Chapter 3 - Trouble with Shape-Shifters

‘It was late last night when I finally arrived.  I have been up since early this morning.  I went to see Rich this morning at the temple.  He said that he was not continuing with us on our journey.  He had many things that he needed to accomplish but they could not wait and he has his own destiny to follow.  Not this one.  I bid him farewell for all of us.  I walked with him to the edge of Coleth and gave him a map to get out of here.  He slung his backpack over his shoulder and left.  I didn't know him all that well but I think that he needed his own space to deal with things.  Anyway, the horses are still stabled up above, I paid for a days boarding for all our horses.  We will have to walk out of here and then gather our horses in Blyth.  Breakfast and then shall we head out?’

Nods of agreement pass around the room.

Breakfast is a very stately affair with an ensemble of wealthier halflings that you never saw before trying to hob knob with you.  Larchon and Demorak are the only ones present that you know.  You politely eat and state that you must go.  You turn to leave. Larchon grabs Keridwynne before she departs and hands a pouch to her.  She tries to give it back but he shakes his head and waves to the rest of you.  He departs back into the crowd.  You hear a few people calling him saying ‘Mayor Larchon, may I have a word with you?’

‘What was that about?’ Talorc ask Keridwynne.

‘Larchon said that he knew that we weren't that wealthy so he gave me some traveling money for the party and enough to buy some food and a maybe a horse for you, Talorc.   He also wouldn't take no for an answer.’

Keridwynne passes out 100 gold to everyone and keeps 100 for herself.

You leave Coleth under Blyth passing out its main gates and into the caverns beyond.  It is a steep walk but not bad.  By noon you have arrived in Blyth.  They sky is gray with clouds and everything seems to be kind of hazy.  Tieron heads toward the stables.  You wander down some streets that seem familiar.  Some humans look at you a bit but then pass by without saying anything.  A little paranoid about things you scan them back.  No visible hydra symbols at least.  You round the corner and see the stables.  Tieron walks in the door and a few minutes later returns with the stable master.  A tall man with a large beak like nose.  A few wisps of hair dropping down into his face.

‘Dandar, here.’ Tieron gestures to the beaked man, ‘says that Rich came by and told him to give his horse to Talorc because he would not be needing it.  So I guess we have enough horses now.  The bill is paid and Dandars people are saddling up our horses.’

In the few minutes that you have before you horses are ready, you chit chat with Dandar.  He has very little to say but does say that winter started early in the highlands of Scotland so he figures that it will be here soon.  Your horses are brought.  You mount and ride out of town.  Talorc has been this way before so he takes the lead, grumbling about horse travel all the way.  The rest of you keep back out of earshot for the first leg of the journey.  The day passes on and you travel out of the lowlands into the a sparse forest.  A light drizzle has kept you a little damp all day.  Night approaches and you stop underneath a grove of trees to camp.  Early the next morning you break camp and travel.  Talorc thinks that if you keep up the pace you could be in Newcastle upon Tyne  an hour or two after dark.  You ride all day, this day is similar to the last, gray and drizzling.  Noon comes and you eat some iron rations while continuing to ride.  A warm bed seems to be on everyone's mind.  The forest around you thickens and soon you are traveling through a forest.  Its a pretty old forest with large trees mostly the leaf bearing kind now laid bare by winters early grasp.  Sunset finds you fairly close to Newcastle.  You are seeing a few farms out here.  Always a sure sign that civilization is not to far away. An hour later you are looking down from the crest of a valley at Newcastle upon Tyne.  The Tyne river passes just north of the city but it has a bridge that you can cross to enter.  It looks fairly normal except for a large number of fires on the south end of town.  Looks to you as if a lot of campfires are just out of town actually.  Talorc comments that It may be a small army camped there.

You travel down the ridge and across the bridge into town.  A small town but even still it is bigger than Blyth was.  Talorc was here not long ago and knows a bit about the town.  You travel down the streets noticing that here and there are parts of an army all right.  Some are having a good time about town others seem to definitely be on patrol.  Talorc leads you to the Black Swan an inn he frequents when he is in this town.  As you go to it, you notice that the Little Bear inn is only 2 buildings down on the same side of the street.  (Note that if you want to stay at the Little Bear inn, go right ahead.)  There is a private stable attached to the Black Swan for customers only.   You check in the horses and head into the Black Swan.  The owner is a portly human woman.  She about leaps over the counter when she see Talorc come through the door.

‘Master Talorc, I damned glad to see you again so soon.  How was your trip to wherever it was you were going?’

‘Greetings Loriander, fine.  I am going to need four rooms (Note or less if you prefer) for a few days.  What's with all the soldiering?’ Talorc replies.

‘Ah damn soldiers.  Chasing off fine business.  They are part of Ethfrida’s army under the command of a Sir Cahla Redlan.’

