Chapter 15 - First Impressions

There were only a couple there already. There was a girl a few years older than she was, and a warrior. Niza labeled him a warrior immediately by the look in his eyes. They had an alertness to them that she'd seen before. He wasn't scarred and ugly, and his face didn't look all cold and calculating.

The girl, on the other hand, clearly came from money, she decided as Father Marus guided her over to the table to join the two. Her hair was neatly combed, and the dress she wore looked clean and well-kept. Well, there's the young Lady, she mused as she was given a chair.

The chairs were tall and hard, and she felt little sitting in it--not to mention out of place. Of course she was seated across from the young lady.

"Niza," Father Marus said, "these are Ullden and Jetha."

"Niza is one of the ones joining us. She was downstairs recovering from an injury. I've already mentioned the other man. His name is Alldeh, or at least we think that's his name."

"Yes," Ullden said, "the insane one. That should make things even more fun, eh?" He said it with a wry sort of sarcastic smile. Niza wasn't sure what to make of him.

"Just how... difficult... is this other man?" the girl, Jetha asked, looking dubious.

"I have had considerable experience with him," Father Marus said. "I should be able to keep him calm for most of the time. I am putting together a list of herbs to bring with that should help as well. He is not generally violent, but can be prone to fits of shouting."

"Not generally violent?" Ullden asked. "Care to elaborate on that, Father?"

"Only once in his time here has he ever harmed another, and I still believe that was accidental. He does, however, sometimes hurt himself."

Jetha seemed to pale at Father Marus' words, while Ullden seemed satisfied. Niza couldn't really see that there was much difference to Alldeh from any number of old beggars she'd seen on the streets of Riverport over the years. Some of them had been varying levels of crazy, but usually they didn't bother anyone who didn't bother them. She supposed it might be a little different to actually travel with one, but it didn't really worry her.

A man in robes came by the table with steaming bowls, bread, and some mugs for them. It was all she could do not to snatch things right off the tray from the man when the smell of the food reached her. Her stomach rumbled audibly, such that all of them could hear. Jetha's eyes went wide at the sound, and Niza found herself mumbling 'excuse me' at the table as if she had passed gas instead. Father Marus quietly reminded her to eat slowly, while Ullden didn't seem to notice at all, but said a 'thank you' to the man serving them instead.

The bowls held a meat stew, heavily laden with beef and vegetables, and a thick broth that clung nicely to the bread if one dipped into it. The mugs had a light apple cider that tasted crisp, as if freshly made. To Niza, it seemed like the best meal she'd ever had. A part of her was still marvelling at the fact that she was even alive, much less being given a meal.

"Perhaps some more useful introductions would be useful," the Father said, changing the conversation. "I might as well go first, since you'll probably find me the least interesting. My name is Father Marus Rolin, which I think you all already knew. You know I'm a priest. There may not be much more than that."

"I'm sure you'll surprise us," Ullden said. "As for me, I'm Ullden--" he seemed to cut short what he was about to say, looking around himself. "I've been called a lot of things. I've been called a knight by some, but never by anyone in the position to really make such a claim. I've been called a mercenary, a scoundrel--even a thug once, although I took exception to that one."

"I don't really call any place home anymore. I live by my sword and my wits and my conscience. But I couldn't begin to tell you why any gods would choose me for any quest. I'm not noble, I'm not without sin. Maybe I was just available. I came this way avoiding the Elar, not looking to be just another soldier in a war. I was led to a friend, who is a seer, who introduced me to Jetha."

"An interesting coincidence that you know Lady Vera," Father Marus commented. "It was actually she who first implied to me that I'd be involved in all this."

"Yes, and she's had quite a bit to say about it," Jetha added.

"Not many would call her Lady," Ullden said. Niza was glad this Vera was not there. There had been a seer in Riverport, and the woman had been absolutely creepy. She had been one of the first the Elar had fed to their demon.

Niza was just as surprised that the priest would call her a Lady too. She knew that the Church's overall opinion of seers was not a good one. She wondered if Vera really was a Lady or if Father Marus was just being polite. Based on Ullden's comment, she suspected the latter.

Jetha went next with introductions, looking a little hesitant at first.

"I'm Jetha Marget Hollden, of Hollden Estate. I've spent nearly eight years studying under the wizard, Arten Nordithet, learning wizardry magic. Not long ago I had a premonition spell go strangely and I saw a woman who looked like the depictions of Ardana. She seemed to be changing my spell to one of a druidic nature instead. I had visions of seven people, including myself, four of which are sitting at this table now. One of them, however, did not seem to be a part of this group, but felt evil. I think he's the enemy we're meant to destroy, or someone important to him. Nordithet and I were trying to figure out what all the images meant, but much of it is really unclear still. When I went with my family to a celebration at the local Duke's keep, I saw Ullden and recognized him from my visions. Vera recognized me too. And Nordithet had done some spells of his own which told him I'd need to go on this journey. There was just too many things pointing me this direction for me to ignore. Nordithet has always said that wizards often take on burdens greater than themselves. While I don't know how ready I really am for this sort of task, I don't see any other choice. Nordithet taught me that weilding the kind of power that comes with wizard magic comes with responsibility to do so justly and with honor, so that's what I intend to do."

