Arcane Isles: Borkum the Battler
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Arcane Isles: Borkum the Battler
Episode Five – Easy Come; Easy Goes.
Borkum and Hawk Tuah are ambushed by Hawk Tuah's past. But, out of the ambush a plan and a partnership are forged.
The Arcane Isles
Dive into the enchanting world of Eric J. Wynn with the "Arcane Isles: Borkum the Battler" podcast, a Dungeons & Dragons inspired audio adventure available at ArcaneIsles.com. Join us on a first-person journey through a richly imagined realm where magic and mystery meet. Each episode, narrated by characters from the Arcane Isles, brings to life thrilling tales of valor, sorcery, and intrigue. Whether you're a seasoned D&D enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of fantasy role-playing, Borkum the Battler offers an immersive experience into a fantastical narrative. Tune in and become part of the adventure that unfolds within the Arcane Isles, where every corner holds a new challenge, and the fate of the world rests in the hands of heroes like never before.
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Chapter 5 – Easy Come; Easy Goes.
Emerging from the ruins, Hawk Tuah and I were both exhausted and exhilarated. We had defeated a spectral guardian, uncovered ancient treasures, and navigated through labyrinthine corridors filled with traps. The jungle’s dense foliage and the ruins' ancient stone had begun to feel like a second home, and as we stepped out into the golden light of the setting sun, I felt a rush of triumph.
But that feeling was short-lived.
As we broke through the last of the underbrush, we were greeted by an unexpected and unwelcome sight: a group of bandits on horseback, rough and ready, arrows drawn and pointed at us, waiting for us. My heart sank when I saw Skyclaw, Hawk Tuah’s loyal hawk, caged and screeching in distress.
“Hawk Tuah,” I whispered, my voice tense. “We’ve got company.”
Hawk Tuah’s face hardened, her eyes locking onto the bandits. “Stay calm, Borkum,” she replied. “Let’s see what they want.”
As we stepped closer, the bandits parted, revealing their leader. Tall and imposing, with a confident swagger, he stepped forward. Hawk Tuah’s breath hitched beside me. “Tarek?” she said, her voice a mix of surprise and bitterness.
“Hello, Hawk Tuah,” Tarek replied, a grim smile spreading across his face. “It’s been a long time.”
I glanced at Hawk Tuah, confused but ready for a fight. “You know him?”
“We have a history,” she said tersely, never taking her eyes off Tarek.
Tarek nodded, his eyes cold and calculating. “Indeed, we do. And out of respect for that history, I’ll make this simple. Hand over your precious treasure, and I’ll let you walk away. You and Skyclaw will be free to go.”
“Just like that?” I asked, incredulous. “You’ll just let us go? I stressed the word us?”
Tarek’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Just like that. I have no desire to harm the Hawk. But the treasure that was once yours, is now ours.”
I felt Hawk Tuah’s tension beside me, her grip tightening on her staff. “Tarek, please,” she said, her voice softer now. “Let Skyclaw go first. He’s done nothing.”
Tarek glanced at the caged hawk, then back at Hawk Tuah. “Skyclaw stays until I have the treasure. Then he’s free to go.”
Hawk Tuah sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. We were badly outnumbered, and the odds were against us. “Fine. You can have the treasure. But know this, Tarek—this doesn’t end here.”
We slowly set our packs down, the weight of our hard-earned loot thudding against the ground. Tarek’s men moved in to collect it, their eyes never leaving us. The tension in the air was palpable, every muscle in my body screaming to react, but I held back, trusting Hawk Tuah’s judgment.
One of Tarek’s men opened Skyclaw’s cage, and the hawk flew straight to Hawk Tuah, perching protectively on her shoulder. She reached up to stroke his feathers, a small smile of relief crossing her face.
Tarek leaned back and told his men. “Now kill the boy.”
His men drew back their bows and were prepared to fill me with arrows like a living piñata.
My eyes went wide with shock.
Hawk Tuah yelled out, “No, that was not the deal!”
Tarek signed, “I said I would let you and your precious hawk go. I care nothing for this interloper of yours that you are using.”
I tightened my grip on my sword. “When did I become an interloper.” I said to myself.
