Khi/Raith Adventure 2

“Hey Raith, we have been cooped up in here for a while now, and I was thinking it’d be nice if we went somewhere, maybe go hunting… something dangerous or go look for one of those artifacts you need. What do you think?”

He watched Raith blink, one eye and then the other, barely awake, the teal eyes watering as the sleep left him and he became aware of his surroundings.

“Wha… huh?” He looked up at Khi, his hair falling in front if his face “What was that, Khi?”

“I said we should go on an adventure, we have been pretty cozy here. So…” He brushed Raith’s hair back, taking his face in his hands. “What do you say, hop over to town and look for some trouble?”

He watched Raith, eyes still blinking offset. The soft hair falling back to frame his his face he spoke.
“Yeah. Sounds food.”  He screwed his face as he spoke. “Sounds GOOD!  Not food… but do we have food? I'm hungry…” he had set his hands on his stomach. “Or, we can teleport to town first.”

“I can make us something small. I drew you a bath, though you took a bit to wake, might have to warm it back up.”

“Best Husband!” His soft face lit up. “Thank you Khisaha.”

“Go wash. I'll bring you your food.”

He watched as Raith slid out of bed, his hair trailing down his back, frowning as it covered his view. He crawled back from the edge of the bed, stretching as he walked to the kitchen.


Raith tested the water, feeling the cool and shivering. Crouching low he held his hands out, wrists pressed close together and palms spread, watching as faint blue sparks began to fizz from his palms, then a puff of flame as the coal bed under his bath ignited. He crouched there, maintaining the flame until the water grew warm, then hot, a faint steam as it cut through the cold air.

Silently he moved into the water, his hair moving across the surface until it hid his body, and his eyes sat just above the water. He washed slowly, clearing the dirt from the water with mumbled spells as he went.

He moved up, pulling his knees to his chest as Khi walked into the room.

- - - - - - - -

Khi looked at the kitchen, the cupboards emptied by their long visit. He sighed, stepping out into the brisk morning air to get some fruit, his bare feet crunching the frozen dew as he moved to the garden.  He took stock of the plants, their bounty more than ready for a harvest.

He reached to the short trees, pulling a smaller branch from the plant’s limb.  Careful to keep the branch intact as he set it gently into a harvest basket.  Moving to a berry bush he crouched, shivering as he felt himself brush the cold ground.  He hurriedly plucked some berries into the basket, before rushing back inside, feeling himself icing up as he went.

He set his bounty on the counter. Scrapping the needles from the branch and setting the frost coated Snow-Apples aside with the berries. A tea brewing with the fresh needles as some day-old pastries heated in the fire. He stood by the fire, letting the heat warm him, sighing as the cold melted away.

He grabbed a small bowl he had carved a while back, setting the berries inside and slowly crushing them up till he heard the tea boiling. In a rush he pulled the tea away, and  quickly pulled the pastries out.

He hurriedly split the apples, laying them across a plate and spreading the berry-mush across the pastries. He heard Raith humming in the other room, knowing he was now cleaning his hair. With everything slid onto a long tray he delicately walked to the the bath. He moved into the doorway, watching as Raith pulled his knees to his chest, scooting up in the tub.

- - - - - -

“Room for two.” Raith spoke softly, gesturing with his fingers to the opposite end of the tub. “You should get clean too.”

“After you are done, so that way your hair can dry. But ill join you for a bit” his grin spread as he set the tray across Raiths lap. “Hold the tea steady please.”

He stepped into the tub. Slowly sinking down, sliding his feet till they rested on either side of Raith. He felt Raith move his own feet, slipping them over his lap, slowly messing with him.

He moaned lightly, “Raith, no time to be handsy, eat. We can have fun later on.”

“Booooo” Raith pouted, his feet moving to the side. “Thank you for the food Khi!” He said past a scowl as he bit an apple slice. “The apples are very ripe, nice and sour.”

“Well, I  know you like them sour, weirdo. Tea is fresh, but didn’t have any meat left. We need to restock on our way back.”

“Yermhp”  he nodded his approval, stuffing a pastry into his mouth.

“Charming view Raith.” They sat there eating, making vague plans for adventure.

~~~~~

“Okay!” Khi said, feeling Raith tightening the straps on his armor, “hop over to town… which town though?”

“I was thinking of going by home, but I used Sending to message dad and he said it's just him and your dad, our moms, and your uncle went on an escort mission, so if we stop by they might try to get us to stay.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

“No, but if you want adventure that's not gonna help.”

“What about Bastion? Maybe the others want to join!”

“Raze send they had to head north for his half-Brothers coronation,  he sounded rather annoyed.”

“Bet Zendak is loving it though.”

“Probably. So, since those where possible no-go’s I messaged Soren. He said there have been some issues around Nekropolis.  So… there might be some work there!”

“Sounds like a plan, plus I have not gotten to see Nekropolis.” Khi pulled down on his chest armor adjusting it. “You ready?”

“Almost, I Need to go get something!” He watched, confused, as Raith sprinted into the other room. An awkward step as a stream of swearing before Raith came running out.

“What are you carrying?”

“A gift! Here!” He held out a small box, plain and without a lock.

“Of course,” khi grabbed it, flipping open the lid to reveal a small holy symbol emblazoned with shimmering moonstone and sapphire.

“Its an amulet of life warding. Just for extra protection!”

“Raith, thank you!” He swept his small lover into his arms kissing him. “Come on, let get going!”

Khi slipped the amulet over his head while Raith began casting his spell.  He watched the small green hands tracing symbols in the air, eyes wide as arcane sparks began to drift lazily from the glowing glyphs. A full minute of watching unknown glyphs carved into the air, then a jolt as Raith grabbed his hand and pulled him into the circle.


He fell the familiar tug as he was pulled across the plane, the sense of swimming through thick gelatinous water. The brief second of travel spreading out almost infinitely before him. Before suddenly he was standing on a raised Dais in a room full of smaller robed people.

“Hello!”

“Khi, you don't have to great them. They are just students.” Raith looked around the room. “Im looking for Arcanist Soren, any idea where he is?” He asked on the assembled students.

An older student, leading the pack, stepped forward. “Master Soren is in the western tower. Said he had a meeting to wait for.”

“Lazy old lizard. Come on Khi, lets go see what he has for us!” Raith bounded out the room.

“Bye students…Study Hard!” He called back, waving at the confused group. “RAITH, WAIT UP!” He began sprinting after his friend.


~~~~~

“Heyyyy. Soren!!! open upppppPPPP!” Raith knocked loudly, hammering on the door.  “Soooorrrreeeennn.  Its Us!”

“Raith…” khi was panting as he reached the loud boy, grabbing his hand and stopping the knocking. “Be quiet…. im sure he…” he leaned against Raith as he caught his breath. “Im sure hes not gonna be happy at you shouting down his door.”

