Week 3

Week 3

Relief swept over Rio as he saw the caravan return that morning. His men celebrating their victory, their excitement building as they reached the mooring. Carefully they unloaded the wagon, stacking each box in to the small boats on the far side of the lake. The banter and comradery between them plain for all the towns people to see.

Nearby townsfolk stopped in their tracks to see what all the fuss was about. Some were asked to help load the boats, others ran over to join in. Soon the boats where filled with their spoils and the merry men joined them. Together they sailed back over to the guild where upon landing Rio was there to congratulate them all.

That night the wine flowed freely and Rio felt great pride, after all, he had taught them all, and all of them had made it back alive. It was upon this realisation that he was able to relax a little and slouch further in to this chair as he let the wine take its hold, drinking deeply from the large goblet.

He’d recently been commissioned by a retired Dwarven soldier to take back his goods that were stolen by a group of mercenaries. Tomorrow he would make the exchange. That shouldn’t be a problem as the noble Dwarf had already paid up front and Rio being a man of honour and faith himself held great stock in a man’s word but knew sadly that not many others shared the same sentiment.

As he knocked back another glass of wine he spoke to Lazlo, a student of his with a great deal of potential. Lazlo, a human of around 28 years of age listened intently whenever Rio had something to say. It wasn’t so much that he was particularly taken by the Sea Elf, more that he had a deep hunger to learn and succeed and knew that what Rio spoke about was spoken from a position of experience.

Lazlo was seated next to Rio at the feast table when Rio leant in. “You lead the team exceptionally by all accounts Lazlo, congratulations”.

“Thank you master, I owe my success to the preparation before that night largely. The many evenings sat in the rain amongst the roof tiles”. He smiled. “Watching for guard changes, waiting for the windows of opportunity”.

“Well look around you” said Rio. “Look at our brothers sat atop of these spoils. Look at how happy they are, and look at how they hunger to repeat this success”.

Lazlo studied the gathering. All around him his brothers drank deeply, swaying uncontrollably as they reached for another bottle.

“They look drunk master. Hardly the stuff of legends”

Rio raised an eyebrow at the remark. “The stuff of legends? Small steps Lazlo, it’s our first success and one that they should rightly celebrate”.

Lazlo’s body language betrayed him and he spoke openly. “They’re out of control. You all are” Lazlo seemed almost annoyed at the chaos and merriment around him. “What if we were to be attacked tonight in retaliation? What then??” He stood up and left the table, the others slowing in their enjoyment as they watched him leave, before picking up right where they left off.

Rio left also and walked up to where Lazlo watched out over the lake.

“Calm yourself Lazlo, and focus. Not all is as it seems. I for instance show people what I want to show them.” With that Rio poured the rest of his glass of water on to the stones below. “A guardian of Penastra is ever vigilant under the wandering light of the moon”

Realising he had fallen for the illusion, Lazlo relaxed, comforted by the revelation, and content that his mentor, the man he aspired to be was not some drunken fool, but instead a very clever and sharp Shadow Master.

At ease, Lazlo leant back against the wall as he looked up and asked “Why is the moon a strange blue colour Rio?”

Walking out to the edge of the balcony Rio looked up to the moon. “Because Lazlo, the blue born hero is about to meet his destiny”.