Chapter 2:
Cyphen looked down at the small glowing object in his hands in disappointment as he sat in the smoky rowdy tavern. Using the Talisman of Thunderous Foyer, he and Tyr had traveled into Torden in hopes of finding any leads as to the whereabouts of his older brother, Janin. They had found nothing to indicate that Janin had been there recently. The both of them had even gone so far as to tag along with the Norrathian guild, Truth & Redemption while they fought and defeated Agnarr the Storm Lord but nothing was revealed in the storm lord’s realm. A small smile escaped from Cyphen’s frowning face at the thought of what his older brother would think of his actions. Janin Bloodpaw was a great shaman of The Tribunal, and one of Halas’ most revered sons. The city’s elders told his tales of adventure with great relish at each years Summer Solstice Festival, and each year they seemed to grow even more elaborate and exaggerated. What could have started as Janin’s cunning and stealth in infiltrating the Lair of Nagafen while invisible to retrieve a long lost artifact would evolve over the years into Janin locked in deadly mortal combat with the The Fire Dragon himself, Lord Nagafen. Of course, Janin’s adventures while exaggerated still were legend among his people. He had brought much needed wealth to his home city in his exploits, and there were several adventurers from Halas that had received enchanted armor or weapons as gifts from Janin when first leaving the icy city to begin legends of their own. But not only were his exploits known by the clans of Halas by heart, but some of the powerful guilds across Norrath carried Janin as an ally. The Claw of Nagafen, Triadic Order, and Legion of Valor to name a few had men and women among their ranks that viewed him as a true friend. That was all long ago though. It had been almost 6 years since his family had last heard of Janin. And while the thought that maybe Janin had finally settled down with a fine barbarian lass of one of the nomadic clans, the truth felt by all that he had finally fallen to join his ancestors in the afterlife. The city of Halas and Clan Bloodpaw had mourned the loss of their champion and brother with much sadness and grief, as was the customs of the northsmen, and then picked up the pieces of their life and moved on. All that was except Cyphen.
Six years prior, Janin had drawn him aside evening the before he had left on his last quest and they had spoken over a low evening fire.
“My little brother, it is time that we speak of your life now, and that yet to come. I have spoken with Field Priest Keven regarding your training as a beastlord and he says that while you are far from carrying the title of Wildcaller, there is no doubt that that is what you are destined. Your are the second oldest followed by the twins and the time has come that you must now take the over as patriarch of the family as I did when father passed.”
“But brother, you are not dead yet and I am not of age yet to lead our clan!”
“Cyphen, settle your fears young one. You are more then capable of leading and caring for the family. I was younger then you when father passed away and I know you will do just as well as I did. It is no secret that the Tribunal blessed me with the gift of foresight. Born with my right eye blind to this world left it open to look upon others invisible to all. And while it has been a blessing for the benefit of our people in my adventures and travels, it is has been a burden to me. I have seen the destiny of many. Whether it be a long life filled with happiness and joy, or one cut short ending in sadness and grief. I have had to hold their fates within me in secret. For to tell them would have left them without purpose in the present, knowing what the future already held for them. When younger, I looked to myself, and where my path lead and all I saw was darkness, nothing but a blank slate which nothing was destined or planned. It has always been that way for me, that way until now.
“Wait brother, you have seen your death? Well then you can stop it from happening! You can have that life of happiness!”
“What happens to me is of no importance. But I must leave the path I have walked all my life and begin anew. As there is a path you must follow in your life, so there is one for me that I can see clearly now.
Here my little brother, take this key,” Janin said handing a small key to Cyphen, “it is but one half needed to open my bank vault in the Plane of Knowledge. When I have passed beyond this realm, the other half will be delivered to you. Bring back the contents of the vault, and distribute them among our people.”
“But brother…,” Cyphen began to protest before being cut off curtly by Janin.
“We are done, take this command as my last brother and honor it.”
“Yes my brother, as you command it.”
And Cyphen had followed his brother’s last desire, well almost. A delivery had arrived four months ago, the second half of the key, and Cyphen had quickly traveled to the Plane of Knowledge to carry out his brother’s last wish. He had arrived at the main bank, followed the banker to his brother’s personal vault and opened the heavy iron bound door. The sight before him grasped the breath from his chest. Janin had always brought treasure beyond measure home to Halas when returning from wherever is latest adventure had take him. But here before Cyphen was fortune beyond belief. Chests overflowing with gold and platinum were stacked upon the walls. Gems overflowed from backpacks and lay scattered on the floor, casting dazzling sparkles even in the low torchlight. Upon several shelves lay armor, weapons, and jewelry of all manner. Each emanating a barely perceptible glow of power signifying that there were not ordinary pieces but enchanted and magical in creation. Turning his head to avoid letting the banker see the tears welling in his eyes, Cyphen sighed in awe at his brothers generosity and kindness even in after death. The fortune held in the room would keep Halas and the barbarian people the powerful nation they had been for many, many years. But as he turned his head there propped in the corner stood something that caused his eyes to quickly dry. There propped in the corner, the razor sharp blade encased in a deep blue aura, was Janin’s spear, the blood red feathers attached to the shaft swayed slightly as a draft entered the room. Cyphen turned to the banker at the sound of his voice.
“Sir, I will need you to sign here to close your brother’s account and transfer the property to your own.”
Cyphen reached for the tablet and began to scrawl his mark upon when he saw the familiar script of his brothers on the previous entry. He blinked in disbelief. The entry date was just a few weeks prior! Cyphen quickly grabbed the banker.
“You saw my brother just a few weeks ago? What was he doing? What did he have you do?”
Clearly frightened the banker quickly stammered out what he had witnessed. Janin had arrived in the early morning hours before the bank was even opened. The bank owner had met him here along with himself and they had helped him prepare for the transfer to Cyphen’s account. Janin had packed a few enchanted bags, had handed his spear to the young banker and with a little smile had said, “No longer will be needing this, place it over there my good man.” Cyphen let loose the banker and apologized. He was confused. Why would his brother no longer “need” his Spear of Fate? It was by far the most powerful weapon Cyphen had ever seen, why would he not need it? And if his brother was alive just a few weeks ago, then why almost no word from him for almost six years?
A huff from Tyr under the table brought Cyphen out of his memories of the past. The soft thumping of the great white wolf’s tail against the hard wood floor indicated his nap was over, and something was amiss. Cyphen locked eyes with his warder for just a moment and began to smile.
“He’s here? This is gonna be fun.”