“No no, im rather used it. little Raith here is rather impertinent after all.” Khi startled slightly as a tall Bronze and White dragonborn emerged. Khi was once again surprised at the man's height as he barely reached the man's shoulders. “How someone so small can be so boisterous is astounding, Raith!”

He turned to Khi again, holding out a hand. “Good morning, oh, a pleasure as always Khisaha, happy to have you in our graces.” He gave a firm shake before tucking his hands into his coat, “Now Raith, why in Bahamut’s name have you acted a fool at my door? You really should have returned for your specialist training, the discipline would have helped.” A grin cracked the edges of his mouth.

“I was just excited Soren. You missed the wedding and stuff so i was excited to see you again. You missed the others there as well!”

“Yes… the other excitable ones.” He sighed, shaking his head in minor frustration. “Children…”

“How exactly DO you know Dagwren and the others?” Khi turned to Raith, hands resting on the low shoulders.

“I was a Bastion, an informer, specifically.”

“Informer, so you didn’t fight?” Khi asked, now gently leaning on Raiths shoulders.

“Tried not to. But I Was formidable when i did!”

“Yeah, scary when you got a firestorm going for sure.” Raith interjected. “But…. We came here cause you said there was trouble.”
“And we were a bit bored at home!”

“Mmhmm. Well, yes.” he pulled his hands from his coat, tugging on the collar. “Come inside my quarters, i have a map to view.”

They followed him inside. Khi glancing around the room, hiding a look of surprise at how bland the room was. A bed, a wardrobe and then a large circular desk where all the inhabited the large room.

He looked instead to the desk, a cloth map of the area splayed across the surface. The fabric carefully colored to match the general climate of the region, a series of glowing red marks trailed through the woods.

“So, as Khisaha here has noticed, i have been tracking the incidents. Whatever is disturbing the outer city is coming in and out of the Deadwoods.”

Soren moved to the map, dragging his clawed finger across the map, causing a new red arcane line, leading from the eastern district to a marked circle in the woods.

“Near about 3 days out of town.” A claw tapping the circle, a swirling black sphere now. “I tried getting close, but my magic weakened and my polymorph almost dropped me dead into the… whatever it is out there. That cloud of shadows over the dome has antimagic to it. So we don’t know if the anti-magic goes deeper or not.”

“What the hells am i supposed to do then Soren!” Raith threw his hands forward, fingers curled i to half fists. “I'm no more useful than the rest of you guys here!”

“You have a sword, child.” He set a hand on Raiths shoulder. “And the mark of a Scale-Born. If anything can cut through that shade it is the will of Bahamut!”

“Right… so, shadow ball, no magic… hope a god helps? Got any information on what creatures are coming out of it?” Raith sat in the table, covering part of the map as he poked at the inky sphere.

“Hmmph.  As on might expect, undead. Seemingly undead Myconid and other Plant Creatures.  An unexpected mix.”

“Wait!” Khi interjected, breaking his contemplative silence. “A city full of necromancy and yet undead are the issue.  I do not know magic well, but  even i know any cleric or paladin can make short work of some undead.  Clearly there is more to these than that?”

“Not near so far as we can tell.  The clerics of the Raven Queen have repelled each attack,  but they say they have no champion to send to face mystery at the heart of this all.”

He moved to the window, leaning into the barren sill.

“Thats why, when Raith asked, I offered. The City Council want it solved. They relegated the task to me... blegh.” He feigned a vomiting sound. “Useless boneheads can't do anything themselves. So, would you two like the job, it pays well, plus we will resurrect you, should you fall in service to blah blah blahhh…. Raith knows how it goes.”  A plume of smoke from his nostrils as he huffed.

“Mmhmmm. So what kind of payment?” Raith pulled his legs up on the table, crossing them and burying his hands in his lap.

“Raith get off my table.” Soren waved at him, summoning a mage hand that gently nudged at Raiths back. “As for payment, the heads of the city are offering roughly 23,000 gold and some enchanting work, well above your standard payments.”

“Oh fuck, thats alot.” Khi gasped at the offered reward, looking over at Raith. “We can handle this right?”

“Yeah, probably, gotta try for that much. Think of everything you could do with all that!” He hopped off the table, swatting the mage hand away. “You got a deal Soren.”

“Good. Now, here,” he gestured to the map again. “There is a small camp of Crypt Guardians who are trying to keep anything from coming out of the area. Meet up with them, and come back to me when your done. If you manage to bring the sphere down send me a message and i'll come with some backup as soon as possible.”

“Cool cool.  Three days… by foot, yes?” Raith asked, tracing the path across the map with his finger. “What is it as the crow flies?”

“If you were to fly it would be the better part of a days travel.”

“Hmm, interesting!” He turned to khi, “Want to be a big bird for a day?”

“Uhh, not really, but if YOU want to, id still rather not.” He put his hands of Raith shoulders, “lets just walk, it's easier.”

“Okay, we will need to get some supplies first, hey Soren, did you need anything else?”

“No, i think you are good to set out...Hmm. Hold on!” He turned to his wardrobe, pulling a small satchel out and offering it to Khi, “Here! Some potions, for whoever took the mission.”

“Thank you Soren, we appreciate it.” Khi pulled the satchel over his shoulder. “Raith will keep you updated. Lead the way Raith, Ihave no clue where to go from here.”

“Well, the city around the Arcanium is a pretty standard city, should be a shop with some supplies near the market square, lets go!” He began to sprint off and was halted in place as Khi grabbed under his arm

“Don’t make me get lost, Raith. Again, lets walk, together.” He smiled down at Raith, moving his hand to his shoulder and pulling him close.

