The Crimson Storm (Ch. 2)

The Adventure Tale continues with the next chapter

Chapter Two: A Tree That Grows (Rots Without Love)

Love and you will be loved back. Hate and you too shall be hated.

   

Grand Almen

Celtìca awoke two days after Degriţito brought her in. She saw that Degriţito was clasping her hand. She smiled at the thought of him by her side all that time but thought it foolish. She then saw the tired eyes and fatigued look on his face and knew that he had.
Degriţito smiled and was happy she was alive and awake. Celtìca, however, was very concerned for the well-being of Degriţito. Degriţito still clasped Celtìca’s hand and she knew that she had been severely injured. Celtìca sat upright in the bed and rubbed her eyes some more. Degriţito had a sad look on his face and Celtìca held his face in her hand. She was beginning to love him. She forgot the tattered look he had and saw a handsome prince.
A nurse came over, after seeing that the poor girl had awoken, and started to ask questions. Celtìca began to look around at her surroundings and knew this to be a medical tent. It was very large in size and held many cots. There wasn’t anybody else in the tent beside her, Degriţito, and the nurse. She, however, did not like the question of how she got the wounds. Celtìca began to get suspicious and motioned for the two of them to leave. Degriţito began gathering their things, sword and backpack as well as Celtìca’s staff (not to mention their winter gear), and grabbed Celtìca’s hand and started to run. The nurse was curious why the evasion but thought nothing more of it.
ǁ<>Fairview City<>ǁ
The two exited the tent and saw many more tents like the one they left with red, Crimson is more like it, flags flying above that only Celtìca could see. The two of them began to run towards the center of Fairview, trying to not get wet from the cold snow. As the two ran they began putting on their gear as they knew they would have to leave the village at any given moment. Degriţito, with Celtìca’s hand in his, followed her as she raced to get away from the large field of medical tents.
They had finally reached Fairview Center and saw all the lovely shops and wineries and the apothecary shops. Celtìca looked frantically around trying to see if she could spot a hiding place. Degriţito grew more and more concerned as Celtìca’s frantic looks grew deeper and deeper. Celtìca rushed over to the Happy Field Inn and entered inside quickly slamming the door behind them. Celtìca, as well as Degriţito, tried to catch their breath. Wally, the cute little Gnome behind the front desk, look questioningly at the two of them as did the patrons who were seated by the fire. Most of them drank wine they had got from the winery next door and others were sipping coffee. Those who weren’t staring at the two of them were either reading books or sleeping.
“What can I do you for?” The friendly Gnome asked with one of his eyebrows raised above the other. The two ran over to the front desk and saw that Wally was standing on a stool, just like the last inn they had stayed at.
“Rooms,” Celtìca said still catching her breath, “We need rooms.” Wally handed them two keys, since Celtìca was a Giant, and the two rushed upstairs with their belongings.
A patron (a very old man of nearly 90 or so), sitting on one of the many couches, put down his book and slowly went up the stairs that creaked ever so quietly as his feet touched them. He slowly made his way to the room of one of the two. He saw a pretty Giant sitting on her bed and a human sitting on a chair that was oh so huge for him. He knew they knew where they were.
“Have you figured out that you are in Crimson League territory yet?” Spoke the Wise Mage. He spoke in a baritone voice and carried a staff. It was not like Celtìca’s which was grey and curled at the top to make a loop but rather it was a brown, long pole-like staff, with a blue orb hovering over the top. He was wearing blue robes with an insignia of a blue bird. He wore a Wizard’s hat as well. He saw, when the two were downstairs, the Purple and Green robe Celtìca wore and the tree insignia on hers and knew her to be an Elder of the Superior Council. The two of them knew him to be a Mage of the Økfen, a closed group of Mages who seek out adventurers to do various tasks. It is said to have been a neutral group but nowadays they are good.
“I had no idea Fairview became overthrown by the Crimson League. I thought this place was still a safe haven. I heard people from West Village of Sing say that it was still a haven.”
“Apparently not,” responded Celtìca looking worried. She knew that Degriţito had received faulty information but didn’t hold it against him. “We still have a lot of traveling to do, don’t we?” She asked.
“No, you must stay.” Spoke the Wise Mage. He knew more than he led on. The two listened closely while he explained everything that was going on.

Blue versus Red is as old as time [Spoke Grand Almen, he told the two his name]. The Crimson League and Økfen have battled each other since the beginning of magic. The Crimson League was said to have balanced us, but the tides were changing and we were growing more good and they were growing more evil. I thought that the stories of the balance between us were faulty since we were both neutral parties and only sought balance, but the prophecies foretold of the balance and of the breakage of that balance. It is said that Blue will wash away all the Red and that the times will grow better. The Crimson League got wind of this prophecy and turned against us. They swore to retrieve all of the land that used to belong to the Fire God Alrædælisies, whom they worship as well. We believe in the Fire God too but believe that there should be balance between Water and Fire. Økfen means water in Magìck, the language of Mages, but it also means, in language of Gnomes, balance. The Supreme Council you, my darling, support, believe in balance too. We sought out the Elders and told them of the journey you, Degriţito, would take to bring balance back to the lands.

