The Chasers of the Ork

After Norman recovered Timaneus and Misam set off again. Their daily routine was each morning they woke up and had a quick meal. After the meal they rode until lunch-time. During the riding hours they would ride for about an hour then walk beside the horses for around twenty minutes. After eating a quick meal they would set off again riding and walking until dusk where they would set camp. After eating their night-meal Timaneus and Misam would rest before sparring.

 

In the third day after being ambushed Timaneus and Misam were out of Evergreen Forest and near the Endless Dessert. Timaneus grew better at sword-play with each practice session and he got better at magic with each lesson that Misam taught him. Timaneus grew taller and stronger, his blond hair grew gold streaks in them.

 

After a week of leaving Evergreen Forest, Misam decided to stop following the boar tracks and headed west instead of north-west. Misam said “I know where they’re heading,” “Where?” asked Timaneus. Misam replied “They are heading for the Ocarina Ruins to the far west of Empeoin which is west of Faraheit. The Ocarina Ruins is an old temple which was abandoned a few centuries ago, the elves and the Alliance strongly believe that’s where the true leader of the Orks thrives and I am sure that the Orks want the plans there.” Timaneus thought this over “It makes sense,” he said “But why aren’t we following their tracks anymore?” Misam smiled “Because we can’t overtake them that way, there is another way to the Ocarina Ruins. We are going to Sharman Town where my good friend Lragen lives, under Sharman Town is the Death Mines which leads directly in the Ocarina Ruins and if we can go in their with my friend’s help it should be quick enough so that we get to the Ocarina Ruins first and are able to intercept that Ork and grab the plans.” Timaneus nodded “But that plan is too simple is there a drawback?” Misam nodded “Hey you’ve learned something yes sometimes plans that sound too simple usually have drawbacks yes the mine is controlled by the Empire but we should be able to still get through. If the front gate is guarded by guards I’ll just say you’re my son.”

 

“That’s settled,” said Timaneus, he nudged his heels into Fleur and she bolted off with Norman trailing behind. After another four days of travel Timaneus and Misam covered about thirteen leagues. Sharman Town was in sight, the town was pretty messy, there was a giant cathedral in the centre of the town surrounded by small churches and towers. Around the towers and churches were jumbled shops and houses. Misam laughed “We made it,” Timaneus nodded. They slowed down and descended down the road and into the town. The entrance to the town was barred by six guards armed with a variety of weapons and clad in mail, helm and armour. “What’s yeh business here?” asked a guard, “Just visiting my good friend and my son here really wants to see the churches,” lied Misam. “Go on through then,” growled a guard “Don’t cause chaos or you’ll be out in a flash.” “I won’t,” said Misam as they entered the shops area. Misam handed him several coins saying “Go buy some provisions meet me at the front of that church there,” he pointed to a small church with a sign at the front reading Twilight Church “Timaneus I am trusting you not to get in trouble.” Timaneus nodded “I won’t but where are you going?” Misam smiled “Some of this some of that.” Timaneus snorted and walked off into a grocery shop. The grocery shop was nearly empty, boxes were lined against the walls holding vegetables, meat and fruit. Some children wearing rags were begging for food, the shop owner wasn’t pleased. “Please sir,” begged a child “I am dying, starving, my parents are dead and I sleep in a cardboard box!” “Back off dirty begging pricks!” yelled the shop-owner “Get out of my shop no money! NO FOOD!!” The begging children started to cry, Timaneus look at the shop owner with disgust, he was so selfish that he couldn’t even spare a bit of food. Timaneus counted the children there was four, Timaneus took two loaves of bread from a rack and handed the shop owner two gold coins. “Thank you sir,” said the shop owner, Timaneus broke the loaves in two pieces and handed the children half a loaf each. The children happily took the bread saying “Thank you,” Timaneus smiled “No problem,” then he brought provisions and left the shop.     

 

Misam joined him at Twilight Church and they set off. “We’re going to Lragen’s house,” Misam explained “He will shelter us for tonight but then he’ll show us the entrance to the mine.” They hurried to Lragen’s house which was a small cottage, it was similar to Timaneus’s old home except there was a giant room with many chairs and tables. Lragen was tall, his face had many scars and cuts, he had black hair and brown eyes. “So Misam,” he said smiling “You finally came back for a visit.” Misam smiled “Yeh I guess I did.” Lragen said “To get in the mine you’ll have to go by night, during day there is nine guards, at night there is only three.” Timaneus was inspecting a book that had found on the desk, it showed a history of the mine and maps. Timaneus grew bored, he wasn’t too fond of maps. When he was young he’d gotten confused by them a lot.

 

“Will there be any people actually in the mine?” asked Misam, “Plenty,” said Lragen cheerfully “Miners looking for gold and some more guards.” “It shouldn’t be too hard,” said Misam, Lragen agreed “You should be able to get through quickly still be careful and take this the mine is large so don’t get lost.” He grabbed the book and ripped out a map, Misam took the map. Timaneus thanked Lragen “Yeh lets go,” he said, Timaneus and Misam followed him, Lragen grabbed his bow then pushed open the door and walked outside. They followed him outside taking the horses, they crept along the streets stealthily, they hid behind boxes and crates. They used the shadows to conceal some of their movement, the hid under carts. The horse’s legs were padded with cloth to make their trotting quiet. After a while arrived at the Central Cathedral where the bank of Sharman Town was and the library plus some other important places. There were two guards barring the way into the building. Lragen walked up and said “I am Lragen owner of the Trading Rations company and come to visit your library.” “That’s fine,” growled a guard “But what about those two?” “Those two,” said Lragen “Are friends of mine who are scholars and wish to view some magnificent works.” The guard shrugged “Fine proceed.” The entered, this was the church, hundreds of seats were in the room, at the end was a stage with a table where a Bible lay and an Order of Service from a previous session. Lragen led them towards a door marked Bank/Death Mine. The bank was closed so Lragen just kept walking and when they were past the bank and staring at a blank wall. He moved to the side and inspected the place, “This is it,” said Lragen “It’s a well-concealed trap-door,” he shoved them away and placed his hands on some rocks stuck to the place he indicated and heaved backwards. Lragen was right, a slab of stone came off and as Timaneus peeked down there were some stairs. Lragen jumped down followed quickly by Timaneus and Misam pulling Fleur and Norman. They walked silently down the stairs, they saw three guards. They arrived at the entrance to the Death Mine.