Chapter 2: Entering Ellot

 The city hid behind thick fog that had formed from the seabreeze blowing across the frozen farmlands. If it weren’t for the light from the torches, one might not find the gate.
The falling snow began to give way to a light rain and then to nothing more than a fine mist. The snow that covered the ground began to melt as Josephina traveled south. She could already hear the sounds of the city. It was more subdued than it was during the rest of the year. The winter had a way of slowing everything down.

 Traffic through the gate was nonexistent this time of year. The farmers had traveled through this gate three seasons of the year. The men would go into the city to buy, sell, trade, barter, and whatever other business transactions they could conceive. Scholars and teachers would travel through this gate and the Northern docks to and from Ellot, to share their knowledge and gain insight. Women were seen on occasion selling clothing, jewelry, flowers, or themselves. But it was now winter. Such travel had ceased.

 The seasons would soon begin to change. The ground will thaw and the now frozen streams will once again have flowing water from Mount Keon and the Northern Hills. The farmland to the North will once again be fertile, and the farmers will plant new crops. These new crops will be harvested and sold. Money will change hands, and Ellot will become a crossroad of trade. Soon this subdued land will become alive and vibrant.
Two towers guarded the gate on either side. Although unseen, Josephina knew that these towers held archers who would skillfully engage those who might be a threat. The large torches stood atop these towers and guided the way to the city. Two fully armed guards also stood their ground by the gate. The gate itself, however, was wide open. The gate seemed to invite all as the guards stood to protect the city against intruders. Josephina had often amused at the irony of this.

 The guard to the right was on edge as the heavily armed Josephina approached. The guard to the left, however, had recognized her. A nervous smile crossed his lips.

 “Good evening, gentlemen,” she said when she was in speaking distance. The brisk gusts of wind may have muffled some of her sound if she had been any further away, and she was not in the mood to raise her voice.

 “Good evening, Ms. Flynn,” answered the guard to the left. The other remained silent, a bit more relaxed but had not let down his guard. “And what brings you to this side of the world again, or dare I ask?”

 “What secrets have I to hide from you?” she responded. Many times it was difficult to judge by her tone if she was serious or making a joke. She certainly had many secrets, but her voice did not seem to let on to that fact. Anyone that knew her, knew of this. The guard to the right, however, was still clueless. “I’ve come to see Philip Angerstone,” she answered.

 “Ah, yes. He was brought in a few moments ago. He seemed to be in pretty bad shape. A dwarf was aiding him.”

 “He took Philip to the temple?” she questioned.

 “Indeed,” the guard answered and motioned for her free passage through the gate.

 The guard to the right just watched this interaction with interest.

 Josephina entered into Ellot and stepped upon the cobblestone. The snow and rain had mixed with the dirt and made an unsightly slush that covered many parts of the road. Beggars and drunkards were prevalent. The occasional nobleman walked by, usually with a female on his arm. The voices of the scholars could be heard as they taught their nonsense, and the town criers could be heard as they ranted. Sometimes it was difficult to differentiate between the two.

 Just inside the gate and to the west was the state building. A large fountain stood before it and served as a meeting place for scholars and lovers alike. Most of the year, it held a beautiful, well kept flower garden. This time of year, however, the cold hand of winter had chocked the life from these beautiful flowers and a hard frost kept them from returning. The entrance to the state building was surrounded by six massive pillars and a rounded marble staircase. On either side of the door stood a statue of marble and ivory. To the right was depicted Lady Abrinal, a figure of beauty and bravery. She held a small shield in her left hand and a spear in her right. The statue to the left was of Lord Ellot, the founder of city. He also held a shield in his left hand as his right hand rested on the hilt of a sheathed sword. Both statues stood ten feet high. Two city guards stood at the feet of these statues, each heavily armed and as still as the statues with which they stood.

 The building itself was a round structure with a dome roof, representing the alleged equality of humanity. This often amused Josephina. Only the most noble of noblemen and the most influential were allowed to even enter into the building. It was a place of honor, power, wealth, position, and mystery. Lady Abrinal and Lord Ellot would have mourned at this. They had fought for the freedom of all people, not for the power of the politicians. What happened behind those two large wooden doors was a secret that the government held dearly.

 The northern part of the city was ran primarily by trade. Even today, there were farmers selling the last of their harvest. These farmers were most likely from the area around Lake Hopewell and not from the northern farmlands. Their dialect as well as their ability to still harvest gave proof to this fact. Most of the shops were closed for the season, however, the stables and the feed stores were still as busy as normal. The animals and livestock still needed to be attended to. Josephina could smell the aroma of the food and treats that the vendors sold.

 To the south lived the other half of the city. Taverns sold drinks by the keg. Beggars collected more coin than the merchants. Even Julie’s Place was never lacking in male, and occasionally female, patrons. This side of town did not have the pleasant sent of baked goods, but the foul odor of alcohol and urine. Rats scampered from shadow to shadow. Even the sky seemed a bit darker, but perhaps that was just Josephina’s imagination.

