Adventures on the Island of Isula

Chapter 2: Unfamiliar Ground

After waiting some time, Quin decided it was safe to walk the streets again. He came out of the alley and melted into the hustle and bustle of Dochas. After the chase, Quin was in a completely different part of town. The buildings of the city all seemed the same. The winding streets twisted and turned without a clear rhyme or reason as to their direction. Quin wandered the streets aimlessly until he finally asked a merchant for directions to the docks.

"Excuse me sir, do you know which way the docks are?"

"Back that way. Follow the street and don't cut across the alleys" said a spice merchant, motioning with his finger.

"Thanks mister." "I have to get back soon" thought Quin. The sky grew dark. The few clouds that dotted the sky had become an overcast sheet. Quin felt one of the first few drops of rain that signal the coming of a storm. The droplets soon became heavy rainfall. Quin pulled the hood up on his cloak, but it did little to help. The ancient cobblestone streets of Dochas flooded, unable to drain the rainwater. The rainfall landed on the roofs with a diverse range of pitters and patters, creating a symphony of precipitation. The merchants, anticipating the storm, retreated into their houses like the winter snow. Quin roamed the streets alone with the exception of the occasional passerby. The downpour grew so intense that he could no longer see where he was going. He found himself passing the same buildings, running in circles. "I've see that inn before. That door looks familiar" thought Quin. Eventually he came across the tavern his uncle recommended, Flaherty's. Figuring he is getting nowhere right now, Quin decided to head inside.

The door of the tavern was heavy. It heaved open with a groan like a like a wild beast. The tavern was warm and the smell of ale was in the air. The fireplace crackled and snapped. The heads of local game were mounted proudly above it. "Red deer", "Eastern Crozet", "Tamde fox", were some of the few heads on the wall. Men sat around the fireplace smashing their tankards together with a cheer. The bard played a tune on their flute as the patrons sang along. Despite the light-hearted atmosphere, Quin kept his guard up. The encounter in the market had really shaken him up. The clock on the wall struck ten. It was already night time. Most of the crowd here was engaging in their evening guzzle. Quin headed over to the bar and sat on one of the old wooden stools. "Lepidus is going to kill me!" thought Quin. He layed his forehead onto the oak counter.

"From the look on your face I can tell you're lost boy." Quin looked up to see the barkeep looking at him. He was a medium sized man, pale in the face like many northern Isulans. He was round, but not fat. His beard was long, brown, and ungroomed, yet his kind, grandfather like smile put Quin at eaze.

"That obvious?"

"You look...Viridian? Must be from a trade ship."

"Wow right on the nose."

"Seen every kind of person in here my boy. Traders, merchants, bards, warriors, elves and men." said the barkeep proudly. "Names Flaherty. Finbar Flaherty. I run this fine tavern." Quin wondered if he should say his real name to this stranger. After a little hesitation, Quin revealed his identity.

"Quin Armitage."
"Armitage? Familiar name. Do you by any chance know a Septimus Lepidus?"
"Oh yeah! Lepidus is my uncle. How do you know him?" said Quin with a worried expression. Lepidus was known to frequent taverns and as he put it, "engage in friendly combat."

"Not to worry my boy, he's a regular here. So he brought you on one of his trade voyages I see. Is he around here? I didn't see him come in."
"Lepidus is here?" said a drunk man the corner.
"Lepidus! The man of a thousand stories! Where is the old rascal?"

"Actually he is still in the harbor on the Lusia. He let me into the city to explore, but the roads-"

"Hooray!" shouted the tavern patrons. "Lepidus is back!" Merely news of Lepidus in the harbor brought such joy to the tavern. The patrons surrounded Quin asking questions about his Uncle.

"You know I used to crew the Lusia."

"Is Lepidus still seeing that princess?"

"Harrf deees the branch?" Some of these men were so drunk, Quin could not tell if they were speaking common. They raised pints of ale in his name. The tavern even had a drink named after him which began to flow from the taps like a waterfall. Then, the guests began to sing songs about the legendary Captain Lepidus.

"Oh on the waves of the sea of Eilean, the monster of-". Before they could finish, two men opened the door to the tavern. They wore all black cloaks with hoods obscuring all but their scarred jaws. The bards quieted their flutes, the patrons put down their drinks, and the air in the tavern grew cold.

"Excuse me, boy, but I do believe we are have a little unfinished business." Quin froze in his seat. He slowly turned around to see a giant of a man standing over him. It was the man from the market.

"You and your friend are not welcome here." said one man. The tavern guests surrounded Quin like a bear protects cubs. A few drew their swords. Sheeth!
"Now now gentlemen, this is between the boy and I." said the giant.

"What could he possibly have done to you?" said Flaherty, angry and ready to strike.

"He interfered with Ritari business." Many of the men sheathed their blades and simply left the tavern. Getting involved with the Ritari is nothing but a death sentence. "I give you all one more chance, return home, or consider yourselves marked." No one moved. "So be it." With those words, the two Ritari pulled back their robe revealing blades of silver that gleamed with the light of the fire. As they drew their sabers, the blade ignited. The fire burned like the flames of hell. The scars on the men began to glow a deep red and their skin went as black as night.

"What magic is this?" a terrified Quin asked Flaherty. No reply came. Flaherty drew his old navy sword from under the bar counter.

"This is it boys. It was an honor being your barkeep." said Flaherty with a sad confidence.

Crack! The door kicked in. A black silhouette was in the doorway. BANG! BANG! The two Ritari were struck and vanished in a black smoke leaving behind the hilts of their weapons. Quin moved toward the hilt to inspect it. "Hold it right there Quintinus!" said a familiar voice. It was Lepidus! He stepped into the tavern with his eyes fixed on Quin. Quin didn't know if he was more scared of what just happened or of what trouble he is going to be in with Lepidus. "I said be back by nightfall! I am fairly certain that is the moon in the sky right now!"

"But I-" started Quin.

"Young man! Get back to the ship right now" Quin couldn't seem to get a word in.

"Wait! Lepidus! You can't go back to the ship now! He's been marked. They must have the harbor on watch." said Flaherty. "You have to get out of the city now!"

"Boy, when we get back to Viridi you are in for it." said Lepidus. He turned to Flaherty, "If you can, get word to my first officer that, he should head back to Viridi."

"What?" Exclaimed Quin, "How will we get back?"

"I'm not sure yet, but we'll find a way lad." This didn't reassure Quin in the slightest, but at least he wasn't on his own now.