“Yes, but the lands haven’t been taken by the Crimson League for very long, so what had happened that made them cease their efforts?” Degriţito asked.

“Ah, well…” the Mage went on, “The Crimson League and Økfen had a peace treaty made some fifty years ago that made them happy for a while. But the balance did not last, even though fifty years is quite a long time. The Crimson League liked to be on their own and not tied down to such foolish beliefs like ‘Peace and Prosperity’ we” Grand Almen motioned back and forth between Celtìca and himself “firmly believe in. I mean our motto is ‘Love and you will be loved. Hate and you too shall be hated.’ The Crimson League does not believe in this credo. They think that, with all the land in their power, they will be loved by all forcibly or not.”

<Grand Almen joined Degriţito’s Party>

The three sat in awkward silence for about ten minutes before Grand Almen decided to not lean against the doorway but enter the room. He sat on a chair that was too huge for him as well.
“It is a Giant room, I’ll give you that.” The three laughed but then shortly after, Celtìca looked outside at the snow storm with the red flags waving in the severe winds. She sighed. The other two followed suit, looking outside the window, and then sighing as well.

“It will be a hard battle if there aren’t any safe havens left.” Celtìca softly whispered.

“Shouldn’t we move outside of hostile territory? We are in the killing zone.” Spoke Degriţito concerned for the well-being of his Party.
“I know of a place to the east of here.” Grand Almen spoke in whispers, leaning towards Degriţito.
“Oh? Is it near, is it safe?” Celtìca asked in a whisper as well, joining the other two to form a circle.
“It’s my house, it ought to be safe.”
“If you have a house,” Degriţito said, “then why are you at the inn?”
“Coffee” Spoke Grand Almen and Celtìca at the same time. The two laughed and Degriţito joined in.
After Degriţito washed up (and I mean washed up) and changed from his dirty clothes, he secured their bags underneath their beds, taking with them their weapons. The three started their travel towards Grand Almen’s abode. The winds were picking up and even though it was hard to see, the three made sure not to go near the encampment of the Crimson League. They left through the south exit and turned left towards the east as to avoid being seen by the League.
The three trudged through the treacherous snow and wind and finally made way to a lovely log cabin in a small forest. Grand Almen gestured towards the cabin and it unlocked and opened. The three stepped inside and the door closed on its own and the house was suddenly turned invisible so nobody could view it from the outside.
“There, they will never find us here.” Grand Almen spoke. He knew that the two adventurers would need all the help they could get and also knew they would need warmth and rest. “Oh please,” Grand Almen apologized, “Please have a seat next to the fire.” He said as he waved his hand and made fire appear in the fire place.
“Wouldn’t the smoke be seen outside? I mean you did shield the house from observers but not the smoke that comes out of the house.” Degriţito asked, knowing that the Crimson League would see the smoke from miles away.
“I have taken care of that, not to worry. It gets caught in a tube and cycles back and forth while it dissipates. It will all work out.” He continued, “But please, have a seat, you must rest before we journey again.”
“I thought you said we wouldn’t be journeying again and that we should make our stand here?” Celtìca asked.
“We certainly don’t have the power to take on the whole Legion. We need at least two more Party members before we can advance our plan further.”
“What is our plan by the way?” Degriţito asked in a skeptical tone. He did not fully trust the Wise Mage as of yet.
“We have a Mage, myself; we have a Druid, Celtìca; and we have a Paladin, Degriţito. I know that Celtìca had been wounded and yet Degriţito, you did not heal her. I have seen your kind before. Those who choose not to use their healing ability and only choose to focus on the warrior side of being a Holy Warrior. Anyway, if that is the case we need to get a healer for us. I know that Celtìca tends to like using magic or being a feral animal. She tends to not use her healing abilities so we need a healer in order to secure our safety. Not to mention we will need someone who can grab the main focus of the enemy. I know that you may seem capable Degriţito but we need true power.”
“That was a lot to say…but ok.” Degriţito may have been offended by the remarks that he wasn’t capable of pulling focus but thought it wise to get an alternative anyway, so he made Grand Almen the leader of their party.

