Chapter 19

Eye of the Storm

Weamar hadn't been to southern Verbrek for quite a while. He'd heard that it was becoming more modern, at least by Verbrek standards, and that was one of the reasons he was avoiding it. The other was that he had been raised by his adopted family in Fylfot, and he wasn't interested in seeing them again.

Weamar's real mother had died during childbirth. His father had died five years later, many said it was of a broken heart. Weamar had no brothers or sisters and was raised by friends of his father who never really cared for him. So Weamar had been neglected and grew up mostly on his own, which didn't bother him at all. He enjoyed being alone. It made him feel free. And when he had grown old enough to live on his own he went out into the forest and never looked back. To him the forest was his home, and not a tear was shed by anyone at his departure.

Now Weamar stood on the outskirts of Fylfot once more. The rumors that he had heard had been right, Fylfot was growing. As he entered the city and looked around he noticed that many of the new inhabitants were foreigners, mainly elves trying to escape the psychotic rule of Azrael Dak in Sithicus. There were also a number of Invidians, and Weamar spotted a few Falkovnians as well now that he understood what the Falcon emblem on their foreheads meant.

Weamar walked towards the center of town and was surprised and comforted to see the old Arden Inn. He remembered it vividly from his childhood, the great bearskin rug, the grand old fireplace, and the seemingly timeless Mrs. Perkins who spent her days in a rocking chair before the crackling flames. He hadn't been inside since his step-brothers took him there to celebrate his passage into manhood.  He had been only half-way through his growth spurt but his step-brothers, who were all older than he was, had dragged Weamar to the inn anyway. There they had forced him to imbibe some awful tasting drinks that burned his throat and tasted like bitter fruit. Each time that they made Weamar take a drink one of his step-brothers would hold his hand over Weamar's mouth to prevent him from spitting it out. He'd have to swallow and each drink caused him to make awful faces that amused his step-brothers to no end. That was the kind of thing that Weamar's step-brothers liked to do to him, and so he spent most of his time trying to be alone.

Verbrek never changed much, and so Weamar knew that he was bound to run into his step-brothers again, only this time they would be grown up with wives and families. He wondered if they'd even recognize him since he'd changed so much since he'd left. As he entered the Arden Inn and looked around he knew that he was home again. Everything was the same, even Mrs. Perkins, who sat before the fireplace rocking in her chair.

Weamar paused inside the doorway, taking stock of the old inn, then he crossed to the fire to reacquaint himself with Mrs. Perkins who must have been at least ninety years old. As he approached her he was hesitant, unsure of the correct social protocol, and somehow still feeling like the child he was when he last saw her.

"Mrs. Perkins?", Weamar said shyly. "Hello. Remember me?"

Mrs. Perkins turned and looked up at Weamar. At first she smiled but then, slowly, a look of abject horror crossed her face.

Weamar was taken aback at Mrs. Perkins' reaction. He held his palms outwards in the time-honored "I mean you no harm" manner and stepped back slightly.

"Mrs. Perkins?", Weamar said nervously. "What? "

Finally the old woman let out a hoarse scream. Edward, the inn's owner, looked out from behind the counter. Then he came racing out from behind the bar. Weamar stepped further away from her, trying to make it plain that he wasn't dangerous, and did his best impersonation of abashed schoolboy. Then he looked around the rest of the room, quickly, hoping that no one else was around. He saw a couple of Valachani at separate tables, and was relieved that he wasn't going to get roughed up by a group of locals for doing whatever it was that he'd done to the old woman. But that didn't ease his conscience.

Edward hurried over next to Mrs. Perkins and looked at her. "What's wrong?", he asked concernedly.

"He attacked my sister.", Mrs. Perkins gasped.

Weamar's jaw dropped. He remembered the stories about Mrs. Perkins' sister.

Edward sighed. "Mrs. Perkins.", he explained. "That was a long time ago. That man is long dead."

Edward turned to Weamar and apologized. "I'm so sorry sir.", he said. "Mrs. Perkins lost her sister when she was just a child.", he explained. Then he turned back to Mrs. Perkins. "There, there, it's okay.", he said, trying to soothe the old woman who was still staring at Weamar with a horrified look on her face.