Soren watched them go, smiling at his old student and friend. Happy to see the joy in the younger man's life. The door slowly closing, he turned to his table, watching two new greenish points of light set off.


~~~The Next Day~~~

“These woods are to damn thick, you can barely see through the tree line, nothing like the woods back home.” Khi looked around, his swords lose in their scabbards. “And yet the trees all look nearly dead, the leaves are thin and white, grass is sparse and crunchy,  was it always like this?”

“Yeah… so what it is, is that Nekropolis is built on top of an old titan that had sunk into the ground, or fallen into a pocket of Underdark, no one is certain. The titan, still, puts out a lot of arcane energies, so they figured it was a good place to study magic, no one is sure if the titan is actually dead or not though cause no other titant’s do this, But the energy it puts out has changed the land around it, because it exudes necromantic energies.”

“How does the energy it put out not hurt the people?”

“Well, what I was told is that the first mages here put wards up, but even so the forest was already like it is now… all weird and ghosty!”

“Ghosty! Is that a arcane term Raith?” Khi rested a hand on Raiths head, gently thumbing the thickly braided hair.

Raith stuck his tongue out at Khi, an over exaggerated scowl aimed up at the man. “Yes I believe it is.”  Face returning to normal. “Hold up a second…” he slowed his walk, turning to the side of the paved path.

Khi watched him move, the playful aloof nature stilted as he turned to a low growth of a tree. Taking a position at Raiths back he drew his swords, gripped loosely in his hands as his feet slid into stance. “Whatcha looking at Raith?” He whispered back over his shoulder.

“Look at this, the tree here is burnt, with what looks like accidental marks though, see?”

Khi cautiously knelt and inspected the wood. A series of shallow gouges where burned into the white wood. The cuts filled in with a viscous red sap, almost as if the trees where bleeding. Khi inspected the large tree, the thick boughs only starting to sprout after 400 feet of smooth bark, covered in black ovoid shaped growths.

“What kind of wood is this Raith. I don’t recognize Red Sap?” Khi pulled his finger away from the gash in the bark.

“Its birch wood, but the necrotic aura of the area has fucked them up.  That sap is good for healing though.  It's pretty hard to harvest, and the Birchlings don’t like it much.”

“Birchlings? Sound pleasant.”

“They are quite friendly… and terribly protective of the trees. They are… hmm.”  He rolled back on his heels to think. “They are… Offshoots, of a special type of Ent, that we just call The Birch!” He looked up at the large eye shapes that cover the bark of the trees. “These are how they see, and watch the woods.”

“They see through the trees? You're pulling my leg right?”

“Nope, they watch the woods to protect them. They are harmless as long as you treat them kindly.”

“What do they look like?” Khi sounded almost excited, his deep fascination with magic peeking through the serious demeanor.

“Kinda like a Birch sapling, but the tallest seen is only about 120 feet tall, nothing like the actual trees. A thick heavy tangle of leaves sit at the top of their heads, above a terrifying mouth… their mouth leakes the red sap. It makes you want to shit yourself honestly.”

Khi watched Raith stand, taking note his shape, a though streaked through his mind, pushing it aside as they were on a mission. He felt a slight blush, standing and turning back to the path, hiding his face from Raith.

“So, what do you think burnt the tree? You said it looks accidental, but i'd say they were panicked.”

“Well… i dont know anything local that can burn with its claws. So whatever it was it probably came from the bad area… I really wish Soren had given it a name proper.”

“He called it the Scourge, you know.”

“Did he!” Raith pulled down on the hem of his shirt, adjusting his gear back to a comfortable position. “I was to distracted by the map.”

“Clearly, he didn’t name it, im just fucking with you.”
“Mean!”  Raith bumped info Khi, failing to push him. “I'd never tease you like that!”
“Right, must have been some other little trickster who pulled pranks with me as kids.”

“Yeahhhhh. I may have been kicked out if multiple classes because of pranks too....”
“You told me. Something about an enchanted chair cushion.” Khi chuckled at the small grin on Raiths face. “Cheer up, we have a good mission, and when we are done we get to relax at home for a while again.”

“Yeah, but i was already cheery Khi!” He gently nudged Khi again, watching him pretend to stumble this time.


~~~Day Two~~~

Raith woke first, eyes opening to see the soft warm roof above, a perfect facsimile of their real home. Khi’s chest moving under him, the slow rise and fall tempting him back to sleep. He slowly moved to the side, feeling the bed under him, then the floor, warm to the touch.

He ambled to the washroom, so unlike the one from his real home, the overly large and always warm pool of water steaming as he slid in.  He rested in the bath, the water lapping around his neck as the barely visible servants washed him. Sighing as he watched Khi slip into the water beside him.

“Morning.”

“Mrrnng” Khi mumbled the word back, his eyes still closed as he sank in the water, more of the spectral servants appearing to slowly start washing him. Raith walked past him as he left the bath, rubbing his soapy head in place of a kiss.

- - - - - -

Raith watched again as Khi sat heavily beside him to eat, eyes now wide and attentively awake.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning, again, Khi.” He leaned into Khi’s side, “How was your bath?”

“It's always weird with the servant things. I prefer when you help me wash.”

“I can make them look like me. As much as they can be seen that is.”

“Please, Don’t!” He hooked his left arm around Raith, tucking his hand into Raiths coat. “That would be weird!”

“Yeah, weird… Says the man naked at breakfast.”

Khi looked down at himself and shrugged. “Last i knew this was how you liked breakfast.”

“Shut up.”  He pushed into Khi, unsuccessful in his attempt to move the bigger man. “Hhmphhh”

“Oh sorry.” Khi gently flung himself to the side, feigning as if Raith had knocked him aside. “That better my Moon?”

“Shut up…”  he tried to repress a giggle as Khi pulled him down, the big hands tickling him and breaking his serious facade.

- - - - - - -

“Okay!”

Raith sat there as Khi braided his hair, weaving it tight into three separate braids. His hands gliding through the blue hair like water, humming a orcish lullaby as he listened to Raith plan the days travel.

“So, i want to make some headway and get there a bit faster, which means i'm gonna have to use Polymorph, a few times. The forest is to dense now to fly through the canopy, so… hmmm.”

He rubbed his tusks as he thought, silently murmuring the fastest animals he knew.

“Okay, so i could do a Deer, or a horse but… well that's boring. Or something big like a dire wolf.”

“Mmhmmm” Khi hummed along, pausing only to affirm Raiths ideas.

“If I do a direwolf we can go pretty quick, and I can fight if anything comes at us. So we can do that, how's it coming along Khi?”

“Almost done, your hair is nearing your knees Raith, maybe time to trim it back some?”

“Yeah probably, gonna be tripping over it soon.  How about when we are done and settled back at home you cut it to whatever length you think is good.”

“Hey, don’t put it on me, its Your Hair!”

“Okay, we will trim it back to my hips, like normal then.”

“It’s a date then!”

Raith felt a tug on his head as Khi pulled, tying the three braids together into one. The pressure remained  and he felt his hair thump against his back, now dense and short as the braid clung close his his head. Then another tug as Khi pulled him backwards, gently pulling him down till they were eye to eye.

“Done!” Khi planted a kiss on Raiths forehead, letting the smaller man fall back into his lap. “That was about an hour of day lost.”

“Lost? Id say it was well spent!”

Khi kissed his lips, slowly taking Raiths face in his hands. “Yea, Well spent indeed.” He squished Raiths face. “Im Raith, time with me is an investment!” He playfully moved Raiths mouth as he talked.

“You done?”

“Almost,” he moved Raiths mouth gently. “Im cute and i love my husband!”... he gave Raiths cheeks a pat, resting his hands on Raith’s chest. “Now im done!”

“Weirdo!”

“You love me and you know it!”

“Still a weirdo!” He sat up, moving onto his feet in one motion. “Ready to go?”

“Yeah!” Khi jumped to his feet, grabbing his sword belt and putting it on. “Lets go!”


Raith stepped out the door, crushing a old cocoon, a haze of blue sparks began emitting from his hands till his whole body was covered by the swirling sparks.
“Vargr!”  Raiths voice was nearly a howl as he incanted the word.

 Khi waited patiently, hands adjusting his scabbards, even as he watched enraptured by the showy spell.
“Hey Raith, let's get a move on!”

