"Oh, that sounds like a wonderful plan to me at this moment." Tieron leans back over the neck to try and make his body stop hurting.
The trip back to Xalmen is short on the backs of wyverns. They alight near the Great Diviners house. The wyverns set down and look to Keridwynne, Talorc, and Shateera for instruction.
Keridwynne looks to them and then says for all to hear, "You are free. Go where the wind takes you."
Shateera nods her agreement.
Talorc turns and starts walking to the house of the illithid.
The wyverns leap into the air and spiral upward and away from Xalmen all but one. A grey and red tinged wyvern, the one that carried Nightshade here from the Druegar city, stops before leaping into the air and sailing away with its comrades. It looks back at Keridwynne, staring into her eyes. It gives her an almost quizzical look and then nods its head slowly as if to say good-bye, squawks once loudly and rises into the air.
Tieron and Talorc, cloaks swirling about them as they walk, march toward the Great Diviner's house.
Tieron asks, "Where did that bear come from?"
"That, my friend, was an example brought forth by my dreaded Wand of Bear Summoning." Talorc states with a grin full of teeth.
The house of the Great Diviner is much as you left it a mere 24 hours ago. Jens and the Diviner say nothing to you as you enter. The blood and wounds tell the tale.
January 8th, 523 midafternoon.
Keridwynne, after two days of healing her party members, posts her theory on the matter of the dark dwarven treasures. "I think, now that we know the battleaxe that Talorc has is the key to getting the hammer of the world, we should go by, drop this off to our dear friend King Dalor of the shiny, happy dwarves, and let THEM retrieve it! After all, they are the ones who will ultimately need to wield the thing, we can't touch it, and don't want to use the battle axe either. Frankly, I think we have enough problems without returning to that hellish city. Anyone else? We have potential "missions" stacking up like cordwood. Some Duncan told us, and some we've just collected. Here are the things I think should take priority:
So, once we scab over, what's next, comrades?"
"I agree with Keridwynne. We couldn't get that close again unless we waited a week. Kind of a busted affair altogether I'm afraid. Now, if I remember correctly, that Zarakfen stuff was pretty local..." Talorc says.
Nightshade looks up from darning holes in her leathers. "I think our biggest threat is Sentares. He seems pretty damn psychotic and dangerous. Once he's dead, it's a little more evenly matched against most of our adversaries."
"The two arguments I have against Sentares is that we just got tarred and feathered by a weaker minion who we attacked away from his support. And, of course, I feel we have some obligation to hand off the battle-axe before we die." Talorc states simply.
Talorc turns to Mero, "Hey Mero, did that Ring of Spell-storing happen to be on those two fingers you harvested?"
"Is that what that nasty thing was? Yeah I got the ring with the two fingers, by the way you don't collect fingers as well as heads, do you? If it won't ruin the ring, I would prefer if we could remove the inscription." Mero says and tosses both ring and fingers to Talorc.
Keridwynne takes a map from her pack and spreads it on the ground. She begins to point at the various missions she described.
"Okay, the closest thing to us is Conisborough, where Sherkas is. I know of this person because he was in Ashler's Bane with Duncan and with Nightshade's mother. So, I vote for that first. From there, Sentares and Beale Abbey are about equidistant. Further out are the dwarves of the Pennines to the northwest, and the amulet of Zarakfen, in the Cambrian mountains which is way over here, the other side of the country. If we are REALLY lucky, we might be able to round up our horses at the top of the tunnel, but I kind of doubt they are still hanging around. It's going to be a long walk."
"I must agree with Keridwynne. We, especially me, am in no shape to go after Sentares or anything right now." Tieron though healed still grimaces as he breathes deeply and his hand quickly moves to his ribs. "We have done some damage to Sentares. We have found some powerful items to help us against him. And most important, we have more members, more friends to help us. We will find Sentares, but at a later time. To Conisborough." Tieron says.
"Those ribs will be sore for a few more days, Tieron, but they have healed up nicely." Keridwynne says after probing at Tieron's bandages.
"I personally don't care which way we go at this point but I just don't want to face Sentares yet." Mero voices his opinion.
"Sentares will wait. He will wait for us to come to him. That is the way of things and Sentares." Savi says.
The party leaves the Great Diviner once more. They trek back to the underground lake and to the tunnel that first lead them to the underworld. Looking up at it, it looks like a long way to the surface. Talorc spreads his cloak out and lifts off the ground, courtesy of a fly spell. He reaches under the arms of Keridwynne and flies for the hole. Minutes later, they emerge from the ground and onto the surface of the world. It has been awhile since their last encounter with the sun. It makes them squint and blink. Talorc drops back down the hole, his ferrying process continuing. A hour later, everyone stands on the surface of the world. The sun beaming down on them, in 30 degree weather. Large clods of snow fall from the branches of evergreens with a plopping sound. Horse tracks and recent ones are very visible. A half-mile walk or so finds the parties horses grazing peacefully on some dried grass. A good omen perhaps.
Night approaches rapidly. The party moved very little toward Conisborough this day. But on the day of the ninth of January, 523, they traveled through Bedegraine forest and arrived in Conisborough, good weather still holding and even improving. Snow melting in great quantities, making tiny rivulets in the road in the morning and by late afternoon, large rivers running down the tracks of the road. Conisborough shows itself as the sun starts to hide behind the Pennine mountains. A small place of no more than a few hundred buildings, but all well built and maintained. A small castle occupies a hill overlooking the town, like a shepherd watching over his flock from a hillock, waiting for wolves, maybe.
One large structure erupts from the city skyline like spear thrust into the ground. A white tower, standing forty feet and not completely finished on the fourth floor. It from this distance looks to be some sort of religious structure. As the party approaches the town and enters into the first streets of Conisborough, a hydra, the symbol of Ashler is painted in red on the white tower. The party moves through the streets of Conisborough, staying well away from the tower and its inhabitants. Wandering the streets a few of Ashlers clerics roam without fear as if they own the town and maybe they do. The business section of the town seems to approaching under the shadow of the white tower. An inn here and tavern there, a few shops selling various sundries and foodstuffs are what the group passes. All of the inns look respectable and well kept but the one farthest from the tower is called Conisborough Inn. A solid wood construction with carved poles holding up the roof of the porch. The carvings mostly include running horses in very great detail. Even better this inn has a stable constructed in the back and a restaurant/bar off to the right. A bard must be playing in the bar this evening, his melodic voice carrying into the street.
"Another day of knowing of the path I fear to tread." he sings.
Talorc lifts one eyebrow and continues.
Mero leans over to Nightshade, "Where do you think we would find your mentor, Sherkas?"
"I don't really have any idea." Nightshade says and looks around a bit, "Do you feel like we are being watched though?"
"I have felt that since the first street. I don't think that they have seen a party as racially mixed as ours come into town. Savi and Shateera do draw a bit of attention." Mero responds.
Tieron pulls his horse up in front and scrambles down from it, grabbing at his ribs as he hits the ground with a jolt.
"I'll get us rooms and see to the stabling." he says as he steps inside.
Passing the carved poles and into the front door, Tieron comes to the front desk. A very average looking human woman is tending the front. The lobby is small but everywhere there is a piece of wood showing, the front desk, the walls and various columns around the room are carved relief's of horses. They are quite beautiful if not a little overdone.
The woman smiles warmly at Tieron and says "Can I help you, sir?"
Tieron smiles and says, "Three rooms with two beds each and stabling for seven horses and if I could get the rooms fairly close together that would be a plus."
"How many nights?"
"Don't know yet. We will pay on a daily basis." Tieron responds.
"With or without the meal plan?" she asks.
Noticing Tieron's quizzical look, she continues, "Two gold per day, per person gets you rooms, stabling, hot baths, 3 meals in the restaurant and unlimited drinks."
"Done!" Tieron exclaims as pulls out his coin purse and counts out the fourteen gold.
She pulls two keys for each room and three keys for one of the rooms. She also places 7 slips of paper on the counter.
"Just show these to the bartender and wait staff for your meals and drinks. Checkout is 3 PM tomorrow, if you intend to stay another day, you will need to pay and then I will give more of the meal slips. The stable is around back. Place your horses in any stall. They are fully prepared with food and water for them. There is a back entrance to the inn back there. Just go up the stairs and your rooms on the three on the left. My name is Stefanie. Should you have any problems. Don't hesitate to ask. Enjoy your stay."
"Thanks." Tieron says, collects the keys and papers and wanders out the door.
Tieron quickly explains the deal to the rest of the party members.
The party stables the horses, more strange horse carvings abound here. They travel up the stairs and go into their rooms. More horse carvings on the canopy beds, on the oak dressers, pictures of horses on the walls and even the tubs in each room. Even the pitcher filled with water is in the shape of a horse head that pours water out his nostrils into wooden mugs carved with horses. A bit strange but very comfortable.
(I am leaving you here to explore the city and tell me how you intend to find Sherkas and any identifying or game details that need to be done or even any "horsing" around.)
"Keridwynne, may I have the mirror tonight?" says Tieron quietly.
"Of course," Keridwynne says as she hands the mirror from her cloak pocket to Tieron. "Try not to become mesmerized by your own lovely reflection." she smirks.
Talorc tosses the ring back to Mero. "Enjoy. It's a ring of spell storing. It holds one charge of Harm (used up, of course) and one charge of Spike Growth. It's rechargeable, but you got to find a cleric capable of doing so. Keridwynne may be able to recharge the Spike Growth after you use it."
