Clockwork Madness. (Book 3/Open!)

[Sabatykos Maelstrom]

(Takes place after this thread (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?t=19360) thank you!)


Back Then--

A boy ran through the village. He had dreadlocks as most of the youth in the village wore. The boy had something in his hand. It was a mysterious sort of object. Several other screaming children ran behind him as he ran towards a group of worried looking adults. The adults eagerly embraced their children and prepared to give their overzealous youths scoldings. However, one of the older inventors noticed the object that the boy had in his hand. Curious at what the revelation could mean, the man took the boy to the Elder of the town. The Elder's name was Zenthum Prisido. The man carrying the boy was the boy's Father.

As the two older men conversed it became clear that the boy was no ordinary Inventor. No. There was something more to the boy...


Sabatykos tinkered with the engine for the better part of a month. Ever since he'd passed the ordeals in the Cave of Trials, the young Inventor put himself to work. Not everybody passed the tests of the Cave of Trials, and some folk never even made it back alive. That happened every so often. However, there were several such sites crucial to the Saenorakym Prime in Concordia Forest. Gorandis. The machine was a clock-work device invented by his people. Sold to someone living within Corone proper, the machine needed upgrades and repairs badly.

Nobody else his age would even look at the thing. Sabatykos Maelstrom had grown curious. Deciding to test the newfound knowledge he'd received during the Cave of Trials expedition, Sabatykos took his private notes and went to work on the machine. The gears and parts were provided by the rest of the villagers, but the youth was virtually on his own. Other kids his age had their lives and educations to contend with, but something about the artifact fascinated the youth. It was an artifact that had its roots in the Age of Legend. Althanas, once, was covered throughout the land in a horrendous war that nearly destroyed her. The people living within the township were well aware of the history within Althanas. It was a glorious place during a glorious time period. Sabatykos found himself thinking of history as he tinkered with the device attempting to get several complex gears locked in place. The knowledge he'd received in the Cave of Trials was an enormous boon. He was eager to test his mettle against such a creation as this.

It was well into the early evening hours when Sabatykos' Father, Malus Maelstrom stepped out of the house and into the backyard. Sabatykos was working in the backyard area. Several large inventions made of various types of materials were visible in this area. The backyard had a makeshift rooftop dome to ward off rain. Grass was green, and several large trees were the visible decoration. Off the lowest of the tree branches there hung several glowing lanterns that warded off the darkness. However, the living dark was only just settling across that hemisphere of Althanas. Sabatykos barely noticed the change in temperature as he worked. He grabbed a towel to wipe sweat off his brow.

Sabatykos wore goggles upon his head, a simple sweat stained tank-top, black denim pants that were very baggy, and leather boots. He also wore a pair of gloves. Sabatykos sighed as he continued to attempt to make the gears move, but the gears refused to bend to his will. The youth could only accept the situation at hand: he needed more power. Sabatykos felt the presence of his Father after a full ten minutes passed. The young Inventor sighed, and slid off the machine to land on the ground. He was working inside of a large panel that contained many gears and other clock-work parts. Sabatykos felt dizzy from heat as he took in a few deep breaths. His body was covered in grease stains, sweat and even his own blood. Sabatykos had not realized that several rusty screws had cut him in various places. He would need some medical assistance. Looking at his Father, Sabatykos ran his hand through his hair. He took a nearby towel and wiped himself clean where he could. His Father had a pitcher of some kind of lemonade drink, and a goblet in the other hand. Malus Maelstrom poured the drink for his son.

"I figured you might be thirsty." Malus said calmly.

"Thank you old man." Sabatykos said, and walked over to his Father. He just realized how parched his lips were. "I am not making any progress."

"Our best Inventors have not made any progress. You've been at this for days now, and nothing. Its a lost cost. The Old Technology was probably not meant for our hands." Malus said. "Just let it go. We'll probably properly dispose of it soon enough once we figure out what to do about it."

Sabatykos looked in the general direction of the device. "You mean get rid of it!? Dad, that's not fair!" Sabatykos said with physical annoyance in his voice. "It was given to us to figure the secrets out, and now you're just going to quit?" Sabatykos couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"There's nothing anybody can do about it. If our best Inventors barely dented the surface of this thing, what makes you think that you can logically solve the Ancient's Puzzle?" Malus asked.