A low howl rumbled from the sparks as they faded away to reveal the pale blue wolf. Khi strode to him, taking a fistfull of soft fur and pulling himself up, leaning close and holding tightly to the large creatures fur.

“Who’s a good boy, wanna play fetch?”  Wolf-Raith growled and shook, threatening to throw Khi from his back. “Calm down Raith, you know im joking. Now let's go.”

Raith huffed and took off in a sprint, Khi clutching tightly to him, the man laughing as they went.

 - - - - -

The faint trickle of light through the canopy of leaves had fallen away, leaving them walking in near complete shadows, Raith leaning against Khi as he pushed against exhaustion.

“We should camp soon Raith, it's dark and you’re tired, it's not safe for you to push your body so much.”

“Im fine Khi, I am not gonna pass out or anything, plus,  now we should reach the encampment early tomorrow. Which means we can rest there and see if they have any information for us!”

“I guess, but you used a lot of magic today,  go easy tomorrow incase the encampment is in danger when we arrive, OK?”

“Okay Khi, that's probably a good idea anyways. There looks like a small alcove up ahead, we can camp there tonight.”

“Can you still make the magic house?” Khi asked, his eyes filled with hope at the magical mention. “If not, i always pack the tent.” He slapped the pack on his back.

“I can yeah, just uhh. Help me sit down and i can start casting it, gonna take a bit. He slumped down in the soft dirt, pulling his spell book from his hip. His palm sat on the cover for a moment before flipping wildly through the large tome.

“Found it!” He slapped the booma. Few times excitedly, “it's gonna be like…. ummm. Fuck, maybe 12 minutes? I think, just bear with me Khi.”

“Hush My Moon, there is no rush here, i'll watch the roads.” He drew the dark blue blade, holding it loosely in his hands as he patiently scanned the road for any sign of danger, the occasional glance over Raith into the thick woods, just to be safe. A quiet and peaceful break as he stood guard.

“Done! Oh im beat.”

Khi looked down at Raith as the small man thumped into his legs, slumped back in exhaustion. He saw Raith slowly gather his stuff up, sliding the spell components into a bag, and struggling to shove the big book back into the harness at his waist. He went to a kneel as he scooped Raith into his arms.