"About defacing the ring, I'd be careful. Maybe there's some sort of priestly ritual to maintain its enchantment through the procedure. Of course you may be able to simply scratch it off, but its your choice. If it were me, I'd wait to consult a friendly high priest, who could recharge it and perhaps guarantee it holds the enchantment... even if it says TALORC SUCKS in glowing Faerie fire."
"Tieron, the obvious name is Sherkas." Talorc grins. "Well, we seem to be in a great deal of danger. We might as well have trumpeted our entrance to this place. I'd suggest a couple basic things. First: we have to be careful. Watch what you eat and drink. Second, we shouldn't split up to much. Groups of three or more. Third, we can't stay long. If we overstay our welcome we're going to get Ashler himself on us in a place like this.
"I think we still have time to do some shopping and exploring, though. Anyone want to join me? Perhaps a lurking Nightshade?"
"Not right now, but thanks for the offer, Talorc." Nightshade smiles.
Nightshade rummages through her bags and pulls out what looks like a scroll case. Carefully she unscrews an end and opens up what is in fact a very cleverly compressed make-up kit. "I think maybe we should work on some subtlety...Shateera, Savi, how would you two like to be elven?"
"Oh I haven't got to do this in a long time!" Keridwynne exclaims.
From her pack and pockets, she hauls out a collection of brushes, baubles, and vials.
"Feeling bondage... er bonding." She says grinning at her compatriots.
Casting a look at the male members of the party, she says, "Go drink some beer and talk about repairing chariots or something."
Later, she will try to talk to Savi and see if Savi can help her with her fighting skills.
"Do you think that I am too old to learn?"
"Never to old to try, Keridwynne." Savi says.
"Well, gentlemen, looks as if we should make ourselves scarce, for this evening. Shall we see what trouble we can cause." Mero says as he places an arm around the shoulders of Tieron and Talorc and wanders out the door.
"So, Shateera. Shall we start with you? Ever thought of becoming a red head?" Nightshade says smiling.
The process of changing Savi and Shateera continues and a little girltalk ensues.
"So what do think of the "boys"?" Keridwynne says slyly.
"All of them or just one in particular?" Savi says smirking at Keridwynne.
"All of them."
"Well, Mero is kind of cute but far to emotional for me. Just witness that scene at the lake about Raina. I haven't seen that kind of wailing and lamenting for a long time." Savi says.
"Ya, but do you think it could have been a little hammed up?" Nightshade says.
"Don't think so, he seemed pretty hysterical and even suicidal and pissed off really. Nobody charges into battle against Pryderi like that with out a death wish. I healed him. He was in no condition to stand let alone try to take Pryderi prisoner." Keridwynne comments, "He is really lucky to be alive. I just don't understand why Pryderi healed him"
"Because, he wants Sentares dead, so that he can probably take his place. Like so many clerics, no offense Keridwynne, but they believe so strongly in prophecies that even he doesn't want to take the chance that Mero might hold the key to killing him." Shateera says rubbing a towel through her now long red hair, "Speaking of prophecies, what about the one about, Tieron? Think he is the reincarnation of this Zarakfen?"
"Could be, but really why Tieron? He is cute but he sticks his foot in his mouth sometimes." Nightshade says.
"Yes, but sometimes he sticks other things in the right place." Shateera says smiling broadly.
The others groan.
"So really, how is he in bed?" Savi asks.
"Savi!" Keridwynne exclaims.
"That's OK." Shateera says, "To be real honest, I think I may have been his first and if not the first very close to it. He was a bit awkward but practice makes perfect."
"So, now what about Talorc?" Nightshade says applying makeup to Shateera.
"He bothers me sometimes. He is way intense and he won't give up, no matter the odds. That whole bear summoning thing was a last ditch effort, because he couldn't stand. If he could have he would have attacked again." Keridwynne starts, "course it was about the only thing, he could have done. We couldn't have surrendered. Pryderi would have hauled us back to Sentares or only the Lady knows where."
"I would have to agree. He is intense sometimes but he tries to come off as this evil bastard, but underneath I am not so sure that he is." Savi says, "I know evil bastards and he just doesn't act like one, maybe if I was on the other side of Altira, I might say different but..."
"So what about this Sherkas, Nightshade?" Shateera says as Nightshade starts to apply makeup to Savi.
"What's to know. He is a halfling, that taught me just about everything that I knew. He hung around my mother back when Ashler's Bane was formed. He is a master of disguise and probably the most adept at stealth that I have ever seen." Nightshade responds.
"Personally," Nightshade continues, "I don't really know how he would need our help. If he was seeking the destruction of the tower, he could have done that already."
A knock at the door interrupts the conversation.
Keridwynne opens the door, no one is there. Just a package, lying on the doorstep.
Nightshade says, "Don't touch it. Let me look at it."
Nightshade walks over to the package and leans down and studies it for long moments and then grabs it.
"Don't see any traps." she says ripping open the brown paper.
Inside is a grey leather book, no markings of any kind on the outside.
"Odd, this looks like Sherkas's diary that he always kept."
"Well, open it and read it. Somebody wanted to give it to us for some reason." Savi says.
Nightshade starts to read:
November 6th, 522
Tonight if all went well, a new Ashler's Bane group was formed. The first step in the death of the Ashler. I hope that we have chosen wisely. I have my doubts about some of them. Tieron, recruited by Heather, seems to be a stay at home type. Its a hard life to be an adventurer. As a school teacher, he may be fine but life on the road may be too tough for him. But his brother, Jeron is in danger and so he should be included. Nightshade is another case. I fear for the girls safety but she is strong and will survive. The loose cannon in the party is Talorc. He was trained by the enemy and may turn at any moment. I fear that he may turn on his comrades, but his knowledge of Montessoy is invaluable. Keridwynne. Here I believe we will find the maturity of the party and the backbone. This fight is an age old war between her deity and Ashler. She will accomplish all that she needs. Rich. He will not make it. Far to flighty and not reliable. He will be the first casualty or the first drop out. His agenda is his own and not ours for the making. Still if he can see the long term. He will help his people immensely. If he only sees the short term, he will return home and watch them die.
November 20, 522
I have traveled to Conisborough. I am in search of rumor of a white tower dedicated to Ashler being constructed here. I hope to stop it and even destroy it.
November 21, 522
The tower is lead by Agravain, son of Morgawse. Interesting, but not unexpected that Morgawse would find a presence here.
December 1, 522
My attempts to start some trouble at the tower has been of minor success. I have delayed construction for a short time. The lead man had a sudden change of heart and no longer works on the tower. It will continue but it will slow them for a time. I have heard rumors that Nightshade's party is becoming a thorn in the side of Ashler. I had hoped that would be the case.
December 15, 522
Construction is still ongoing. I have spoken to Eifion, king of the keep on high. He will be no help. He is a young man, but the death of his wife and child has placed him a depression that seems almost unnatural. He stands by their graves for hours. He even sees ambassadors and does court dealings from grave site. I fear his grip on sanity may be eroding. The power of Agravain grows. More people now seem to be attending the church of Ashler than any other.
December 20, 522
I attended one of the ceremonies of Ashler in his white tower. It is a strange religion, but not without its appeal. I will attend more to understand. Maybe once I understand how the religion works I will be better able to...?
December 26, 522
I don't believe how foolish I have been. Ashler's only bringing peace to the world. This will be my last entry in this book and a closed chapter in my life. I will be taking up residence in the tower and will work to bring its power to bear on the citizens of Conisborough. We will have to work on Eifion. He must be shown the light of Ashler.
I wonder some nights what happened to Nightshade.
Sherkas
The stillness in the room is broken by several shouts of "Fire! Fire! The stable is on fire!"
The women run to the window to see the stable where their horses are kept is engulfed in flames.
They burst out the door and down to the stable.
After Keridwynne's shooing out of the boys, Tieron, Talorc and Mero wander down to give their horses some much needed brushing and grooming. They walk into the stable and are hit with the overpowering scent of tobacco smoke being puffed through a pipe. A rotund man pokes his balding head up from the stall that Talorc's horse is in, pipe still clenched in his teeth.
"You must be the travelers. Your horses have the look of being let wild for a time. That the case or was it a hard journey?" The man asks.
Tieron looks him over, taking in the 5'6", 250 pound frame, the black hair receding to the back of his head.
Talorc answers with a wide grin, "Long journey, with little time for the horses. Thought we would come down here and attend to them ourselves but I see that you doing that for us."
"Part of the service that you paid for sir. Name is Dan. I take care of the horses. Not much of a living but I like them." Dan says letting loose with another huge puff of smoke.
"Have you been doing this for long?" Mero asks.
"Long time, now that you mention it. Never really thought of it before. Been almost umm... fifteen years." he says as he exits Talorcs horse stall.
"So you know a bit about the town and how bout the inn itself? Like whats up with all the horse sculpture?" Tieron presses.
Dan steps up to face the three, he chomps down on pipe and then using his tongue forces it to the other side of his mouth. "Want to know about old Bishop do you? Well, he's dead so I guess he won't mind if we talk behind his back. Bishop was a mage and a collector. He was fascinated by horses, anything about horses. Antiques, collectibles, carvings, books and his favorite subject magic items built for horses."
"Magic items built for horses?" Talorc asks.
"Oh yea," Another cloud of smoke goes up, "Harness that would make them run as fast a lightning was his favorite. A saddle that would hold you still in your seat no matter what the horse did. Was rumored once that he found a potion of Intelligence and fed it to his horse so it could learn more tricks. You name it he had it for his horse."
