The Pearl Of Vynes - Chapter 13 Hydra At Por

Alice was packing up the last of the bedrolls and packing into the cart, when she saw a number of carts trolling along the road, going back the way the two of them had come.

“What’s the news from Rift?” shouted Miles to the other drivers, keeping pace as the carts started to slow down to a walk so the driver could converse.

“Bad news” the driver said shaking his head “A hydra has been attacking the port for the past week, no one’s been able to fish for days”

for visiting.

“Damn, are the guards going to kill it soon?” Miles asked still walking.

“It’s gonna be a tough one for sure, they might have to call the Guild to kill the creature” the driver said with a hint of frustration. Alice could see the man didn’t have much stock in the cart, a bad sign for a travelling merchant.

“That’s going to be a huge mess” said Miles throwing a small pouch the driver’s way. Catching it the driver gave thumbs up and continued on his way.

“Miles, what’s a hydra?” asked Alice as Miles returned to the cart to finish up the last of the packing up and strapping down the last of their bags.

“It’s a big four legged serpent. Hydras love swimming in shallow lakes and rivers and have a taste for fish. But they have a nasty of habit of growing more heads every time you cut one off, they’re very deadly and often have a raging temper. Bad bite as well” Miles said with a half-smile

“But how did it attack the port?” Alice said confused

“Probably a fisher pissed it off and chased him to port. They have a good memory when they’re angry.” Miles replied.

Alice looked out on the horizon, trying to spy the beginnings of Rift in the distance.

“It won’t be too bad; we’ll be in and out. Hopefully if our client is still there” Miles said, slowly starting to worry about his delivery and money.

“Do attacks like these happen often?” Alice asked with the both of them hopping onto the cart.

“Often enough it doesn’t bother us anymore. It’d be a different story if the Guild and guards couldn’t keep the peace, there would be no end to the panic. I wouldn’t worry about it so much.” Miles said reassuringly.

Alice reflected on it quietly, patrols were never around in her village, if anything happened they were always on their own and had to take the risk. As Alice continued to mull over her thoughts, Miles softly cracked the reins to get the cart rolling. Alice had a foreboding sense of dread and yet, she was still excited to see what a Hydra truly looked like. Keeping an eye out on the horizon, to see the start of a town, Rift might just be in sight very soon. While they were slowly rolling down the road at a slow pace, the thunder of hooves caught Alice’s attention. Turning around she could a dust cloud rising up behind them. As the sound’s got closer she could make out a number of riders hurtling towards them at racing pace. Passing by Alice could see for a brief moment, riders clad in shining armour and bristling in weapons. Alice noticed a spear was held up high with a flag flapping vigorously in the wind. Miles noticed Alice staring after the horsemen that had passed them by

“Those are the guards, some of the strongest in the kingdom. Some of them used to be Braves as well but retired the life style. I’m surprised they reacted so quickly” Miles told her.

Alice looked on as the warriors disappeared over the horizon the sun was just starting to hit its zenith. Rift was close, Alice could feel it.

The town definitely didn’t seem like it was going through a monster attack, a lot of the populace was still out and doing regularly business as the sound of the crashing sea intermittently broke the steady noise of conversation. Alice could barely tell that the Hydra had been through as well. And Alice wanted to see the monster.

“Our client is a merchant, he’s somewhere within the town and considering he’s often a coward we’re gonna have to see if he’s still there”

“Have a lot of people left then?” asked Alice.

“Hard to say, I would’ve thought most of people would have left. Guess it’s been under control for a while now” Miles replied, giving the odd flick of the reins to keep the horse walking.

As they reached the walls of Rift the dark grey walls towered above them. The walls seemed worn away from the salt and wind that always battered its ramparts, wearing away it more subtly than a siege ever could. It certainly gave brooding feeling on approach but it certainly didn’t seem to impact the people going about their day. A number of armoured guards were at the gate halting the occasional person to ensure they were going about as a proper citizen. Miles waved as the guards halted the cart in front of the gate.

“Ave, fellows. Just the normal delivery” Miles said as the guards already approached the cart. The guards inspected the cargo and stuff underneath the tarp for anything suspect. Alice watched, looking her shoulder as they went through a number of their bags.

“Looks all good, carry on” one of the guards said, parting the way so Miles could pass through, giving a wave in thanks.

Miles trotted the cart into the city; the clopping of cobblestones gave a sharp difference to Alice’s ear as they entered Rift.

“He should be somewhere in the merchant district, it is pretty quiet though. There’re less people out than usual” Miles remarked.

Alice and Miles sat silently as they rolled the cart through the buildings that were surrounding them. Some people wandered the street but the initial sounds outside of the town were silenced. Only a hush of whispers and the sea filled the quiet. Miles drew the reins and brought the cart to a stop outside a small shop. Hopping off the cart he walked around the cart and moved through the cargo, pushing and pulling crates out of the way to look for the single delivery. Grabbing a small box he took it out of the cart, carrying it under his arm and walked up to Alice’s side while she was still seated in the cart.

“Stay with the cart, if anything happens make sure to get yourself out. The horse will take care of you” Miles said to Alice.

“Don’t you mean I’m supposed to drive the cart away” Alice asked in confusion. Miles just gave a wink and a grin as walked into the shop. The door closing behind him and Alice waited patiently, keeping an eye out for anything ready to eat her up. After a few minutes, Miles walked back out grumbling under his breath. The box still in hand he placed it back in the cart and hopped in the driver’s seat next to Alice.

“Did he run away?” Alice asked

“No, much worse. He’s been taken by the Hydra” Miles said, with a stern look on his face.