Mortals Folly Ch.6: Artamis Tau Blues (Revised)

 In the matter of minutes, Max was arrested and the Icarus was impounded. After the guards kicked us off the ship, most of the crew took off in different directions throughout the city. Two stayed behind and traveled with us to my home in the Eastern District of the city. My house was a modest sized one, but wasn't anything to talk about. Compared to the other houses in the city, It was just a hut. I couldn't complain though, I could've ended up like those poor people living the shanty's around lake Jericho after my parents died.

"What's our plan?" Azalea asked me

"I have no idea. We need to make it to my place first, then we can make start making a plan there." I responded in a uncertain tone.

"I seen you pick up that piece of paper Max dropped, did you read it yet? " Azalea asked questioningly

"How do you know it's a note?" I asked

"I seen him scribbling something on it, so did you read it?" Azalea asked again

"No, not yet." I responded

"Why?" Azalea asked

"I have a feeling were being watched." I said while looking around me

"Do you two think you can slow down, I'm not as fast as I used to be!" Carlon shouted from behind

We stopped and waited for Carlon and John to catch up.

"Thank you, these old legs fail me at my age. How far your house lad I need to have sit down!" asked in a impatient tone.

"It's just passed Phoenix Street, we'll be there any moment." I said

"Good, I'm in need of a drink" John said

We crossed the constantly bustling Phoenix Street and made it into my house. John and the two crew members (Kevin & Jason) rushed into my kitchen, while found a place to sit near the front door. Azalea and I stepped into the living room.

"Let's see what he wrote." I said

I opened the piece of paper and in tiny lettering it read,

"You need to find a way to get into the city guards headquarters and find the holding cells, so I can give you the key to my safe on the Icarus. Inside of the safe is the letter from Chamberlan. Once you have the letter make sure Councilman Reed Jameson reads it, he's the only one on the council we can trust right now."

"He knew he was going to be arrested." I said in a confused tone

"And why do you say that?" Azalea said with her left eyebrow raised"

"In the letter he said to find him inside the city guard headquarters" I responded.

"For what?" Azalea said in a shocked tone.

"He has the key to the safe inside his cabin... And the letter he showed us yesterday is inthat safe." I said.

"Damn..." Azalea said in a soft tone.

"What's wrong Lea?" Carlon asked as he walked in the room.

"We need to talk to you" Azalea responded.

We gave Carlon the note to read then explained to him why the mercenaries attacked us yesterday. You could see the gears grinding in his head as he try'd to wrap his mind around the situation, he was silent for a moment but then he began to talk.

"I never trusted that old prick and now it looks as if though's suspicions were well-founded." Carlon said in a angered tone as he glared at the The Rotunda of Council that sat gleaming in the sun off in the distance.

"Are you ok?" Azalea asked Carlon.

"No. I learn that my close friend of 40 years is killed by mercenaries sent by that corrupt bastard!" Carlons face shriveled up and tears started forming in his eyes. "And now his son is in prison for trying to find justice for his family!" He sat in a chair and rested his head on his right hand.

"Chamberlan will pay for what he's done." I said in a calm tone. Carlon raised his head up from his hand and Azalea's head turned towards me. "We're going to make sure of it. We'll give all the people he's wronged, the justice they deserve"

"I think we need to get John and the others in here." Azalea said to me.

I went to the dining room and waved the three of them into the living room, we caught them up with what we knew. We then started to make a plan on getting into the Headquarters.

"Why is he in the Headquarters anyways? They usually just toss people on the wagon bound for Dunmoor." John said.

"Maxson knows to much, Chamberlan wouldn't risk him escaping, or somehow getting word out." Carlon said while pacing the room.

"So why hold him in the headquarters? Couldn't he tell one of the guards the information he knows?" John asked again.

"Chamberlan owns half the guards in the city. His men are most likely watching him twenty-four-seven. Which is going to make getting to him difficult if not impossible." Carlon replied.

"Hmm, How much of the potion do you have left Azalea?" I asked.

"Not much, maybe just enough for one person to use." Azalea replied.

