Cricket smells the magic on the air. It fills his nostrils, stinging as he tries to steady his breath, calming his nerves and lowering his heart rate. In a crisis, it does one no good to allow emotion to rule over one's body. He runs down the stairs after telling Shin, the strange little bard, to watch after the halfling. Cricket has little doubt that what he will find below is something better kept from Coco's eyes.

Powerful magic. It is the only explanation for what he finds at the bottom of the steps. The inner workshop has been blow apart by some great force, collapsing part of the upper flow and smashing the bodies of two men—Cricket can only assume they are intruders of some kind. Gore is trapped. Part of the upper floor has fallen on top of him, pinning him beneath. Tinker's body lays in the ruined workshop, but he is beyond anyone's aid, so Cricket moves to Gore.

Bending his knees and gripping the beam of wood, Cricket strains with all of his strength, but all that he can manage is the slightest shift of the wood. It is enough for Gore to free one of his arms.

"We push together," Gore calls, readying his free hand to push the wood away. "We must hurry. They took Andry."

Cricket frowns. He has many questions, but now is not the time. The stories his people tell of this land prove true yet again, for what kind of barbarian would break into the cottage of an old man and kidnap a helpless woman. Only a barbaric, faithless people without code, honor, or even decency. He nods to Gore.

"As one. Ready, lift."

Working together, they manage to shift the weight just enough that Gore is able to free his other arm. Gore places both his hands against the bean. Tension builds in the cords of living metal beneath his armor and his eyes flair as he presses the beam away from his chest, shifting the rubble and freeing himself. He immediately makes for the door.

"Just a moment," Cricket calls, rushing after the Warforged.

"We must go now," Gore shoots back. "They took Andry. They killed Tinker. I will not let this stand. I will not lose her to these men."

"Was it Gerald's men?" comes the voice of Shin, appearing at the bottom of the steps.

Cricket watches in frustration as Coco begins to wail, running to Tinker's lifeless body, the tattoo on his face glowing as he tries his magic. For a moment, there is a collective intake of breath as Shin and Cricket both seem to wonder if just maybe…but it is too late. The old artificer is gone.

"I told you to wait," Cricket directs toward Shin, his voice flat despite his frustration. He moves to collect Coco and allows the young halfling to embrace him, even offering a few pats on the back in way of comfort. He turns to Gore. "If you will wait a moment. Just enough to plan the next move."

"They get farther away with every minute," Gore shouts.

"Was it Gerald's men?" Shin asks again.

Gore's glowing eyes pulse several times before he answers. "I cannot say for sure, but I would think that they were. I didn't see exactly, until after the explosion. But there were four that took Andry. She wasn't moving. They carried her off."

"Then we know where they are taking her. Tinker said Gerald's camp was in the southwest part of the Whisper Woods," Shin says. "That's why he forbid Coco for wandering south."

"That changes nothing. She might be hurt. I'm leaving. Now," Gore intones, his voice adamant.

Cricket sighs. It wasn't a good idea to attack a stronghold without a solid plan, but then again, his code of honor would certainly not allow him to stand by and let Gore attempt to fight these bandits alone. Andry had offered her home and food out of shear kindness. Such graciousness toward a stranger must be repaid.

"I will go with you."

Gore grunted in some approximation of thanks.

"Let's go then. I'm ready," Shin said with obvious excitement.

"You should stay with the little one," Gore barked.

"Not a chance." Shin looks over to Cricket. "I won't miss this chance to see a hero of the old empire in action. No sir. Besides, what if they come back. They took Andry, but in the past they always seemed pretty interested in Coco."

Gore shook his head, obviously not keen on arguing. He grabbed a large length of wood from the rubble and headed out the door. Cricket follows with Shin at his heels, patting Coco on the back in an effort at consoling the poor halfling, but doing an odd job of it with his muzzle stretched in an excited grin.

Even had they not known the general location of Gerald the Brown's camp, they would not have had a difficult time in finding the kidnappers. The bandits had made no attempt at covering their tracks, leaving a trail of broken limbs, foot prints in soft earth, and occasionally blood. Not all of the four who had survived the blast had made it out unscathed.

With the sun high above the canopy and near after ten hard, fast miles of marching, Cricket looks over the edge of a small encampment that has the appearance of a semi permanent settlement. At the far southern edge is a large circular tent, its edges covered by overgrowth from the grasses and ferns attempts to reclaim the clearing. Five smaller tents spread out in a circle around a cookfire and at the northern edge of the camp is a horse pen with four mares in various stages of health and age.