Mrs. Perkins settled down but she continued to glare at Weamar, so Edward turned her chair away so that she could no longer see him.

"She talks about it sometimes.", Edward explained to Weamar, pulling him aside. Then he whispered to him, "She's not all there anymore, if you know what I mean."

Weamar nodded and he began to wonder if there wasn't more to it went Edward snapped him out of it.

"What can I get for you kind sir?", Edward asked, hoping that Weamar would decide to stay.

"Oh, umm, just some water, for the moment, I think.", Weamar replied. Then he looked over at the old woman. "Would Mrs. Perkins like something for her nerves?"

"She'll be fine after a while.", Edward said and brought back some water.

Given more time to think Weamar realized that it might have been Henri who the old woman had seen so long ago. That would mean that Henri was probably either his grandfather, or great-grandfather, if they were related. As Weamar sipped from his mug he spied two people entering the inn. One he recognized as Damon, who he'd last seen a few months before in Kendra's castle. The other was a beautiful young woman, which, knowing Damon the way he did, didn't surprise Weamar in the least.


The saber dance had begun again. With a sword in each hand Lynn was a whirlwind of doom, beating down everyone who approached her no matter how many came. Lynn was truly happy. She felt so free and alive as she spun and jumped and danced around the battlefield. She'd even learned to sing as she fought, which drove some of her classmates crazy. The men had begun calling her "La déesse d'épée" which meant "the sword goddess", and now they had to coordinate their attacks to have any chance against her. That was they only way they had been able to defeat her after Abe had taught her the way of fighting with two blades. But today Lynn seemed invincible, and for the third time in a row she knocked all of her classmates to the ground.

But Abe didn't give her a moment to rest. As the last man fell Lynn felt a warm spot on her chest. That was how her senses told her that someone was aiming something like a bow or spear at her. She focused on the feeling and it grew warmer. At just the right moment she dodged to the side, swinging her swords in front of her. The arrow glanced off one of her blades and whizzed past her harmlessly. Abe drew another arrow and fired again. Lynn knocked that one aside too.

"Are you going to wait until I run out of arrows?", Abe called out to the young woman.

Lynn realized that this wasn't just practice anymore. She was going to have to make him stop. So she did something that she wasn't used to doing, she charged. Abe got off one more deflected shot before he drew his spear and got into his battle stance. Lynn stopped and stood before her instructor in her battle stance. Slowly they circled each other. They had sparred before many times, but those were mostly drills where Abe wasn't trying his hardest. Now Lynn knew that this was going to be the real thing. He was going to try to take her down.

The two warriors clashed, Abe with strength and power, and Lynn with speed and finesse. The other students gathered around, amazed at the display of skill and cheered the combatants on. Abe's and Lynn's weapons clashed over and over again as student and teacher traded parries, trying to land finishing blows. As the fight went on Lynn grew more and more confident. Here she was, battling against one of the best fighters in all the land and she was holding her own against him. She even began to think that she could win.

The battle dragged on as the other students took bets and rooted for their favorite. Most of the men were cheering for Lynn. They wanted to see her beat Abe and give him a taste of what they had been suffering through for weeks. The cheers seemed to give Lynn strength, and the battle began to turn in her favor. Then she spotted a weakness in Abe's defense. She knew that she had to be fast to land the blow or else it would leave herself defenseless, so she waited until the time was right. After a few more clashed, it was.

Lynn hit Abe's spear three times in a row with her swords, pushing it out of position just enough to let the fourth one land. A cheer from the crowd went up as Lynn's sword slashed across Abe's arm. But just as swiftly Abe struck back. With his other hand he thrust his spear hard into Lynn's chest, striking her heart and knocking her to the ground. Lynn lay there dazed for a moment and Abe dropped his spear and put his hands on his knees, breathing heavily.

"Congratulations.", Abe wheezed between breaths. "You've just graduated…at the top of the class."

Lynn sat up slowly and rubbed the sore spot on her chest. "But, I lost.", she said softly.

"That was your last lesson.", Abe explained. "When you're up against an opponent who's better than you are, you can win, but you have to give something up in return. I've lost an arm, but you are dead."