 This side of the city was not without its high points, however. Other races felt more comfortable here, outside of the judgmental eye of high class humans. This made for some good trade, as far as Josephina was concerned. The elves would come from the west and sell all forms of ranged weapons as well as certain potions. The druids would come from the south and also sell their knowledge of potions and scrolls. Even the dwarves from the north would come down and set up blacksmith shops. The Ellot militia would roam this area frequently to make sure all of these races coexisted well together. Josephina was well known to all of these races. Some feared her. Some respected her. She used both of these feelings to her advantage to get some great bargains.

 The name Josephina Flynn was wide spread. Still, there was mystery behind it. Some believed her to be a supernatural being. Some thought she was a mere myth. She became legendary, but no one really knew who she was. Sometimes she even questioned who she was. Was she nothing more than a name? If she was indeed a legend, which legend was she? She had heard the stories. Stories that she was a malicious, spiteful witch who could call upon Death himself to strike down anyone that looked at her crossly. Stories that made her to be an angel, protecting the rights of the poor and defending the helpless. Stories that she was as quiet and mysterious as the wind, blowing which ever way it chose without regard to herself or anyone else. The name was well known, but few spoke of it. It was as if speaking the name of the Devil or invoking the powers of the Fates.

 The temple stood against the western wall of the city. To what deity this building was erected, Josephina did not know, nor did she care. To Josephine religion was for the weak and faith was for the illogical. Belief was for simple minded, hope was for the naive. Beggars sat on the steps of the temple. They had learned that it was a good location to prey upon the benevolence of others. Josephina paid them no heed as she made her way inside.

 The double doors opened into a long corridor. The walls climbed high and arched to make the ceiling above. Chanting of some ancient song echoed into the hall, funneled in from the temple beyond. A distant chime seemed to give the place a magical aura. It was some old, supernatural, divine magic of which Josephina wanted no part. Yet, Philip believed strongly in it. The thought that this place was a house of worship unnerved her a bit, but the beauty of the architecture helped her to over come that feeling.

 Beyond the corridor was a massive room. It was very open and stained glass windows allowed the colored light to infiltrate the room. The grey stone walls were now bathed in color. A fountain flowed in one end and an alter stood in the other. The room was round and therefore had no corners. There were little to no shadows. There was no place for the evil to hide. Josephina couldn’t help but think that there was no place for her to hide either.

 Priest, clerics, and a few paladins crossed through this room and to other areas of the temple. Oddly, it was difficult to determine which class these individuals belonged to. A few laypersons were also visiting the temple, offering their prayers to some unseen god. Josephina immediately spotted Philip and Kilgean. A cleric was with them, but having some difficulty in healing Philip. Josephina went to them.

 “Josephina, I’m so glad to see that you were not harmed,” Philip began. Kilgean quietly observed the room as if standing guard against some unseen threat. The cleric prepared another spell.

 “Did you expect anything less?” she answered as she approached them.

 Philip was an aging man with white hair and a slightly disfigured face. His eyes shown with kindness, however. He had seen his share of battle and had the scars to show for it, physically and emotionally. Now, he was weak. He was weak from his age. He was weak from the recent attack. He was weak from his life. He was about to become even weaker.

 “I do not doubt your abilities, my dear,” he said, “Still, the attack happened so suddenly.”

 “As you see, I am fine,” she said, interrupting anything else he might have had to say. “Now, what of our mission?” Josephina did not like to waste time with pleasantries.

 “I’ve always admired the way that you keep your head in the game, but I must know of Isabelle and my son. How are they?”

 “Alex is safe. The servants are tending to him. Isabelle’s fate was not as pleasant,” she answered with no evident emotion. She delivered the truth with cold honesty. “Your wife was murdered.”

 Philip said not a word for a moment, only looked at Josephina with disbelief. The tears soon began to fill his eyes and he feel to his knees. The cleric glared at Josephina for her lack of tact. Josephina noticed it but simply shook this off.

 “What of our mission?” she asked again just before Philip began to weep over the death of his love. Josephina became annoyed that her question was not answered. Kilgean pulled her aside.

 “The human heart is frail, Ms. Flynn. Have you forgotten this?”

 “Philip should be stronger than this,” she said, looking at the broken man with disappointment.

 “Lilly has been our informant,” Kilgean began. He spoke in the human tongue without fault. Only a slight dwarven accent could be detected. He had been in the fellowship of humans for quite some time now. He even acted like a human in many ways. “I know that this land is your home and you know it well, but she will be able to inform you on the current events and recent rumors.”

 “Where can I find her?”

 “She hides in the shadows. Perhaps South Towne. Her location is unknown to us, but she makes her company with the lower class and the outcast. She finds information easier to obtain from them.”

 “Indeed it is,” she replied with a slight grin crossing her lips, which may have been interpreted as mischievous. “Anything else you might know?”

 “The werewolves that attacked us were most likely from the Northern Hills. I’m sure that doesn’t surprise you. There is also some rumor of necromancy and dark magic in the depths of the King’s Forest.”

 Josephina nodded. “Thank you for your help, Kilgean. I shall find Lilly. I'll let you take care of this mess,” she said, indicating the weeping Philip on the floor of the temple.

 As she turned to leave, Kilgean added, “If you need to purchase any goods..”

 “I know where to go.”

 Kilgean smiled as Josephina exited.

Chapter 1: Homecoming
Josephina Flynn(Table of Contents)