(short history lesson.  King Arthur runs England, King Barant de Apres controls a large chunk of England known as Cumbria basically the northeastern quarter of England.  Barant then doled out land to various people to control.  Queen Ethfrida of Wandesborow , she also controls Newcastle upon Tyne, and Duke Geoffrey of Catterick are a few of King Barant’s lackeys.  Sir Cahla Redlan  is one of  Queen Ethfrida knights.  Everybody got that?)

‘I didn't see them the last time I was here.  What are they doing?’  Talorc asks.

‘Don't know but the rumor is that Queen Ethfrida is coming here herself in a few days to see how Newcastle is doing.  So I think that Redlan's army are here to make sure that all the ‘bad’ folk are cleared from the streets.’  Loriander replies.

Talorc and Loriander talk a bit more about things but nothing else very useful.  She give the keys to Talorc and he shows you up to your rooms.

The next few days pass on very quickly with nothing more that a few bar fights to speak of.  (Note if you wish to do something before Gorath shows.  Send me a note.) You have been watching the Little Bear inn for the past few days.  Nightshade reports on the morning of the 12th arrives, Loriander was right, Queen Ethfrida does come into town.  The Little Bear inn is her choice of locations to stay.  Keridwynne later reports that Gorath also checked in and he was accompanied by a large companion.  He was over 7 ft in height and was carrying a battle ax across his back that was larger than Keridwynne was tall.  He had long flowing black hair that ran down to mid back.  He wore chain mail as his armor.  Human and very handsome she adds.

Other things that you can find out about from others people.  Queen Ethfrida is well liked by her people and is a fair ruler.  Redlan is not and nobody really likes him.  Redlan's army is about 300 men and about 50 that do cooking and cleaning.

You have watched the Little Bear Inn for most of the day looking to find a time that the big Moor went out alone.  You have made yourself look like a gypsy, with loose garments that flutter in the breeze and lots of rings and jewelry adorning yourself.

The Moor walks down the street away from the Little Bear inn.  He heads into a tavern about 4 buildings down the street.  You follow at a discreet distance.  You enter the bar and allow you eyes to adjust to the change in light.  He has seated himself at the bar.  His weapon he is handing over the bar to the bartender.   You look around the room briefly and are startled to see Talorc seated in the corner with about 10 men who look to be Redlan's honor guard.  He seems to be having a grand time, drinking and telling stories.  He looks at you and you can see him lift an eyebrow in either astonishment or approval of you outfit.  Difficult to tell.

The rest of the bar is filled with people but no one you recognize.  The bar itself is not very lavish.  Candles burning on round tables with four or so chairs pulled up around.  Only Talorc's group has pushed a few tables together.  A fireplace is right near the table of  of  Talorc as well.  The bar is situated at the back wall so the bartender can see everyone that rumbles through the door.  A few barmaids in somewhat skimpy costumes travel the tables searching for orders.  All are human but one, she being probably half elven.  A little tall for an elf but none the less looking more elven that human.

You wander up to the bar.  A human bartender, early 20s by his looks, average height fairly good looking,  come over and asks what you want.  You reply mead.  He passes you up one.  The moor looks you over, but does not say anything.  This is the first time that you have had a really close-up view of him.  He is over 7 ft tall, broad shouldered, long black hair falling more than midway down his back.  His chain mail is of a dark color, more so that usual.  He is wearing gauntlets that come over the backs of his knuckles but allowing the fingers to be free.  His face is darkly tanned, he is just getting those little crows feet around those dark brown eyes.  Most of his hair is pulled back, but a few stray wisps are spilling down his forehead.  His drink seems to be the same as yours.  You slide down a seat next to him.

‘Vine and yours is?’

‘Akilah’

‘Where you from Akilah?’  Keridwynne says.

‘Far from here.  Persia actually.’  His voice is so low that when he talks you can feel your ribs vibrate in your chest.

‘What, if you don't mind, are you doing here so far from home?’

‘Many things, I was a mercenary for awhile and ended up here in England.  I wander the country looking for things to do.  I farmed for awhile but didn't have the touch or the heart after my wife died.  I am right now just taking odd jobs to make a living.’

A lot of noise attracts your attention to the door.  Redlan and a few soldiers come sauntering into the bar.  They seem to be drunk already.  The start to move towards you.  Redlan himself walks up to you.

‘So what are you fine girls doing this evening?’

Akilah turns more fully around, so that Redlan gets a good look at his face.

‘Oh sorry, A girl and her pet that looks like a girl.  Don't you think that you should have its hair cut.  Its getting a little shaggy.’

The bartender leans over.  ‘Redlan your swords give them here.  I don't let people remain armed when in my bar.  Someone could get hurt.’

