79 - Penetrations
Breann gawked at the capri when the rest of the party arrived at her cottage at the edge of the forest. Although she had her shop in the city, she didn't want to live in it and preferred peaceful nature around her. 'I am becoming very curious about you all now.' she said as she tried to remember anything about construction magic that could resemble the unique mounts.
Iphigenia chuckled. 'I'm not sure if we have time for the whole story, but let's just say Ulric knows things not of this world.'
Breann looked at him with a curious smile. 'Mmm.. I've seen a lot of things over the years, but you are special.'
He raised an eyebrow. 'I didn't think you'd have seen that much when you're still so young.'
She nearly purred as she ran her fingers along his ear. 'I know ways to keep my youthfulness.'
He chuckled. 'I'm not going to ask something that's impolite.'
She looked at the girls. 'That's some gentlewolf you have here.'
Elzbieta cleared her throat and put her hand in his neck. 'That is correct. So, can we begin talking about what we came here for?'
Breann giggled. 'All right, come inside and I'll tell you what I know.'
She gathered everyone around the table in her living room and placed a book on it. 'The reason why Sorcis sent you to me is because I came across some information about a secret gateway to the demon lord's residence a long time ago, and during my research I met him.' She opened the book on a page with a drawing of a stone ring. 'I showed him what I had found, but it was only after knowing me for years that he revealed one of the pieces was held in the royal castle.'
'You had never seen one before?' asked Valdys.
Breann shook her head. 'Even the information I have here was hard to come by. The ring was divided a very long time ago and each part sent off to different places in secret, but over the years people discovered one of them, or servants saw them and gossiped. Putting all those little bits together took time, but with this I have some clues on where you might find more artefacts.'
'You trust us enough to tell us?' asked Iphigenia.
'I trust Sorcis enough to help the ones he trusts.' Breann pulled out a folded sheet from between the pages and revealed the map drawn on it. 'These are the possible locations.'
Valdys leaned closer and pointed at two of the marks. 'We already have those.'
Ulric examined the marking spread out over the world map. 'We're in for a very long trip. And then we still have to recover any pieces that are in the demon's hands.'
'Not to mention that we're now branded as criminals.' said Elzbieta. 'Even if we somehow could prove we're not, people won't easily believe it once they heard the opposite.'
Iphigenia looked at Rachael and Handil. 'At least you two weren't listed, so you can go about freely now.'
'About that.' said Rachael and looked at Handil next to her. 'I'd like to join you.' She looked at the others again. 'For one, to take back what Sorcis entrusted to me, and second, to defeat them and prevent their plans as my way of taking revenge.'
Iphigenia glanced at Handil. 'It will be dangerous.'
'I know, but I feel I have to.' Rachael said and took Handil's hand in hers as she looked at her lover again. 'I'm sorry, but I can't simply go back as if nothing happened. Even if it is to fight the trolls at home.'
Handil gave her a quick smile. 'I understand. That's why I want to come with you and give all the support I can.'
'Are you sure?' said Iphigenia. 'You're risking your life, especially when you're not used to fighting.'
Handil looked at her with determination in her eyes. 'I can't go back and worry about Rachael for who knows how long until I hear from her. Or from someone else in the worst case scenario.'
Iphigenia glanced at the others, and Ulric gave her a nod. 'If you both understand what it means and are sure, we won't turn you away.'
Rachael and Handil gazed once more at each other. Rachael knew she couldn't refuse her foxy girl, nor did she really want to. 'We're sure.'
Ulric stroked Susi's head. 'Let's draw up a plan.'
***
Iphigenia pointed at one of the marks on the map after going through all the information Breann had gathered. 'So we head here?'
Ulric read the notes on the vampire controlled country again. 'We'll first need to figure out a way in, what with their huge border walls and cliffs blocking access.'
'You can try talking to the one who escaped and spoke of a special stone.' said Breann. 'It was difficult enough to make him speak of what I wanted to know, but maybe you'll succeed in finding out how he passed the walls.'
Ulric looked at the others. 'We should sneak when it's dark again.'
Valdys put her hand on his arm. 'Yes. It'll also give us some time to recharge, my love, but we'll have to be quick because nightfall is coming soon.'
He gave her a quick nod and laid his paw on her hand. 'Indeed. This may be the best opportunity before we face whatever danger we may encounter on the trip.'
'If you need any restoration potions, I have several.' said Breann.
Iphigenia chuckled. 'We have a special method that only works for us.'
'Oh.' the wizard said and thought about asking more, but figured they couldn't tell her.
'We'll need a quiet and private place for the ritual though.' said Valdys. 'Anything good nearby?'
Breann thought for a moment. 'There's an old ice cellar that's no longer used. It's at the clump of trees farther down the path here.'
Ulric looked a little doubtful with one ear to the side at Valdys, who giggled. She pat his paw. 'It'll do, my love. I don't need much more than you, after all.'