Lynn nodded. It was her last lesson, and she knew that it was a good lesson, but she hoped that she'd never have to use it. She hoped that she'd never have to use anything that she learned. But she knew what world outside of fighting school was like and so she hoped for the best while preparing for the worst.


Damon stumbled into the inn looking terribly exhausted. Both he and the Vistani woman he rode in with looked scared and tired, but that happened a lot to people who rode through Verbrek at night. Damon looked around the room and couldn't believe his eyes. He did a double take as he saw an old friend.

"Weamar!", Damon shouted hoarsely.

Weamar couldn't believe it either. "Damon!", he replied as he put his water down and got up to help the bard.

Damon began to laugh, almost hysterically. "Small world.", he said.

"Tiny.", Weamar agreed.

Damon collapsed into a chair at Weamar's table and waved Tshaya over. "Weamar. This is Tshaya. Tshaya, Weamar.", Damon said, introducing the two.

Tshaya sat at the table, relieved to be off her feet. "Hello.", she said with a nod.

Weamar replied in kind, "Hello Tshaya."

"One of the finest woodsman you will ever meet. I might add.", Damon said to Tshaya.

Tshaya gave Weamar a good long look and noticed something odd about him, he was the first gaje man she had ever met who'd looked at her without lust or hatred in his eyes. That both relieved her and disturbed her. She was relieved since she knew that she wouldn't have to fight off his advances, but she wondered if she would be able to manipulate him if he didn't lust after her.

Edward came over to their table and asked Damon and Tshaya if they wanted something to eat or drink.

"Yes please. Food and water.", Tshaya answered.

"And the strongest ale you've got.", Damon seconded.

Edward nodded and headed off to the kitchen. Soon he returned with good food and strong ale.

Tshaya dug into her meal while Damon downed half of his drink in one go and grimaced.

"That good?", Weamar asked.

Damon croaked, "Perfect."

"You finally made it home then?", Damon asked as the elation of meeting an old friend faded.

"Yeah, though I've only been here less than a quarter of an hour.", Weamar explained with a grin.

"Funny timing. What about the others? Marinae?", Damon asked, hoping that the news was good considering where he had left them.

"Last seen deciding not to retire in Port-a-Lucine or so Aselid tells me.", Weamar answered. "That was a couple of months ago now, though. I've been wandering the woods since then, mainly."

"And the girl? Lynn's...friend?", Damon asked.

"Eliza. She's well last I heard.", Weamar replied to Damon's relief. "All are well, but we parted company soon after leaving Kendra's. David was especially well, Kendra gave him some ointment that removed all of his scars. It even restored his eye."

Damon nodded over his drink. "That's good. I'm sorry I couldn't stay. Addy needed me. She's safe now with her people.", he explained. "Though I don't know if she'll ever fully recover from what was done to her."

Tshaya wondered what they were talking about, but then decided that she didn't care and went back to eating.

"Good. And you?", Weamar asked. "You looked rather...pushed...when you arrived"

"Oh you know, the usual. Barely escaping death at the hands of a madman.", Damon explained.

"You came here, escaping?", Weamar asked, knowing the dangers that were going to befall Verbrek. "We need to talk."

"What about?", Damon asked.

"Oh, escaping war at the hands of a mad man.", Weamar answered.

"Ah, out of the pan and into the fire, then.", Damon said, remembering what the soldiers had told him.

"Well, the fire isn't fully going yet, but yes, I fear so.", Weamar added.

"I've heard something about werewolves and White Knights.", Damon said, causing Tshaya to perk up her ears.

"Yes. They seem set on a course of mutual genocide.", Weamar explained.

"Sounds like someone's been taking tips from Drakov.", Damon replied..

"Well, the thought had crossed my mind.", Weamar said with a sigh.

"So what's the Ezran interest in stomping out the lycans?", Damon asked. "They mostly stick to the forests here, right? Well, other than that one that came for you."

"It's a longish story...", Weamar began.

"Give me the short version.", Damon interrupted. "I don't think my head can cope with too much more than that tonight."

