“Gnoll’s,” Riya spat, her face twisted in disgust. “And it sounds like they’re engaging in their favorite pastime.”
Kedryn perked up. “Really?”
Glade shot the Corporal a questioning look.
“What? I’m getting tired of hunting slimes,” he said.
Shaking his head, Glade turned back to Riya. “What are Gnoll’s?”
“Gnoll’s are barely above pack animals,” Riya said, her distaste evident with every word. “They are known slavers, the most sordid kind of mercenaries, and take perverse pleasure in the suffering of others. Which is what we are likely hearing now.”
“So, they are a type of people?” He asked.
“Think walking, talking hyena’s sir,” Kedryn clarified.
An involuntary shudder ran down Glade’s spine. Until this moment, he had believed he understood the kind of world he was currently living in. He could accept elves without an issue and was getting used to magic. But the thought of walking, talking hyena-humanoid hybrids boggled his mind.
Another roar of pain, so loud he could feel it through the soles of his boots, drowned out the manic laughter.
“Who are they torturing?” Kedryn asked, not bothering to hide his excitement. Glade resolved to have another conversation with the Kid. This was not normal behavior.
“My guess? A dwarf,” Riya responded as the roars shifted into unintelligible shouting, “who is currently cursing the Gnoll’s parentage in surprising detail.”
“You speak Dwarven?” Kedryn asked.
“It’s Dwarfen,” she corrected. “And of course, I do. I’m not some forest elf, hiding myself from the rest of the world. I may be from the plains, but even I speak the three trading tongues.”
“Trading tongues?” Again, from Kedryn.
“Not the time, Kid,” Glade said, turning to Riya. “Are dwarves friendly?”
“Of course, they are,” Kedryn interrupted, before turning to Riya for confirmation. “Aren’t they?”
“That’s debatable,” she sighed. “But they are honorable people. Whoever is suffering at the Gnoll’s hands does not deserve… that.”
As if on cue, another roar of pain reverberated down the tunnel.
“Good enough for me. Here’s the plan,” Glade said, fighting down the throbbing pain that had spread throughout his body. He just had to hold onto the telepathy skill for a little longer, then he could rest.
Kedryn leaned in, his body practically quivering with excitement.
“Unless I’m hearing things, there should only be a handful of those Gnoll creatures,” he said, turning to Riya for confirmation.
“That is my guess as well,” she responded. “Gnoll’s typically travel in packs, but from the sound of things there can’t be more than two or three.”
“Good. I like my chances with them over the spiders coming at us from behind. Also, they’re likely distracted, which means their guard should be down. Corporal, you’re with me. Once we confirm what we’re up against, I’ll decide if we attack or not. Just follow my lead.”
Kedryn gave him a nod, his manic grin never wavering.
Turning to Riya, Glade said, “I need you to hang back until we clear the area, got it?”
He knew she wouldn’t like it, but he was not taking a civilian into a potential combat situation. Monsters were one thing, but it sounded like Gnolls were an order of magnitude more dangerous than what they had faced thus far.
“Are you sure that’s wise sir?” Kedryn asked, surprising Glade. He knew Riya wouldn’t like being left behind, but he didn’t expect his Corporal to object. “I mean, it makes sense you want to keep her safe. Protecting the healer is the number one priority of any game [strategy]. But wouldn’t it make more sense for her to blind whomever is out there with her light spell? She could hang back and observe while providing support. It would give us a tactical advantage.”
Glade opened his mouth to shoot down the idea when Riya spoke up.
“Captain Glade, I believe I have proven my value multiple times in the last few days. I can help. Please, reconsider.”
“Fine,” he relented after a moment’s consideration. “Follow Kedryn as closely as you can. If we have an opening for you to blind the Gnolls, take it. Otherwise, stay back.”
Riya’s grin almost eclipsed Kedryn’s.
“I mean it,” he emphasized, shaking his finger at her. “You will stay out of any direct fighting. Support actions only, got it?”
“I understand,” she said, her smile never wavering.
Another roar reverberated down the tunnel, decidedly weaker than moments before. They were losing precious time.
Glade checked to make sure he had a full magazine locked and loaded and another within easy reach.