Sabatykos had no response. He merely took a pull of the lemonade and turned to stare at the device.

(^Enter here)

[BattleMage]

Takes place after: The Late Great Mort the Orc (Solo) (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?p=156398#post156398)

People from the past wouldn’t even recognize Derrick now. He had taken a complete transformation from the man he once was. He was no longer the local drunk. Now he wore his name with pride. Some considered it cockiness though. He hadn’t done much but for what he had came from, he knew his pride wasn’t ill gotten. In his sapphire eyes gleamed happiness and sorrow. The young elf was only twenty, but from recent adventures he looked and felt much older than that. The recent months were hard and he wore them on his handsome face heavily.

Still Derrick Magnum had reason enough to smile. He had met good people among the Karshook and felt rather drawn into their studies. Months prior he showed up after wondering the woods for several days. The Karshook took him for a wild man but they harbored him tending to his wounds and treating him as if he were one of their own. The seemingly strict laws of the people wouldn’t normally allow strangers into their domain. Their elder, Zenthum Prisido, chose to allow Derrick’s to dwell within their realm under two conditions.The first condition Derrick would have to follow is that he would never reveal the happenings in the village to any outsiders. The second was that he would remain under the employ of a family residing in those woods until he was formally released by their head of house. Derrick being intrigued by the experience agreed to the conditions. He was put under the employ of the Maelstrom family, whose head was Malus. Derrick found himself more interested in the works of his son Sabatykos though.


-- Present Day --

The days seemed to grow longer as Derrick watched his young friend tamper with his recently found toy. Derrick had grown fond of the Maelstrom family and even considered himself to be one of their own. Derrick wasn’t a master inventor like most of the elder villagers, nor did he really have any experience in the art of machinery. He was more of an assistant to Malus and Sabatykos. Often times he could be found running errands for the men either gathering supplies from local towns or even from the woods themselves. It wasn’t the most action filled job but it kept him from starving in the harsh months in the wild. Before their aide Derrick was as wild as the wood, mourning the death of his Orc friend Mort. Without their aide Derrick would be one with the dirt or a savage creature of the oaks. Instead he was just a simple helper and for a short time things were going pretty well.

The long days for Sabatykos normally meant a short one for Derrick. The young inventer was hard at work on some strange engine. Most of the elders, including Malus, had already given up on the machine. There was something that differed Sabatykos from his family and superiors though. Maybe it was just the the kid didn't know when to give up. Determination never hurt anybody though. An unseen aura followed Sabatykos where ever he ventured, but Derrick was keen to it. The mage knew his friend was destined to become one of the greatest of him kin.

There was a break in Sabatykos’s task. He took a few moments to drink from a glass and speak to Malus. Derrick figured he would ask his friend if there was anything he could do to help with the whole process.

“Hey, Sabatykos, while you have a moment I was wondering if there was anything at all I could help with!” Derrick spoke with a certain sophistication. He deemed himself a somewhat more educated man after his stay with the family.

[Sabatykos Maelstrom]

Sabatykos looked at his Father for a long time. It was always difficult for the youth to read the older man's expressions. Even in his eyes, Malus Maelstrom only seemed to show the wisdom that twinkled that from within. The youth drank from the goblet. Feeling cool against his throat, he turned to look at the large device for a long moment. It was a curious thing, shaped like a large pillar made out of brass and iron. Currently, there were various panels all over the object that could be opened to reveal the complex gears from within. None of it made any sense. There was no known power source to the engine, and no known core. Yet, something about the engine, as it was being called, intrigued Sabatykos to the point of madness. Something about the engine seemed exceedingly familiar to him. All Saenorakym Prime youths were vigorously trained in the scientific arts. Such a body of works that the star faring race possessed would be impressive to even the most powerful nobleman. Sabatykos finished the drinking the contents of his lemonade.

That's when their companion, Derrick Magnum made his presence known.

Sabatykos put off the worries of the hour to acknowledge his friend. The two were roughly the same age but Derrick was a much more experience traveler than he was. Sabatykos and Malus turned towards Derrick at about the same time. They both wore smiles on their faces. It was clear that their house guest was greatly respected.

"Well there is actually a task that you two can help out with. I've been meaning to ask for a while now." Malus said. "We need some parts from the Junk Shop if you two would be so kind as to acquire them."