Weamar did so, briefly filling Damon in on the meeting he'd overheard at Kendra's castle, the stories he'd heard about Gladehaven, and the odd notion that the township was half-human, half-werewolf, somehow living together in an idyllic lifestyle.

"That sounds pretty fanciful.", Damon replied.

"It does sound fanciful, but fanciful things seem to be happening in the land though.", Weamar replied.

"But, excuse me, the Green Who?", Damon asked.

"The Green Man.", Weamar explained. "I don't really know that much more about him other than his name, and from his promise to Kendra, that he has great, err, natural wealth."

"So what were they going to the sorceress for?", Damon asked, growing nervous at the mention of Kendra's name. "What did they get from her?"

"The restoration, from mere skin and bones, of Talrak Silverclaw, the clan chief that bit me.", Weamar answered. "They were holding off their 'retribution' until then."

"Actually, until now.", Weamar added. "I met him last night."

"Then this is probably the safest place to travel through, but only for the moment.", Damon replied.

"Oh? I haven't been beyond the deepest woods for more than a day at a time in the last two months.", Weamar said. "What else is happening?"

"The White Knights, along with Regulars from Borca and mercenaries from Invidia and elsewhere are planning to sweep up from the south.", Damon replied.

Weamar was silent. Rikard was right.

Tshaya used the opportunity ask a question of her own. "Have you heard if the White Knights are attacking Vistani?", she said quietly.

"If they're in league with Aderre's troops, it's a possibility.", Damon answered.

"It sounds like you have a long story to tell too.", Weamar said.

"It's difficult to tell.", Tshaya replied, not wanting to go into it. "Someone is always attacking Vistani."

Damon looked into the bottom of his empty mug. "They're in Barovia.", he said, remembering what the soldiers had told him.

"So are the White Knights.", Tshaya interjected.

"Yeah, Aderre's mercenaries and the Ezran Knights are in Barovia hunting down Vistani.", Damon summarized. "I just found out today. Other things got in the way of remembering."

Damon glanced at Tshaya, wondering if it was her fault for him not telling her or his. When he looked back to Weamar he saw the ranger staring at him in disbelief. Weamar could see the church claiming that what happened in Gladehaven was a mistake. But hunting Vistani, that was something else entirely.

"So, it looks like the church isn't content to just preach any more.", Damon concluded. "They're taking the fight to their enemies. That's just lovely."

"While they're also going against the werecreatures here.", Weamar added. "What did you call them earlier? Lycans? That sounds better. Well one of their enemies at least may not care too much about directing their retaliation at the church."

Tshaya took a drink of her water and muttered, "They killed my whole kumpania."

Damon couldn't believe his ears. For a long moment he was simply stunned. Then he began to understand why Tshaya was acting the way that she was. There was a long silence, with both Damon and Weamar wondered exactly who Tshaya meant by "they", but they would both have to wonder a little longer. Tshaya grew more and more uncomfortable with the two men staring at her in silence and she knew that she had said too much. Quickly she finished her food and stood up to leave.

"I do not know of these things that you speak of and I am tired.", the Vistani replied. "I will find my way to my room."

"Goodnight Tshaya.", Damon said, concerned for the young woman. He was beginning to regret all the times that he snapped back at her.

Damon looked to Weamar. "She's a bit taciturn sometimes. I guess we know why now.", he said as he pushed his mug away.

Weamar nodded and tried to imagine what it must have been like for Tshaya, and how she had survived all alone.

"It's been a hard day. I should probably get to sleep too.", Damon said as he stood up. "I won't be staying long, Weamar."

"No?", Weamar asked, surprised by yet another revelation.

"I...I left someone behind in Sithicus.", Damon explained. "I have to go back."

Weamar frowned. Damon always seemed to have someone he had to go back for, and they always seemed to be in a dangerous place.

"I hope your journey is safe then, and their return.", Weamar said.

"Thank you. Can I ask a favor?", Damon asked.

"Of course.", Weamar replied.

Nodding to the stairs Damon said, "I don't know what she'll want to do but in any case I'm going back alone. If she's agreeable to it, would you guide her out of the country? Preferably somewhere away from this war."

"If she's agreeable.", Weamar replied with a nod. But Weamar didn't even know of a place where he'd be safe.

