The Lost Eight by Duron Crejaro (read me a book .TXT) 📕

The few remaining Jergan gave up, they scattered into the bogs with amazing speed, obviously horrified at the carnage they had just witnessed, not willing to face the creature any longer. Elris and Creolis stood warily watching the panting creature as it stood surveying its surroundings, waiting for it turn its bloodthirsty eyes on them. It paused when it found them, before slumping to the ground. Before their eyes, the creature seemed to melt in upon itself, features twisting and changing quickly. Spikes left the tail. The wings melted away leaving a smooth flawless back. Bladed fingers becoming nothing more then regular claws. Even the horns shrank to small nubs adorning his head. Before them now lay the figure of Desoil, though the odd off white coloring stayed the brilliant shade of silver. His two companions just stood there in shock.

Several hours later, and with as much distance as they could put from the tomb carrying their unconscious friend. They sat about a small campfire, neither of them eating or speaking. Desoil slumbered nearby, the firelight glistening on his mirror-like scales. Eventually he began to stir, blinking his eyes trying to adjust to the fire lit darkness. "What happened? Where are we?" He started slowly grabbing for a water skin and drinking deep draughts from it.

The others looked at him wide eyed with surprise. "You don't remember?" they said in unison.

He shook his head slowly, "The last thing I remember was the tomb shaking and you two running out. Then the sarcophagus smashed open and there was this crown inside."

"Crown?" Elris instantly perked up. Deep within he had suspected as much, though he had held his hopes in reserve.

"Yes, it was beautiful. I felt like it was meant for me." A glint fluttered through his eyes as though he were spellbound thinking of it.

"So where is it?" Creolis chimed in.

"I put it on. Did it fall off?" He franticly reached to his head feeling for the crown. Where the horns were seemed to shimmer as they vanished, replaced with the ornate crown of which he spoke.

Creolis cocked his head to the side, jaw slightly gaping, "Well that’s different. Elris, what do you make of that?"

Elris had jumped up, the look of utter disbelief plain for all to see on his face. He began pacing back and forth muttering to himself. After a minute, he collected himself and managed to sit. "Unless I'm mistaken, which I seriously doubt. I believe that is the Helm of Elia," The shock still apparent on his face. "Please put it back on Desoil."

He quickly did as was asked. Once again, it seemed to melt away, replaced by the two small horns about his head. Desoil touched them gingerly, assuring himself that they were real and solid. They were. "This is unbelievable. We must hurry to Amlily. If this is really one of the Lost Eight, The Loremaster will be able to tell us more." He volunteered promptly, as though he was clueless.

They agreed hastily that they would find the Reastro River and follow it south. The river flowed directly through Amlily, traveling along the river would lead them right to the city. Desoil having rested volunteered eagerly to keep watch that night. Both impressed and grateful that they had carried him from the battle, despite being exhausted from it themselves.

The sun crept lazily into the sky the next morning. A world away, over the shining city of Thyrinn, a quiet marketplace burst to life in the early morning. The sounds of shopkeepers hawking their wares and the general hustle of people going about their morning routines resounded through the air sharply. Mixed in amongst the crowds were the robed figures of the temples, the long flowing capes of the different ranks of Adrari, and the engraved leather armored figures of the city watch.

The city itself, the largest in the nation, was built to resemble a large wheel. The market sat at the center of the city, with large avenues leading off in every direction. Most of the gods of the Thyrinnian people was represented here, each having its own large self contained temple district. Each was almost a city within itself. To the north of the market was the largest district, housing the Adrari complex. In-between the market and the large districts, sat the housing section of the city. Where those working or in dedication had their dwellings, numerous taverns and inns also lined these avenues, except those that looked down upon living in excess.

Amongst the hum of activity in the market, a figured dashed through the crowd with practiced ease. A swarthy sweating stall owner smiled as the figure dashed up to him. Before him stood a young woman, dressed in well-worn tattered clothing. She was tall and lithe, for her age, appearing no more then seventeen. Tattered clothing hid her curves well, causing her to appear a younger then she actually is.   Her deep red hair was as unkempt as her wardrobe, falling in half tangled masses down her back. A long full singular bang over each eye, danced about her face, nearly concealing her pale green eyes, and thick flirtatious lashes.

"Breakfast sir?" She inquired with a teasing smile that tugged at one corner of her pink lips. She had learned quickly how to use her womanly wiles, easily soliciting what she wanted from those around her, giving nothing in return.