Redlan doesn't acknowledge him.  ‘So you little gypsy wench.  How's about a free palm reading or maybe you could read something else of mine.’  Redlan's entourage laughs.

‘Back off little man.’  Akilah says rising to his full height.  Redlan looks up and then backs up a bit.

‘You are one big son a bitch aren't you. Don't do anything you will regret later.’  Redlan pulls his sword and starts waving it around.

You look over at Talorc.  He is still sitting and watching but you can see he has a look of concern on his face.  His friends which are part of Redlan's army are not doing anything they seem to be interested but not willing to help Redlan.

‘You don't know me Redlan,’ Akilah starts, ‘but every day I see your face in my dreams and every day my rage builds.  But today is not the day for you to die.  Soon but not today.’  Akilah starts to push by him and his entourage.

‘Nice speech but what the hell you are talking about I don't know but it sure did sound like a threat to me and threats to a company commander in charge of town security can wind your butt up dead.’  Redlan takes a swipe at Akilah’s back.  His blow is slight and doesn't even penetrate the armor.  Akilah turns around reaches out and pulls the sword from Redlan's grasp.  He grabs it by the hilt and the puts his other hand on the tip of the blade.  You see the gauntlets on Akilah’s hands glow briefly.  With strength like nothing you have seen he bends the sword so that the hilt and the tip are now touching each other.  He then takes the now donut like sword and drops it over Redlan’s head.   The sword clangs rather loudly as it hits the shoulder plates of the plate mail.  Redlan's face turns several shades of red and then he pulls a dagger from its hip sheath.  He starts to move around Akilah looking for an opening to jab at him.  Akilah never moves.  Redlan's honor guard never moves either nor do any of the people that came in with him.  The all seem to be watching what is going to happen next.  Redlan feints one way and attacks the other.  Akilah grabs his arm and pulls him in spinning him around.  He wraps his large hand around Redlan's dagger hand. Akilah’s face is mask of rage.

‘Is this how her hand got broken Redlan, is it?’ he yells.  ‘Is this how it all started?  Is this how you killed her?’

Akilah looks up to the ceiling suddenly as if he heard something.  He looks back down again at Redlan in his grasp.  He lifts Redlan off the ground.  Akilah’s face turns impassive once again.

‘Revenge they say hurts me more than you.’ Akilah begins.  With Redlan's feet several inches off the ground, Akilah squeezes the hand that contains Redlan's hand.  You can hear the bones break as his hand is crushed in Akilah’s grasp.  ‘Nope didn't hurt at all.’  He smiles and lets Redlan drop to the floor.  Akilah grabs his ax from the bartender and walks by you.  He bows to you and walks out the door unheeded by anyone.

You make a hasty retreat following Akilah out the door.  Akilah returns to the little bear inn.
 

To answer a few questions yes you can find a bit of truth serum, a sleeping potion and a bunch of Henna for red hair dye.

Nightshade finds Gorath quite easily having a good time in the bar of the Little Bear Inn.  He is not very drunk but more than willing to go have a good time with you.  He heads up the stairs with you in tow to his private room.  He fumbles for the keys and then drops them.

‘Seems I'm a little more drunk than I thought.’  He whispers to you.

He retrieves his keys and turns the key in the lock.  He opens the door and gestures for you to come into his parlor.  His room is very expensive looking.  It has a four poster bed in it with a large canopy above it.  The bed could sleep four very comfortably.  He has a well stocked liquor cabinet along one wall.  His own private bath complete with running water.  He starts slipping out of his clothing saying that he is going to get more comfortable and that maybe you should do the same.  He wanders off to the bathroom to finish undressing.  You decide that you should pour him a little cocktail with a little sleeping potion added to send him to la la land.  As you are pouring the drink and the potion into a glass, Gorath emerges from the bathroom.  In his hands are 2 crossbows and both fire arrows simultaneously.  The twins of death race across the room and impact hard into your chest.  They drive you back into the cabinet and you sprawl across it scattering glass and liquor everywhere.  You slump unconscous to the floor.

You awaken, tied rather soundly to a chair.  It is still night but your not sure if it is the same night or another.  The cabinet has been cleaned and your wounds have been bandaged as well as the arrows removed.  You are thankful that you were out for that part.  Gorath arises from the bed where he has been dosing.  The large Moorish warrior with a huge ax is here as well.  Gorath moves over to you.

‘Good to see you awake Nightshade.   How on earth did you ever escape from Coleth?  Well no matter, I see that you have already brought all the answers I need.’

He holds up a needle with your truth serum in it and sprits a little out the top.

‘Akilah’, Gorath says motioning to the warrior with the needle, ‘will watch over you until this takes effect.  I am afraid that dawn is approaching and I am needed for another engagement with Ethfrida, she is expecting an accident anytime NOW.’ With accent on the now, he sticks you with the needle emptying its contents into your arm.

