When the Going Gets Tough…

[Somewhere outside of Brewbury]

"This is too much…"

The words, spoken aloud, served as an anchor for Daerinnid. Never before in his life could he recall such terrible luck. The trip into the river was the least of his worries--he still had Neesa, who would prove crucial to the success of his next endeavor, but seemed to be a terrible burden on both mind and back.

For a slender young girl, Neesa weighed an awful lot.

"This isn't fair…"

In truth, Daerinnid knew that there was a sort of sickening fairness to this all. He had killed a girl's family and saved her life only for use in his grand plan, and now he was being punished for his actions. Daerinnid clearly recalled the night he had burned his parent's house to the ground, but punishment was a new concept for him.

For years now he had been unattached. His plans were small and scattered, so there was never a lot of anything to drag from one town to the next. For once, he had a serious long-term plan and a lot of baggage.

The ultimate goal was, of course, power. Power over the Te'nakh'nor. Power over magic. Power that Daerinnid did not have.

Ever since his earliest memories, Daerinnid had enjoyed magic and longed to learn and practice the art. He had begged to be allowed to train under a local mage with the hopes that he, too, could become a famous wizard.

From day one, Daerinnid's magical career seemed doomed. His memory was good, but the magician told Daerinnid that he lacked what was needed to become a magician. Enraged, Daerinnid burned the man's house to the ground, his former teacher still in it.

All those years he had wanted to be a magician, wanted to have that power. What he had not realized was that he was unable to do magic because of his other power. If Daerinnid could only find a way to dispose of his power, then he would be able to use magic, but there was only one way to do that.

Drascull. Somehow, Daerinnid would find the man, and the power to work magic.

---

It was mid-afternoon when Daerinnid and Neesa arrived in Brewbury. Daerinnid strode into town, a tall figure stooped over with the weight of a woman on his back. The villagers who saw him and the object he carried whispered to one another in curiosity.

"Why's that girl unconscious?" "'E must be a brave man, carryin' a wounded woman like that." "We chould be careful, I'll bet they ran into monsters." "They both look like they've been burned…" "I saw smoke over the horizon this morning! They must have come from there!" "Looks more like they drowned to me."

At this point, Daerinnid was completely numb -- to both the villagers comments and on one side of his back. The pain was a constant, driving him onward like a zombie. Even Daerinnid's eyes were tired and unfocused.

Left, right, left, right, left, right. On and on he walked, barely noticing that he had entered town. Indeed, he might never had noticed had he not walked into a pole.

Instantly, both Daerinnid and Neesa were sprawled on the ground. It took a few moments for Daerinnid to realize that his situation had changed, but when he did, there were already people gatehred around him, helping him to his feet.

"Wh--where am I?"

"Brewbury, son. You look like you could use some of our famous spirits!" a large man said, grasping Daerinnid's hand strongly.

"Brewbury, beer," mumbled Daerinnid. "Go figure."

"What was that, son?"

"The lady and I could both use some cheering up right now, I think. We've been through a terrible ordeal. The Te'nakh'nor."

There was an audible gasp from the small crowd. Women hugged their children close and the men took on serious looks. Daerinnid could smell the opportunity.

"Yes," he said, taking a large breath of air. "The lady's family perished, but we managed to escape the horrid creatures. We have come to warn you to keep your fires tonight, for the things may not be far behind us. Who knows what their intentions may be?"

The villagers looked perfectly stricken. Cha-ching. "Of course, I have studied the Te'nakh'nor for many years, and would be glad to help you prepare your village against any that could be of harm. I'd only ask a few coins in exchange."

There was a small whimper as Neesa gradually regained consciousness. "Unn… Mista Daerinnid? Where are we?" she asked confusedly.

"Brewbury, Neesa! We have made it in time to warn the villagers!" Daerinnid's mind was laughing uncontrollably, but he took care to hide it.

"Oh, thank ye, mista Daerinnid! Now no one'll hafta enjure wha' I've been through!" she sobbed, tears streaming down her face.

"Neesa, you surprise me more and more sometimes with your timing," Daerinnid thought to himself, grinning.

"Well, we must have food a drink to curb the starvation we have suffered while on the road. Where's the best inn? We can discuss plans to prepare your town there!"

Unsurprisingly, it was the large man with the firm grip who whacked Daerinnid on the back in response. "Why, everyone'd tell you that my inn, the Blushing Maiden, is the finest in this here town!"

"Well, then, sir, lead on!" Daerinnid exclaimed, dragging Neesa behind him. The Blushing Maiden? Daerinnid hoped it would not be a repeat of the Black Pig's "hospitality."