“Could we not use the pistol? The XP penalty…” Kedryn began, only to trail off as Glade gave him a withering look.
“Stay close, stay silent.” And with those last words, they were moving.
Glade took point, with Kedryn following close behind. Riya kept to the rear, silent as a whisper. She even had the presence of mind to reduce her light to a bare flicker, just bright enough to illuminate their path.
In moments, five minds flared to life within his mental awareness. Since his last skill increase, Glade’s ability in reading surface impressions of the minds he could sense had evolved, helping him easily identify which were threats.
The dimmest of the five minds was a slime, which was currently in the thrall of feeding. He already had plenty of experience assessing those.
The other four were of similar complexity to that of Kedryn and Riya, but that was where the similarities ended. His two companions’ minds radiated collective determination and, in Kedryn’s case, excitement.
The person being tortured projected a blend of pain, frustration, and above all, anger.
But it was the other three sparks of mental energy that gave him pause.
Pure, visceral bloodlust flooded their psyche, bleeding over the mental strands that tied their pack minds together. And they were tied together, which simultaneously fascinated and disgusted Glade. The links were tentative but were viable enough that whatever sensations radiated off one fed into the other’s passions in a constant escalation of emotional frenzy.
Glade analyzed all the information in moments. Though his own thoughts barely brushed the trio of chaotic minds, the emotional resonance felt like a dark plague bleeding into him. Feeding him. Making him… hunger.
A quiet rumble caught in the back of Glade’s throat, his lip curling in a sneer as he pictured painting the walls with his enemy’s blood.
“Sir,” Kedryn whispered from behind. “Are you alright? You’re... growling.”
The Kid’s voice, while quiet, shook him enough to realize he was losing control.
Locking down his emotions, Glade ignored a flashing notification and called a halt.
“I’m ok,” he whispered, pushing the horrifying emotions and worsening headache aside. “Their minds are… disturbing.”
Signaling the others to stay, Glade carefully dropped his pack before crawling to the bend in the tunnel, where he quickly glanced around the corner.
What he saw confirmed his suspicions. Before turning back, he used Aura Sense in rapid succession on the immediate threats.
Gnoll Slaver, Level 8
Attunements: None
Health: 160/160
Mana: 70/70
Stamina: 210/270
Status: Elated
Gnoll Slaver, Level 4
Attunements: None
Health: 120/120
Mana: 70/70
Stamina: 174/200
Status: Elated
Gnoll Slaver, Level 3
Attunements: None
Health: 110/110
Mana: 60/60
Stamina: 130/160
Status: Elated
“Three hostiles, one prisoner, and a slime,” he hissed, after crawling back to the group. He had doubted Kedryn’s earlier description of what a Gnoll looked like, but the Kid was spot on. “One Gnoll standing at the back of the small cavern with a crossbow. The prisoner is bound to a rock with two Gnoll’s standing over him. They have a couple of clubs and torches between them. Only one of the torches looks normal. The other is… off.”
He looked at Riya. “Have you ever seen a torch with black fire?”
She shook her head as Kedryn’s eyes widened, a question forming on his lips. Glade cut him off. Now was the time for action, not speculation.
“Here’s the plan. Riya, I want you to blast them with your brightest light spell. Kid, after she blinds them, we’re going in hard and fast. I’ll take out the one with the ranged weapon. I should be able to get the other two but want you to be ready to blast them with your fire in case I miss. Remember, aim for the eyes. Questions?”
“Where is the slime?” Riya asked.
“Feeding on the prisoner’s arm,” Glade responded through gritted teeth. He had seen the horrors of war and crime before, but this was something on a whole new level.
Riya’s face paled while Kedryn fought to contain his nerves.
Glade was done waiting. Someone needed saving.
“Lets go.”
----------------------------------------
The three silently made their way to the entrance, the roars of pain and excited yelling covering their approach.
Once they were set, Glade nodded to Riya, the indication clear. It was her time to shine.
Without fanfare, the elf stole a glance around the corner and stretched out an arm.
Blinding white light flared from within the small cavern, the Gnoll’s laughter quickly replaced with yelps of pain and surprise as they dropped their weapons to cover their sensitive eyes.