‘Have a good time, Nightshade, I will be back to see how you are doing in an hour or so.’

Gorath picks up a large backpack and a very fancy sword obviously not meant for halfling hands.  It looks like the sword of a Knight, stylish and embellished with great details.  He walks by and you are able to read the inscription on the sword.  ‘The house of Redlan’ it says.  As he starts to walk out the door, his form starts to change.  He continues his stride over to the door and in a few steps his form has altered to look just like Redlan, the commander of the army that is supposed to be protecting Ethfrida.  Gorath/Redlan walks through the door.  He stops at the door and looks back in with one hand on the door frame.  He takes his free hand ,reaches up ,twirls his mustache and winks at you.  He starts to laugh that throaty deep laugh that you heard right after the fake Jerons death.  He closes the door.

Laura, it was a very good idea, if it had worked.  Let me try to anticipate a few questions you may have.  The ropes are tied well, but could be worked loose in an hour or two.  You have very little around you that could be used to help cut yourself out.  Your stuff that you carry is in the corner of the room a good 10 feet away.   Akilah does tend to your wounds every once in awhile, just to make sure that you are all right and to make sure that the truth serum is not causing a bad reaction.  Your reflexes are slowing  due to the effects of the serum in your veins.  And remember,  your party may come looking for you sooner or later, hopefully sooner.
 

2.  I think Keridwynne already answered you on this one.

1.  OK to the more interesting part.

You are practicing climbing walls and so forth back and forth between the Little Bear Inn and other buildings.  You are getting pretty good and can be on the roof of the Inn in about 1 minute flat. .

It is the night of the Twelfth.  You saw Nightshade leave that evening dressed as a prostitute saying also that she was off to play with Gorath.  About 8 PM you are on the roof when you see the big human moor that was accompanying Gorath go into the inn.  Curiosity gets the better of you, you have the idea to scramble down the building to see just what room he is in.  As you are climbing down the drainpipe in the back alley, you happen to look into a window on the second floor and notice Nightshade with her back to you sitting on a chair.  You stop to take a better look.  On further notice you see that not only is she sitting on the chair but she is tied to it.  Gorath is lying on the bed and dozing.  Just about then Gorath gets up and lets the Moor into the room.   Gorath goes back to bed and the Moor sits down in a chair.  Nightshade is unconscious but still alive though she seems to be suffering from a couple of wounds but all you can really see is that there is a bandage wrapped around her stomach and back.  Nightshade stirs and sits up.  Gorath comes over and talks to here for a while.  He turns to the moor and gestures.  He picks a hypodermic needle and sprays a little of the fluid into the air.  He starts to speak and then jabs the needle into Nightshade.  The drainpipe shakes a little from the strain of your weight, almost causing you to lose your balance.  As you continue to watch,  Gorath starts to change shape and were once stood Gorath is now Redlan the commander of the army that is in town.   Damn shapechangers are everywhere.  Gorath/Redlan strides out of the room.  The Moor is still there and he takes over watching Nightshade.   She is being racked by a few tremors.

Call the ball Tieron, what is your next move?
 

Your time with the army is well spent.  On the 9th of November you meet with Redlan's second in command, Luz Metrall, he is a short but jovial individual.  Long gray hair flowing down from out of his helmet.  He seems to like you almost at the start.   So it is with no effort that your Charm person takes ahold.  (read I rolled a 1 here. )  You spend much time with the army and your new found friend Luz.    Luz introduces you to his sub commanders Carlin and Flint.  They head up the left and right flank of the army respectively.  Carlin is a tall man with a brooding scowl permanently set onto his face.  Flint seems to be much like Luz,  jovial but he is quite a bit taller.  Carlin is the man you try next and you are quite sure that it to took ahold as he seems to warm to you instantly.

Flint, you try to get ahold of on the afternoon of the eleventh.  But as the spell leaves your lips you can feel the effect fizzle as if it hit a brick wall.  Flint gives no indication that he noticed anything and you continue your conversation as normal.  You file this information in the back of your mind for future consideration.  The day progresses normally.

The day of the Twelfth comes and in the early afternoon, you find yourself with Luz, Carlin, Flint and a few others around a table at a bar.  You are breaking for lunch and stopped by here for a pint or two before returning to play war games with the army.  You have only seen Redlan once or twice in this time but he never seemed to notice you or seemed to care but he did always avoid you.

You wrangle the conversation around to the subject of Redlan.  It seems to be a subject of great interest to all.   Luz is puzzled by something about Redlan but can not put a finger on it.

‘Ol Redlan took a leave of absence back in May of this year citing some personal business,’ Luz starts in the English brogue of his.