"Damn it!" I grumbled.

"I know a way in..." Jason said with a smirk on his face.

"Really?" I asked.

"Indeed." Jason responded

"How do you get in?" Carlon asked.

"You're not going to like the idea." Jason said while shaking his head.

"Try me." Carlon replied.

"You know of the vast network of sewers that run beneath the city, correct? Well in the cellar of the Headquarters, is a hatchway into the sewers. Now usually the hatch is locked, but once a week the guards go down to arrest vagrants living in the sewers."

"Alright, so what are you getting at?" Carlon asked.

"If we were to perhaps "acquire" some of the guards uniforms while they were patrolling the tunnels, we could enter the headquarters through the sewers, an with the guards uniforms we would be unseen." Jason replied.

"If we were to go with your plan, when would we need to act?" Azalea asked.

"Two days from now."Jason replied

I brought Carlon aside for a moment

"What do you think we should do?"

"His idea is dangerous. If we get caught we'll be killed. But, it seems that it's our only option." Carlon replied.

It was a big decision. The danger would be prevalent. Everyone's lifes would be at risk. If I could've figured out any other way in, I would've done it. But Carlon was right, Jason's plan looked like our only option.

"I'll give you my decision tomorrow morning, it's a lot to consider." I said to Jason. Thoughts running wild through my mind .

"Fair enough." Jason shrugged. "Now, can I interest any of you to accompanying me and Kevin here to the Home of the Blues?" Jason asked.

"What's the Home of the Blues?" Azalea asked.

"I take it that you've never been to Artamis Tau?"Jason asked.

"Yeah, this would be my first time here in the city." Azalea responded

"Well I'll let you know right now, that "The Home", is only the most popular pub in Artamis Tau." Jason said. "

"Sure, i'll go. it's been a while since I've actually had some fun! What about you Rob?" Azalea ask with excitement in her voice.

"Umm, yeah. I can go for a drink." I responded.

"John, Carlon. what about you two?" Jason asked.

"If you don't mind me asking, why are you two going to "The House" anyways?" Carlon said questioningly.

"Me and Kevin here are taking part in a competition of sorts" Jason replied

"What kind of competition?" John asked

"The two mug chug." Jason replied

"Well count me in!" John said joyfully

"Are you going Carlon?" Azalea asked

"No, my legs are killing me lass." Carlon replied.

"Aw, come on. I could carry you if ya want?" John laughed.

"I appreciate the offer, John, I really do. But I'm going to turn in for the night." Carlon said to John

"Alright old man." John replied.

"Robert, where would your guest bedroom be?" Carlon asked

"It's up the stairs, to the right" I replied

"Thank you. You four enjoy yourselfs. I'll see you all in the morning." Carlon said to all of us, as he slowly made his way up the stairs.

"Let's be off!" Jason said as he waved us towards the door.

 It was near dusk as we made our way to Phoenix Street. In most cases, the main street of any city in Atmoria is devoid of activity near dusk, but this was Phoenix Street. During the nights, it became more active. This is because most of the pubs and taverns are closed during the day. An the ones that are open, don't sell alcohol during the day. This leads to people coming out in droves at night to take it easy and enjoy themselves after a hard days work. We made our way into the ever-flowing crowd of people and slowly made our way to the Home of the Blues. Luckily for us it was only two blocks away from my place, so we didn't have to do much walking. I've been to "The House" before, so I was mellow about going there. Azalea on the other hands grew with excitement as we approached the looming Three-Story building. We could hear noise coming from within, but it was faint.  Before we entered the pub, Jason stopped us at the door. He turned around with a smile on his face.

