Huh, at last i catch up with this. Some really good idea you have there @deltago , and your writing is fascinating. I wonder, who will be the next party member, i liked the presentations of the ones you included so far. Thanks for sharing and keep it coming!
The group made their way out of the woods that surrounded High Hedge and came upon a clearing with large jutting rocks stretching high into the sky. Sahil looked around and assumed that this would be a good place to rest. The rocks would allow protection from the elements and provide cover from any attacks or ambushes, and they seemed far enough off the trail to not attract any unwanted attention.
“These rocks look like a good place to rest for a while,” Sahil said feeling a little weary.
“I concur,” the bard said. “Shall I take first watch?”
“With Imoen sure,” Sahil replied not fully trusting the bard but also not trusting her friend to stay awake during her turn. “Neera and I will take second watch.”
Sahil and Imoen gathered some kindling and fire wood while Garrick removed a couple of blankets from his sachel and laid them close to the large jutting rocks. Using her magical staff, Neera lit a small fire until the two other girls returned with more wood. Hailix was up flying about chasing squirrels, catching two for dinner.
The four of them sat around the fire as Garrick shared a few tales of bravery that he knew, captivating his audience with dashing princes and gnolls and shadow druids. Neera flipped through a well-worn book, studying some pages as Sahil and Imoen laughed at the bard’s tales.
Eventually, Sahil and Neera turned in, letting Garrick and Imoen take the first watch.
~
It was that clearing, the one with the yellow and purple flowers. The scent of wild flowers lingered in the air as Sahil looked to a star lit sky, counting the constellations of the gods. She was alone in the open field. She had no idea how she got there or where her friends were. She thought back to the last time she stood there in the meadow. It was when her and her companions were on their way to hunt Bassilus. She shuddered at the thought so she turned attention back to the flowers. She bent to touch one of the delicate petals, its fragrance calming her.
A shadow moved in front of her and her gaze came upon a woman dressed in green robes walking towards the edge of the woods where they were ambushed by Bassilus’s army. Sahil got to her feet and followed the woman into the brush. Even though she knew there was danger that lurked in the shadows, Sahil didn’t ready herself for attack. Instead, she just followed the woman deeper into the forest.
The trees became denser and branches began to hold her back as she clawed her way through the woods. Regardless of how far she felt like she was falling back, the woman in green was always in view. Sahil pushed forward until she broke through the tree line and into a stream. It was quiet and tranquil. The water was still and looked fresh and comforting. Down the stream, she could see the woman in green walking slowly towards a large white horse drinking the water.
Sahil followed the woman again slowly, walking well behind her as the horse took notice to neither. The woman in green reached the animal and placed a hand on its back hind leg. Sahil was shocked that the beast didn’t run. It just raised its head from the stream and turned to look at the woman.
It was at the time that Sahil realized it wasn’t a horse, but a unicorn. Its large horn glimmered in the sky as it turned towards Sahil who continued to walk closer to the woman and the beast. The beast snorted and the woman turned towards Sahil and she was taken aback again. It was Jaheira.
“But-” Sahil started. Jaheira just smiled approvingly at her as the unicorn turned and approached. The beast was magnificent. Sahil reached out her hand to it as it nuzzled it’s snout into the palm of her hand. The beast turned and walked into the forest. Sahil turned to Jaheira, but she was no longer there. Confused she turned back to where the beast walked into the forest and pushed her way into the thicket looking for the unicorn.
She couldn’t see it as she attempted to follow its trail. Sahil looked around attempting to figure out where she needed to go. She was lost in the forest, her guide abandoning her until a familiar voice rang out softly.
“Hey you.” It was Imoen. Sahil turned to look for her friend.
“Come on,” Imoen said again just as softly.
“Wake up.”
~
Sahil stirred awake from the dream. It felt real and vivid. The scent of the flowers was still lingering near, yet she couldn’t see them.
“Are you ok,” Imoen asked. “Looked like you were having some intense dream or something.”
“I’m fine,” Sahil said. “It was a weird dream.”
“Did it involve trollops?” Imoen asked.
Sahil laughed. “No.”
“Then I’m probably not interested in it at the moment,” Imoen said. “I’m tired. It’s your watch. Neera is already up.”
Imoen pointed to the mage who was reading by the fire.
“Aye,” Sahil said. “Get some rest then. We probably have a lot of ground to cover tomorrow.”
Imoen nodded as Sahil tossed her the blanket and got to her feet. She stretched and walked over to Neera who was studying through her spell book. The mage looked up and smiled as she saw Sahil approaching.
“All this traveling, all this adventure, how do you manage it?” Neera asked as Sahil sat down beside her. “Until now I was barely able to keep my head above water. Yet, here with you, it seems almost… easy!”
Sahil thought on question as she grabbed a stick and poked the fire sending sparks flittering into the air.
“I guess there is safety in numbers,” Sahil replied. “Many people have told me that since I left Candlekeep.”
“Safety in numbers, eh?” Neera echoed back. “Fair enough. I guess I’ve just never really had a traveling companion before. My life on the road has been a solitary affair, full of cold nights and colder dreams. It’s enough to make a girl want to head back to High Forest.”
Sahil thought back to that first night outside of Candlekeep as she was being pursued by her father’s killers. It was a cold night with fear and little comfort. The only comfort she had was Hailix. She reached into her pouch that was close to the fire and freed the sleeping dragon from its confines and petted it softly. It cooed at the attention but didn’t wake. Sahil didn’t want to talk about her assailants nor Neera’s, so she changed the subject.
“High Forest? Is that where you come from?” Sahil asked
“That’s me, born and raised in the thicket,” Neera said. “At least until my mistakes piled up high enough to come crashing down on me.”
“Mistakes can be corrected,” Sahil replied. “I’m sure you weren’t forced out.”
Neera, thought on the statement for a bit then replied “No, I guess nobody kicked me out. But they would have, if I’d stayed.”
“What exactly happened?” Sahil asked still petting the dragon.
“A maiming or two, if you don’t count the second-degree burns,” Neera stated a little too casually for the severity of it. “Completely accidental, and everybody lived. At least, I’m pretty sure everybody lived.”
“Surely it wasn’t your fault,” Sahil asked. “What happened?”
“During our magical training, we were supposed to summon a sphere of fire, and mine got away from me somehow,” Neera explained. “One moment I was concentrating, the next moment my classmates were rolling on the floor screaming.”
“Remind me to stand back when you cast a spell,” Sahil said.
“You don’t need to rub it in,” Neera replied. “I know better than anyone the harm I caused.”
“So you blame yourself?” Sahil asked.
“Of course I can blame myself!” Neera exclaimed. “Accident or not, I should have been more careful. I could have taken responsibility or at least fetched a bucket of water. Instead I ran away, terrified of what I’d done.”
“You didn’t even try to help?” Sahil asked amazed.
“Horrible, I know,” Neera replied. “I just ran into the woods and couldn’t bear to go back to face the consequences. I snuck back into the village now and then for food, and once to leave a note for my parents, but eventually I had to leave.
“I took wandering High Forest, but I kept running into the wrong people and doing the wrong thing,” Neera continued. “Eventually, Turlang the treant grabbed me and said, ‘take a hike.’ Well, maybe not in those words exactly.”
“And so you left on your journey,” Sahil said.
“And so I left High Forest,” Neera said. “I’ve been wandering for a while now. I’ve got a few ideas for a destination, but I am still considering them.”
“Well you are safe to travel with us until you can figure it all out,” Sahil said.
“Thanks, I do appreciate it,” Neera said. “What about you? Where is home?”
“I grew up in Candlekeep,” Sahil said. “Just north of here. I just left recently and this is the longest I’ve been away from the keep.”
“Must be daunting,” Neera asked. “Why’d you leave?”
“I wish I knew,” Sahil said poking the fire. “Perhaps then I would know where to go.”
“Can you not go back?” Neera asked.
“Not without a tome of great value,” Sahil said. “Its gate is closed to me now, but really, there is nothing there for me. Just old memories I guess.”
“So you and I, looks like we have a lot in common,” Neera said.
“Yep, just two girls lost in the wilderness being hunted for unknown reasons with nowhere to call home,” Sahil said poking the fire once more.
“Well at least we found each other,” Neera said. “Maybe this is destiny and we are bound for greatness together, or maybe we’ll be bear food. Only one way to find out.”
Sahil laughed at the last comment and poked the flames again.
The sun rose, and with it Sahil woke up her companions for the long journey ahead. Neera started a fire while Imoen and Garrick went into the wild to see if they could find something to eat for breakfast. Sahil broke the campsite down and waited for her companions to return. After her dream last night she was eager to move on.
The two hunters came around the corner laughing carrying the carcass of a chicken.
“I can’t believe the wolf got away. The pelt alone would have fetched us some nice coin,” Imoen said as the two approached camp.
“I wonder how this chicken got so far into the wild without becoming some beast's dinner,” Garrick said. “Must have been one lucky chicken, until you pegged it from a distance. Remarkable shot.”
“Thank you, thank you,” Imoen replied. “Sahil, think you can clean this thing?”
The chicken was tossed to Sahil who caught the bird and looked down at the poor soul. An arrow was shot right through its neck. Sahil felt sorry for the thing, but she was getting hungry. She began to tear the feathers out from its flesh while Neera put on a pot of water to boil it in.
It tasted strange, perhaps it was just the way it was prepared and hunger overcame the distinct taste as the campaigns ate it. Once the meal was done, they packed up the rest of their belongings and headed south to Nashkel.
“Do you honestly think it is safe to stay off the roads?” Imoen asked as they headed into the thicket of the forest towards where Bassilus' army fell.
“No,” replied Sahil. “But I think it is safer than the roads. We discussed this already.”
“I know,” Imoen replied. “It’s just, there can be more danger here –”
“Me hungry!” A voice bellowed out as they cleared the trees into an opening. The group was startled by the appearance of two large men dressed in primitive armor.
"Hey! Who you?!" One of them yelled at the group as both of them began charging forward.
“They’re huge,” Neera said.
“And hostile,” Sahil added. “Prepare yourselves.”
Imoen notched an arrow and aimed it towards one of the charging men while Neera started an incantation. Garrick pulled out his crossbow while Sahil waited with her staff in hand waiting for them to charge forward. Imoen’s arrow struck the first large man in the leg while an energy bolt flashed from Neera’s hand singeing the other’s chest.
“Me kill men what make me mad,” the first bellowed tearing the arrow from its leg as it began charging towards the group again.
It reached Sahil who butt ended it with her staff, it stumbled back as Garrick put a bolt into its head felling it. The second one reached Sahil who turned to counter its swiping attack in time tripping the large creature up by sticking her staff between his legs.
The creature let out a startle as it’s large body fell to the ground as Imoen put an arrow into its arm. The large man on his knees was at eye level to Sahil. He pulled out a dagger and slashed her across her stomach. Sahil let out a grunt then swung her staff at the man’s head. She heard the bones in his neck crack as it struck him in the ear sending him face first into the ground.
Both attackers were dead.
“You are injured,” Imoen said. “See I told you it was going to be safer on the roads.”
Sahil stopped and caught her breath and felt the blood trickle down her leg. She placed her hand on the wound and pulled it away to see the crimson liquid ooze down her fingers.
“It is merely a scratch,” Sahil replied. “Besides, I’d rather face twenty of those large men, then a single mage.”
“They’re half ogres,” Garrick said. “Not the brightest humanoids but they tend to stick to tribes. You may get your wish as there are probably more around.”
“Well that’s great,” Neera said.
“We’ll be fine if we keep moving,” Sahil said.
“Do you want me to bandage you up first?” Imoen asked.
“I should be fine for now,” Sahil replied. “I’ll keep an eye on it.”
“Gruzz? Gruzz? Worm stew ready,” another Half Ogre bellowed as it approached the battle scene.
“Not good,” Neera said.
“Hey! You no Gruzz!”
“Nope,” Imoen said as she fired an arrow towards the ogre. It flew over its head but its eyes lit up in fear.
“Bruw! We un’da attack!” the half ogre yelled as another one popped up its head. Getting up from his resting spot, he joined his comrade in a rush towards the group.
Garrick let loose a bolt which also missed the two new charging men. He cursed his luck as the first reached Sahil who once again was holding the line. She swung at the man but missed. The pain from the wound in her stomach made her swing only at half strength. Her training never prepared her for such a wound.
“Neera,” Sahil shouted. “Use the wand I gave you!”
“Oh ya,” Neera said as she pulled out the blue wand and pointed it at the two half ogres. “Nighty night.”
“Wha’ the –” Bruw said sleepily as he fell into a slumber.
Sahil took the opportunity to strike the crumpling ogre with her staff then quickly turned her attention to the first ogre who seemed to have resisted the spell. The others did the same. With bolt and a few arrows the remaining half ogre fell quickly.
“Are there any more?” Neera asked.
“Not a present, but let’s not wait around for more to show up,” Sahil said.
The party quickly headed south only to have their path blocked by shallow lake with an abandoned house upon its shore. Sahil wondered how long the place had been abandoned. With the dangers of the area, it seemed hardly safe to live this far from civilization. She thought back to Gorion and how one of his suggestions was to find a house like this to hide away in. With danger so close she wondered if it was the wisest idea.
She looked to the lake and saw a man fishing on the pier close to the house. Perhaps it wasn’t as abandoned as she thought and it’s appearance was more of a ruse to keep away thieves. She called out to the man.
“Please keep your voice down, will you?” He said acknowledging the group in an hostile tone. “It’s hard enough to getting the hand of this fish-wrangling business without you scaring them all away.”
“Fish-wrangling?” Imoen said. “I take it you have never done this before?”
“Nay, I have not.” The man said. “Use to be a miner, I did. I’ve sunk to this to feed my family. Not that it’s a bad way to make a living, mind you. I just prefer having a good solid pick in my hands and swearing while I work. There’s too much standing about waiting for the fish to bite. Ah well, we do what me must.”
“Is it not safe here?” Sahil asked.
“Safer than being a man o’ the deeps,” he replied. “Strange things are happening in the mines of Nashkel.”
“What sort of things?” Sahil asked.
“Men disappearing mostly,” the fisherman replied. “People are blaming demons. Ain’t going anywhere near them but I still gotta feed my family.”
“Demons?” Garrick echoed. “Must be a great story behind those.”
“Perhaps,” the man replied. “Best hear it from someone in Nashkel though. For now, I sit and wait for a nibble.”
“Farewell then sir,” Sahil said. “Remain safe.”
The man nodded as the group took leave and began to walk around the lake.
“Do you think real demons are at work here?” Neera asked.
“Just an exaggeration,” Garrick replied. “A fisherman’s tale of woes.”
“Something must be causing the strife though,” Neera replied.
“We’ll find out as soon as we get there,” Sahil said. “But if what the man said is true, we should make haste. People’s lives are depending on it.”
The group of adventures kept the road in sight as they continued to travel south to the town of Nashkel. The rest of the journey was peaceful as they didn’t encounter another soul until the small hamlet was on the horizon. Sahil let Hailix out of her bag to let the beast stretch its wings and scout ahead of the group to make sure no ambushes were lying in wait.
The small hamlet nestled itself upon a small stream which provided plenty of water for the farms on its banks. A towering temple could be seen from a distance, and if it wasn’t for all the rumours the group had been hearing lately, the sleepy town could probably be described as peaceful.
Hailix flew back to the group who were slowly approaching the town, making their way out from the bush and back onto the road.
“So?” Sahil said to the creature.
“Just militia, and some commoners,” the dragon replied.
“Quiet then?” She asked.
“Seems to be,” the creature replied. “And there are enough armed guards around to quickly dispatch anyone looking to cause trouble. I think it’s safe, for the most part.”
Sahil smiled. “Let’s go then.”
The group headed down the road and came upon a bridge that lead over the stream and into the town. As they began to cross, a guardsman approached.
“Identify yourselves!” the man bellowed.
“I am Sahil, and this is my band of fellow adventurers,” Sahil said to the man. “I hear that this is a troubled region of late. Allow me to put ourselves at your disposal during our stay here.”
The guard looked the group up and down.
“If you’re seeking to resolve troubles, welcome,” he said softening his tone from his initial greeting. “If you’re seeking to cause them, kindly take it elsewhere… things are not good here, Sahil.”
“What things aren’t good?” Sahil asked the man. “All I heard are rumors and vague suspicions.”
“Aye what is good around here anymore?” the man replied. “Our iron is rotten and there is talk of demons in the mines. The lower levels have been all but abandoned until the crisis passes.
“And then there is the question of Commander Brage,” he continued. “Ack, they have stripped him of that title, but I use it yet. He killed his wife and children in a rage one night and all who saw him.”
“That’s horrible,” Neera replied to the grim tale.
“Aye,” the man replied. “He then tore himself away and headed for the hills. He is out there still and still we mourn, as much for him as for those he’s taken.
“We’re attempting to hold the community together, but each day” the man trailed off until he came back to his first assessment “so if you’re seeking to resolve troubles, welcome, if not, we’ve been through enough already.”
“We’re here to help sir,” Imoen said politely, feeling a little sorry for the broken soldier.
“Then seek out Berrun Ghastkill, he is mayor of this town and will be grateful for the help,” the guard replied. “He should be around the temple or maybe at the carnival helping get folk’s moral back. Good luck to thee.”
The group headed past the guard down the busy street.
“Carnival?” Imoen said. “Can we check it out?”
“Perhaps,” Sahil said as the group walked past man showcasing martial art skills. “It could be entertaining, but let’s not forget why we are here.”
An older man approached the group as they reached the temple. He was carrying an bow similar to the ones the guardsmen were walking around with, however, he wasn’t in any uniform, just high quality leather armor.
“You there,” the man said. “Are you the group Khalid sent word about?”
“You heard from Khalid?” Sahil asked.
“Yes,” the man replied. “I am Berrun Ghastkill, mayor of Nashkel. He sent word via a runner not to long ago stating you were coming to help with our troubles.”
“That’s us,” Sahil said. “Any word from him about Jaheira?”
“She is recovering,” the mayor replied. “But still bed ridden.”
“What do you need from us?” Sahil asked turning her attention to the problems of the town.
“If you are up to it, I would ask that you take a look at the mines southeast of town,” the mayor began. “The miners claim there are demons or some such roaming about, but they are a superstitious lot and prone to exaggeration.”
Garrick nudged Neera and gave her a knowing look to remind her of the conversation the two of them had earlier.
“I am more concerned with the state of our ore,” the mayor continued. “All iron removed from the mines is tainted somehow, and useless for smithing. I would have you find out how it happens and who is behind it. You will be rewarded handsomely for your efforts.”
“We’ll look into it for you mayor,” Sahil said.
“Good to hear,” he replied. “Perhaps we can finally start putting all this trouble behind us. If you need supplies, there is a general store behind you and you passed the inn on your way in if you need to a good rest.”
“Thanks,” Sahil said. “We’ll attempt to get organized as soon as possible.”
“Good luck to you,” the mayor replied and took his leave from the group.
“Shall we check out the mines now?” Sahil asked as they continued to walk down the street.
“It was a long journey,” Imoen replied. “Can we not rest up a bit first. A nice bed would do me wonders.” Sahil smiled and then yawned.
“I guess you maybe right,” she said. The mine will be there tomorrow.
“Oh! You have returned! And so soon!” a portly man said to Garrick as the group walked down the road interrupting the conversation.
“No, say not another word. I would not think of making you wait a moment for your just reward,” the man continued. “When council told me that they have procured Greywolf to rid the woods of the bandit Tonquin, I knew we could expect swift justice!”
The group looked between each other with puzzled looks. Surely the man was addled.
“I would not have predicted success this quickly, but who else could it be striding into town looking, ah, looking as you do?” the man asked with a flare. “Please accept this meager sum of two hundred gold pieces, as well as the heartfelt thanks of all of Nashkel.”
The man held out a small pouch to Garrick, whose eyes lit up upon seeing the reward. It seemed too easy to him.
“You must have made some mistake,” Sahil said before Garrick could get his hands on the pouch. “He is not this Greywolf. Keep your money, it is not ours to take.”
Garrick gave a look of defeat as the man looked even more confused than before. His eyes widened suddenly as he knew he was about to make a terrible mistake.
“You are not Greywolf the bounty hunter?” he asked. Garrick shook his head no. “Oh, sweet Helm, I almost gave two hundred gold pieces to a complete stranger! The captain best not hear of this; he’d have my hide. Thanks be for your honesty, stranger. There are those who would not have done as such.”
“Who are you anyway?” Imoen asked.
“Me? Name’s Oublek,” the man said. “Pay master of the Amnish council here in Nashkel. I am what binds the guard to the public! A vital relations link, I am. Indispensable.”
“I see,” Imoen replied. “And would I get that same response if I spoke with your commanding officer?”
“Imoen!” Sahil snapped as Neera giggled.
The man waved his hand. “I fail to see how this is relevant to anything. Please return when you have something worth my time.”
He turned away in a sulk. The group gave a collective shrugged and walked past a group of children playing tag.
“You need to calm yourself, sir,” Sahil overheard a guard say to bald man with a strange facial tattoo.
“Calm! How can I be calm when justice is slapped in the face like this!” The man yelled with a strange accent. He looked over to the group past the guard. “I agree Boo, they look to be friendly.”
The man dismissed the guard and strode over Sahil.
“Greetings, we are Minsc and Boo,” he said “We have traveled far to explore this land, but now my charge Dynaheir has been taken from us. ‘Twas gnolls, and once we have tracked them” he begins to raise his voice as he finishes “I will beat sense into their heads until they release her! Accomany us, and bards will sing the deeds of Minsc and Boo… and friends.”
Sahil looked back to Garrick who seemed to have started giggling at the bards singing deeds part. Sahil was probably thinking of the some of the same lyrics as the bard.
“Excuse me,” she said. “But are you speaking to a rodent?”
“Boo is my faithful animal companion, and more than he seems.” Hailix flew in to get a closer look of the rodent that was perched on the man’s shoulder. He gave the creature a sniff, and in turn, the hamster sniffed back. Hailix flew back to Sahil and over her shoulder. The rodent let out a squeak.
“It sounds as if your campaign is in trouble,” Sahil said. “We’ll help you find her.”
“Oh yes,” Garrick said. “The classic dilemma of the damsel in distress! How could anyone decline?”
The man smiled widely.
“Take heart, fellow adventurers, for you have curried the favor of Boo, the only miniature giant space hamster in the realm!” he said. “My friend and companion ever since my h-h-head wound, we will lead us to victory!”
“Oh this guy is gold,” Garrick said.
“The Gnoll stronghold is in the west,” Minsc continued, “Tarry not! We must go soon!”
The man strode off down the road ahead of the group.
“Wait, uh Minsc,” Sahil called out to the man. “We just arrived in town and need to rest.”
“Rest is for the wicked!” the man bellowed back. “We cannot tarry! We leave this instant!”
The group looked at each other and once again shrugged following the man over the southern bridge out of town.
A man dressed in orange waved to them as they strode past after Minsc. “Hey ya,” the man in orange said and Garrick waved back.
They were soon back into the thicket of the forest.
@deltago, beautiful work. It reads just like a professionally written novel. I'm glad you decided to include Minsc. It's interesting that you seem to have used him as a distraction to avoid Neira for now. I look forward to seeing how you advance the story from here.
“Minsc!” Sahil shouted towards the towering man who was a good fifty paces in front of the rest of the group. “Stop!”
Minsc turned around to see his new campaigns far behind him. He placed his arms on his hips and bellowed “Evil does not stop and rest when it has one’s life in its clutches! We must hurry!”
“No Minsc,” Sahil said calmly to him as she approached. “We have been on the road for days before we met you. We are tired and need to rest if we are to be of any help to you.”
Neera caught up to the pair at this time, breathless. “Ya big guy. Most of us aren’t use to travelling this much.”
“But… my witch,” Minsc started.
“Is according to you being held captive,” Sahil started as Imoen and Garrick finally reached the rest of the group. “Do you know why atleast?”
“Because they are evil doers who must be brought to justice by me and my hamster!”Minsc bellowed.
“Well that’s one reason I guess,” Garrick said a touch sarcastically.
“It’s the only reason!” Minsc replied. “I am sworn to protect my witch Dynaheir while I am on my dajemma. It is my duty, which I failed when we were ambushed by those foul creatures!”
“But do you know why they ambushed you and took Dynaheir?” Sahil attempted to ask again.
“No I do not. I only know I need to get her back and soon!”
“We’ll help big guy, don’t worry,” Imoen said. “Let us just rest and plan a way to get her back.”
“Plan?” Minsc questioned. “There is no planning. We go in with our big swords and crush all those who oppose us!”
“We don’t own big swords,” Garrick mused.
“Oh,” Minsc looked confused then noticed that no one in the party carried any large blades. “This might be a problem then.”
“So let’s sit down and figure it out,” Sahil said.
“Oh, you’re a smart one I see,” Minsc said. “I am getting a little weary, perhaps we should rest and discuss this now, no?”
Upon hearing those words Neera collapsed to the ground and started rubbing her legs. Garrick removed his pack and joined her on the ground.
“So, what can you tell us about this stronghold?” Garrick asked as he removed some rations from his pack and passed them to Imoen who sat down beside him.
“I only saw it from a distance,” Minsc replied. “But it is a large, built on the coast up against the rocks. It has high walls and only one pathway in across a bridge.”
“Formidable,” Garrick replied. “It looks like a frontal assault is our best approach.”
“How many gnolls are there?” Sahil asked.
“Too many to count, and I can count real high,” Minsc said.
“Do you know where they are holding her in the keep?” Sahil asked and the big man shook his head.
“Well,” Garrick started. “A one way in, one way out with unknown amount of hostile creatures and nowhere to know where this witch is, if she is still there at all.”
Minsc gave the bard a hard stare. “What do you mean if she is still there?”
“They could of move her to another location while you and your rodent where looking for help. They could have thrown her into the sea for all we know.”
Sahil sensed Minsc getting angry at the thought of Dynaheir dying tragically and attempted to defuse the situation. “She is still there, we will find her don’t worry Minsc. Good will be triumphant.”
Minsc smiled at those last words.
“When we get across the bridge, I will attempt to scout ahead to determine where she is being held and how many gnolls are in the fortress,” Sahil said. “If we are lucky, I can find her and get her out before any of the gnolls know she is missing.”
“No butt kicking?” Minsc asked.
“Maybe a little,” Sahil said.
“Are you sure you can sneak in like that?” Imoen asked. “If they catch you, we’ll have two people to rescue instead of one.”
“There is only one way to find out,” Sahil replied. “We’ll head there soon.”
There was a snort in the distance. Sahil looked up and saw a large hairy creature with a dog’s face approaching the group. They were foolish. They set up camp in an open field, in full view of any scouting parties from the fortress or even bandits. Luckily there was just one gnoll approaching the group.
“This is Dajucnik clan land. You trespass! You leave!” the creature shouted at them. Minsc turned and saw the creature and jumped to his feet immediately. “Where’s my witch!”
He charged the creature who was taken a bit back by the hostile approach of the human and readied itself to defend.
With a roar, Minsc barrelled into the flind, sending the two to the ground. The gnoll got in a quick punch to Minsc’s head which didn’t faze the warrior at all.
“Where is my witch!” Minsc screamed again drawing his sword as he got to his feet and and bringing the large blade down onto the creature severing it half. He kept screaming as the creature fell to the ground. “Where!”
Sahil saw anger in the man’s eyes and she knew he lost control of himself. The one swing that brought down the flind didn’t satisfy his bloodlust and he turned his sights onto her.
“You will help me find my witch now!” he bellowed at her swinging his sword in her direction. “If you do not help me, you help the evil that holds her!”
His swing missed as Sahil jumped back from the blade.
“Minsc!” Imoen shouted. “Stop! We’ll help!”
The group began keeping their distance away from the raging man. Neera pulled out her wand of sleep to attempt to subdue the man however when the spell struck, he simply seemed to shrug it off.
“You try to use your evil and foul magic on me!” He turned his attention to the half-elf who was began to shake in fear.
The hamster appeared on the man’s shoulder and crawled close to his ear. His rage subsided and he lowered his weapon.
“Ah, you are right Boo,” he said. “I am sorry, they are trying to help.”
The group relaxed a bit knowing they didn’t have to take the warrior down. Misc went over to the corpse of the gnoll and grabbed its two-handed sword that it didn’t even have time to unsheathe and approached Garrick.
“Here little man,” Minsc said. “Now you have a big sword to help storm the fortress like you promised.”
“Uh, thanks,” Garrick said giving Sahil a quick what-did-we-get-ourselves-into look. “I’ll need time to practice with it though, so let us keep resting until I can swing it well.”
Minsc smiled. “OK little man, but not too long, we have evil to smite!”
Ok, make that three crashes now (thankfully this time I saved what I wrote) and a handful of distractful games later, the next chapter is ready. I am going to attempt to update this once a week now and get it finished before Adventure Y is released having this play through be my first through that expansion. I can't promise anything though, as real life and DA:I may get in the way as it did for the last two months. Regardless, this is now 70 pages long and 29, 500 words and I am not even at the mines. I wonder what I got myself into.
Chapter 13 - Bigger Swords
He could barely lift it, but he was pulling it off giving the large man, and Sahil a show. Garrick, attempting to parry the thrusts that Minsc threw at him was an amusing sight to see. The bard was able to mimic the ranger’s stance convincingly as if he had been trained with the weapon but the illusion was lost as soon as Minsc began charging. Fear etched its way across Garrick’s face and he broke his stance and composure to dodge the blurry man instead of defending himself.
Sahil laughed at the scene while Hailix rested in her lap, munching on some rodent he was able to capture.
“What do you think of him?” said Sahil to her familiar.
“Unstable,” replied the small dragon.
“Which one?” replied Sahil realizing she didn’t specify.
“Both,” said the creature casually as Garrick attempted a swing that threw him off balance. Minsc let out a hardy chuckle as the bard fell to the ground while Sahil smiled, amused at the scene unfolding before her.
“I see that,” Sahil said. “Garrick is at least being a good sport about it.”
