The Brewer's Ascent - Chapter 4

Cassia and Clay walked into the hunter’s guild hall, there task complete.

At the receptionist’s desk Mindy sat with her eyes on the door.

“Clay!” She called out when she saw the man enter. “How was your hunt?”

The golem walked up to the desk, his bag of elemental cores over his shoulder.

Setting the bag on the floor, Clay smiled at Mindy. “Good, we have the proof of our hunt.”

Cassia peeked around the golem’s shoulder to look at the human woman. “Hello, Mindy.”

Mindy noticed the drow man’s approach with a nod of her head and stood up from her seat.

Coming around the desk she bent over to look through the bag. As she counted the two men stood patiently waiting.

“Okay, all the cores are accounted for. If you’ll wait in the dining hall, I’ll bring you your reward momentarily.”

Turning into the hall, Cassia noticed the eyes of many of the patrons following them. People were always interested to find out about a recent hunt. Cassia searched the mass of people for the drow known as Gregory, hoping that the man would not be present. He was relieved not to see the man in the crowd.

One person stood out in the crowd. It was the blond Celeste.

The pair of hunters maneuvered their way through the tables until they stood before the woman.

“May we join you?” Clay asked.

“Of course. I was hoping to find you here.” Celeste said. “I’ve settled my business in Jaskar. Assuming you’re still willing to join me in my journey, I’m ready to leave when you are.”

“Good. We’ve finished our hunt. I’ll be ready when we get paid.” Clay said.

Cassia’s heart caught in his chest.

“You’re leaving just like that?” The drow man asked hesitantly.

Clay stood silently for a moment before taking a seat at Celeste’s table. “Yes, our goals align. I need to return to Purgamous. There’s someone I must find.”

Cassia was torn. He valued his friendship with the golem. The surprise of the revelation as to the man’s nature did nothing to diminish his wish to remain bonded to the stony man. And, it was more than a desire to continue with a powerful ally. Clay had been a good friend in the short time the two men been together.

The drow man took a deep breath. He thought about his home, Jaskar. He’d lived his entire life in the darkness of Orgas. Despite this world being the domain of the drow, the elves had never been meant to live in such darkness. And, now, Cassia was in the company of two individuals who would rebel against the natural order of the world and ascend to a higher plain through the firmament. It was ludicrous.

A part of him had always fantasized about leaving behind the darkness and finding himself under the mythical sun and moon that his ancestors had so long ago lost connection with.

Could he truly find himself under an open and brilliant sky. Not huddled in the shelter of purple lightstone and torches.

Were he to join these two, essential strangers, on their quest, he’d be leaving behind the only home he’d ever known. He thought about what he’d lose were he to join their crazy dream.

In truth, he didn’t appreciate his standing in drow elf society. His family held no warmth in their hearts for the man, and he had few friends.

Could he gain a fresh start in a world of light?

He exhaled deeply through pursed lips.

Making up his mind, Cassia pulled out a chair at the table and sat beside his partner.

“Well... if you’re intending to go on this insane journey, you’ll be taking me along with you.”

Clay seemed generally surprised by the man’s bold words. “Really? Are you sure? You must have family here. Can you really leave them all behind?”

Cassia bit at his lower lip. “Yes. It’ll be fine. There’s no one that you need be concerned about.”

Clay looked unconvinced, but made no further effort to dissuade his friend from joining them on their quest.

“Okay. Sounds good to me. Celeste?”

The blond woman looked out from under her cowled hood at the drow man seated next to Clay. “If you want to join us, then you’re welcome. But, you should be aware of the dangers. Few people have ventured higher through the ascent. You may never return to Orgas after leaving. You may even die.”

Cassia found the threat to his life to be sufficient to cause concern. But, he’d made up his mind. He would join them.

“I understand, but this is what I wish to do.”

“Okay.” Celeste said, satisfied by his answer.

At that moment, Mindy came up to the seated trio.

“Clay, I have your reward for the elementals you hunted.” They waited patiently as the receptionist counted out the reward money.

Satisfied, the young woman winked at Clay as she walked back to her desk.

Splitting the money between the two men settled the account.

“Don’t know about you, but if I’m about to journey on a perilous quest to reach a higher plain of existence, I feel a drink is in order.” Cassia said to his old and new partner.

“Yes, that sounds good.” Clay said.

“You two go ahead. But, I’m fine.” Celeste declined the opportunity to drink.

Ordering a round of drinks from the waitress they set about planning their next steps.

“You mentioned Kad previously.” Clay said to Celeste.

“Yes, the portal master Daniel Rial operates out of Kad. When you’re done with your drinks we can leave for the city of lights.”

Cassia had heard legends of Kad, the city of lights. The city was the primary exporter of lightstone in Orgas. He could only imagine the volume of the incandescent purple stone used to illuminate the city.