"So what's with the carvings all over the inn?" Tieron asks from inside his horses stall as he is brushing him down.
"Bishop had to retire sometime. He had a lot of money so he bought himself this place and started carving. It was a hobby of his. So what did he start carving...horses. Well he got most of it done, except for his own room. He always said that he was saving the best for last, but he died before he even made one mark in his bedroom. Oh well." Dan says shrugging his huge frame.
"How did he die? If you don't mind me being so bold." Mero asks, smiling and turning up the charm.
"Men get old, they die. Not much more can be said." Dan says, his head hanging a bit lower.
"You don't believe that do you," Mero says, picking up on the subtle signals.
"Naww. I guess I don't."
"Why?" Tieron asks,"Something happen?"
"Yes and no."
"What do mean?" Talorc queries.
"Yes, he was an old man, probably nearing his late 70's, but he was in better shape that this old bag of bones in front of you. Also seems suspicious to me, that the most vocal opponent to the building of that tower dies of a heart attack. I might not have thought so much about it but King Eifion's wife and kid also vocal opponents to the tower of Agravain died suddenly."
"Agravain?" Talorc says like a brick hit him in the chest.
"Agravain." he whispers this time.
"Someone you know, Talorc?" Mero asks.
"An ....associate of mine and the son of Morgawse. What is he doing here, Dan?"
"He runs the tower of Ashes er... Ashler." Dan replies.
Dan casts a few glances back and forth at the men. You can tell his agitation by the volumes of smoke now issuing from the pipe.
"Well I think that I should turn in, gentlemen. It was a pleasure talking to you."
"Dan, before you go," Tieron stops him, "I would like it if you would answer just another couple of questions."
Dan stops for a second and turns around at the jingling of Tierons coin purse.
"Ok... just a couple though."
"Do you know where we could buy some potions and the like?" Tieron asks.
"Sure. Bishops son, Buspar. He runs a magic shop just down the street and is the owner of the inn now. Buspar's Oddities, he calls it." Dan says. The volumes of smoke slowing down as the man calms down a bit.
"Cool. Last question. Have you seen a halfling about? By the name of Sherkas?"
"Good god man. Do you have no sense? Just to say that name will probably get you killed. He is everywhere and he kills all that disobey the will of Ashler. If you are looking for him, you are as good as dead. I just hope that he doesn't do me for associating with you." Dan starts to scurry for the door.
"Dan!" Talorc calls out.
Dan turns to look but then decides to run for the door. Talorc grabs him by the collar, turns him around and stares him in the eyes, keeping his hand on the front of Dan's leather tunic.
"You didn't answer Tieron's question. Where is Sherkas?" Talorc's face hardening.
Dan starts to shake his head and then gasps as his feet lift from the ground. Talorc showing no strain from the effort of lifting a 250 pound man into the air.
"Where?" is all Talorc says.
"He lives in the tower with Agggravain." Dan stutters.
Talorc lowers him back to the earth but does not let him go, "And Dan, you forgot your tip."
Talorc presses ten gold pieces into the wide chubby hand and lets him go.
Dan turns and runs out the door.
"Now Talorc, did you have to do that? You scared him half to death." Mero asks.
"How could you tell?" Talorc says sarcastically.
"I think he swallowed his pipe." Mero smirks.
Tieron heads for the door.
"Where you going, Tieron?" Mero calls.
"Buspar's oddities. I think that we may need it and soon. I hope they have healing potions."
Mero and Talorc follow.
Buspar's oddities is staffed this evening by a sixteen year old girl with gold hair and glasses. She says that Buspar is on business and will return tomorrow afternoon.
These are the items for sale:
Tieron also expressed an interest in a money exchange for pearls and jewels. She can cash your money into whatever pearls and jewels you need.
I am going to fit this in between the time that you depart the magic shop and before you get back to the hotel. I am just going to have you step down a back street and look into the mirror.
Jeron is where we start. He is still in the marshes in the east. Doniel is there and Jeron seems to be instructing him the playing of a sitar. All looks well here.
The amulet of Zarakfen seems to be resting on the chest of some small creature with yellowish skin. The image can not pan back very far but what it does show you is a black haired scraggly looking gnome running for his life, from what, you can't tell. He is traveling through some very mountainous country over boulders and so on.
Heather is alive. Her face shows up clear in the mirror. It has a new scar, bright red in color just under her throat as if her neck had been slashed. She too is in motion but in a very large evergreen forest, that is knee deep in snow. She is breathing hard and trying to find some cover. An arrow comes streaming out of the night and slams into a tree right next to her. You hope she survives.
Sherkas's halfing face is a grimace of hate and rage. You see his hand come down with a dagger. It comes back up bright red from blood and then it goes down again and again. Sherkas's tunic is splattered in blood. He stops. He reaches down with a small hand and picks up a smoking pipe, like the one that Dan the stableman was smoking. You see him throw the burning embers of the pipe over his shoulder. As he exits the building that he is in, smoke curls around his face.
You start to run toward Talorc and Mero, when the first shouts of Fire reach your ears.
Tieron, Talorc and Mero exit from Buspar's oddities and turn toward the hotel that they are staying at. It is actually kind of a long walk back to the hotel. Tieron excuses himself partway and steps into a dark alley for a moment.
Talorc says "Be careful and don't be to long. I don't want to have to come find you."
Mero and Talorc slow their pace just to give Tieron time to look into the mirror that he was clutching at as he entered the alley.
Another block later , a shout goes up. "Fire. We got Fire in the Stable."
Talorc and Mero burst into a dead run. Tieron seemingly forewarned sprints and catches his running companions. The stables are engulfed in flame. The entire party, including a red haired Shateera and a white skinned Savi with hat pulled down over her head, reconvenes at the burning stables.
"Water, someone bring water!" Someone shouts.
"Is anybody in there!" Another voice calls out.
"The brewery has plenty of water! We can run a hose!" Another shouter suggests.
"The doors are locked and no one but the Clerics are allowed in!" Someone else shouts.
"Looks like that is about to change." A man half dressed in a uniform calls out in a very calm voice as he sprints for the brewery about two buildings down.
"The horses cannot perish!" Savi thinks as she rushes into the burning stable to lead as many horses as she can to safety.
Keridwynne reflexively casts "create water" where it will do the most good. Noticing that Savi has started a mad dash for the stable, Keridwynne sprays water on the rushing Savi.
This place was a tinder box, with straw and old wood piled in the corners. Smoke curls around Savi as she burst through the door. The whole place is alive with flame. The horses are snorting hysterically. Savi kicks the first pen open and watches as Keridwynne's horse sprints to safety.
Nightshade rushes for the barn as the first horse barrels from the doors. Nightshade stops for a moment looking to see if another horse is forthcoming.
Savi shouts "Is anyone in here?"
Nightshade perks up her ears, trying to listen over the roar of the flames. A second horse, Nightshades emerges from the smoke, like a ghost coming out of the fog. Eddies of smoke whirling about its ankles.
Savi shouts "Is anyone in here?" again.
Nightshade hears faintly from the back, "Help me."
Fearing that Savi just got herself in trouble, Nightshade dashes into the fire as Mero's horse bolts from the flame.
Talorc will follow the half-uniformed man with the intention of seeing a place where only Ashler clerics are allowed.
Tieron was moving toward the stables but stopped and turned around to head to the brewery, when he heard of the water.
Tieron catches up to Talorc and whispers as quiet as can be with the shouting all around, "It was Sherkas, he killed Dan and then started the fire."
Its a short run to the brewery. The doors are locked as the uniformed man slams into them.
"Idiots!" he shouts in frustration, "Open the damn door."
He bashes the door again, it creaks some but refuses to move. Talorc and Tieron arrive. Talorc slams the door himself but it still holds. Tieron drops to one knee and pulls a lockpick from his pocket. A twist here and a turn there, the door opens quietly. The uniformed man bursts through the door and stops cold in his tracks. A ghostly image of a wyvern circles the man.
"They wyvern watched the door, Tieron. There are probably more." Talorc says as he pushes his way past the man.
Talorc pulls Altira from her sheath. The darkness of this place ignites in the green glow of the sword. A brewery this may have been once but it is now an armory. Weapons line the walls. A large army could be outfitted here. Tieron steps in behind Talorc and lets out a low whistle.
Mero, Keridwynne and the red-headed Shateera are trying to coordinate efforts of the people who are trying to put out the fire in any way possible. Blankets have been brought to smother the fire, but without water, the fire continues to ravage the stable.
Savi kicks open another door, releasing her horse to safety. She turns to see Nightshade sprinting through the flame at her.
"Savi, you ok?" Nightshade screams over the fire.
Savi nods.
Nightshade heads deeper into the flame, pulling her cloak around her tighter to ward off the heat.
Savi releases Tierons horse. It runs for the door but pulls up short as a section of the roof comes down. Not enough to block the exit but enough to spook it. It leaps over the beam that just collapsed.
Keridwynne's body glows briefly in the night as a spell effect takes hold. She calmly walks toward the fire.