The creature nodded as it gulped down the remaining chunk of his snack. “Are we going to be traveling with him for long,” it said, once again not specifying whom it was talking about.
“I don’t know,” Sahil said. “I really do not trust either of them. Minsc seems loyal enough, but that display earlier, his attitude may get us into trouble later.”
“And Garrick?”
“And Garrick,” Sahil paused looking at the bard, once again getting into his stance, pretending to be a fierce warrior, and once again cowering at the charging man. “I just don’t know how reliable he is.”
The creature nodded once again, and then rested his head on her lap.
“Don’t get to comfy,” she said, “we really should save Garrick from his torture and break camp soon.”
The creature sighed, and flapped its wings, crawling out of her lap. “if you wish.”
Sahil stood up as well and stretched. “I think once we save, Minsc’s witch, we’ll depart from his company.”
The faerie dragon took flight, looked at his companion and gave a slight nod.
“Go find Imoen, we’ll leave soon,” Sahil ordered, and walked towards the duelling odd couple.
~
The stronghold could be seen in the distance. A large fortress, built upon the rocks of the coast much like Candlekeep. Even though it was nowhere close to the size of the her old home, the fortress seemed well built, with only a single entrance from the shore visible, a creeky old wooden bridge that had fallen out of disrepair.
Sahil wondered how the gnolls obtained such a structure as she found it hard to believe that they built it themselves. She remembered reading about them in Candlekeep. They are a brutal and thuggish race that tend to have more nomadic tendencies than building giant strongholds. Why they took possession of the structure is a curious thought.
She is also aware at how gnolls treat their captives. They tend to be merely food, and in the rarest occasion made slaves to perform hard physical labour for the tribe. A witch, stereotypically, isn’t one to be considered of physical nature and she wonders if the poor woman is even alive. She also wonders how Minsc would react to such a situation. She slowly regrets joining up with the man and hope it isn't the case.
A loud bark, broke her train of thought, as a lone gnoll wanders close to the group.
“Grrrrruaarr… Wrrretched forrrtrress!” the creature growled, rolling it’s ‘r’s while he spoke to the group. “If you go therrrre, go to conquerrrrr!”
“I will take no orders from a lowly gnoll. Now prepare to meet your end!” Minsc yelled as he charged the beast.
“Die then, wretched pinklingsss!” it replied, hefting a large halberd.
“Now is your chance little man!” Minsc said to Garrick, “show me what you can do.”
Garrick laughed and muttered to Sahil, “I think I can run away.”
“You better not,” replied Sahil.
Sahil raised her quarterstaff up to defend against the gnoll, while Minsc and Garrick flanked the beast. The way the trio was laid out, Imoen could not get a clear shot at the gnoll so she attempted to flank in behind it, while Neera waited to see how the battle turned before acting.
Sahil attempted to taunt the gnoll into attacking her with a wild swing as her campaigns got into better position, but the gnoll focused his attention Minsc instead.
Sahil took advantage of the gnoll’s disinterest and wacked the creature behind the legs with her staff. It growled and turned back to Sahil while Minsc brought his blade down upon the creature’s shoulder severing it, and sending it to the ground dead.
“Why you not attack little man,” Minsc asked Garrick.
“You two dropped him before I could even get ready,” replied the bard.
“That is no excuse,” lectured Minsc, “Hopefully there will be more of his ilk we can smite together across the bridge! Lets go comrades! Evil awaits!”
Garrick picked up the halberd and a pouch of coins the gnoll had on his body while Sahil gave him an cold stare.
“A bigger weapon,” replied the bard. “You know in case this one isn’t big enough. Besides I think it is magical. Can’t leave it laying here.”
“My hamster is getting antsy!” Cried Minsc who had walked further up ahead while Garrick looted the corpse. “If we be adventurers, let us adventure!”
“Right you are Minsc,” Garrick replied. “Right you are.”
It was more stable than it looked, the rickety old rope bridge that spanned across the small, but dangerously rapid inlet from the sea. Minsc was waiting on the bridge while the others caught up.
“Minsc, you should slow down,” said Neera. “You really do not know what is across that thing, or even if it is stable enough to hold your weight.”
“If I am in danger, Boo will surely tell me so,” replied the ranger. The group gave each other looks as Minsc slowly made his way across. The bridge was just wide enough for two side by side so the remaining companions paired up and helped each other across. Sahil and Garrick in the front, Imoen and Neera in the rear. Hailix fluttered over the edge of the bridge. No fear in falling in his mind.
As the group approached their way to the other side, a giant ogre made his way onto the bridge blocking their path. The brute was unarmed, but still intimidating to see. The group stopped as he approached.
“Stop! You go nowhere!” the ogre started. “This our bridge. You pay to walk it!”
Another ogre who thankfully remained on shore, piped up, “Yeah, you pay… two hundred for all heads, or lose heads!”
Sahil wondered if the group would be able to fight on the bridge if it came to that. Two hundred gold was a steep price, one that she didn’t think the group possessed.
“Isn’t two hundred gold a little steep?” Garrick asked casually to the ogres. “I mean, do we look like we have that kind of coin?”
The ogre on shore mulled it over. “Okay, maybe two hundreds gold too much,” it finally replied. “Maybe you pay… one hundred gold!”
“Yeah,” agreed the ogre on the bridge. “One hundred gold for all heads, or lose heads! Pretty good deal!”
“Okay,” replied Garrick. “One hundred gold is a little more reasonable. I’ll pay you that and we’ll be on our way.”
Sahil gave the bard another cold stare as she knew that was probably the rest of the coin the group had gathered, although, it did seem like a better alternative than fighting the brutes over the rapids.
“You got smart head, so you keep head!” replied the ogre as Garrick handed over pouch of coin.
“What do you know of the Gnolls in the fortress up ahead,” asked Garrick.
“Gnolls good,” replied the ogre. “They pay with meat and some coin. We give discount. Many gnoll use bridge.”
“How many?” asked Sahil.
“Ummm, they all look same like yous guys,” the ogre replied. “I donno. Now go away, smart head, before we charge for standing!”
“Ok we’re going,” replied Garrick. “Thank you for allowing us to use your bridge.”
The ogre scoffed as he let the group pass.
“They seemed pleasant enough,” Garrick mused.
“Truly,” replied Neera. “I thought we were done for, for sure when I saw that thing barrelling towards us.”
“You couldn’t talk him down for less,” asked Imoen.
“Doubt it,” replied the bard. “Dealt with his kind before, if they hesitate while giving the first offer, they will go down for the second, but lose patience after that. Might’ve got messy if I attempted to swindle him more. Shall we go rescue that damsel in distress?”
The rocky path sloped upwards. The crashing water hid their footsteps as they slowly approached the main gate of the stronghold in the darkness. Tattered flags and a giant skull decorated the wooden posts that acted as a barrier between the encampment and the bridge leading out. Sahil wasn’t sure if the gnolls decorated the entrance or if it was from forgotten owners long ago.
The cliff jutted creviced in slightly before the gates. A perfect hiding spot to plan and maneuver the groups next move before embarking into the keep. There the four companions gathered below a lone standing tree.
“I should scout ahead and determine numbers before we charge in,” Sahil said to others. “Charging in blindly maybe foolish and make matters worse.”
“I agree,” Garrick said. “But it is risky, for you to go alone.”
“I won’t be alone,” she replied and eyed her familiar down.
“uh oh,” the dragon mused.
“Do not worry Hailix,” she said. “Just get into my pack. If I get into trouble, it will be your job to come warn the others here.”
The faerie dragon thought on it and realized it was a small risk to take especially when he was ordered to protect and guide the girl. He slowly nodded and crawled into the pack.
“Do you want me to come with you?” Imoen asked.
“No, it maybe easier if I do this alone,” Sahil replied.
“Be careful then,” her friend replied.
“I will,” Sahil replied. “Neera, that potion case I gave you earlier.”
“Uh huh,” replied the mage.
“Does it still have that potion of invisibility?”
“Lemme check,” Neera said as she began rifling through the bag. “Here it is. Do you only want this one? Wouldn’t it be easier to take them all, just in case?”
“No,” Sahil said. “They may rattle and make too much noise while I slip in. This one potion maybe enough to get me out of trouble, or if I am lucky, give to Minsc’s witch to sneak her out.”
“Don’t do anything too rash,” Garrick said.
“I don’t know if I like this sneaky business,” said Minsc.
“It is our first option until we know what we are dealing with,” Sahil said. “Trust me. I’ll be back soon.”
“Good luck,” Imoen replied.
Sahil sulked to the shadows against the cliffs and rounded the corner to the wooden gate. A lone gnoll stood guard, half asleep. She quickly made her way past him and up a wide stone staircase that curved up into the fortress.
She readjusted herself in the shadows as she made her way to a large wall covered in vines. There the staircase grew steeper and edged itself along the wall. She slowly crept upwards as she heard two creatures conversing on the steps. They were the same humanoids that attacked her and Imoen outside of the Friendly Arm Inn. What they were doing with the gnolls in this fortress was unknown, but Sahil wasn’t going to wait around to find out.
She quietly slipped by them. Up ahead she could see a large round pit and quickly made her way towards it. Perhaps prisoners were kept below. As she approached the pit, a creature barked out to her. She was spotted by a lone gnoll guarding the pit.
“Grrrrah,” it barked. “Frrrresh Meat.”
Sahil stopped in her tracks and waited for the gnoll to attack. It quickly charged. Sahil thrust out her staff towards the beast who parried the swing with his halberd. She attempted to counter the block by raising the other half up between the beast’s legs, but failed at making a connection.
The gnoll swung the halberd at her head which she easily ducked. Off balance, the gnoll staggered and Sahil took the opportunity to bring the staff across the gnoll’s head. It’s head jolted to the side and came back, yellow eyes staring her down with a sloppy grin of broken teeth and large snout turning into a snarl.
“Die scum!” it said while it swung its large weapon towards Sahil. She used her reflexes to jump back from the attack and brought her staff down upon the gnoll’s arm. It howled in pain. Howled a bit too loudly for Sahil’s liking. The longer this fight dragged on, the more of a chance reinforcements would arrive.
The gnoll swung at her again. It seemed the beast was improperly trained on how to use the weapon as it missed again leaving itself open for another counterattack. Sahil brought her staff across the beasts neck, snapping it and sending him to the ground. She looked around. No one seemed to have noticed the fight, or cared about it. Perhaps, warfare and inner fighting was common with the gnolls. She quickly hid herself by a triangular wall support though and made sure no patrols were coming.
When she felt it was safe, she peered down the giant hole. It was dark and she could not see the bottom. She slowly descended down the wooden posts that acted as a makeshift staircase. The pit was empty, but she realized this type of pit was ideal for holding hostages. She slowly crept up staircase and studied the levels above her.
There seemed to be two different plateaus she could check, but she needed to find the holding cell quickly. She didn’t know how long Minsc’s patience would last before he charged the place.
“Hailix,” she whispered.
The small dragon poked its head out of the bag and looked around.
“Yes?” it questioned.
“I need to you to fly up and see if you can spot any more pits like this one up these two staircases.”
The creature nodded and fluttered slowly up, he flew away from the keep as to not attract attention to himself then turned to face it. He slowly descended back down to Sahil.
“There are two of them on the smaller plateau,” the dragon said. “With a lot of gnolls.”
“One of those must be the holding cell then,” Sahil said and the creature nodded.
“Should I go tell the others?” the creature asked.
“Not yet,” Sahil replied. Get back in my pack, let’s see if we can find her first.”
The familiar nodded once again and crawled back into the pack. Sahil sulked her way along the wall back to a narrow staircase leadind up onto the higher plateau. She waited and listened around the corner. The two blue humanoids were still conversing near the steps, however she didn’t hear anything from above. She quickly ascended the stairs and ducked to the left into the shadows along the ledge.
Three gnolls were near the first pit, barking at each other. She quickly made her way behind them against the wall and made her way to the pit. A large wooden plank, soaked in blood hovered above the deep hole. There was dry blood splattered on its ridge and the wall close to it.
She smelled the death and it surprisingly calmed her. She quickly made her way the wooden steps to the depth of the pit without being seen. Besides old bones and dried blood, the pit was empty. She took a deep breath and quietly made her way up the posts back to the wall.
Unseen, she hid herself behind another wall support and looked at the final pit. There, three more gnolls were barking at each other angrily. One stood taller than the other two and seemed to be fending them off from the hole.
“Not yet,” it barked
“Why?” said another.
“Because,” the taller one said.
The larger one was guarding the pit, not from intruders, but from the other gnolls. Sahil surmised something must be down there of value such a prisoner. She had a slight sense of hope. She made her way past the feuding gnolls to the wooden posts and quickly descended. There a dark skinned woman in tattered blue robes sat in the corner. Sahil came out of the shadows and the woman looked up at her and stood.
“Dynaheir?” Sahil asked.
“Aye,” the lady replied.
“I am here to save you. Minsc sent me, he is waiting outside the keep,” Sahil said.
“Truly?” Dynaheir said in disbelief. “‘Twas courageous to follow the likes of Minsc into battle, if a touch foolish.”
“He really didn’t give me an option,” Sahil replied. “Here, drink this.”
She handed the witch the potion of invisibility. Dynaheir uncorked it, and swigged it back.
“Stay quiet and behind me,” Sahil said, let’s get you to Minsc.”
The two made their way out of the hole, and past the gnolls whom were none the wiser that their captive was slipping out. They quickly made their way along the wall and back down the staircase where the Xvarts were still discussing something of importance to them. Sahil grew confident that they were going to make it out without any more bloodshed.
That is until she saw the patrol walking up the steps towards her. She locked eyes with the lead gnoll who barked out to the xvarts.
“You two, intrrrruderrrr.”
The xvarts turned towards the gnoll and spotted Sahil.
“AAATTTAACCKKKK!” one yelled.
“Stay hidden,” Sahil said to Dynaheir whom she couldn’t see and raised her staff to take on the four attackers who were now flanking her.
The gnolls and their large strides reached Sahil first and she turned to attack them. She had to be cautious with her attacks and wait for her opportunities though. The blue creatures came up behind her and one pierced her leg with a short sword. She grimaced, but held her ground, knocking away one of the gnolls swinging halberd. The other gnoll attempted to cleave her but it was easily dodged and she countered with a swing of her own. She bashed gnoll over the head making it yelp in pain.
Sahil looked over her shoulder to quickly see where the Xvarts were. One seemed to be blocked, unable to reach her back. She figured Dynaheir was helping her by being an invisible obstacle. As long as the witch didn’t attack the creatures, the invisibility would hold. Sahil liked her odds slightly better as she turned her attention back to the gnolls.
The one she cracked over the head, retreated a few steps back to regain its senses, so she turned her attention the other. A smile etched across her face as she swung her staff at the gnoll, disarming him. She could see the fear in its eyes as she clobbered the defenceless beast between the eyes. It slumped itself against the wall, defeated.
The xvart behind her however seized the opportunity to place its blade deep into her back. She cried in pain as the little critter laughed.
She turned her attention to it and counted its next thrust with her staff. She swung wildly at it which it was able to dodge easily and the other xvart finally got itself around the invisible obstical. The other gnoll came back to his senses and rejoined the fight. She was out numbered once again. Sahil put herself into a defensive position, but the onslaught was too much. She was able to parry the gnoll and one of the xvarts, but the other landed another piercing strike into the back of her leg again.
She cried out in pain.
“Hailix! Go get help!” She screamed.
The faerie dragon removed himself from the pack, and fluttered up to assess the situation. Dynaheir, came out of her invisibility, unarmed and at struck out at one of the blue beasts. She punched the creature in the back of the head hoping to get its attention.
Hailix swooped down on top of one xvart that received the punch to the head as Sahil repositioned herself against the wall to prevent her from being flanked. The odds were evened out, however, an unarmed mage and a fey didn’t tilt the battle too much in their favour.
Sahil lashed out at the gnoll parrying its attacks while Hailix continued to annoy and bite the xvart. Dynaheir grabbed the other blue creature by the shirt, a pulled him back away from Sahil just as it was about to thrust his sword into her again.
The creature stumbled backwards from the momentum of the pull and off the steps. He let out an elongated “eeeeee” sound as he fell to the stones and his death below.
The battle was turning, and the gnoll knew it. He wildly swung his halberd at Sahil and hit the wall. She tripped the beast up and it fell down the stairs, hitting his head at the bottom making him go out cold. She turned her attention to Hailix and the last xvart. Knowing it worked for the other one, she charged forward and pushed the creature off the steps.
She heard it thump as it hit the ground below and she let out a sigh. Blood was pouring down her back from the stab wounds. She needed to reach the gate before she bled out but she knew it would be impossible to get Dynaheir past the last gnoll guard without being seen.
“I think there is one more ahead,” she said to the witch. “Wait here.”
Dynaheir nodded.
“Hailix, stay with her,” she ordered. The faerie dragon fluttered above nervously.
Sahil crept slowly down the stairs and saw the half-asleep gnoll, still standing watch at the gate. She was in a lot of pain but knew he was the last obstacle in her way. She also knew her friends were just around the corner.
She got behind the gnoll and struck him with her staff. The gnoll snapped awake and turned at being attacked, Sahil readied herself in a defensive position, then yelled, “Imoen! Help”
Her friend came around the corner, bow in hand and saw Sahil parrying with the beast. It’s back was turned which gave her time to aim an arrow striking the leg. It yelped and turned, giving Sahil the opportunity to finish it off. The beast fell into an eternal slumber.
“Are you okay?” Imoen asked.
“Not really,” Sahil replied as she limped forward. “Hailix it is safe, come.”
The faerie dragon and the witch quickly descended the stairs. Minsc, came around the corner and saw his witch.
“Dynaheir!” he shouted, “I found you!”
“Aye thee did Minsc,” she said, “but let us wait until we are clear of tis place before thy celebration commences.”
“Agreed,” Sahil said as Imoen handed her a healing salve that she applied to her back. “Thank you.”
“No problem,” her friend said. “You did it alone?”
“It was no trouble till the end, but let’s not tarry,” Sahil replied, “back across the bridge.”
“I thank thee for saving me,” Dynaheir said as they reached the safety of the woods beyond the bridge. “I have naught to offer thee in return, save my service in battle. Mayhaps I could travel with thee awhile, and an opportunity may arise for repayment of my debt.”
“We were happy to help,” Sahil said to her. “We do not require payment for helping you, however, I am curious of who you are that you warrant a bodyguard”
“I am Dynaheir of Rashemen,” the witch replied. “‘This not a title, ‘tis just where I am from. We two are indeed far afield of our home, but ‘tis a necessary rite of passage. Minsc must make his dajemma by seeking adventure, while I must prove my worth to my… sisters in much the same manner.”
“What brings you here though,” Neera asked.
“Tis an interesting time for the realms, with great things foretold for the Sword Coast,” Dynaheir explained. “‘Tis therefore a likely place to look for what we need. What dost thou seek on this adventurous road? Mayhaps we can all find what we need together?”
Sahil found it curious that she was dodging the questions being asked of her. She knew having these two around afford more safety in numbers, but trust was fleeting. Sahil dodged the question and asked another.
“How did you come to be captured by the gnolls?”
“Alas, we were ambushed in the night,” the witch replied. “Minsc was overcome by yet another blow to the head, and I was spirited away before he could recover.”
“Why?” Imoen asked.
“Your guess is as good as mine,” Dynaheir replied. “But with but two eyes apiece there is naught more we could have done.”
Sahil thought on the answer. It was hard to phantom that this was a random occurrence. The gnolls wanted Dynaheir for something. With a bounty on her own head, and Red Wizards hunting Neera, adding another factions ire on the group would be ill advised especially with Minsc’s mental stability.
Sahil responded civilly though.
“As I said, we require no payment for your rescue,” she started. “We are working on behalf of the mayor of Nashkel at the moment and venturing along the coast with you for your… dajemma… isn’t an option at the moment. I do wish you two luck though. Maybe our paths will cross again. Good luck to you.”
“As thou dost wish, though the logic of thy decision escapeth me,” Dynaheir scoffed. “Come, Minsc, we depart forthwith.”
Minsc turned to Garrick, “I fear that where Dynaheir goes, so must I little man!”
“It was an honour meeting you Minsc,” Garrick replied. “Farewell.”
The large man turned and began to follow the witch into the wilderness up the coast. The four remaining companions let out a collective sigh of relief and headed back to town to rest.
The journey back to Nashkel was uneventful but relaxing due to the group being able to walk at their own pace instead of one set by an unstable hunter desperately attempting to find his way in life. The sun was beginning to rise by the time they reached the small stone bridge. Weariness was setting in, and everyone was looking forward to sleeping in a real bed at the inn.
The same man in orange that greeted them while they left the town, was there by the bridge, and he greeted the companions as they approached.
“Hey ya,” he said smiling at them.
“Hello,” Neera replied.
“Ugh, I think I stepped in something,” the strange man continued.
“Well you should go wash it off then,” Imoen quipped in.
But instead of walking away, he began following the group towards the inn.
“Everyone in town used to throw rocks at me and tell me I was annoying,” he said rather bluntly.
“Well that’s not nice of them,” Neera replied but slowly quickened her pace.
“What time is it?” he asked rather casually.
“Unsure,” Neera said, who was slowly falling behind the rest of the group. “Listen I need to catch up here.”
The man looked at her as she quickened her pace to reach Imoen. He soon followed, but as soon as they group reached the inn, he stopped in his tracks.
“Odd man,” Neera said.
“Aye,” replied Imoen who was walking through the door that was being held by Garrick.
“Annoying, I say,” Garrick chimed in and followed the girls into the small inn.
The group looked around. A few patrons were enjoying drinks at the tables by the entrance, laughing at some obscure jokes. Sahil looked around and made eye contact with a woman dressed in heavy mail and helmet. The lady stood up, chuckled and approached the group.
“Just fancy my luck seeing you stroll in here, bold as day!” the stranger said.
“Excuse me?” Sahil asked, although she was already preparing for trouble.
“I expected a hunt and chase from the description, but who am I to argue easy coins in the purse?” The lady rhetorically said while pointing a club at Sahil. “May the Lord of Shadows guide you swiftly to your death!”
“I would first know my attacker!” Sahil shouted as she got ready to defend herself. “Why are you doing this?”
“Who I am is unimportant, though my name is Neira,” the lady replied. What I am, is a hunter of bounties, and on your head is a lovely little sum. Does this satisy your request? I thought it wouldn’t. No matter.”
Neira began chanting. The room being small didn’t allow the party to scatter nor set up a decent attack. Imoen pulled out her bow but aimed it carefully as to not hit any of the patrons who were cowering near or under their tables. None of them moved to get the guard. Her arrow pinged off Neira’s armour.
Sahil swung her staff at the chanting lady hitting her in the chest, but Neira was unfazed. Her spell was almost complete.
“Eat this,” Neera yelled and casted an energy bolt that struck through Neira’s armour.
Neira grunted, her chanting stopped as she took a step backwards after the blow. Garrick took a swing with his short sword but the armoured lady easily deflected it with her shield and began chanting again, this time with Neera in sights.
“I don’t think so,” Neera said as another arrow helpless bounced off the evil cleric of Mask. There was a sudden flood of energy enveloping the mage as she thrust it forward towards the cleric.
The energy crackled and struck Neira squarely in the chest. She stopped chanting. She stopped moving. She was held in place hopeless. Sahil turned and looked at Neera who had a shocked look on her face that slowly turned into a smile.
Garrick sieving the opportunity, stabbed the evil cleric in the back. The spell holding her deteriorated and she fell to the floor dead. The patrons came out of hiding and the group relaxed.
The Inn keeper came over and apologized to the group.
“I saw the whole thing, I will tell the guard it was self defense for sure, milady,” he said. “You should do yerself a favor and stay indoors tonight. I’ve heard of all sorts of weird things happening at night. I can prepare a room for you?”
“Please,” Sahil said as the Innkeeper bowed and walked towards the back of the establishment.
“Another hunter,” Garrick said as he searched the corpse pulling out a letter.
“What does it say?” Sahil asked.
Garrick cleared his throat and began to read:
“Be it known to all those of evil intent, that a bounty has been placed upon the head of Sahil, the foster child of Gorion. Last seen in the region of Beregost, this person is to be killed in quick order. The subject is to be considered a formidable foe, and is likely to have well-equipped traveling companions. This offer has been extended to all appropriate guilds. Those returning with the proof of the deed shall receive no less than 680 coins of gold.”
Garrick stopped reading and looked up, “Six eighty. Wow. How much was if before?”
“Two hundred I think,” replied Imoen.
Sahil began to get nervous, her trust was in the bard was fleeting again.
“That’s a huge mark up,” replied the bard. “Someone means business with you.”
“What else does the notice say?” Sahil asked, attempting to change the conversation.
“Just, ‘As always, any that reveal these plans to the forces of law shall join the target in their fate,’” Garrick replied. “No signature, no markings, no nothing to say who it would have came from.” Sahil sighed. She was tired and just wanted to rest. Garrick removed the rest of Neira’s equipment and eyed the helmet.
“Huh,” he mused. “I know this. This helmet is called the Eyes of Truth.”
“What does it do?” Imoen asked.
“Helps you see in the dark,” he replied. “Can be handy, want it?”
He handed it to Sahil who looked down at it. The helmet was dull as if made to absorb light instead of reflect it like most metals do. She nodded.
“A good trophy for defeating a bounty hunter!” Garrick mused.
“I really had nothing to do with it,” Sahil replied. “Neera saved the day, if only by fluke.”
“Fluke!” The mage objected. “My awesome power is no fluke.”
“Admit it, you didn’t mean for that to happen,” Sahil questioned.
“Maybe not, still saved the day though,” Neera beamed.
“I guess so,” Sahil said. She looked down at the shield Neira was carrying. “I think I should start using one. Seems effective.”
“Here,” Garrick replied, handing her the battered but still functional shield. “You won’t be able to use your staff with it, want the club as well?”
“I don’t like robbing from the dead,” Sahil said.
“She just tried to kill you,” Garrick said. “And it is an ordinary club, no one will miss it.”
He handed her the weapon that she reluctantly took. It was heavier than the staff surprisingly. She liked the weight of it though, and gave it a practise swing. A man cleared his throat behind her. She turned to see the Inn keeper.
The smell of the Sea of Swords crashing upon the rocky coastline lingers in the air as Sahil stands in front of her old home.
The stone walls rise higher before her, preventing entry. They were once comforting insight but now are foreboding and unwelcoming. Sahil walks towards the gate of her old home and tries the latch. It is stiff and unmoving, barring her from entering.
She steps back and attempts to look over the walls. She sees a small light emitting from her former room. Flickering in the wind, a small candle burns it’s wick attempting to stay lit amidst the chaos of wind from the sea. The faint light battles long, but eventually it snuffs out and the walls seem to swallow the window all together.
“You cannot go back this way child,” a familiar voice startles you though it is calm and caring. “You must go on.”
Sahil turns and sees her former mentor hovering before her. His image however isn’t as comforting as it should be as it is a shade of his living self. The phantom gestures toward the blackness of wood that she spent the last couple of days. It is black and twisted and full of grief, yet somehow inviting to her.
A small path opens up through the wood. It feels as though it is meant for her and pulls her forward toward it. She walks slowly towards it and then thinks better. It seems too convenient. She does not wish to dwell upon the loss she had endured, but neither should it be forgotten.
She stops in her tracks looking at the path but the pull becomes a push, she quickly turns away from the path and dashes into the forboding black wood that surrounds it.
A sinister voice that she recognizes but yet has never heard calls from behind her “You will learn!”
She doesn’t look back, but continues straight into bush. The branches scratch at her arms and legs as she pushes forward. The trees begin to close in on her much like the walls did on the candle, but she does not stop and does not look back.
She searches the darkness for anything that will lead her out like a light from a flickering candle but all she sees is darkness. Panic begins to creep into her mind as she slows her step and pushes forward out of breath.
She pushes through the trees and comes to a familiar clearing. The scent of the yellow and purple flowers replaced the sea air and she felt calm as she stumbled away from the tree line. She stood and spun looking at her surroundings and sensing no danger she began to relax and sat down among the flowers.
From the woods, not far from where she stumbled out, a unicorn emerged. It was a magnificent sight, noble looking and strong as it pushed its way into the clearing with Sahil. Sahil stood up as the beast approached.
“You need to forge your own path, child,” the beast said to her in a calming voice. Sahil reached to the beast as it let her pet its mane.
“I am trying,” Sahil said. “It is hard though, I feel lost.”
The unicorn nodded its head, “Being lost is an opportunity to find something new. I can help.”
“How?”
“Just believe in me.”
The unicorn turned away and headed back into the wood and Sahil opened her eyes.
The sun was shining through the flimsy drapes that attempted to block the view of the outside world. Sahil felt refreshed even though the straw mattress she rested on was hard and itchy. A smile etched across her face. She believed adventure awaited and she saw her best friend packing up satchels for their trip down into the mines.
Imoen turned around to see her best friend had finally woken up. “’Bout time,” she said.
“I had the strangest dream,” Sahil said.
“Another one?” Imoen asked.
“Ya,” Sahil replied. “I think Hailix’s god has taken an interest in me.”
“That’s never a good thing,” Imoen mused as she closed up the last satchel and swung it over her shoulder.
“I don’t know,” replied Sahil who started to stretch and get herself out of bed. “It’s like she is watching me, becoming my guardian.”
“And that’s what scares me,” Imoen replied. “Guard you from what?”
“Who knows,” Sahil said while changing into her leather armour. “But I have a feeling we may find out in the mines.”
“Well don’t go all worshippy on me,” Imoen scowled. “I got away from those priest of Oghman for a reason.”
There was a knock at the door. “If you ladies are ready, we should head out now,” Garrick said through the door.
“Aye, we’re set” replied Imoen, then more quietly to Sahil “Ready?”
“Always.”
The two left the room and passed Garrick in the hall who smiled at the friends and began following them to the common room where Neera was reading through a tome in a last ditch effort to memorize some spells.
Neera looked up at the approaching group and closed her book. “Are we off now?”