‘I take control of the army for the interim.  We were sent back to Wandesborow to guard the Queen in her castle.  We did a lot of maneuvers and a lot of training but we saw very little action.  Well 1 week ago or so we get the orders from the Queen that we are to head down here and stake out the place so that when the Queen gets here there wont be any trouble.  We head off.  We get here and here is Redlan saying that he is taking over the army again.  That's ok with me, he does have the experience  and knowledge to be a better commander than I, but he acting weird.  His orders don't make a lot of sense and he doesn't seem to know what he is doing anymore.  I think that whatever happened to him these past six months have changed him.  The men are not sure if they can trust him in battle to lead them right and if the army doubts its commander than we are already beaten.  So here we sit practicing drills and he and a hand picked few guard the queen.   The lot that he picked is not the best in the world either mind you.   Which is another reason that we are having trouble with this.   One of the chosen there is a guy who went Awol and was caught and returned to the army.  We  tried him and reduced his rank back and gave him the most fitting punishment we saw fit.  Make him finish out his term in the army and if he runs this time we kill him when we catch him.  Now he guards the queen.  That's a good choice all right.  So anyway you can see the problem but what can you do?’

Luz sets his drink on the table and looks up at the door.

‘Good lord do you see the size of the Moor,’ Luz says under his breath motioning to the door with his head.

You look up to see the person Keridwynne described to you.  Over 7 ft tall and black hair with a really large ax.   What startles you more is the appearance of Keridwynne dressed in frills and lots of jewelry looking like a gypsy.  She moves over to the bar where the Moor sits.   After a time you notice that she moves down to sit next to him and they begin a conversation.  A short time later the door bursts open and in walks Redlan and company.  They seem to be drunk already.  They start to move towards Keridwynne.  Redlan himself walks up to Keridwynne and the moor who's name you find out from Carlin is Akilah.  You overhear this conversation.

‘So what are you fine girls doing this evening?’

Akilah turns more fully around, so that Redlan gets a good look at his face.

‘Oh sorry, A girl and her pet that looks like a girl.  Don't you think that you should have its hair cut.  Its getting a little shaggy.’

The bartender leans over.  ‘Redlan your swords give them here.  I don't let people remain armed when in my bar.  Someone could get hurt.’

Redlan doesn't acknowledge him.  ‘So you little gypsy wench.  How's about a free palm reading or maybe you could read something else of mine.’  Redlan's entourage laughs.

‘Back off little man.’  Akilah says rising to his full height.  Redlan looks up and then backs up a bit.

‘You are one big son a bitch aren't you. Don't do anything you will regret later.’  Redlan pulls his sword and starts waving it around.

Luz starts to get up but for some reason, you put a hand out and stop him muttering that he can take care of himself.  You start to listen in on the conversation again.

‘You don't know me Redlan,’ Akilah starts, ‘but every day I see your face in my dreams and every day my rage builds.  But today is not the day for you to die.  Soon but not today.’  Akilah starts to push by him and his entourage.

‘Nice speech but what the hell you are talking about I don't know but it sure did sound like a threat to me and threats to a company commander in charge of town security can wind your butt up dead.’  Redlan takes a swipe at Akilah’s back.  His blow is slight and doesn't even penetrate the armor.  Akilah turns around reaches out and pulls the sword from Redlan's grasp.  He grabs it by the hilt and then puts his other hand on the tip of the blade.  You see the gauntlets on Akilah’s hands glow briefly.  With strength like nothing you have seen he bends the sword so that the hilt and the tip are now touching each other.  He then takes the now donut like sword and drops it over Redlan’s head.   The sword clangs rather loudly as it hits the shoulder plates of the plate mail.  Redlan's face turns several shades of red and then he pulls a dagger from its hip sheath.  He starts to move around Akilah looking for an opening to jab at him.  Akilah never moves.  Redlan's honor guard never moves either nor do any of the people that came in with him.  The all seem to be watching what is going to happen next.  Redlan feints one way and attacks the other.  Akilah grabs his arm and pulls him in spinning him around.  He wraps his large hand around Redlan's dagger hand. Akilah’s face is mask of rage.

‘Is this how her hand got broken Redlan, is it?’ he yells.  ‘Is this how it all started?  Is this how you killed her?’

Akilah looks up to the ceiling suddenly as if he heard something.  He looks back down again at Redlan in his grasp.  He lifts Redlan off the ground.  Akilah’s face turns impassive once again.

‘Revenge they say hurts me more than you.’ Akilah begins.  With Redlan's feet several inches off the ground, Akilah squeezes the hand that contains Redlan's hand.  You can hear the bones break as his right hand is crushed in Akilah’s grasp.  ‘Nope didn't hurt at all.’  He smiles and lets Redlan drop to the floor.  Akilah grabs his ax from the bartender and walks by you.  He bows to Keridwynne and walks out the door unheeded by anyone.

