The Seven Seals: Dragon Crusade
Chapter 11: At the Sign of the Drunken Mull

After the group had made their way back on their course, led by Kirith, they headed for the poor and lower class district as dusk began to fall upon the city. On their way, they purchased some more cloaks to better hide themselves. Kirith had suggested that staying in one of the lesser inns would keep them hidden from any of the guards. There was a less likely chance of getting caught but a higher chance of getting mugged by sketchy onlookers. And in this situation, getting mugged was a better option.

Rain began to fall from the dark, overcast skies. The road before the group was narrow and mopped with deep mud. Old structures on opposite sides of the road loomed over them menacingly like prowling beasts. Laughter could be heard from within one of the buildings, along with a small whinnying emitting from the stables. Civilians walked here and there, though they were the most uninviting of people with hard scowls and dark, ragged clothing. Most kept to sitting on the porches, others would look through a window to peer at the new visitors before quickly hiding away again. This place didn’t at all give off the best atmosphere.

Kate kept close to the group, looking around to be sure no one was stalking them. It felt as if that was the case, someone lurking in the shadows, waiting to strip them of what valuables they had and kill them. Kate looked ahead to Travis and Kirith. Though, Travis might possibly intimidate the lurker with his height and stature. Not only that, Kirith was a skilled swordsman, so he could take them down. But then again, that all really depended on who this attacker was.

Glancing down to Laela, Kate thought for a moment. She never really told us why she actually followed us...or how she even found us, she thought. Kate stepped closer to Laela, walking in toe with her. “Hey Laela,” she said quietly. “I’ve been wondering this, but why did you go looking for us? For that matter, how did you know we were there?”

Laela looked up at Kate from beneath her dark hood. “Oh, well I saw that fight break out in the street,” she replied. “I was watching the parade when it happened and you guys seemed harmless. So I followed you!”

Kate couldn’t help but smile. “Please don’t tell me you do that with other people. We could’ve been dangerous, you know.”

Laela shrugged. “I felt like I just had to look and see. Also...is that really the prince? He looks different.”

Kate nodded. “I guess the disguise isn’t as fooling as he would’ve thought it to be.”

“I think he looks nice with it!” Laela giggled. “I don’t believe he could’ve killed his brother. For him...that just doesn’t sound right.”

“And that’s the thing. He didn’t kill his brother. A man…or demon who goes by the name Aydonin framed him.”

Laela held her petite hand up to her mouth and gasped. “That’s terrible! Why would he do that?!”

“Usurping of the throne is my guess,” Kate shrugged. “And he most definitely didn’t want anyone to get in his way.”

Laela looked back ahead and sighed, saying something under her breath. She paused and looked back up at Kate. “Miss Kate?”

“You can just call me Kate.”

“Oh, well, Kate, can I ask you something?”

“Go ahead,” Kate replied, helping Laela over a mud puddle.

Laela furrowed her brow and looked to the ground as she stepped over to, holding Kate’s hand for balance. “Do you think...since you guys let me join...and I’ve never really had a family...do you think…we could be like family?”

Kate blinked. Like family? “Ah...of course, Laela!”

Laela bounced and grinned up at Kate. “Yay! I’ve always wanted an older sister!!” she said excitedly, clutching Kate’s hand tighter.

Kate smiled and laughed lightly. She looked on ahead. This girl was so innocent, so young. Despite the dark surroundings, Laela kept up a joyful spirit. A knot grew in Kate’s stomach. She must’ve never had a real family, or at least one she wasn’t able to enjoy. But could they really be a family? There was still the thought of getting back home…to her real family.

But through her deep thoughts, Kate caught sight of a couple unwanted watchers off to the side. She lowered her head, letting the hood she had bought fall farther over her head.

“You guys need to keep quiet back there,” Kirith hissed. He nodded to a shanty looking inn. “We’re here.”

They approached the inn, keeping their hoods low and footing swift. A sign hung next to the door with the words “The Drunken Mull” on it. Beyond the door were sounds of music and rowdiness.

Kate whipped her head to Kirith. “I thought you said this was an inn!” she whispered.

“Tavern, inn, they’re all the same, Kate,” Kirith said as if it were a known fact.

Travis pulled the door open for them and they stepped through, letting the wooden door close behind them.

