The Forsaken Arts

Chapter 27: Like-Minded

Continuing to run through the forest, their feet splashed in puddles of mud as Chri and Thengol leapt over any abstract terrain with no intention of stopping. After escaping certain death, the two had finally made it to Rehpoth clearing.

They took a moment to rest by a small stream, taking a moment to formally introduce each other and to also plan their next move.

"How'd you know... that...?" Thengol asked while catching his breath.

"Kno...know what?" Chri replied.

"That we'd have a chance to escape."

"Whether you like him or not, the one thing that can't be denied is his ability to strategize. Krinx never tolerated anyone questioning him when it came to tactics on the battlefield. I could only assume that now with no conscience and the way those creatures were positioned, that we'd have a chance to escape if we were patient." he explained.

"I see." Thengol said as he sat to rest on a stump.

"Or, you can just chalk it up to me having a legendary idea." Chri said with a chuckle.

Replying cheerfully with a grin, "Well played."

"I must ask though, what made you come to my rescue, I've never seen you before?" the monk asked curiously as he knelt down to drink from the stream.

"Well, I've come in search of you to request your help." he replied.

"My help, with what, you seem capable enough?"

With his breathing now under control, Thengol stood tall and with a serious voice, "With the threat known as Krinx."

"I see... well then, I hope you know what you're getting yourself into." The monk replied.

"To be honest, I don't. That's why I'm hoping with your help and knowledge we can do this together." Thengol insisted.

Chri walked up to Thengol, placed a sincere hand on his shoulder and looked him square in the eyes, "You're good my friend, I'll give you that, but there's no way in hell the two of us will even get close to him as he remains heavily guarded at all times."

The monk then let go of him and walked away.

"Trust me, suicide isn't on my things to do list. There are others who are willing to fight as well and if things go the way we're hoping, then some of your old allies will help also." He replied while trying to keep with Chri's pace.

I honestly never thought this day would come, Chri thought.

Frustrated that he wasn't getting a clear answer in such desperate times, he ran past Chri to block his path, "So you in?"

"It's now or never right?" Chri replied, inspired by Thengol's willingness to fight and gung-ho attitude.

"Well then, you still remember the way to Faxon or shall I lead the way?" Thengol said sarcastically with a smile.

Chri grinned at Thengol as he walked past him towards Faxon.

Meanwhile

Upon arriving at the Trade District, they realized that it was far too late. The cleric and spell-fighter looked at one another and the body language was clear, they both wished they could've  been there for these people in their time of need.

"By the Arts... did Krinx really do this?" Silvannas whispered as the two proceeded cautiously through what was now a ghost town littered with corpses.

"Cecilee..." Evenharth replied.

"I'm sorry who?"

"My commander...  was supposed to come here on assignment."

Silvannas gazed upon Evenharth's face and saw the look of dread as he scanned over the devastated Trade District while talking about his commander.

"These seem to all be civilians, we're probably following in his footsteps, getting here in time to be witness to the aftermath." she said while placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"She." Evenharth said. "My command Cecilee is a woman."

"Oh my.. really? You're telling me Faxon has a female military commander now? I never thought I'd see the day."

Though his mind was playing through several scenarios of what could have left this once bustling community in such ruin, he nodded in agreement.

"I wish we could have found Wendy and her daughter, but I must get back to headquarters. This has to stop... Krinx has to be stopped." the spell-fighter said while turning to face Silvannas.

"No you're right, we tried. I really wanted to find those two and explain what happened to their loved one but this... together we're going to put an end to this."

With Enin Valley not that far off, Evenharth suggested an alternate route since it was located between Faxon and the Trade District. This would have them traveling back towards the Resistance Headquarters while passing through the valley where the samurai was last reported being seen.