Keridwynne rushes out the door on the heels of the big man.

Redlan rises to his feet and moans in pain.

‘Find me a damn cleric,’ he bellows and falls over flat on his face.  Either passed out from the pain or from the alcohol that he has already consumed.

Luz get up.  ‘Damn fine way for a company commander to act. Dipshit.’

Luz, Carlin and Flint go over and lift him from the floor and carry him off to the cleric that accompanies the army.

Tieron breaks off down an alley and is gone.  Talorc lifts one eyebrow and notes that he is getting good at that disappearing stuff.  Talorc continues in very fast strides to the Little Bear, searching for any of Luz’s guards.  Talorc comes to the door and shoves it open.  He about collides with Carlin who is on the way out.

‘Talorc, what are you doing here?’

‘Carlin, come with me.  My friend is in trouble, we could stand an extra hand.’

‘I’m with you Talorc.  Redlan just relieved me of my shift of guarding the queen, so I can help.  Lead the way.’

Talorc and Carlin bound up the steps to the 2nd floor searching for room number 21.  They find the door fairly rapidly.  Talorc prepares himself for the incantation the he is about to recite.  Talorc nods at Carlin who rushes the door.

Tieron leaps from building to building with caution to the wind.  His leaps are more dangerous than usual but he is in a hurry.  The last leap carries him over the expanse below him and onto the top of the roof of the Little Bear.  He finds the drainpipe that he slid down before and grabs hold.  He slides down braking only at the last opportunity to stop by Nightshades window.  Quickly looking into the room, he notes that Talorc is not there yet.  He also notes that Nightshade is no longer tied to the chair but is being cradled in the arms of Akilah.  He is walking toward the door.  It is unclear from this viewpoint if Nightshade is alive or dead.

Minutes ago, Nightshade started to wriggle free of her bonds.  One hand came free from the ropes and she started working on the other one.  She watched Akilah with scrutiny to make sure he didn’t notice her actions.  Akilah rises from the bed and wanders to the door.  He stands in front of it for a moment with his back turned.   It is all the chance that she needs to release her other hand.  She starts to fumble with the ropes that bind her legs and realizes that the truth serum that is coursing through her veins is bothering her.  An eternity passes and still they wont undo, her hands shaking from the potion.  Akilah turns around.  Nightshade jams her hands back into the ropes, trying to make it look as if she is still tied.  Akilah approaches and pulls the dagger from his belt.  Nightshade has no other choice but to lunge for the dagger.  Her feet are still tied and she collapses heavily to the floor,  missing the dagger by inches.   Now sprawled at Akilah’s feet she waits for the blow that will end her life.  She closes her eyes and feels a slight tug at the back of her legs.

‘That wasn’t all that bad,’ she thinks,  ‘I thought that death would be a lot more pain filled.’

‘Get up Nightshade,  its time to go,”

‘Funny,’ she thinks, ‘Corellion, the god of the elves, sounds just like Akilah. Naw can’t be’

She opens her eyes to discover that she is not dead but that the ropes to her legs have been cut.  She struggles to get up, but finds that the blood has been cut off to them for to long.  She collapses to the floor again.  Akilah sheaths his dagger and gently reaches down and scoops Nightshade up in his arms like he was cradling a baby.

‘Time to go home, little one,’ Akilah says and starts walking toward the door.

Many things happen at once,  the door to the room bursts open and into the room flies Carlin, who immediately hits the deck.  A burst of color sprays forth from the fingertips of Talorc and fans out across the room.  Tieron bursts through the window in the room landing on his feet and running toward Akilah.  Akilah in the midst of all this just stands there looking somewhat confused by the whole affair.

‘Just a guess but I would say, Nightshade, that your rescue party has arrived.  By all means, Talorc of the Heath, I surrender to you.’

Akilah gently places Nightshade into Talorcs arms.  Talorc looks down at Nightshade and finds that she is alive but suffering from the effects of a color spray.

‘Ms, your name wouldn’t happen to be Keridwynne, would it?’  The voice is hard as if he had gravel in his mouth.

You turn to see the lizardman approaching you.

Seeing no harm in answering, though your staff is handy, you answer ‘Yes it is.’

‘Good, I have been searching for you for a few days now, I am glad I finally found you.  My name is Arcton.  Could I have a word with you?’  He reaches down into his collar and pulls forth a symbol of the Lady of the Lake.  ‘I mean you no harm.’

‘No I see that you don’t, lead on.’   You continue walking the streets of Newcastle upon Tyne with your new companion.  ‘Do we need to discuss this in private, Arcton.’