Hawk Tuah put her hands up and pleaded with Tarek. Please, this does not have to end like this. Can we make a deal?
Tarek thought for a moment. “A deal you say. What kind of deal?”
Hawk Tuah lowered her hands to show her trust in Tarek. “I want to hit the “Old Crypt”. I need a crew to do it. Borkum is starting out but he did good here, and I will need his help. And I will need a few others. What if we cut you in on the action? No threat to you. We just pay you a piece of the action for letting Borkum live today. And, maybe a bit more for old times’ sake?
Tarek whistled through his teeth. “The Cursed Crypt. That’s big Hawk Tuah, that’s big. Mostly likely you will die, but I give you credit for thinking big.”
“We either die now in a fight, with you and your men, and not everyone goes home. Or you let us go, you take our treasure and drink beer tonight, and all your men get to live another day. Either way we most likely will die. But if we live. We cash out and we pay you tribute.” Hawk Tuah reasoned.
The men in the back murmured, “I like dying another day. I like this idea.”
Tarek’s eyes wandered for a moment. It was not a bad deal. No one dies today. He gets the treasure. And, maybe he gets a bit more treasure later.
“I like this deal hawk Tuah,” Tarek said, his voice softer now. “Go now before I change my mind. Oh, and out of respect for our past, here is a gold piece for your troubles.” And, with that he flipped a golden coin to Hawk Tuah which she grabbed with contempt.
We backed away slowly, our eyes locked on the bandits until we were a safe distance away. Only then did we turn and make our way back into the jungle, the reality of our situation sinking in.
“Hawk,” I said quietly once we were a safe distance away, “who was that?”
She sighed, the tension finally easing from her shoulders. “An old mistake, Borkum. One I hoped I’d never have to face again.”
I nodded, understanding more than she was saying. “What did Tarek mean when he said interloper?”
“Nothing, he meant nothing,” she replied, her voice resolute. “I just can’t believe they found our trail. There must have been a rat somewhere that snitched on us.”
As we disappeared into the jungle, the sun setting behind us, I couldn’t help but feel a mixture of frustration and exhilaration. We had faced a new danger and survived, but our adventure was far from over. Hawk Tuah’s past had come back to haunt us, but together, we could face whatever challenges lay ahead and reclaim what was ours.
As we walked, the initial shock of the encounter began to wear off, replaced by a need to formulate a plan. “I was serious about hitting the crypt” Hawk Tuah said, her voice cutting through the sounds of the jungle. “I want to know if I can depend on you Borkum?”
I thought to myself. “This is it. This is the adventuring life. I came, I fought, I almost died. Good times!”
I nodded in agreement. “I’m in Hawk Tuah, I’m in.
Hawk Tuah smiled, “Let’s head back to the port. We can rest, think things through, and come up with a plan to get our treasure back. And, maybe some more.”
The journey back to the port was somber but determined. Skyclaw flew overhead, a silent sentinel watching over us. Despite the setback, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. I wanted our treasure back.
When we finally emerged from the jungle and into the outskirts of Port Azure, the familiar sights and sounds brought a sense of relief. The villagers went about their daily routines, oblivious to the ordeal we had just faced.
We headed straight for the Mermaid’s Song. The barkeep on duty, a kindly old man named Geralt, greeted us with a warm smile. “Back already? You two look like you’ve been through the wringer.”
“You could say that” Hawk Tuah replied, her tone weary but resolute. “We need a room and some food, Geralt. And a bath. It’s been a long day.”
“Not so fast Hawk Tuah, you have used up all your credit here. We need something better than your promises this time around.” The Barkeep scowled.
Hawk Tuah cleared her throat, reached into her pocket and pulled out the gold piece Tarek had tossed her and slammed it onto the bar top.
“I will give you three days: food, beer and one bath. A cold bath.” Geralt said as he scooped up the coin and quickly arranged everything for us. Once in our room, we laid out our remaining gear and took stock of our situation. Hawk Tuah was already deep in thought, her eyes distant as she formulated a plan.
“You’re sleeping on the floor.” She scowled.
“Okay, okay” I muttered.