Talorc and Tieron move farther down the large chamber that is the brewery. Weapons first and then armor. The armor is stuff that has been scavenged first, a few gauntlets, a couple of leggings and then whole armor suits, leather's mostly but farther on whole suits of chain and then full plate. Enough stuff to well outfit an army of a thousand with bits left over for another thousand. Enough weapons for five thousand soldiers. Midway into the cavernous chamber, barrels upon barrels stacked to the ceiling halt the progress of the two men. Tieron raps the nearest barrel to him. It is quite full but not with liquid by the sound of the thump. Talorc swings Altira and chops a hole in a barrel. The contents start to empty on the ground. Sand starts to pour from the barrel, or at least it looks like sand. It is much finer, more like a powder but it glitters in the light of Altira.
Nightshade calls out, "Where are you?"
A moan from her right gets her attention. A large form laying face up, blood covering his barrel like chest. Nightshade spreads out her cloak to cover him from the fire. The man's hair is mostly burned off and huge blisters have formed on his face.
"Savi!" Nightshade yells, "There is someone over here.!"
No response.
"Savi! Help! This guy is far too heavy!"
Nightshade starts pulling on the arm of the large man hauling him inch by inch toward the door.
Savi having released all the horses from the stable, turns to run for the exit when she hears her name being called.
"Savi!" Keridwynne shouts as she walks through the fire, "Get out of here! You have done all you can. The fire won't hurt me. Get out. I will find Nightshade."
Savi nods and sprints for the door. She bursts from the stable into the cold night air. She takes a long breath of air and starts to cough. Then the pain hits her. Her fingers feel like they are on fire. She shoves them into the nearest snowbank to cool them. Mero rushes to her side.
"You ok?"
Savi coughs and says "I think so."
Talorc and Tieron stop to think for a moment, when a voice rings out in a thick Russian accent.
"Predictable to the last, Talorc. I wonder why mother thought so highly of you." Agravain says.
(Dm note. Agravain speaks with a Russian accent, because he was schooled in Moscow and continues to speak with it to mask what he thinks of as an uncivilized Scottish accent.)
"Lights." he says.
Light flares from torches along the walls of the brewery. Agravain stands in white robes that touch the ground a golden hydra with its heads coiling though the folds of fabric. He has reddish brown hair, red beard and brown eyes. He is attended by nine acolytes from the tower.
"My man," Agravain points to the one in the doorway caught in the wyvern watch, "is a good actor, is he not? I knew you had no interest in horses. You have always hated them. You would find something else to do and even if you were foolish enough to run into the fire, you may have perished there anyway. But I knew that you would not pass up an opportunity like this one. So now Talorc, you die like the coward that you are. Kill them, fast or slow, I do not care."
Keridwynne reaches Nightshade.
"Nightshade. We have to go. You can't survive in this heat. Your gloves are starting to smoke."
"He is still alive. We have to save him." Nightshade points to the form on the ground.
Keridwynne drops to her knees and looks at him. He is burned badly and has four stab wounds to the chest. He might live but his hands are gnarled and black from the fire and he is losing pints of blood on the ground.
"Nightshade! Go! Get Savi! She might be able to carry him out but we can't!"
Mero staring back at the fire, hoping to see more of his friends come out, notices a short brown robed person, head down and covered moving from the back of the crowd to the front. People in his way, move but do not seem to realize why or even notice that they moved for him.
"Savi," Mero says, "Do you see them?"
Savi turns around, "No, I hope they come out alive. No wait there she is!"
Nightshade bursts from the burning building.
"No, not Nightshade. The brown robed person." Mero says pointing.
"No. Who are you talking about?"
"The one that just stopped by Nightshade."
"There is no one by Nightshade, Mero. What are you talking about?"
Mero frustrated continues to stare and then sees the person reach out and touch Nightshade on the shoulder as they pass by. Nightshade was in the grips of a coughing fit, bent over with her hands on her knees. Mero starts to run toward her and realizes that his hand is resting on Silent Discovery.
"Son of bitching sword. Who the hell are you showing me and why?" Mero growls as he runs.
Nightshade stops coughing and stands up. Her hair a bit burnt but she appears otherwise unharmed.
The brown robed figure is standing in front of the stable as Mero sprints up to Nightshade.
"Are you ok?" Mero gasps.
"Fine. Keridwynne and this big guy are still in there, but I'm fine. Where the hell is Savi? She is probably the only one strong enough to haul him out."
Mero points to where Savi is and runs for the stable, chasing the elusive person.
"Mero! Don't! He is far to heavy for you to carry!" Nightshade calls out.
Nightshade runs for Savi.
Keridwynne not knowing what to do lays over the body of the fallen man, hoping by some odds that her fire protection will cover this man as well as she hopes for Savi to appear.
"Goddess," she whispers, "this man needs you. Hear my call for help."
Mero shouts, "Stop!" to the brown clad individual. The person turns and lifts its head slightly and then steps into the fire.
Flames creep closer to Keridwynne as she waits. Her prayers have turned from whispers to silence as the fire starts to collapse the wood around her.
Mero stops at the doors, the heat unbearable. In rage, he pulls Silent Discovery from its sheath and shouts "Stop!!" at the top of his lungs. The word echoes across the town. Heads in the crowd turn to look at the frustrated man screaming at the fire.
The fire licks at the boots of the large man that Keridwynne is covering and then with a great whoosh of air the flame disappears.
On the outside of the stable, sword raised in hand, a gust of wind staggers Mero backward and then the fire exists no more.
Keridwynne thanks her goddess profusely and sets to work on the bleeding form of the fallen man.
She casts healing spell after healing spell into him, working at a feverish pace.
He awakens and reaches his hand up and around the back of Keridwynne's head. He pulls her closer to his charred lips.
"It was a trap. The brewery is a trap. Help them." he says, "or Agravain will kill us all."
He lapses into unconsciousness, but his breathing regulates.
Savi, Shateera and Nightshade burst through the doors, a stunned Mero in tow.
Talorc and Tieron look at each other and then back at the ten people they are facing. A way out does not seem promising. Tieron looks to the rafters, there is enough room to squeeze through at the top of the barrels but Talorc would be left behind Tieron thinks to himself.
"We have to get to the brewery." Keridwynne exclaims, "Agravain set a trap."
At the first sign of a trap, Talorc will stand by Tieron, pulling out a handful of fire breathing potions and hand a couple to his companion. The expected hand to receive his gift of potions does not come. Talorc looks up at Tieron deep into the casting of a lightning bolt.
"Oh shit, if that rebounds..." Talorc thinks.
"Fire in the hole," he quaffs one and belches out at Agravain and three foes.
Savi gently lifts Dan from the still smoking stable and walks out to fresh air. Slowly she sets him on the ground.
"I am no healer, Keridwynne but I can fight and that is what I am going to do." Savi says as she turns to run as fast as she can to the brewery.
Mero looks around searching for the brown-robed individual. Out of the corner of his eye, he finds him, moving through the crowd as before. No one noticing or even paying any attention to a shadow on the wind.
Conflict erupts in Mero, torn by his wish to save his friends and the wish to find out who that was. For a second or two he wavers as he watches Keridwynne heal Dan even more. Then he starts to run after this brown ghost.
Nightshade realizes that Dan will be fine and rushes for the brewery. Partway down the street, she pulls her cloak over her head and vanishes.
After working on Dan, Keridwynne looks around, who can she trust with this life? Was her life and the stable man's spared by The Lady, or some other miraculous force? All this fires through Keridwynne's mind in a few seconds. She torn between her duty to save this man, and her friends, but only for a heartbeat. She grabs a spectator who looks reliable, relying solely on her instincts, and asks them to see to the stable man. Keridwynne turns and speeds down the street, pulling out her lightning staff and saying "expand and energize" as she runs.
Lightning spews from Tieron's fingertips. A ten foot wave of lightning rolls across the room like a tide cresting on the beach. The impact of the wave hurls 3 of the attackers backward threw the air. The wave washes over Agravain who turns his back. It cascades over him and he turns to look back at Tieron. The wave continues on. It washes through the man held by the wyvern watch and finally impacts the door tearing it from its hinges.
Agravain turns just in time to be caught in the face by a blast of fire erupting from the throat of Talorc. The puff of flame tears through some of the remaining attendants. Agravain and three others stand in defiance of the flame. Eyes set, they start a chant in almost unison. It is a matter of a few seconds and a groan is heard from the barrels. Talorc and Tieron turn briefly to see the bottom barrels warp and then shatter. The whole structure of barrels topples. Talorc dives to one side, Tieron for the other hoping to avoid the barrels. One barrel grazes Tieron as he rolls up to safety. The impact jars his shoulder a bit and starts his ribs to aching again, but he comes up with another spell on his lips. Talorc didn't make it. As the dust from barrels starts to settle a bit it is clear that he is buried.
Tieron focuses on the job. A glue like substance spreads across the room to rope the three attendants. The webbing sticks to them.
"Down but not out." Tieron thinks to himself.
"You put up a good fight, elfling. But the fight is now over." Agravain says as he finishes casting. The webbing that trapped Agravain's helpers simply disappears.
Mero bursts from crowd of people, searching for the individual. He spots him turning down a rocky street. Mero sprints after him. The figure turns and then steps into a doorway. Mero stops at the door and huddled in the frame is the man.
"Sherkas?" Mero asks.
"How can you see me, human?" it replies in a low bass voice.
"I just do. Is it you, Sherkas?"
"You are a danger to me. For visual contact is supposedly impossible. I am to eliminate all threats to the tower." Sherkas moves quickly. His hand comes up, with a dagger in it. It slams into the stomach of a dodging Mero. The blow is merely superficial but would have been far worse if Mero had not reacted. Sherkas presses the attack. Mero pulls Silent Discovery from its sheath and defends the next blow.