A wave of smoke and the smell of roasting meat filled their nostrils. The room was amiss with the fumes of smoking pipes and loud chatter of the deceitfully shady and obviously grotesque. Kate pinched her nose and winced. “What the heck—” she choked.

The other three seemed quite immune to it. “We need to replace the owner here,” Kirith said, fixing his hood.

Kate looked around at them. “Does...does this not at all bother you?!?”

Travis shrugged. “It could be worse, I guess,” he said.

Laela nodded, stepping closer to Travis. “It’s very stuffy and icky.”

Kate shook her head. “I forget you guys are literal medieval people, this doesn’t at all bother you.”

“Hush!” Kirith said. “Lower your hoods so no one becomes suspicious. Come, we need to replace the Innkeeper.”

Pulling down their hoods, all except for Kirith, they made their way through the crowd. Men and women, mostly men, talked and laughed, drinking from large tankards that they, at times, spilt. A group stood around a round dwarf that had long black braids in his beard. He took a massive shot and slammed it down on the table. “MORE FOR THIS ONE!” the dwarf bellowed. The crowd cheered and clapped. A woman with a very unsatisfied look on her face rushed to them, filled tankards in hand.

They reached bar where a dark skinned woman stood behind it with slightly pointed ears. She wiped the counter with a dirty cloth before catching sight of the teens. The bartender leaned on the counter and looked at them, cocking an eyebrow. “Little young to be hanging around in a place like this, sprites,” she said before looking at Travis and slowly grinning.

“We’re not here to drink,” Kirith said. “We need a room.”

“Uh-huh...” she mumbled, still staring at Travis. Her attention was locked right on the poor boy with mesmerized eyes.

“Um...” Travis fidgeted at the woman’s stare.

Kirith rolled his eyes and slammed his fist down on the bar. “WE NEED A ROOM!” he growled.

The bartender quickly recoiled and glared at Kirith. She looked back and cupped a hand over her mouth. “Jogan!” the bartender yelled.

A man within the crowd turned from a conversation he was having and gave the woman a “what do you want” look.

The bartender motioned to the Seals. “They need a room!”

The Innkeeper sighed and approached them, stroking his scraggly beard. “A room?” he said, his voice a rich Irish-like accent. The Innkeeper slid a book on the bar in front of him and picked up the quill on it. “Name?”

Kirith opened his mouth but nothing came out. His eyes widened a little and he looked to the Innkeeper. “Aragorn.”

The innkeeper nodded. “An ’onorable name, lad,” he said. Setting the quill down, he stuck his hand into his pocket and dug around for something. “Hrmmm.” The Innkeeper finally pulled out a black key and handed it to Kirith. “Last room on the left upstairs is open.”

Kirith took the key and handed over several coins before pivoting. He looked to the others and nodded. “Let’s go.”

The group made their way out of the chaos and up a set of stairs. Upon reaching the top of the stairs, they entered a long hall with doors on either side of the walls. As the Innkeeper mentioned, they took the last door on the left.

Kate entered the room along with the others. The room was in much worse condition then the previous one. Water dripped from the ceiling steadily. A tattered bed sat in the corner, along with a hammock hanging from above. A rat crawled from beneath the bed and traced along the wall until it reached a hole and maneuvered into it.

“Better than being locked up in a dungeon,” Travis said, setting his bag against the wall.

“Better than nothing!” Laela said and sat down on the bed.

“Careful that might have—…diseases,” Kate trailed before giving up.

Kirith pulled off his hood and threw it on a chair before sitting down in it. He covered his face with his hands and let out an exhausted sigh.

Kate watched as Laela and Travis engaged in a bit of small talk before turning to Kirith. She sat on the bed, careful not to touch it. Kate peered over to Kirith curiously.

“I wanted to ask about earlier...” she began quietly. “Why...didn’t you fight back? In the brawl back there, every chance you could strike you didn’t take it.” Kate hoped she wasn’t striking a nerve. I probably am, but I have to ask. He can’t hold back his feelings forever.

Kirith froze. His expression began to grow blank at the question. “I couldn’t...” he whispered. “I couldn’t do it, Kate.” Kirith looked to Kate, a tired expression upon his face. “Those are my people. They’re afraid. They don’t know what to believe anymore. And I felt as if…I could see myself in them…”

Kate bit her lip. It must’ve really hurt him to see his own people become blinded with these lies. And Kirith lacked the methods and power to make them believe the truth. Kate reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder. “We’ll get your kingdom back,” she said. “Someday. And when it comes, we’ll make whoever did this pay.”

