Tales Of Gridarnia

Kono

“How much further?” Kimberly asked from the back of the carriage. Her and Simpy were sitting in between boxes playing their fifteenth game of cards.

“Almost there love, We need to make it around this bend in the river and we should see the village.” Jackson said.

Jackson and Kono sat up front driving the horses. They carried a full wagon of supplies to trade with the seaside village of Poorman’s Harbor. There they were to also find Reese and tell him of the new developments that have occurred. The trip thus far was a bit dreary as it had rained nearly the entire time. They left the gates of the Goldenleaf village and traveled west until they hit the northern edge of the Boar Canyon. They then turned and traveled directly south through wilderness and into the southern peninsula where the large thick forest stopped growing and the prairies began. It was a bit odd not having any push back on their way. Normally they would have to be careful of goblin attacks but since the reclaiming of the canyon. The Goblins were nowhere to be seen. Reports had come in days prior suggesting that they had moved to Region X north of Preceed Manor but they could not be confirmed.

“Can we eat when we get there?” Simpy asked holding her stomach which was growling fearfully. Her pet squirrel was napping up in one of the boxes.

“We have to unload the supplies and find Mr. Ryan first, Simpy.” Kono stated.

“That won’t take all four of us will it?” Simpy protested

“No, but while you lot are helping unload I will be looking for Ryan. I have urgent information to get to him before the shipping contract is finalized with the Harborvant. Kono explained.

The carriage arrived at the front gates of Poorman’s Harbor. What looked to be a fifty foot wall was made up of many logs that were cut down and tied together to form a firm wooden wall with a wooden gate in the center. The wall encircled from one part of the peninsula to the other spanning many miles. A guard came out holding an umbrella in one hand and Kono handed him a piece of paper explaining their purpose and what goods they were transporting. The Guard, who was middle aged and heavy set, directed them to go into the gate and make a left and follow the street until they reached the warehouse at the end. Advised them to find a man named Sully and to present him with the papers. Kono thanked him and they proceeded through the gate. Jackson directed the horses as was instructed and a few blocks later they were backing the carriage into the loading dock. Kono and Jackson got out and looked around to find a smaller stubbier man who was already walking up to greet them.

“Mr. Sully!?’ Kono Asked

“I Sully, what did ye bring meh?” Sully said. Kono handed him the semi wet paper that the guard had returned and waited.

Sully scanned the page and then started barking orders at the 4 yard workers to unload the carriage and put the inventory inside.

“Do you by chance know where Reese Ryan is?” Kono Asked

“Yey, he be up at the main house with Mr. Scuttlefly.” Sully Said, “Head down this here road and take the 3rd right back to the middle. Big house you can’t miss. Large Blue Flags on the top”

“Jackson, get the cart unloaded and the horses in the stalls. Then take the girls and find someplace warm and dry. Get them some food so they will stop whining.” Kono said tossing him a bag of coins

“Yes sir” Jackson said before turning back to his duties.

Kono took his pack out of the carriage and proceeded down the road as instructed. The streets were empty and water sloshed every which way as the storm just kept coming down. Kono turned right at the third street and kept walking.

“Surely there isn't a hurricane. Not in the middle of winter” Kono said to himself

He reached the town square and found the largest house. It was the only building in the village not made from some sort of stone. Completely made of wood, it stood four stories tall and had large blue flags just flapping in the wind and rain. Kono adjusted his pack, pushed the door open and entered inside. Inside was a large open area with chairs and a large counter in the middle of the room. A receptionist looked up and smiled at Kono.

“Hello. How can I help you today?” she stated

“Hi, My name is Kono Chintzy. I just arrived from The Goldenleaf Village. I am looking for Mr. Reese Ryan.”

“Oh Yes! We have been expecting you. Follow me and I will show you to the meeting room. I think they are just finishing up their meeting. My name is Jill. If you need anything while you are here please let me know. Jill said

Kono followed Jill down the hall and up two flights of stairs. He passed by many different rooms full of charts and papers and people rushing in and out. They arrived at the third floor and took a left and stopped at the two double doors. Jill Knocked three times and then slowly opened and peaked her head in

“Sirs, We have a Mr. Chintzy here to see you” Jill said

“Bring him in.” a voice said. The doors opened and Jill motioned Kono to come in after her.