Niza noticed that Jetha was watching Father Marus while she spoke, as if waiting for him to interrupt her with some objection. The priest remained quiet, however, nodding at a few points and letting her finish.

"It sounds as if your teacher was wise," he said with a smile after she'd finished. Niza found herself raising an eyebrow in surprise, having expected Father Marus to take some objection. The Church's opinion of wizards was usually worse than that of seers.

Suddenly all eyes at the table were on her, expecting her to introduce herself next. Unaccustomed to having attention focused on her, she found that her mouth had gone dry and she couldn't seem to think of anything to say about herself, especially after Jetha's grand little speech. Do I tell them who I was back in Riverport? The priest knows and doesn't seem to be judging me poorly, but the others... she didn't want to immediately get off on the wrong foot with them, especially since she didn't know how long she'd be traveling with them. There was a long, awkward pause while Father Marus smiled encouragingly and the other two seemed to be waiting curiously to hear her speak. Just start with your name, she told herself, and where you are from. Talk about the Elar in Riverport. They don't have to know everything yet.

"Um...my name's Niza," she finally managed. They were all watching her. She tried to look at Father Marus. His eyes didn't look judgemental like the rest. She still wished she could shrink into the chair and vanish.

"I'm from Riverport. I got shot with an arrow escaping. The Elar have Riverport." She stopped suddenly, not sure what to talk about next. She knew she wanted to talk about what the Elar had done, but she didn't know where to start.

"They came from the water," she finally started. "Jink said they showed up in a hundred ships. I don't know, but it was enough ships to pretty much fill the harbor. I saw some of the start of it before I hid. The ships came in real fast, faster than I've ever seen ships in the harbor move. And they went straight for the docks. Some boats were already tied up to the docks, but the Elar ships came up and rammed them. The littler boats were just crushed."

"Troops jumped down off the ships and that's when I ran and hid. I didn't see or hear much of anything for a while. They rounded up people and brought them to the city square. People were given the chance to serve and live. They just had to swear to follow the laws of Eltharn--I guess that's their god."

"Plenty of folk went ahead and agreed. They got to go back to their lives, more or less. Some folk refused. They were given to the demon. Some of them it just ate. Others it played with first."

"My friend Maren said we should just play along. She did, and they put her into an orphanage. At least, that's what they called it. But when I went in to get her out, she...wasn't her anymore. She had changed. She turned me in, and I barely got out of there."

"While I was trying to get out of town, I went through this one room with this gold and crystal scepter thing in it. I don't know why I took it, it was like I couldn't stop myself," she admitted. "Since then I've wanted to get rid of it, but haven't been able to. Just having it as far away as it is right now is making me... edgy?"

She hadn't really realized it until she said it, but it was true. Her mind kept shifting back to her backpack in the room, wishing it was close by. While she valued what little possessions she had left, she knew there was nothing else in there she couldn't technically replace. The scepter was playing on her mind, drawing her to it. It wasn't as if she felt any need to touch it or do anything else, but she did seem to need to keep it close by.

"It seems to me that you've been chosen to guard over it for now," Father Marus said quietly. "One of the acolytes here took it out of your pack, as it was preventing you from being healed. When she pulled the blanket away to see it, the scepter glowed and then she was suddenly on fire. Yet I saw you pick it up with your bare hands and it did not harm you. Something about you makes it safe for you to handle it. Nonetheless, I will want to keep an eye on your health and make sure it doesn't harm you in some other way." She knew her eyes had gone wide at hearing what the priest said, and he gave her a reassuring smile.

"Is she alright? The acolyte?" Niza worried aloud. She was suddenly afraid that she'd come here to be healed only to bring death to another in the process.

"She has been healed," Father Marus said, nodding. "It may take her a little longer to get over the fright of what happened, but she will be just fine."

Niza nodded, relieved. She took another sip of the cider, hoping she wouldn't have to explain any more about herself.

"Well," Father Marus said, "I guess I should say a little about Alldeh, since he doesn't really speak for himself." He paused at that. Niza supposed he was trying to figure out where to start, just as she had when she'd started.

"He was brought to us several years ago. We've since learned that he has been kicked out of several towns, mostly for causing some disturbance or another. We don't know what he's been through, but something happened that left his mind as good as shattered."

"He says the word Alldeh frequently. I don't know if it's his name or not, but we needed something, so we've been using that. Sometimes he'll respond to hearing it when we call him, often not. But often enough he won't respond to anything."

"He mumbles and mutters a lot. He draws things on his walls. Some of them are symbols similar to magical ones, some of them are just the basic scribblings of madmen."