"Sherkas! What is wrong with you? I am a friend of Nightshades. Stop this!" Mero cries.
"Nightshade?"
"Yes. Nightshade."
Sherkas lowers his dagger a bit. Mero steps back but keeps his defenses up.
The dagger comes up again, "Only the will of Ashler is to be done. Nothing else matters."
Sherkas swings again. Mero dodges and strikes back leaving a line of blood across the arm of Sherkas.
"Nightshade would not want you to do this. Sherkas, Do you hear me?" Mero asks.
Sherkas's hood has fallen back from his grey haired head, revealing the old wrinkled features of a halfling past the prime of his life, but still very dangerous.
Mero dodges another blow. Sherkas moves to avoid a strike by Mero and bangs into a drainpipe. He whirls around to stare at it and then grabs the pipe and deftly starts to climb. Mero pulls back his sword to strike a fatal blow and then pulls up. Mero doesn't know Sherkas but his behavior is definitely out of the norm for just about anyone. Mero grabs at the silver ring adorning his finger and uncoils a section of the silver rope that springs from it. He whirls it about his head for a second and lets fly for the rooftop of the building. It adheres to the top and Mero starts to climb as well. Mero is stronger and younger, he overtakes Sherkas who doesn't seem to notice the advancing human. Mero reaches the top and starts to coil the rope back into the ring. Sherkas steps over the top of the building and stares at Mero.
"Why do you keep following me? I spared your life. Go now before Ashler's benevolence runs out."
"Nightshade needs you, Sherkas. Not this Sherkas but the one of old. He has to be in there somewhere."
"This Sherkas was reborn at the tower of Ashler. The old one died that night. Go! Leave me alone!" Sherkas screams, runs across the rooftop and launches himself for the next building.
"Why did you help us at the fire tonight?!" Mero yells after him.
Sherkas vaults onto the next building, lands and rolls back to his feet. He stands and looks back at Mero. Mero has to strain to hear the parting words of Sherkas, "I do not know."
Sherkas leaps from the building into an alley and is gone. Mero shakes his head and slides back down the drainpipe. Mero starts to run for the brewery when a wind gust blows a page of paper across his path. He stoops, grabs it and runs on.
"The fight hasn't even started." Savi says quietly emerging into the brewery.
Color sprays across the room courtesy of Tieron. It seems to affect no one still standing.
"Nice light show, but how about a little fire." Agravain says wryly.
A column of flame appears above Tieron's head and rushes down around him. The column of fire engulfs Tieron. Tieron rolls out of the flames coming unsteadily back to his feet. His breathing labored he starts movements to cast again. Savi hurls a length of rope at the nearest attacker and says entangle. The rope starts weaving around one of the attendants and knotting itself.
A series of impacts staggers Agravain as Tieron's outstretched hand recoils from the launching of missiles. Agravain staggers again as Savi unleashes her own bolts. The second attendant pulls a mace from his side and swings at Savi.
Talorc opens his eyes in the sandy contents of the barrels that just crashed all around him. He struggles to move and finds that he is pinned down by the weight of sand and collapsed barrels. He struggles again and this time it gives. A barrel rolls off the top of him and crashes to the floor below. He forces his way upward.
A scream is heard from the third acolyte as Nightshade's dagger withdraws from his back. She fades into view. Savi's broadsword swings and connects with the mace as the acolyte tried to defend himself. The handle of the mace nearly broke from the strength of the blow. She swings again, thinking that this opponent is not a very worthy one. His block fails as the sword cuts through the shaft of the mace and shatters his collarbone on the way to his heart. Savi pull the sword from him with a spray of blood.
Agravain staggers under the blow of several more missiles released by Tieron.
Keridwynne steps into the doorway her lightning bolt staff fully charged and ready to fire.
A hand erupts from the collapsed pile of barrels and sand at the back of the brewery.
Shateera pushes her way past Keridwynne and rushes to Tieron's side.
"Are you OK? You don't look so good." She says to Tieron.
"I been better."
Agravain looks around him, searching for a way out. His route blocked by an advancing Savi, Nightshade, Keridwynne, Tieron and Shateera. He panics and rushes for the only avenue of escape, over the barrels.
Like a sand spider pouncing on prey, Talorc bursts from the barrels.
"Where are you going to run to now, Agravain? Mommie's not here to help you." Talorc says spitting out powder.
Agravain stops and stares at Talorc.
"Just how much of that powder did you swallow, Talorc? Enough I hope. Hear me, Talorc. The will of Ashler is upon you. Hear his calling and feel his presence in your soul."
Talorc looks at Agravain and then his eyes start to lose focus. Altira dips toward the floor.
"Kill them, Talorc." Agravain urges, "Kill them all, by the will of Ashler."
"By the will of," Talorc repeats pausing, his sword coming to the ready, "Talorc! Dickhead."
Talorc slams Altira into the side of Agravain and cuts through to the backbone before exiting from the stomach.
Agravain doubles over in pain and then slides to the ground.
Keridwynne eyes the scene in the warehouse speculatively. "go back to sleep" she orders the lightning wand. When that doesn't work she says "um, de-energize and contract", it complies.
She goes to Tieron, who appears to be the most damaged, and drops two cure light spells on his crispy carcass.
"I have in reserve one cure light to awaken Agravain, when and if we wish to do so." Keridwynne states moving over to take a sample of the powder from the barrels.
"So, that's how you control Sherkas!" Mero exclaims. "How long does the powder last? We need to know if there is an antidote or if it wears off.
Can you get any information from that piece of filth before it dies?"
Turning to Nightshade, Mero says, "I just talked with Sherkas, he remembers you, but most of his mind is being controlled by the clerics of Ashler. I assume this powder has something to do with it. If we can find out what the cure/antidote/detox time is we might be able to track him in some of his old lairs if you know them. If you want to search though, you need to bring me along, because he seems to think no-one can see him, which might explain why you didn't react when he touched you earlier."
Nightshade rubs a pinch of the dust between her fingers. "Hurm...I knew I shouldn't have skipped out on so many of my Poisons and Potions classes. Drat!" Then she ponders where a muddled Sherkas might flee to.
Savi looks at the villainous scum on the floor. She turns to Talorc "We also need to know how many are currently in this army. He has plenty of weaponry here, but I don't see much in the way of help. Maybe you should take Keridwynne up on her offer of the light cure, and then finish him off."
Savi moves to inspect some of the barrels. She lifts one. It weighs about 50 lbs.
"This may prove useful in the future on some unsuspecting foes." Savi says.
Talorc stands considering the green glow of Altira as his companions exchange opinions. He nods to Keridwynne. "When you're ready, my lady."
Keridwynne reaches out and touches the helpless body of Agravain. A glow pulses in his body and then fades. His eyes flutter open and he stares into the eyes of Talorc.
After what must be an eternity to Agravain, Talorc speaks, "Well, princeling. You tell us everything you know. I mean I want the location of every chamber pot in that white tower... and you get to live...this time."
"Kill me and be done with it!" Agravain spits.
Keridwynne smiles wickedly. "If Savi's assumption is correct, and this powder is a "make very amenable to suggestion/hypnosis" rather than a "follow Ashler" enchantment, we could have Sir Aggy swallow some more, then he'd be more likely to answer us truthfully. Even if it is a follow Ashler powder, I think it's too late to do him any harm in that respect."
Talorc grins at the suggestion, moves over to the broken barrels and scoops some off the floor. Pinching Agravain's nose he pours a large quantity of powder down his throat. A coughing fit passes through Agravain and then his eyes seem to lose their luster.
Talorc says, "Now lets see if this worked. List the entrances and exits to the tower."
Agravain's eyes slowly close and then open again, "There are four ways into the tower right now." His voice slow and lacking all emotion,"The main entrance, that is open around the clock, guarded by two guards and two more in secret chambers just through the doors. The back door, guarded by two and locked all the time. Only those with keys can get in. The kitchen entrance, the most heavily defended of all. It is the way the barrels of powder are brought in and distributed into the food and drink of the tower population. Six guards oversee the area at all times. The four entrance is through the superstructure of the tower on the unfinished fourth floor. It could gain you entrance to the tower if you can get by Sherkas. It is his way in and out of the tower. He is ordered to kill any who try to enter in that manner."
"Are there any secret entrances?"
"No"
Talorc pauses for a moment considering that last remark, "How are guards arrayed within and outside the tower?"
"The doors, I have stated are guarded. The floors are protected by a foot patrol of two guards on each level. A fourth group of four wanders the whole tower including the unfinished fourth floor and could be on any level at any time. The banquet room for the soup kitchen is open 24 hours a day to those down on their luck and what have you. This is guarded by an additional two guards."
"A soup kitchen?" Keridwynne prods.
"It feeds any unfortunate people, the homeless and even those just plain greedy for free food. It is heavily tainted with this powder and they become willing Ashler converts by the highly charismatic ongoing speeches by our brothers in worship."
"That's just evil." Nightshade comments, shaking her head.
Talorc presses on "What sort of protection spells guard the tower or things within it?"
"Only the third floor is guarded by spells. A wyvern watch set in the staircase and passable by those that wear the hydra symbol. My bedroom and eight other more powerful acolytes have the same wyvern watch set on their doors. If they have more entrapments than that I do not know of. My bedchamber is protected by a fire trap as well as the door to my inner sanctum." Agravain drones on.