“As soon as we pay our tab,” said Sahil.
“Already covered,” Garrick replied.
Neera hastily packed her things and joined the group as they exited the inn. A man still performed material arts for a small crowd by the bridge and militia were walking the streets but all Sahil could hear were the birds in the trees chirping happily at the rising sun.
“Hey ya,” a man dressed in orange said and approached the group.
“Uh, not him again,” Neera muttered.
“What’s that big weapon for?” Noober said to Garrick, pointing at the great sword he still carried.
“We, my dear friend, are going to investigate your troubled mines today,” Garrick replied heroically.
“huh,” the man replied as the group attempted to walk by, “those colours look pretty stoopid on you…”
“Well I will keep that in mind the next time a tailor asks me what type of tunic I am in the mood for,” Garrick replied. “Now if you will excuse me.”
And the group hastily walked away.
“What a nut job,” Imoen said getting a giggle from Neera in the process.
The group headed south east down the path towards the mines. Hailix, who was resting up in one of trees fluttered down to his companions and perched himself on top of the Neira’s shield that Sahil carried on her back.
“Anything to report?” Sahil asked her familiar.
“It’s been quiet,” replied the small dragon.
From the distance Sahil could see the scar in the earth that was created by the mine – a large open pit in the middle of a rocky field that disfiguring the landscape. Temporary wooden shacks dotted around the edges of the hole, buildings used for storage.
As they approached closer, they could see miners, mulling about on the surface, pushing rusted carts of rocks and ore. There was guards posted at the entrance of the mine, either to keep people out, or keep miners in, Sahil didn’t know. The scene was a sad sight to behold. Her cozy life inside the library seemed luxurious compared to the condition that the workers dredge themselves through this day, and as rumour had it, all for naught.
The group headed down a rickety set of wooden stairs towards the entrance of the mine and Sahil approached one of the guards blocking the enterance. “You guys really should get permission from Emerson ‘fore you enter the mines,” the guard said as she approached. “He can get really nasty ‘bout unauthorized guys wandering ‘bout him mines.”
“Where is he?” Sahil asked, and the guard pointed to a man standing by a small wooden shack that seemed to be used as an office. He wore a red tunic much like the other guards but no chainmail. He held a clipboard and was studying it intently.
Sahil smiled at the guard and approached Emerson. “Uh, excuse me,” she said.
“So you want to take a look at me mine, do ya?” Emerson said, either overhearing the guard or already getting word from the mayor of their coming. “Well, I see no harm. Indeed, we could be using the help.” Emerson put the clipboard under his arm and gave Sahil his full attention as he continued. “There be problems in the lower level, where we lost some workers. The men talk of things a-movin below,” he said while waving his hands in disbelief, “but who’s to say?
“The earth, she hides many things from sight.”
With that, Emerson nodded to one of the guards by the entrance and retreated into the wooden hut studying the clipboard again.
“Odd,” Imoen said.
“Well it is what it is, shall we?” Garrick said motioning towards the mine.
Sahil took the lead back to the guards.
“I wish you luck in there,” one said. “Whatever’s been causing all the trouble isn’t something I’d wanna run into.”
The man stepped aside, and the companions entered into the dimly lit shaft.
The entrance sloped down, deeper into the earth. The dirt floor was packed hard from the weight of the carts that hauled the ore to the surface. Every fifteen feet or so, wooden supports were erected to hold the earth above. From these fixtures, oil lanterns hung giving off the only light in the dusty halls.
Loud clangs of metal hitting rock echoed from the depth the mine. The workers were still chiseling away at the sides of the earth. The operation, with all of its problems seemed to continue, regardless of the supposed danger.
The group paced slowly down into the mine, adjusting their eyes to the poorly lit conditions. A miner, spotting their approach, stopped pushing a rusting cart and greeted them.
“Hmm, more adventures eh?” his voice was wheezy when he spoke and his smile exposed gaps and chips. He was a slender man, but muscular only wearing short pantaloons that seem to be too ragged to even stay on.
“I’d leave while you still can if I were you,” he continued. “I’ve heard awful stories about what’s been happening to those that go deeper into the mines.”
“Why? What have you heard?” Sahil questioned.
“Well,” the man started, then paused “my friend Ruffie barely escaped with his life he did. Little demons jumped out of the very walls and chased him down. He’d be dead now if it weren’t for the guards that came running.
“’Course them guards are dead now. Old Ruffies’s around here somewhere,” the man paused again, searching for his friend. He stops and smiles, and points to another miner. “You ask him what he saw, and he’ll tell ya.”
“Thanks, I guess,” Sahil said and slowly approached the other man who was sifting through a cart of rocks. He’d pull one out, hold it close to a latern light, then drop it back in.
“Ruffie?” Sahil said as she approached.
“Wha-what do you want?” Ruffie was startled by the interruption. He seemed jumpy and on edge.
“What did these demons look like?” Sahil asked calmly to him.
“What did they look like?!” Ruffie began to become agitated at the question. He started to shake and he raised his voice more, “they looked like demons, ya blasted idiot!”
He shook his head and went back to sorting the rocks.
“Well, obvious,” Garrick mused.
“Do you think there are actually demons prowling around down here?” Neera asked.
“No,” Sahil replied looking back at Ruffie, “But I’d be wary just in case.”
The large opening of the mine started branching off into different shafts. Each had a set of rail tracks leading further into the mine. A cart, full of ore rested by the mouth of one the shafts. Sahil went over to it and picked up a piece.
The iron looked to be coated in some sort of toxic substance. “Look here,” she said.
“That maybe our culprit,” Garrick said. “This is what could be contaminating the iron in the region.”
“But who is doing this?” Asked Imoen, “One of the workers?”
“Demons!” Neera replied.
“Get real,” Sahil said smiling while putting the rock back into the cart. “It’s a start, come on.”
The four followed the track deeper into the mine. The further they got away from the entrance the darker it became.
Another worker saw them approaching and greeted them.
“A visitor! Glorious day,” he said. “We don’t get many down here as you can imagine. Are you going to be going down into the mines? If so, could you return this dagger to Kylee? He dropped it when he went into the mine the other day and I haven’t seen him since.”
“Sure, I’ll return his dagger,” Garrick said taking the blade and tucking it into his belt.
“Thank you so much,” the man said smiling. “I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.”
The man, patted Garrick on the shoulder and headed up the path to the entrance.
“If Kylee isn’t dead yet,” Garrick said out of earshot.
Sahil’s jaw dropped at the thought.
“He could be,” Garrick said unapologetically.
“Let’s just keep going,” Sahil said defeated.
The group rounded a bend, which sloped steeply down into darkness.
The group followed a set of tracks deeper into cavern. The walls narrowed in as they progressed further until they had to squeeze through one at a time. Hailix flew ahead, scouting, searching for the demons that lurked in the shadows, yet saw nothing.
The path once again opened up at a small underground stream. An empty miners cart sat on the track by its edge but no one was around until a man burst down one of the pathways screaming for help.
“They’re coming,” the miner spat out between breaths. “The yipping demons, they’re everwhere! Save me!”
“Please,” Sahil started. “Just calm down. Everything’s going to be okay.”
The man was either delirious or terrified.
“But I –“ the man started to slowly calm upon seeing the well-armed adventurers. “There they are! There they –“
Four small reptilian creatures burst from the shadows behind the man armed with crude bows. They yipped to each other then fired a volley of arrows at the miner. Three arrows whizzed over his head as the man ducked behind the group. The last struck him in the back felling him to the ground.
Neera removed a wand from her belt and pointed it at the creatures. “Nap time,” she said as Garrick checked on miner.
The demons collapsed to the ground in a slumber.
“Those kobolds killed him,” Garrick said rising to his feet.
Sahil slowly approached the sleeping beasts. “kobolds?” she asked.
“Small reptilian creatures, distantly related to dragons,” Garrick replied. “They tend to live underground in large tribes.”
“Perhaps that is why they are killing the miners,” Imoen asked approaching the creatures with Sahil.
“But it doesn’t explain the tainted ore,” Sahil said. “Can we communicate with them?”
“Not unless you speak Yipyak,” Garrick said. “They are aggressive, but also cowardly. If they wake, they may retreat and get more of their ilk.”
Sahil nodded her head. She despised the idea of killing defenseless creatures, yet they did kill a miner in front of them.
“Do it quickly then,” she said.
Garrick pulled out a blade and slit each of their throats.
“We should tread carefully now,” Garrick said after completing the task “who knows if there are more about.”
The path forked by the stream but the group followed the tracks to the northwest instead of east. A few paces from the stream the path met with another running north-south. Yipping could be heard ahead to the north.
“More of them, be ready,” Sahil said as they rounded the corner to confront a kobold running towards them with a short blade drawn.
Sahil readied herself with the club and mace to take the beast head on but Garrick placed a bolt though its head before it reached the group. Another in the distance began firing arrows. Imoen spotted it and fired one of her one piercing its heart. It let out a surprised yip before crumpling to the ground dead.
“Huh,” Imoen chimed. “That was easy.”
“I doubt they expected an armed patrol,” Sahil replied as the group continued to follow the tracks north.
A few more miner carts were on the track. Sahil looked in and saw a glistening sheen on the ore. A broken vial laid near the track and Sahil surmised the kobolds just coated the contents of this cart. She picked up the broken vial and showed the rest of the group, “I think we caught them in the act.”
“But why?” Neera asked.
“Maybe to drive the miners away from what they want to be there home,” Garrick replied.
It did make sense to Sahil. The kobolds wouldn’t realize the repercussions their actions were causing the outside world.
“We need to find a way to stop them,” Sahil said.
Imoen picked up some of the ore from the cart and mused. “But where are they getting this liquid from? They don’t seem smart enough to make it themselves.”
“Perhaps there is a piece to this puzzle that is still missing,” Garrick said. “Let’s just keep looking.”
Sahil nodded and continued to lead the group north. There the tracks merged with another set creating a crossroads. The group heard miners talking to the south of the new path, and went to investigate. With the kobolds close, it would beneficial to warn them.
The path opened up into a large storage room. Two guards stood in the middle wearing shoddy looking armour. The metal decaying around them and the swords they held were chipped and broken. If all the guards equipment were in this type of shape, it wasn’t surprising the kobolds were besting them in combat through ambushes.
Sahil approached on of the guards, “We just witnessed one of the miners getting killed by a bunch of kobolds.”
The guard sighed, “must have been Beldin.”
The second guard hearing the conversation chimed in “told him he’d get himself killed if he snuck off to nap. We’re here to protect the miners, but that don’t mean poking around in the depths after them.”
“Especially when we are reduced to wearing this shoddy armour,” the first interjected again. “Between you and me, I smuggled out some ore for a blacksmith friend to use to help us get better equipment, but even that was plagued like the rest.”
“But aren’t you guys worried about the kobolds?” Imoen asked.
“I smelled a kobold the other day and chased him down as far as I dared,” the first replied. “Let them have their dank holes if they want. Nothin’ but a nuisance on their own, anyway. Too stupid to be behind what’s going on.”
“We’re also looking for Kylee,” Neera interjected and changing the subject.
The first guard jerked his thumb towards a miner sitting in the corner of the room eating some rations. “That’s him there.”
“Thanks, stay safe,” Sahil said and left the guards to approach Kylee. Garrick removed the dagger from his belt and handed it to the man.
“I believe this belongs to you,” he said holding the hilt towards Kylee. “I hope you don’t mind, but I used it to kill some pesky kobolds getting here.”
“You have my dagger,” the man looked up smiling, showing a few missing teeth behind a dirt smeared face. “Thank you so much, I was getting nervous down here being unarmed. With all the things going on.”
“What do you know about the happenings of the mine?” Sahil asked.
“Kobolds!” Kylee replied with a bit of terror in his voice. “They’re overrunning the place piece by piece. We use to see them occasionally but now you can’t go more than a few feet without kicking one of them on the lower levels. It’s not so bad up here with the guards around.”
He motioned to the two standing in the middle of the room.
“Still I wouldn’t get caught in the dark if I were you,” he finished.
“Thanks for the advice,” Sahil said and the group departed the miner and the gaurds and headed north back towards the crossroad.
To the east, a large earthen bridge spans an underground lake with dead bodies spanning it. A couple of kobolds were rummaging through the corpses.
“Take them out,” Sahil ordered.
Garrick and Imoen aimed their bows at two critters on the bridge killing them with a single shot. Another kobold bounced towards where his companions fell. Both Imoen and Garrick took another shot at the approaching beast but missed.
Hailix swooped towards the beast and clawed at its face. It yelped in surprise attempting to push the faerie dragon away from its face. Imoen aimed her shot carefully and landed an arrow into the kobolds chest.
The group started crossing the bridge where more dead bodies laid.
“This ambush looks recent,” Sahil said. “Be ready. I don’t think three kobolds would have been able to take them all out.”
The group crept off the bridge where it aligned itself with another path running north-south. The path was dark an ill lit. The group slowly headed north.
The walls echoed the yipping of an approaching group of kobolds. Sahil readied herself in front of the party with her club and shield while Imoen and Garrick prepared to take aim. Neera grabbed her wand again.
The kobolds came in waves, their beady red eyes glowing in the darkness as they approached. Garrick let loose a bolt striking the first one in the neck. It’s yipping gurgled as it slumped to the ground as two more approached from behind it.
Imoen fired an arrow wide as Sahil approached them swinging her club to keep them at a distance where their short blades could not do any damage. Imoen and Garrick fired another round, each killing their respective targets.
Two more appeared in the distance, firing arrows at Sahil. They glanced off her shield and she gritted her teeth and charged forward. Garrick and Imoen moved closer into range as Neera and Hailix followed. Sahil struck the first Kobold across the head with her club sending it against the rocky wall in a splat. The last Kobold began to panic and run, yipping loudly as it ran south. Imoen placed an arrow in its back.
The yipping alerted another group that began to run deeper into the caverns.
“Oh no you don’t,” Neera said and fired her wand in their direction.
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.
Each one hit the floor in a magical slumber and Sahil and Garrick made quick work of them.
“Take a look at this,” Garrick said as he tossed a full vial liquid towards Sahil that he grabbed off of one of the now dead kobolds.”
The potion contained a strange green substance similar to the residue Sahil had seen in the mining carts.
“So the kobolds are behind this,” she said.
“Or someone else is giving them these vials to use,” Garrick said. “We should go deeper in to find out.”
Sahil nodded and the group began to descend down deeper into the mines to search out the kobolds and any who aided them.
The mine became darker and colder the further the group descended into it. The torches that hung on the wall were snuffed out, either by lack of air, or by the kobolds hiding in the shadows. The pathway was less smooth as well, fewer footsteps trampled the ground this deep below ground.
The mine seemed abandoned. The clanking of metal on stone was just a faint vibration this deep. Sahil knew she needed to find the kobold’s lair to determine why they were poisoning the ore. She slowly led the group forward following the tracks which soon split into three directions. A body laid where the tracks merged.
“Poor guy,” Imoen said.
Sahil nodded as she attempted to figure out which way to go. She looked west, but decided to head east. She took a few steps before Imoen grabbed her arm and yanked her back hard.
“Wait!” her friend exclaimed, then crouched to the ground of the tracks pulling on a clear string gently and following it up the wall. “This is a trap.”
“How’d you spot it?” Neera asked.
“Oh, it is a simple one that a lot of visiting merch-“ Imoen stopped explaining as she sensed Sahil staring her down.
“I knew it was you,” Sahil said as Imoen began to smirk. “Winthrop would always defend you and blame someone else.”
Imoen smiled as she reached into a small crevice and pulled out a small dart disarming the trap. “That’s because he always got a piece of the cut.”
“Figures,” Sahil said.
“Hey, I had to sell what I got to somebody,” Imoen replied. “Winthrop was just the closest fence.”
“And here I thought I was the scoundrel,” Garrick chimed in.
“You are,” Sahil replied with a smile. “Is it safe Immy?”
“Ya,” her friend replied. Sahil nodded her head to the east and the companions slowly headed that way.
“If they are trapping the area, we might be close to their lair,” Garrick whispered. “Be on your guard.”
Sahil nodded, and on cue, a patrol of kobolds appeared heading towards them.
“Quick, Neera,” Sahil ordered. “Put them to sleep.”
Neera nodded and removed the wand pointed it at the group of kobolds who began to yip as they saw the group. Garrick and Imoen aimed shots at the now charging critters, while Sahil took up a defensive stance to block their approach.
Arrows flew over Sahil head from both directions. She felt like she was caught in a cross fire, but trusted her friends enough to aim away from her. She might have been in the way though as both Imoen’s and Garrick’s shots pinged off the stone wall harmlessly.
A burst of magic erupted from the wand sending glittering dust over the kobolds. Each one hit the ground with a thump, passed out from the magic released from the wand. Sahil and Garrick quickly dispatched the knocked out kobolds.
“This wand sure is handy,” Neera said, admiring it. I wonder if I can learn the spell it uses.”
“Why if you have the rod?” Imoen asked.
“There are only a certain amount of charges a wand can hold,” Neera explained. “This one may get depleted soon.”
“I always wanted to learn magic,” Imoen mused. “Just didn’t have the patience with the scribes who taught it.”
“Ha! I know that feeling,” Neera mused. “I can teach you a few cantrips if you like, may take time to learn though.”
“Really?” Imoen mused. “That’d be great.”
While the girls were talking, Garrick was rustling through the dead kobold’s possessions looking for anything that may help them determine where their camp is.
“Anything?” Sahil asked.
“Just a few coins,” Garrick said. “We probably have to fine their lair the hard way.”
Sahil smiled and motioned to the two other girls to follow her. Neera put the wand away and Imoen moved closer to Sahil, keeping her eye out for anything that may harm the group. The tunnel branched into a “Y” and from what Sahil could tell, from the tracks, the patrol came from the south.
The group slowly headed that was down a narrow corridor. Hailix who was remaining quiet and flying high above swooped down and perched himself on Sahil’s shoulder.
“Scared?” she asked the dragon.
The dragon shook his head back and forth. “Lurue will protect us,” he said and Sahil smiled at the thought.
She remembered the dream that she had last night, and thought that the fairy dragon was right. The corridor that she they were following soon joined with another that ran east to west. Sahil bent to the ground to study the tracks.
“Which way?” Garrick asked.
Sahil couldn’t determine which way the patrol came from so she stood up and shrugged her shoulders. “I donno, west I guess,” she answerer and the four headed west down the dark corridor.
The further they headed west the warmer it became. The stone became warm to the touch and there was a slight sulphuric smell in the air. The west passage broke into a larger tunnel that ran north and south. As Sahil peeked around the corner, she saw a faint glow coming from the south.
The group slowly turned the corner and saw a large land bridge that spanned a river of molten rock. They stopped at the edge of the bridge. Even with the light from the lava below, it was too dark to see across it.
“Make sense for a kobold lair,” Garrick said. “Close to warmth; perhaps the miners opened up this tunnel and kobolds thought they were intruding on their territory.”
“Perhaps,” Sahil replied. “Doesn’t explain them poisoning the ore though.”
“If this is their way to their lair, the bridge is probably trapped,” Garrick said, changing the subject slightly after his theory was dismissed.
“I’m on it,” Imoen said, and slowly crept forward along the bridge.
“Be careful,” Sahil said to her friend, who turned her head and gave a wide grin.
“Never!” Imoen replied, and went back to her task of slinking along the edge of the bridge, looking for anything that maybe out of the ordinary.
Remaining in the shadows, she could see two kobold sentinels guarding the other side. Near the foot of the bridge and right in the middle laid two crude traps that the kobolds laid down.
She removed two arrows from her quiver and placed them along the edge of the trap, and slowly retreated back to her companions.
“Well?” Sahil asked as her friend returned from the shadows.
“There are two traps on the bridge,” Imoen replied, but there also two kobolds guarding the other side. I can’t disarm the traps without them seeing me.”
“Can you and Garrick take them out?” Sahil asked.
“Already ahead of you,” Imoen said and turned to Garrick. “If you can take out the one on the left, I will handle the one on the right. I laid down some arrows at the edge of the trap, so as long as you do not step over them, you will be fine.”
“Unless I take a kobold arrow to the head,” Garrick mused.
“It might be an improvement,” Neera joked.
Imoen smiled, but Garrick was less amused.
“Come on Garrick,” Imoen said. “Follow me.”
The two sulked towards the bridge and stopped right before the trap. The kobolds on the other side, saw their approach and began to yip. A third one jumped out of the shadows behind the pair of critters.
Imoen and Garrick fired almost simultaneously at their attended targets. Imoen’s kobold ducked it’s head and the arrow wizzed by, grazing the creatures cheek, while Garrick landed his shot into the leg of his target.
Both Kobolds yelped and scurried to cover to take aim from the two standing exposed on the bridge. Imoen fired a second arrow as Garrick reloaded, striking her target in the back before it got to cover. The third kobold fired and between the two and moved back down corridor tempting the pair to follow.
“Not falling for it,” Garrick said as he took another shot at the kobold whom was now shrouded in shadows. The shot missed and the kobold fired one back in kind.
“Where did the third one go?” Imoen asked as she took aim at Garrick’s target.
“Probably to get help,” the bard replied.
“Figures,” she said as she let her arrow loose, nailing the kobold in the chest.
“You didn’t need my help at all,” Garrick said smiling as the creature fell to the ground.
“I needed someone for the kobolds to fire at,” Imoen replied. “Keep watch, while I attempt to disarm this.” Imoen bent down and set off the trap prematurely. A bolt flew from the other side of the bridge missing Garrick head slightly.
“Whoa! Careful,” the bard chimed. “Are you trying to kill me?”
Imoen moved to the second trap, “Just stand back, it won’t hit you, easiest way to get rid of these traps.”
She bent down and set off the second trap, another bolt whizzed across the bridge clanking hard against the stone.
“Come, get Sahil and Neera,” Imoen said. “If that third kobold went for help, we better be ready.”
Just a quick comment to say how good this is, very well done.
I'm really enjoying it even though I don't even like the current NPC's and usually avoid using them. At this rate, I'm going to have to change my whole outlook on Garrick, Imoen and Neera.
Just a quick comment to say how good this is, very well done.
I'm really enjoying it even though I don't even like the current NPC's and usually avoid using them. At this rate, I'm going to have to change my whole outlook on Garrick, Imoen and Neera.
ha! thanks. Garrick and Immy are probably my two favourite NPCs in the first game. I am however writing Garrick less naive than I picture him to be though. Glad you are enjoying it, gives me motivation to write it more often.
The group crossed the bridge keeping to the sides and the shadows as best they could. Yip’s and growls could be heard echoing off the walls cavern making it difficult to know exactly how many there were residing deeper inside.
They reached the two dead bodies that were once guarding the door and slowly looked around for the third.
“There he is!” Garrick yelled a little too enthusiastically, pointing to the shadows further south that were tucked into a bend. The kobold was quietly aiming his bow at the group when Garrick ran forward to get into a better position to take a shot of his own.
“Garrick!” Sahil shouted at the bard who had seemed to lost his senses then motioned for Imoen to help him.
The kobold fired where Garrick use to be, the arrow clanging off the wall harmlessly. Garrick raised his bow high took a breath and aimed. The kobold scurried away as soon as the draw string released. The bolt hit the ground with a loud tink and a spark.
“Beshaba!” Garrick cursed while he began to reload his crossbow.
Imoen came around the corner and quickly fired a shot at the kobold who was setting up another shot of his own. Imoen’s arrow pierced the kobold’s scaly arm making him drop his arrow on the ground. It yipped in pain as it started feeling around for the projectile he dropped.
“I got this,” Garrick said as he fired another bolt high above the kobold’s head.
“Not when you are praying for bad luck,” Imoen replied and took another shot silencing the yipping beast.
“Well Tymora isn’t smiling on me,” Garrick said.
“You don’t need to be the hero here,” Imoen replied and motioned for Sahil and Neera to come forward. Garrick kicked at some rocks and smiled. “I’m just not use to this, spelunking,” he said as Neera and Sahil arrived.
“None of us are Garrick,” Sahil replied.
“I am also not use to putting my life on the line for someone else,” he continued. “I tend to entertain to make my coin.”
“No one is use to it,” Sahil said. “But don’t you think this is important?”
Garrick shrugged his shoulders. “Not if it means taking an arrow to the gullet. It isn’t worth that much.”
“These kobold’s can’t hit nothing with those arrows,” Imoen said. “You shouldn’t worry.”
“Not when I can’t hit anything either,” the bard said motioning to his crossbow.
“Perhaps you should just stick to bigger swords,” Imoen quipped playfully. The line brought a smile to the bard’s face.
“I will be fine,” the bard said. “I won’t let you guys down.”
Sahil nodded but was unsure of her companion’s composure. The last thing they needed was one of them running for the surface in panic.
A yip startled the group from where the last kobold fell. One of its tribe had found the dead creature and those responsible for the act. He took aim with his bow and let out a growling war cry. Garrick spun around to see the arrow hurling towards him. He side stepped out of the way but got the arrow in his thigh.
The bard stumbled backwards against the stone cursing in pain. Imoen took aim with her bow and dropped the kobold dead in a single shot.
Sahil looked to the bard who was in great discomfort from the wound.
“It’s an omen,” the bard said. “They can hit more than the walls with their arrows.”
“Hold still,” Sahil said to Garrick and exposed the wound. She pulled out the arrow and began applying pressure to the wound. She looked into Garrick’s blue eyes and saw a mixture of fear and regret.
“I had a dream last night Garrick,” Sahil continued. “Lurue promised to look after us while we were down here. It sounds funny I know, but she won’t let harm come to us while we investigate the mine.”
“Well she lied,” the bard said motioning to his leg. Sahil removed her hands and the wound was completely healed. The bard was shocked and Sahil gave him a slight smile and out stretched her hand to help him up.
“Come, before more show up,” she said while helping him to his feet. The bard smiled then played with the whole in his pantaloons frowning a bit.
“I wonder if Nashkel has a good tailor?” he mused.
The cavern broke into three separate directions but the party continued heading south. Another kobold jumped from the shadows nicking Sahil in the shield arm with a well-placed shot. She grimaced and stood in a defensive stance as the kobold’s second arrow bounced off her shield.
Garrick and Imoen took aim at the new threat dropping it before it could get a third shot off.
“You hurt?” Neera asked.
“Just merely a scratch, I should be fine,” Sahil replied, and motioned forward with her club. The cavern once again broke into three new directions. The attacking kobold’s were coming from the east yet heat radiated from the west.
The kobold’s might be attempting to lure them away from their main lair by drawing them east, chasing them deeper into the mine and deeper into their own territory. She looked west and motioned the group to head that way.
There was a small bridge covering a lava flow and a lone kobold sentry at the other side of it. Garrick raised his crossbow and fired a bolt straight through the critter’s skull. The bard’s mouth widen into a large grin as it seemed his ill luck had finally changed.
A second kobold appeared yipping at the intruders. Garrick took aim again, but shot wide. His grin dissipated with the miss shot and Imoen finishing the creature off with one of her arrows. The kobolds no longer a threat, Sahil started to cross the bridge.
“Wait,” Imoen said. “It’s trapped, stand back.”
The rogue bent down and removed a large stone from the bridge. A bolt flew across the bridge landing in the molten rock where it sunk and melted quickly.
“One more,” Imoen said. She rolled the rock she picked up across the bridge where it hit a fine trip wire half way across the small bridge. Two more bolts flew from out of crevices in the far wall and bounced helplessly on the bridge where the wire once was.
“I think it is safe now,” Imoen said, motioning for the group to cross the bridge.
The tunnel rolled north as they crossed the bridge and split in two directions. The group hugged the right hand side of the wall and came across another kobold who was feasting on some unknown small creature. Sahil snuck up behind it before it could get at its bow and knocked the scaly creature out with a bash from her club.
“This tunnel just seems to loop back up,” she said to her companions. She moved towards the east and saw another bridge that they must have missed at the first crossroads. Another lone sentry kobold was guarding it and Sahil charged forward.
The critter got a shot off that bounced harmlessly off her shield. With three more strides, she reached the creature and swung her club down upon its head. It’s skull cracked from the hit and slumped to the ground. The creature was dead.
She looked back to her companions who just rounding the corner where the first kobold fell. “What do you make of this place?” She asked.
“It looks like their lair,” the bard said. “Or at least where they ate, lots of bones one the ground.” Sahil motioned to moldy cloth tucked against the corner of one of the walls, and I think that is where the creatures sleep, but where are the rest of them?”
Neera shrugged her shoulders. “Perhaps they had to move further down the mines due to the workers breaching the walls.”
“Perhaps,” Sahil said. “Let’s backtrack to the last crossroads and head south to see what we can find.”
The group nodded and headed back across down the tunnel to where they crossed the small lava flow and headed deeper into the mines. It grew dark as the light omitting from the molten rock was no longer visible as they turned a corner and crossed a small underground pond.
The tunnels in this area seemed to have been carved more naturally, the remnants of a underground river. Cobwebs hung from stalagmites to stalactites. Sahil attempted to push though the sticky string with her shield, pulling the substance off the ceiling and wall.
A large giant spider sensed the movement on her web and began to crawl quickly towards the group.
“Incoming!” Neera warned as Sahil faced the new threat in front of her.
The spider moved quickly and was on top of Sahil before she had time to ready herself. The spider pounced as Garrick released a bolt from his crossbow sending it into the belly of the beast. It screeched in pain and Sahil was able to bat it away with her shield.
It rolled on the ground as one of Imoen’s arrows grazed it. It raised its front legs again, ready to attack Sahil again, but this time she was ready and able to deflect the creature away easily.
Both Garrick and Imoen placed more missiles into the beast, which seemed to only anger it more. I lunged forward again, this time knocking Sahil to the ground and scurried towards what seemed to be the greater threat – Imoen.
Sahil let out a small curse as she got onto her knees to see her best friend moving cautiously away from beast. Imoen was a great shot with her bow, but had little to back her up in a melee assault. The spider lunged at the girl, then fell dead as Garrick landed another shot, this time through the spiders head.
