Adventure of Kahrdoom 1

A deep metallic pulse rolls beneath the lead wagon's canvas. Kahrdoom's magical trinkets flash together, casting sharp glints across the halted convoy and wet stones.

The driver recoils against the bench as the horses rear and strain at their traces. Hidden guards emerge between the wagons, hands moving toward sword hilts.

From among the stopped wagons comes Jaraxle, a broad-shouldered middle-aged dark elf man, with an angular obsidian face framed by close-cropped white hair in layered black leathers and a russet cloak, silver rings lining one scarred ear.

A small Braegan Daerth escort follows Jaraxle into the road, four dark elves, two women and two men with lean builds, dark skin, and black hair with curved blades and travel-stained cloaks. Their formation closes around the wagon without drawing steel.

Jaraxle scarcely acknowledges Starlight on the ridge. His pale eyes remain fixed on the iron-bound chest as another pulse trembles through the canvas and answers the charms on Kahrdoom's body.

Kahrdoom raises the bracer bearing its matching trinket. The obsidian gem in Starlight's hand answers with a muted glow, and the convoy's metallic pulse falls silent between heartbeats.

A thread of cool pressure crosses the road, invisible among rain and torch smoke. It joins the two artifacts without touching flesh, forming a private channel through the halted convoy.

Starlight's fingers close around the obsidian gem. Her bow remains lowered, but her shoulders straighten as the connection settles, clear and immediate.

The telepathic line holds steady between Kahrdoom and Starlight, carrying breathless awareness beneath the guards' watchful silence while the iron-bound chest waits under canvas.

Kahrdoom moves to fire, but no bow answers her reach. Starlight's bow remains on the ridge in the moon elf's hands, beyond Kahrdoom's grasp.

The hesitation is brief, yet the convoy sees it. Jaraxle's escort closes ranks as Kahrdoom advances toward the canvas-covered chest.

Kahrdoom reaches the wagon's side, but two escort members plant themselves between her and the iron-bound chest. Their curved blades remain sheathed, though their hands grip the hilts.

Beneath the canvas, the chest gives another muted pulse. Its locks glow with the same cold resonance as the obsidian gem, sealing the artifact away while the guards hold Kahrdoom at the wagon.

Kahrdoom laughs loudly through the mind-path and sends Starlight a sharp command: loose a volley of arrows.

The laughter rings across the halted wagons, startling horses and guards alike. Through the shared channel, Kahrdoom's demand reaches Starlight with unmistakable force.

Starlight raises her bow on the ridge. Her hands move with practiced grace, and a swift volley descends, striking weapon belts, cloak pins, and wagon rails around the escort.

Curved blades remain sheathed, but the guards stagger apart as arrows pin loose straps and knock hilts from grasping hands. The passage before the chest clears.

The telepathic channel flares painfully bright. Kahrdoom's matching bracer trinket cracks, its inner glow dying as the cost of carrying Starlight's volley through the bond.

Kahrdoom surges through the cleared passage as arrows keep the escort scattered. Her fingers seize the iron-bound chest, and its cold locks flare beneath her touch.

The cracked bracer trinket answers with its last spark. One lock springs, then the others release in a chain of metallic clicks, revealing a black crystal relic nested in silver cloth.

Kahrdoom lifts the crystal free before Jaraxle's guards can regroup. Its surface drinks the torchlight, and a map of hidden roads briefly shines across her greyish tattoos.

The crystal settles against Kahrdoom's palm, warm despite the rain. Through the fading mind-path, Starlight receives a clear glimpse of the route's first landmark: a drowned bell tower east of the standing stones.

Escape Jaraxle's clan guards