Instincts, honed from years of training, took over as Glade burst from around the corner, time slowing to a crawl as he took everything in.
Two massively tall, hyenalike humanoids loomed over a bearded man in chains, their bodies covered in matted fur and piecemeal leather armor. Their clubs lay on the ground, forgotten as they tried to protect their sensitive eyes. Interestingly, they had the presence of mind to retain the torches they were carrying, one sputtering a bright orange while the other held a flame so black the surrounding shadows of the underground were bright by comparison.
Glade quickly used his Aura Sense.
You have found a mana touched torch lit by Abyssal Fire, a magical flame so corrupt it robs the world of light. Beware, as anything it touches will be consumed.
Damage: ?
Durability: ?
Grade: ?
Rarity: ?
Value: ?
Resolving to avoid the flame at all costs, Glade moved his attention to the final Gnoll. It stood near the opposite end of the small cavern, its loaded crossbow hanging limply at its side as it tried to blink away the after effects of Riya’s light burst.
Glade didn’t hesitate. Sighting down the barrel, he squeezed the trigger, the recoil from his weapon so familiar he easily controlled it to line up another shot.
Time resumed its frantic pace, the crossbow wielding Gnoll stumbling back a step. For a moment, it looked confused as it stared at the new hole in its chest, the crossbow falling from limp fingers.
Glade put one more slug into the beast for good measure before switching targets. Another squeeze of the trigger and a second Gnoll dropped to the ground.
As if knowing it was the next target, the remaining Gnoll blindly threw itself to the side, lobbing the torch of abyssal fire at the unknown invaders.
Easily ducking away from the ominous torch, Glade quickly zeroed in on the Gnoll just in time to hear Kedryn shout, “EAT FIRE!”
A volleyball sized ball of flame streaked past, engulfing the slaver’s head in a burst of fire.
Genuine surprise flitted across Glade’s face as he watched the Gnoll drop the long knife it had pulled from its belt. It shrieked in pain, attempting to put out the flames with its bare hands.
When had the Kid learned to do that? It was not only effective, but impressive as hell.
Not wanting to waste ammunition, Glade quickly ended the creature’s agony with a quick thrust and twist of his knife.
Three new notifications were waiting for him.
You have defeated a level 8 Gnoll Slaver and have been awarded 59 experience points (880 XP x .20 penalty /3).
Note: Using a forbidden weapon to gain experience causes the user to suffer an 80% reduction in both experience gains and skill growth.
Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.
You have defeated a level 3 Gnoll Slaver and have been awarded 6 experience points (80 XP x .20 penalty /3).
Note: Using a forbidden weapon to gain experience causes the user to suffer an 80% reduction in both experience gains and skill growth.
You have defeated a level 4 Gnoll Slaver and have been awarded 92 experience points (276 XP /3)
Glade barely glanced at the notifications, perusing them long enough to confirm all three Gnoll’s were indeed dead. He didn’t want to waste ammo verifying the old-fashioned way.
He did look long enough to understand why Kedryn had wanted to avoid using the pistol. The penalty was a real kick in the pants for anyone trying to level.
Dismissing the prompts, Glade moved quickly to the entrance, grabbing the normal-looking torch, and tossing it further down the tunnel. He didn’t sense any additional minds, but he knew better than to rely on chance.
“Clear,” he called over his shoulder just loud enough to be heard over the prisoner’s screams. “What’s your status?”
“The dwarf… is being less… than cooperative,” Kedryn yelled, trying to keep the man’s arm still long enough so he could burn the slime off.
Glade gave the scene a quick once over.
The prisoner was a barrel of a man, or dwarf, he reminded himself, who was roughly five feet in height and was straining for all he was worth against a set of heavy chains binding him to a stalagmite. His one free arm, or what was left of it, was swinging wildly in the air despite Kedryn’s attempts to restrain it.
Sparing a moment to acknowledge the man’s tenacity, Glade used Aura Sense.
Mountain Dwarf, Level 11
Attunements: Earth (??%), Corporeal (??)