“Whew,” Imoen said. “Thanks for that.”
“Figured I owed you a couple,” the bard said, reloading his crossbow. “Are you ok, Sahil?”
“I’m fine,” she said getting to her feet and brushing the dirt off her legs. “Careful though, there maybe more.”
“Beshaba’s luck,” Garrick said. “You had to say that.”
A second spider appeared crawling quickly along the now broken web towards the group. Sahil moved to intercept the beast as Imoen and Garrick fired off a volley of arrows and bolts simultaneously. Imoen once again hit the charging beast as it reached Sahil.
The spider raised its front legs up and attempted to wrap them around Sahil who used her shield to keep the beast at bay. Another one of Imoen’s arrows hit the creature followed by one of Garrick’s bolts. Like the last spider, this one turned its attention to the bigger threat.
Sahil was able to keep the spider from moving however, by twisting her shield slightly and tangling the beast’s leg with her club and arm. The beast desperately lashed out at Sahil who was able to dodge the attack as another one of Garrick’s bolt penetrated the beast.
It screeched then slumped to the ground dead.
“Fat thing,” Garrick mused. “Wonder how many of our kobold friends it feasted on.”
“Not enough,” Sahil answered then looked around for any other threats. She didn’t see any, but saw a passage through the webs in which a kobold could fit through easily. She pointed west. “This way.”
The passage way narrowed and bottlenecked. Kobolds began to yip and charge down it, protecting their lair from those that were about to defile it. They were lying in wait for the threat of the spiders to be taken care of it seemed.
Sahil charged ahead blocking their path as Imoen and Garrick fired a volley towards their new attackers. Two of the three creatures fell immediately while the third reached and lashed out at Sahil, thrusting a crude short sword in her direction.
She was able to parry the attack easily, then ended the critters feeble attempt with a swipe of her club. Ahead, Sahil saw another small bridge crossing over a lava flow with four more kobold archers ready to take aim.
Fearing the bridge was trapped like the others, Sahil dropped into a defensive stance with her shield raised high and called for Imoen and Garrick to take out the new threat.
A volley of arrows rained down where Sahil knelt as Imoen and Garrick moved into position. One of the arrows, struck Sahil in the shoulder then exploded with a fiery burst. The heat singed her hair as she let out a cry of agony.
“So it seems they discovered how to use fire,” Garrick mused as he fired his crossbow across the bridge.
“This is no time for jokes,” Sahil snapped as another volley was fired in her direction, this time all the arrows missed. “Neera, put them to sleep before they improve their aim!”
“Right!” Neera moved closer to the other companions and drew the wand of sleep and pointed it across the bridge. It erupted and the magical energy sped its away towards the kobolds dropping them into a deep slumber.
“Gah, it hurts,” Sahil complained removing a healing salve from a pouch and applying it generously over her face and shoulder.
Imoen moved toward the small bridge attempting to see if it was trapped or not, while Garrick practiced his aim at the sleeping critters. He struck three of the four dead before Imoen surmised that the bridge was safe to cross. Drawing her short sword, she put last one out of its misery.
“Are you ok?” Neera asked Sahil again.
“Ya, just the fire from the arrow shocked me,” Sahil replied. “These kobolds can be cunning it seems. Maybe they are responsible for coming up with the poison to taint the ore.”
The group moved forward towards another underground pond. This one was larger and deeper than the last. Sahil dipped her hands into the water, feeling its warmth from lava flowing below and rinsed the dirt off her face and hands.
She was shaking a bit. The last arrow was a close call. She wondered if Garrick was right. Is this really worth their lives over? She sighed and looked up. Garrick was standing above her, smiling.
“Life is glorious,” he said outstretching his hand to help her up. She smiled and pondered what the bard meant with the comment. Was he aware of how she was feeling at this moment? She accepted his hand and got to her feet.
“Lurue teaches that, I believe,” the bard continued. “This excitement of tracking down a tribe of evil creatures up to nothing good while knowing, that once the job is complete bards will sing tales about it in taverns for months. Well one bard at least.”
Sahil let out a short laugh. “As long as you embellish some of it, I suppose it could be a good tale.”
“Guys,” Imoen said, interrupting their conversation. “I think I found something.”
The two looked over to where Imoen and Neera were now standing. A large entrance way was concealed behind a stone wall.
“Careful, the floor is heavily trapped in front of it,” she said. “I think we have found where the kobold’s are coming from.”
~ one hundred and frickin one pages. The battle with Mulahey next
The doorway led to a long narrow passage carved from the rock, not by mining tools, but by the kobold’s hands. It seemed to have been dug on purpose as it led straight from one underground passage to another. Trickling water could be heard in the distance, as the group slowly crept through the darkness. It was discovered that the passage way opened up to a larger cavern, however, how the tunnel was shaped, it was hard to see if anything awaited them inside.
“Can you scout ahead Immy?” Sahil asked her friend quietly, and in turn, the girl nodded her head. Imoen crept along the shadows around the corner to see a large underground lake with a narrow earthen bridge spanning it. On the other side, kobold’s laid in wait, eying the passageway for any intruders. Behind them, was a large unnatural stone cave, built from the rocks the kobolds dug out from the mine.
Imoen turned and held up three fingers to the party, then placed her hands together and place them on her side cheek to mimic someone sleeping. Neera nodded her head and moved forward. Hiding behind the wall, she let a bolt of magical energy fly from her magic wand.
Imoen watched as two of the three kobolds fell down asleep. The third looked at its companions and started to yip in frustration. Imoen quickly crossed the bridge in its confusion and found a new shadow to conceal herself in.
The creature began jumping around in a panic, it would soon attract attention from anything that may be in the cave. Imoen drew out her short sword and waited for the creature to turn its back to her. She wrapped her hand around the creature’s mouth to prevent it from yipping further, then drove her blade deep into its back. It slumped to the ground dead.
Imoen motioned to Neera that the kobold’s were no longer a threat, then proceeded to slit the other two’s throats while her friends crossed the bridge.
“You scare me sometimes,” Sahil said to her friend after witnessing the dead kobolds.
“I aim to please,” Imoen said while doing a little curtsy.
Garrick moved to the cave door and peered inside. It looked bigger than it was. He motioned the others to come closer. A lone kobold sentry was standing by the door. He removed his blade and stabbed it in the back as efficiently as Imoen did.
The group quietly entered the cave which seemed to be separated into three sections. The southern section was adorned with purple silk curtains and large Calimport carpets. Entranced by the expensiveness that the room portrayed, Sahil slowly walked into it followed by her friends.
A half-orc was sitting on a large throne, almost half asleep. He looked up to see the group approached, then snorted in startlement.
“What? How’d you get in here?” he muttered raising from his throne to confront the intruders. He was dressed in heavy chain and carried a mace and shield which bared the insignia of Cyric, God of strife and lies.
“Tazok must have dispatched you,” the orc grunted. “And my traitorous kobolds let you pass, didn’t they? I knew I could not trust them! Armed as such, you have obviously been sent to kill me! By Cyric, not a measure or ore leaves these mines unspoiled, and I am still to be executed?! I’ll not lose my head over this!”
“No one sent us,” Sahil replied. “But your head is in no less danger! Reveal your treachery, and you can keep your head.”
The half-orc took a step back and then grinned. “Tazok didn’t send thee? Then thou art dead. Help, my minions, HEEELLLPPP!”
Skeletons and kobolds poured pour out of the other two rooms and descended towards companions. The half-orc began to chant a prayer to his god as Imoen and Garrick took aim with their respective weapons. Hailix flew out of Sahil’s pack to confront the first skeleton. He seemed to be using magic of his own as his flapping wings made it appear like there was more than one of him.
“Oh no you don’t,” Neera threatened as she outstretched her hand and sent a magical bolt hurling towards the half-orc. It hit him straight in the chest making him lose his concentration. His spell fizzled as Sahil started a prayer of her own to Lurue. She pointed at the half-orc making him fall down, drowsiness over coming him.
“Neera,” Sahil said to grab the attention of the mage. “Put the kobolds to sleep!”
“Right!” she replied and removed her wand and turned to help the little dragon. She fired off a bolt knocking all the living creatures to the ground.
Imoen and Garrick pelted the prone cleric with missile weapons as he stirred awake and got to his knees.
“I yield, I yield to thee!” he shouted. “Accept my surrender!”
Sahil lowered her stance as Garrick and Imoen held their aim on the evil cleric. Neera and Hailix were still preoccupied with the walking bones to notice the surrender.
“As well you should,” Sahil snapped. “Tell us what has been happening here, and you may yet live!”
“I thank thee for thy mercy!” he said getting to his feet. Out of breath, “There in the chest are all my letters. Take them and leave me be. I will bother you no more.”
Garrick slowly made his way over to the chest and opened it.
The half-orc shook his head, as if coming back to his senses. “I’ll have your skulls for coming here!” he roared. “You’ll ruin everything!”
He took a swing at Sahil, and Imoen released her arrow missing, surprised at the turn of events. More skeletons and kobold’s descended into the room, and Hailix and Neera did their best to hold them off.
Garrick turned and fired his crossbow towards the cleric missing him. Beshaba’s luck seemed to return to him as the half-orc started chanting again.
Sahil took a swing with her club, hitting the shield of her assailant as he began another, shorter chant to his God, Cyric. She felt the evil magic pour over her soul as she took another swing in panic. A voice in her head, sooth and calming, told her that she was being protected, and the corruptness washed away.
Sahil let out a grin as the half orc began another chant. She swung her club again, missing as both of Imoen’s and Garrick’s missiles pinged helplessly off of the plate armour.
The half-orc finished his chant and once again Sahil felt the evil corruption wash over her, then slowly dissipate. Neera however, wasn’t as lucky as the spell held her firmly in place. Hailix did his best to draw the skeleton and kobold attacks away from the now helpless mage.
“Use this,” a voice said inside of Sahil’s head, and slowly a magical club materialized in her hand. She swung hard at the half-orc’s head cracking his jaw as he began another chant.
The hit dazed him, and he once again began to panic. He started to back away deeper in the room, deflecting any swing Sahil sent his way, however, it took all of his energy to do so. In the back of his mind, he knew it would all be over soon.
His back against the wall and nowhere else to flee, Imoen fired an arrow that pierced through the half-orcs neck. He slowly slid down the wall, blood trickling from his mouth and nose. The evil cleric was dead.
The three companions turned their attention to the fairy dragon and helpless mage who was holding off the hoard of skeltons and scaly creatures. Hailix was flying high above their heads and swooping down in desperate attempts to knock off either the skeleton’s limbs or the kobold’s weapons.
Imoen drew her short sword and entered into the fray, attacking the closest kobold while Sahil did the same with her magical club. Garrick stood in the distance taking pot shots with his crossbow at those the girls could not reach.
(then hailix dies, killing sahil in the process over and over again)
The skeletons claw at Sahil as she puts herself in between them and Neera. They rip the flesh from her arms as she swings down, bashing their bodies into an explosion of bones.
A kobold who was just about to take a swing at her took a bolt to the chest sending him flying back into another walking corpse. It shatters upon the impact, impaling the poor creature with a rib bone.
Imoen take out two of the kobold’s with quick thrusts of her sword sending them to the ground.
Another skeleton claws Sahil, tearing her leather armour enough for a kobold to sink a dagger into her exposed flesh. Clenching her teeth, she bashes the kobold over the head knocking it out while Hailix removes the head from the skeleton.
It becomes a blur as Sahil swings her magical club, watching the bones break apart with each swing. She feels her blood pouring out of her, raging her on as she steps deeper into the fray. Soon she is just surrounded by bones and corpses. Her magical club disappears and her regular one returns.
Imoen slumped against the wall out of breath but uninjured and Neera finally gets released from the magic holding her. She looks at Sahil and the destruction she caused.
“Are… are you ok?” she seemed to be asking that a lot of Sahil today.
Sahil wipes some blood away from her mouth and nods. Adrenaline was masking the pain she should be feeling. She strides over to the large chest that the half-orc pointed to and opened it up. A couple of healing salves, potions and scrolls rested upon a pile of gold coins as well as two swords that seemed to be magical.
She attempted to pick up one of the swords, but it seemed too heavy for her to lift. She moved her attention over to the scrolls and started to unravel them one by one. They were magical scrolls, and not what she was looking for. She closed the chest.
Garrick was hovering over the dead orcs body, searching his possessions. He removed two scrolls from an inside pocket and opened them up. The bard began to grin.
“What did you find?” Sahil asked.
“A name for our dead friend,” Garrick responded, then read the first letter out loud:
“My servant, Mulahey,
“Your progress in disrupting the flow of iron ore does not go as well as it should. How stupid can you be to allow your kobolds to murder the miners?! With your presence revealed, you should be wary of enemies sent to stop your operation.
“Your task is a very simple one; if you continue to show that you can’t do the job, you will be replaced. I will not send the kobolds you have requested as I need all the troops I possess to stop the flow of iron into the region. With this message I have sent more of the mineral poison that you require.
“If you have any problems then send a message to my new contact in Beregost. His name is Tranzig, and he’ll be staying at Feldepost’s Inn.
“Signed Tazok.”
“Well that Tazok fellow pretty much called it,” Imoen said after the letter was read.
“What does the other letter say,” Neera asked the bard.
“Pretty much the same thing,” the bard replied. “I sent you kobold’s and poison. Poison the ore. . . what’s this? ‘My superiors have recently hired on the services of the Blacktalon and Chill mercenaries. With these soldiers at my disposal, I should be able to destroy any iron caravans entering the region from the south and east.”
“Superiors?” Sahil questioned.
“What are the Chill and Blacktalon?” Imoen asked.
“The Blacktalon are a mercenary group out of Iriaebor,” the bard replied. “Very scrupulous, and expensive from what I know. Led by Taurgosz “Tenhammer.” Got the nickname after killing ten men with a single swing from his hammer.
“The Chill, sadly, I have never heard of though,” the bard finished.
“This is bigger than this mine then,” Sahil said. “The raids on the roads are connected and not done cheaply as you say, what is the purpose of all this?”
Garrick shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know. We should return with what we have, perhaps the mayor or even Khalid and Jaheira would have more inside knowledge.”
“Or this man, Tranzig,” Neera replied. “If he is still in Beregost.”
“Hello?” a voice called out from another room. “If anyone is still alive and less hostile I would surely like to be freed from this doom I currently am in.”
The four companions looked at each baffled. They slowly crept out of the throne room and into its adjoining room. There in the middle of the room, laid an elf dressed in purple robes and tied to the ground.
“Oh finally,” he said as group entered the room. Sahil moved quickly to his side and untied him.
“I thank you for my freedom friends, for I have languished in these dismal vaults for too long,” he said rubbing his wrists where the rope held him down. “It was unbearable, waking each morn to the mud and rock instead of the rising sun.”
He got to his feet and brushed the dirt off of his robes and continued: “I am Xan, a Greycloak of Evereska, and as proficient in the ways of magic as any man can be. If you be enemies of Mulahey, I would join your cause, hopeless though it is.”
“How’d you come to be trapped in this place,” Imoen questioned.
“Alas, I was sent to investigate the strange goings-on about this area and I landed caged for seemingly hopeless weeks on end. I have not seen the sun almost as long as I have not seen my home.”
“We can see you out of the mines if you wish,” Sahil replied. “And another pair of hands can only help, especially when they wield powerful magic.”
The mages lets out a long exaggerated sigh. “I thank you. However ineffective our actions be, I shall not rest until I have made payment to you.
“If you have searched through Mulahey’s treasure, you may have found a sword among his documents. The sword is a moonblade, and it is my most valued possession.”
“It is still in the chest,” Sahil replied. ‘I couldn’t lift it.”
“Figures the blade would be stubborn,” the elf said, walking into Mulahey’s room and empting the chest. He pulls out the Moonblade last, as he does so, a bluish fire envelopes the blade.
“Shall we leave this dreaded place then?” he said to his newly acquired friends.
“Yes,” Sahil said. “I’ve had enough of this dampness myself. The sun would be a nice sight to see.”
Not nearly as dramatic though. Left it a bit and did it when everybody was about level 4 because my last run through at level 1/2, wasn't fun, just frustrating.
I like the Garrick dependebility issues, well written. There's a reason nobody takes him along, Sahil may find this out to her cost.
Sahil dualled to cleric before entering the mines after hitting 2 levels of Beastmaster (was always my intention). I will throw up her character sheet before the next update so everyone following has a better look at her stats.
Garrick and Imoen looted the bodies of the dead kobold’s and that of Mulahey as Xan sorted through his personal belongings. Sahil sat on the throne and contemplated their next move. She was sore, the adrenaline that was pumping through her body was beginning to wear off, and pain was slowly creeping through her body.
Sahil took a deep sigh and placed her hands on her head. A soft voice inside began to comfort her and the pain slowly resided. She opened her eyes and looked at Garrick pulling the boots off of Mulahey.
“Do you have to do that,” Sahil asked. “Can you not just leave the dead alone?”
“The boots are magical,” Garrick said. “I don’t know what powers they possess but they are. You can’t leave magical items such as this on a rotting corpse. It does them no justice.”
Sahil rolled her eyes.
“It is also better that they are being used for a good purpose, rather than helping cripple the region,” the bard continued. “Like this.”
Garrick got to his feet and outstretched his hands. In between his thumb and finger was a small golden band with a pearl stone in the center. Sahil took the ring from Garrick and placed it in her palm.
“What is it?”
“A ring,” Garrick started. “It is an Honorary Ring of Sune. They are only given out to faithful priests of Sune who demonstrated actions of astounding integrity and kindness. Something tells me our friend here wasn’t the honorary reciepiant of the ring.”
Sahil looked down at the ring and attempted to picture who the ring belonged too and how it ended up in the hands of a cleric of Cyric. She played with the ring in her hand, looking for any inscriptions or evidence of who the ring actually belonged too. There was none.
“I think you should keep it,” Garrick said to her. “I think you have demonstrated astounding kindness here by helping the village rid the world of this buffoon.”
Sahil laughed at the thought and put the ring on and smiled. A sense of understanding came to her, as if she was closer to Lurue than she thought before. The bard was right. An item like this shouldn’t be left lying around. She would honour the original owner of the ring through her actions, whomever they might have been.
Garrick smiled at her as she placed the ring on her finger and kept it there. “Great,” he said. “You get the ring, I get the boots, all is fair.”
“Hey! What do I get?” Imoen pouted.
“If insignificant babbles are your concern, you may take this blade that was in the chest with my possessions,” Xan said. “It’s not like it will do you much good though, but you may find it practical.”
Xan slid the blade over to Imoen who inspected it carefully. She found it lighter, yet more durable than the blade she was currently using. It was much sharper too.
“Thanks Xan,” Imoen said cheerfully.
“Think nothing of it,” Xan replied.
“I am feeling left out here you know,” Neera stated. “I know you all are doing me a favour by allowing me to travel with you, but I did help, some what.”
The elven mage sighed. “I may be able to allow you to use some of my scrolls that I think are of little importance and maybe even teach you a spell or two, but not here. We should really get to the surface first where the clean air can blow away the stench that is covering me.”
Sahil got off of the throne and nodded to the elf. They have wasted enough time in the cavern and should return to the surface to let the mayor know what was plaguing the mines and that is no longer a threat.
The group retreated the way that they came, making their way through the mine and past the bodies of miners and kobolds alike. When they reached the entrance to the surface, Xan paused and took a deep sigh.
“What’s a matter?” Neera asked.
“The sun is setting, I won’t get to see it tonight,” the elf replied.
“Well there are always the stars,” she replied.
“It’s cloudy.”
“Well find something, it’s better than the cave,” Imoen said.
“Perhaps,” the elf replied. “Were all doomed anyway, what’s the point?”
“Man, I thought elven arses were supposed to be clean, but something must be stuck up yours,” Imoen stated, rather coarsely.
“Imoen!” Sahil exclaimed.
“Well he doesn’t need to be a downer,” Imoen explained.
“He was tied up for who knows how long down there,” Sahil said. “He has a right to be a little upset.”
“How long were you tied down there anyway,” Garrick asked the elf.
“A day,” Xan replied.
Sahil shook her head. “Come on,” she said. “There’s Emerson.”
She walked over to the master of the mines who was still studying his clipboard and parchment. He hardly saw the group approach and it wasn’t until Sahil cleared her throat that the man looked up.
“Well, bless my soul, you made it back alive,” Emerson said after he noticed their approach.
“I think we solved the problem in the mines,” she said to him, “It was kobold’s poisoning the ore through direction of a cleric of Cyric.”
“Well that is news!” The master of the mines exclaimed. “If you don’t mind me saying, you’re about the most beautiful sight I’ve seen in weeks! I’ll be tellin’ the men to get back to work, we’ve got ore to mine!
“Still can’t ship it for fear of bandits though,” he mused mostly to himself, “but that ain’t my problem. Best you tell the mayor of what you did here, ‘cuz he’ll likely give you a reward of some kind.”
“Thanks Emerson, we’ll let you get back to work,” Sahil said.
The man nodded and grinned, then called over some miners who were lolling about. The group headed back up out of the pits and headed towards the town of Nashkel to claim their just reward.
Sahil ached with each step she took. The fight with Mulahey had worn her down, and her wounds were starting to bother her. She looked to Garrick who seemed to also show signs of fatigue from the fight. He was limping slightly, using the large two-handed sword to walk.
The others seemed fine Neera and Imoen stayed away from the close combat so they didn’t sustain any injuries. Xan, however seemed a little slow on his feet. She couldn’t tell if he was hurting from sitting on the hard floor for the entire day, or just being melodramatic.
She just wanted to talk to the mayor then head to the inn for a rest. The last couple of days had been hectic on her, and as much as she accomplished, she had suffered a lot as well.
The group slowly made its way past the town’s garrison, towards the old church of Helm. There, the man in orange, smiled and greeted them.
“Hey ya,” he said. “I once knew this guy named Dilby. He threw rocks at me, too. Are you gonna throw rocks at me?”
“Listen,” Sahil started. “Leave us alone, and I promise we won’t throw rocks at you.”
The man just smiled, as Sahil pushed by towards the mayor who was waiting near the churches gate. He smiled as the five of them approached.
“You have returned!” He said enthusiastically. “It would seem I was right to trust you. The town thanks you wholeheartedly, and is pleased to give you the proper reward.”
The mayor motions to another man that was standing nearby, a pudgy looking fellow in yellow, who hastily hands a large sac of coin over to Garrick, whom smiles in return. The man does an awkward bow, and returns to his station by the garrison.
“Please take this gold for your efforts. It is a small fortune by anyone’s standards. Thank you again,” the mayor finishes and shakes Sahil’s hand.
“Please excuse us sir,” Sahil said. “We’re tired from the mines, we need to retreat to the inn for some much needed rest.”
“But of course,” the mayor said. “As long as you are here, the stay is on the Nashkel. You’ve done us a great service.”
Sahil nodded and started walking towards the inn.
“Nine hundred gold!” Imoen said in a laugh. “That’s a lot. What are we going to do with it all?”
“Get drunk first,” Garrick said.
The mayor laughed and walked away from the group, while the man in orange reappeared.
“What about now?” he said.
“That’s it,” Imoen said and turned around and decked him.
The man fell to the ground and began to cry. He got to his knees and crawled away bawling. Sahil turned to her friend and gave her a cold stare.
“What?” Imoen said sheepishly. “You said we would if he bothered us again.”
“I was bluffing,” Sahil replied.
“Should I go apologize?”
Sahil thought on it for a second and then said, “No, he fine. Let’s just get some rest.”
The group headed towards the inn again. Sahil thought of soft pillows and warm woolen blankets. Small comforts she could afford with the rest. An Amish patrol pushed by the group as the inn came into sight. There a man dressed in green and black stood by the door. He saw the group coming and smiled.
“I am death come for thee,” he said. “Surrender, and thy passage shall be… quicker.”
Sahil was slightly confused. She knew the carnival was in town and thought the man to be one of the actors – until she spotted the blade in his hand.
“What?” she said confused. “I’m not surrendering to anything!”
“Struggle if you must, dead one,” he replied. “I do not mind working for my money. Why Nimbul has been hired to deal with the likes of you, I’ll never know.”
“He’s an assassin!” Garrick said, raising his crossbow. “Kill him!”
The Amish patrol seeing the threat, began firing arrows at the group’s assailant who began casting a spell. The group itself was still too far away from the assailant to attack him with melee weapons, so Garrick and Imoen began to aim with their bows.
“We’re all doomed!” Xan shouted and ran back, tucking himself behind the community store. Sahil turned seeming the elf flee.
“Figures,” she said. “Neera, try putting him to sleep before he finishes the spell.”
The wild mage nodded, and removed the wand from her belt and began to aim. When Sahil turned back to face the Nimbul however, there was five of him. The wand shot off, but didn’t affect the man.
“That didn’t work,” Neera stated and pulled another wand from her belt.
The man practicing martial arts for the crowd ran to aid the group. He struck out at one of the images making it disappear in the process. Sahil moved closer, her club and shield in hand hoping to knock some sense into the arrogant assassin.
Imoen’s and Garrick’s missiles helplessly went wide. Garrick cursed his luck again, and drew his short sword and charge the man while he began casting another spell.
Neera, let a spark go from the wand she was now holding and magic bolt hissed its way towards the Nimbul. It hit him full in the chest but not before he got his finished his spell.
Sahil felt a fear wash over her, as if Xan’s words were ringing true. They were all doomed from this assassin. She looked over to Garrick, who’s eyes widen and lip trembled. He began to run, the magical fear had taken over him.
Sahil cursed as she lunged at another image of the man making it dissipate. Imoen who is usually a good shot, kept firing her arrows wide of the man, as if there was some other magical force preventing her from aiming correctly. Nimbul chuckled in amusement at his attackers’ follies.
Neera fired another spark from the magic wand hitting the last image of the assassin. With all the images gone, an Amnish soldier took careful aim at Nimbul and put an arrow, deep in his back.
The man just laughed and turned his attention to Garrick who was running along the stream away from the fight. He let out three magical bolts of energy, each striking the bard in the back. Garrick screamed in pain and fell face first down into the rocks.
Sahil gritted her teeth and swung hard at the assassin who blocked the attack with his hand. She heard a crunch of finger bones. The attack did little damage, but he would not be able to cast any other spells.
The assassin gritted his teeth as he pulled his blade with his other hand and swung violently at Sahil. She lept back as the monk who came and joined the fight kicked out Nimbul’s legs, toppling him to the ground.
Sahil stood over the assassin and brought her club down upon his head, knocking him out. Anger washed over her as she pummelled the helpless assassin again cracking his skull, breaking his nose and jaw. She kept violently swinging past the man’s death until Imoen grabbed her arm.
“He’s dead,” her best friend said. Sahil fell to her knees and turned and wept.
“You should not make a habit of picking fights in the street, my friend,” the monk said. “Be careful when inviting danger into your life, for it comes all too willingly.”
Sahil sneered in anger. She didn’t invite this danger into her life. It was thrusted upon her. This man knew little of her plight.
She turned to where Garrick fell. Neera was already there, his body was limp and not moving.
“Who are you to claim to know what I invite into my life,” Sahil shot back at the man while got to her feet and moved towards Garrick’s body.
“My name is Raasad,” the monk said calmly. “I am merely demonstrating some of the ways in which we Sun Soul monks reflect our spiritual light through physical activity.”
Sahil rolled her eyes at the monks naïve, in the face of loss. She got to Garrick and check for signs of life. He wasn’t breathing.
“May I tell you more about the Order of the Sun Soul?” the monk asked.
“No!” Sahil said. “I don’t have time for this. We need to get him to a temple.”
“I see,” the monk said. “May Selune bless you on your travels.”
Sahil sneered again as Neera and her lifted Garrick to his feet as they dragged him back to the temple. Imoen pushed open the large doors as they group brought the man into the building.
The priest looked up, “I heard a commotion outside is everything ok?”
“No, help us please,” Neera said.
The two of them laid the body down onto the marbled floor as the priest came quickly over. He placed his hands upon Garrick’s chest and began to chant softly. Neera and Sahil moved back away from the priest as Xan slinked into the church.
The priest’s hands began to glow as he chanted louder. Garrick’s body however still laid limp. The priest looked up at the girls and shook his head sorrowfully.
Neera turned away and placed her head into Sahil’s shoulder and began to sob.
The bright moon light pierced through the drapes that clung to window above where Sahil rested her head. She was clutching the smelly boots that Garrick took from the dead cleric close to her chest and sobbing quietly to herself.
So much death had happened around her in the last few days since she left Candlekeep. Even in her cloistered home on the last day she had to strike a man down in defence. Since that man, four others have attempted to kill her, and she still does not know why.
Gorion died in an attempt to save her. His body probably still rotting in the clearing as scavengers picked at his decaying flesh. She shuttered at the thought, of leaving him. She never had time to mourn the man that raised her, now she is mourning a man she just met who died a similar fate.
She thought of Garrick, and how she didn’t even know where he was from. She thought of how much she mistrusted him, and yet, he died fighting by her side against an assailant that was only after her. He was everything she strived to be, a person travelling the world experiencing new opportunities and adventure on a whim. Meeting new people and righting wrongs from kobolds killing miners, to insane necromancers hiding in the woods. He was full of joy and happiness and a care-free naivety.
And now it was snuffed out because of her; because of the people hunting her. How many more people must die because of her? Neera? Imoen? Some random guard with a wife and child attempting to support them?
She clutched the boots tighter to her chest. Are their lives worth this she thought and sobbed some more.
She thought of leaving the temple, where Garrick’s body laid. The money they had earned from clearing the mines, from being the heroes, now being used to bury one of them in the graveyard in front. A small gesture of thanks the village provided them as only locals and followers of Helm were allowed to be buried there. Imoen, who was closer to Garrick than anyone else, came up with the words for the stone:
“Beneath this stone, a lump of clay Lies Garrick the young Who on the twenty-third of Mirtul Began to hold his tongue”
Sahil thought on the meaning of the prose her friend gave her. It was too witty for Imoen to think of by herself, so perhaps Garrick told her what to write on one of their hunting trips. Did the bard really think that far ahead though? Did he know any day could be his last?