"I'd like a layout of the building. How many reside within the tower?"
"The tower is laid out in four rooms on the first floor, the soup kitchen, banquet room, altar for communal praying and main entrance hall. Second floor is for lesser acolytes and guards, ten rooms in all. Third floor, 10 rooms 9 bedchambers and my inner sanctum. Fourth floor unfinished but occupied by Sherkas. A central spiral staircase leads from one level to the next. Thirty guards and twenty clerics occupy the tower."
"Why does Sherkas sleep on the fourth floor alone?" Mero queries.
"He prefers to be alone is the only explanation he will give."
"Are there any guests there currently?"
"Yes, Mintoc, but she is not a guest but a prisoner."
"Mintoc?" Savi says.
"An advance scout or possible messenger, we think for the Pennine army."
"Any objects contained within of artifactual or magical nature?" Talorc questions.
"The only thing of great magical value is the section of bone being housed in my inner sanctum from which the powder is made."
"Section of bone?" Tieron butts in.
"Long ago a creature similar to a dragon died. Its bones glowed with the light of magic and we tested it. The bone was ground and the powder had the properties that you know of."
" How many clerics of Ashler are currently in town?"
"Twenty, now eleven because of you."
"How many can hold person?"
"Of the eleven remaining, myself included, seven."
"What are Ashler's access sphere's?" Talorc continues.
"All, Charm, Combat, Divination, Elemental, Guardian, Necromantic, Protection."
"Powers?"
"The ability to fight like warriors is granted to all acolytes, including specialization and florentine abilities. No weapon or armor restrictions."
"Are there any other high priests currently in town?"
"None to the Lord Ashler."
"Are there other priests in town?" Keridwynne questions.
"One other, an elf. Though I know not to who she prays." Agravain answers.
"How many temple guards reside in town including the tower?" Talorc says.
"Thirty."
"How many in the constabulary?"
"None or ten depending on your viewpoint."
"What do you mean?"
"None of them liked us until we served them a peace offering meal. They are now all under our control."
"Is there an army related to this place?" Talorc continues to probe.
"Yes, we are awaiting their arrival."
"What is it doing?"
"It is coming here to resupply with provisions, powder to be used on prisoners and to pick up eager volunteers that we have recruited for the army."
"What are its goals?"
"Long range, the conquest of the world for Ashler. Short term, the destruction of the Pennine Mountain Dwarves."
"How goes the short term goal?" Mero asks.
"Not as well as planned but well. The Cambrian Dwarves were more than happy to destroy their cousins at little or no prompting, along with our loyal Gnomish allies. The setbacks being only Dalor the king of the Pennines still lives and a larger setback of Caltor's shield rediscovery. All of which is somehow related to the Crimson Wolf who is sending ripples of panic through the Gnomes."
"Why do the Gnomes fear the Crimson Wolf?" Nightshade asks.
"The gnomes believe that the Crimson Wolf is the avatar of Flandal Steelskin. They fear that they he will return with a vengeance. Already these rumors, cause army defections."
"Where is this army and how big is it?"
"It should be 2-3 days out and in the range of 1500 soldiers mostly Dwarven."
"Are there any other hidden places like this about town for this or any other reason?" Talorc questions.
"Only the mine about 1 mile north of here. It houses the bone shards we are digging. Fourteen miners under our control and four loyal guards. They deliver shipments of bone every day." Agravain answers.
"What are your get-away contingencies?"
"I have none. Should I encounter resistance, I was to crush it. Should I fail, I was to die trying. If I failed and escaped, Margawse would hunt me down and kill me. So I have none. Failure was not an option and never is in the service of Margawse and Ashler."
"Where can Sherkas be found?" Talorc inquires.
"Depends on his objectives. He could be on the fourth floor of the tower, he could be on assignment."
" His assignment would have to do with the people on this list?" Mero says pulling a slip of paper from his pocket.
"Yes."
"Who are the people on this list, I recognize the first 3 names, who are the others?" Mero continues.
"Buspar is the shopkeeper for the magic store. He is also Bishops son who owned the inn, you stayed in last night. Eifion is the poor king on high that lost his wife and child. Sherkas will end his misery." Agravain explains.
"Are they still alive or has Sherkas killed them already?"
"They were still alive to my knowledge. Sherkas always picked the timing for the assassinations. He would not be rushed, by anyone."
"Where does he sleep?" Talorc asks.
"Fourth floor of the tower."
"Is he under the influence of these drugs?"
"Yes, heavily."
"What sort of antidotes have been developed?
"None. Only immunities have been discovered." Agravain responds.
"Who is immune to this?"
"Almost no full elves have been affected. Half elves, we can get some of the time. Dwarves take much larger amounts to control that anyone else but are still susceptible."
"Will the affect wear off or is it permanent?" Keridwynne asks.
"The powder will clear the body in a week at most in some only a few days. The barrels of powder before you will lose all potency in 30 days. The amount of powder we can produce is finite. When the bones are gone, there will be no more. We will continue to control those that ingested the powder through weakening the spirit. Most will die in the Pennine mountains as cannon fodder, so there will be just a few of those and if they become bothersome they will be executed."
"This powder only allows you to control the mind of the other, correct?" Keridwynne queries.
"Yes."
"Could someone overpower your commands? Could I take control of Sherkas's mind away from you?"
"Yes. It is possible."
"How did you learn of our presence?" Talorc inquires.
"I was informed of your arrival by the town guard. Your movements were tracked the instant you arrived. Sherkas was dispatched to spy on you. He reported back after your meeting with Dan. This plan was concocted to trap you."
"Who did you inform we were here?"
"I have not had time to inform anyone of your whereabouts except those under my direct command."
"Who else to your knowledge knows or suspects we are in town?"
"Only my people in the tower know of your arrival. If you were dead by morning, I would send a message to Margawse informing her,Talorc. If I did not report back, it was to be assumed that I was dead and then my second would send a message stating your last position and tell her of my untimely demise. No one probably suspects that you are here. We expected an attack against Sentares, not here. " Agravain states.
"What do you know of Montossey?" Talorc keeps probing.
"Montossey is somewhere in the vicinity of Loch Ness, searching for your old party member, Rich."
"For what purpose?" Talorc asks accusingly.
"In order for the goblinoid and troll races to join the fight for Ashler. They have requested that a group of half-elves be eradicated from the shores of Loch Ness. Rich was from that region and returned there to continue the fight. He now stands against them. Montossey has traveled there to remove him and the half-elves that fight for him. Should he succeed, the goblinoid races and the trolls will pour down from the north and sweep the Pennine dwarves from the land. They will continue south into more civilized lands and start the conquest of Camelot."
"This is just getting worse and worse," an exasperated Shateera breaks in, "They have the gnomes, the controlled Siamsa, the Cambrian dwarves, the druegar, the trolls and goblinoids for allies. Ashler has key people in almost all the realms of the human race, some of them being lords and kings themselves. We don't even know who they control in the elven and halfling kingdoms or villages. All we have is a decimated Pennine dwarven population that will soon be overrun. How can we possibly think that we are going to succeed?!"
"You can not." Agravain responds.
The party is silent for a moment and then Talorc continues, "Where is Margawse and what is she doing?"
"Mother is attempting to consolidate the Picts against you as well. She is probably at home currently riding out the harsh Scottish winter. She hunts for you, Talorc, her disloyal student. She will wait for spring and then her armies will march south as well. By Vernal equinox, she will arrive in the Pennine Mountains, if needed."
(I am going to leave you here. These answers may just lead to more questions if not feel free to tell me what you are going to do next.)
Agravain became extremely tense when he had to answer the questions about Mintoc, he was also not too pleased to talk about the gnomes and the army defections. Everything he said you believe to be truthful but he may be concealing a few things about these issues. He also was unsure about Ashler's victory in the mountains.
You know that all he said was the truth as he believed it to be. His mind is too strong to force anything more out than emotions.
Nightshade begins scooping powder into small leather pouches, "Now that I know I'm immune, I might as well stock up. This could be some fun stuff! And I think I could probably bring Sherkas back to himself...or at least close enough to join us until his dosage wears off. Jerks!" and she aims a kick at Agravain.
"We need to check out Buspar and Eifion. I don't want us to split up but... I know! " Tieron pulls out the magic mirror, looks into it and thinks of Sherkas.
"Come on. Where are you, Sherkas." replies Tieron, looking into the mirror with Shateera glancing over his shoulder.
Savi stands and stretches," What he says, he believes to be the truth. I think he might not be telling us all he knows about Mintoc, the gnomes and the army defections, but I can't be positive. Maybe a little application of torture will entice him. And he really isn't as confident as he appears about Ashler's victory in the mountains either." Savi sits down on a barrel again.
"I would love to get some sleep first, then tackle this in the morning." Talorc says yawning.
"I would like to stage some kind of floor show, with the incoming dwarves, starring the lovely and talented Crimson Wolf. In that way, they will go scampering home and not attack the Pennine Dwarves. Regarding Sleeping tonight, I doubt our inn rooms are particularly safe, are we going to camp? And what about warning the people on that list? And it is already morning, Talorc. Matter of fact about 6 am on the tenth." Keridwynne says.
" The Question, then, is what do we want to do? Should we go find the king? Should we go to the tower?" Talorc asks.
"I think we should check the tower first for Sherkas, if he isn't there then we should check on the King." Mero says.
" I know. Let's go to the tower and kill everyone." Talorc smirks.