‘No need, for those who might hear us already know what I have to say, but it is information that you will need to help you on your quest.  Our goddess quested me to find you and help you with your needs.   My people and I live in the marshes that you call the Yorkshire Moors.  Sometime ago there was a keep there but it had fallen into disuse by until recently.  Humans mostly with symbols of the Hydra came and now it is a place of evil in the marsh.  We hear the most awful screams coming from this place.  My people are frightened of it and mostly stay away from it, but one of my kind, you would know him as Gorath went to the castle.  He never returned.  We assumed him dead.   His wife needed to understand what had happened to him and soon followed.  She never returned either.  The chief of our tribe, forbid anyone to go there ever again.  Words we have followed.  I, many nights ago, starting having dreams of Gorath as a halfling and his wife had assumed the form of a half elf.  I was disturbed by this greatly but as time went on they became more detailed dreams.  Sending from our goddess I assume.  I saw the death of Goraths wife by the Hydra symbol.  I saw her die in the form of a half elf named Jeron.  I saw Gorath escape.  I saw him get the big Moor named Akilah and convince him that Redlan had killed his wife when it was Gorath actually disguised as Redlan.  I watched with horror as he used his skills of shapechanging to kill people.  I see the corruption of the hydra has overtaken him and he must be stopped.   The form you see now is the natural shape of my people but with practice we can assume any shape we wish.  We were never meant to use these powers to hurt others but Gorath now is.  I have brought with me a powder made of roots and powders from the marshes back home.  If tossed him, it will cause him to revert to his true form.  If the whole bag is used against him, he will lose the ability to change forever.’

Arcton passes you a leather bag tied with leather thongs.

‘Stop him if you can, I know only this much more that he not after you but it is the Queen he intends to replace.   You are coming to the marshes after that, the goddess tells me,  find me I will attempt to help more.  But for now farewell sister.’

Akilah rises in one fluid motion and in two strides is at the door.  He is out the door before the rest of you react.  You hear him state as you hear his footsteps traveling down the stairs.  “Are you coming?”  The rest of you follow quickly out and follow Akilah’s path.  It is a short journey back to the Little Bear Inn and up the stairs to the monarch's door.  The door is closed and not unexpectedly the guard is missing from his post.  Akilah pushes on the door.  Locked obviously.  Tieron reaches into his pocket for his “Keys”.  With not more than a seconds delay, he has sprung the lock into the queens chamber.   You all file into the room.

The scene as you see it:

The room is 30 by 40 feet in size.  It has a large bay window, easily large enough for a person to step out of on the left wall.  The Right wall has 2 smaller regular sized windows.  Interspersed between the windows are portraits and paintings.  The sovereign's bed is at the far end of the room.  Four poster bed with a canopy.  A table for a lamp is set next to it.  The lamp has been knocked over and oil is still spreading out in a circle pattern on the floor.  Queen Ethfrida is resting on the bed and looks out at you.  Though is it not very warm in here, she seems to be perspiring quite heavily.

“Carlin, ah good to see you. Could you fetch a bucket and some water and tend to the lamp that I knocked over.  Thank you.  By the way, who are all your friends?”  Ethfrida asks.

Talorc moves across the room to the other windows.   He looks out the window closest to him.  He scans the area for any heat trails that moved out there recently.  The sun just rising interferes slightly with it.  But comes to the conclusion that no one descended this way very recently.

Nightshade moves around the room cautiously as if searching but not finding anything.

Akilah and Carlin stand like statues in front of the door that you came through.  No one is going out that way without their say so.

Keridwynne moves to the queen and pulls a handkerchief from her pocket and pours a little of the white powder of forced shape change on it.  With a gentle flip as if snapping a towel, she lets a few wisps of powder descend toward the Queen.  Queen Ethfrida looks up at Keridwynne her long brown hair framing her face.  Something catches Keridwynnes eyes, you are sure that the necklace on Ethfridas white neck contracted just slightly.  The powder sprinkles liberally across Ethfridas face and neck.  The necklace begins to convulse and grow.  It expands in seconds.  Moving and contorting as if in pain, the necklace grows.  Its form continues to grow and what was once a necklace is now Gorath in his true form.  That of a lizardman, but this one is horribly scarred and bent at odd angle as if his back had been purposely broken and forced to mend back that way.  His hands are wrapped around the throat of Ethfrida.  He turns his head around to level his gaze at Keridwynne.  His face is deformed.  His muzzle is offset so that the mouth is always open.  His cheek under his right eye, is as if the bone itself had been torn away.  The eye has sunk lower in the face, making his eyes disproportionate.  His arms and legs twisted broken and refused at odd angles.

“BITCHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH,” Gorath screams in rage.  He releases his hand hold from around Ethfridas neck and lunges toward Keridwynne. His eyes are filled with rage and no sense of anything remotely civilized is left there. Only the sense of an animal that is about to kill.  His psychotic lunge and subsequent impact forced Keridwynne to step back into the lamp oil. She overbalances herself, but remains standing. Gorath continues to press his attack.