Kirith nodded. He was silent for a moment as he trained his eyes on the floor. He sighed and straightened himself. “Let’s get this crystal to work again so we can fulfill Nomaru’s promise.”

Orindir crouched on a roof as he watched the darkened streets. Thankfully the rain had died down, allowing him to climb onto the roof freely. Orin had been following the Seals very keenly since they entered the poorer district of the city. And now they were entering the Drunk Mull tavern.

Orin narrowed his eyes. “They think they can evade any guards by staying here. Fools haven’t considered the idea that they could be mugged,” he hissed.

“T-t-they are v-very much f-f-f-fools, Sire,” Gawz, the little winged elf-bat, stuttered from atop his shoulder.

“That little girl with them must be like them...what do they have planned?!” Orin rambled. There had to be a way to eavesdrop without getting caught. Then an idea appeared to him. Orin looked to Gawz. “You could go in and eavesdrop!”

“W-w-what?! S-s-sneak inside?!” the gimeilin said fearfully.

Gawz gulped as his elven master gave him a hard glare. He fumbled for words. “Y-yes, milord! B-but suppose I fail to s-succeed. I m-maybe be small, b-b-but I’m still seeable.”

“You have a point, Gawz. Sneak into one of their satchels perhaps?”

“T-t-to risky, P-prince Orindir. What if they s-s-search the satchel?”

Orin sighed and stared down at the street, his frustration growing. “Maybe a spell or— something?!”

“Why not ask for help,” someone spoke from behind with a cool and slurring tone. Orin shot up and spun around.

A man dressed in dark royal apparel sat on one of the protruding windows covered in straw. The darkness masked his features. “Hm… This isn’t something you see everyday, a young elven prince sitting on the roof of a poor bastard’s house… You make my jester look like child’s play! Hah!”

Orin narrowed his gaze and clutched the hilt of his sword. “Be gone, commoner! This is official Felorian business!” Though, Orin thought, this man didn’t seem like a simple commoner. Something about him wasn’t quite right…

“Oh official business,” the man spoke in a sarcastic tone, “am I not official enough for you? That really hurts, Orindir. Don’t you even remember me?”

Orin whipped out his blade and pointed it at the man threateningly. “Say another word and I slice your throat! Now be gone!”

The man let out a sigh. “You think your such a big boy wielding that sword, don’t you?” He stood up and walked to Orin. His features became clearer now; a man of handsome appearance with strikingly red eyes and silver hair that parted in the middle. His ears were pointed much like an elf’s but the blood red eyes told another story.

Orindir lowered his blade. “Aydonin...” he murmured.

Aydonin grinned widely and giggled like a mad man, revealing a set of white teeth. “About time!” he exclaimed.

“I remember you and my father negotiated...Dealmaster,” Orin said. “What do you want? I don’t have time for meddling.”

“What do I want? Isn’t this about what you want, my boy?”

“This isn’t a want, this is a need! Be on your way, I do not need your help.”

“Ah, are you sure? You seem to be in quite a predicament.” He stepped closer to Orin and grinned darkly. “A little magic will do the trick...but it comes at a price!”

“And that’s a price I’m not willing to pay,” Orin snapped. He quickly turned around but nearly fell back to see Aydonin was standing right in front of him again.

“Don’t be so quick to judgment, Orindir,” Aydonin said and stepped towards him. “You know that without my magic, you won’t get what you want.” Aydonin pointed down at the sword. “And you can start by putting your toy away.”

Orin paused, staring at Aydonin. Should he make a deal? From stories he had heard, they always ended terribly. But he needed information.

With his eyes locked on Aydonin, Orin sheathed his sword. “Let’s make this quick,” he grumbled.

Aydonin clapped his hands. “Good! Good, my boy!” he said joyfully. “Now, about this plan of yours. You want your little friend to get inside, yes?”

Orin was irritated by this man’s behavior, but nonetheless, he dealt with it. “Yes but he would be seen. We need a spell of some kind to make him invisible.”

“Ah not a problem at all!” Aydonin said. “I know this spell quite well indeed.”