"Ah good morning to you as well miss Kaelina." He said tossing her a ripe red apple. "Ere' you go little lady, better I feed you then to have you rifling from the other merchants again." He scolded her half-heartedly.

Her smile grew as she caught it, knowing that should she desire more delectable food could be as easily procured. She gave him a wave of thanks as she again dashed off into the crowd. The apple was delicious she thought as she took a large bite, enjoying the crisp sweetness of it. She returned waves to several of the usual people, being a well-known nuisance among the citizens as she moved with purpose, heading towards the Avenue of Siladia. This district was dedicated to Siladia, goddess of healing, a place she visited almost on a daily basis. She had no real home, an orphan of the city she was, surviving on the kindness of the temple and their devotee's over the years. It did not seem to bother her overly much. Why be bothered by things you had no memory of she had once told a priest when asked how she could always be so optimistic.

The throng of people thinned as she made her way down the avenue. As a general rule the priesthoods tended to keep to their own, and the general populace only came for worship or if they had business. A small group of priests, shrouded in their robes passed by, not even bothering to glance at her. The priesthood was used to the orphans and gave no thought to her as long as she stayed out of trouble. She searched their faces as she passed though, anticipating her usual rendezvous. It did not take long, when she spotted him down the way. He was coming from the large polished granite temple of Siladia from his morning devotions. She raced towards him, tossing the apple core to the side as she ran.

The priest before wore the robes of an acolyte that had attained the rank of journeyman within the priesthood. His hood was pulled back, enjoying the brisk winter chill that had settled over the land several weeks earlier. He was not overly tall, standing not quite six feet. Even with the oversized robes adorning his body, she could tell he was very well muscled. His shaggy sandy blonde hair hung loosely about his head, smiling dark green eyes looking on at the girl as she ran towards him.

"Good morning Kaelina." He said not surprised to see her appear before him, it was common for her to find him each morning. He reached out and ruffled her hair a little.

"Dearn, stop that you'll mess my hair up." She complained half heartedly smoothing it back out as best she could. A genuine smile resting on her face, she considered Dearn her best friend. No one else in all her years in the city had ever been as kind as he had.

He laughed a little at this; "Maybe I should have some of the ladies round you up for a bath, and then maybe they can do something with that mess you call hair."

She gave him a disgusted look, her distaste for the ladies that forced the ragamuffins of the city to appear clean apparent on her lovely if somewhat dirty face. "They would have to catch me first."

With a shrug, he nodded knowing it was the truth; he once had been endlessly amused when he saw the ladies chasing several of the orphans through the city. "Well if you insist on pestering me this morning, you can walk with me to the assembly. Unfortunately, I must attend the council with master Atrimez today." She groaned with the same distaste that he felt. Politics was something he had no great love of. She fell into step with him as they strolled off towards the great hall of the Adrari. "What mischief have you been causing this morning?"

"Me? Mischief?" she asked, feigning injured pride, "None of course, besides the vendor Wallis gave me breakfast this morning, and the day is just starting." A coy grin spread swiftly across her face at her small joke.

A distasteful look upon his face, “Now Kaelina, don’t go getting into trouble while I’m attending council. We wouldn't want the city watch chasing you about again. Would we?"

She laughed a little at this, skipping ahead of him fancifully. "I enjoy my freedom to much for that."

Dearn chuckled a bit, watching her prance about. Though she was known as a tomboy, Dearn knew that deep down she considered herself a lady in waiting. Perhaps she would rise above her station he thought and become the refined lady he knew she wanted to be. Unfortunately he somewhat doubted it, the orphans were looked upon by the general populace as third rate citizens and only to be tolerated, not helped. Even the clergy were sometimes judgmental of them despite their supposed piousness. "So what other trouble are you going to get into today?"

“What do you mean trouble? We’re not going to get into trouble.” She replied flippantly referring to the other orphans who generally spent their days wandering the city without care. Doing as they pleased, with the occasional time spent begging from the citizens or unlucky travelers.

“Just remember Kaelina, the Gods and Goddesses are always watching you. Everything you do reflects upon them. So unless you’ve decided to devote yourself to Labrif, the God of Frivolity, I suggest you keep you antics to a minimum.”

She snorted at this as they continued through the market, turning down the grandiose avenue leading to the great hall of the Adrari. Dearn knew she had no love of religion. She was of course