The waitress came up to their table with two mugs of ale and set them down before the men.

“Thank you.” Cassia said as he picked up one of the ales.

The woman smiled at the man as she turned to returned to her business.

Clay followed suit and lifted his mug to his lips to take a drink.

“Before you go.” Cassia said to the departing waitress. “Would it be possible for you to gather some supplies for a journey we will be departing on? Four days worth of food and water.”

“Yes, we can do that for you.” The woman said.

“Appreciate it. Thanks.”

Cassia took up his ale as the woman left to take care of their business.

Celeste looked to the drow elf man. “I’ve already gathered my own supplies.”

“Good.” Cassia said.

As Cassia drank his ale he thought once more about leaving behind Jaskar. In truth he’d never ventured far into the wilds and had never in his life seen any of the other cities of Orgas. He was excited to see the legendary city of Kad. But, trepidation struck his heart. He’d be leaving his home, and wouldn’t be telling anyone.

It’s not as though there was anyone to tell. His family had no interest in his business and those that he considered friends were little more than acquaintances. No one would miss his departure.

It struck him that he could very possibly die on this journey. He was venturing beyond his familiar boundaries. Planning an insane trip to worlds beyond. He had to admit to himself that he was exciting by the potential. But, it would be a dangerous expedition.

“Celeste.” Cassia addressed the blond woman. “Tell me more about yourself. If we’ll be traveling to other worlds together, we should get to know one another.”

The cowled woman took a moment before speaking up. “I’m from the eldar race of elves. The world I come from is filled with forests and light.”

The eldar? Cassia recognized the name. They were mythical elves from before the Calamity. Cassia had heard fables growing up about the drow’s fair skinned cousins, the high elves.

“You’re an eldar?” Cassia was amazed to meet such a creature.

“Yes. I came to Orgas by accident. I was experimenting with portal magic. My spell backfired and I was sent cascading down to this world. I need to return to my home.”

Cassia found it ironic that here he was leaving his home on the same quest that she had to return home. But, the notion of seeing the legendary home of the high elves with his own eyes struck the drow man.

The last of Cassia’s ale was soon consumed and he looked to Clay who was finishing the last of his drink as well.

As they set down their mugs the waitress came out with three satchels of provisions.

Despite Celeste having her own supplies, it would be good to have an extra bag of food and water.

Cassia paid the woman for the supplies and their drinks.

Standing up, Cassia said, “Well, then. Are we ready?”

Celeste got up from her chair. “Yes.” As she stood up, she picked up a bag that the drow man hadn’t seen from under the table.

Clay joined them in standing and picked up two of the supply bags.

Cassia hefted the last of their bags over his shoulder and the three of them began for the door.

Mindy sat at the reception desk and noticed their approach. Confusion crossed her face as she saw them burdened with supplies.

“Clay, are you going somewhere?” She asked.

“Yes. I’m leaving Jaskar.” He said. “Take care of yourself, Mindy.”

A frown tore at the woman’s face at his words. “I’ll miss you.” She said. “Good luck in your travels.”

“Thank you.”

The woman bowed her head to his two companions as the three of them exited the guild hall.

Out in the darkness of Jaskar’s streets, it struck Cassia that they would be spending days traveling under the open sky of Orgas as they journeyed to Kad.

The drow man hurried to extract his lightstone wand from the folds of his clothing. As he did, he noticed the soft purple light emanating from a similar wand held by Celeste.

“Great minds think alike.” He said as he finished pulling his wand out.

“Yes.” Celeste said.

As they walked through the streets of Jaskar, Cassia thought that this might be the last time he’d see the familiar sights of his home. He’d spent his entire life in these streets. It was a strange thing thinking he might never see them again.

Clay seemed more at ease in the darkness than the two elfs that accompanied him. Cassia wondered if it was because the golem was relatively invulnerable to the threats that might be hiding in the darkness.

“Clay, tell me more about your home world.” Cassia said to the stony man.

Clay continued to walk in silence for a few moments, and Cassia began to wonder if he had asked something intrusive.

“I don’t know much about the world I came from. I remember awakening in a field under a violent sky. The clouds were in turmoil and lightning coarse through them.”

Cassia was surprised to hear that the sky of Purgamous was so inhospitable. He’d hoped to see the sun when he left Orgas.

Clay continued to reminisce about his time in the world above. “There was grass that grew tall in the field. And, creatures were hiding in the brush. As I left the field I came to a forest with giant trees that rose high into the air.”

Cassia had heard of trees in fables, but had never seen one before. He wondered what it would be like.

The golem grew silent as they continued to walk through Jaskar until, finally, they came to the South gate.

The trio walked out from under the gate’s high walls. Cassia felt unnerved to leave the shelter of the city. It would be several days before they found themselves back to civilization in Kad.

They walked in silence as the shadows engulfed them.