Nightshade asks, " And what about Keridwynne wanting to scare the hell out of the army that is coming?"
Mero responding to Talorc, "I don't think we need to kill everyone in the tower yet, I think if we take out the powder first, then close the mine so they can't get more,
"Yeah, I want to convert or disband it. But we need the tower presence neutralized regardless." Talorc says.
"The tower should take care of itself when they run out of powder." Mero responds.
"Well there should be other believers there." Keridwynne interjects.
Mero ponders out loud, "We could always find out the route the army is taking, and dump a lot of powder down all the wells. I could probably sell them on the crimson wolf thing too, the cloak's magic would probably help."
Savi asks, "So how do we execute this? Put it in their water supply and then show up?"
"They wouldn't be drink all at once." Tieron surmises.
"Basically if they are a week out, have them drinking it for a week or so." Mero says.
Keridwynne says, "But they are only 2 days out according to Agravain."
"We need the names of people in the army so we can use the mirror to track their progress." Mero states.
Talorc looks at the sitting form of Agravain. "Agravain, The name of the army commander on his way here?"
Agravain looks up at Talorc, no sign of emotion in his face, "Captain Latha."
"If they army is expecting orders from Agravain, we could have him use the mirror to issue a camp order to Captain Latha." Mero suggests.
"DO we just show up and hope that the most convincing person will be Mero?" Keridwynne asks, arms crossed across her chest.
Nightshade sit down on a barrel, "That could be a problem it the captain has a better presence than Mero."
Talorc thinks for a moment then says, "OK, plant the stuff on the commander... or he's already been planted. We talk to him through the mirror...He becomes a loyal follower of the Crimson Wolf."
"I wouldn't want to risk it, personally Talorc. If you talk to him through the mirror and he hasn't been using the stuff, he will get mighty suspicious about us telling him, "Believe in the Crimson wolf." Tieron says staring intently in the mirror.
"Probably right, so, do we go to the king first then?" Talorc questions, "What does Mero think we should do?"
"OK, the plan is...do a quick scan of the tower 4th floor looking for Sherkas, if he is there try to capture him, if not try to see the king. First get Agravain to order the army to camp 1 day out, quickly ride a day out before the army gets there poison the wells. If the commander won't obey Agravain then plan would be to have Agravain order his second in command over and keep taking out small parties, he can claim to be victorious and have picked up this nifty mirror from your desiccated corpse." Mero says anxiously.
Savi asks, "Are we climbing to the top?"
Mero responds quickly, " I can climb a vertical wall of ice...just about. So we climb, thing is only I can see the bugger, It looks like Nightshade is probably the only one he wont hurt through his conditioning."
"Yeah, capturing will probably take more of us. There are mundane ways to make him visible. Though my best guess is that he's invisible and non-detectable." Talorc says, his hand stroking about 2 days of stubble.
Mero says, "The thing is I don't know if he is invisible, or ethereal or whatever because it's some power of my damn sword that lets me see him, it isn't conscious."
"Non-detection is normally absolute if its working properly. Maybe your sword has a method around it. The rest is conjecture. He should be mostly in the prime material to affect us." Tieron states. "What about the 2nd plan, having Agravain lure his subordinates from the tower using our mirror?" Mero asks.
"Silly Mero. You might get a group the first time but after that, he'd be a real fool to fall for that twice let alone clear out the whole tower." Nightshade says cleaning her nails with the tip of a knife.
"So... Mero's going up by himself to see... Wait! Mirror! Where ... or did that work?" Talorc says stumbling over his words.
Shateera suddenly pipes up," Hey look what I found, A holy symbol, a pouch full of coin amounting to 500 gold in platinum and a mace."
"Cool. The holy symbol will be useful at the tower to get past the wyvern watches." Mero says.
"Well, we have more than one. I count ten. We could sneak in as a merry band of Ashler clerics." Keridwynne says.
"That would be a good way to meet the army after we poison it. But I still think that we can sucker Agravains lieutenant out of the tower. It depends on whether they partake of the powder themselves. If they do, Agravain could just order them out." Mero says.
"That brings up the point, How do they eat and drink? There might be a well. More likely a servant carries such things in for them." Talorc says.
Mero states, " In which case if Agravain knows the names of the servants we can watch and have them doctor the food going to the clerics, in either case, questioning Agravain will result in useful information."
"Yeah, I was going to recommend that Savi's objections be phrased as questions too. No reason that one wave of questions will answer everything. Some obviously brought about more questions." Talorc says.
"By the way, Talorc, did you want Pryderi fingers?" Mero asks.
"Yeah, I'll take them. OK, we ask about servants. We find servants. We arrange a little sweetener for their water..."
Nightshade says, "Only problem is whoever guards the powder in the tower most likely doesn't use it and doesn't just give it out to servants who ask for it."
"Some of the people there are clearly converts. We can give it to the servants. This is stupid, we can BE the servants. Its just a question of getting to what they have access to." Talorc says.
Savisitting on a barrel next to Nightshade adds, "I still think we need to know the whereabouts of Sherkas, an invisible assassin is not cool, of course Mero could probably use the mirror and the sword would probably help with that."
Talorc paces the floor a bit, "Sure, go ahead. Didn't Tieron successfully scry Sherkas??"
Tieron looks at Talorc, "Sure did. A couple of minutes ago. He seems to be resting. The mirror doesn't show much in the way of background, just a head and shoulders shot."
"That mirror is just damn useful, I need to use it to contact Lady Sentares to start planing our assault on Sentares." Mero says.
Savi shifts a bit uncomfortably at the mention of her foes name.
Mero continues, his face a bit flushed, "Have we established any limits on uses of the mirror, or can we check his whereabouts every 5 minutes?"
"None that we know of, yet" Tieron says, "but I have never really tried it."
"OK first, lets play question Agravain again." Talorc starts, "Savi, if you would be so kind?"
Savi stands and looks down into the eyes of Agravain, "Tell me more about Mintoc."
"Mintoc is a prisoner, a spy for the Pennine dwarves."
"You said before, you think that she is spy. Why?" Savi probes.
"She is unusual. She is not susceptible to the powder at all. She will not break under any amount of torture."
"Why is she not susceptible to the powder? Is she of elven descent?"
"No, fully dwarven as near as we can tell."
Savi stares at Agravain for a long time, "You are holding something back. Something important, Agravain, what is it?"
"I..." Agravain falters, "don't know."
"He is fighting for some reason." Savi says.
Savi reaches her hand down and touches Agravain on the side of the head at the temple. She places her other hand on the opposite side.
"Savi. What are you doing?" Keridwynne asks.
"Sometimes, telepathic contact can be augmented by physical contact. I am going to test that theory." she states.
"Now", Savi says, "what are you holding back?"
"I... love her." Agravain says slowly.
"What?!!!" Talorc roars.
"Why in the hell would he be holding that back so hard?" Tieron says.
"There is no reason... No, think about this from his point of view. He is in love with her and we are his enemies if the tables were turned what would he do?" Keridwynne questions.
Talorc answers, "He would capture her and hold her for torture or ransom or force us to do something for him. She is something that we can use against him and he fears that is what we will do."
"Just like how I used Eifion's wife." Agravain says.
"Just like Eifion's wife." Mero parrots, "he is scared that we will do to him what he did to Eifion. Would serve him right though, but why bother? This Mintoc, probably doesn't care anything about him."
"But she is a captive and we have all heard tales of captives falling in love with their captors." Nightshade says.
"Agravain with a weakness. How odd. It almost makes him human, but it doesn't really matter. Continue Savi." Talorc suggests.
"You know more about the gnomes than you care to admit as well. What is happening with your allies?" Savi continues.
"The gnomes are defecting in greater numbers each day. The army under Captain Latha used to have almost 3000 troops now 1500. The rest died in battle or disappeared in the night."
"How many gnomes out of Captain Latha's army have defected?"
"Latha's command has been in the thick of the battle for some time, but we suspect that he has lost over 1000 gnomes to the rumor of the Crimson Wolf. He has lost probably the most because the wolf is stalking him or so he thinks. He sees wolfprints all over and every one causes a new ripple of panic in his numbers. He is in dire need of the powder otherwise his company will just fall apart."
"This is why you feel uncomfortable about the armies chances of defeating the Pennines."
"Yes. If the defections continue at this rate by spring we will not have enough forces to take the Pennine capital. That is why Montossey is trying to gather the trolls and Margawse, the Picts."
"What is Ashler going to do about this?" Savi presses.
"Nothing as of yet but if this continues as I fear it will. The gnomes will erupt in civil war and probably in a holy war. Urdlen, Ashler, and their supporters versus Flandel and his. If it comes to that, the gnomes that we depend on so much for cannon fodder will no longer be ours to use. They will be too busy fighting themselves to fight for us. It would be a setback but not a fatal one."
Savi pries her fingers from Agravain's temples, "He is all yours, Talorc."
Talorc steps before Agravain, "Do you have servants bring you food?"
"Yes."
"Who portions out the powder to the cooks for the soup kitchen?"
"Only a cleric of Ashler can handle the powder and at least one of us watches the cooks at all times to ensure that they poison the right food and not ours."
"But then the servants bring you your food? Are they attended at all times by a guard or a cleric?"
"Yes to the first and no to the second. There is no need to watch the servants they are loyal because of the powder. We do not watch them." Agravain states.
"Anything else?" Talorc says turning to his companions.