“Then cast it upon—”

“Ah ah ah!” Aydonin wagged his finger and again stepped closer to Orin, his expression darkening. “We still have to discuss my part of the bargain.”

Orin recoiled back slightly. “I can give you anything you’d like. Silver, gold, riches. Just say the word and be on your way!”

“Ah, my prince...this isn’t gold that I want. No...something much more valuable, powerful!” Aydonin’s eyes drifted to Orin’s pocket. “You hold an Althrist, a stone created from the fiery pits of mount Despariak. They can track and take the seal right out of a Sealbearer of legend.” He pointed a gnarled finger down towards the inn. “Bring me all six of their Seals to me, and our deal will be done with.” Aydonin held up his hand towards Orindir and made a quick motion of his wrist.

Orin began to feel a burning sensation grow in his left red eye. The pain grew by the second, like someone was slowly plunging a knife through his eye and into his skull.

Orindir lurched forward and gasped, clutching the left side of his face. “Aaagh!” he cried.

“M-milord!” Gawz exclaimed.

A grin spread across Aydonin’s face as he pulled his hand back and clapped his hands together. “That never gets old! Awe, shear pain and agony...”

Orin moaned and glared at him with the one good eye he had. “What...what did you do to me?!” Orin questioned shakily.

“Ah, well you see,” Aydodnin began. “Demons, at a certain rank, can steal the essence of a certain demonic power and manipulate it to their will.” He pointed a finger at Orin. “That eye of yours is no ordinary eye…whatever curse has befallen you, it will come in great use for me.”

Orin squinted at Aydonin. That was correct. His father had relayed to him that the one demonic eye he had was a curse from the Abyss, deeming him unfit to be completely holy. But to be able to control another’s power let alone well-being… “W-why?!?”

Aydonin made eye contact with Orin. His expression grew dark as his smile faded. “So that if you don’t complete your part of the bargain...I’ll replace you and kill you!” At that, Aydonin began to laugh an obnoxiously and terribly maniacal laugh.

Orindir stepped back. Truly this man or...thing, was insane. “Do you not trust me to complete the task?”

“Trust?” Aydonin said. “Things can change, my prince...”

Orin sighed. His father had clearly ordered him to keep a safe distance from the Seals, but now he had no other choice… “Fine. But I’ll complete what you ask of me. Just put the spell on Gawz already!”

Aydonin displayed his palms in defeat. “Yes, yes of course! But there’s a catch to it. The spell only lasts five minutes—”

“That’s not enough—”

“No more, no less!” Aydonin hissed. He snapped his fingers and a small red spark leapt from his finger.

Gawz sat there nervously when he suddenly began to grow transparent. “A-ah— it’s working!” he sputtered.

“Off with you then!” Orindir snapped.

Gawz quickly nodded as he soon disappeared. Sounds of his beating wings faded away towards the inn.

Orin turned his attention back to Aydonin. “If I complete this task of yours, where shall I replace you?”

Aydonin made a toothy grin and pointed to the castle far off in the city. “You shall replace me there.”

Orin followed to where he pointed. He glanced back to Aydonin, opening his mouth to say something before freezing in place.

Aydonin was gone.

“I got it to work!” Kate exclaimed. Travis and Laela looked towards her expectantly.

Kirith smiled at her and grabbed their satchel, rummaging through it. Pulling out a map and compass, he sat down before the items and motioned for them to join him.

Kate sat down on one side of the map as Travis and Laela did so on the other sides. Laela looked to Kate and asked, “How did you do it?”

Kate shrugged. “Not sure myself.”

“I can only guess that the magic block is weaker on the outer parts of the city,” Kirith said.

“Well enough about it, where’s the stone pointing?” Travis asked.

Kate dangled the stone over the map. A small segment of light pointed straight in front of Kate. He picked up the compass and turned it so that it faced the segment. “It’s pointing straight to the west...” Kirith said. He set both the compass aside and directed his finger to Grendalia before tracing it to his left slowly. Kirith’s finger went over a large symbol of mountains before going into forest and finally on another kingdom. “The stone glows very dim...so that can only mean they’re past the Marnësius Mountains and...into the land on the wood elves...Ivsaar.” Kirith went quiet after that.

Laela tilted her head. “What is it, Kirith?”