"Welcome... To the Home of the Blues" Jason said

 He turned around and pulled the double doors open. Light pored out from within the pub onto the darkening street. As we entered "The Home", we could see that pub was packed. The band sat looking over the dance floor, and their music boomed over the noise of the crowd. All around, people on all three floors (if not conversing with each other) were dancing, drinking, singing and smoking... Among other things. Azalea froze in place for a second, she was looking at a sign that read "Weapons must remained sheathed and use of magic is strictly prohibited". Then her gaze shifted to the dance floor on the first floor. A smile appeared on her face an she took me by the hand, running down the grand staircase with me in tow, to the crowd that was dancing in front of the bar. She started dancing along with the music, matching the movment of the music. I was stiff as a board at first, but I loss end up and started to danced along with her. I had two left feet though, and I ended up tripping her and me both. She laughed and after we picked ourselves up off the ground, she took me by the hands again and whispered in my to just go with the flow. I followed her led as slowly she picked her pace up. Soon we were dancing along with each other perfectly, and everyones attention on the dance floor shifted towards us, the smile on her face was huge as the song ended. Azalea, me and the rest of the pub let out with a load cheer for the band. Mugs clanged together and the band took a bow.

"I didn't know you could dance!" I said to Azalea.

"There's a lot you don't know about me Rob." Azalea said with a smile on her face.
"Come on, let's go see what trouble the others are getting into"

 We walked over to a crowd that had gathered around one of the tables.  We slid our way through the circle of people to see what all the commotion was about. When we got to through, we seen John, Kevin and Jason sitting across from three Dwarfs, all six of them had two huge mugs filled to the rim with ale. A Dark Elf jumped on top of table an yelled out to the crowd.

 "Lady's and Gentlemen, may I have your attention!". The crowd hushed almost instantly, "For the past five years, The Home of the Blues has had the honor. No... The privilege of hosting the monthly competition known as THE TWO MUG CHUG!" The pub roared with excitement. Once the crowd settled down, the Elf continued to speak. "Competitors have come and gone, but for the past three months in a row, the three brothers from Eden Valley have remained as reigning champions of the Competition!" Most of pub raised theirs glasses and cheered them on, but there was a couple boo's among the crowd. Back once again to defend their title. Olaf, Olrick and Sven of Ironholm, will be facing off against three sons of Atmoria! May I introduce to you for the first time, the challengers. John Rofin of Oakhall, Jason Mused of Farcrest and Kevin Smyth of Shaldor Cove."  Azalea and I, an few others clapped an cheered for them, but most of the spectators remained silent. "Now, as per tradition, I must recite the rules. Rule One: Each competitor must finish their two mugs of beer before the next team-mate can start. Rule Two: No beer can be spilt, if even a single drop falls from your mug, you and your team will be disqualified, No exceptions. Last but certainly not the least, Rule Three: Don't be a sore loser. There's nothing more pathetic than a person who can't accept defeat."

 The announcer hopped off the table and began to speak again. "Kevin, Sven, your first. Then Jason and Olrick, an finally John and Olaf. On my mark you will start. I'll shout out to stop once the first team has finished their final mug. Challengers! Are. You. Ready!?" All six yelled out, signaling the announcer to start the game. He raised his left arm up in the air and began counting down. "Three... Two... One... Begin!" Kevin and Sven raised their mugs to their mouths at the same time and began drinking. Only seconds went by and they both finished their first mug, they went for their second and seemed to finish them in half the time. As Jason picked his first mug up, Kevin let out a huge belch, causing Jason to laugh, allowing Olrick to gain the lead. Jason stopped laughing and started to drink, catching up to Olrick slowly, by the second mug Jason had  caught up and was quickly gaining the lead. Jason finished his second mug and John began gulping down his first mug an only a few seconds after, Olaf started to drink his. It was neck to neck as they finished their first drink, they both went for their second mug, it was getting down to the final sips and it was anyone's game. Olaf finished his drink only a second before John and the crowd began to cheer. However, as John and Olaf flipped their mugs upside down, the smallest droplet of ale fell to the table. All was silent, the announcer  raised his hand pointed to John and the two. "Lady's and gentlemen, give a big hand to the new victors of the Two Mug Chug, the Sons of Atmoria, Kevin, Jason and John!" The pub exploded with a roar of applause and cheers and Azalea an I ran to the table to congratulate the three of them,

"Great job you three!" Azalea yelled out over the noisy crowd, she ran up and gave John a hug

" Now that's wha..*hick*..what true drinking looks like" Jason replied while stumbling about.

