Saved From Freeport: Part 2

Part 2 for Saved From Freeport brings a conclusion to our first short story. Cartein, who was trapped in Freeport desperately struggling for survival, has a change of fortune.

It took Cartein and Mereindai two weeks to cross the expanse from Freeport to Qeynos. He learned three nights ago her true name. She seemed reluctant to give it up, as if it was extremely precious to her and the only thing she could call her own anymore. They had crossed paths with several nasty monsters, including a group of spiders in North Karanas that refused to let them go unless they gave up some of there food. Cartein almost got poisoned by the things.

They were approaching Qeynos when he noticed her starring at him. She looked away hastily when he turned towards her. He liked her. Liked her a lot. There was something about her that he found intriguing. He felt as if she was holding so many secrets that they threatened to explode if she held on to just one more. So many stories both great and horrible were bottled up. He wanted to know what she was all about. They hardly had spoken on the way to Qeynos, except for a few times when they were either in danger, or needed directions from a local farmer. As they drew farther away from Freeport the land became somewhat less dangerous. They had to hide the pass few days from guards and various creatures that threatened to do away with them.

"You're going to have to put away that sword I gave you, lest the guards think we're coming in here for purposes other than we intended." Mereindai pointed to his sword he was waving around.

He frowned, throwing it in his satchel on his back. It was months since he had any weapon at all. Lifting the sword and practicing with it gave him a sense of power and defense. As powerful as Mereindai was, he just couldn't help but make sure he was doing his part in protecting both of them. He was a little rusty with a sword, but knew how to use it from his training in the past.

The guards at the main gate drew there own swords and commanded them to halt as they approached the perimeter. One of them went over and nudged the other guard. After a brief discussion with the visitors, they withdrew their swords and stood back at their posts.

Both of the guards bowed as Cartein and Mereindai passed into the gates. "Milady, it is good to see you again so soon. Freeport is a dangerous place. We began to worry about you." They bowed again and turned back to their posts.

After the gates were closed the taller guard pulled off his glove, slapping the shorter guard on the head.

"Owe! What did you do that for?!" The shorter guard cried.

The taller guard squinted. "You know you shouldn't be addressing her like that. We're not supposed to speak with council members at all! You know what that could lead to."

The shorter guard frowned. "Mischief. She is so pretty though."

"That she is. Now stand to your post or you'll get my other glove!"

Mereindai lead Cartein into the town proper, visiting several shops where they supplied themselves with some new clothes and basic tools. After walking around for a bit they headed towards the towns tavern, the Raging Camel. It was dusty, dank, and not at all pleasant inside. He was thirsty though and frankly quite used to conditions like this, so he didn't mind much. Mereindai looked quite used to the place herself.

"We'll sit here for awhile. I'll get some drinks for us." She withdrew some coins from a small pouch on her waste and headed to the bar.

He took another look around the establishment. There were several blacksmiths, a few tailors, and what clearly was another magician. All in all a well rounded bunch of folk. None of them looked his way, except for one out of place person. Cartein turned away, but not before he got a good look at the stranger sitting in the shadows in the far back of the establishment. The stranger was clearly a rogue of some sort. The rogue was quite out of place here, even though it was a tavern. Something about the rogue gave Cartein the shivers. This wasn't right at all.

Mereindai came back with drinks. She handed one to Cartein, drinking a large portion of hers before sitting down at their table. She seemed to notice the concern showing on his face.

"Something the matter Cartein?" She smiled. "Qeynos isn't that bad of a place now. Nothing like Freeport is. You should be quite safe here for the time being. If we can get you a little bit of work perhaps you can settle in here permanently. I know they're looking for people with a skill in the blade to help clear out the sewers."

"It's not that exactly. Turn around and look at that man in the far back, behind the hanging plants on the wall." Puzzled, she turned around and gazed towards the back of the establishment.

Cartein waited several minutes for her to respond. She almost appeared frozen. He looked over at the stranger in the corner. He appeared to be concentrating on something, almost starring Mereindai in the face.

Cartein tried waving his hand in front of Mereindai. He then grabbed her shoulders and shook her vigorously. "Mereindai! What are you doing?" He whispered into her ear.

Cartein looked up, noticing the rogue approaching their table. Before he could react fast enough the rogue had raised a dagger out of his cloak and lunged for Mereindai. Flying over the table, the rogue plunged the dagger directly into Mereindai's upper chest. At this point the tavern was a complete mess. People were screaming and trying to get out of the way. Cartein drew his sword, thrusting it towards the stranger. Not even paying attention to anyone else around them. He missed the rogue, who flipped backwards over the table and then ran out the door. Cartein was going to run after him but knew Mereindai was seriously injured. She wasn't even making any noises! The stranger must have somehow put a slow spell or something on her. He knelt down, screaming for someone to help them. He looked into her eyes, whipping away the sweat that had formed around her forehead. She seemed to almost be crying. Cartein could tell she wanted to scream out loud, but could not.

After a few moments the eyes had dried up and that last moment of helplessness seemed to drain out of her. She was dead. He closed her eyes and sat there for a long while before someone else showed up at the tavern. They offered to assist him, but Cartain brushed them away. They refused to leave, kneeling down beside Merindai.

"Please do not feel concerned. We are here to help you. I am council member Dran and a cleric by trade. I should be able to revive here if it has not been that long."

Cartein looked up at Dran in surprise. He studded for the right words. "You can help her? Please, Hurry!"

Dran and two others behind them began to chant and wave their arms in several apparently random circles.

"Where did you come from?" Cartein was curious to know where they had come from in such short amount of time.

The cleric looked down at Cartein in annoyance, "Not now!" he whispered between clenched teach. The three of them continued waving their arms. Light began to form around the three and then expanded to encompass Mereindai. After a few moments the glow faded, and all was quiet in the tavern. People had gathered to watch and were stunned at what was happening.

A voice whispered in his ear. "Cartein, what happened?" A hand came up to grab his own.

Cartein looked back down at Mereindai. She was alive! He resisted the urge to hug her. He was relieved she was alright. The clerics helped her up to a chair at the table one of the clerics had turned back over. One way or another they would find out who had done this to her, and why. They would figure it out together and someone would be brought to justice. He swore this to himself on his life. Perhaps then some of the crimes he committed in the past would be forgiven.