"Thank you." Damon said as he started to head for the rooms. "Oh, one more thing. If you see Marinae before I do, which is pretty likely, tell her that I'm proud of her. I don't think I ever told her that."

"Sure thing.", Weamar said with a smile.


The sun rose on what was going to be another long hot summer day in Verbrek. Tshaya, Damon, and Weamar found themselves sitting together eating breakfast and enjoying each other's company. Tshaya was a bit more chipper in the morning and Weamar was a little more relaxed than the night before too. The ranger looked for Mrs. Perkins, but it was too early for her to be at the inn.

"So what now?", Damon asked Tshaya. "Where do you want to go?"

"Now I travel north.", Tshaya replied.

Weamar looked up from his food. "Where 'north' are you heading.", he asked.

"North.", Tshaya said flippantly. "Whatever is there."

"Most of Verbrek first, lots of trees.", Weamar replied.

"Then I will see trees.", Tshaya interjected.

"More settled areas after that, more Knights.", Weamar continued.

"Then I will move quickly through the settled areas.", Tshaya replied.

Weamar nodded over another bite of breakfast.

"Where are you going?", Weamar asked Damon.

"Mal Erek.", Damon replied, looking up at Tshaya. "Jayeis. I have to know whether she made it out."

"That is good.", Tshaya replied. Inside she was surprised and a little hurt, but she maintained her facade. "Perhaps you will find her. And perhaps the insane dwarf will be too crazy to remember you."

"We can hope.", Damon replied, disappointed that Tshaya was still giving him the cold shoulder.

"Do you want to know how Vistani defeat such dwarves?", Tshaya asked. "We keep at least two towns between us and them.  I am currently one town too close."

"Wise", Damon answered. "Well, while I know you can take care of yourself, for the most part, I've asked Weamar if he would serve as a guide through the forest for you. That is, if you wanted the company."

Tshaya looked Weamar up and down. "Only if he can keep up.", she said with a laugh and continued to eat.

Weamar chuckled.

"So there is nothing in Verbrek?", Tshaya asked Weamar.

"Depends what you value, I guess.", Weamar answered. "Not much in the way of civilization."

Damon finished his meal. "Looks like you two will be just fine.", he said as he stood up. Then he asked Weamar, "Is there a horse trader in town?"

"Not really.", Weamar replied. "But someone in town might trade with you."

Then Weamar looked up at Damon. "The horse you rode in on isn't yours is it?", he asked suspiciously.

"No. That horse belongs to the insane dwarf.", Damon replied with a smile. "I freed it from chariot duty. A little something that I learned from David."

Weamar smiled.

Tshaya was astonished. No one had ever done anything so bold to help her before, not even her fellow Vistani. She looked at Damon curiously, and watched him closely as he headed for the door. She could hardly believe it. He was really going to leave her. That didn't make sense to her at all. He hadn't slept with her yet. Wasn't that why he risked his life to rescue her?

And that was the question that had plagued the young woman as she had laid in bed the night before. She had expected to hear a knock at her door, but it never came. She had expected Damon to visit her in the night and force himself on her, demanding repayment for his noble deed, but he hadn't. And she had decided to give in to him, reluctantly of course, and after a good fight, but she never got the chance. Damon wasn't like all the others. He wasn't like her Vistani suitors, nor her gaje marks. She wanted to stay quiet but she had to know the answer to the question that wouldn't go away.

"Why did you save me?", Tshaya called out suddenly.

Damon stopped at the door. He turned around slowly. He knew the reason. He'd asked it himself last night as he lay awake in bed. Tshaya reminded him of his daughter, Marinae. They both had the same confidence, the same feistiness, and they were both very good with magic. His heart had gone out to Tshaya, but it wasn't the part of his heart that wanted her as a lover, it was the part that wanted to protect her and teach her the ways of the world. For Damon loved Tshaya like a daughter, and that's why it hurt him so much when she rejected him and pushed him away. But as he looked as Tshaya he wondered how he could put that all into words. Finally he decided that he couldn't, and instead just told Tshaya what he thought that she wanted to hear.

"Because I'm a stupid gaje.", Damon replied, and walked out the door.