“Come on Raith, let's get you to bed.” He slipped through the magical doorway, feeling as Raith quickly fell asleep in his arms.

~~~Day Three~~~

“Hey Raith, what do these Crypt Guardians that Soren mentioned do exactly? It sounds like they are guards, since they got sent out here and all.”

“Kind of, they are clerics of the Raven queen who usually patrol the under-crypts beneath the school. It's near the heart if the titan and well....” He hooked his hand behind his head as he talked. “Sometimes the Heart gives off a bit too much arcane energy and raises some undead. So the Crypt Guardians patrol the Under-Crypts to keep them clear.”

“So why do they need to hire us, Soren mentioned they didn't have a Hero of the Raven Queen and yet the Crypt Guardians are repelling them?”

“Well, Crypt Guardians can only turn the undead.  Its it's a living creature causing it, or even too powerful of a litch, they are not strong enough, and few have weapons training, like Soren said, I also use a sword!” He mimicked his old mentor as best he could, “The one other skill a Crypt Guardian has is they can temporarily make ground Hallow, which is likely what they are doing at the encampment.”

“Consecrate the roads so the undead cant pass! Pretty smart.”

“Yeah… I wonder if it would keep Raze out?”

“Ohhh, that'd be a good prank!”

“I'll make note of it, how much farther to the encampment do ya think?” He stopped, craning his head to the canopy above. “I can't really tell without more sky…”

“Hmm,” Khi craned his head up as well, taking in the faint hint of sunlight. He pulled a small flat crystal from his pack, holding it aloft as he scanned the sky again. A huff as he failed to find the sun. “Not sure… it was worth a shot. So I say we just keep moving, we can’t be to far.”

“Im dizzy, I Looked up to long.” Raith stumbled forward a few steps, catching his balance before looking back at Khi. “Okay, lets go.”

“You good to walk?”
“Yup, of course I am.”
“Okay, should just be an hour or so longer Raith.”

- - - - -

Raith and Khi snuck up to the camp, the silence ringing in their ears. Raith led, his longsword out, the pale red blade like a splash of blood in the dark. Khi held his blades close to him as they moved closer, his nerves steeled as the silences began to suffocate them.

They slid into the encampment, the small tents sat unassailed, but across the ground the bodies of the Crypt Guardians where strewn. Sickly green brambles protruding from their wounds, as similarly colored Myconids ambled around, the bodies rapidly mulching away to bones.

To the far side of the encampment a large swirling mist filled their vision. Ambling bodies moved before it, a sea of undead waving in the wind.

“Khi, this is kinda bad.”
“Id say its pretty fucked up alright.”
“Im gonna summon the mansion, so that we can fall back if we need to.”
“Okay, ill cover you.” He moved in front of Raith, swinging his swords into a combat stance. “Fast cast or ritual cast?”
“Fast cast, but it still takes a minute.”
“Got it! Stay low, they haven’t seen us yet.”

Khi moved forward, eyes sharply trained on the horde in the distance, watching as they ambled aimlessly at the swirling mist. He let a low prayer flow as he watched, feeling the warmth of Eilistraee grace him as he stood vigil.


“Khi, inside quick!” Raiths voice nearly startled him. He backed up, allowing Raith to pull him through the doorway.
“Gotna plan?”
“Nope.”
“Adorable. It looks like there are about 30 of them. I maybe get a few but, we are way outnumbered, any ideas??”
“Fireball em, if you give me a few minutes i can get two groups of them at once!”
“Certain about this plan?”
“Yeeeea. Okay, after you see two fireballs, we rush in and take down the rest!”

Khi watched as Raith pointed two fingers towards a group of the undead, one eye closed as he aimed, a sharp incantation burst from his lips as a thin beam of light crackled to life and flew from his fingers and disappeared into the cluster of undead. Then in a heartbeat he watched as Raith ran forward towards the cluster till he came to a halt his other hand shooting up as another streak of crackling energy shot forward into the horde and before Khi could blink he saw a blossom of crackling fire, and then another. His vision went red as the light filled his view, and he charged out blindly, calling to Raith as he went.

He felt a hand on his arm, the soft grasp of Raith as his husband pulled to his side.
“Blades at the ready Khi, these boneheads are pretty pissed off!”
“Im still a bit blind Raith. A bit of warning next time, maybe.”
“Sorry, but it will just be a second. These things are pretty disoriented too it looks.”
‘Its coming back, I can vaguely see a loud blue shape in front of me.”
“HEY! Rude!”
“Definitely Loud.”

Raith slipped away from Khi, his left hand outstretched. A slow quarter turn as as a bolt of flame erupted, a shower of sparks and dust as the Myconid it hit exploded. He moved his hand again as another bolt shot forward, grazing a skeleton.
“Can you see yet Khi?”
“Mostly, I saw you miss.”
“Hey, iv already taken out half of them!”
“I know, your amazing, now, let me have a turn!”

Raith watched as Khi pushed forward towards the straggling undead, his blades awash with a faint glow as the undead closed in.  Blades crashing down from over his shoulder, crashing through a skeleton. Moving quickly, he rushed into the horde, blades separating into a slash across to scatter two skeletons.

“watch out!”
Raith threw his hands out, over lapping each other as the energy crackled around his hands.  Pale blue flickers of electricity as he moved around, lining up the perfect shot. “Leiptr!” He shouted, the word falling off as the lightning shot from his hands in a long piercing spear through the horde. A cloud of dust lingering where the Myconids amongst the horde once stood.

Raith held the pose as the spell ran its course. His feet dug into the soft ground and his shoulders tense against the force of the spell. He sighed as the energy faded, looking over at Khi as he relaxed his arms.

Khi had a group of skeletal combatants around him, loud and measured breathing as he moved. Raith watched him work, admiring his strength as he batted away the undead. His movement refined, yet savagely strong.

Khi spun around endlessly as the skeletons continued their assault. His swords shattering the long dried bones. He felt the grace of Eilistraee as he danced through the melee, the sound of his breath and the rattling of bones all he heard. He saw Raith shooting lightning, he felt a brief flare of passion as he watched his Husband annihilate their foes.

Then a dull thud as one of the skeletons tried to sink a axe into his back, the dulled blade stopped by his armor. He roared in frustration, spinning and bringing both blades crashing down into the offenders barren skull, wincing as the dry bone shattered back into his face.

He turned to Raith, a wild swing cutting down the last few skeletons around him, before sprinting over to the mage.


Raith had drawn his sword, fending off a few skeletons, panic on his face as they pushed him back, ever closer to the forest walls. He heard Khi roar, his line of sight cut now by a tent. A surge of anger at Khi’s roar, at the unknown cause.


Khi cornered the tent to see as Raith bellowed a panicked and angry shout, shoving his sword into the earth.  A ripple of red sparks flew from him, scattering the attacking skeletons as thunder rolled across the clearing, a nearby tent flung from its stakes.

Then silence.

The sounds of the battle fading from their ears, the windless forrest returned to near deathly silence. Khi continued his sprint to Raith, the sound of his boots against the dirt the only sound.

“Raith!”
“Im good!” He leaned forward against the guard of his sword, the sword buried nearly a foot into the soft undergrowth.
“You were amazing!”

Khi picked Raith up in a tight hug, feeling the shaking of the small body in his arms, attempting to give what comfort he could.

“You are shaking, are you alright?”
“Yea, just… residuals from Thunderwave. Ahh. I hate that spell.”
“So you’ve said, that's why I was so worried though. You only use it as a last resort, do we need to rest?”
“I don’t know.” He kissed Khi softly, “Thank you for coming to my rescue!”
“It was my pleasure, even I didn’t do anything.”

Khi set Raith down, watching as he pulled his sword from the ground with a minor struggle. He frowned as he saw a welt of red across Raiths calf.  He rushed at him, swooping the mage into his arms again and quickly carrying him to the mansion door.

“You Are Injured!”
“I am?”
“YES!”
“Oh, thanks for noticing! I Wonder how long before it starts to hurt…”
“Till the adrenaline wears off, you have been through this before. Sit down, i'll heal it, best i can anyways.”

Khi sat Raith gently on the dining room table, pushing the torn pants up, he huffed as he inspected the wound. Checking for any left behind of bone or metal, his hand defty moving around the cut to avoid further damage.

“It's not terribly deep, cant see anything left in the cut either, let the tension out of the muscle and relax.” He set a hand on Raiths chest and the other over the wound. A light prayer to Eilistraee spilled from his lips, as his palms pulsed with faint light, the soft glow of moonlight played across Raith.

Khi lightly slapped Raiths leg, chuckling at the mages exaggerated whimpers. Arching his back as he stood, shoulders rolling with a low groan.

“Fuck…” he swore as he stood straight, “If we have any more hordes like that im gonna fall apart.” He grabbed his own wrists and began stretching his arms. “I was not prepared for a fight that soon. But hey… they didn’t raise the Crypt Guardians at least.”
“They cant,” Raith interjected, Khi looked at Raith, his face scrunched up in thought. “I saw some runes carved into the skulls. This isn't a side effect of the titan. These warriors were prepared for whatever is going on.”
“A army then?”
“Possibly, but there are not enough unregulated bones in the area for that. I hate it ask…” he looked over to Khi, the tables elevation setting them face-to-face. “Can you help me get a few of the bigger bones left? A few intact skulls, or even some ribs and femurs would work.”
“What are we looking for… wait up!”

They moved out back into the woods, carefully gathering a few whole bones. Tip toeing through the glade, blades drawn and at the ready.

“Khi, what have you got?”
“Two skulls, a whole rib cage and a pelvis, and you?”
“I got a hand, a skull and a spine.  There is something wrong with these bones.  Let's hurry back inside!”

The two men scampered into the magical mansion, the dorway fading into the tree line as the door closed behind them.


“See how brittle they are Khi?”
“Yup, don’t feel right either. Like… hmmm…”
“Like someone made the bones out of parchment, maybe?”
“YEAH! They break apart to easily, except the skulls. So those must be real, right?”
“Yeah, and see this little mark etched across the top, it's a binding circle, Necromancers use them to keep soul energies in a broken vessel. It's a highly frowned upon practic, and outlawed in most instances!” He sat back, crossing his legs. “They symbolize a unwillingly victim. You know how prolonged raising of the dead is only allowed if the deceased agreed to it, but this kind of hodgepodge of real bones means they are a scavenger.”
“So, rouge necromancer and… well a murderer for sure now?”
“Best bet yea. Hey, you have been really quiet since we got here, you okay Khi?”
“Raith, you know i get quiet when fighting, i'm still in that mindset… we don’t know what's in that mist.”

“I do.”

“Raith?”
“I know who's doing this i think. See this specific little triangle in the sigil? During my training Soren and I dealt with a rogue necromancer who used this exact rune.”
“Should we get Soren then, he needs to know after all.”
“No, he let this person go, not believing they could cause harm. An old friend of his.”

Khi saw the emotions play across Raiths face, watched as the man resigned himself to the task.

“I will stop them, i love Soren, he's a great friend. But he made a mistake, but it's not one he should have to fix.”
“I'm all for justice and saving people, But why shouldn’t he fix his own mistake?”
“He gave them a second chance, I don’t fault him for that. But…” he huffed, shoulders falling limp. “Its Soren’s childhood friend, they were super close, not unlike us Khisaha.  He shouldn’t have to be the one to kill them.”
“I see, I am here to help Raith, it's about helping the people of Nekropolis.”
“Exactly, nothing changed since we took this job.” He stood up, moving to the doorway, pushing open the faintly glowing doorway. “Should we rest one more time, before taking this shit down?”
“Yes my moon, come, i have one last gift before we face death itself.”

Raith shut the door, moving into Khi’s arms, letting the familiar scent of his oldest friend comfort him. He felt Khi squeeze him close, filing him and carrying him away.

“Lets get some rest my Moon, you need to get your energy back.”
“Somehow i don’t think sleep is what you have planned!”
“Nonono, we will sleep too!”
“Sounds relaxing, it's gonna be a rough day tomorrow, but tonight let's rest as best we can”



~~~~Dawn~~~~

Khi watched Raith walk to the misty wall, his hair freshly braided, holding his large crystalline staff before him. The small frame silhouetted by the swirling haze.

