Hyury's Curse by Dweomer

Here's a great story written by Dweomer... The war of Lodoss has ended and Orson and Shiris mercenaries have refused King Cashues generous offer to join his army. Episode 1: The Harbringer of Darkness by Dweomer The scene that surrounds Orson seems oddly familiar to him. The thatched houses, the clay chimneys that rise from them, the aromatic scent of a home cooked meal - they all remind him of a place buried in his past. He finds himself alone, without the familiar and comforting presence of his partner, Shiris. In fact, he discovers, to his horror, there appears to be no one in sight. There are no villagers traversing the streets, no merchants plying their wares, no children playing outside their homes - there is nothing. Nothing but an unnerving silence. The kind of silence you experience before the breaking of a storm. Then suddenly, the storm broke. Foul creatures leap out of the cottages in fearsome droves, each intent in devouring the stranger in their midst. Orson instinctively draws his sword and plunges it into one of the attacking kobolds. He feels the strength of Hyury surging through him as the battle progresses. His eyes widen, his muscles tense seemingly beyond their capacity. The landscape turns crimson in Orson's eyes and he strikes. He pounces with savage blows, taking down orc, troll, and kobold alike. Finding himself on a mountain of bodies, Orson collapses in exhaustion. Suddenly, the bodies vanish one by one. The landscape shifts and wanes until all that is left is an impenetrable darkness. Before him he discovers the crumpled form of his partner, Shiris. Sobbing, Orson reaches out to Shiris and cradles her lifeless body in his arms. He screams in agony, shaking as he holds his partner's body in his arms. Karla's voice (echoing in the darkness): Hyury takes as much as he gives, does he not? Orson (looking around him): Karla...what have you done? Karla: Nothing. I merely provided you with a glimpse into your future. Orson: You...you will pay for this! Karla: Oh really? And what can a lowly berserker possibly do to the Grey Witch? Suddenly, Shiris' body crumbles to dust. A powerful wind surrounds Orson and lifts the dust into the heavens. From the darkness, Woodchuck's form approaches Orson. Karla's cackling fills the air. Karla: I have a proposition for you, Orson. Orson: I have no intention of becoming one of your pawns. Karla: Oh? I suppose you prefer to be Hyury's? Orson gazes into his hands, the hands that once held the lifeless form of Shiris. Orson: What could you possibly offer me? Karla: Your greatest desire: redemption from Hyury's curse. Orson: And if I refuse? Karla: You risk this fate and Shiris' life. As we both know, Hyury's rage knows no bounds. As you continue to experience his power, his fire consumes you. Eventually Shiris will be unable to calm you. Eventually, she will merely become one of the souls that feeds the god of anger. Orson: I...I can't let that happen. You win Karla. Karla: Excellent. I was hoping for a new pawn. Ashram's demise was unfortunate but necessary. Hopefully, you will last a great deal longer. Karla begins to laugh diabolically and Orson's surroundings melt into a sea of blood. Abruptly, Orson wakes. He is soaked with sweat and gasping for breath. Shiris rushes to his side, comforting her companion. Shiris: Orson, are you alright? Orson (panting): I'm ok, I just had another bad dream. Shiris: This is starting to worry me, Orson. You've been having these nightmares for the last three nights. Each night, your screams become more frightening and your condition grows worse. Orson: I will be alright, Shiris. I appreciate your concern, but I'm fine now. Shiris: Are you sure? Orson nods in response. Shiris: Ok then. Shiris enters her tent and returns to her slumber leaving Orson to wonder what fate awaits him. Covering himself with his blanket, he drifts off to sleep once more. ****** The sun rises over the horizon, waking the troubled berserker from his restful slumber. He awakes to see Shiris with a pot over a makeshift fire. Shiris: I hope you don't mind rabbit stew again. It's all I could find on such short notice. Shiris smiles to Orson and offers him a small bowl filled with the stew. Orson: I'm sorry to have troubled you last night. I... Shiris: What's the problem, Orson? Come on, you can tell me. We've been together a long time. You can confide in me, you know that. Orson: I know but it's just...it's just too hard to explain. Shiris: Well try me. I'm not all that stupid, you know. Orson: I didn't mean it that way. It's just that I don't know where to start. Shiris: Try the beginning, it always works with me. Orson: Well, remember when I told you I couldn't remember my past before I met you? Shiris nods. Shiris: I found you unconscious in midst of a dozen orc corpses that I assumed you slew. Orson: Recently, these visions have been coming to me. It's of a village that seems hauntingly familiar - as if I'd been there before. Shiris: It's where you grew up? Orson nods. Orson: Or at least I think it is. Then everything gets fuzzy. I hear some kind of war cry, several creatures rush me, and then I wake up. Shiris: That's probably what happened. Your village was probably attacked by orcs and destroyed. You probably fled and were chased down by them. They trapped you and you flew into a berserker rage, slaying the orcs before falling unconscious due to exhaustion. Orson: Ordinarily, I would agree with you except that there were no reports of a village being attacked by orcs at that time. In fact, the area you found me in was not even inhabited by orcs in the first place. And there's more. Shiris: What is it, Orson? Orson: I saw Karla. Shiris: Karla? Shiris rises to her feet. Orson: Yes, Karla. Shiris: That evil witch is probably up to no