Garrick wasn’t afraid of life, he lived it. Sahil respected that, she pushed the boots from her chest and let out a sigh and thought, he should still be alive.
She didn’t want to see anyone else she cared about die. She wouldn’t be able to live with herself if another one of her friends sacrificed themselves for her. She wiped the tears from her eyes, placed the boots gently down upon the floor by the bed and stood up.
She peered out the window into the moonlit road, it was quiet and peaceful. No one was around. She grabbed her bag, and slowly snuck out the room. Leaving her companions behind, she let the road take her away to where ever it led.
Comments
The group made their way out of the woods that surrounded High Hedge and came upon a clearing with large jutting rocks stretching high into the sky. Sahil looked around and assumed that this would be a good place to rest. The rocks would allow protection from the elements and provide cover from any attacks or ambushes, and they seemed far enough off the trail to not attract any unwanted attention.
“These rocks look like a good place to rest for a while,” Sahil said feeling a little weary.
“I concur,” the bard said. “Shall I take first watch?”
“With Imoen sure,” Sahil replied not fully trusting the bard but also not trusting her friend to stay awake during her turn. “Neera and I will take second watch.”
Sahil and Imoen gathered some kindling and fire wood while Garrick removed a couple of blankets from his sachel and laid them close to the large jutting rocks. Using her magical staff, Neera lit a small fire until the two other girls returned with more wood. Hailix was up flying about chasing squirrels, catching two for dinner.
The four of them sat around the fire as Garrick shared a few tales of bravery that he knew, captivating his audience with dashing princes and gnolls and shadow druids. Neera flipped through a well-worn book, studying some pages as Sahil and Imoen laughed at the bard’s tales.
Eventually, Sahil and Neera turned in, letting Garrick and Imoen take the first watch.
~
It was that clearing, the one with the yellow and purple flowers. The scent of wild flowers lingered in the air as Sahil looked to a star lit sky, counting the constellations of the gods. She was alone in the open field. She had no idea how she got there or where her friends were. She thought back to the last time she stood there in the meadow. It was when her and her companions were on their way to hunt Bassilus. She shuddered at the thought so she turned attention back to the flowers. She bent to touch one of the delicate petals, its fragrance calming her.
A shadow moved in front of her and her gaze came upon a woman dressed in green robes walking towards the edge of the woods where they were ambushed by Bassilus’s army. Sahil got to her feet and followed the woman into the brush. Even though she knew there was danger that lurked in the shadows, Sahil didn’t ready herself for attack. Instead, she just followed the woman deeper into the forest.
The trees became denser and branches began to hold her back as she clawed her way through the woods. Regardless of how far she felt like she was falling back, the woman in green was always in view.
Sahil pushed forward until she broke through the tree line and into a stream. It was quiet and tranquil. The water was still and looked fresh and comforting. Down the stream, she could see the woman in green walking slowly towards a large white horse drinking the water.
Sahil followed the woman again slowly, walking well behind her as the horse took notice to neither. The woman in green reached the animal and placed a hand on its back hind leg. Sahil was shocked that the beast didn’t run. It just raised its head from the stream and turned to look at the woman.
It was at the time that Sahil realized it wasn’t a horse, but a unicorn. Its large horn glimmered in the sky as it turned towards Sahil who continued to walk closer to the woman and the beast. The beast snorted and the woman turned towards Sahil and she was taken aback again. It was Jaheira.
“But-” Sahil started. Jaheira just smiled approvingly at her as the unicorn turned and approached. The beast was magnificent. Sahil reached out her hand to it as it nuzzled it’s snout into the palm of her hand.
The beast turned and walked into the forest. Sahil turned to Jaheira, but she was no longer there. Confused she turned back to where the beast walked into the forest and pushed her way into the thicket looking for the unicorn.
She couldn’t see it as she attempted to follow its trail. Sahil looked around attempting to figure out where she needed to go. She was lost in the forest, her guide abandoning her until a familiar voice rang out softly.
“Hey you.” It was Imoen. Sahil turned to look for her friend.
“Come on,” Imoen said again just as softly.
“Wake up.”
~
Sahil stirred awake from the dream. It felt real and vivid. The scent of the flowers was still lingering near, yet she couldn’t see them.
“Are you ok,” Imoen asked. “Looked like you were having some intense dream or something.”
“I’m fine,” Sahil said. “It was a weird dream.”
“Did it involve trollops?” Imoen asked.
Sahil laughed. “No.”
“Then I’m probably not interested in it at the moment,” Imoen said. “I’m tired. It’s your watch. Neera is already up.”
Imoen pointed to the mage who was reading by the fire.
“Aye,” Sahil said. “Get some rest then. We probably have a lot of ground to cover tomorrow.”
Imoen nodded as Sahil tossed her the blanket and got to her feet. She stretched and walked over to Neera who was studying through her spell book. The mage looked up and smiled as she saw Sahil approaching.
“All this traveling, all this adventure, how do you manage it?” Neera asked as Sahil sat down beside her. “Until now I was barely able to keep my head above water. Yet, here with you, it seems almost… easy!”
Sahil thought on question as she grabbed a stick and poked the fire sending sparks flittering into the air.
“I guess there is safety in numbers,” Sahil replied. “Many people have told me that since I left Candlekeep.”
“Safety in numbers, eh?” Neera echoed back. “Fair enough. I guess I’ve just never really had a traveling companion before. My life on the road has been a solitary affair, full of cold nights and colder dreams. It’s enough to make a girl want to head back to High Forest.”
Sahil thought back to that first night outside of Candlekeep as she was being pursued by her father’s killers. It was a cold night with fear and little comfort. The only comfort she had was Hailix. She reached into her pouch that was close to the fire and freed the sleeping dragon from its confines and petted it softly. It cooed at the attention but didn’t wake. Sahil didn’t want to talk about her assailants nor Neera’s, so she changed the subject.
“High Forest? Is that where you come from?” Sahil asked
“That’s me, born and raised in the thicket,” Neera said. “At least until my mistakes piled up high enough to come crashing down on me.”
“Mistakes can be corrected,” Sahil replied. “I’m sure you weren’t forced out.”
Neera, thought on the statement for a bit then replied “No, I guess nobody kicked me out. But they would have, if I’d stayed.”
“What exactly happened?” Sahil asked still petting the dragon.
“A maiming or two, if you don’t count the second-degree burns,” Neera stated a little too casually for the severity of it. “Completely accidental, and everybody lived. At least, I’m pretty sure everybody lived.”
“Surely it wasn’t your fault,” Sahil asked. “What happened?”
“During our magical training, we were supposed to summon a sphere of fire, and mine got away from me somehow,” Neera explained. “One moment I was concentrating, the next moment my classmates were rolling on the floor screaming.”
“Remind me to stand back when you cast a spell,” Sahil said.
“You don’t need to rub it in,” Neera replied. “I know better than anyone the harm I caused.”
“So you blame yourself?” Sahil asked.
“Of course I can blame myself!” Neera exclaimed. “Accident or not, I should have been more careful. I could have taken responsibility or at least fetched a bucket of water. Instead I ran away, terrified of what I’d done.”
“You didn’t even try to help?” Sahil asked amazed.
“Horrible, I know,” Neera replied. “I just ran into the woods and couldn’t bear to go back to face the consequences. I snuck back into the village now and then for food, and once to leave a note for my parents, but eventually I had to leave.
“I took wandering High Forest, but I kept running into the wrong people and doing the wrong thing,” Neera continued. “Eventually, Turlang the treant grabbed me and said, ‘take a hike.’ Well, maybe not in those words exactly.”
“And so you left on your journey,” Sahil said.
“And so I left High Forest,” Neera said. “I’ve been wandering for a while now. I’ve got a few ideas for a destination, but I am still considering them.”
“Well you are safe to travel with us until you can figure it all out,” Sahil said.
“Thanks, I do appreciate it,” Neera said. “What about you? Where is home?”
“I grew up in Candlekeep,” Sahil said. “Just north of here. I just left recently and this is the longest I’ve been away from the keep.”
“Must be daunting,” Neera asked. “Why’d you leave?”
“I wish I knew,” Sahil said poking the fire. “Perhaps then I would know where to go.”
“Can you not go back?” Neera asked.
“Not without a tome of great value,” Sahil said. “Its gate is closed to me now, but really, there is nothing there for me. Just old memories I guess.”
“So you and I, looks like we have a lot in common,” Neera said.
“Yep, just two girls lost in the wilderness being hunted for unknown reasons with nowhere to call home,” Sahil said poking the fire once more.
“Well at least we found each other,” Neera said. “Maybe this is destiny and we are bound for greatness together, or maybe we’ll be bear food. Only one way to find out.”
Sahil laughed at the last comment and poked the flames again.
The sun rose, and with it Sahil woke up her companions for the long journey ahead. Neera started a fire while Imoen and Garrick went into the wild to see if they could find something to eat for breakfast. Sahil broke the campsite down and waited for her companions to return. After her dream last night she was eager to move on.
The two hunters came around the corner laughing carrying the carcass of a chicken.
“I can’t believe the wolf got away. The pelt alone would have fetched us some nice coin,” Imoen said as the two approached camp.
“I wonder how this chicken got so far into the wild without becoming some beast's dinner,” Garrick said. “Must have been one lucky chicken, until you pegged it from a distance. Remarkable shot.”
“Thank you, thank you,” Imoen replied. “Sahil, think you can clean this thing?”
The chicken was tossed to Sahil who caught the bird and looked down at the poor soul. An arrow was shot right through its neck. Sahil felt sorry for the thing, but she was getting hungry. She began to tear the feathers out from its flesh while Neera put on a pot of water to boil it in.
It tasted strange, perhaps it was just the way it was prepared and hunger overcame the distinct taste as the campaigns ate it. Once the meal was done, they packed up the rest of their belongings and headed south to Nashkel.
“Do you honestly think it is safe to stay off the roads?” Imoen asked as they headed into the thicket of the forest towards where Bassilus' army fell.
“No,” replied Sahil. “But I think it is safer than the roads. We discussed this already.”
“I know,” Imoen replied. “It’s just, there can be more danger here –”
“Me hungry!” A voice bellowed out as they cleared the trees into an opening. The group was startled by the appearance of two large men dressed in primitive armor.
"Hey! Who you?!" One of them yelled at the group as both of them began charging forward.
“They’re huge,” Neera said.
“And hostile,” Sahil added. “Prepare yourselves.”
Imoen notched an arrow and aimed it towards one of the charging men while Neera started an incantation. Garrick pulled out his crossbow while Sahil waited with her staff in hand waiting for them to charge forward.
Imoen’s arrow struck the first large man in the leg while an energy bolt flashed from Neera’s hand singeing the other’s chest.
“Me kill men what make me mad,” the first bellowed tearing the arrow from its leg as it began charging towards the group again.
It reached Sahil who butt ended it with her staff, it stumbled back as Garrick put a bolt into its head felling it. The second one reached Sahil who turned to counter its swiping attack in time tripping the large creature up by sticking her staff between his legs.
The creature let out a startle as it’s large body fell to the ground as Imoen put an arrow into its arm. The large man on his knees was at eye level to Sahil. He pulled out a dagger and slashed her across her stomach. Sahil let out a grunt then swung her staff at the man’s head. She heard the bones in his neck crack as it struck him in the ear sending him face first into the ground.
Both attackers were dead.
“You are injured,” Imoen said. “See I told you it was going to be safer on the roads.”
Sahil stopped and caught her breath and felt the blood trickle down her leg. She placed her hand on the wound and pulled it away to see the crimson liquid ooze down her fingers.
“It is merely a scratch,” Sahil replied. “Besides, I’d rather face twenty of those large men, then a single mage.”
“They’re half ogres,” Garrick said. “Not the brightest humanoids but they tend to stick to tribes. You may get your wish as there are probably more around.”
“Well that’s great,” Neera said.
“We’ll be fine if we keep moving,” Sahil said.
“Do you want me to bandage you up first?” Imoen asked.
“I should be fine for now,” Sahil replied. “I’ll keep an eye on it.”
“Gruzz? Gruzz? Worm stew ready,” another Half Ogre bellowed as it approached the battle scene.
“Not good,” Neera said.
“Hey! You no Gruzz!”
“Nope,” Imoen said as she fired an arrow towards the ogre. It flew over its head but its eyes lit up in fear.
“Bruw! We un’da attack!” the half ogre yelled as another one popped up its head. Getting up from his resting spot, he joined his comrade in a rush towards the group.
Garrick let loose a bolt which also missed the two new charging men. He cursed his luck as the first reached
Sahil who once again was holding the line. She swung at the man but missed. The pain from the wound in her stomach made her swing only at half strength. Her training never prepared her for such a wound.
“Neera,” Sahil shouted. “Use the wand I gave you!”
“Oh ya,” Neera said as she pulled out the blue wand and pointed it at the two half ogres. “Nighty night.”
“Wha’ the –” Bruw said sleepily as he fell into a slumber.
Sahil took the opportunity to strike the crumpling ogre with her staff then quickly turned her attention to the first ogre who seemed to have resisted the spell. The others did the same.
With bolt and a few arrows the remaining half ogre fell quickly.
“Are there any more?” Neera asked.
“Not a present, but let’s not wait around for more to show up,” Sahil said.
The party quickly headed south only to have their path blocked by shallow lake with an abandoned house upon its shore. Sahil wondered how long the place had been abandoned. With the dangers of the area, it seemed hardly safe to live this far from civilization. She thought back to Gorion and how one of his suggestions was to find a house like this to hide away in. With danger so close she wondered if it was the wisest idea.
She looked to the lake and saw a man fishing on the pier close to the house. Perhaps it wasn’t as abandoned as she thought and it’s appearance was more of a ruse to keep away thieves. She called out to the man.
“Please keep your voice down, will you?” He said acknowledging the group in an hostile tone. “It’s hard enough to getting the hand of this fish-wrangling business without you scaring them all away.”
“Fish-wrangling?” Imoen said. “I take it you have never done this before?”
“Nay, I have not.” The man said. “Use to be a miner, I did. I’ve sunk to this to feed my family. Not that it’s a bad way to make a living, mind you. I just prefer having a good solid pick in my hands and swearing while I work. There’s too much standing about waiting for the fish to bite. Ah well, we do what me must.”
“Is it not safe here?” Sahil asked.
“Safer than being a man o’ the deeps,” he replied. “Strange things are happening in the mines of Nashkel.”
“What sort of things?” Sahil asked.
“Men disappearing mostly,” the fisherman replied. “People are blaming demons. Ain’t going anywhere near them but I still gotta feed my family.”
“Demons?” Garrick echoed. “Must be a great story behind those.”
“Perhaps,” the man replied. “Best hear it from someone in Nashkel though. For now, I sit and wait for a nibble.”
“Farewell then sir,” Sahil said. “Remain safe.”
The man nodded as the group took leave and began to walk around the lake.
“Do you think real demons are at work here?” Neera asked.
“Just an exaggeration,” Garrick replied. “A fisherman’s tale of woes.”
“Something must be causing the strife though,” Neera replied.
“We’ll find out as soon as we get there,” Sahil said. “But if what the man said is true, we should make haste. People’s lives are depending on it.”
The group of adventures kept the road in sight as they continued to travel south to the town of Nashkel. The rest of the journey was peaceful as they didn’t encounter another soul until the small hamlet was on the horizon. Sahil let Hailix out of her bag to let the beast stretch its wings and scout ahead of the group to make sure no ambushes were lying in wait.
The small hamlet nestled itself upon a small stream which provided plenty of water for the farms on its banks. A towering temple could be seen from a distance, and if it wasn’t for all the rumours the group had been hearing lately, the sleepy town could probably be described as peaceful.
Hailix flew back to the group who were slowly approaching the town, making their way out from the bush and back onto the road.
“So?” Sahil said to the creature.
“Just militia, and some commoners,” the dragon replied.
“Quiet then?” She asked.
“Seems to be,” the creature replied. “And there are enough armed guards around to quickly dispatch anyone looking to cause trouble. I think it’s safe, for the most part.”
Sahil smiled. “Let’s go then.”
The group headed down the road and came upon a bridge that lead over the stream and into the town. As they began to cross, a guardsman approached.
“Identify yourselves!” the man bellowed.
“I am Sahil, and this is my band of fellow adventurers,” Sahil said to the man. “I hear that this is a troubled region of late. Allow me to put ourselves at your disposal during our stay here.”
The guard looked the group up and down.
“If you’re seeking to resolve troubles, welcome,” he said softening his tone from his initial greeting. “If you’re seeking to cause them, kindly take it elsewhere… things are not good here, Sahil.”
“What things aren’t good?” Sahil asked the man. “All I heard are rumors and vague suspicions.”
“Aye what is good around here anymore?” the man replied. “Our iron is rotten and there is talk of demons in the mines. The lower levels have been all but abandoned until the crisis passes.
“And then there is the question of Commander Brage,” he continued. “Ack, they have stripped him of that title, but I use it yet. He killed his wife and children in a rage one night and all who saw him.”
“That’s horrible,” Neera replied to the grim tale.
“Aye,” the man replied. “He then tore himself away and headed for the hills. He is out there still and still we mourn, as much for him as for those he’s taken.
“We’re attempting to hold the community together, but each day” the man trailed off until he came back to his first assessment “so if you’re seeking to resolve troubles, welcome, if not, we’ve been through enough already.”
“We’re here to help sir,” Imoen said politely, feeling a little sorry for the broken soldier.
“Then seek out Berrun Ghastkill, he is mayor of this town and will be grateful for the help,” the guard replied. “He should be around the temple or maybe at the carnival helping get folk’s moral back. Good luck to thee.”
The group headed past the guard down the busy street.
“Carnival?” Imoen said. “Can we check it out?”
“Perhaps,” Sahil said as the group walked past man showcasing martial art skills. “It could be entertaining, but let’s not forget why we are here.”
An older man approached the group as they reached the temple. He was carrying an bow similar to the ones the guardsmen were walking around with, however, he wasn’t in any uniform, just high quality leather armor.
“You there,” the man said. “Are you the group Khalid sent word about?”
“You heard from Khalid?” Sahil asked.
“Yes,” the man replied. “I am Berrun Ghastkill, mayor of Nashkel. He sent word via a runner not to long ago stating you were coming to help with our troubles.”
“That’s us,” Sahil said. “Any word from him about Jaheira?”
“She is recovering,” the mayor replied. “But still bed ridden.”
“What do you need from us?” Sahil asked turning her attention to the problems of the town.
“If you are up to it, I would ask that you take a look at the mines southeast of town,” the mayor began. “The miners claim there are demons or some such roaming about, but they are a superstitious lot and prone to exaggeration.”
Garrick nudged Neera and gave her a knowing look to remind her of the conversation the two of them had earlier.
“I am more concerned with the state of our ore,” the mayor continued. “All iron removed from the mines is tainted somehow, and useless for smithing. I would have you find out how it happens and who is behind it.
You will be rewarded handsomely for your efforts.”
“We’ll look into it for you mayor,” Sahil said.
“Good to hear,” he replied. “Perhaps we can finally start putting all this trouble behind us. If you need supplies, there is a general store behind you and you passed the inn on your way in if you need to a good rest.”
“Thanks,” Sahil said. “We’ll attempt to get organized as soon as possible.”
“Good luck to you,” the mayor replied and took his leave from the group.
“Shall we check out the mines now?” Sahil asked as they continued to walk down the street.
“It was a long journey,” Imoen replied. “Can we not rest up a bit first. A nice bed would do me wonders.”
Sahil smiled and then yawned.
“I guess you maybe right,” she said. The mine will be there tomorrow.
“Oh! You have returned! And so soon!” a portly man said to Garrick as the group walked down the road interrupting the conversation.
“No, say not another word. I would not think of making you wait a moment for your just reward,” the man continued. “When council told me that they have procured Greywolf to rid the woods of the bandit Tonquin, I knew we could expect swift justice!”
The group looked between each other with puzzled looks. Surely the man was addled.
“I would not have predicted success this quickly, but who else could it be striding into town looking, ah, looking as you do?” the man asked with a flare. “Please accept this meager sum of two hundred gold pieces, as well as the heartfelt thanks of all of Nashkel.”
The man held out a small pouch to Garrick, whose eyes lit up upon seeing the reward. It seemed too easy to him.
“You must have made some mistake,” Sahil said before Garrick could get his hands on the pouch. “He is not this Greywolf. Keep your money, it is not ours to take.”
Garrick gave a look of defeat as the man looked even more confused than before. His eyes widened suddenly as he knew he was about to make a terrible mistake.
“You are not Greywolf the bounty hunter?” he asked. Garrick shook his head no. “Oh, sweet Helm, I almost gave two hundred gold pieces to a complete stranger! The captain best not hear of this; he’d have my hide. Thanks be for your honesty, stranger. There are those who would not have done as such.”
“Who are you anyway?” Imoen asked.
“Me? Name’s Oublek,” the man said. “Pay master of the Amnish council here in Nashkel. I am what binds the guard to the public! A vital relations link, I am. Indispensable.”
“I see,” Imoen replied. “And would I get that same response if I spoke with your commanding officer?”
“Imoen!” Sahil snapped as Neera giggled.
The man waved his hand. “I fail to see how this is relevant to anything. Please return when you have something worth my time.”
He turned away in a sulk. The group gave a collective shrugged and walked past a group of children playing tag.
“You need to calm yourself, sir,” Sahil overheard a guard say to bald man with a strange facial tattoo.
“Calm! How can I be calm when justice is slapped in the face like this!” The man yelled with a strange accent. He looked over to the group past the guard. “I agree Boo, they look to be friendly.”
The man dismissed the guard and strode over Sahil.
“Greetings, we are Minsc and Boo,” he said “We have traveled far to explore this land, but now my charge Dynaheir has been taken from us. ‘Twas gnolls, and once we have tracked them” he begins to raise his voice as he finishes “I will beat sense into their heads until they release her! Accomany us, and bards will sing the deeds of Minsc and Boo… and friends.”
Sahil looked back to Garrick who seemed to have started giggling at the bards singing deeds part. Sahil was probably thinking of the some of the same lyrics as the bard.
“Excuse me,” she said. “But are you speaking to a rodent?”
“Boo is my faithful animal companion, and more than he seems.”
Hailix flew in to get a closer look of the rodent that was perched on the man’s shoulder. He gave the creature a sniff, and in turn, the hamster sniffed back. Hailix flew back to Sahil and over her shoulder. The rodent let out a squeak.
“It sounds as if your campaign is in trouble,” Sahil said. “We’ll help you find her.”
“Oh yes,” Garrick said. “The classic dilemma of the damsel in distress! How could anyone decline?”
The man smiled widely.
“Take heart, fellow adventurers, for you have curried the favor of Boo, the only miniature giant space hamster in the realm!” he said. “My friend and companion ever since my h-h-head wound, we will lead us to victory!”
“Oh this guy is gold,” Garrick said.
“The Gnoll stronghold is in the west,” Minsc continued, “Tarry not! We must go soon!”
The man strode off down the road ahead of the group.
“Wait, uh Minsc,” Sahil called out to the man. “We just arrived in town and need to rest.”
“Rest is for the wicked!” the man bellowed back. “We cannot tarry! We leave this instant!”
The group looked at each other and once again shrugged following the man over the southern bridge out of town.
A man dressed in orange waved to them as they strode past after Minsc. “Hey ya,” the man in orange said and Garrick waved back.
They were soon back into the thicket of the forest.
“Minsc!” Sahil shouted towards the towering man who was a good fifty paces in front of the rest of the group. “Stop!”
Minsc turned around to see his new campaigns far behind him. He placed his arms on his hips and bellowed “Evil does not stop and rest when it has one’s life in its clutches! We must hurry!”
“No Minsc,” Sahil said calmly to him as she approached. “We have been on the road for days before we met you. We are tired and need to rest if we are to be of any help to you.”
Neera caught up to the pair at this time, breathless. “Ya big guy. Most of us aren’t use to travelling this much.”
“But… my witch,” Minsc started.
“Is according to you being held captive,” Sahil started as Imoen and Garrick finally reached the rest of the group. “Do you know why atleast?”
“Because they are evil doers who must be brought to justice by me and my hamster!”Minsc bellowed.
“Well that’s one reason I guess,” Garrick said a touch sarcastically.
“It’s the only reason!” Minsc replied. “I am sworn to protect my witch Dynaheir while I am on my dajemma. It is my duty, which I failed when we were ambushed by those foul creatures!”
“But do you know why they ambushed you and took Dynaheir?” Sahil attempted to ask again.
“No I do not. I only know I need to get her back and soon!”
“We’ll help big guy, don’t worry,” Imoen said. “Let us just rest and plan a way to get her back.”
“Plan?” Minsc questioned. “There is no planning. We go in with our big swords and crush all those who oppose us!”
“We don’t own big swords,” Garrick mused.
“Oh,” Minsc looked confused then noticed that no one in the party carried any large blades. “This might be a problem then.”
“So let’s sit down and figure it out,” Sahil said.
“Oh, you’re a smart one I see,” Minsc said. “I am getting a little weary, perhaps we should rest and discuss this now, no?”
Upon hearing those words Neera collapsed to the ground and started rubbing her legs. Garrick removed his pack and joined her on the ground.
“So, what can you tell us about this stronghold?” Garrick asked as he removed some rations from his pack and passed them to Imoen who sat down beside him.
“I only saw it from a distance,” Minsc replied. “But it is a large, built on the coast up against the rocks. It has high walls and only one pathway in across a bridge.”
“Formidable,” Garrick replied. “It looks like a frontal assault is our best approach.”
“How many gnolls are there?” Sahil asked.
“Too many to count, and I can count real high,” Minsc said.
“Do you know where they are holding her in the keep?” Sahil asked and the big man shook his head.
“Well,” Garrick started. “A one way in, one way out with unknown amount of hostile creatures and nowhere to know where this witch is, if she is still there at all.”
Minsc gave the bard a hard stare. “What do you mean if she is still there?”
“They could of move her to another location while you and your rodent where looking for help. They could have thrown her into the sea for all we know.”
Sahil sensed Minsc getting angry at the thought of Dynaheir dying tragically and attempted to defuse the situation. “She is still there, we will find her don’t worry Minsc. Good will be triumphant.”
Minsc smiled at those last words.
“When we get across the bridge, I will attempt to scout ahead to determine where she is being held and how many gnolls are in the fortress,” Sahil said. “If we are lucky, I can find her and get her out before any of the gnolls know she is missing.”
“No butt kicking?” Minsc asked.
“Maybe a little,” Sahil said.
“Are you sure you can sneak in like that?” Imoen asked. “If they catch you, we’ll have two people to rescue instead of one.”
“There is only one way to find out,” Sahil replied. “We’ll head there soon.”
There was a snort in the distance. Sahil looked up and saw a large hairy creature with a dog’s face approaching the group. They were foolish. They set up camp in an open field, in full view of any scouting parties from the fortress or even bandits. Luckily there was just one gnoll approaching the group.
“This is Dajucnik clan land. You trespass! You leave!” the creature shouted at them.
Minsc turned and saw the creature and jumped to his feet immediately. “Where’s my witch!”
He charged the creature who was taken a bit back by the hostile approach of the human and readied itself to defend.
With a roar, Minsc barrelled into the flind, sending the two to the ground. The gnoll got in a quick punch to Minsc’s head which didn’t faze the warrior at all.
“Where is my witch!” Minsc screamed again drawing his sword as he got to his feet and and bringing the large blade down onto the creature severing it half. He kept screaming as the creature fell to the ground. “Where!”
Sahil saw anger in the man’s eyes and she knew he lost control of himself. The one swing that brought down the flind didn’t satisfy his bloodlust and he turned his sights onto her.
“You will help me find my witch now!” he bellowed at her swinging his sword in her direction. “If you do not help me, you help the evil that holds her!”
His swing missed as Sahil jumped back from the blade.
“Minsc!” Imoen shouted. “Stop! We’ll help!”
The group began keeping their distance away from the raging man. Neera pulled out her wand of sleep to attempt to subdue the man however when the spell struck, he simply seemed to shrug it off.
“You try to use your evil and foul magic on me!” He turned his attention to the half-elf who was began to shake in fear.
The hamster appeared on the man’s shoulder and crawled close to his ear. His rage subsided and he lowered his weapon.
“Ah, you are right Boo,” he said. “I am sorry, they are trying to help.”
The group relaxed a bit knowing they didn’t have to take the warrior down. Misc went over to the corpse of the gnoll and grabbed its two-handed sword that it didn’t even have time to unsheathe and approached Garrick.
“Here little man,” Minsc said. “Now you have a big sword to help storm the fortress like you promised.”
“Uh, thanks,” Garrick said giving Sahil a quick what-did-we-get-ourselves-into look. “I’ll need time to practice with it though, so let us keep resting until I can swing it well.”
Minsc smiled. “OK little man, but not too long, we have evil to smite!”
Chapter 13 - Bigger Swords
He could barely lift it, but he was pulling it off giving the large man, and Sahil a show. Garrick, attempting to parry the thrusts that Minsc threw at him was an amusing sight to see. The bard was able to mimic the ranger’s stance convincingly as if he had been trained with the weapon but the illusion was lost as soon as Minsc began charging. Fear etched its way across Garrick’s face and he broke his stance and composure to dodge the blurry man instead of defending himself.
Sahil laughed at the scene while Hailix rested in her lap, munching on some rodent he was able to capture.
“What do you think of him?” said Sahil to her familiar.
“Unstable,” replied the small dragon.
“Which one?” replied Sahil realizing she didn’t specify.
“Both,” said the creature casually as Garrick attempted a swing that threw him off balance. Minsc let out a hardy chuckle as the bard fell to the ground while Sahil smiled, amused at the scene unfolding before her.
“I see that,” Sahil said. “Garrick is at least being a good sport about it.”
The creature nodded as it gulped down the remaining chunk of his snack. “Are we going to be traveling with him for long,” it said, once again not specifying whom it was talking about.