"I think the little fella's drunk." John  laughed

"Aye, he looks a wee bit drunk" A voice said from behind us. We all turned around to see the three Dwarven brothers.

"You won't be so lucky next time." Olaf said with a scowl on his face

"Are we going to have a problem." John said, looming over the dwarf

Olaf and Johns eyes were locked. The tension was thick, but it suddenly broke when both John and Olaf started to laugh.

"How've ya been, you bumbling giant!" Olaf asked with a smile on face.

"I've been fine, how are things down there!" John laughed.

"I'll get you back for that one." Olaf replied

They shook each others hands and turned to the rest of us

"How do you two know each other?" I asked

"My brothers  and I have been friends with John for awhile now." Olaf replied

"How longs it been since we've last seen eachother? Five, Sixs years?"John asked

"Too long friend. Too long." Olaf replied

"You got some true drinkers here with you!" Olrick butted in

"Cut from the same cloth we are." Sven followed

"John, come have a drink with us, for old times sake!" Olaf said with a smile on his face. "You can your friends along to."

We all found our way to a booth on the second floor and Olaf began to talk again

"So introduce us to your companions John, any friend of yours is a friend of ours." Sven ask

"I'll let them introduce themsel-." John  was cut off mid sentence

"I'm Jason, this hears my good friend *hick* Kevin, we're crew members of the MIGHTY ICARUS!! Jason said while raising his mug and taking a drink.

"I'm Robert Black,  I live in Artamis Tau."

"What about you lass?"Sven asked

"I'm Azalea. Robs traveling companion and personal savior." she said while pointing at me.

"What do mean by savior?" Sven asked

"I've pulled hot stuff here out of the fire once or twice since we've been traveling together." Azalea said while flashing a smile towards me. I gave her a quick smirk and took a drink from my mug.

"Traveling companion eh, well where are you all traveling to." Olrick asked as he took a sip of his beer

"Right now, nowhere. Our captain is sitting behind bars." I responded

"I heard about a captain getting arrested a couple hours ago. If you don't mind me asking, what'd he do?" Olirck asked

"Our captain, made it *hick* his life's misson to be a thorn in Chamberlans arse." Jason responded "which he did very well."

"But what got him in so much trouble?" Olrick asked again

"We san-" Jason was cut off by shouting coming from the entrance

Several city guardsmen had entered the pub. A guard captain in full armor clad began shouting out the the now hushed pub.

"I have it on good authority, that several crew members of the airship Icarus are in this pub right now. My men and I have been ordered to round them u . These people are traitors to the Midguard Empire and they threaten the safety of Atmoria. If you know were these traitors are, tell us now, anyone found harborung these fugitives will be treated as a traitor as well."

The pub was dead silent, not a single person said a word.

"They aren't going to say anything. Spread out, find them!" The captain yelled out to his underlings.

Guards separated to all three floors and began looking for us. We were sitting in the last booth on the left side of the second floor and two guards were slowly making their way down the aisle to us. Azalea was closet to the walk way and I was sitting next to her, John was across from us with Jason and Kevin sitting next him. As the guards passed the table it seemed like they didn't recognize us. However, one of the two guardsmen stopped. He walked back to our table and glared at all of us, the guard drew his sword and began shouting at us

"You're all under arrest! Out of the booth now!"

Azalea looked over to me with a nervous expression on her face.