Kirith looked around at them. “I’ve heard stories and rumors of the Marnësius Mountains. They’re treacherous. The wood elves have been very much known for staying protected behind these mountains. Only they know how to replace their way through it without getting themselves killed.”

The group fell silent at this.

Kate exhaled deeply. “Do you know of any wood elves here that could help us? Maybe the only reason they’re able to go through it easily is because they know of a secret path?”

“Besides Earidon, I don’t know any,” Kirith said. “And we don’t know if he’s dead or alive. But a secret passage sounds possible.”

“So what if there’s a secret path. If we don’t know it, then we’re not going to replace it,” Travis added.

Laela peered down at the map and pointed her finger at a squiggly line tracing through the mountains. “We can take the main path, this...Path of Windúli, right?” she said, looking at them hopefully. “We’re not like other people, so who says we’re not capable of getting through?”

“You may be right,” Kirith replied, “but it’s too much of a risk. We barely know how to defend ourselves... But since we have no other means getting through that are quick, we’ll have to take the main path.”

Kate bent her brow in a studious look. “Well what if the next Seal isn’t this far out. Like, what if they’re somewhere in between the mountains and Grendalia?”

“That is a possibility—” Suddenly, there was a thump against the wall. Everyone turned his or her heads, looking for the source.

“You heard that, right?” Kate asked.

Travis had his eyes trained on a certain direction. He slowly pointed up to it, perplexed. Everyone looked in the direction he pointed.

On top of the old wardrobe behind Kirith sat a small gray form. Large pointed ears stuck out of its head. It appeared to be facing the wall and shaking. It froze before slowly turning around. Its eyes were large and full of fear. “Oh no no no,” the creature breathed in a scraggly voice. “The spell is off...”

All four stood up. Kirith approached the wardrobe, glaring at the creature. “I’ve seen you before...” he growled.

“I-I-I-I don’t know what you’re talking about—” before he could say anymore, Kirith snagged him down by the neck and held him close.

“You’re the Felorian Prince’s little pet!”

Kate stepped toward them. She did recognize the creature from the encounter with Orindir. “What’s it doing here?” Kate asked, looking to Kirith.

Kirith kept his eyes trained on the creature like a watchdog, afraid that if he looked away for one second the thing would be gone. “Orin must’ve sent it out here to spy on us!” he hissed. “Who knows how much it’s been listening to us!”

The creature gulped. “I-i-it was my m-master who sent me! P-please, spare me!”

Laela looked at whatever-that-thing-was and tilted her head. “Why have you been following us?” she asked.

“T-t-t-to get information f-f-from you—”

“Not another word!” Kirith snapped. He picked up his sword and yanked it out of his sheath. Pointing it at the creature’s head, Kirith made ready to strike.

Orindir had climbed to a different rooftop to get a good look at the window that lead to the Seal’s room. He stayed low, being sure to not show himself incase one of them decided to take a peek out the window. Where is Gawz? Orin thought. He should be back by now, it’s been five minutes already!

Suddenly, the four Seals rose and turned towards one section of the room. One in particular reached up and grabbed a small gray form. It had to be Gawz.

Orin slammed his fist on the roof. I knew something like this would happen! he thought. Getting Gawz out of there was the main priority now. Orin rose and treaded down the roof. He leaped off and landed on the cobblestone. Orin buckled his knees to absorb the fall before rising. Walking quickly, he went down the wet street and turned a corner around a house. In a small section behind the houses sat a team of eight men around a fire. They all sat on crates, dressed in white and blue ornate elven armor. Daechir sat amongst them, watching the flames dance before he noticed Orindir’s approach.

“So he returns,” Daechir said, grinning and rising. “What is it, Prince Orindir?”

“Make ready to fight!” Orin ordered, obviously infuriated. All the elven soldiers rose quickly and prepared to clear out of the area.

Orin approached Daechir. “Daechir,” he said, holding out the Althrist stone to him. “Use this on them and take their power from them. Do you know the words?”

Daechir cocked an eyebrow. “Yes I do… You wish to take the power of the Seals?” he asked.

“It’s complicated, but yes, I do.”

Daechir furrowed his brow. “But the King’s orders were to stay hidden…”

“They have Gawz— so it’s not like we have much of a choice at this rate!” Orin barked. “So take what they have!”

“If they survive, what shall I do with them?”

“Kill them,” Orin said. “All of them.”