The Room was large with a rectangular table in the center. The south wall was almost completely in windows overlooking the sea. Rain and wind brushed hard against the panels. A small drip of water fell down from the corner ceiling into an almost full bucket that had been placed there. There were 4 men sitting at the end of the table in deep discussion. Kono Recognized Mr. Reese Ryan on the right talking to a large burly man with a long black beard. He resembled a sort of Pirate that you would read about in a children’s bedtime story. His right hand was replaced with a silver looking hook. Kono moved forward and greeted the men. Reese pulled out the chair next to him and motioned him to sit, Kono did so and moved to pull out the papers in his bag.

“What news do you bring us Mr. Kono. My Cousin hasn’t burned the place down yet has he?” Ryan joked.

“No sir, not yet.” Kono smiled and handed him the report.

Ryan took the report which was multiple pages long and read it. The report read as follows:

To: Mr. Rease Ryan of Golden Leaf Village

From: Lord Ray Maximum of Golden Leaf Village

Cousin,

First I must offer my deepest apologies. Mr. Carl, Dayton and Theo were hunting on Saturday November 11th near the mines north of the boar canyon and were attacked by a raid of Goblins. Carl was killed. Dayton and Theo were captured and taken to the Boars Canyon. They are safe now. We attempted a rescue mission as soon as we found out. Your son and his friend were rescued and have no injuries. In the process of the rescue, I killed the Goblin King. We have taken over the Boars Canyon and are in the process of reopening the mines.

Evidently, region XI is divided and there are certain beacons that when activated using my Lord System, Grant us control over the area. Please be on the lookout for such objects. They would look like a large boulder similar to the one that used to sit in front of grandma’s house. They will have special runes and a hole for a key to be inserted. Please speak to the Harborvant and ask him if he knows of such objects and the key. It is possible that by activating the beacon, new resources will become available that can help both our villages.

On to the second thing I wish to speak of. We have reopened the mines and are working to build a rail system. We want to include this in the negotiations with the current rail system that is in the works for Poorman's Harbor. We need Masters and Pledges to help work the mine and to help with the rail system. Please include this information in the current negotiations with Sir Scuttlefly. Attached is a detailed report of resources that have been found in the mines to date and of the current progress.

I have one more thing to report. I have spoken to your wife also and I regret that this is the soonest that we could get correspondence to you on the matter. Dayton and Theo are magically adept. They have been tested and have begun at the academy. He is doing wonderfully. You should be proud. It seems that they must have been hanging around Mace for too long, because they are both able to teleport. Because of the new contracts that have been made with the kingdom, Dayton will not be shipped off to the compound until he takes the Beginner exam and becomes a pledge at 11 years old. He is to stay in the village and I am personally training the both of them.

Please send correspondence once a decision is made.

Sincerely

Your Cousin Ray Maximum

Lord of The Goldenleaf Village

Reese looked up from the report. “My son was kidnapped?”

Sir Scuttlefly stood up as if he was ready to start barking orders at someone

“He was rescued, sir. Lord Maximum Killed the Goblin King. The Boar Canyons are completely rid of the Goblins now. They fled to the west, we think.” Kono said

“My son is magically adept also?” Reese asked

“Yes sir. Him and Theo have been teleporting all throughout the village racing one another. Little Lord Mace will sometimes chase them for fun.”

Reese nodded his head and reached for the glasses and a whiskey bottle. He poured everyone in the room a shot and raised his glass. To my son! Magically Adept!” They all clinked glasses and drank whiskey.

“Maybe he can help us slay the beast.” one of the others said

“What beast?” Kono asked taking another sip of the whiskey

“The coast has been getting attacked. Our ships keep going down. It started happening the same time as this blasted Hurricane we have.” Scuttlefly explained

“How do you know it is a beast and not just the storm?” Kono asked

“Because we have seen it!” Reese said. “In fact look out there, It’s moving across the coast now”

Kono got up and moved to the window. He put his face to the glass and squinted his eyes toward the sea. A large mass the size of four large ships, was moving from the west to the east in a slow movement. It was less than a mile away from shore. It’s tentacles, flailing in the sea.

