noble I’m familiar with, where you from?”
“Mortis. Beluroc specifically.” He knew he was dealing with the law now, best to curb his snide remarks for the time being. “Here, before you go on questioning me, take a look at this.” He swung his backpack off his good shoulder and reached inside. Derian paused abruptly, looking up to see the crossbow pointed directly at him now.
“I’m gonna need you to stop and move real slow now son. I’m not one to warn people twice.” The Sheriff’s tone brooked no insolence, Derian was not going to do anything to make it worse.
“Listen, I was attacked by a Dark Eternal last night, I’m trying to track him down. And I have evidence that it happened. It is in my bag. I’m going to get it and show you. I would appreciate if you would refrain from shooting me please.” Derian stayed still, he did not relish getting a bolt in his ribs for his trouble. The Sheriff waggled the end of his crossbow at the bag.
“Go on then. Show me this evidence.”
Calmly and deliberately, Derian untied the pack. Pulling out the boot, and the bony foot inside, was easy enough, if still disturbing. He then set it on the ground and held both hands open wide.
“There, look for yourself.” With a gentle nudge from his foot and a disgusted look on his face, The Sheriff lowered the crossbow.
“I’m not saying I believe you, but damned if that isn’t a whole foot you got there.” He pushed his hat up and slung the crossbow fully over his shoulder. “I thought they didn’t attack folks.”
“They don’t attack anyone any more than you or I would. What you are thinking is they won’t trick you if they try to recruit you.” Derian wiped his hands absently on his pants, wincing again at the pain his shoulder reminded him of. “This one, definitely attacked me.” He moved his shirt to show his bandaged wound.
“Well son. We better get to the bottom of this I think. Why do you think this bony bandit is in the sewers?” Derian shrugged.
“Trail of my blood,” he pointed out some drops, “and the sewer grate was already open.” The Sheriff pondered this for a moment before speaking.
Here is the first Micro-Choice!
A) Will The Sheriff say they should get down in the sewers immediately so the trail stays fresh?
Or
B) Will The Sheriff suggest they go get more deputies and a better plan before going in the sewers?
I will compile the votes on Sunday and will release the other half of the chapter once it is finished.
So, who won which cards? Wait no longer!
A Silvershield Sheriff goes to ->
@mercurial9 - card sent!
And
A Stonesplitter Orc goes to ->@familyhistory - card sent!
Let me know what your in-game Splinterlands name is so I can make sure you get your card!
Not signed up for Splinterlands?
Here, use this convenient referral link -> https://splinterlands.com?ref=tanzofett
So, vote in the comments below and make sure to follow me, so you never miss an episode of Derian Kell’s journey.
The winner of the final card will be revealed once Chapter 3 is completed.
Get voting!
Tanzo