Gorath,
The goblins were routed in Coleth under Blyth and the halflings retain control.  From what I understand from one of the Goblins, Keridwynne, Talorc, Nightshade and Tieron escaped your trap and used the sword Bladifors against them.  They slew thousands of goblins so the goblin claimed.  Might have underestimated them.  Be on the lookout for them.  Rich, their other party member, left without them.  I will deal with him myself in due time.   When you have slain Queen Ethfrida, take her place have Redlan drawn and quartered for attempted assassination, return to her main castle in Wandesborow and await further instructions.   Try to lay low for a month or so and pretend to be the Queen.  Rid yourself of Akilah, he is too dangerous to us.  If he should change sides, you will not live long, he will have your head for killing his wife and children.

Jeron has not yet cracked under the pressure of torture but it is only a matter of time.  Arcton was seen leaving the Yorkshire Moor but I am unsure of his mission.  Be careful of him.  Other plans around the country are going well and too numerous to relate here.  I will tell you in person when I see you next.  Coleth has been our only true failure but it is one plan in a thousand.  England will be Ashlars within a few years.

Good Travels to you Gorath,

Montessoy                                        November 10, 522

For you info, it is the morning of November 13, 522.
 

 

Keridwynne,
The first time that you sleep after dealing with Gorath, this vision is granted to you.

Gray mist swirls around you.  You feel as if you are traveling by boat and that the others of your party are with you, but you never can quite see them in the mist.  The rocking gentle motion of the boards are really the only thing that even gives you the hint of your location.  It is somewhat warm but the mist wraps everything in a wet blanket and chills you but not horribly.  The motion of the boats stops with a jolt as if you hit dry land.  You exit first and still feel as if your party follows.  The mist starts to part.  An island in a swamp is where you stand.  Nothing but trees draped in moss, surrounds you.  You penetrate deeper into the woods until a natural clearing is revealed.  The mist rises suddenly and you can see across the clearing.  It is but a hundred yards across.

A man stands in the center of the clearing.  He is a tall man about 6 foot in height, but leaning heavily on his staff.  His robes are white but somewhat dingy from the swamp.  His face is round, with red hair and a close cropped red beard with a few shots of grey.  Standing next to him is a goblinoid, large and imposing.   His fangs projecting out from his closed lips.  From around you, on the wooded lands step forth many goblins.  They have you completely surrounded.  From behind you in the distance, you can hear Talorc shout “We’ve been had.  It's a trap!”  He rushes across the clearing and with a single blow kills the goblin next to the man.  Many goblins fall from the sight of Bladifors slaying the other goblins.  But many of the creatures that surround you are not goblins but goblinoid races they attack.

In the background of the fight, you can hear a calm voice speaking, that of your goddess, “Do not let this happen.  The goblin speaks for him.  Listen to what he has to say.   Remember.”

You awake with a start and in a cold sweat.

Tieron rushes Gorath.  He pauses briefly to gauge his attempt at a backstab.   He steps on the bed and stand straddled leg over the queen and places the dagger firmly into the back of Gorath.  Keridwynne notices Goraths eyes come forth from his eyesockets and then settle back in.  Gorath turns around quickly.  His hands searching for Tierons throat.

As Gorath is twisting about to face Tieron, Talorc moves in to strike.  His sword screaming for goblin blood.  His blow swings wide and up.  Bladifors shrieks, “that’s not a goblin.”

Nightshade slides onto the ground, attempting to hamstring Gorath.  Her timing is poor and her slide takes her under the bed.  Its a rather interesting view from under here and many savage dust bunnies rush forth to attack.

Gorath grabs Tieron by the throat .  Carlin rushes to the attack.  He swings his mighty blow and collides into the back of Gorath.  The momentum of the blow pushes Gorath and Tieron across the bed, landing near the bay window.  They struggle to their feet.  Gorath regrapples Tieron placing him into a bearhug.

A whistling sound comes from the door.  Those of you that turn to look at the source of the sound, see the head of Akilahs double bladed axe now loosed from its handle twirling across the room.  The holes in the blade causing a haunting whistling.  Looking back at Akilah, his gauntlets are glowing brightly.  The axe blade whirls and  impacts into the back of Gorath.  The impact so strong that Gorath and Tieron are thrown out the third story buildings bay window.  The party rushes over to the window.  Nightshade crawls out from under the bed covered in dust.

Looking down from the window, you see Tieron roll out from under Gorath as they approach the ground.  The impact occurs, Gorath lands first flat on his back.  Tierons feet land hard on Goraths chest.  You see him tuck and roll off of Gorath and stagger to his feet about a meter later.   He rushes to Gorath and places his hand to his chest.  Looking back up,  Tieron shouts, “If you want him alive, you had better hurry Keridwynne. “