"You deaf, girl? I said out of the booth!" The guard barked out at Azalea

He grabbed Azalea by her right wrist and started to pull her out. Before any of us could react, Azalea extended her left arm out towards the guard and a bolt of lightning shot out of her hand, burning a hole strait through the guard. He looked down at his chest and stumbled backwards, falling off the side of the railing. We all were dumbstruck, looking at Azalea. She looked back at us and then over to Johns bag of gold coins, she snatched it away from him and ran over to the railing. She shouted out "Free money!" And tossed it over to where the guard captain was standing. A hoard of people rushed the Captain and the other guards ran over to help him. We were still frozen in place out of pure shock. Azalea looked back at us and rolled her eyes then started yelling at us."What are you idiots staring at? Let's get out of here!" Azalea yelled out at us. As we piled out of the booth, Olaf shouted to us "Through the V.I.P. Lounge, follow me!" We ran to the second floor entrance of the V.I.P. Lounge and forced our way into the room. We navigated our way through the crowded and smoke filled lounge and rushed to the backstage. I could here the guards following close behind as we made our way down the stairs into the kitchen. We bobbed and weaved our way around the chefs cooking and the busboys carrying dishes and busted out of the exit into the alleyway. We quickly ran into the rushing crowd on Phoenix Street, loosing the guards in the process. We just started walking down random streets in the city, trying to avoid any contact with any guard. After a while we all stopped in some random backstreet ally to catch our breath.

"I think were safe, for now." Olaf said in a wispered tone.

"Good... I'll be over here if you need me" Jason said while running over to a corner to puke

"We need to rest, I know I'm not going to make it much further tonight." John said while breathing heavily. I thought about for a moment and then it hit me.

"We have to go back to my house. If they knew where we were, than they have to know where my house is!" I said in a panicked tone

"Me and the other two aren't going to make it, just leave us here" John said while clenching his stomach.

"Gah, we need to get you guys somewhere to stay." I said while rubbing my forhead

"Hey, I can have my brothers take those three to our house and I can help you retrieve your companion." Olaf said to me

"Really? That would be great!" I said to Olaf agreeingly

"Ok, I'll get them going." Olaf said as he walked towards the others

Olaf talked to his brothers and sent them on their way with John and the others. Me and Olaf started to make our way to my house when I heard shouting coming from behind us

"Wait up!" Azalea shouted out

" Azalea!? I thought you were going with he others?" I said in a surprised tone

"They're big boys, they can handle themselves, and I'm not taking no for an answer, so let's get moving." Azalea said with her eyebrow raised

"I had a feeling you'd say that." I said to her in a forfeiting tone.

We navigated our way back to my house slowly, we were still wary of the guards that patrolled the main streets. Eventually though, we made it back to my street, but I could see something that worried me. In the distance several figures standing outside my home, suddenly three people busted out of the door from within my house. It was Carlon, being drug out by two guardsmen, he was cussing up a storm as they put him on the prison cart and they sent it off in the direction of the Guard H.Q. .

"Dammit, were to late!" I growled.

"They're setting your house on fire!" Azalea yelled out to me.

"What!" I watched as guards tossed torch's into my window, setting the place on fire from within. Suddenly, Azalea rushed off towards my house, " Azalea? What are you doing!" I screamed out to her. She weaved her way through the guards and ran into my burning home. "Get after her boy, I'll distract the guards!" Olaf yelled out while pushing me forward, "Where do we go after this!?" I yelled out. "Over to Agite Street, it's the only green house on it. Now go!" He started tossing stones at the guards heads, angering them enough to start chasing him. While the were distracted I ran into the building after Azalea. Once again, another one of my childhood homes were being engulfed in flame. The smoke made it hard to see and breathing was almost impossible. The intense heat was almost to much to withstand. I shouted out for Azalea and I heard her calling from the upstairs.  I darted up the stairs only a few moment before they gave way to the flames. I called out for her again, and heard her voice coming from my bedroom, which I quickly made my way into. The center of the room had caved in on itself, and Azalea was on the opposite side of were I had entered. I seen that the roof was cracking and about to fall in on itself, so opened the door and from the hallway ran to leap across the fiery gap. As my foot made contact with the boards on the other side, they buckled and broke. As I was hanging on for life, I could feel the flames beneath, kissing my feet. Before I fell into the inferno below, Azalea reached down and pulled me up. As I regained footing, I could hear the boards above us snap and crack. In a split second, I grab Azalea and leaped out of the window. I shielded her from glass as best I could and we cascaded down to the bushes on the sides if my house, the roof collapsed only moments later. We both rolled out of the bushes and into the grass, coughing from all the smoke we inhaled.

