GTHARREN VALLEY

Narration

JANUAE

I managed to escape the Hunger in the Halls, just barely, and I’ve made it back to the Gtharren Valley. As misfortune would have it, I find the bounty hunter Cyunn waiting for me just as I’ve returned. If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.

JANUAE

Cyunn, look… I know you’ve been sent to bring me back. I’ll come along willingly, you don’t have to-

Sound of the bailing whip wrapping around JANUAE

JANUAE

Ah! Damn it! I told you I’d come willingly!

CYUNN

You didn’t seem so willing last time we met. You teleported out of there in a right hurry as I recall.

JANUAE

I had a bailing wire choking me. I’m sure you would have done the same in my position

CYUNN

When would I ever find myself in your position? Yeah, anyway we’re going to keep you bound up, if it’s all the same. Not that I don’t trust you, Januae… but I don’t trust you.

JANUAE

I suppose I can understand that. But could you do me a favor before we leave here? The old man Phiraster assured me he would give me a shard off the giant crystal if I were to return.

CYUNN

(laughs)

Seriously? I don’t think so. I know about the vest. I know you expended it before you came here. You want the shard to recharge that vest, then maybe take another little trip… without me. I can’t have that, now.

JANUAE

Wait… how do you know all this?

CYUNN

You just have to talk to the right people to get the right information. It’s a skill set necessary in my line of work.

JANUAE

You… you didn’t hurt Narla Deshu, did you?

CYUNN

That sweet old lady? No. She understood I had a job to do and was very helpful, as long as I assured her I wouldn’t cause you any harm. As I told her, I don’t intend to, provided you don’t give me any cause to. Either way my contract assures I will get paid as long as I deliver you, no matter your… condition. I would prefer my maximum payout, so don’t do anything stupid.

JANUAE

What if I were to let you keep the shard? I imagine what you could fetch for it might be as much as the bounty the Order is offering?

CYUNN

And sully my reputation? A shard won’t fetch enough for me to retire, will it? Besides, I love my work.

JANUAE

Please, just think about-

A strange crackling/tearing sound is heard

CYUNN

What in the prior worlds is that?

JANUAE

Is what?

CYUNN

That there… coming through the portal you came through?

JANUAE

It… it kind of looks like…

(beat)

Crail.

CYUNN

What is it?

JANUAE

The realm crasher. The shatarak! You need to release me, Cyunn! Get me out of this binding!

CYUNN

I’m not an idiot, Januae. Whatever that is, I’m not going to-

JANUAE

You don’t understand! It’s going to kill us! That thing is nothing to trifle with!

CYUNN

Then let’s get moving. Come along.

JANUAE

You have to release me!

CYUNN

Let’s go! I’m not about to risk having you-

JANUAE

Where’s the old man? Phiraster! Help us! Cast your fire circle! Do something!

CYUNN

The old man left. He can’t help you. You need to run!

JANUAE

We can’t outrun it! Please! It’s almost through the portal!

CYUNN

Then we’d better-

Sound of the realm crasher is heard

CYUNN

Gods of the prior worlds!

Sound of CYUNN breaking into a run

CYUNN

Run Januae!

JANUAE

The binding… it’s slowing me down! I can’t! No… no… no!

CYUNN

Januae!

JANUAE

Cyunn! Help me! Cyu- AAAAGGGHHHH!

JANUAE is heard screaming through horrific sounds

CYUNN

No… NO!

JANUAE’s body can be heard hitting the ground. The crackling/tearing sound is heard again, followed by dead silence. CYUNN runs over to where JANUAE’s body has landed

CYUNN

Januae! Oh…. no.

THE DURKAHL, QI

KLIAMBALA

Cyunn… I have to assume your return means you have results?

CYUNN

Yes, but none that are optimal. I need to show you something.

KLIAMBALA

What’s with the large box you’ve wheeled in here?

(beat)

Worlds, please don’t tell me.

CYUNN

You need to see. I need you to confirm it.

Sound of KLIAMBALA walking over to the box. Sound of the lid opening

KLIAMBALA

Oh no. Januae…

CYUNN

I’m sorry, Bishop. I did not expect-

KLIAMBALA

What happened? Clearly this wasn’t by your hand.

CYUNN

No. Januae had come through a portal and a large creature followed him through it. A realm crasher, he called it. It destroyed him then it just went back through the portal. Didn’t pay me any notice. It was clearly after him specifically.

KLIAMBALA

I see. This is rather unfortunate. It seems any knowledge of building a teleportation device has died with him.

CYUNN

Perhaps not. You might be interested in this…

CYUNN hands KLIAMBALA the vest

KLIAMBALA

What is this?

CYUNN

Januae had been teleporting by way of a device located in Jargolamis. He used this vest as a means of returning to the device. Clearly it’s a bit worse for wear thanks to that creature, but you might be able to study it.

KLIAMBALA

Well, I suppose it’s better than nothing. Thank you Cyunn for this, and for returning his body to us. That is all.

CYUNN

That is all? I am due a bounty…

KLIAMBALA

I don’t think so. I made it clear that I wanted Januae returned alive.

CYUNN

You forget that my standing contract says I get paid with the return of a bounty dead or alive. I have fulfilled my contract. I expect to be paid the minimum due.

KLIAMBALA

Be that as it may, the man is no good to us. I see no reason to compensate you for that which no longer has any value to us.

CYUNN

How do you figure? You have the vest. You have knowledge of a device in Jargolamis-

KLIAMBALA

And you have a healthy raster. I would consider us even.

CYUNN

Had a raster-

KLIAMBALA

Whatever you did with it is of no concern to me. Consider your standing contract closed with the Order. You may go. Either on your own volition or by escort of the guards.

CYUNN

(after a couple beats)

Fine. I will let it be known among the bounty hunter community that the Order squelches on its deals, that it doesn’t honor contracts. See if you can find anyone who’ll work for you once the word gets out!

KLIAMBALA

I doubt that will be a problem. Good day.

Sound of the door slamming shut

KLIAMBALA

Januae, oh Januae… what secrets did you take with you?