“Khi. Be ready, we don’t know what's waiting for us.”
“Right!” He spun his swords backwards and forwards in a flashy display. “You ready?”
“Yea… Yeah!” Khi moved closer to Raith, “I’m here to watch your back.”
“lets go!”


Khi watched as Raith stepped up to the wall, holding his staff in both hands. He pushed the spiked end into the barrier. A deep silver glow spreading out from the staff as a ghostly draconic form enveloped Raith.

A double set of wing sprouted from his back, the mark of the Scale-Born shone through his layered clothes, even as the spectral dragon took shape around him.

He screamed with effort, pushing the staff further into the barrier, the swirling mist pierced with silvery light as a giant spectral dragon’s claw ripped through. Khi watched in awe as Bahamut offered his assistance, his interest piqued by their actions.

Raith moved his hands, gripping the staff like a sword and began pushing upward, the jagged head of the staff rending it was up the barrier. He screamed, a primal roar of power as the staff shattered. The white crystal exploding out violently, the force spreading through the barrier to dispel it.

Khi rushed forward, concerned for Raith after the display. But as he stopped beside Raith he saw the mage was unharmed, the crystal staff now dust as the spectral draconic form blazed strong around him. But Raith was still visible, jaw dropped in shock at his own actions.

“Raith that was.. oh i wish we didn’t have a job to do My Moon!”
“Khi! Be serious!” Despite his words Khi saw his husband blush. “Lets move forward, the center of the barrier’s area is about an hour forward… you ready?”
“Yeah, lets go… no need to sneak I guess.”
“Hey, im not a subtle man, im very showy.”

Khi looked over at Raith, a shared nod as they set forward. Khi shifting his swords to a neutral position while Raith drew his sword, the red crystal in the guard flaring as its arcane flow connected to his own.




“Raith, hold.”  Khi held his left arm out blocking Raiths path, the blueish blade tight against the back of his arm. “We need to make a plan. We are close to where you said the center is, but what should we expect?”
“I don’t know… let me try something real quick.”
“On the watch!” He turned, bring both blades to bear while Raith cast his spell.

Raith pulled a small mirror from his pack, a small incantation as his eyes flared and became silver and reflecting the world around him. Kho looked back and down at him, gently brushing hair from Raiths face as he sat there in a trance.


Raith saw the Necromancer. The large Dragonborn moved through a glade in the forest, the shimmering golden scales glistening as they strode through a pond, waist deep, but a long set if claw marks raked their left side, eye gone black and dull, horn shattered.  Raith pulled a sharp breath at the sight, the Dragonborn stopped, looking at the invisible Scy Sensor.

“Who do we have now!” The scaled mouth hissed. “I see ya broke my barrier, i’m not impressed.” The eyes narrowed. “Keep coming closer then. I’ll be waiting.”

Raith shuddered at the voice as the figure raised his hand, clenching it into a fist and making the scrying end. Raith huffed, stuffing the mirror back in the bag.

“It’s them, they are just at a glade in the center of the woods. They don’t look right Khi… I’m scared.”
“Raith, we can contact Soren, he should be here.”
“No Khi, I don’t want him to have to see this.”
“So it's your burden to bear? Raith, this isn’t on you…”
“No, it is now. We took the mission, we have to stop Kyln.”
“Well. How do we stop them?”
“I don't know, they know we are coming, they even saw the scry sensor. There is no stealth now Khi.”
“Mmhmm…” Khi crouched beside Raith, blades resting on his shoulders. “I'm not exactly good at sneaking anyways.” He stood up. “Lets go, no point in waiting around.”
“Yeah… Yeah.”


They walked forward, trying their best to stick to the deeper shadows, Raith led the way, his sword loosely gripped in his left hand. Khi followed close, blades tucked up against his arms, ready for a surprise.

A silence broken only but their light foot falls, and slowed breaths. Khi watched the slow pulses across the guard hilt of Raiths sword. He smiled at the memory of when he gave it to Raith, made by his own father's hands for his son. He was brought back to attention as He saw Raiths hand tighten.

“What is it?” He whispered, leaned close to Raith.
“The Glade, Kyln was in the water. But i don’t see him.”
“Invisible?”
“Maybe. Let me go out first. I don’t know if he will even remember me. Here.” He kissed Khi he gently, placing his hand in Khi’s chest with a low flash as a pale blue spread across the man's armor.

Before Khi could react Raith rushed into the glade, metal boots splashing through the water till it lapped at his own waist. A held breath threatened to escape Khi’s lips as he watched, tasting fear in his throat. Then as Raith came to a halt Khi saw it, a dull flash of golden light as 10 darts light streaked towards Raith.

Khi found himself sprinting towards Raith, his throat tight, breathless. His eyes wide at the dawning realization that he was to far, a ting of red creeping across the outer periphery of his vision as he ran.

It was quick, almost faster than he could see. Raith swung his arm in front of him, like a beast clawing at prey. And just as the arcane darts reached him they shattered on a barrier of deep red.

“KYLN!” Khi stumbled to a halt, the oft soft voice now cold, and sharp. He had never heard this voice, he never wanted to hear it again.

“KYLN!” He repeated, circling his free hand around his sword, as a glow began to emanate from his palm. “You have broken Laws! And defiled the bodies of the sacred dead.”  Khi watched the ghostly form of Bahamut grow bright, the wings flaring open. “Know that whatever affliction mars your body, it pales before the sin wrought upon your soul.”  His arm shot into the air, a flash of blinding light as a orb of brilliant light now hung over the glade. “Die with honor and Face the Platinum Dragon!”

Khi regained himself and resumed his charge to Raiths side, his eyes darting around for signs of danger, every shift in the leaves unnerving. He backed up to Raith, swords gripped tightly.

“Did you see where they came from Khi?”
“No, it was too fast.”
“Fuck!”
“They’ll show themselves, patience.”

Khi grit his teeth, breathing paced as he focused. He felt the last hints of sunlight on his face as Raiths spell dimmed, fading away back to shadows.

Silence, the water around their feet lapping slowly at their legs.

Raith shivered. The spectral wings pulling tight to his back as he threw his hand out, a crackling bolt of fire shooting off into the treetops. He yelled, anger and frustration, heavy breathing as his cry echoed around them.