Health: 43/190
Mana: --/130 (Restrained)
Stamina: 60/270
Status: Enraged; bleeding
Based on how fast the dwarf’s hit points were falling, they didn’t have much time. It was obvious the dwarf couldn’t be reasoned with in his current state, and he really didn’t want to lose the opportunity to learn what they could from the prisoner.
Not wanting to delay, Glade did the only thing he could think of. He connected his already strained mind with the dwarf.
Pain lanced through his head like a heated spike, blurring his vision as liquid fire tore through his veins.
Fortunately, the connection locked into place.
“STOP!” He projected into the dwarf’s mind.
Foreign words, laced with agony and heavy brogue, reverberated back through the newly established connection.
“Idiot,” Glade grumbled at himself, sagging against the wall for support. Of course, he wouldn’t be able to communicate. He didn’t know the language! Something that telepathy most assuredly couldn’t help with.
He was about to sever the connection when a notification flashed into existence.
Congratulations! You have discovered a synergistic relationship between your ability, Will, and your Telepathy Skill! Due to your telepathic connection with a Mountain Dwarf, you can leverage your ability to learn the language Dwarfen (Reaches Dialect) at the speed of thought.
Cost: 5 willpower points. (Total points remaining: 6 of 12) Would you like to use willpower to learn this language?
Yes/No
Warning! Both parties will become incapacitated throughout the process. Once begun, it cannot be stopped.
Note: Due to an established telepathic connection, speed of learning x 4.
Glade stood corrected. Telepathy, combined with his ability, absolutely could help him with the language barrier.
“Kid! I’ve connected with the dwarf telepathically…”
“I know!” Kedryn interrupted, “I’ve been reading your notifications. Are you going to accept?
“How…” He began to ask, but Kedryn interrupted him again.
“The shared bond. It lets me see your notifications. If I were you, I’d hit yes sooner than later. If you can incapacitate the dwarf, I can safely light the slime on fire!”
That little bit of information was more than a little disturbing. Resolving to talk to Kedryn about boundaries, Glade selected yes.
Complex runes and guttural tones filled his mind as his vision began to darken. Just before the darkness overtook him, Glade heard the Kid cry out in triumph. Hopefully, that meant he had killed the slime.
Another prompt appeared.
Note: Due to your Shared Bond, Bei’Kedryn Serevlir can share in your linked mind, allowing him the opportunity to learn Dwarfen (Reaches Dialect) at the cost of 1 willpower point. Do you accept?
Yes/No
Knowing they needed someone to watch Riya’s back as she healed the dwarf, Glade moved to select no. If Kedryn could learn the language now through this method, he could learn it later.
Whether from fatigue, the roaring headache, or being distracted by the fact he was passing out, Glade was too late.
Kedryn’s voice rang in his ears.
“Now that’s what I’m talking about! Learning a language for the low cost of one point? No brainer.” And before Glade could do anything, the Kid selected yes for him.
“This is so freaking awesome!”
----------------------------------------
Glade’s headache progressed from bad to worse as he fought his way back to consciousness. The fact he had chosen to learn the language by using his ability showed exactly how tired he was. They were in hostile territory and he had knowingly placed himself into a position where he would be compromised.
Hadn’t he just spoken to his two charges a few short hours ago about not taking unnecessary risks? The only silver lining was the promise of learning the language faster by leveraging his telepathic link. He hoped not much time had passed.
A prompt appeared before Glade could open his eyes.
Congratulations! You have increased your Telepathy Skill to level 8. Current Radius: 10 feet per skill level for a total of 80 feet. Cost: 10 mana + 5 stamina per 10 seconds of active use after connecting to target.
Congratulations, you have met the requisite levels to progress into the ranks of Trainee in Telepathy. In order to advance, seek someone worthy to test your knowledge.’
The information was mildly interesting at this point and was far from his most pressing priority.
After an interminable amount of time, Glade finally pried his eyes open. The telltale glow of Riya’s celestial magic emanated from her fingers, mixing with the elf’s light spell to barely illuminate the area.
Glade knew from previous experience the elf could easily create more light with very little mana, which meant she was keeping the light low for some other reason.
“Sweet Mother below,” The dwarf rasped. “That feels much better. Thank ye lass.”