good. If I were you, I'd ignore her. Don't believe anything she says, she's only trying to manipulate you. Orson: But what she said made sense. I need to be rid of Hyury's curse, Shiris, no matter what. Even if it means dealing with Karla. Shiris (shrugging): It's your decision, I guess. But promise me you'll be careful. Karla's not someone to take lightly. Orson nods affirmatively. Shiris: Let's head out then. Shiris takes a bucket of water and dumps it on the fire. She then mounts her horse and watches as Orson does the same. They walk their horses for a while, making sure their mounts are fully awake before galloping through the countryside. Shiris: We should be arriving in Deremir soon. Orson: Hopefully the pay this time will be worth it. Our coffers are running low, you know. Shiris: After the Marmo forces ravaged the surrounding area, I think we're lucky we're getting paid at all. Shiris (smiling): Such is the life of a mercenary, I guess. Living on the edge, meeting adventure at every corner. Orson: Let's just hope this job pays well or our next adventure will involve a metal cup and a lot of begging. They approach the outskirts of the small town. Smoke spirals up from the chimneys that dot the roofs of various structures. As they approach, however, they notice that no one is about. They wander through the empty streets, finding no trace of the town's inhabitants. Shiris (yelling): Hello? Anybody here? Shiris (shifts her attention to Orson): This is very strange. Orson (a bit pale): It's...it's just like in my dream. Shiris: This place? Orson (shaking his head): No, but this happened in my dream. I found myself in a town without people. Shiris (while dismounting her horse and securing it): Well, what do you say we have a look around? Maybe they left something valuable. Orson notices a shadow dart past one of the open windows of a nearby tavern. Orson (motioning to Shiris): Wait...I think I saw something. Orson dismounts his horse, ties it to a post, and opens the door of the tavern. Carefully, he draws his sword and surveys the interior of the building. Several pieces of broken furniture clutter the ground of the tavern's interior. There is no evidence of anyone being inside. Shiris (whispering): Are you sure it wasn't just your imagination? Suddenly, daggers fly through the air, narrowly missing Orson. Shiris, surprised by the drastic turn of events, backs off into a trap and soon finds herself in a net suspended from the ceiling. Cautiously, the berserker scans the surrounding area, attempting to catch a glimpse of their attacker. Out of the corner of his eye, Orson barely notices a pair of daggers soar through the air. He ducks behind one of the overturned tables, barely escaping death. Orson leaps towards the counter, hearing the sound of metal against stone behind him as he dodges yet another attack. Unfortunately, Orson drops his sword, which clatters loudly on the ground and slides out of reach. Out of the corner of his eye, he notices a small figure stealthily moving in the shadows. He crawls behind some barrels and attempts to hide his position. Carefully, he watches as the shadow searches for him behind the counter. Patiently, he waits until the shadow comes into range before pouncing on it, tackling it with his bare hands. To his surprise, he easily manages to restrain their mysterious host. Looking down at his attacker, the image of a young girl comes to view. Girl (struggling): Let me go, you stupid brute. Carefully, Orson ties the young girl's arms behind her and forces her to her feet. This deed done, he proceeds to release Shiris from her precarious position. The girl, meanwhile, struggles with her bonds, attempting to escape Orson's hold with futility. Shiris (after composing herself): Ok, young lady, who are you and why did you attack us? Girl: It was an honest mistake. I thought you were one of the kidnappers. Shiris: Kidnappers? The girl nodded. Shiris: What happened here? Where are all the town's people? Girl: It started a few days ago. People just started disappearing. The mayor became very upset and sent out search parties to find them, but there was no trace of them. One by one, the people just vanished. Those who didn't left the town, fearing that they would be next. Shiris: Why didn't you go with them. Girl: My mother was one of the people who vanished. I'm staying here to capture the kidnappers and make them tell me where they hid my mom. Orson: So where's your father? Girl: He was a soldier in the Alanian army. He died when the Marmo captured Alan. The girl appears very upset by this and starts sobbing. Soon, tears flow profusely from her cheeks. Shiris unties the young girl and embraces her comfortingly. The girl holds Shiris tightly bursting into tears. Shiris: There, there. It's ok now. We're here. We'll help you find your mom. Now, what's your name, little girl? Girl (sobbing): It's...it's Vorpal. Shiris (wiping the tears from Vorpal's cheeks): Stop crying, ok? I promise we'll find your mom. The mayor sent for us. We're here to help. Suddenly, a commotion erupts outside the tavern. Orson, Shiris, and Vorpal hide behind the tavern's counter. They watch as two gnolls enter the establishment. 1st Gnoll: They've got to be in here somewhere. They left their horses outside. 2nd Gnoll: They can't get far without horses. Just remember what the count told us: we're take them alive. Two other gnolls step into the tavern, brandishing hefty, wicked-looking clubs. The four proceed to search the area, getting progressively closer to the counter where Shiris, Orson, and their new friend were hiding. Orson notices a patch sewn onto the garments worn by the visitors. He looks on in bewildered amazement. Shiris (whispering): Orson, what is it? Orson (whispering): Bad news. They're Marmo. - End of Episode 1 -