Creeping further to the edge of the wood line, Cricket makes out five individuals who seem to be having some sort of discussion with a sixth who stands at the edge of the large tent. At his feet is the lifeless figure of Andry. As Cricket turns to discuss what he sees with Gore, the Warforged and Coco both rush from the wood line. Cricket manages to grab Coco and pull him back to cover, shooting Shin a look which the kobold seems to instantly understand.

"Stay with me Coco," Shin says, taking Coco by the arm. "They'll save her."

With not much choice in the matter, Cricket takes a firm grip on his spear and rushes after Gore.

Having lost any hope of surprise, the horses starting at their approach only add to the alarm, Cricket catches up with Gore and does his best to slow his steadfast gait. The size difference being too great, Cricket does nothing more than walk with comical speed beside him. The bandits' attention turns from their argument to the approaching figures.

"What is this now?" calls the voice nearest the large tent. He chuckles as the other five bandits spread out in a wide half circle facing Cricket and Gore. Dressed entirely in brown from his boots to his wide rimmed hat, the short squat human steps over to the fire and begins warming his hands, appearing completely undisturbed by the furious Warforged's approach.

"Come to claim your mommy," he mocks. This, Cricket correctly guesses, must be Gerald the Brown.

"If she is harmed, you will all die slow," Gore seethes, his eyes flaring.

"She's fine, 'cept maybe from a bit of charring, but that's your master's fault now then, ain't it. Heard he took out two of my men and half his crappy old shack with a wave of his hand he did. Did his ticker give out, or did he do himself in as well?"

"You son of a—" Gore began.

Cricket stepped forward, interrupting him. "I am Cricket Stonespur, a monk of the Hundred Stones, emissary of the High Muckmuck Gargis the Wise and servant of my people. You have given a great and terrible grievance to good and honorable people who have sheltered me, fed me, and given me aid. I have no wish to add to the violence that has been committed, but you will give Mistress Andry back to us and you must make amends to these people."

A bellow of laughter erupts from Gerald. Cricket does his best to calm the anger rising at this barbarian's indignance. Suddenly, the laughter stops as Gerald's attention is drawn beyond Gore and Cricket. The goblin doesn't even have to turn to know what has happen.

"Andry, Andry," Coco's voice calls.

Gore turns and catches the halfling before he can rush into the waiting arms of Gerald and his men. Shin appears, panting, shaking his head in a wordless apology. To be fair, the halfling, small as he is to Gore and the bandits, is considerably larger than Shin.

"Oh my," Gerald calls. He turns to he men, gesturing to Coco, then to Andry. The men's expressions turn sheepish. "I'll tell you what, my little grasshopper. Straight trade. I'll give you back the little homemaker here, and she is valuable don't you be fooled, for the simpleton. Even swap."

Coco is crying now, struggling against Gore's embrace in an attempt to get to Andry. Cricket steadies his breath. He should have known better than to hope for honor among the uncultured hoards of this land. They know nothing of what it means to be civilized.

"You have insulted me with your vulgar proposal. But more, you have insulted honor of the Hundred Stones. You will receive no more reprieve." Cricket turns to Coco. "We will get your Andry back. But you must promise to stay back. You must promise."

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

"But, but,"

"No. You must or we can't save her."

Coco nods and stops struggling. To Cricket's relief he begins walking back toward the horses.

Setting his feet and sweeping his spear behind him, Cricket turns to face the bandits.

Unfortunately, the bandits appear to be used to working together. They converge on the larger, presumably more dangerous target, rushing Gore with short swords drawn—only a single bandit holding back, drawing the string back on a crossbow. Darting forward, Cricket attempts to close the distance before the bandit can ready his weapon and get off a shot.

Gore takes a massive swing with the length of tinder and two of the bandits fall, knocked off their feet by the heavy blow. The swing leaves Gore's side exposed, however, and one of the bandits manages to slash at his ribs. His armor holds, and he steps back to regain his reach advantage.

Cricket reaches the bowman just as the bandit levels his weapon. The goblin doesn't have time to strike the bandit before he pulls the trigger, instead sweeping his spear in an upward arch, hitting the crossbow just as the bolt flies. The missile goes high and wide of its mark, sailing harmlessly into the woods. A look of horror passes over the bowman's face. With his bolt fired and Cricket upon him, he is defeated before the fight begins. With a sweep of his spear, Cricket takes out the man's legs. Twisting at the waste, Cricket lets the arch of his spear come over his head. He then brings it down upon the prostate bandit, cracking open his skull. Cricket turns back toward Gore.

The Warforged is handling himself well, outnumbered as he is. The bandits he struck with his first blow have regained their feet and now all four face him with more caution in their attacks. He takes a second slash against his armored side and deflects another with his modified club. The club is heavy though, and the bandits are pressing their advantage.