A faint pulse of light from Khis blades alerting him to danger. Lunging forward, blades arcing down in front of him as he crashed into a skeleton clambering out if the water. A blade thumped his ribs, undaunted by his previous attack, but the attacked was dismissed with a back-handed swing, the skeletal offender shattering into the shadows.

“Khi back up!”

He jumped out of the pond, landing and spinning in time to watch Raith plunge the blade into the soft mud. The red gems in the hilt pulsing with crackling lights. A piercing sound erupted from Raith’s blade.

Khi watched Raith collapse to his knees, the water lapping at his chest, as a storm of bones flew from the water around the small frame. Once more he rushed to his Husband, blades trailing through the water searching for straggling undead.

He dropped to his knees at Raiths side. Pushing his own swords into the mud beside Raiths. He grabbed Raiths head, the braided hair coming loose, as faint trails of blood came from the mages nose and ears.

“Raith, Raith get up.” He pulled Raiths face towards his own, breath held as he waited for a reaction. “Raith…” He felt Raiths breathing, slow, raspy to the ear, the faint draconic form seemed almost to flicker, a flare of blue streaking through the Silvery form.

“Soren was a failure of a teacher it appears.”

Khi looked around, the voice echoing.

“Look at the pitiful thing, barely alive, ruined by his own spell. Weak and useless, but there is purpose after death!”

He locked eyes with Kyln, the dragonborn stood over them, their one eye almost glowing.

“Look at him, small and pitiful. Look at you, equally pitiful and small to me.  What are are you? Mortals squirming around in the mud?”

He clenched his teeth tight, his vision tinting Red as the dragonborn spoke. Arrogant words, stoking the flame of rage inside his blood. Fist clenching tightly around his blades.

“Khi, its an illusion.”  Raiths voice was low, nearly inaudible. “They are still hiding somewhere.”

Khi looked at Raith, a breath of relief as he saw the bright eyes shining, half open. But his anger persisted, the rage at what this stranger did to his best friend and lover.

“Here,” He set his hand in Khi’s face gently, “look around, if Kyln is invisible you will see them  now. I’m fine, just, dazed by that spell.”

Khi looked around quickly, eyes wild with anger. Breathing heavily and quick as saw a horde of skeletons creeping closer, hidden to the plain view.

“Surrounded!”
“Fuck… More skeletons?”
Khi grunted his affirmation and stood, pulling his swords free, words forgotten as a blood rage took him. Raith pulled himself up by Khi’s tunic. Now standing tall together.

Raith drew his thumb through the wet blood under his nose. Drawing a quick sigil on his forehead and muttering.  He gasped as the invisible horde came to his vision.

He threw his arm forward, the spectral dragon form flaring bright as a large ball of flames roared forward, consuming a swath of undead.

They stood together, Raith quickly downing a potion, the thick syrup like liquid made him scowl, his teeth now barred to his foes.

He roared, the specter around him dissapaiting as he ran forward. Colliding with the wave of undead his sword cutting through them. A dull thud emanated from Raith as a shower of arcane sparks flew from around him.

Khi danced through the boney combatants. Every step a well trained motion as his blades spun around him. He felt the occasional thumping of blades as they bounded off his armor. Watching  through hazy red vision as an axe neared his face, a roar as he brought his blades to guard. The roar rolled into a grunt as the Axe pushed hard, Khi pushed back.

Khi dropped a blade low, swinging it back up and severing the combatants arms, the dry bones nothing to his blades. He spun, slamming into the disarmed skelton. The blades smashing through the onslaught.

Raith felt a blade pierce his lower leg, a pained cry as he fell. A few of the duller blades beat into his back, the breath knocked from his lungs. A sharp breath pulled in.

Khi was pushed to his knees as a loud piercing sound once more echoed through the glade. His swords fell to the ground as he held his head, he watched a faint trickle of blood from his nose splash on the grass. He desperately looked back at Raith, a shock of Rage and horror as he saw the jagged blade pushed through the leg and into the dirt, a sense of terror at his body laying motionless in the grass.

“RAITH!” He roared , clawing at his swords as he stood, charging through the skeletons that began filling the opening Raith had made. He continued to Roar, his focus on Raith as he cut through the undead.


He slid over to Raith, pulling him close. He held his hand to Raith’s throat. A faint pulse, slow, his breath labored and raspy. Khi pulled him close, terror filling his heart he heard the undead closing in, their numbers thinned significantly.

He cradled Raith, vision blurred by rage and tears, then a voice faintly heard across the glade pulled his eyes up. A dull glow of moonlight filtered through the canopy, shining on a tree shifting nearby. Khi’s eyes went wide as he saw it.

A tall tree like creature moved to the wall of trees, the black eyes staring back at him. He watched, stunned, as it raked a claw across a tree, the white bark scorching as it pulled a chunk of wood away.

“What this, the useless trees want to help you.” Kyln called, striding through the pond once more, a large metal staff trailing beside him. “Never liked them.” Kyln, shot a bolt of sickly gold energy at the Birch, the wooden creature collapsing back into the trees.

Khi pulled Raith closer, pulling the blade from the unconscious man’s legs and quickly begging Eilistraee for guidance and help. Pale light came from his palm over the cut, the blood on his hand dissipating as the wound sealed.

He stood, once more pulling his swords up with him, Raith nestled between his feet. Another roar as lashed out at the nearest skeleton, shattering the skull with a angry blow. He swung wildly and uncaring, the occasional twang as his blades rebounded off each other. A wild rage boiled through him, his mind blank but for the need to protect Raith.

In his rage Khi failed to feel as Raith sat up, a cut across his brow painting his face red. He leaned against Khi, his hair now loose as the braid fell apart. He scrabbled around for his sword, in the grass. A sharp breath, then a roaring explosion as Raith launched a large fireball. The explosive force knocked the remaining undead apart, bones scattering as they collapsed. The movement of Khi above him stopped and in the absence he stood, braced with his sword.

Kyln turned towards the pair, now standing in the ruins of his horde. His staff raised and pointed towards the men.

“Am I supposed to be impressed.” Kyln mocked, a swirl of black electricity bagan flowing from his eye, down and down through his body, till it crackled in the sharp bladed end of his staff. “So much Fire and Thunder from the little one, marred by your ineffably daft teacher it seam. One trick ponys.” He raised his staff, a bright orb of lightning gathering, his focus on his staff.

Raith held tightly to his sword, pulling the last of his arcane power, his free hand tracing a glyph slowly in the dirt and whispered.

“Søvnig!… Kyln!”

He felt his head pound as he cast his spell, and watched it take root in his foe.


Kyln looked down at the men who had intruded upon his plans, ready to end them, and make them his personal guards.  And his eyes went wide as he saw the blood soaked mage’s glyph flare bright with red light and fizzle away.

And then he felt it, un unstoppable weight upon him, his eyes growing heavy, arms limp… he fell into the grass, alive but asleep.

“Well,  didn't think that would work!”
“Mmhmm.”

