Hi everyone - it's time for part 2 of Adan Maskery's story set in Stormreach called "Rise of the Triad".  You can expect this story to be updated about once per week.  I hope you enjoy reading it! 

I also neglected to mention last time that there's a MySpace page for this story, find it HERE.

Jerry

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                                      Rise Of The Triad

                                                                    by Adan Maskery
                                                                  Introduction, Part 2

    The sisters walked until they came to the split rail fence that marked the border of their village.  They walked along the fence till they came to an arch that was set at the eastern entrance.  No one had spoken a word since they left.  Here they stood and paused in front of the archway. No one seemed willing to be the first to take a step out of their village.  They all came to the realization that, not only were they leaving their village, but leaving their old lives behind forever.  

    Soulnet finally raised her foot into the air and planted it along the upright post on the left side of the arch.  She kept walking, going faster with each step.  She broke out into a run and kept going until she was about 100 yards away, then suddenly stopped.  

    She raised her face to the sky, raised up her arms, and screamed, “NOOOOOOO, WHY!?”  She then fell down face first into the grass.  

    Casidhe and Lorrial looked at each other alarmed at the sight and broke out in a run to their fallen sister.  When they got to her she was not just crying, but having a hysterical fit. 
Crying, sobbing, and screaming, “Why?  It’s not fair!  Where is he?  Now what do I do?”  They all lay there, holding each other, tears flowing freely.  They were there until sleep took them all. 
The next morning they awoke, their clothes and hair wet from dew.  The first rays of the sun crested over the horizon and showed upon their faces.  Soulnet stood up, brushed herself off, and said, “Let’s go.”  

    They traveled for weeks, doing odd jobs to feed themselves and spent many a night huddled together keeping warm.  

    One afternoon while walking Soulnet stopped and pointed, “There it is, Stormreach.”  They all paused taking in the sight.  “What a beautiful city.  My father would have loved to see this.” said Casidhe as she gripped the book through her shirt.   Lorrial said, “Ok, lets get going, we aren’t getting any closer standing here.” and she started walking.  Casidhe and Soulnet looked at each other, Casidhe shrugged, and they both jogged to catch up to Lorrial.  

    They entered the city to see people walking around everywhere: Elves, Dwarves, Halflings, Warforged, and Humans.  All of them casually talking to each other, but they seemed to all have some urgency to their step.  

    Soulnet walked up to another Halfling and asked, “Excuse me, can you tell me if you know Trevia?”  The Halfling replied, “No, not that I can say, but you might want to check with the barkeep over there in The Wavecrest Tavern, he may know.”  Soulnet nodded and walked back to her sisters, “Ok, we can check over there at the tavern and see if anyone knows where she is.”  

    They walked off towards the tavern and entered through the door.  Inside there were more people than on the street outside.  There seemed to be people in robes, cloaks, and armor milling about, talking to each other, and yelling across the room to serving women and the barkeep. 
Soulnet said, “Let’s go.”  She walked forward about ten paces then stopped suddenly and her head snapped left.  She ran towards a woman with her arms open, “Trevia, I am so glad I found you!”  The woman she called Trevia hugged her back looking a bit confused.  Her face softened as Soulnet started to cry and sob into her chest.  Trevia put her hands on Soulnet’s shoulders and pushed her out at arms length.

    “Soulnet, what happened?  What are you doing here?  Where is your father?”  

    Soulnet sniffed hard, cleared her throat, and said, “Goblins attacked the village.  All are dead but us.  Father was missing; I don’t know where he is.”  

    Trevia said, “Oh, baby, come with me.”  She led her into the back room of the tavern and waved Lorrial and Casidhe to follow.  They entered a small storage room.  Trevia sat Soulnet down and motioned to the others to do the same.  She walked over to a rack, got a towel, and handed it to Soulnet, who dried her eyes.  

    “Now tell me what happened from the beginning.”  The girls told their story over the next few hours, and even Trevia was brought to tears.  

    “I will take care of you girls as well as I can.  I am sure you can get jobs here in town and maybe even here in the tavern.  I will make room at home for you.  It will be a little cramped, but we will make it work.”  

    Soulnet shook her head, “No, I don’t need a job or a place to stay.  Please take care of my sisters and I will be back after I find information about these goblins.  There is no use in trying to stop me, I have made my decision.  I will be back.  Trevia, if you can help me with a few supplies I will be leaving, but I will return.”  

    She nodded to her sisters and they ran to her and hugged her.  She hugged them back and walked out of the storage room.  

    Trevia looked at the girls and said, “Well she is as stubborn as her aunt, there is no stopping her now that she has made up her mind.  Stay here and I will be back in a bit.”  She followed Soulnet out of the room, and approached the barkeep.  After a short conversation he handed her some food and drink, which she then handed to Soulnet.  

    “Go my dear, find your information, but come back soon.  I will watch over your sisters till you return.”  She then hugged her and kissed her on her forehead.  Soulnet nodded and walked out the door.  

    As she was about to walk out the gate she heard a man talking, “Lost, don’t know what you should do?  I can help, we can help.”  

    Soulnet paused and walked over to the man.  He was wearing white robes with an odd symbol on his chest.  He looked down at here, “Child you look as if you need help.”  He handed her a book and a heavy chain with a medallion hanging on it with the same symbol on it the man had on his robes.  Soulnet felt calmed when she touched these items, 

    “Thank you sir.” She then walked out the entrance to the city and put the chain around her neck and looked at the medallion.  She opened the book and again felt the same warm feeling.  The first page had the same symbol, and below the symbol was written: “Teachings of the Silver Flame.”

(to be continued...)

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Adan Maskery can be contacted at riseofthetriad((at))hotmail.com.

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