With swift moments honed at the Sanctum of the Sun, where from the age of one he studied to join the Hundred Stones, Cricket bounds forward, throwing his spear ahead of him. It strikes a bandit in the center of his back, the man squealing in pain just as Cricket leaps upon him. Pulling his spear free, Cricket swings the blade into the face of another of his enemies, the blood spraying as the bandit falls to his knees.

The addition of the this new, whirling, leaping enemy distracts the remaining two bandits for a beat, but it is enough. The massive club slams down upon one of their heads, driving the man to the ground. The last turns to flee but Gore seizes him by his jerkin, lifting him off his feet, before slamming him again and again into the earth, crying out in a fit of rage.

"It is done, Master Gore. He has passed from the mortal plane," Cricket says, laying a hand on small of the Warforged's back.

Gore holds the lifeless body to his own face for a moment, the head flopping back, before letting it go to thump to the earth. Both turn to face the lone figure of Gerald standing with a mild look of shock by his tent, his hands at his side, palms facing out.

"I'm impressed. Really."

"Your opinion is of no value to me, barbarian," Cricket responds, moving forward in step with Gore.

"I can understand that. But listen. You don't know what you've stumbled into. Or how much money is on the table. There is an opportunity here. No reason I can't share, given the circumstances."

Cricket shook his head. "If you surrender, I will not kill an unarmed man. But you will have to pay for what you have done."

"You may have some skill, but I am not my men. This will not be such an easy—"

A sharp twang pierces the air and if by some magic trick, the end of a feathered bolt appears in Gerald's neck. The bandit leader clutches at his throat, his eyes wide and panicked. Both Gore and Cricket turn in unison to see Shin, lowering a small crossbow.

Shin shrugs. "I don't think he was going to surrender."

As Gerald falls, Coco rushes forward to Andry's side. Cricket follows. He watches as the halfling closes his eyes and the mark on his cheek begins to glow. There is a moment, a breath, and then Andry opens her eyes and looks up at the Coco, tears running down both of their faces.

Shin disappears into the large circular tent, while Gore moves to stand protectively over Andry and Coco. Observing the aftermath of what is only his second day on this cursed continent, Cricket can't help but feel what little hope he had of diplomacy faltering. It was true that he had met decent souls in Tinker, Andry, Gore, Coco, and Shin, but what a barbaric, twisted world they survived in—for what else could such an uncivilized world be, but survived.

Cricket was still meditating on these thoughts when Shin emerged from the tent.

"Look, look at this," the little Kobold called. In his hands was a scroll. He handed it to Cricket. "I also found a bit of gold, but it's yours of course. You earned it. You truly are one of the great champions of the Dhakaani Empire. You have my word, Cricket Stonespur, your deeds will be known through out the kingdoms of Khorvaire. Beyond even."

Cricket did his best to ignore the kobold. He read the scroll.

1,000 gold for a live outcast of House Jorasco. Must bear the mark.

Terheald

"What is this mark?" Cricket asks Shin, pointing to the seal embossed on the paper.

"That's the mark of House Vadalis. It's strange right?"

"I wouldn't know. You pay for slaves in this cursed land?"

Shin tilts his head. "There are no slaves in the five nations. Certainly not in a marked house. Not like that."

"What does this mean then?"

"I don't know. Truly," Shin responds.

Cricket sighs. "Well, if we head back now we can reach the cottage by nightfall. There are more tents and horses than would be needed for five men. Might be more that come back. We should get Coco and Mistress Andry somewhere safe."

Gore grunts and goes to gather the two halflings. They gather some of the supplies, including one of the horses to carry Andry who, although she insists she's fine, is still quite shaken up.

…

The trip back to the cottage is without incident and they arrive just before dark. The air has grown chilly, but there is enough of the cottage remaining to provide shelter for the night. All in the party agree that it is folly to attempt to travel at night through the wood.

Hoping to find some clues as to what this Terheald might want with Coco, or at least members of House Jorasco if they note did not mean Coco specifically, Shin searches Tinker's laboratory in the cellar while Cricket and Gore search the house to make sure everything is as secure as it can be for the evening.

The laboratory contains an assortment of strange trinkets, artificer pets, boxes, and curiosities in various stages of development. Tinker clearly lived up to his name and seemed to enjoy puzzles. There are two large chests, one open and empty, one ornate with four key holes. Three of the key holes has an embossed animal beside it, the forth, a debossed outline in the shape of a bat. Beside the ornate chest, lies the mangled body of a bandit alongside a broken mechanical bat covered in the bandit's blood.

"Master Cricket," Shin yells. "Come quick."

Shin hears the heavy footsteps of Gore as he and Cricket rush down the stairs. When they both appear in the doorway to the laboratory, Shin points to the chest and then the body.