Raith stumbled to him quickly, aiming his sword at the unconscious dragonborns neck. He looked up as Khi approached, blades in hand. He stepped on their head to hold them steady and waited for Khi’s signal.

Khi looked down at the necromancer who almost killed his husband, Unfiltered anger at the actions committed. He twirled his sword in his hands, coming to a stop with the tips beside Raiths. He looked at his friend, the soft and kind face now covered in blood and dirt.

They met eyes, a tired knowing agreement, and with a nod from Khi they pushed their blades deep, not even a sound as Kyln was executed.  He watched Raith move, a second stab into the heart, unwilling to risk the necromancers  potential to rise.


Raith put his sword away, stumbling over to pond, gently dunking his face in and rubbing the blood away. The cool water was refreshing, helping him to slide away from the rage inside.

“Khi, come cool off a bit.”
“Hmm.” He grunted an affirmation

Khi dropped beside Raith, dunking his head. Raith gently rubbed off the sweat and dirt.

“I feel better, and hungry. Hey, can we teleport back or do we have to walk for 3 days again?”
“Oh fuck that, we can teleport…. uhh i need to rest first though.”
“I like that, mansion?”
“No magic left unfortunately.” He laid down, hair floating in the water. “I can manage a Protective bubble, but that's about it.”

Khi laid down beside him, taking raiths hand in his own.

“Im just gonna take a nap here, see you in the morning.”
“Lazy bones.”


~~~Morning~~~

“Raith, we should get going.”
“I know, just give me a minute.” He wandered back from the tree line, a series of glass bottles filled with the viscous sap.

“I Have some ideas for this sap, and the Birch were willing to let me harvest some.” He waved behind him at one of the ents which responding with a creaking wave of leaves. “So, ready to go?”
“Yea, that is why i called you over.” He smiled, pulling Raith to him with an arm around his shoulders. “Just waiting on you.”
“Give me, literally, a minute.”
“40 seconds!”
“That's not how this works!”
“Oh, my apologies, 59 seconds.”
“Im gonna leave you behind to walk.”

He knelt down, a twig quickly etching the glyph for Nekropolis into the ground. As each segment was completed Raith chanted a word, the arcane language echoing through the air as sparks ignited over the areas.

“Okay, on three!” He held Khi’s hand, and pulled them onto the glyph.

The quick pull as they left the material plane, the gelatinous feeling as they were pulled through the ethereal bounds. And with a flash found themselves back at the main conservatory, the same group of students again startled by their sudden apparition.

“Hello students!”
“Khi…” he sighed, “ Any clue where Soren is?” Raith asked, looking at the scattering of students.

“Arch Mages office, sir!” A student said,locking eyes with Raith.

“Thanks, get back to work now.”

He strode away, pulling Khi gently by the arm.

“Why are you so strict to these students? It's not like you at all!”

“No, and i kinda hate it, but, it's how the teaching here goes. A group of students are to stay focused on a task, lest anyone’s concentration waiver.  Bigger spells require you to maintain your focus, even if you get stabbed or thrashed around.”

“I see.  Well, I don’t want to mess with their training. But, why have the teleportation sigil in the room where students practice?”

“To test their concentration.”
“Mmhmmm. I would hate that.”
“I know i did.”



They came to large set of doors, the wood inlaid with stone patterns and sigils. The archway framing them glowing faintly in the firelight as two guards held fast to the doors, barring their entry.

“We are here to see Elementalist Soren, and Arch-Mage Calder.”

“Beat it kid!” The guards failed to yield, blocking their path, as one took a step forward seeking to threaten Raith.
“Open the door, or be removed.”
“Raith your not threatening anyone.”
“Shhh, I know what i'm doing.”
“Beat it, or you’ll be fed to the dragons.”
“Okay.”

Raith spun his hands with a flash of arcane sparks, and a loud knocking rebounded as the doors opened behind the guards. He pushed forward, passing through the guard as it drew its sword, unaware of its secret being revealed.

“Come on Khi, I want our payment.”
“You knew it was an illusion?” He asked, a shiver up his back as he walked through the phantasmal guard. “That feels wrong, it's an illusion not ghost right?”
“Yes Khi,” He giggled at the tough mans hesitance, “willful subjugation of a souls is highly discouraged and illegal.”
“That's good, I fucking hate fighting spirits.”


They entered the chambers, a massive room covered in shelves, objects of unknown origin spread across them, books bigger than Khi’s chest and others as small as Raiths wrist where stacked haphazardly. And by a large desk sat Soren, the white scales of his face lit by a glowing orb. And across from him stood a orcish woman, long hair tied up in a bun, tusks covered in mythril.

“What the FUCK are you doing barging into my offices!” She turned and stood, a flare of amber across her palms as she prepared a spell. “Soren, is this your hired… Raith!” She turned to Soren, “You failed to mention you hired a former student.”

She turned back to them. Her hands flaring brighter. “So why in the HELLS have you barged in here, exactly? You should certainly know better!”

Raith looked blankly at the arch mage, walking forward undaunted by her words. Walking till he was in front of her. Staring up at the large orc, Khi hid a grin at his husband as he stood up to the intimidating lady.

Raith looked over at Soren as the dragonborn stood up, approaching the two.

“Raith, your clothes are a wreck, are you okay?” His face dropped with concern at the sight of the cuts across Raiths clothes.
“Iv had better days yea. But…” he looked up at the Arch-Mage, “WE solved your issue. I would like my reward and to go home and rest, because I almost died… a few times.”
“We should get you checked by the Ravens clerics!”
“I am fine, Soren. Thank you. Khi has seen to them, pretty sure Eilistraee literally intervened. But…” he sighed.

“But what Raith! What is so important you’d intrude?”
“The importance is that the danger to the town is gone, and, important only to Soren,” he looked at his old teacher, “It was Kyln.”  He kept his gaze on Soren, but Khi could feel the heavy sorrow in his words. “We did what we had to.”
“Thank You Raith… go rest at the Hallow Boughs, i'll send a message to have a room prepared for you two.  And i'll bring your payment shortly, sorry for the delay my friends.”


~~~night~~~

Khi and Soren watched Raith sleeping on the luxurious bed, his wounds healed by a cleric who had long since left.  Khi looked out the window, the moons absent from the night sky.

“Who was Kyln?”
“Family…”
“Im sorry, Soren. Raith had said you two where close, not unlike me and him. I…”

Soren gave Khi a pat on the shoulder as he stood, quiet and somber.
“I know, Khi, thank you. Thank you for… so much more than i could repay.” He moved towards the door, grabbing the large iron staff he carried. “ Mostly, Thank you taking care of him, He’s strong, but foolhardy. Good night, Khisaha”

Soren left quickly, a glint of light from the scales area his eyes. Khi looked at the payment, 32000 gold. He tossed it into their bag. Crawling into bed with Raith, he pulled him tight, feeling Raith move and hold him back, no longer concerned about the past or future, but wholeheartedly in the now.

~~~END~~~~