Riya nodded her response as the golden rivulets of her healing magic trickled into the dwarf’s arm.
Relief flooded through Glade as the gravelly tones of the dwarf’s language washed over him. They were safe. And he had successfully learned the language, which still amazed him in ways he couldn’t put into words.
Reorienting his focus, Glade dragged himself off the floor and studied their new acquaintance in the dim light.
Tattered clothing, weathered from sweat, blood, and urine, hung off the dwarf, exposing a malnourished and unwashed body covered in sores. His black hair and beard were a mess of filth and knots, matted in places that he recognized as congealed blood.
Glade had seen the same on earth too many times in his short years, typically after liberating slaver’s dens. But instead of a broken spirit like he had seen so many times before, the dwarf radiated resolve the likes he had never seen.
“And to you two as well, whoever ye might be,” the dwarf coughed, looking first to Kedryn and then to Glade. “The names Krazzik. Krazzik Slaghammer.”
Glade glanced at the Corporal, seeing a brilliant smile already plastered across his stupid elf face.
Forcing himself to breathe, Glade ignored the impulse to yell at the Kid. There were more pressing priorities, first among them learning what they could about any potential threats from their new friend, Krazzik.
Knowing his luck, he and the others would likely have to battle their way out.
The other reason Glade chose not to tear the Corporal a new one was far simpler. Glade didn’t have the energy. It was all he could do to keep himself moving. However, that didn’t mean they weren’t going to have a seriously long talk about this shared bond business once they found a safe place to rest. If they survived, the Kid was going to experience another physical training session or three.
Turning his attention to their new guest, Glade began the introductions.
“Well met,” he said, the Dwarfen language rolling off his tongue like he’d been born to it. “I’m Captain Glade. The elf smiling like he’s on a holiday is Corporal Kedryn, and I believe you’ve met our healer, Riya.”
Glade turned to Kedryn.
“Corporal, see if you can find the key’s and help master Krazzik out of these chains.”
“Chief,” Krazzik said.
“Beg your pardon?” Glade asked, looking back at the dwarf.
“Since you gave me yer titles, thought it best to be givin me own. I’m me Clan’s Chief,” he said, though the next line came out more like a grumble. “Or what’s left of it.”
“Apologies, Chief Krazzik.”
“Bah! Just call me Krazzik,” he said before coughing so hard and long Glade was worried he might lose consciousness.
“The Chief part still be newer than a cherry red ingot from the forge,” Krazzik continued. “To be honest, it not be rightly deserved neither, see’n as me and mine are all slaves. Now, how about getting me out of these here chains?”
“I’m looking for the keys now!” Kedryn called, sorting through the Gnoll’s belongings.
“We’ll get you loose as soon as we can. While we wait, I have some questions to ask. But first,” he paused long enough to get Riya’s attention. “How long were we out?”
“Barely four minutes,” she said, her voice low. “No change otherwise. Chief Krazzik should be ok to move in a few minutes, but he won’t be of any help in a fight.”
“Bah!” Krazzik said, “Give me one o’ them clubs and I’ll show ye who can fight!”
The statement ended with another round of coughing that left Krazzik gasping for breath.
“Why don’t we make sure you’re stabilized first, then you can defend Riya here from any surprise attacks,” Glade injected. He had worked with the prideful idiots who didn’t know when to quit. Hell, he was one of them most of the time. Fortunately, he had plenty of practice reorienting their stubborn pride. “What can you tell us about the threats we’re about to face?”
“A warrior through and through, ye are. Good,” Krazzik said, clearing his throat and spitting to side. “There be a full Rake o’ the motherless dog’s. “22 now that ye killed off three o’ them. Ya need to be wary o’ the Rake Alpha. He’s one o’ them body mage types. There also be the black robe. Nasty sort, that one.”
“Weapons?”
“Standard slaver fare, which is ta say, noth’n better n’ sharpened scraps o’ metal, a few clubs, some whips, and a few crossbows. The Alpha has two decent blades that he uses to prance about though, so be wary o’ him. And if’n ya see the black robed one, ye need to either kill him quick or run. He uses dark magic.”
“How are they deployed?”