“I don’t know,” Sahil said. “I really do not trust either of them. Minsc seems loyal enough, but that display earlier, his attitude may get us into trouble later.”
“And Garrick?”
“And Garrick,” Sahil paused looking at the bard, once again getting into his stance, pretending to be a fierce warrior, and once again cowering at the charging man. “I just don’t know how reliable he is.”
The creature nodded once again, and then rested his head on her lap.
“Don’t get to comfy,” she said, “we really should save Garrick from his torture and break camp soon.”
The creature sighed, and flapped its wings, crawling out of her lap. “if you wish.”
Sahil stood up as well and stretched. “I think once we save, Minsc’s witch, we’ll depart from his company.”
The faerie dragon took flight, looked at his companion and gave a slight nod.
“Go find Imoen, we’ll leave soon,” Sahil ordered, and walked towards the duelling odd couple.
~
The stronghold could be seen in the distance. A large fortress, built upon the rocks of the coast much like Candlekeep. Even though it was nowhere close to the size of the her old home, the fortress seemed well built, with only a single entrance from the shore visible, a creeky old wooden bridge that had fallen out of disrepair.
Sahil wondered how the gnolls obtained such a structure as she found it hard to believe that they built it themselves. She remembered reading about them in Candlekeep. They are a brutal and thuggish race that tend to have more nomadic tendencies than building giant strongholds. Why they took possession of the structure is a curious thought.
She is also aware at how gnolls treat their captives. They tend to be merely food, and in the rarest occasion made slaves to perform hard physical labour for the tribe. A witch, stereotypically, isn’t one to be considered of physical nature and she wonders if the poor woman is even alive. She also wonders how Minsc would react to such a situation. She slowly regrets joining up with the man and hope it isn't the case.
A loud bark, broke her train of thought, as a lone gnoll wanders close to the group.
“Grrrrruaarr… Wrrretched forrrtrress!” the creature growled, rolling it’s ‘r’s while he spoke to the group. “If you go therrrre, go to conquerrrrr!”
“I will take no orders from a lowly gnoll. Now prepare to meet your end!” Minsc yelled as he charged the beast.
“Die then, wretched pinklingsss!” it replied, hefting a large halberd.
“Now is your chance little man!” Minsc said to Garrick, “show me what you can do.”
Garrick laughed and muttered to Sahil, “I think I can run away.”
“You better not,” replied Sahil.
Sahil raised her quarterstaff up to defend against the gnoll, while Minsc and Garrick flanked the beast. The way the trio was laid out, Imoen could not get a clear shot at the gnoll so she attempted to flank in behind it, while Neera waited to see how the battle turned before acting.
Sahil attempted to taunt the gnoll into attacking her with a wild swing as her campaigns got into better position, but the gnoll focused his attention Minsc instead.
Sahil took advantage of the gnoll’s disinterest and wacked the creature behind the legs with her staff. It growled and turned back to Sahil while Minsc brought his blade down upon the creature’s shoulder severing it, and sending it to the ground dead.
“Why you not attack little man,” Minsc asked Garrick.
“You two dropped him before I could even get ready,” replied the bard.
“That is no excuse,” lectured Minsc, “Hopefully there will be more of his ilk we can smite together across the bridge! Lets go comrades! Evil awaits!”
Garrick picked up the halberd and a pouch of coins the gnoll had on his body while Sahil gave him an cold stare.
“A bigger weapon,” replied the bard. “You know in case this one isn’t big enough. Besides I think it is magical. Can’t leave it laying here.”
“My hamster is getting antsy!” Cried Minsc who had walked further up ahead while Garrick looted the corpse. “If we be adventurers, let us adventure!”
“Right you are Minsc,” Garrick replied. “Right you are.”
It was more stable than it looked, the rickety old rope bridge that spanned across the small, but dangerously rapid inlet from the sea. Minsc was waiting on the bridge while the others caught up.
“Minsc, you should slow down,” said Neera. “You really do not know what is across that thing, or even if it is stable enough to hold your weight.”
“If I am in danger, Boo will surely tell me so,” replied the ranger. The group gave each other looks as Minsc slowly made his way across. The bridge was just wide enough for two side by side so the remaining companions paired up and helped each other across. Sahil and Garrick in the front, Imoen and Neera in the rear. Hailix fluttered over the edge of the bridge. No fear in falling in his mind.
As the group approached their way to the other side, a giant ogre made his way onto the bridge blocking their path. The brute was unarmed, but still intimidating to see. The group stopped as he approached.
“Stop! You go nowhere!” the ogre started. “This our bridge. You pay to walk it!”
Another ogre who thankfully remained on shore, piped up, “Yeah, you pay… two hundred for all heads, or lose heads!”
Sahil wondered if the group would be able to fight on the bridge if it came to that. Two hundred gold was a steep price, one that she didn’t think the group possessed.
“Isn’t two hundred gold a little steep?” Garrick asked casually to the ogres. “I mean, do we look like we have that kind of coin?”
The ogre on shore mulled it over. “Okay, maybe two hundreds gold too much,” it finally replied. “Maybe you pay… one hundred gold!”
“Yeah,” agreed the ogre on the bridge. “One hundred gold for all heads, or lose heads! Pretty good deal!”
“Okay,” replied Garrick. “One hundred gold is a little more reasonable. I’ll pay you that and we’ll be on our way.”
Sahil gave the bard another cold stare as she knew that was probably the rest of the coin the group had gathered, although, it did seem like a better alternative than fighting the brutes over the rapids.
“You got smart head, so you keep head!” replied the ogre as Garrick handed over pouch of coin.
“What do you know of the Gnolls in the fortress up ahead,” asked Garrick.
“Gnolls good,” replied the ogre. “They pay with meat and some coin. We give discount. Many gnoll use bridge.”
“How many?” asked Sahil.
“Ummm, they all look same like yous guys,” the ogre replied. “I donno. Now go away, smart head, before we charge for standing!”
“Ok we’re going,” replied Garrick. “Thank you for allowing us to use your bridge.”
The ogre scoffed as he let the group pass.
“They seemed pleasant enough,” Garrick mused.
“Truly,” replied Neera. “I thought we were done for, for sure when I saw that thing barrelling towards us.”
“You couldn’t talk him down for less,” asked Imoen.
“Doubt it,” replied the bard. “Dealt with his kind before, if they hesitate while giving the first offer, they will go down for the second, but lose patience after that. Might’ve got messy if I attempted to swindle him more. Shall we go rescue that damsel in distress?”
It was getting dark.
The rocky path sloped upwards. The crashing water hid their footsteps as they slowly approached the main gate of the stronghold in the darkness. Tattered flags and a giant skull decorated the wooden posts that acted as a barrier between the encampment and the bridge leading out. Sahil wasn’t sure if the gnolls decorated the entrance or if it was from forgotten owners long ago.
The cliff jutted creviced in slightly before the gates. A perfect hiding spot to plan and maneuver the groups next move before embarking into the keep. There the four companions gathered below a lone standing tree.
“I should scout ahead and determine numbers before we charge in,” Sahil said to others. “Charging in blindly maybe foolish and make matters worse.”
“I agree,” Garrick said. “But it is risky, for you to go alone.”
“I won’t be alone,” she replied and eyed her familiar down.
“uh oh,” the dragon mused.
“Do not worry Hailix,” she said. “Just get into my pack. If I get into trouble, it will be your job to come warn the others here.”
The faerie dragon thought on it and realized it was a small risk to take especially when he was ordered to protect and guide the girl. He slowly nodded and crawled into the pack.
“Do you want me to come with you?” Imoen asked.
“No, it maybe easier if I do this alone,” Sahil replied.
“Be careful then,” her friend replied.
“I will,” Sahil replied. “Neera, that potion case I gave you earlier.”
“Uh huh,” replied the mage.
“Does it still have that potion of invisibility?”
“Lemme check,” Neera said as she began rifling through the bag. “Here it is. Do you only want this one? Wouldn’t it be easier to take them all, just in case?”
“No,” Sahil said. “They may rattle and make too much noise while I slip in. This one potion maybe enough to get me out of trouble, or if I am lucky, give to Minsc’s witch to sneak her out.”
“Don’t do anything too rash,” Garrick said.
“I don’t know if I like this sneaky business,” said Minsc.
“It is our first option until we know what we are dealing with,” Sahil said. “Trust me. I’ll be back soon.”
“Good luck,” Imoen replied.
Sahil sulked to the shadows against the cliffs and rounded the corner to the wooden gate. A lone gnoll stood guard, half asleep. She quickly made her way past him and up a wide stone staircase that curved up into the fortress.
She readjusted herself in the shadows as she made her way to a large wall covered in vines. There the staircase grew steeper and edged itself along the wall. She slowly crept upwards as she heard two creatures conversing on the steps. They were the same humanoids that attacked her and Imoen outside of the Friendly Arm Inn. What they were doing with the gnolls in this fortress was unknown, but Sahil wasn’t going to wait around to find out.
She quietly slipped by them. Up ahead she could see a large round pit and quickly made her way towards it. Perhaps prisoners were kept below. As she approached the pit, a creature barked out to her. She was spotted by a lone gnoll guarding the pit.
“Grrrrah,” it barked. “Frrrresh Meat.”
Sahil stopped in her tracks and waited for the gnoll to attack. It quickly charged. Sahil thrust out her staff towards the beast who parried the swing with his halberd. She attempted to counter the block by raising the other half up between the beast’s legs, but failed at making a connection.
The gnoll swung the halberd at her head which she easily ducked. Off balance, the gnoll staggered and Sahil took the opportunity to bring the staff across the gnoll’s head. It’s head jolted to the side and came back, yellow eyes staring her down with a sloppy grin of broken teeth and large snout turning into a snarl.
“Die scum!” it said while it swung its large weapon towards Sahil. She used her reflexes to jump back from the attack and brought her staff down upon the gnoll’s arm. It howled in pain. Howled a bit too loudly for Sahil’s liking. The longer this fight dragged on, the more of a chance reinforcements would arrive.
The gnoll swung at her again. It seemed the beast was improperly trained on how to use the weapon as it missed again leaving itself open for another counterattack. Sahil brought her staff across the beasts neck, snapping it and sending him to the ground. She looked around. No one seemed to have noticed the fight, or cared about it. Perhaps, warfare and inner fighting was common with the gnolls. She quickly hid herself by a triangular wall support though and made sure no patrols were coming.
When she felt it was safe, she peered down the giant hole. It was dark and she could not see the bottom. She slowly descended down the wooden posts that acted as a makeshift staircase. The pit was empty, but she realized this type of pit was ideal for holding hostages. She slowly crept up staircase and studied the levels above her.
There seemed to be two different plateaus she could check, but she needed to find the holding cell quickly. She didn’t know how long Minsc’s patience would last before he charged the place.
“Hailix,” she whispered.
The small dragon poked its head out of the bag and looked around.
“Yes?” it questioned.
“I need to you to fly up and see if you can spot any more pits like this one up these two staircases.”
The creature nodded and fluttered slowly up, he flew away from the keep as to not attract attention to himself then turned to face it. He slowly descended back down to Sahil.
“There are two of them on the smaller plateau,” the dragon said. “With a lot of gnolls.”
“One of those must be the holding cell then,” Sahil said and the creature nodded.
“Should I go tell the others?” the creature asked.
“Not yet,” Sahil replied. Get back in my pack, let’s see if we can find her first.”
The familiar nodded once again and crawled back into the pack. Sahil sulked her way along the wall back to a narrow staircase leadind up onto the higher plateau. She waited and listened around the corner. The two blue humanoids were still conversing near the steps, however she didn’t hear anything from above. She quickly ascended the stairs and ducked to the left into the shadows along the ledge.
Three gnolls were near the first pit, barking at each other. She quickly made her way behind them against the wall and made her way to the pit. A large wooden plank, soaked in blood hovered above the deep hole. There was dry blood splattered on its ridge and the wall close to it.
She smelled the death and it surprisingly calmed her. She quickly made her way the wooden steps to the depth of the pit without being seen. Besides old bones and dried blood, the pit was empty. She took a deep breath and quietly made her way up the posts back to the wall.
Unseen, she hid herself behind another wall support and looked at the final pit. There, three more gnolls were barking at each other angrily. One stood taller than the other two and seemed to be fending them off from the hole.
“Not yet,” it barked
“Why?” said another.
“Because,” the taller one said.
The larger one was guarding the pit, not from intruders, but from the other gnolls. Sahil surmised something must be down there of value such a prisoner. She had a slight sense of hope.
She made her way past the feuding gnolls to the wooden posts and quickly descended. There a dark skinned woman in tattered blue robes sat in the corner. Sahil came out of the shadows and the woman looked up at her and stood.
“Dynaheir?” Sahil asked.
“Aye,” the lady replied.
“I am here to save you. Minsc sent me, he is waiting outside the keep,” Sahil said.
“Truly?” Dynaheir said in disbelief. “‘Twas courageous to follow the likes of Minsc into battle, if a touch foolish.”
“He really didn’t give me an option,” Sahil replied. “Here, drink this.”
She handed the witch the potion of invisibility. Dynaheir uncorked it, and swigged it back.
“Stay quiet and behind me,” Sahil said, let’s get you to Minsc.”
The two made their way out of the hole, and past the gnolls whom were none the wiser that their captive was slipping out. They quickly made their way along the wall and back down the staircase where the Xvarts were still discussing something of importance to them. Sahil grew confident that they were going to make it out without any more bloodshed.
That is until she saw the patrol walking up the steps towards her. She locked eyes with the lead gnoll who barked out to the xvarts.
“You two, intrrrruderrrr.”
The xvarts turned towards the gnoll and spotted Sahil.
“AAATTTAACCKKKK!” one yelled.
“Stay hidden,” Sahil said to Dynaheir whom she couldn’t see and raised her staff to take on the four attackers who were now flanking her.
The gnolls and their large strides reached Sahil first and she turned to attack them. She had to be cautious with her attacks and wait for her opportunities though. The blue creatures came up behind her and one pierced her leg with a short sword. She grimaced, but held her ground, knocking away one of the gnolls swinging halberd. The other gnoll attempted to cleave her but it was easily dodged and she countered with a swing of her own. She bashed gnoll over the head making it yelp in pain.
Sahil looked over her shoulder to quickly see where the Xvarts were. One seemed to be blocked, unable to reach her back. She figured Dynaheir was helping her by being an invisible obstacle. As long as the witch didn’t attack the creatures, the invisibility would hold. Sahil liked her odds slightly better as she turned her attention back to the gnolls.
The one she cracked over the head, retreated a few steps back to regain its senses, so she turned her attention the other. A smile etched across her face as she swung her staff at the gnoll, disarming him. She could see the fear in its eyes as she clobbered the defenceless beast between the eyes. It slumped itself against the wall, defeated.
The xvart behind her however seized the opportunity to place its blade deep into her back. She cried in pain as the little critter laughed.
She turned her attention to it and counted its next thrust with her staff. She swung wildly at it which it was able to dodge easily and the other xvart finally got itself around the invisible obstical. The other gnoll came back to his senses and rejoined the fight. She was out numbered once again.
Sahil put herself into a defensive position, but the onslaught was too much. She was able to parry the gnoll and one of the xvarts, but the other landed another piercing strike into the back of her leg again.
She cried out in pain.
“Hailix! Go get help!” She screamed.
The faerie dragon removed himself from the pack, and fluttered up to assess the situation. Dynaheir, came out of her invisibility, unarmed and at struck out at one of the blue beasts. She punched the creature in the back of the head hoping to get its attention.
Hailix swooped down on top of one xvart that received the punch to the head as Sahil repositioned herself against the wall to prevent her from being flanked. The odds were evened out, however, an unarmed mage and a fey didn’t tilt the battle too much in their favour.
Sahil lashed out at the gnoll parrying its attacks while Hailix continued to annoy and bite the xvart. Dynaheir grabbed the other blue creature by the shirt, a pulled him back away from Sahil just as it was about to thrust his sword into her again.
The creature stumbled backwards from the momentum of the pull and off the steps. He let out an elongated “eeeeee” sound as he fell to the stones and his death below.
The battle was turning, and the gnoll knew it. He wildly swung his halberd at Sahil and hit the wall. She tripped the beast up and it fell down the stairs, hitting his head at the bottom making him go out cold.
She turned her attention to Hailix and the last xvart. Knowing it worked for the other one, she charged forward and pushed the creature off the steps.
She heard it thump as it hit the ground below and she let out a sigh. Blood was pouring down her back from the stab wounds. She needed to reach the gate before she bled out but she knew it would be impossible to get Dynaheir past the last gnoll guard without being seen.
“I think there is one more ahead,” she said to the witch. “Wait here.”
Dynaheir nodded.
“Hailix, stay with her,” she ordered. The faerie dragon fluttered above nervously.
Sahil crept slowly down the stairs and saw the half-asleep gnoll, still standing watch at the gate. She was in a lot of pain but knew he was the last obstacle in her way. She also knew her friends were just around the corner.
She got behind the gnoll and struck him with her staff. The gnoll snapped awake and turned at being attacked, Sahil readied herself in a defensive position, then yelled, “Imoen! Help”
Her friend came around the corner, bow in hand and saw Sahil parrying with the beast. It’s back was turned which gave her time to aim an arrow striking the leg. It yelped and turned, giving Sahil the opportunity to finish it off. The beast fell into an eternal slumber.
“Are you okay?” Imoen asked.
“Not really,” Sahil replied as she limped forward. “Hailix it is safe, come.”
The faerie dragon and the witch quickly descended the stairs. Minsc, came around the corner and saw his witch.
“Dynaheir!” he shouted, “I found you!”
“Aye thee did Minsc,” she said, “but let us wait until we are clear of tis place before thy celebration commences.”
“Agreed,” Sahil said as Imoen handed her a healing salve that she applied to her back. “Thank you.”
“No problem,” her friend said. “You did it alone?”
“It was no trouble till the end, but let’s not tarry,” Sahil replied, “back across the bridge.”
“I thank thee for saving me,” Dynaheir said as they reached the safety of the woods beyond the bridge. “I have naught to offer thee in return, save my service in battle. Mayhaps I could travel with thee awhile, and an opportunity may arise for repayment of my debt.”
“We were happy to help,” Sahil said to her. “We do not require payment for helping you, however, I am curious of who you are that you warrant a bodyguard”
“I am Dynaheir of Rashemen,” the witch replied. “‘This not a title, ‘tis just where I am from. We two are indeed far afield of our home, but ‘tis a necessary rite of passage. Minsc must make his dajemma by seeking adventure, while I must prove my worth to my… sisters in much the same manner.”
“What brings you here though,” Neera asked.
“Tis an interesting time for the realms, with great things foretold for the Sword Coast,” Dynaheir explained. “‘Tis therefore a likely place to look for what we need. What dost thou seek on this adventurous road?
Mayhaps we can all find what we need together?”
Sahil found it curious that she was dodging the questions being asked of her. She knew having these two around afford more safety in numbers, but trust was fleeting. Sahil dodged the question and asked another.
“How did you come to be captured by the gnolls?”
“Alas, we were ambushed in the night,” the witch replied. “Minsc was overcome by yet another blow to the head, and I was spirited away before he could recover.”
“Why?” Imoen asked.
“Your guess is as good as mine,” Dynaheir replied. “But with but two eyes apiece there is naught more we could have done.”
Sahil thought on the answer. It was hard to phantom that this was a random occurrence. The gnolls wanted Dynaheir for something. With a bounty on her own head, and Red Wizards hunting Neera, adding another factions ire on the group would be ill advised especially with Minsc’s mental stability.
Sahil responded civilly though.
“As I said, we require no payment for your rescue,” she started. “We are working on behalf of the mayor of Nashkel at the moment and venturing along the coast with you for your… dajemma… isn’t an option at the moment. I do wish you two luck though. Maybe our paths will cross again. Good luck to you.”
“As thou dost wish, though the logic of thy decision escapeth me,” Dynaheir scoffed. “Come, Minsc, we depart forthwith.”
Minsc turned to Garrick, “I fear that where Dynaheir goes, so must I little man!”
“It was an honour meeting you Minsc,” Garrick replied. “Farewell.”
The large man turned and began to follow the witch into the wilderness up the coast. The four remaining companions let out a collective sigh of relief and headed back to town to rest.
The journey back to Nashkel was uneventful but relaxing due to the group being able to walk at their own pace instead of one set by an unstable hunter desperately attempting to find his way in life. The sun was beginning to rise by the time they reached the small stone bridge. Weariness was setting in, and everyone was looking forward to sleeping in a real bed at the inn.
The same man in orange that greeted them while they left the town, was there by the bridge, and he greeted the companions as they approached.
“Hey ya,” he said smiling at them.
“Hello,” Neera replied.
“Ugh, I think I stepped in something,” the strange man continued.
“Well you should go wash it off then,” Imoen quipped in.
But instead of walking away, he began following the group towards the inn.
“Everyone in town used to throw rocks at me and tell me I was annoying,” he said rather bluntly.
“Well that’s not nice of them,” Neera replied but slowly quickened her pace.
“What time is it?” he asked rather casually.
“Unsure,” Neera said, who was slowly falling behind the rest of the group. “Listen I need to catch up here.”
The man looked at her as she quickened her pace to reach Imoen. He soon followed, but as soon as they group reached the inn, he stopped in his tracks.
“Odd man,” Neera said.
“Aye,” replied Imoen who was walking through the door that was being held by Garrick.
“Annoying, I say,” Garrick chimed in and followed the girls into the small inn.
The group looked around. A few patrons were enjoying drinks at the tables by the entrance, laughing at some obscure jokes. Sahil looked around and made eye contact with a woman dressed in heavy mail and helmet. The lady stood up, chuckled and approached the group.
“Just fancy my luck seeing you stroll in here, bold as day!” the stranger said.
“Excuse me?” Sahil asked, although she was already preparing for trouble.
“I expected a hunt and chase from the description, but who am I to argue easy coins in the purse?” The lady rhetorically said while pointing a club at Sahil. “May the Lord of Shadows guide you swiftly to your death!”
“I would first know my attacker!” Sahil shouted as she got ready to defend herself. “Why are you doing this?”
“Who I am is unimportant, though my name is Neira,” the lady replied. What I am, is a hunter of bounties, and on your head is a lovely little sum. Does this satisy your request? I thought it wouldn’t. No matter.”
Neira began chanting. The room being small didn’t allow the party to scatter nor set up a decent attack. Imoen pulled out her bow but aimed it carefully as to not hit any of the patrons who were cowering near or under their tables. None of them moved to get the guard. Her arrow pinged off Neira’s armour.
Sahil swung her staff at the chanting lady hitting her in the chest, but Neira was unfazed. Her spell was almost complete.
“Eat this,” Neera yelled and casted an energy bolt that struck through Neira’s armour.
Neira grunted, her chanting stopped as she took a step backwards after the blow. Garrick took a swing with his short sword but the armoured lady easily deflected it with her shield and began chanting again, this time with Neera in sights.
“I don’t think so,” Neera said as another arrow helpless bounced off the evil cleric of Mask. There was a sudden flood of energy enveloping the mage as she thrust it forward towards the cleric.
The energy crackled and struck Neira squarely in the chest. She stopped chanting. She stopped moving. She was held in place hopeless. Sahil turned and looked at Neera who had a shocked look on her face that slowly turned into a smile.
Garrick sieving the opportunity, stabbed the evil cleric in the back. The spell holding her deteriorated and she fell to the floor dead. The patrons came out of hiding and the group relaxed.
The Inn keeper came over and apologized to the group.
“I saw the whole thing, I will tell the guard it was self defense for sure, milady,” he said. “You should do yerself a favor and stay indoors tonight. I’ve heard of all sorts of weird things happening at night. I can prepare a room for you?”
“Please,” Sahil said as the Innkeeper bowed and walked towards the back of the establishment.
“Another hunter,” Garrick said as he searched the corpse pulling out a letter.
“What does it say?” Sahil asked.
Garrick cleared his throat and began to read:
“Be it known to all those of evil intent, that a bounty has been placed upon the head of Sahil, the foster child of Gorion.
Last seen in the region of Beregost, this person is to be killed in quick order. The subject is to be considered a formidable foe, and is likely to have well-equipped traveling companions.
This offer has been extended to all appropriate guilds. Those returning with the proof of the deed shall receive no less than 680 coins of gold.”
Garrick stopped reading and looked up, “Six eighty. Wow. How much was if before?”
“Two hundred I think,” replied Imoen.
Sahil began to get nervous, her trust was in the bard was fleeting again.
“That’s a huge mark up,” replied the bard. “Someone means business with you.”
“What else does the notice say?” Sahil asked, attempting to change the conversation.
“Just, ‘As always, any that reveal these plans to the forces of law shall join the target in their fate,’” Garrick replied. “No signature, no markings, no nothing to say who it would have came from.”
Sahil sighed. She was tired and just wanted to rest. Garrick removed the rest of Neira’s equipment and eyed the helmet.
“Huh,” he mused. “I know this. This helmet is called the Eyes of Truth.”
“What does it do?” Imoen asked.
“Helps you see in the dark,” he replied. “Can be handy, want it?”
He handed it to Sahil who looked down at it. The helmet was dull as if made to absorb light instead of reflect it like most metals do. She nodded.
“A good trophy for defeating a bounty hunter!” Garrick mused.
“I really had nothing to do with it,” Sahil replied. “Neera saved the day, if only by fluke.”
“Fluke!” The mage objected. “My awesome power is no fluke.”
“Admit it, you didn’t mean for that to happen,” Sahil questioned.
“Maybe not, still saved the day though,” Neera beamed.
“I guess so,” Sahil said. She looked down at the shield Neira was carrying. “I think I should start using one. Seems effective.”
“Here,” Garrick replied, handing her the battered but still functional shield. “You won’t be able to use your staff with it, want the club as well?”
“I don’t like robbing from the dead,” Sahil said.
“She just tried to kill you,” Garrick said. “And it is an ordinary club, no one will miss it.”
He handed her the weapon that she reluctantly took. It was heavier than the staff surprisingly. She liked the weight of it though, and gave it a practise swing. A man cleared his throat behind her. She turned to see the Inn keeper.
“Milady,” he said. “Your room is ready.”
The smell of the Sea of Swords crashing upon the rocky coastline lingers in the air as Sahil stands in front of her old home.
The stone walls rise higher before her, preventing entry. They were once comforting insight but now are foreboding and unwelcoming. Sahil walks towards the gate of her old home and tries the latch. It is stiff and unmoving, barring her from entering.
She steps back and attempts to look over the walls. She sees a small light emitting from her former room. Flickering in the wind, a small candle burns it’s wick attempting to stay lit amidst the chaos of wind from the sea. The faint light battles long, but eventually it snuffs out and the walls seem to swallow the window all together.
“You cannot go back this way child,” a familiar voice startles you though it is calm and caring. “You must go on.”
Sahil turns and sees her former mentor hovering before her. His image however isn’t as comforting as it should be as it is a shade of his living self. The phantom gestures toward the blackness of wood that she spent the last couple of days. It is black and twisted and full of grief, yet somehow inviting to her.
A small path opens up through the wood. It feels as though it is meant for her and pulls her forward toward it. She walks slowly towards it and then thinks better. It seems too convenient. She does not wish to dwell upon the loss she had endured, but neither should it be forgotten.
She stops in her tracks looking at the path but the pull becomes a push, she quickly turns away from the path and dashes into the forboding black wood that surrounds it.
A sinister voice that she recognizes but yet has never heard calls from behind her “You will learn!”
She doesn’t look back, but continues straight into bush. The branches scratch at her arms and legs as she pushes forward. The trees begin to close in on her much like the walls did on the candle, but she does not stop and does not look back.
She searches the darkness for anything that will lead her out like a light from a flickering candle but all she sees is darkness. Panic begins to creep into her mind as she slows her step and pushes forward out of breath.
She pushes through the trees and comes to a familiar clearing. The scent of the yellow and purple flowers replaced the sea air and she felt calm as she stumbled away from the tree line. She stood and spun looking at her surroundings and sensing no danger she began to relax and sat down among the flowers.
From the woods, not far from where she stumbled out, a unicorn emerged. It was a magnificent sight, noble looking and strong as it pushed its way into the clearing with Sahil. Sahil stood up as the beast approached.
“You need to forge your own path, child,” the beast said to her in a calming voice. Sahil reached to the beast as it let her pet its mane.
“I am trying,” Sahil said. “It is hard though, I feel lost.”
The unicorn nodded its head, “Being lost is an opportunity to find something new. I can help.”
“How?”
“Just believe in me.”
The unicorn turned away and headed back into the wood and Sahil opened her eyes.
The sun was shining through the flimsy drapes that attempted to block the view of the outside world. Sahil felt refreshed even though the straw mattress she rested on was hard and itchy. A smile etched across her face. She believed adventure awaited and she saw her best friend packing up satchels for their trip down into the mines.
Imoen turned around to see her best friend had finally woken up. “’Bout time,” she said.
“I had the strangest dream,” Sahil said.
“Another one?” Imoen asked.
“Ya,” Sahil replied. “I think Hailix’s god has taken an interest in me.”
“That’s never a good thing,” Imoen mused as she closed up the last satchel and swung it over her shoulder.
“I don’t know,” replied Sahil who started to stretch and get herself out of bed. “It’s like she is watching me, becoming my guardian.”
“And that’s what scares me,” Imoen replied. “Guard you from what?”
“Who knows,” Sahil said while changing into her leather armour. “But I have a feeling we may find out in the mines.”
“Well don’t go all worshippy on me,” Imoen scowled. “I got away from those priest of Oghman for a reason.”
There was a knock at the door. “If you ladies are ready, we should head out now,” Garrick said through the door.
“Aye, we’re set” replied Imoen, then more quietly to Sahil “Ready?”
“Always.”
The two left the room and passed Garrick in the hall who smiled at the friends and began following them to the common room where Neera was reading through a tome in a last ditch effort to memorize some spells.
Neera looked up at the approaching group and closed her book. “Are we off now?”
