The Road Less Traveled

By Technician Brynhild, VRDET R&D

The walk back to camp from the watchtower didn't take too long. Still, it probably would have been easier to merely use magical transportation, but there was an army on our tails if Red was to be believed. *No purpose in drawing attention to myself!* Finally, I made it back to camp, to find Maruchan and the rest of the group there... but no Red.

I was bewildered. *No wonder he never came back for me...* "Does anyone know where Red is??" I asked, thoroughly confused. Maruchan shrugged.

"I figured he'd come back with you. What can I say?"

"Great... so Red is out there, alone, possibly with a hostile army around? This is *not* a good situation." Of course, at this point, this merely showed my keen grasp of the obvious, but I was growing frazzled.

Calculus had overheard our conversation and decided to join in. "I think you're right," he noted. "It's dangerous to him to leave him out there. We should organize a search party. Brynhild, Maruchan, you were out there with him on the watchtower scouting... you two go. While you're at it, take Theseus with you, just in case." I really didn't have any idea who Theseus was, but I figured this mission might be a good time to find out. Together, the three of us left in the general direction Red indicated the army coming from.

As we went, we began to notice signs of a hostile force. The grass had been trampled, indicating a large group of marchers - *spongin most likely*, I thought. Sounds of patrols grew louder and louder slowly...

We could finally see the army on the horizon. Indeed, they looked to be a giant patrol of spongin, led by a Wyrm Minion or two. *They're really pulling out the heavy artillery! Hopefully they don't know where we are...*

The three of us crouched down in the grass, breathing shallowly and watching the army in awe. Finally, Theseus said, "Either of you have any idea what to do about these people? Not to mention where Red is?"

"Red's around here, I'm sure of it," I replied. "His magic aura is stronger here, so strong he must be in the area. If we get some time to search, I'll be able to give you an exact location... and I have an idea on how to distract the armies..."

"Anyway," I continued, "I don't know if Red has tried this, but I figured we can rig up an illusionary distraction. Nothing small, though - a full Jihaddi army, to confuse them completely. If we have it coming in the right direction, it won't draw attention to us... or to the real camp! It'll probably give us time to rescue Red as well..."

The other two nodded. "Do it," said Theseus. Concentrating on the image of the soldiers I wanted and the direction, I cast a spell...

*Thank God, it's working!* Row after row of illusionary Jihaddi soldiers began to march into view, from the exact opposite direction of the camp (and far away from us). The spongin took notice, and began marching towards the illusions. *Come on... more soldiers...* Suddenly, I was struck by genius. *Normally, they'll figure out the illusion when the soldiers don't fall. But what if they do? I can probably rig that up...* I began concentrating more and more as we crept towards Red's aura.

Finally, my brainchild was tested. A sponge took a tentative shot at one of the illusionary soldiers. The illusion fell back, stunned... and crumpled, "dead". The sponge and its comrades never suspected a thing, even when the bodies kept disappearing. They gave enthusiastic battle to the many illusions... and we grew closer and closer to Red.

The spongin army, giving chase to my phantasms, had marched far away from any real Jihaddi when we found Red. He was lying in the brush, tired and prostrate. Theseus commented, "Is he conscious?" To answer his own question, he kicked Red. He didn't stir.

Red opened his eyes, barely. "Well, he didn't cry out. It must be him," I said. That was enough to finally get a reaction.

"Bryn?"

"Yeah, it's me. Get up; they're looking for you at the camp, and we don't have time for any games."

"I... can't... too tired... give me two minutes?"

"All right. But only two."

I considered watching my watch, but decided against it. It's a simple analog, and he could probably keep time better in his head. Within two minutes, he was back on his feet.

"OK, I'm ready. Let's go."

As we began our walk back, a conversation started. "So, how'd you guys know where I was?"

"Your magical aura is surprisingly easy to track," I answered. "Also, your Cloak[tm] is a dead giveaway for magic- users.

"All right... why'd you kick me?"

I chuckled. "It was the best way. Certainly it got your attention. If it had been a sponge, it'd be dead now; as for you, you deserved it!"

"For what?"

"For deserting me at the watchtower!"

"Well, when you put it that way..."

When we got back to camp, Calculus was waiting for us. "Red Paladin, may I have a word with you?" Red gulped and followed Calculus. *Man, is he in trouble? Wouldn't blame Calc...*

Eventually, Red returned. "Got chewed out?" He nodded.

"Pretty badly. Oh, well. He says we're on scout duty again."

The sea group had begun taking up its temporary camp. We were moving again, it turned out. After a bit of hiking, we reached a fork in the road.

Calculus began speaking. "All right, here's how this is going to work. We need both of these routes explored. Red and Bryn, you two take that fork; the rest of the group take the other. We'll meet again when the roads do. Good luck."

Red and I set off upon our fork. In time, we could see ruins looming before us... obviously those of a great city time had not been kind to. *What a civilization they had! And what a civilization they may have again... when the Wyrm is gone.* And with that thought, I entered the great ruins.