Marin, Book 1 (The Xortha Chronicles)

Chapter 38: Bogged Down

Marin

Chapter 38: Bogged Down

    School term started at The Shintzu Academy for the Arcane Arts which left Marin and Abby cooped up in the library studying most days.

    "Professor Leone is so confusing!" said Abby, "what does 'multiverse' even mean?"

    Marin handed Abby a book 'The Multiverse: Life Beyond Normal Existence' , "Read this. It explained everything to me, and don't worry, I've already read it."

    Marin and Abby took a table and began going over notes. They were studying the ethereal plane this week and had a quiz next Moonsday. While they worked, Prince Degwyn from Kazak Deep walked up to their table.

    "G'day you two," said Prince Degwyn, "can Ah speak wit' ye a moment? Me father wanted me ta ask ye if ye'll teach me an' me kin tha' travelin' spell ye know. Says 'e wants ta stay 'n touch wi' other dwarven holds."

    "Sure, Highness," said Marin, "I might have some free time on Kingsday; we can get a practice room and get to work on it."

    "Tha' would be great," said Degwyn, "see ye then." and he left.

    Marin and Abby spent the rest of the evening in the library reading there text books and referencing the various books it mentioned. By full dark they each had ten pages of notes and even more questions now than when they started.

    "The library is closing in half an hour; please gather your things and check out the books you need, now." said the librarian.

    Marin and Abby got what they needed and went home. Neither one had eaten since mid day meal so Marin made soup.

    A knock came at the door and it was a courier with a letter, "It's from Malor," said Marin.

"Marin, I have need of your services. If you are interested in some work, please come to my office when you get this. Thanks, Malor."

    Marin and Abby finished their meal and went to the clerks office. Both Mr. Malor and Governor Dimsin were there.

    "Good, you came," said Malor.

    "We have a bit of a problem," said Dimsin, "Four of Shintzu's wealthiest families are missing their children. Don't worry; those missing are at least twenty summers so it's not small children. But they've been gone for over a week."

    "According to what their families told us," said Malor, "their people dressed up in armor and went to the swamp five leagues east of the city. That's beyond city boarders. Would you two be interested in finding them?"

    "It's not official Shintzu business so city isn't paying," said Dimsin, "but the families of those missing are offering one hundred falcons each to bring their people back."

    Abby sighed, "We may as well take it, Marin. We're almost out of coin."

    "Alright, we'll find them," said Marin, "We'll have to wait until suns up to start looking. We'd break our necks stumbling around a swamp in the dark."

    Next morning, Marin and Abby gathered their things and Abby cast a portal that put them on the western edge of Bleakmurk Swamp. The land was mostly mud and stagnant water with mangrove trees here and there. There were hills in places and one hill they came to had a cave. Marin and Abby cast glow and started searching the cave; it was about four paces wide and three deep but the ceiling was so low you couldn't stand up fully. On the ground there were booted footprints and what looked like someone tried to make a fire with rotten wood.