“As soon as we pay our tab,” said Sahil.
“Already covered,” Garrick replied.
Neera hastily packed her things and joined the group as they exited the inn. A man still performed material arts for a small crowd by the bridge and militia were walking the streets but all Sahil could hear were the birds in the trees chirping happily at the rising sun.
“Hey ya,” a man dressed in orange said and approached the group.
“Uh, not him again,” Neera muttered.
“What’s that big weapon for?” Noober said to Garrick, pointing at the great sword he still carried.
“We, my dear friend, are going to investigate your troubled mines today,” Garrick replied heroically.
“huh,” the man replied as the group attempted to walk by, “those colours look pretty stoopid on you…”
“Well I will keep that in mind the next time a tailor asks me what type of tunic I am in the mood for,” Garrick replied. “Now if you will excuse me.”
And the group hastily walked away.
“What a nut job,” Imoen said getting a giggle from Neera in the process.
The group headed south east down the path towards the mines. Hailix, who was resting up in one of trees fluttered down to his companions and perched himself on top of the Neira’s shield that Sahil carried on her back.
“Anything to report?” Sahil asked her familiar.
“It’s been quiet,” replied the small dragon.
From the distance Sahil could see the scar in the earth that was created by the mine – a large open pit in the middle of a rocky field that disfiguring the landscape. Temporary wooden shacks dotted around the edges of the hole, buildings used for storage.
As they approached closer, they could see miners, mulling about on the surface, pushing rusted carts of rocks and ore. There was guards posted at the entrance of the mine, either to keep people out, or keep miners in, Sahil didn’t know. The scene was a sad sight to behold. Her cozy life inside the library seemed luxurious compared to the condition that the workers dredge themselves through this day, and as rumour had it, all for naught.
The group headed down a rickety set of wooden stairs towards the entrance of the mine and Sahil approached one of the guards blocking the enterance.
“You guys really should get permission from Emerson ‘fore you enter the mines,” the guard said as she approached. “He can get really nasty ‘bout unauthorized guys wandering ‘bout him mines.”
“Where is he?” Sahil asked, and the guard pointed to a man standing by a small wooden shack that seemed to be used as an office. He wore a red tunic much like the other guards but no chainmail. He held a clipboard and was studying it intently.
Sahil smiled at the guard and approached Emerson. “Uh, excuse me,” she said.
“So you want to take a look at me mine, do ya?” Emerson said, either overhearing the guard or already getting word from the mayor of their coming. “Well, I see no harm. Indeed, we could be using the help.”
Emerson put the clipboard under his arm and gave Sahil his full attention as he continued. “There be problems in the lower level, where we lost some workers. The men talk of things a-movin below,” he said while waving his hands in disbelief, “but who’s to say?
“The earth, she hides many things from sight.”
With that, Emerson nodded to one of the guards by the entrance and retreated into the wooden hut studying the clipboard again.
“Odd,” Imoen said.
“Well it is what it is, shall we?” Garrick said motioning towards the mine.
Sahil took the lead back to the guards.
“I wish you luck in there,” one said. “Whatever’s been causing all the trouble isn’t something I’d wanna run into.”
The man stepped aside, and the companions entered into the dimly lit shaft.
The entrance sloped down, deeper into the earth. The dirt floor was packed hard from the weight of the carts that hauled the ore to the surface. Every fifteen feet or so, wooden supports were erected to hold the earth above. From these fixtures, oil lanterns hung giving off the only light in the dusty halls.
Loud clangs of metal hitting rock echoed from the depth the mine. The workers were still chiseling away at the sides of the earth. The operation, with all of its problems seemed to continue, regardless of the supposed danger.
The group paced slowly down into the mine, adjusting their eyes to the poorly lit conditions. A miner, spotting their approach, stopped pushing a rusting cart and greeted them.
“Hmm, more adventures eh?” his voice was wheezy when he spoke and his smile exposed gaps and chips. He was a slender man, but muscular only wearing short pantaloons that seem to be too ragged to even stay on.
“I’d leave while you still can if I were you,” he continued. “I’ve heard awful stories about what’s been happening to those that go deeper into the mines.”
“Why? What have you heard?” Sahil questioned.
“Well,” the man started, then paused “my friend Ruffie barely escaped with his life he did. Little demons jumped out of the very walls and chased him down. He’d be dead now if it weren’t for the guards that came running.
“’Course them guards are dead now. Old Ruffies’s around here somewhere,” the man paused again, searching for his friend. He stops and smiles, and points to another miner. “You ask him what he saw, and he’ll tell ya.”
“Thanks, I guess,” Sahil said and slowly approached the other man who was sifting through a cart of rocks. He’d pull one out, hold it close to a latern light, then drop it back in.
“Ruffie?” Sahil said as she approached.
“Wha-what do you want?” Ruffie was startled by the interruption. He seemed jumpy and on edge.
“What did these demons look like?” Sahil asked calmly to him.
“What did they look like?!” Ruffie began to become agitated at the question. He started to shake and he raised his voice more, “they looked like demons, ya blasted idiot!”
He shook his head and went back to sorting the rocks.
“Well, obvious,” Garrick mused.
“Do you think there are actually demons prowling around down here?” Neera asked.
“No,” Sahil replied looking back at Ruffie, “But I’d be wary just in case.”
The large opening of the mine started branching off into different shafts. Each had a set of rail tracks leading further into the mine. A cart, full of ore rested by the mouth of one the shafts. Sahil went over to it and picked up a piece.
The iron looked to be coated in some sort of toxic substance. “Look here,” she said.
“That maybe our culprit,” Garrick said. “This is what could be contaminating the iron in the region.”
“But who is doing this?” Asked Imoen, “One of the workers?”
“Demons!” Neera replied.
“Get real,” Sahil said smiling while putting the rock back into the cart. “It’s a start, come on.”
The four followed the track deeper into the mine. The further they got away from the entrance the darker it became.
Another worker saw them approaching and greeted them.
“A visitor! Glorious day,” he said. “We don’t get many down here as you can imagine. Are you going to be going down into the mines? If so, could you return this dagger to Kylee? He dropped it when he went into the mine the other day and I haven’t seen him since.”
“Sure, I’ll return his dagger,” Garrick said taking the blade and tucking it into his belt.
“Thank you so much,” the man said smiling. “I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.”
The man, patted Garrick on the shoulder and headed up the path to the entrance.
“If Kylee isn’t dead yet,” Garrick said out of earshot.
Sahil’s jaw dropped at the thought.
“He could be,” Garrick said unapologetically.
“Let’s just keep going,” Sahil said defeated.
The group rounded a bend, which sloped steeply down into darkness.
The group followed a set of tracks deeper into cavern. The walls narrowed in as they progressed further until they had to squeeze through one at a time. Hailix flew ahead, scouting, searching for the demons that lurked in the shadows, yet saw nothing.
The path once again opened up at a small underground stream. An empty miners cart sat on the track by its edge but no one was around until a man burst down one of the pathways screaming for help.
“They’re coming,” the miner spat out between breaths. “The yipping demons, they’re everwhere! Save me!”
“Please,” Sahil started. “Just calm down. Everything’s going to be okay.”
The man was either delirious or terrified.
“But I –“ the man started to slowly calm upon seeing the well-armed adventurers. “There they are! There they –“
Four small reptilian creatures burst from the shadows behind the man armed with crude bows. They yipped to each other then fired a volley of arrows at the miner. Three arrows whizzed over his head as the man ducked behind the group. The last struck him in the back felling him to the ground.
Neera removed a wand from her belt and pointed it at the creatures. “Nap time,” she said as Garrick checked on miner.
The demons collapsed to the ground in a slumber.
“Those kobolds killed him,” Garrick said rising to his feet.
Sahil slowly approached the sleeping beasts. “kobolds?” she asked.
“Small reptilian creatures, distantly related to dragons,” Garrick replied. “They tend to live underground in large tribes.”
“Perhaps that is why they are killing the miners,” Imoen asked approaching the creatures with Sahil.
“But it doesn’t explain the tainted ore,” Sahil said. “Can we communicate with them?”
“Not unless you speak Yipyak,” Garrick said. “They are aggressive, but also cowardly. If they wake, they may retreat and get more of their ilk.”
Sahil nodded her head. She despised the idea of killing defenseless creatures, yet they did kill a miner in front of them.
“Do it quickly then,” she said.
Garrick pulled out a blade and slit each of their throats.
“We should tread carefully now,” Garrick said after completing the task “who knows if there are more about.”
The path forked by the stream but the group followed the tracks to the northwest instead of east. A few paces from the stream the path met with another running north-south. Yipping could be heard ahead to the north.
“More of them, be ready,” Sahil said as they rounded the corner to confront a kobold running towards them with a short blade drawn.
Sahil readied herself with the club and mace to take the beast head on but Garrick placed a bolt though its head before it reached the group. Another in the distance began firing arrows. Imoen spotted it and fired one of her one piercing its heart. It let out a surprised yip before crumpling to the ground dead.
“Huh,” Imoen chimed. “That was easy.”
“I doubt they expected an armed patrol,” Sahil replied as the group continued to follow the tracks north.
A few more miner carts were on the track. Sahil looked in and saw a glistening sheen on the ore. A broken vial laid near the track and Sahil surmised the kobolds just coated the contents of this cart.
She picked up the broken vial and showed the rest of the group, “I think we caught them in the act.”
“But why?” Neera asked.
“Maybe to drive the miners away from what they want to be there home,” Garrick replied.
It did make sense to Sahil. The kobolds wouldn’t realize the repercussions their actions were causing the outside world.
“We need to find a way to stop them,” Sahil said.
Imoen picked up some of the ore from the cart and mused. “But where are they getting this liquid from? They don’t seem smart enough to make it themselves.”
“Perhaps there is a piece to this puzzle that is still missing,” Garrick said. “Let’s just keep looking.”
Sahil nodded and continued to lead the group north. There the tracks merged with another set creating a crossroads. The group heard miners talking to the south of the new path, and went to investigate. With the kobolds close, it would beneficial to warn them.
The path opened up into a large storage room. Two guards stood in the middle wearing shoddy looking armour. The metal decaying around them and the swords they held were chipped and broken. If all the guards equipment were in this type of shape, it wasn’t surprising the kobolds were besting them in combat through ambushes.
Sahil approached on of the guards, “We just witnessed one of the miners getting killed by a bunch of kobolds.”
The guard sighed, “must have been Beldin.”
The second guard hearing the conversation chimed in “told him he’d get himself killed if he snuck off to nap. We’re here to protect the miners, but that don’t mean poking around in the depths after them.”
“Especially when we are reduced to wearing this shoddy armour,” the first interjected again. “Between you and me, I smuggled out some ore for a blacksmith friend to use to help us get better equipment, but even that was plagued like the rest.”
“But aren’t you guys worried about the kobolds?” Imoen asked.
“I smelled a kobold the other day and chased him down as far as I dared,” the first replied. “Let them have their dank holes if they want. Nothin’ but a nuisance on their own, anyway. Too stupid to be behind what’s going on.”
“We’re also looking for Kylee,” Neera interjected and changing the subject.
The first guard jerked his thumb towards a miner sitting in the corner of the room eating some rations. “That’s him there.”
“Thanks, stay safe,” Sahil said and left the guards to approach Kylee. Garrick removed the dagger from his belt and handed it to the man.
“I believe this belongs to you,” he said holding the hilt towards Kylee. “I hope you don’t mind, but I used it to kill some pesky kobolds getting here.”
“You have my dagger,” the man looked up smiling, showing a few missing teeth behind a dirt smeared face. “Thank you so much, I was getting nervous down here being unarmed. With all the things going on.”
“What do you know about the happenings of the mine?” Sahil asked.
“Kobolds!” Kylee replied with a bit of terror in his voice. “They’re overrunning the place piece by piece. We use to see them occasionally but now you can’t go more than a few feet without kicking one of them on the lower levels. It’s not so bad up here with the guards around.”
He motioned to the two standing in the middle of the room.
“Still I wouldn’t get caught in the dark if I were you,” he finished.
“Thanks for the advice,” Sahil said and the group departed the miner and the gaurds and headed north back towards the crossroad.
To the east, a large earthen bridge spans an underground lake with dead bodies spanning it. A couple of kobolds were rummaging through the corpses.
“Take them out,” Sahil ordered.
Garrick and Imoen aimed their bows at two critters on the bridge killing them with a single shot. Another kobold bounced towards where his companions fell. Both Imoen and Garrick took another shot at the approaching beast but missed.
Hailix swooped towards the beast and clawed at its face. It yelped in surprise attempting to push the faerie dragon away from its face. Imoen aimed her shot carefully and landed an arrow into the kobolds chest.
The group started crossing the bridge where more dead bodies laid.
“This ambush looks recent,” Sahil said. “Be ready. I don’t think three kobolds would have been able to take them all out.”
The group crept off the bridge where it aligned itself with another path running north-south. The path was dark an ill lit. The group slowly headed north.
The walls echoed the yipping of an approaching group of kobolds. Sahil readied herself in front of the party with her club and shield while Imoen and Garrick prepared to take aim. Neera grabbed her wand again.
The kobolds came in waves, their beady red eyes glowing in the darkness as they approached. Garrick let loose a bolt striking the first one in the neck. It’s yipping gurgled as it slumped to the ground as two more approached from behind it.
Imoen fired an arrow wide as Sahil approached them swinging her club to keep them at a distance where their short blades could not do any damage. Imoen and Garrick fired another round, each killing their respective targets.
Two more appeared in the distance, firing arrows at Sahil. They glanced off her shield and she gritted her teeth and charged forward. Garrick and Imoen moved closer into range as Neera and Hailix followed.
Sahil struck the first Kobold across the head with her club sending it against the rocky wall in a splat. The last Kobold began to panic and run, yipping loudly as it ran south. Imoen placed an arrow in its back.
The yipping alerted another group that began to run deeper into the caverns.
“Oh no you don’t,” Neera said and fired her wand in their direction.
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.
Each one hit the floor in a magical slumber and Sahil and Garrick made quick work of them.
“Take a look at this,” Garrick said as he tossed a full vial liquid towards Sahil that he grabbed off of one of the now dead kobolds.”
The potion contained a strange green substance similar to the residue Sahil had seen in the mining carts.
“So the kobolds are behind this,” she said.
“Or someone else is giving them these vials to use,” Garrick said. “We should go deeper in to find out.”
Sahil nodded and the group began to descend down deeper into the mines to search out the kobolds and any who aided them.
The mine became darker and colder the further the group descended into it. The torches that hung on the wall were snuffed out, either by lack of air, or by the kobolds hiding in the shadows. The pathway was less smooth as well, fewer footsteps trampled the ground this deep below ground.
The mine seemed abandoned. The clanking of metal on stone was just a faint vibration this deep. Sahil knew she needed to find the kobold’s lair to determine why they were poisoning the ore. She slowly led the group forward following the tracks which soon split into three directions. A body laid where the tracks merged.
“Poor guy,” Imoen said.
Sahil nodded as she attempted to figure out which way to go. She looked west, but decided to head east. She took a few steps before Imoen grabbed her arm and yanked her back hard.
“Wait!” her friend exclaimed, then crouched to the ground of the tracks pulling on a clear string gently and following it up the wall. “This is a trap.”
“How’d you spot it?” Neera asked.
“Oh, it is a simple one that a lot of visiting merch-“ Imoen stopped explaining as she sensed Sahil staring her down.
“I knew it was you,” Sahil said as Imoen began to smirk. “Winthrop would always defend you and blame someone else.”
Imoen smiled as she reached into a small crevice and pulled out a small dart disarming the trap. “That’s because he always got a piece of the cut.”
“Figures,” Sahil said.
“Hey, I had to sell what I got to somebody,” Imoen replied. “Winthrop was just the closest fence.”
“And here I thought I was the scoundrel,” Garrick chimed in.
“You are,” Sahil replied with a smile. “Is it safe Immy?”
“Ya,” her friend replied. Sahil nodded her head to the east and the companions slowly headed that way.
“If they are trapping the area, we might be close to their lair,” Garrick whispered. “Be on your guard.”
Sahil nodded, and on cue, a patrol of kobolds appeared heading towards them.
“Quick, Neera,” Sahil ordered. “Put them to sleep.”
Neera nodded and removed the wand pointed it at the group of kobolds who began to yip as they saw the group. Garrick and Imoen aimed shots at the now charging critters, while Sahil took up a defensive stance to block their approach.
Arrows flew over Sahil head from both directions. She felt like she was caught in a cross fire, but trusted her friends enough to aim away from her. She might have been in the way though as both Imoen’s and Garrick’s shots pinged off the stone wall harmlessly.
A burst of magic erupted from the wand sending glittering dust over the kobolds. Each one hit the ground with a thump, passed out from the magic released from the wand.
Sahil and Garrick quickly dispatched the knocked out kobolds.
“This wand sure is handy,” Neera said, admiring it. I wonder if I can learn the spell it uses.”
“Why if you have the rod?” Imoen asked.
“There are only a certain amount of charges a wand can hold,” Neera explained. “This one may get depleted soon.”
“I always wanted to learn magic,” Imoen mused. “Just didn’t have the patience with the scribes who taught it.”
“Ha! I know that feeling,” Neera mused. “I can teach you a few cantrips if you like, may take time to learn though.”
“Really?” Imoen mused. “That’d be great.”
While the girls were talking, Garrick was rustling through the dead kobold’s possessions looking for anything that may help them determine where their camp is.
“Anything?” Sahil asked.
“Just a few coins,” Garrick said. “We probably have to fine their lair the hard way.”
Sahil smiled and motioned to the two other girls to follow her. Neera put the wand away and Imoen moved closer to Sahil, keeping her eye out for anything that may harm the group. The tunnel branched into a “Y” and from what Sahil could tell, from the tracks, the patrol came from the south.
The group slowly headed that was down a narrow corridor. Hailix who was remaining quiet and flying high above swooped down and perched himself on Sahil’s shoulder.
“Scared?” she asked the dragon.
The dragon shook his head back and forth. “Lurue will protect us,” he said and Sahil smiled at the thought.
She remembered the dream that she had last night, and thought that the fairy dragon was right. The corridor that she they were following soon joined with another that ran east to west. Sahil bent to the ground to study the tracks.
“Which way?” Garrick asked.
Sahil couldn’t determine which way the patrol came from so she stood up and shrugged her shoulders. “I donno, west I guess,” she answerer and the four headed west down the dark corridor.
The further they headed west the warmer it became. The stone became warm to the touch and there was a slight sulphuric smell in the air. The west passage broke into a larger tunnel that ran north and south. As Sahil peeked around the corner, she saw a faint glow coming from the south.
The group slowly turned the corner and saw a large land bridge that spanned a river of molten rock.
They stopped at the edge of the bridge. Even with the light from the lava below, it was too dark to see across it.
“Make sense for a kobold lair,” Garrick said. “Close to warmth; perhaps the miners opened up this tunnel and kobolds thought they were intruding on their territory.”
“Perhaps,” Sahil replied. “Doesn’t explain them poisoning the ore though.”
“If this is their way to their lair, the bridge is probably trapped,” Garrick said, changing the subject slightly after his theory was dismissed.
“I’m on it,” Imoen said, and slowly crept forward along the bridge.
“Be careful,” Sahil said to her friend, who turned her head and gave a wide grin.
“Never!” Imoen replied, and went back to her task of slinking along the edge of the bridge, looking for anything that maybe out of the ordinary.
Remaining in the shadows, she could see two kobold sentinels guarding the other side. Near the foot of the bridge and right in the middle laid two crude traps that the kobolds laid down.
She removed two arrows from her quiver and placed them along the edge of the trap, and slowly retreated back to her companions.
“Well?” Sahil asked as her friend returned from the shadows.
“There are two traps on the bridge,” Imoen replied, but there also two kobolds guarding the other side. I can’t disarm the traps without them seeing me.”
“Can you and Garrick take them out?” Sahil asked.
“Already ahead of you,” Imoen said and turned to Garrick. “If you can take out the one on the left, I will handle the one on the right. I laid down some arrows at the edge of the trap, so as long as you do not step over them, you will be fine.”
“Unless I take a kobold arrow to the head,” Garrick mused.
“It might be an improvement,” Neera joked.
Imoen smiled, but Garrick was less amused.
“Come on Garrick,” Imoen said. “Follow me.”
The two sulked towards the bridge and stopped right before the trap. The kobolds on the other side, saw their approach and began to yip. A third one jumped out of the shadows behind the pair of critters.
Imoen and Garrick fired almost simultaneously at their attended targets. Imoen’s kobold ducked it’s head and the arrow wizzed by, grazing the creatures cheek, while Garrick landed his shot into the leg of his target.
Both Kobolds yelped and scurried to cover to take aim from the two standing exposed on the bridge. Imoen fired a second arrow as Garrick reloaded, striking her target in the back before it got to cover. The third kobold fired and between the two and moved back down corridor tempting the pair to follow.
“Not falling for it,” Garrick said as he took another shot at the kobold whom was now shrouded in shadows. The shot missed and the kobold fired one back in kind.
“Where did the third one go?” Imoen asked as she took aim at Garrick’s target.
“Probably to get help,” the bard replied.
“Figures,” she said as she let her arrow loose, nailing the kobold in the chest.
“You didn’t need my help at all,” Garrick said smiling as the creature fell to the ground.
“I needed someone for the kobolds to fire at,” Imoen replied. “Keep watch, while I attempt to disarm this.”
Imoen bent down and set off the trap prematurely. A bolt flew from the other side of the bridge missing Garrick head slightly.
“Whoa! Careful,” the bard chimed. “Are you trying to kill me?”
Imoen moved to the second trap, “Just stand back, it won’t hit you, easiest way to get rid of these traps.”
She bent down and set off the second trap, another bolt whizzed across the bridge clanking hard against the stone.
“Come, get Sahil and Neera,” Imoen said. “If that third kobold went for help, we better be ready.”
I'm really enjoying it even though I don't even like the current NPC's and usually avoid using them.
At this rate, I'm going to have to change my whole outlook on Garrick, Imoen and Neera.
The group crossed the bridge keeping to the sides and the shadows as best they could. Yip’s and growls could be heard echoing off the walls cavern making it difficult to know exactly how many there were residing deeper inside.
They reached the two dead bodies that were once guarding the door and slowly looked around for the third.
“There he is!” Garrick yelled a little too enthusiastically, pointing to the shadows further south that were tucked into a bend. The kobold was quietly aiming his bow at the group when Garrick ran forward to get into a better position to take a shot of his own.
“Garrick!” Sahil shouted at the bard who had seemed to lost his senses then motioned for Imoen to help him.
The kobold fired where Garrick use to be, the arrow clanging off the wall harmlessly. Garrick raised his bow high took a breath and aimed. The kobold scurried away as soon as the draw string released. The bolt hit the ground with a loud tink and a spark.
“Beshaba!” Garrick cursed while he began to reload his crossbow.
Imoen came around the corner and quickly fired a shot at the kobold who was setting up another shot of his own. Imoen’s arrow pierced the kobold’s scaly arm making him drop his arrow on the ground. It yipped in pain as it started feeling around for the projectile he dropped.
“I got this,” Garrick said as he fired another bolt high above the kobold’s head.
“Not when you are praying for bad luck,” Imoen replied and took another shot silencing the yipping beast.
“Well Tymora isn’t smiling on me,” Garrick said.
“You don’t need to be the hero here,” Imoen replied and motioned for Sahil and Neera to come forward.
Garrick kicked at some rocks and smiled. “I’m just not use to this, spelunking,” he said as Neera and Sahil arrived.
“None of us are Garrick,” Sahil replied.
“I am also not use to putting my life on the line for someone else,” he continued. “I tend to entertain to make my coin.”
“No one is use to it,” Sahil said. “But don’t you think this is important?”
Garrick shrugged his shoulders. “Not if it means taking an arrow to the gullet. It isn’t worth that much.”
“These kobold’s can’t hit nothing with those arrows,” Imoen said. “You shouldn’t worry.”
“Not when I can’t hit anything either,” the bard said motioning to his crossbow.
“Perhaps you should just stick to bigger swords,” Imoen quipped playfully.
The line brought a smile to the bard’s face.
“I will be fine,” the bard said. “I won’t let you guys down.”
Sahil nodded but was unsure of her companion’s composure. The last thing they needed was one of them running for the surface in panic.
A yip startled the group from where the last kobold fell. One of its tribe had found the dead creature and those responsible for the act. He took aim with his bow and let out a growling war cry. Garrick spun around to see the arrow hurling towards him. He side stepped out of the way but got the arrow in his thigh.
The bard stumbled backwards against the stone cursing in pain. Imoen took aim with her bow and dropped the kobold dead in a single shot.
Sahil looked to the bard who was in great discomfort from the wound.
“It’s an omen,” the bard said. “They can hit more than the walls with their arrows.”
“Hold still,” Sahil said to Garrick and exposed the wound. She pulled out the arrow and began applying pressure to the wound. She looked into Garrick’s blue eyes and saw a mixture of fear and regret.
“I had a dream last night Garrick,” Sahil continued. “Lurue promised to look after us while we were down here. It sounds funny I know, but she won’t let harm come to us while we investigate the mine.”
“Well she lied,” the bard said motioning to his leg. Sahil removed her hands and the wound was completely healed. The bard was shocked and Sahil gave him a slight smile and out stretched her hand to help him up.
“Come, before more show up,” she said while helping him to his feet. The bard smiled then played with the whole in his pantaloons frowning a bit.
“I wonder if Nashkel has a good tailor?” he mused.
The cavern broke into three separate directions but the party continued heading south. Another kobold jumped from the shadows nicking Sahil in the shield arm with a well-placed shot. She grimaced and stood in a defensive stance as the kobold’s second arrow bounced off her shield.
Garrick and Imoen took aim at the new threat dropping it before it could get a third shot off.
“You hurt?” Neera asked.
“Just merely a scratch, I should be fine,” Sahil replied, and motioned forward with her club. The cavern once again broke into three new directions. The attacking kobold’s were coming from the east yet heat radiated from the west.
The kobold’s might be attempting to lure them away from their main lair by drawing them east, chasing them deeper into the mine and deeper into their own territory. She looked west and motioned the group to head that way.
There was a small bridge covering a lava flow and a lone kobold sentry at the other side of it. Garrick raised his crossbow and fired a bolt straight through the critter’s skull. The bard’s mouth widen into a large grin as it seemed his ill luck had finally changed.
A second kobold appeared yipping at the intruders. Garrick took aim again, but shot wide. His grin dissipated with the miss shot and Imoen finishing the creature off with one of her arrows. The kobolds no longer a threat, Sahil started to cross the bridge.
“Wait,” Imoen said. “It’s trapped, stand back.”
The rogue bent down and removed a large stone from the bridge. A bolt flew across the bridge landing in the molten rock where it sunk and melted quickly.
“One more,” Imoen said. She rolled the rock she picked up across the bridge where it hit a fine trip wire half way across the small bridge. Two more bolts flew from out of crevices in the far wall and bounced helplessly on the bridge where the wire once was.
“I think it is safe now,” Imoen said, motioning for the group to cross the bridge.
The tunnel rolled north as they crossed the bridge and split in two directions. The group hugged the right hand side of the wall and came across another kobold who was feasting on some unknown small creature.
Sahil snuck up behind it before it could get at its bow and knocked the scaly creature out with a bash from her club.
“This tunnel just seems to loop back up,” she said to her companions. She moved towards the east and saw another bridge that they must have missed at the first crossroads. Another lone sentry kobold was guarding it and Sahil charged forward.
The critter got a shot off that bounced harmlessly off her shield. With three more strides, she reached the creature and swung her club down upon its head. It’s skull cracked from the hit and slumped to the ground. The creature was dead.
She looked back to her companions who just rounding the corner where the first kobold fell. “What do you make of this place?” She asked.
“It looks like their lair,” the bard said. “Or at least where they ate, lots of bones one the ground.”
Sahil motioned to moldy cloth tucked against the corner of one of the walls, and I think that is where the creatures sleep, but where are the rest of them?”
Neera shrugged her shoulders. “Perhaps they had to move further down the mines due to the workers breaching the walls.”
“Perhaps,” Sahil said. “Let’s backtrack to the last crossroads and head south to see what we can find.”
The group nodded and headed back across down the tunnel to where they crossed the small lava flow and headed deeper into the mines. It grew dark as the light omitting from the molten rock was no longer visible as they turned a corner and crossed a small underground pond.
The tunnels in this area seemed to have been carved more naturally, the remnants of a underground river. Cobwebs hung from stalagmites to stalactites. Sahil attempted to push though the sticky string with her shield, pulling the substance off the ceiling and wall.
A large giant spider sensed the movement on her web and began to crawl quickly towards the group.
“Incoming!” Neera warned as Sahil faced the new threat in front of her.
The spider moved quickly and was on top of Sahil before she had time to ready herself. The spider pounced as Garrick released a bolt from his crossbow sending it into the belly of the beast. It screeched in pain and Sahil was able to bat it away with her shield.
It rolled on the ground as one of Imoen’s arrows grazed it. It raised its front legs again, ready to attack Sahil again, but this time she was ready and able to deflect the creature away easily.
Both Garrick and Imoen placed more missiles into the beast, which seemed to only anger it more. I lunged forward again, this time knocking Sahil to the ground and scurried towards what seemed to be the greater threat – Imoen.
Sahil let out a small curse as she got onto her knees to see her best friend moving cautiously away from beast. Imoen was a great shot with her bow, but had little to back her up in a melee assault. The spider lunged at the girl, then fell dead as Garrick landed another shot, this time through the spiders head.
“Whew,” Imoen said. “Thanks for that.”
“Figured I owed you a couple,” the bard said, reloading his crossbow. “Are you ok, Sahil?”
“I’m fine,” she said getting to her feet and brushing the dirt off her legs. “Careful though, there maybe more.”
“Beshaba’s luck,” Garrick said. “You had to say that.”
A second spider appeared crawling quickly along the now broken web towards the group. Sahil moved to intercept the beast as Imoen and Garrick fired off a volley of arrows and bolts simultaneously. Imoen once again hit the charging beast as it reached Sahil.