<Grand Almen is now the Party leader>

“Do you have somebody in mind to fit these roles?” Celtìca asked, looking outside the window. Grand Almen nodded and yet said that they would wait till the storm cleared in order to fully move.
ǁ Celtìca is fully healed ǁ

Celtìca awoke without feeling any pain. She took off the bandages that were there when she awoke that morning in the medical tent. She knew that Degriţito would want her to keep them on longer just to be safe but she felt fine, though achy due to the floor she had to sleep on. Grand Almen couldn’t accommodate her size. She was used to that. Giants are hard customers. It would take large amounts of cash to grow a place large enough for a Giant to fit inside, let alone have a bed the size of which they could comfortably sleep on. She was surprised that the last two inns could accommodate her. She felt glad she could sleep in a warm bed the last two times she did and grew accustom to it. The floor hurt her back not to mention her head.
She decided to get up. Luckily she could fit in the house. The Wise Mage was pretty tall and so he needed all the head room he could get. The movement Celtìca did made the floor squeak ever so slightly. It awoke Degriţito and he soon stumbled out of the bed that was located next to where Celtìca had been sleeping. She bent down to pick up the blanket that had kept her relatively warm during her sleep and noticed, outside the window, that it was still snowing. She couldn’t tell if it was the next day or the afternoon of when she went to sleep but she soon knew when Degriţito spoke.
“Good Morning.” He spoke as he yawned and stretched. His face stretched as well and made a funny face. Celtìca laughed at the face and sat on the floor next to his bed. The two stared aimlessly at each other. The two drifted into each other’s eyes and they began to kiss. With Celtìca’s large lips and Degriţito’s small lips, the kiss was awkward. Giants and humans have mated before but the offspring tend to be reviled in most societies. There was Luxby though… The kiss stopped when Grand Almen entered the room.
“I do beg your forgiveness,” Grand Almen spoke averting his gaze with his hands up to his eyes. Grand Almen wore his blue robes but they looked newer. It was as if he had a robe for each day…which in fact he had a closet full of them. “I just came to tell you that I have heard reports that the storm should cease in a little while. You two should eat something before we head northeast. The two got up and Degriţito awkwardly laughed while scratching his head. Celtìca laughed in return and scratched her head too. The two stumbled out of the guest bedroom and into the living quarters.
“We are eating on the floor” Grand Almen stated, “because I think we should all respect Celtìca and eat with her on the floor and not sit on confortable chairs.” He then smiled. Celtìca smiled too and bowed to the Wise Mage. Soon after, she sat down near the fireplace. It not currently burning, Grand Almen lit the fire with a wave of his hand. He then gestured towards the food.
“Please…” he said, “Help yourself.” He smiled and the two dug in to what was believed to be hawk. They soon realized it was Mull meat, a very rare cow-like creature. It was named Mull because people thought you should consider an alternative before you kill and eat the poor animal. Degriţito and Celtìca loved the meat and ate it furiously. They drank some wine, which Grand Almen had bought from the winery the day before. The three were well fed by the time the storm began to die down.
The two, Grand Almen excluded, went to gather their belongings from the inn before the long haul. They paid for their rooms too. When the two returned with their belongings, Grand Almen came into the room the other two were in with a present for Degriţito. It was armor. It was glorious perhaps even magnificent armor that glowed a hue of yellow. It was gorgeous and Degriţito couldn’t accept it.
“Oh, I couldn’t consider accepting this. It is way too lovely.” Degriţito said. Grand Almen insisted that he take it anyway, and he graciously accepted.
A while later the two came out in their garments. Celtìca, with her purple and green robe, and Degriţito with his shining yellow plate armor. The three were ready and Grand Almen knew that the three would have only a bubble of time before the storms brewed again.
The three went outside, with their bags with their winter gear shoved inside just in case, and left eastwards to find an old Shaman who was said to have the healing powers of twenty Crimson League priests and priestesses. The three dug down in the snow as they walked making sure not to fall. The winter was long and rough this year but at least they weren’t in a storm…for now anyway. They knew it would soon change if they didn’t hustle along and get to where they needed to.
“Where are we going anyway?” Shouted Degriţito to Grand Almen who lead the brigade. Grand Almen, not turning back, replied.
“Just a hair further. My friend’s abode is just beyond the Caverns of the East.”
“The Caverns of the East is a long ways off though, are you sure we can’t ride Celtìca?” Degriţito pleaded. Grand Almen hadn’t considered using Celtìca’s power to get them closer. However, the girl lagged behind quite a lot as she slipped it the wet mushy snow. She finally made her way to where the other two were waiting.
“Can you change into a flying beast that will help us in our journey/” Grand Almen asked. Celtìca then turned back into the dragon she was the last time someone asked. The three hopped on her back and she flew high into the sky not to be seen.
The three flew far beyond the reach of the Crimson League and past the Caverns of the East. It was then that Grand Almen saw the house and shouted to the both of them, since at high speeds it would have been hard to hear him anyway.
“There it is!” Grand Almen pointed at a house that was pumping out more smoke from one chimney than perhaps five would. Celtìca landed next to the house and transformed back into her normal self. The three were finally there and went over to the door of the white bricked house.
Grand Almen was about to knock on the door when it opened. At the door was a beautiful Nubian woman. She was dressed in religious wear, for shamans, and had a smile on her face.
“Almen,” she said with a deep accent “Come on in.”