"Sometimes he screams in the night. I'll warn you all about that. Sometimes he soils himself, so you'll want to be aware of that so you won't be caught off guard if it happens."

"And we're bringing him with us why?" Ullden interrupted.

"For one thing," Father Marus answered, "one of the things he has drawn on his wall is the scepter Niza brought here. When it arrived he knew it. And he knew that it was interfering with us while we were trying to heal Niza, he just didn't know how to tell us. We may need other things that he knows."

"Even my bishop, whom the Gods had informed of our quest, has told me that Alldeh has something locked in his mind that we need. I get the impression that Alldeh knows far more than we do, but the madness that has claimed him is preventing him from just telling us. I've always felt there was something more to the man. He has rare moments of clarity where I've seen intelligence in his eyes. Many have not had the patience for him, which is how I came to be in contact with him so much. While I haven't been attending to his every need, I have been to see him nearly every day for the past four years. He's been calmer for me, and seems to trust me to a point. I think the hardest part will be putting him on a horse. We may need a small wagon instead." Father Marus sat back, sighing.

"That's going to slow our progress some, for certain," Ullden commented. "And there may be some places a wagon can't go."

"There's only two men left from my vision that I haven't met yet," Jetha said. "If Alldeh is one of them, he's either the wizard I saw or the evil man. I doubt the evil one is traveling with us. When can I see him, to know if he's the other man we're missing?"

"We can go by his room after dinner if you like," Father Marus said. "Although I think it would be best if it was just you and I. He doesn't deal well with several people in confined quarters. It would be better if he met with the rest of you in the courtyard before we leave. He seems to feel claustraphobic sometimes. The open air will help. So will the herbs I plan to slip into his morning meal. I don't know how he will react to leaving this place."

There was a brief silence that settled over the table. People finished their food and sipped at the cider, seeming to think about what had been said. It was Marus who finally broke it, after setting his empty bowl aside. To Niza, he seemed almost nervous.

"I'm not a warrior priest, Ullden, until this day I've never held a sword in my hands, let alone tried to swing one. However, I was given a sword and shield today, along with some armor. My calling appears to be altering in path for now. I am wondering if you would help me learn how to use the weapon, even if only to defend myself."

"If you plan to carry it, you'd better learn how to use it, Father," Ullden said bluntly. "I'll teach you what I can, although I'm not in the habit of teaching much of anything. But I've seen fools be killed for carrying a sword and not knowing how to use it. Once you've got a sword strapped to your belt or back, you send a message to other men. Better to be able to prove yourself if necessary."

"Thank you," Marus said, seeming relieved. "I appreciate it."

Conversation stopped after that while everyone finished dinner. She wondered what might have happened to the poor man. She also worried a little about going about on some quest that might rely on knowledge locked in a lunatic's mind.

She looked around her at the assembled group as it was. A thief, a warrior, a priest, and a wizard, with the lunatic waiting; it sounded like something that came with a punch line.

The warrior she thought she'd be able to get along with well enough. She would quietly pull her weight, helping to set up camp and such, and he'd have no reason to dislike her. She guessed lazy was probably what would most quickly offend the man.

Father Marus seemed to have accepted her already. She knew she wanted to talk a little more with him later on. If the gods had lent a hand in getting her here safely, she wondered if it was just to tote around the spiked scepter thing, or if they had anything else in mind. If there was anything else, maybe he could give her some clues as to what was coming.

She didn't know what to think about the other girl. All and all about the same age, but so clearly from a different world. There was a girl who had never eaten anything fished from a refuse pile. No, that girl probably had servants that made sure food was always on the table when she wanted it. Her clothes were made for her, not just found discarded or occasionally stolen off an unwatched clothesline.

And the girl was a wizard, too. Or at least she claimed to be, or thought she was, or was training to be one. She wondered what kind of power the girl had. Could she throw fire? Could she read minds? She didn't look up from her food when Niza wondered it, but maybe that was on purpose. She had been warned not to trust wizards--and certainly never steal from one!

They finished eating, and Father Marus told them they could leave the dishes here. Someone would come for them shortly.

"Well, if I'm not coming with you to see the madman," Ullden said, "then I've got some time. Is there a place I could soak in a warm tub for a while?"

"Certainly," Father Marus replied. "Anyone around here can direct you to one. You have only to ask. Niza, would you like one as well?"

"No," she said, uncomfortable again as everyone turned to look at her. "I think I'd rather just sleep extra. I'm still feeling tired."

"Only natural," Father Marus said.

"Are you sure?" Ullden asked. "Might be the last bath until Gods only know when..."

"And perhaps the last soft bed," Niza reminded him.

"Fair point. Good night, all," Ullden said, excusing himself before stepping out.

Father Marus led the two girls to the infirmary and dropped Niza off at her room. She said goodnight and closed herself in. She checked through her things, which did not take long. The scepter was undisturbed. She crawled into the bed with her clothes on and fell asleep more quickly than she expected to.