The spider raised its front legs up and attempted to wrap them around Sahil who used her shield to keep the beast at bay. Another one of Imoen’s arrows hit the creature followed by one of Garrick’s bolts. Like the last spider, this one turned its attention to the bigger threat.
Sahil was able to keep the spider from moving however, by twisting her shield slightly and tangling the beast’s leg with her club and arm. The beast desperately lashed out at Sahil who was able to dodge the attack as another one of Garrick’s bolt penetrated the beast.
It screeched then slumped to the ground dead.
“Fat thing,” Garrick mused. “Wonder how many of our kobold friends it feasted on.”
“Not enough,” Sahil answered then looked around for any other threats. She didn’t see any, but saw a passage through the webs in which a kobold could fit through easily. She pointed west. “This way.”
The passage way narrowed and bottlenecked. Kobolds began to yip and charge down it, protecting their lair from those that were about to defile it. They were lying in wait for the threat of the spiders to be taken care of it seemed.
Sahil charged ahead blocking their path as Imoen and Garrick fired a volley towards their new attackers. Two of the three creatures fell immediately while the third reached and lashed out at Sahil, thrusting a crude short sword in her direction.
She was able to parry the attack easily, then ended the critters feeble attempt with a swipe of her club. Ahead, Sahil saw another small bridge crossing over a lava flow with four more kobold archers ready to take aim.
Fearing the bridge was trapped like the others, Sahil dropped into a defensive stance with her shield raised high and called for Imoen and Garrick to take out the new threat.
A volley of arrows rained down where Sahil knelt as Imoen and Garrick moved into position. One of the arrows, struck Sahil in the shoulder then exploded with a fiery burst. The heat singed her hair as she let out a cry of agony.
“So it seems they discovered how to use fire,” Garrick mused as he fired his crossbow across the bridge.
“This is no time for jokes,” Sahil snapped as another volley was fired in her direction, this time all the arrows missed. “Neera, put them to sleep before they improve their aim!”
“Right!” Neera moved closer to the other companions and drew the wand of sleep and pointed it across the bridge. It erupted and the magical energy sped its away towards the kobolds dropping them into a deep slumber.
“Gah, it hurts,” Sahil complained removing a healing salve from a pouch and applying it generously over her face and shoulder.
Imoen moved toward the small bridge attempting to see if it was trapped or not, while Garrick practiced his aim at the sleeping critters. He struck three of the four dead before Imoen surmised that the bridge was safe to cross. Drawing her short sword, she put last one out of its misery.
“Are you ok?” Neera asked Sahil again.
“Ya, just the fire from the arrow shocked me,” Sahil replied. “These kobolds can be cunning it seems. Maybe they are responsible for coming up with the poison to taint the ore.”
The group moved forward towards another underground pond. This one was larger and deeper than the last. Sahil dipped her hands into the water, feeling its warmth from lava flowing below and rinsed the dirt off her face and hands.
She was shaking a bit. The last arrow was a close call. She wondered if Garrick was right. Is this really worth their lives over? She sighed and looked up. Garrick was standing above her, smiling.
“Life is glorious,” he said outstretching his hand to help her up. She smiled and pondered what the bard meant with the comment. Was he aware of how she was feeling at this moment? She accepted his hand and got to her feet.
“Lurue teaches that, I believe,” the bard continued. “This excitement of tracking down a tribe of evil creatures up to nothing good while knowing, that once the job is complete bards will sing tales about it in taverns for months. Well one bard at least.”
Sahil let out a short laugh. “As long as you embellish some of it, I suppose it could be a good tale.”
“Guys,” Imoen said, interrupting their conversation. “I think I found something.”
The two looked over to where Imoen and Neera were now standing. A large entrance way was concealed behind a stone wall.
“Careful, the floor is heavily trapped in front of it,” she said. “I think we have found where the kobold’s are coming from.”
~
one hundred and frickin one pages. The battle with Mulahey next
The doorway led to a long narrow passage carved from the rock, not by mining tools, but by the kobold’s hands. It seemed to have been dug on purpose as it led straight from one underground passage to another. Trickling water could be heard in the distance, as the group slowly crept through the darkness.
It was discovered that the passage way opened up to a larger cavern, however, how the tunnel was shaped, it was hard to see if anything awaited them inside.
“Can you scout ahead Immy?” Sahil asked her friend quietly, and in turn, the girl nodded her head.
Imoen crept along the shadows around the corner to see a large underground lake with a narrow earthen bridge spanning it. On the other side, kobold’s laid in wait, eying the passageway for any intruders. Behind them, was a large unnatural stone cave, built from the rocks the kobolds dug out from the mine.
Imoen turned and held up three fingers to the party, then placed her hands together and place them on her side cheek to mimic someone sleeping. Neera nodded her head and moved forward. Hiding behind the wall, she let a bolt of magical energy fly from her magic wand.
Imoen watched as two of the three kobolds fell down asleep. The third looked at its companions and started to yip in frustration. Imoen quickly crossed the bridge in its confusion and found a new shadow to conceal herself in.
The creature began jumping around in a panic, it would soon attract attention from anything that may be in the cave. Imoen drew out her short sword and waited for the creature to turn its back to her. She wrapped her hand around the creature’s mouth to prevent it from yipping further, then drove her blade deep into its back. It slumped to the ground dead.
Imoen motioned to Neera that the kobold’s were no longer a threat, then proceeded to slit the other two’s throats while her friends crossed the bridge.
“You scare me sometimes,” Sahil said to her friend after witnessing the dead kobolds.
“I aim to please,” Imoen said while doing a little curtsy.
Garrick moved to the cave door and peered inside. It looked bigger than it was. He motioned the others to come closer. A lone kobold sentry was standing by the door. He removed his blade and stabbed it in the back as efficiently as Imoen did.
The group quietly entered the cave which seemed to be separated into three sections. The southern section was adorned with purple silk curtains and large Calimport carpets. Entranced by the expensiveness that the room portrayed, Sahil slowly walked into it followed by her friends.
A half-orc was sitting on a large throne, almost half asleep. He looked up to see the group approached, then snorted in startlement.
“What? How’d you get in here?” he muttered raising from his throne to confront the intruders. He was dressed in heavy chain and carried a mace and shield which bared the insignia of Cyric, God of strife and lies.
“Tazok must have dispatched you,” the orc grunted. “And my traitorous kobolds let you pass, didn’t they? I knew I could not trust them! Armed as such, you have obviously been sent to kill me! By Cyric, not a measure or ore leaves these mines unspoiled, and I am still to be executed?! I’ll not lose my head over this!”
“No one sent us,” Sahil replied. “But your head is in no less danger! Reveal your treachery, and you can keep your head.”
The half-orc took a step back and then grinned. “Tazok didn’t send thee? Then thou art dead. Help, my minions, HEEELLLPPP!”
Skeletons and kobolds poured pour out of the other two rooms and descended towards companions. The half-orc began to chant a prayer to his god as Imoen and Garrick took aim with their respective weapons. Hailix flew out of Sahil’s pack to confront the first skeleton. He seemed to be using magic of his own as his flapping wings made it appear like there was more than one of him.
“Oh no you don’t,” Neera threatened as she outstretched her hand and sent a magical bolt hurling towards the half-orc. It hit him straight in the chest making him lose his concentration. His spell fizzled as Sahil started a prayer of her own to Lurue. She pointed at the half-orc making him fall down, drowsiness over coming him.
“Neera,” Sahil said to grab the attention of the mage. “Put the kobolds to sleep!”
“Right!” she replied and removed her wand and turned to help the little dragon. She fired off a bolt knocking all the living creatures to the ground.
Imoen and Garrick pelted the prone cleric with missile weapons as he stirred awake and got to his knees.
“I yield, I yield to thee!” he shouted. “Accept my surrender!”
Sahil lowered her stance as Garrick and Imoen held their aim on the evil cleric. Neera and Hailix were still preoccupied with the walking bones to notice the surrender.
“As well you should,” Sahil snapped. “Tell us what has been happening here, and you may yet live!”
“I thank thee for thy mercy!” he said getting to his feet. Out of breath, “There in the chest are all my letters. Take them and leave me be. I will bother you no more.”
Garrick slowly made his way over to the chest and opened it.
The half-orc shook his head, as if coming back to his senses. “I’ll have your skulls for coming here!” he roared. “You’ll ruin everything!”
He took a swing at Sahil, and Imoen released her arrow missing, surprised at the turn of events. More skeletons and kobold’s descended into the room, and Hailix and Neera did their best to hold them off.
Garrick turned and fired his crossbow towards the cleric missing him. Beshaba’s luck seemed to return to him as the half-orc started chanting again.
Sahil took a swing with her club, hitting the shield of her assailant as he began another, shorter chant to his God, Cyric. She felt the evil magic pour over her soul as she took another swing in panic. A voice in her head, sooth and calming, told her that she was being protected, and the corruptness washed away.
Sahil let out a grin as the half orc began another chant. She swung her club again, missing as both of Imoen’s and Garrick’s missiles pinged helplessly off of the plate armour.
The half-orc finished his chant and once again Sahil felt the evil corruption wash over her, then slowly dissipate. Neera however, wasn’t as lucky as the spell held her firmly in place. Hailix did his best to draw the skeleton and kobold attacks away from the now helpless mage.
“Use this,” a voice said inside of Sahil’s head, and slowly a magical club materialized in her hand. She swung hard at the half-orc’s head cracking his jaw as he began another chant.
The hit dazed him, and he once again began to panic. He started to back away deeper in the room, deflecting any swing Sahil sent his way, however, it took all of his energy to do so. In the back of his mind, he knew it would all be over soon.
His back against the wall and nowhere else to flee, Imoen fired an arrow that pierced through the half-orcs neck. He slowly slid down the wall, blood trickling from his mouth and nose. The evil cleric was dead.
The three companions turned their attention to the fairy dragon and helpless mage who was holding off the hoard of skeltons and scaly creatures. Hailix was flying high above their heads and swooping down in desperate attempts to knock off either the skeleton’s limbs or the kobold’s weapons.
Imoen drew her short sword and entered into the fray, attacking the closest kobold while Sahil did the same with her magical club. Garrick stood in the distance taking pot shots with his crossbow at those the girls could not reach.
The skeletons claw at Sahil as she puts herself in between them and Neera. They rip the flesh from her arms as she swings down, bashing their bodies into an explosion of bones.
A kobold who was just about to take a swing at her took a bolt to the chest sending him flying back into another walking corpse. It shatters upon the impact, impaling the poor creature with a rib bone.
Imoen take out two of the kobold’s with quick thrusts of her sword sending them to the ground.
Another skeleton claws Sahil, tearing her leather armour enough for a kobold to sink a dagger into her exposed flesh. Clenching her teeth, she bashes the kobold over the head knocking it out while Hailix removes the head from the skeleton.
It becomes a blur as Sahil swings her magical club, watching the bones break apart with each swing. She feels her blood pouring out of her, raging her on as she steps deeper into the fray. Soon she is just surrounded by bones and corpses. Her magical club disappears and her regular one returns.
Imoen slumped against the wall out of breath but uninjured and Neera finally gets released from the magic holding her. She looks at Sahil and the destruction she caused.
“Are… are you ok?” she seemed to be asking that a lot of Sahil today.
Sahil wipes some blood away from her mouth and nods. Adrenaline was masking the pain she should be feeling. She strides over to the large chest that the half-orc pointed to and opened it up. A couple of healing salves, potions and scrolls rested upon a pile of gold coins as well as two swords that seemed to be magical.
She attempted to pick up one of the swords, but it seemed too heavy for her to lift. She moved her attention over to the scrolls and started to unravel them one by one. They were magical scrolls, and not what she was looking for. She closed the chest.
Garrick was hovering over the dead orcs body, searching his possessions. He removed two scrolls from an inside pocket and opened them up. The bard began to grin.
“What did you find?” Sahil asked.
“A name for our dead friend,” Garrick responded, then read the first letter out loud:
“My servant, Mulahey,
“Your progress in disrupting the flow of iron ore does not go as well as it should. How stupid can you be to allow your kobolds to murder the miners?! With your presence revealed, you should be wary of enemies sent to stop your operation.
“Your task is a very simple one; if you continue to show that you can’t do the job, you will be replaced. I will not send the kobolds you have requested as I need all the troops I possess to stop the flow of iron into the region. With this message I have sent more of the mineral poison that you require.
“If you have any problems then send a message to my new contact in Beregost. His name is Tranzig, and he’ll be staying at Feldepost’s Inn.
“Signed Tazok.”
“Well that Tazok fellow pretty much called it,” Imoen said after the letter was read.
“What does the other letter say,” Neera asked the bard.
“Pretty much the same thing,” the bard replied. “I sent you kobold’s and poison. Poison the ore. . . what’s this? ‘My superiors have recently hired on the services of the Blacktalon and Chill mercenaries. With these soldiers at my disposal, I should be able to destroy any iron caravans entering the region from the south and east.”
“Superiors?” Sahil questioned.
“What are the Chill and Blacktalon?” Imoen asked.
“The Blacktalon are a mercenary group out of Iriaebor,” the bard replied. “Very scrupulous, and expensive from what I know. Led by Taurgosz “Tenhammer.” Got the nickname after killing ten men with a single swing from his hammer.
“The Chill, sadly, I have never heard of though,” the bard finished.
“This is bigger than this mine then,” Sahil said. “The raids on the roads are connected and not done cheaply as you say, what is the purpose of all this?”
Garrick shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know. We should return with what we have, perhaps the mayor or even Khalid and Jaheira would have more inside knowledge.”
“Or this man, Tranzig,” Neera replied. “If he is still in Beregost.”
“Hello?” a voice called out from another room. “If anyone is still alive and less hostile I would surely like to be freed from this doom I currently am in.”
The four companions looked at each baffled. They slowly crept out of the throne room and into its adjoining room. There in the middle of the room, laid an elf dressed in purple robes and tied to the ground.
“Oh finally,” he said as group entered the room. Sahil moved quickly to his side and untied him.
“I thank you for my freedom friends, for I have languished in these dismal vaults for too long,” he said rubbing his wrists where the rope held him down. “It was unbearable, waking each morn to the mud and rock instead of the rising sun.”
He got to his feet and brushed the dirt off of his robes and continued: “I am Xan, a Greycloak of Evereska, and as proficient in the ways of magic as any man can be. If you be enemies of Mulahey, I would join your cause, hopeless though it is.”
“How’d you come to be trapped in this place,” Imoen questioned.
“Alas, I was sent to investigate the strange goings-on about this area and I landed caged for seemingly hopeless weeks on end. I have not seen the sun almost as long as I have not seen my home.”
“We can see you out of the mines if you wish,” Sahil replied. “And another pair of hands can only help, especially when they wield powerful magic.”
The mages lets out a long exaggerated sigh. “I thank you. However ineffective our actions be, I shall not rest until I have made payment to you.
“If you have searched through Mulahey’s treasure, you may have found a sword among his documents. The sword is a moonblade, and it is my most valued possession.”
“It is still in the chest,” Sahil replied. ‘I couldn’t lift it.”
“Figures the blade would be stubborn,” the elf said, walking into Mulahey’s room and empting the chest. He pulls out the Moonblade last, as he does so, a bluish fire envelopes the blade.
“Shall we leave this dreaded place then?” he said to his newly acquired friends.
“Yes,” Sahil said. “I’ve had enough of this dampness myself. The sun would be a nice sight to see.”
Not nearly as dramatic though. Left it a bit and did it when everybody was about level 4 because my last run through at level 1/2, wasn't fun, just frustrating.
I like the Garrick dependebility issues, well written. There's a reason nobody takes him along, Sahil may find this out to her cost.
Garrick and Imoen looted the bodies of the dead kobold’s and that of Mulahey as Xan sorted through his personal belongings. Sahil sat on the throne and contemplated their next move. She was sore, the adrenaline that was pumping through her body was beginning to wear off, and pain was slowly creeping through her body.
Sahil took a deep sigh and placed her hands on her head. A soft voice inside began to comfort her and the pain slowly resided. She opened her eyes and looked at Garrick pulling the boots off of Mulahey.
“Do you have to do that,” Sahil asked. “Can you not just leave the dead alone?”
“The boots are magical,” Garrick said. “I don’t know what powers they possess but they are. You can’t leave magical items such as this on a rotting corpse. It does them no justice.”
Sahil rolled her eyes.
“It is also better that they are being used for a good purpose, rather than helping cripple the region,” the bard continued. “Like this.”
Garrick got to his feet and outstretched his hands. In between his thumb and finger was a small golden band with a pearl stone in the center. Sahil took the ring from Garrick and placed it in her palm.
“What is it?”
“A ring,” Garrick started. “It is an Honorary Ring of Sune. They are only given out to faithful priests of Sune who demonstrated actions of astounding integrity and kindness. Something tells me our friend here wasn’t the honorary reciepiant of the ring.”
Sahil looked down at the ring and attempted to picture who the ring belonged too and how it ended up in the hands of a cleric of Cyric. She played with the ring in her hand, looking for any inscriptions or evidence of who the ring actually belonged too. There was none.
“I think you should keep it,” Garrick said to her. “I think you have demonstrated astounding kindness here by helping the village rid the world of this buffoon.”
Sahil laughed at the thought and put the ring on and smiled. A sense of understanding came to her, as if she was closer to Lurue than she thought before. The bard was right. An item like this shouldn’t be left lying around. She would honour the original owner of the ring through her actions, whomever they might have been.
Garrick smiled at her as she placed the ring on her finger and kept it there. “Great,” he said. “You get the ring, I get the boots, all is fair.”
“Hey! What do I get?” Imoen pouted.
“If insignificant babbles are your concern, you may take this blade that was in the chest with my possessions,” Xan said. “It’s not like it will do you much good though, but you may find it practical.”
Xan slid the blade over to Imoen who inspected it carefully. She found it lighter, yet more durable than the blade she was currently using. It was much sharper too.
“Thanks Xan,” Imoen said cheerfully.
“Think nothing of it,” Xan replied.
“I am feeling left out here you know,” Neera stated. “I know you all are doing me a favour by allowing me to travel with you, but I did help, some what.”
The elven mage sighed. “I may be able to allow you to use some of my scrolls that I think are of little importance and maybe even teach you a spell or two, but not here. We should really get to the surface first where the clean air can blow away the stench that is covering me.”
Sahil got off of the throne and nodded to the elf. They have wasted enough time in the cavern and should return to the surface to let the mayor know what was plaguing the mines and that is no longer a threat.
The group retreated the way that they came, making their way through the mine and past the bodies of miners and kobolds alike. When they reached the entrance to the surface, Xan paused and took a deep sigh.
“What’s a matter?” Neera asked.
“The sun is setting, I won’t get to see it tonight,” the elf replied.
“Well there are always the stars,” she replied.
“It’s cloudy.”
“Well find something, it’s better than the cave,” Imoen said.
“Perhaps,” the elf replied. “Were all doomed anyway, what’s the point?”
“Man, I thought elven arses were supposed to be clean, but something must be stuck up yours,” Imoen stated, rather coarsely.
“Imoen!” Sahil exclaimed.
“Well he doesn’t need to be a downer,” Imoen explained.
“He was tied up for who knows how long down there,” Sahil said. “He has a right to be a little upset.”
“How long were you tied down there anyway,” Garrick asked the elf.
“A day,” Xan replied.
Sahil shook her head. “Come on,” she said. “There’s Emerson.”
She walked over to the master of the mines who was still studying his clipboard and parchment. He hardly saw the group approach and it wasn’t until Sahil cleared her throat that the man looked up.
“Well, bless my soul, you made it back alive,” Emerson said after he noticed their approach.
“I think we solved the problem in the mines,” she said to him, “It was kobold’s poisoning the ore through direction of a cleric of Cyric.”
“Well that is news!” The master of the mines exclaimed. “If you don’t mind me saying, you’re about the most beautiful sight I’ve seen in weeks! I’ll be tellin’ the men to get back to work, we’ve got ore to mine!
“Still can’t ship it for fear of bandits though,” he mused mostly to himself, “but that ain’t my problem. Best you tell the mayor of what you did here, ‘cuz he’ll likely give you a reward of some kind.”
“Thanks Emerson, we’ll let you get back to work,” Sahil said.
The man nodded and grinned, then called over some miners who were lolling about. The group headed back up out of the pits and headed towards the town of Nashkel to claim their just reward.
Sahil ached with each step she took. The fight with Mulahey had worn her down, and her wounds were starting to bother her. She looked to Garrick who seemed to also show signs of fatigue from the fight. He was limping slightly, using the large two-handed sword to walk.
The others seemed fine Neera and Imoen stayed away from the close combat so they didn’t sustain any injuries. Xan, however seemed a little slow on his feet. She couldn’t tell if he was hurting from sitting on the hard floor for the entire day, or just being melodramatic.
She just wanted to talk to the mayor then head to the inn for a rest. The last couple of days had been hectic on her, and as much as she accomplished, she had suffered a lot as well.
The group slowly made its way past the town’s garrison, towards the old church of Helm. There, the man in orange, smiled and greeted them.
“Hey ya,” he said. “I once knew this guy named Dilby. He threw rocks at me, too. Are you gonna throw rocks at me?”
“Listen,” Sahil started. “Leave us alone, and I promise we won’t throw rocks at you.”
The man just smiled, as Sahil pushed by towards the mayor who was waiting near the churches gate. He smiled as the five of them approached.
“You have returned!” He said enthusiastically. “It would seem I was right to trust you. The town thanks you wholeheartedly, and is pleased to give you the proper reward.”
The mayor motions to another man that was standing nearby, a pudgy looking fellow in yellow, who hastily hands a large sac of coin over to Garrick, whom smiles in return. The man does an awkward bow, and returns to his station by the garrison.
“Please take this gold for your efforts. It is a small fortune by anyone’s standards. Thank you again,” the mayor finishes and shakes Sahil’s hand.
“Please excuse us sir,” Sahil said. “We’re tired from the mines, we need to retreat to the inn for some much needed rest.”
“But of course,” the mayor said. “As long as you are here, the stay is on the Nashkel. You’ve done us a great service.”
Sahil nodded and started walking towards the inn.
“Nine hundred gold!” Imoen said in a laugh. “That’s a lot. What are we going to do with it all?”
“Get drunk first,” Garrick said.
The mayor laughed and walked away from the group, while the man in orange reappeared.
“What about now?” he said.
“That’s it,” Imoen said and turned around and decked him.
The man fell to the ground and began to cry. He got to his knees and crawled away bawling. Sahil turned to her friend and gave her a cold stare.
“What?” Imoen said sheepishly. “You said we would if he bothered us again.”
“I was bluffing,” Sahil replied.
“Should I go apologize?”
Sahil thought on it for a second and then said, “No, he fine. Let’s just get some rest.”
The group headed towards the inn again. Sahil thought of soft pillows and warm woolen blankets. Small comforts she could afford with the rest. An Amish patrol pushed by the group as the inn came into sight. There a man dressed in green and black stood by the door. He saw the group coming and smiled.
“I am death come for thee,” he said. “Surrender, and thy passage shall be… quicker.”
Sahil was slightly confused. She knew the carnival was in town and thought the man to be one of the actors – until she spotted the blade in his hand.
“What?” she said confused. “I’m not surrendering to anything!”
“Struggle if you must, dead one,” he replied. “I do not mind working for my money. Why Nimbul has been hired to deal with the likes of you, I’ll never know.”
“He’s an assassin!” Garrick said, raising his crossbow. “Kill him!”
The Amish patrol seeing the threat, began firing arrows at the group’s assailant who began casting a spell. The group itself was still too far away from the assailant to attack him with melee weapons, so Garrick and Imoen began to aim with their bows.
“We’re all doomed!” Xan shouted and ran back, tucking himself behind the community store.
Sahil turned seeming the elf flee.
“Figures,” she said. “Neera, try putting him to sleep before he finishes the spell.”
The wild mage nodded, and removed the wand from her belt and began to aim. When Sahil turned back to face the Nimbul however, there was five of him. The wand shot off, but didn’t affect the man.
“That didn’t work,” Neera stated and pulled another wand from her belt.
The man practicing martial arts for the crowd ran to aid the group. He struck out at one of the images making it disappear in the process. Sahil moved closer, her club and shield in hand hoping to knock some sense into the arrogant assassin.
Imoen’s and Garrick’s missiles helplessly went wide. Garrick cursed his luck again, and drew his short sword and charge the man while he began casting another spell.
Neera, let a spark go from the wand she was now holding and magic bolt hissed its way towards the Nimbul. It hit him full in the chest but not before he got his finished his spell.
Sahil felt a fear wash over her, as if Xan’s words were ringing true. They were all doomed from this assassin. She looked over to Garrick, who’s eyes widen and lip trembled. He began to run, the magical fear had taken over him.
Sahil cursed as she lunged at another image of the man making it dissipate. Imoen who is usually a good shot, kept firing her arrows wide of the man, as if there was some other magical force preventing her from aiming correctly. Nimbul chuckled in amusement at his attackers’ follies.
Neera fired another spark from the magic wand hitting the last image of the assassin. With all the images gone, an Amnish soldier took careful aim at Nimbul and put an arrow, deep in his back.
The man just laughed and turned his attention to Garrick who was running along the stream away from the fight. He let out three magical bolts of energy, each striking the bard in the back. Garrick screamed in pain and fell face first down into the rocks.
Sahil gritted her teeth and swung hard at the assassin who blocked the attack with his hand. She heard a crunch of finger bones. The attack did little damage, but he would not be able to cast any other spells.
The assassin gritted his teeth as he pulled his blade with his other hand and swung violently at Sahil. She lept back as the monk who came and joined the fight kicked out Nimbul’s legs, toppling him to the ground.
Sahil stood over the assassin and brought her club down upon his head, knocking him out. Anger washed over her as she pummelled the helpless assassin again cracking his skull, breaking his nose and jaw. She kept violently swinging past the man’s death until Imoen grabbed her arm.
“He’s dead,” her best friend said. Sahil fell to her knees and turned and wept.
“You should not make a habit of picking fights in the street, my friend,” the monk said. “Be careful when inviting danger into your life, for it comes all too willingly.”
Sahil sneered in anger. She didn’t invite this danger into her life. It was thrusted upon her. This man knew little of her plight.
She turned to where Garrick fell. Neera was already there, his body was limp and not moving.
“Who are you to claim to know what I invite into my life,” Sahil shot back at the man while got to her feet and moved towards Garrick’s body.
“My name is Raasad,” the monk said calmly. “I am merely demonstrating some of the ways in which we Sun Soul monks reflect our spiritual light through physical activity.”
Sahil rolled her eyes at the monks naïve, in the face of loss. She got to Garrick and check for signs of life. He wasn’t breathing.
“May I tell you more about the Order of the Sun Soul?” the monk asked.
“No!” Sahil said. “I don’t have time for this. We need to get him to a temple.”
“I see,” the monk said. “May Selune bless you on your travels.”
Sahil sneered again as Neera and her lifted Garrick to his feet as they dragged him back to the temple. Imoen pushed open the large doors as they group brought the man into the building.
The priest looked up, “I heard a commotion outside is everything ok?”
“No, help us please,” Neera said.
The two of them laid the body down onto the marbled floor as the priest came quickly over. He placed his hands upon Garrick’s chest and began to chant softly. Neera and Sahil moved back away from the priest as Xan slinked into the church.
The priest’s hands began to glow as he chanted louder. Garrick’s body however still laid limp. The priest looked up at the girls and shook his head sorrowfully.
Neera turned away and placed her head into Sahil’s shoulder and began to sob.
Garrick was dead.
The bright moon light pierced through the drapes that clung to window above where Sahil rested her head. She was clutching the smelly boots that Garrick took from the dead cleric close to her chest and sobbing quietly to herself.
So much death had happened around her in the last few days since she left Candlekeep. Even in her cloistered home on the last day she had to strike a man down in defence. Since that man, four others have attempted to kill her, and she still does not know why.
Gorion died in an attempt to save her. His body probably still rotting in the clearing as scavengers picked at his decaying flesh. She shuttered at the thought, of leaving him. She never had time to mourn the man that raised her, now she is mourning a man she just met who died a similar fate.
She thought of Garrick, and how she didn’t even know where he was from. She thought of how much she mistrusted him, and yet, he died fighting by her side against an assailant that was only after her. He was everything she strived to be, a person travelling the world experiencing new opportunities and adventure on a whim. Meeting new people and righting wrongs from kobolds killing miners, to insane necromancers hiding in the woods. He was full of joy and happiness and a care-free naivety.
And now it was snuffed out because of her; because of the people hunting her. How many more people must die because of her? Neera? Imoen? Some random guard with a wife and child attempting to support them?
She clutched the boots tighter to her chest. Are their lives worth this she thought and sobbed some more.
She thought of leaving the temple, where Garrick’s body laid. The money they had earned from clearing the mines, from being the heroes, now being used to bury one of them in the graveyard in front. A small gesture of thanks the village provided them as only locals and followers of Helm were allowed to be buried there. Imoen, who was closer to Garrick than anyone else, came up with the words for the stone:
“Beneath this stone, a lump of clay
Lies Garrick the young
Who on the twenty-third of Mirtul
Began to hold his tongue”
Sahil thought on the meaning of the prose her friend gave her. It was too witty for Imoen to think of by herself, so perhaps Garrick told her what to write on one of their hunting trips. Did the bard really think that far ahead though? Did he know any day could be his last?
Garrick wasn’t afraid of life, he lived it. Sahil respected that, she pushed the boots from her chest and let out a sigh and thought, he should still be alive.
She didn’t want to see anyone else she cared about die. She wouldn’t be able to live with herself if another one of her friends sacrificed themselves for her. She wiped the tears from her eyes, placed the boots gently down upon the floor by the bed and stood up.
She peered out the window into the moonlit road, it was quiet and peaceful. No one was around. She grabbed her bag, and slowly snuck out the room. Leaving her companions behind, she let the road take her away to where ever it led.