Legend of Parocaav II: Against the Darkness (rough draft)

Chapter XIII: The Coastal Rogues

Drayk is finding it difficult to stay asleep. A weird sensation is overcoming him, waking him in and out of sleep. He finally gives up and opens up his eyes. To his surprise, they are surrounded by an indigenous looking people. They are wearing very simple clothing made from animal hide and have spears and hatchets. Drayk looks up at a man who is standing off to the side, who is wearing a chainmail armor with a broad sword drawn.

"Hello?" Drayk says in a calm voice, trying not to startle them.

"Why do you come to our coast?" The man in armor asks.

"We are passing through," Drayk explains, "We mean you no harm."

"Your eyes, they're different than I have ever seen."

"Yes, my sister and girlfriend come from a far away land."

"Come with us and speak with our village's elder. He had a vision of three strangers with eyes that resemble the sun."

"Alright."

Drayk carefully shakes Roku and whispers not to panic in her ear as she awakens. A brief sense of fear hits her, but she trusts Drayk's word. Drayk then leans over to wake Sammi the same way. She too at first is a little nervous at the sight of the small crowd of people. Trusting her brother, she carefully stands up beside Drayk and Roku. Drayk looks around for Tao, but he is no where to be found.

"We're ready," Drayk says after a moment.

After almost an hour of walking, they all reach a cave carved into a cliffside along the coastline. There are no indications this is anything more than a common cavern. Once they walk several dozens yard into it, a small thriving town is unfolded before them. The corridor they walked down opens up into a giant opening. Homes are carved into the walls, with doors and windows. There are even shops on the back wall of the cavern. Off to the far right, there is a hut made out of long stalks of some aging plant life.

"You must speak with our village's elder, Yle. He has been awaiting your arrival to our coast," The armored man tells him, pointing toward the hut.

"We'll go there now," Drayk says with a smile, "Thank you."

The Bringers of Hope all walk to the hut and knock on the piece of tree bark used as a door. The sound of an old man's voice calls out from inside, however, the voice is too faded to understand.

"Come in, Bringers of Hope!" The man's voice calls out again, this time more clear, "I have been expecting you!"

The Bringers of Hope enter the man's hut. He appears to be middle-aged with black and white spotted hair. His clothes are old and tattered. The man turns to face them, revealing his right eye is missing which is not covered.

"Yle?" Drayk inquires.

"Welcome to my home," Yle responds, "I have had dreams of you three."

"We needed to rest," Roku hesitates before continuing, "We apologize for being on your land. We were unaware that there is a village hidden here."

"Most people Bringer, no need to apologize," Yle laughs, "I should apologize to you my people crowded you while you were sleeping. Thank you for not attacking them. They don't stand a chance against magic users."

"Your people don't use magic?" Sammi asks completely surprised.

"That's right. About forty years ago now, we abandoned our magic and formed this clan of people," Yle smiles, "We are the Coastal Rogues. We come from all over the world, from many of the Mage Clans. I am a Wind Mage. I'm the only mage left of these people, although I have not cast a single spell in almost twenty years."

"Wow, a life without magic," Roku mutters, then asks, "Yle, how do you protect yourselves from the Elite Forces?"

"We hide here, among the coast and these caves," Yle sighs, "It may not be a glamorous life, but we are happy just the same. Are the Elite Forces still around since you three killed the Dark Lord?"

"Yes, nothing has changed," Drayk mentions, "They will be around as long as there is such a terrible darkness clouding the peace of this world. They serve Lady Parocaav now, although we have not encountered any of them yet."

"It's only a matter of time though," Roku adds, "I have heard a gathering of a large amount of people... with my sister. I think Lady Parocaav May have chosen her to be her newest General."

"Sounds like the war against the darkness has only just begun for the three of you," Yle states.

"We have a long road ahead of us," Drayk tells the old man, "Do you know how to reach the Land of the Water Mages?"

"Yes I do, but you'll need a ship. Their land has long since drifted out to sea, forming a secluded island. Their people have been extinct for many years now," Yle answers, "What takes you out there?"

"Well.... it's a long story," Drayk begins to explain, telling Yle what has happened up until now.

"Very interesting. It seems as though this world may find a way to have peace and magic," Yle mutters to himself, "Now, if you need a ship, I can find one for you. It won't be much though."

"It's appreciated, but not necessary," Roku says with a smile, "We can get there by air."

"You have.... a Waystone?" Yle asks with curiosity in his tone.

"That's right," Roku states.

"Interesting. Very interesting," Yle mutters as he stands up, then tells the Bringers, "Please go see the local shops, grab a bite to eat. I'll catch up with you folks soon. I want to see you three off."

"Will do," Sammi agrees as her stomach growls, "We accept food anytime we have a chance to get it."

"We'll see in town then, near the cavern's entrance when we are ready to depart," Drayk tells Yle.

The man simply nods as the Bringers of Hope exit his tent. An evil smirk spreads across his face. He walks over to a glass container filled with crackers, and opens it up. After pulling a cracker out, he places it next to his pocket so a small light grey mouse can reach it. Once the cracker is eaten he pulls the mouse from his pocket and holds it in front of his face.

"Did you hear that sir?" Yle whispers at the mouse, "We have a way to get Vortex once again. Shouldn't be hard for you to retrieve it from them, right?"

The mouse simply twitches its whiskers in response as it jumps down onto the floor. It scurries across the floor, disappearing through the doorway. Yle sits down in a chair in the far corner of the room and reaches for an old, worn down book. An ancient symbol for the Wind Mage Clan is on the front of it with an old drawing of Vortex.

"You will be mine once again Vortex," Yle says under his breath as he chuckles maniacally.