Sabatykos turned towards his Father quickly. "You mean Old Man, Harris' place?" He asked his Father.

"Aye." Malus said. "Here is the money and the list of parts we need. A new order came in while you were working on your studies." Malus Maelstrom handed Sabatykos a list written in the common tongue, and a pouch filled with gold pieces. "There should be enough Gold there to cover the costs of the purchase."

"Is there anything else Father?" Sabatykos asked.

"Not for right now. Go clean up, and then we'll finish up here. You can continue working on the engine when you're done with your chores." Malus said, there was a hint of Fatherly concern in his voice.

Sabatykos looked at Derrick but answered his Father. "Very well Father. We'll get everything done."

Malus went back inside the house.

Sabatykos walked over towards Derrick. "Looks like we got a bit of a job. My dad needs these tools and parts. We should go as soon as possible. I just need to get cleaned up really fast." Sabatykos said. "Is that okay with you, or would you rather we went underway now?"

[BattleMage]

Not far from the men labored a young lady named Sytherial Qwentium. A beauty who had often caught the wondering eyes of Derrick. Her blonde hair fell just past her shoulders. She was slender and tan. He eyes were green and her lips had an arousing plumpness. Derrick had never rested his eyes on such a beauty before. He had also never been to flustered to approach a woman, he being a handsome man himself. But there was something about this woman that touched Derrick’s heart and lured him to her.

“I think I’m going to go talk to her Sabatykos, go ahead and wash up I’ll be here when you’re done.” Derrick didn’t even wait for a response from his friend. He was already trudging toward the apple of his eye.

The love struck mage was greeted with a smile upon his approach. Revealing a set of teeth that were flawlessly white and straight. She was the jewel of the village and Derrick often found himself thinking of the duo in wedlock. Those thoughts were more private though. He tucked those thoughts away gladly and greeted the maiden.

“Hello Sytherial!” Derrick suddenly came short of words and cut his sentence short.

Normally when speaking to a woman he would add something sweet or cunning to create a mood. He would have been labeled a flirt in other towns, but in Karshook things were much different. Nothing he could say would be to witty for the unimaginable intelligence possessed by the Karshook people.

“Hi Derrick!” She smiled, putting her wrench down and calling a quits to whatever machine she was tinkering with. A bead of sweat feel slowly from her forehead and Derrick quickly pulled a small cloth from his pocket and wiped it away. It made the beauty blush briefly before ducking her head in an attempt to hide the fact that she was doing it.

“So what are you working on?”

“Oh nothing to important. I have a moment to talk if you’d like.”

“Well I was supposed to meet Sabatykos at the junk yard, if you want to walk there with me that would be nice!” Derrick offered, his eyes never once leaving those of his beautiful attraction.

“Gladly Derrick!”

So the two walked under the romantic hovering canopy high above. There would be much to tell Sabatykos later and Derrick felt happiness in his heart. For once he did not shy away from the beauty. He talked with full confidence. He normally was intimidated by her beauty and brains, but this occasion was different. There was an apparent connection between the two opposites. Derrick being a rugged elf from another land and Sytherial a tinkerer of the woodland realm. As the two approached the junk yard a foreign voice called to her from afar. It was her father, Tristial, the one man in town who did not approve of Derrick and his occupancy with the Karshook.

“Sytherial!” Tristial yelled as he ran up on the duo, his eyes bleeding with disfavor for the elf.

“Father I was just catching up with Derrick. He says Sabatykos has been long at work on the mysterious engine.” She tried to cover up what the two were talking about. She knew her father held Derrick in ill favor.

“That is all well, but don’t you think you should be getting back to your work.” The man said with an assertive tone.

“I didn’t mean to spur up any problems Tristial, nor did I wish to distract your daughter. I just wanted company, the town in lonely at this hour for an assistant like myself.” Derrick cut in trying to fizz down the situation.

“Sytherial would you be kind enough to head home, I believe I need to have a word with Derrick.” Tristial spoke with a fatherly tone but his eyes glittered a hint of anger.

“Yes father.” She replied and ducked her head in embarrassment as she turned and marched hastily back to here home.

“Derrick I think it would be better that you stayed away from my daughter during your stay with my people.”

