Guild Wars: Ghosts of Ascalon by Jeff Grubb, Matt Forbeck Page B

the royal castle of King Adelbern.
    And, most of all, showed the royal treasure vault and inventoried its contents.
    Dak had found a treasure map and Jervis suggested they go after it. Marga asked why they should wait, and Vala and Dougal agreed. Riona, alone among them, said it was a bad idea, that they would be put to hard labor if they were caught, or slain by the charr if not,because Ascalon City was in the heart of the charr territories.
    So Marga hit her over the back of the head one night when they were scheduled to go on patrol beyond the battlements. Marga and Dougal then loaded her into her bunk and told the commander she was ill and left her there. And they left Ebonhawke and never came back.
    “When your patrol didn’t return, the Ebon Vanguard came for me,” Riona said, filling in the blanks on the table. “I didn’t tell them what was going on, and they didn’t believe me. I took the blame. They put me at hard labor in the quarries for two years before even considering reinstating my position. And they never let me patrol beyond the walls.”
    “And you’re with the Vigil now,” said Dougal, looking away as the carnival swirled around them.
    “I served my tour. I left. I looked for a purpose. I found one with the Vigil and I came here, to Divinity’s Reach. I’ve been here a year, and in all that time I never tried to hunt you”—she almost said “down” but brought herself up short—“out …” she finished.
    “And the Vigil wants me. Why?” Dougal returned her glare. Her accusing eyes still hurt to look at, but it was clear he was going to have to learn to live with it.
    “You survived Ascalon City. The others?”
    “Dead. Dak, Jervis, Marga …” The locket felt heavy around his neck, like a stone. “And Vala. Dead in Ascalon City.”
    “And yet, you survived,” said Riona, smiling. It was not a friendly smile. “Why am I not surprised?”
    Dougal stared back into the angry eyes and said, “We were wrong. I apologize on behalf of the dead. Now you need me. Why?”
    Riona bit her lip. “I need you to promise you won’t run when I tell you,” said Riona, and her expression softened just a bit.
    “Would you believe me if I did?”asked Dougal.
    “No,” said Riona, “but I need you to promise anyway.”
    Dougal thought a moment, then said, “You need something in Ascalon. The Vigil needs something in Ascalon. You need someone to go there.”
    “Are you going to promise?”
    “I don’t understand how you ended up with the Vigil,” said Dougal. “Their leader is—”
    “I know what their leader is,” said Riona. “I was looking for a purpose. For a chance to change myself, to change the world. I found it there.”
    “Riona,” said Dougal, leaning forward, dropping his voice as if sharing a confidence. “They think they can defeat the Elder Dragons.”
    “Don’t worry, they aren’t asking you to fight a dragon, Elder or otherwise.”
    “Then what are they asking me to do?” Dougal took a pull on his ale.
    “Go to Ascalon City,” she said.
    Dougal looked over the rim of the glass. “And do what?”
    “That we’ll talk about once we get to Lion’s Arch.”
    Dougal thought for a moment and said, “I’ll need a sword.”
    “You always were a horrible swordsman,” said Riona.
    “I’ve gotten better,” said Dougal.
    The two sat there for a moment, each daring the other to break the silence.
    “Fine. Finish your drink,” said Riona. “I’ll get you a damned sword.”
    They returned their glasses to the vendor and weaved their way through the crowds. Riona kept shooting Dougal looks as if she anticipated him to melt away into the masses of carnival-goers.
    Dougal had to admit that he considered escaping, ditching her in the bustle of the festival, recovering the Golem’s Eye from its precarious hiding place, and quietly heading for some small village far from Divinity’s Reach. Although Riona’s offer was intriguing, the idea of returning to Ascalon