A Mystical War

Going Home

AN: I am really sorry for the long hiatus. I got a real bad case of writer's block along some mental problems but I'm back and I will be for a while!

I looked at the people in the cellar. "So, you're all mages?" Ana asked, a smile on her face, getting nods and affirmations. Ash stood in front of us, just staring at us. "You stand high, a soldier's stance. You immediately sized me up. What is your goal here in Isonall?" Ash finally said, looking me in the eyes. "Well, we were told you can help us. We're here to scout out Isonall," I told them. Ash smirked, "And Kaidan says I can help you?" I nodded. "Well, a month ago I would do it for a price. Now? I will do it for revenge. Kof has taken what I care for most, I will help," Ash said, a determined look on their face. "Come get me when you are ready to leave Isonall. I will be ready, waiting."

Ana and I walked back up and into The Nytewolf's Den. There was a familiar gravelly voice yelling in the tavern. "Where are they? I know you have them!" I looked in and saw the smuggler getting in Maximus's face from the other side of the bar. There were four guards with him, and two more by the stage. "Shit," I whispered, then grabbed my dagger from its sheath. I could hear Ana grab her's too. "Looking for us?" I called, stepping inside. The smuggler chuckled and said, "Well not anymore." He nodded and the four guards started walking towards us. "Oh that ain't happenin' now,'' I heard Maximus yell. He jumped over the bar, a meat cleaver in his hand, and swung it down into a guard's shoulder. One of the backup guards rushed Maximus and tackled him. I heard a shout and then I saw a club getting swung at my head. I quickly ducked and stabbed at the guard in front of me, barely getting through his armor.

The guard took a step back and suddenly collapsed. I looked around and saw a man standing on the stairs, a crossbow in his hands. "Nice shot, Darwin!" Kaidan yelled to him. "Use force you worthless shites!" The smuggler commanded the guards, "A few cuts are better than nothing!" I saw a guard grab a sword and shield off his back. "Robyn!" Kaidan yelled, I turned as she tossed a sword to me. I caught it and got into a fighting stance. The guard ran at me, winding back for a swing. I quickly stabbed at his chest, and the blade seemed to glow as I extended my arm. It pierced his armor like it was nothing. I ripped the sword out and turned to the last three. One was making his way to the stairs, another was still on Maximus, and the third was guarding the smuggler.

I heard a roar come from Maximus and the guard flew across the tavern. Maximus was on his feet, broken shackles around his wrists. There was fire in his eyes. He turned to the guard and smuggler. "You come into my inn, my home, and you destroy it? Well, that ain't gonna fly." He said, surprisingly calm. He took a few steps towards the two and then the guard fell down, a crossbow bolt in his neck, from Darwin. I walked over to the smuggler. He chuckled nervously, "So, heh, no hard feelings right?" I gripped the sword tighter. "Who sold us out?" I asked him. "A benefactor of Kof, that's all I know," He responded curtly. I looked around at Kaidan, Maximus, and Ana. She just looked confused. I quickly hit him in the head with the pommel, knocking him out.

"They know where you guys are. They know what you were doing. You need to leave," Kaidan was talking, standing at the bar. Darwin was sitting at the end, tuning a lyre, while I still had the sword in my hand. "We need to leave," Darwin said quietly, "If they knew they were here, then they'll come looking and find out." Maximus looked at all the faces. "Look, I can call in a favor from the merchants. Get you all to Al-Draenor or out. And I mean all of you." He said with a knowing nod. "What about you?" Kaidan asked. Maximus shook his head. "I have to close up, pack what I can, and I'll go by my family back in Al-Draenor," he responded. He didn't have the boisterous attitude that he had last night.

Ana and I helped everyone pack, and I noticed that Ash was nowhere to be seen. There was a group of kids worriedly talking. Ana heard this and went over to talk to them. We finished packing by sunrise and that's when Maximus got back, a caravan behind him. "Okay. We got cover for you guys to get out. I'm sorry it had to go like this." He said, looking at all of us.

We made it out of Isonall limits when the caravan split. Half of the mages went with them, heading towards the mountains. The rest were heading to Al-Draenor with us. I was walking next to Ana when Kaidan walked up on the other side. "So, what's the plan?" She asked me. "I have to report what happened to my commander. You and Darwin can play in the inn. I don't know about everyone else," I told her.

We made it into the city without any problems. I took Kaidan and Darwin to the inn, and then went to the hall with Ana to report the results of the mission. I walked in, whereas Ana stayed outside. I looked and saw the commander sitting at the war table again, and I noticed that the pieces representing troops were moved around. At a quick glance, I saw that there were some more of our people in Isonall. "Sir?" I called to him, causing him to jump. He seemed to look surprised. "Oh, Robyn. What did you learn?" He said, turning back to look at the table. "The mission went south. Someone tipped off the guard. But we did learn where their guild hall is and we brought back a few people who lived there. They're willing to help." I told him. He went stiff as a board. "You did what?" He asked, a slight panic in his voice. "Two traveling musicians that helped us. They offered their help." I responded. "Okay, well as payment for that mission and for your efforts as a soldier, I am giving you your father's old house, so you can get out of the barracks." He said, grabbing a key off of a shelf.

I walked out of the hall, confusion plastered on my face. I didn't understand why we would have more people in Isonall when we just got back. "What's wrong?" Ana asked when I came out. "Oh, it's nothing... yet," I responded. We walked down the road a little bit and then I spoke up. "When I was talking to the commander he told me that he was going to give me a house for being a good soldier for so long. I wanted to know if you wanted to live there, to get out of the barracks." I told her. "I would love to! Let's go check it out." Ana exclaimed excitedly. As we walked to the house I spotted Jeni and Krys in the training yard. Krys was limping slightly but he looked a lot better than last time I saw him. "I'll be right back." I said to Ana, and walked over to them. "Hey! How'd the mission go?" Krys asked when I got closer. "Well, it could have gone better but the commander finally gave me my father's house. I was wondering if you guys wanted to get out of the barracks," I responded. "Oh thank God. Yes." Krys exclaimed, Jeni was nodding her head while chuckling. We started walking to my childhood home which I haven't seen in ten years.

We walked to the outskirts of town, to where the house was. As soon as I saw it memories of my childhood came flashing back. The training in the backyard. The home cooked meals Father would make. I started getting choked up but quietly cleared my throat. I walked to the front door, unlocked it, and swung the door open. We got our rooms figured out and moved our stuff from the barracks. I had my Father's room. Ana had the room across the hall. Krys had the room next to mine and Jeni had my old room, across from Krys. I looked around the room, at the old bed, the wardrobe and the weapon mounts, noticing some still had trophies and weapons on them. I then saw a painting on his desk. The painting had a woman holding a baby, and Father was standing next to her.

It was really late by the time we finished setting up our rooms and cleaning out the dust and cobwebs from everywhere else. We agreed to go celebrate with a drink at the inn the next day. I walked to my room, Ana close behind. I opened the door but before I could step in, "Hey, Robyn?" Ana called quietly. I turned around and before I could ask her what was up she kissed me. She was in her room with the door closed before I could register what happened.