"What the hell were you doing Lea! Why'd you run in their!" I screamed out

"I'm so sorry Rob, I didn't mean for this to happen!" Azalea said frantically.

"It's fine...it's fine. We need to get back to the others. Ahh!"  As I tried to stand, I felt a sharp pain in the back of my left calf. I looked back to see what it was, and to my surprise, there was a huge shard of glass sticking out of my leg, and it was bleeding badly.

"Rob, your leg!" Azalea shouted out

"I know, come here. I gunna need your help." I said with pain In my voice

Azalea rushed over to me and she helped me walk, then we started to make the long walk to Agite Street. I was losing blood quickly  and the walk was taking every ounce of energy I had. About Fourty feet from the Dwarves home, I passed out. The last thing I remember is Azalea yelling my name out. I awoke several hours later in a small room. A beam of morning sunlight shot out of the window hitting my face. I took a deep breath and sat up. to my right Azalea was sleeping in a chair. I uncovered my blanket and checked on my wound. To my astonishment, the wound had completely healed. But their was no stitching or anything.

"You're awake!" Azalea stood up, ran over and gave me a big hug.

"What happened?" I asked confused like no other

"You passed out from blood loss before we could enter the dwarfs home. I spent thelast several hours keeping you from slipping away, you had me worried for a moment... I thought I lost you..."

"I thought I lost you to when you ran into that fire. Why'd you do it?" I asked

"...For this"

Azalea pulled a wood box out if her satchel, it was covered with carvings of vines, encircling a skull. It had a strange lock on the front of it, unlike any I'd seen before.

"This was my mothers, my grandmother gave it to her, and her mother to her, for as far back as my family line stretches. This box has remained in the care of the women of each generation of my family." Azalea said starring deeply at the box

"What's in it?" I said while scratching my head

"Um, well you see..." Azalea grabbed a crystal out from the front pouch of her bag, it had a hole going strait through the center of it.

"What's with the crystal?" I said to her while examining it

"That's the key to opening the box."Azalea responded

"How's this, suppose to open that?" I asked

"Well that's something my family never figured out."

"Wait, so your telling me that you risked your life for a box you can't even open?" I said sarcastically. "How do you even know if there's anything in it?"

"There's definitely something in their." Azalea responded

"You just said you've never opened it though?" I said in a confused tone

"Oh boy, this is gunna take a lot of explaining. I was born into a family of magic users, however I had a natural born gift that allows me to sense magical objects."

"You sense them. How's that work?"

"Depends."she said

"Depends on what?" I asked

"On the magic that's bound to the object. If it's corrupt magic, it glows green. If it's evil magic, it burns in a purple fire. But if the magics pure, it radiates a deep blue." Azalea responded

"So what type of magics in the box"

"A strong evil magic."

"Than why didn't you let it burn?"

"I wouldn't risk letting whatever's in their out, no one in my family has..." Azalea looked down at the box again, this time with contempt.

"You weren't hurt, were you?" I asked

"Nah, just a few bruises and burns. You got the worst of it." Azalea said with a worried smile on her face.

As I chuckled my chest pulsated with pain "Ow! Gods that hurt!"

"Take it easy for a minute Rob!" Azalea yelled. "You lost a lot of blood, and Just because the outsides healed, doesn't mean the inside is. It takes a couples hours for things to mend."

"I don't have time to wait. I need to talk to Jason, do you know where he's at? I asked

"Downstairs" she responded. As I stood up, I felt a little light headed

"I still feel a little woozy. Would you mind helping me down there."

Azalea helped me down and we found our way to the kitchen.

"Oye, there's the two dare devils! First it's a falling ship, now burning houses. What's next, taking a kill away from a Blood-Wolf!" Jason laughed

"Nothing as simple as that." I responded to Jason "We're breaking into the Guards Headquarters." I responded in a stern tone

Jason's smile quickly ran from his face. "Are you absolutely positive that you want to do that?" Jason asked with eyebrows raised

"Without a doubt in my mind." I responded

Smile that stretched from ear to ear appeared on Jason's face "Good... Let's go meet a friend of mine.