“We can't ship to the other parts of the continent. These negotiations are pointless unless we slay the beast.” Scuttlefly explained. Slamming his fist on the table

Sir, Do you know anything about what Lord Ray mentioned here? Is there some sort of beacon? Or a key?” Reese said, handing him the report. He flipped to a page where a drawing of the beacon collected from boar canyon was shown.

“Beacon? Ah, you mean the Pillar of Saltman. Yes we have something like that..” Scufflefly said “But I know nothing of a key.”

They continued their discussions on what to do about the sea monster and the rail system. When nightfall came they all retired for the night still not knowing what to do. Kono went to the local pub and found Kim, Simpy, and Jackson sitting in the corner next to the fire, drinking. Kono ordered a drink from the bar keep and sat down next to Simpy. He told them what had happened and they discussed what to do next.

“We should fight the beast!” Jackson Said “Man all ships and let's attack!”

“We need to find the key. The Lord can’t activate the beacon without it” Kim stated

“Shouldn't we tell the Lord and let him decide?” Simpy asked while she place some crushed nuts in her front pocket. Probably feeding her Squirrel.

The door to the pub opened and a slender man walked in. He walked up to the bar and sat down. He was tall and slender with long dark hair. His nose was pointed and eyes were black as the night. He took off his coat to reveal a sleeveless black shirt. His arms and hands were completely tatted up. Kono eyed him suspiciously. Something seemed very off about his aura. He looked like a killer. Like someone you don’t go looking for. He had a long rapier type sword sheathed to his side and multiple knives around his waist. He ordered an ale and some chips and looked around the room. Kono went back to his conversation with the group but could not keep from staring at him from his peripherals.

“Simpy is correct. We need to let Ray and Collin know what is going on here.” Kono stated. “We need to send someone back with a report while the rest of us look around for the Key. We also need to examine this beacon and figure out what to do with the sea beast.”

The Door swung open again and 3 large men entered the pub. The middle was very large and hairy. He had ginger hair and a long beard and he held a large club in his right hand. The other two were also big but not as big as the middle man. They had 2 swords sheathed to their belts. The men walked up to the bar. Their shadow surrounded the slender man with the rapier.

“What is your name?” The big boar of a man spat out.

“None of your concern.” The slender man replied

“You are sitting in my spot” The big boar of a man stated

“There are plenty of spots in this pub, for you to sit in sir” The barman stated

“Shut your mouth, barman. Get me a ale NOW!!” the large man said. The barman ducked down behind the bar and fished out 3 glasses and filled them with Ale.

“Are you a local?” The slender man stated.

“Yes we are.” The larger man answered sitting beside the slender man. One of the other men sat on the other side of the slender man. The third stood behind him

“Should we help the guy out?” Jackson asked putting his hand in his pocket for his knife

“No no yet. Something is off about all of this.” Kono answered

“Have you ever met a man with a tattoo like mine?” The slender man asked showing him what looked to be a black smudge on his left hand

“What is that symbol? Is that horsey” The larger man stated. “It looks like a horsey Bill”

“Why do you have a horsey?” Bill said “ Bob, Have you ever see someone with a horsey like this mans”

“That looks like one of those game pieces you see at the casino. Chess!!” the other large man said

“Shut up Barny, you don’t know what you are talking about.” Bob said.

“Your friend is right. It is a chess piece. A black knight chess piece. You see I am a hunter and I am hunting people who have chess pieces like mine. Although, they have white chess pieces not black you see. I am the black knight.” The slender man said

“You! A scrawny little man hunting people with white horseys on them?” Bob asked mockingly. “ You are weak and silly and stupid.”

The Slender man tried to get up and leave but the three men would not let him. Bob put his hand on the slender man’s shoulder. It happened so fast. Kono was unable to comprehend it all. The 3 were standing there one moment and the next they were on the ground. The slender man didn’t even move. He just sat there and they were down. The man paid the bar man and got up and left the pub. Once the door shut, Kono got up and walked over to the three men laying on the ground. Each of their throats were slices and blood was oozing from the wound. There were also 5 small holes in their chest with blood coming out from where something had stabbed them. All 3 of them lay dead.

“Did that man say he hunts people with white chess piece markings?” Kim said “ doesn’t our Lor...”

“Hush,” Jackson said, covering her mouth with his hand. “Sir what do we do?”

“We need to contact Ray.” Kono said.