No one says anything. Talorc removes Altira from its sheath and slams the butt end against the back of Agravains head. He pulls rope from his pack and ties him up and then gags him with a cloth. Talorc slings Agravain over his shoulder and dumps him into an empty barrel. He puts the lid back down on the barrel and taps it down.
"That will probably hold him, for now. I hate to kill a man in love." Talorc grins wickedly, "so to the tower to find Sherkas."
"Actually, I think that I will go to King Eifion, Talorc." Keridwynne says, "I can't scale that tower and you would have to haul me up it. It will take far to long to get us all up there. I would be more useful guarding the king."
"I don't like you going alone, Keridwynne. I will go with you. I would be in the same boat that you would be anyway. So lets go see a King." Savi says.
"OK well we will come to the palace on high as soon as we are done." Mero says.
The group heads out the door of the warehouse. Savi and Keridwynne head west to the Eifion's palace. The rest move quickly through the streets toward the tower. The sun is starting to lighten the sky in the east, the journey of the night ending. The tower is made of brick with many handholds and footholds. No guards seem to be present even though Agravain said that there would be. Nightshade, Mero, Tieron, and Shateera move up the side of the tower as if it were a set of stairs to be climbed. Talorc, on the other hand grunts softly and hauls his butt over the edge of the fourth floor.
"What took you so long?" Nightshade teases.
Talorc looks at her from underneath his eyebrows and turns to scan the fourth floor. Construction is everywhere, half built walls, wooden stairs leading down to the next level, partway down they turn to stone. Pulleys and rope are strung everywhere, over in one corner a pile of blankets. Mero shrugs his shoulders as if to say, I don't see him. Nightshade pads over to the pile of blankets and slowly pulls them back. A bound Dwarven female lays beneath them. Nightshade blinks in amazement.
"I am not so easily captured, little ones." Sherkas's voice rings out.
"Sherkas. Its me. Nightshade."
Mero swings about looking for Sherkas. He just keeps shaking his head. Tieron, Shateera, and Talorc stand ready for a fight.
"Nightshade. Why did you come here?"
"I came to help you, Sherkas. You aren't yourself."
"I know, Nightshade. Your friend told me on another roof. It took a few minutes for it to sink in. I have done so many bad things. I can never forgive myself. I have killed without remorse and for vengeance. I have killed the innocent. I have even killed children."
"That wasn't your fault, Sherkas. You were under the influence of things you couldn't control."
"I have grown old, Nightshade," Sherkas steps out from behind one of the walls for all to see, "and I fear I have nothing to give anymore. I have lost so much in this lonely place. I came here to stop this tower and I failed. I promoted its construction. I have killed so many Nightshade."
Sherkas walks slowly toward Nightshade.
Nightshade extends her arms to her confused friend. Sherkas falls into her embrace. His head barely coming up to her stomach.
Tieron whispers to the rest, "Why is he covered in blood?"
"I am not frightened anymore, Corina." Sherkas says.
"Shh. It will be all right." Nightshade says holding him close to her.
"No it won't. You don't understand what its like to do something without your own control. I lost a little of my self with each of those murders and I can't bring them back." Sherkas pulls away from her a bit.
"It wasn't your fault."
"Tell me, Corina, that you will never give up the fight. That you will always strive to help and never hurt those that don't deserve it. Promise me that you will win this war or die trying."
"I will."
"And your friends?" Skerkas says looking at the assembled party.
In unison, they state, "Yes."
"Sherkas," Nightshade gets down on one knee to look him in the wrinkled face, "I forgive you."
Sherkas smiles a bit and brushes a lock of hair back from Nightshade's face, "I have always loved you, Corina. But I can never forgive myself."
Sherkas breaks away quickly from Nightshade's grip and dives over the edge of the tower.
"Sherkassss!!!!!!!!!" Nightshade screams, lunging for the side of building.
A thud echoes in the street as a blood red dawn breaks over the city.
Savi and Keridwynne walked the streets in the half light of the dawn. All the roads heading west narrow to one final street. It ascends the hill to the Castle of Conisborough and to King Eifion. The hill is steep and the road rather narrow. It passes over a stone bridge which stands over a deep gorge. The castle is large, made of stone with a golden colored portcullis shutting out the night. Keridwynne stops before the portcullis and reaching her hand through raps on the wooden door behind.
A sleepy voice rumbles from behind the door, "It's too damn early for an invasion so who the hell is it?"
"It is Keridwynne, but that isn't going to mean a whole lot to you. I am a healer and I came to check on the king."
"The king will be happy to know that so many care for his well-being but buzz off. I am busy sleeping."
Another voice is audible but it is just a whisper and then the gravelly voiced one speaks again but not to Keridwynne, "I am sorry my liege. I only had your safety in mind. It will not happen again. That's not what I mean. Oh damn. Sorry."
The voice turns toward the door again, "Hold on. His majesty will see you immediately."
The wooden door pops open quickly. A short greasy human with a strangely oversized mouth steps out. He unlocks the portcullis and putting his back into lifting the portcullis shoves it up into the ceiling.
"After you." He says, smiling.
You step through the door and are greeted by a average height man with pretty average looks, his hair brown, his eyes the same. It is the eyes that capture you though. They look dull and lifeless at first, but looking closer, they seem almost haunted.
"I am Eifion. You are Keridwynne from what I heard and your exotic looking friend is...?" he trails off.
"Savi." Savi answers.
"Savi. Well met. What brings you to the house of Eifion at so early an hour?"
"To be blunt, sir, I fear that we have uncovered a plot on your life. We came to protect you or at least try to." Keridwynne says.
"That is pretty direct, my lady. I like that. Come walk with me on these snow covered streets and tell me who plots my downfall as if I didn't already know." Eifion says smiling slightly.
"Probably true." Savi says.
"Agravain has been slowly taking over the town by use of a powder that he uses to control minds." Keridwynne says.
"I had figured that it was some kind of mind control, from the way that people were acting."
"If you knew, why didn't you stop it?" Savi asks bluntly.
"I don't know. I really don't care anymore. Being a leader is a pain and I don't feel up to it." Eifion says.
"I think that it was grief. He killed your wife and child and you gave up didn't you?" Keridwynne asks.
Eifion doesn't answer, nor does he anger like Keridwynne suspects he might. He just keeps walking, passing the castle and stepping out into a snow covered garden. The snow crunching some in the early morning cold. A stone gazebo stands alone in the snow. It's construction looking very recent as evidenced by the mound of earth laying in piles around it. Eifion strides to the gazebo and steps inside. He stares out to the west away from the light beckoning at his shoulders.
"What if I did?" he says softly.
"Then Agravain has won." Savi responds.
"And so what if he does? He will kill me and maybe he will be doing me a favor. What is there to really live for? He took everything away from me that really mattered. What is one more life?"
"What is one more voice in a chorus? Nothing perhaps but if that chorus is made only of one voice. Silence is all that remains." Keridwynne says.
"What are you talking about?" Eifion asks.
"Something my lady once told me. That if no one speaks out against Agravain or Ashler. They will rule the world by force and fear. We need every voice, every person to help us. I would like the backing of a king in our efforts. I would like to free this town of the hold that Agravain has over it and you." Keridwynne says.
Eifion continues to stare out to the west, looking past the trees, for a long moment.
"What must we do?" He says turning around.
"For one, that tower should be burned to the ground and all the clerics of Ashler sent to see him. The mine to the north should be closed so no more of that powder can be used. The army that approaches from the west needs to be stopped." Savi says.
"What army?"
"An army of Cambrian dwarves bent on the destruction of the Pennine dwarves, who are coming here to resupply." Keridwynne says.
"News to me. How large? And how long do we have?""
"At least 1500, give or take. Tomorrow, maybe the next." Savi responds.
"That's more men than I can field. But I don't really need that many. Corrion's Pass is between them and us." Eifion says.
"Corrion's Pass?" Keridwynne asks.
"It's the only way out of the Pennines that's close to here. It would take weeks for them to go around."
"How close is that to here?" Savi asks.
"Half day, maybe less. Its small. There is a point in the pass about three quarters of the way through that is no wider than 5 men across."
Eifion turns on his heel quickly and faces Keridwynne and Savi, "Let's go."
"Where?" Keridwynne asks.
"I have a tower to take, an army to stop and mine to close. Its going to be a busy morning." Eifion strides down from the gazebo. The wind catches his long brown hair and blows it back showing you the tips of his ears.
Savi matches his pace, "Couldn't help but notice that you have pointed ears, but look human, Half elven?"
"Actually no my grandmother was a wood elf, makes me a quarter. Only thing that shows is the ears."
Its a flurry of activity in the castle as Eifion issues orders to rouse his men. They assemble quickly and within 5 minutes of the order, seventy men stand ready in the courtyard.
"An abomination stands before us, that I am going to rid ourselves once and for all. And that is the tower of Ashler. I know that some of you have been attending this tower. Those of you that have conflict with this order are free to leave but for the rest. The time is now." Eifion pauses to see if any depart. No one does.
"Good and after that we have an army of Dwarves to stop at Corrion's Pass. Let's go." Eifion says.
Eifion turns and shouts back, "Squire, bring me Midnight, the sword."
A squire appears almost immediately at his side with an all-black sword and scabbard. Eifion straps it to his side and motions for the gates to open. He and his army march out the gate and down the bridge to the streets, followed by a somewhat perplexed Savi and Keridwynne.
(You will arrive to find the dead body of Sherkas, lying at the base of the tower.)
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