“If that is your wish Tristial, than I will obey it.” In earlier times Derrick would have attempted to provoke the man, but he was a guest here. He didn’t want to wear his welcome out, for he did find comfort with the Maelstrom’s. The disfavor that was held for him by this man was confusing though and Derrick decided to discover it’s root. “Why do you dislike me Tristial?”

The man shook his head at the question. “You may be welcomed by everyone, including our elder. But to me you are just as primitive as the thicket that surrounds us. You are unintelligent and are hardly worth the praises you reap. I do not think myself or my family needs to waste our precious time on the likes of an urchin like you. Is that answer enough Derrick?”

Derrick nodded in disbelief. He couldn’t believe how bitter this man was to him, but he wouldn’t let one man’s opinion deter his mood. He was Derrick Magnum and he was proud of who he was. With that the two men separated and Derrick entered the junkyard to wait for his friend, Sabatykos.

[Sabatykos Maelstrom]

~Meanwhile-

In the Maelstrom household, Sabatykos had time to clean himself off. Taking a quick shower, the youth hurried to complete the errand for his Father. Knowing what kind of a man Malus Maelstrom was, Sabatykos did not want to upset his Father. Drying himself quickly after sitting in the tub and cleaning himself off, the youth dressed in comfortable clothing. He wore a pair of commoner's overalls, a pair of leather gloves, hide boots, goggles on his head, and his signature glasses. Sabatykos straightened his hair quickly, and gathered all of his belongings. He was going to see the owner of the Junk Shop, and that was always a real treat. The youth's thoughts were on the recently discovered engine, but the engine could wait. His Father could not wait. Once dressed, the young Inventor gathered all his belongings. The ones necessary to the trip. He took his notes on the engine with him as well to discuss with Old Man Marshen. With everything prepared, Sabatykos could go seek Derrick Magnum out.

Leaving the house quickly, Sabatykos noticed that it was a cool evening outside. He moved through the village barely acknowledging the houses as they blurred past him. He had seen them all a billion times. Moving towards the Junk Shop, he saw many people outside working on various inventions and machines. He liked what he saw. It smelled like science and progress.

He made his way towards the Junk Shop. It was not very far from his house. The village was a small town that mostly consisted of residential houses, a single well outfitted school, the gathering hall, a hospital, and a few shops. The general population, Sabatykos knew, was particularly small within the village of Karshook. Just shy one thousand people lived and worked there. Not even enough to fill a luxury ship.

Sabatykos arrived at the Junk Shop as it was affectionately called by the locals. There was a huge backyard area filled with all kinds of junk parts, engines, gears, machines, and other tools of the trade. The junkyard looked like some twisted garage sale if anything else. The Junk Shop consisted of a small four floor house. It was made of basic brick building materials. The outside of the building was painting in a earth-tone brown color. Sabatykos saw the familiar sign that was swaying in the breeze. "Junk Shop." Was etched on the wooden sign.

Sabatykos opened the front gate of the house, and made his way towards the store. It was kept in the first floor, many stalls and booths were visible in the front yard of the place. Several merchants that resided within the town of Karshook were visible selling their wares. Sabatykos made his way into the Junk Shop greeting people along the way. The front doors were always open, and there was a welcome sign posted in front of the house.

Old Man Marshen was waiting for customers behind a large counter as always. Many wears were visible for sale in the store on various displays. Sabatykos always admired the shop for what it stood for. Progress. Marshen greeted the youth warmly.

"Greetings there Sabatykos, what can I do for you today?"

"Hey there." Sabatykos said in response. "I have this list of supplies my Dad needs. You all right with that?" Sabatykos asked.

The old man grinned.

"Business is business my young friend. Of course I am all right with it. Lets see what we have here."

And Sabatykos showed the man the list of supplies.

[BattleMage]

Derrick strolled into what looked like a flea market, but those who tinker. He wasn't very creative in the aspect of inventing, but he still helped with what he could. The meeting a while earlier had left him a bit rattled and feeling like he didn't belong among the Karshook. He was bound to Sabatykos though and wouldn't leave until released. The feeling of emptiness rumbled deep within but Derrick quickly shook it off as he paced towards Sabatykos, who had somehow beaten him here.

He joined his friend who was already conversing with the shop's owner.