"What do you think he was looking for?"

"Coin no doubt," Gore scoffs.

"In the middle of a kidnapping." Shin scratches his head. "Seems odd to me, if they were getting 1,000 gold, to risk searching the cellar for treasure. Tinker may have been an old man, but they had to know he was dangerous."

Cricket kneels beside the dead bandit, looking over the ground. Clutched in the bandit's hand is a key, ornately forged in a style quite similar to the decorations on the chest. He hands it to Shin before running his hand over the debossed bat on the chest.

"Tinker loved puzzles," Gore says, with a note of what might be sadness in his deep, rumbling voice.

Shin looks over the key. It is beautiful. Gold and silver intertwined at the bow and stem, ending in a bit with four teeth.

"Four key holes," Shin thinks aloud as his eyes wonder around the room. His gaze alights on Tinker's desk. Three more keys are sitting in a dish.

The decoration is the same on each of the keys, but each of their bits ends in a different number of teeth. Three, six, five, and the one in his hand, four. He picks up the keys and moves to the chest. Next to one key hole is the figure of a dragon, another a wolf, a third a tiger, and the last, the debossed shape of a bat. He looks to the ground where the mechanical bat lies broken and bloody. He runs his thumb along the teeth of each of the keys as a smile crosses his muzzle.

"Wait," Cricket calls, as Shin moves to insert one of the keys. "This chest is clearly trapped. And it is not ours to tamper with."

"I've figured it out," Shin says proudly. "But if you don't think I should."

"We need to know as much as we can," Gore interrupts. "I need to keep Coco save. It is what Tinker would have wanted."

Cricket nods and Shin continues. He places the key with six teeth in the lock next to the dragon. Taking a deep breath, he turns the key. The lock clicks and a series of whirls and pops emits from beneath the lid of the chest. After a moment, the sounds cease. Shin, Cricket, and Gore brace themselves, but nothing else happens. Shin continues. He places the key with three teeth in the hole next to the missing bat. Four teeth next to the wolf. Finally five next to the tiger. With each turn there is a click followed by whirling and popping. With the turn of the last key the chest swings open.

Inside the chest is a pristine set of artificer tools, degrees from Arcanix as well as a mark of tenure. There is a leather-bound notebook containing what looks to be messy handwritten notes and equations in a language no one in the party is able to recognize or understand. On the last page are sketches of Coco’s tattoo as well as the mark of House Vadalis.

Shin reaches in a pulls out a small box. It is six by two inches with a slot on the top. It has no hinges, key holes, or latches that are visible with the exception of a small hook upon which a coin purse is tethered. Inside the purse are 45 strange, small gold coins. On the bottom of the box, the following riddle is engraved.

45 five coins, 3X3

To open the latch and then you’ll see.

Fifteen per column, fifteen per row;

Diagonally, the same is so.

A plea of warning to carefully count;

No two places may hold the same amount.

What coins in the center be fed through the door;

Exact change open or trouble galore.

( Taken from Wizards Of The Coast, Inc. (2020). Tasha’s cauldron of everything. Wizards Of The Coast Llc.)

"Enough with puzzles and snooping. We need rest. There is no telling what retributions the bandits might enact, if any remain," Cricket announces.

Neither Shin nor Gore offer argument. Shin places the items in his satchel and follows the others back up the stars.

When they emerge, they see Andry sat by the fire; Coco sits on the floor in front of her. She is running her fingers through his hair in a maternal gesture, trying her best to keep him calm. She takes note of Cricket, Gore, and Tinker.

"I'm headed back to my family in Gatherhold. I've had enough of Aundair, Breland, Karrnath. I'm going home. And that is what Coco needs as well," Andry says softly.

"You mean to take him with you to Gatherhold?" Gore asks.

Andry shakes her head. "No. He needs to go to his home. To be with his people. His house. That is the only place he will be safe. Vedykar is on the way to Gatherhold, but I don't think I can make it with him on my own. We don't have enough coin for rail, certainly not for an airship. The roads are dangerous, at least until we get into Karrnath and even then I'm not sure. Will you help me?"

Gore shakes his head. "You need not ask me. I will protect you both with my life."

"I know," Andry says, giving the Warforged a warm smile. "But I'm not sure you will be enough. Not if someone is willing to pay so much to find him."

Cricket lets out a deep, steadying breath. "I will accompany you. This Karrnath was my original destination anyway, but more, you have shown me kindness and given freely of your home in my need."

"Thank you."

Cricket nods.

"Me too. Of course," Shin says. He tries to keep the smile from his face. This is the beginning of a great quest after all, a moment for serious reflection. For gravitas. But he can't help it. He has found his hero and he plans not to let this goblin out of his sight.