“Nine or so o’ the dogs came down with some o’ us to clear the tunnels and such. That leaves six left out there by me last count, and I guarantee the thrice damned devil dogs heard the racket ye made. It be their sensitive ears and all.”
“Afore I was brought down here, the Alpha and his crew left fer the ship outside. I don’t know if’n they’re com’in back or not, so now might be the best time to strike. He was the only real fighter. The rest are just slavers. Bullies if’n ye ask me. The black robe though, he’s at the top o’ these caverns.”
Glade’s mind sorted through half a dozen scenarios as he digested the information. They could adopt a typical defensive posture, try holding their current position and wait for the Gnoll’s to come to them. The tunnels created a natural bottle neck that would make that doable. But history had proven time and again that staying on the defensive without support was untenable.
Besides, the spiders were likely still behind them. Being caught between two kinds of monsters was not an ideal defense strategy.
In either scenario though, they would be blind without his telepathy working.
“Kedryn, any luck in finding the key?” He called.
“Not yet. It wasn’t on these two. I’m about to check the third Gnoll. I did find a pouch with a couple of silver and a handful of copper coins though. Oh, and what happened to that black torch you were talking about?”
“That was meant ta kill the slime after it had its way with me,” snarled Krazzik. “The one in black created the infernal thing. Decided to use me own people as bait to draw the cursed things in.”
“They used dwarves as live bait? But… why?” Kedryn asked.
“For the mana shard," Riya answered. "I’ve told you how valuable they are.”
“Yer right, lass. The black flame was used to kill two other slimes. One killed off one o’ the Gnoll’s, may the abyss take them. Then they used old Freggit to lure in the last one. He was a sorry old cuss but didn’t need to experience that. Speaking o’ which, how did ye kill the slime attached to me arm? I wasn’t paying too much attention at the time.”
“We have access to magical fire as well,” Riya said before he or Kedryn could respond.
Glade took note of the purposeful omission that Kedryn could conjure fire. In fact, Riya was acting rather odd in Krazzik’s presence. He couldn’t figure out why, but decided it was for the best to follow her lead.
“Hopefully, the torch went out. My skill identified it as abyssal fire. Said it can consume anything it touches.”
“Abyssal fire?“ Kedryn breathed, his eyes widening in excitement. “That sounds…”
“Pure evil,” Riya spat. “Anyone who dabbles with the abyss courts disaster. And you say that the Gnoll in black robes conjured it?”
“Aye, I did,” Krazzik said, his face going another shade paler.
That idea didn’t sit well with any of them, but especially Glade. Not only were they facing a large number of armed slavers, but there were at least two mages among them. One of which was apparently evil incarnate based on Riya’s and Krazzik’s reaction.
In short, Glade felt overwhelmed. Overwhelmed and blind, especially with his telepathy skill off. Though he was loath to use it again given that his head felt like a split log. But the not knowing grated on him. Anything could be sneaking up on them and he wouldn’t be aware of the threat until it was too late.
“Found the key!” Kedryn cried.
“Thanks Corporal,” Glade said, already deep in thought. “Release Krazzik and get our gear from the tunnel. We’ll be heading out soon enough.”
While Glade was loath to use telepathy so soon after the last painful lesson, at this point he couldn’t think of much else to do. Pain or not, they needed the edge his skill gave them.
Ignoring the others, Glade braced himself as he opened his mind, triggering telepathy.
The pain was far worse than he imagined as searing agony ripped through him.
It took every ounce of will he had to keep from screaming as his mind was ripped apart and liquid fire shot through his veins. More than a quarter of his mana bar bled away in an instant.
No sooner had it started than the pain stopped, evaporating like a frozen breath in the heart of winter.
Warning! Due to your unwise extended use of Telepathy, you have causing minor damage to your astral mana channels. A piece of advice, if casting magic hurts, it usually means you’re doing it wrong.
You are now experiencing mana leakage from a minor tear in your mana channels. If left untreated, your body will become saturated with mana, resulting in mana poisoning, more extensive damage to your already strained mana channels, or worse.
Your skill, Telepathy, will remain in a passive state until used or dismissed. After which you will be unable to cast another astral spell until your channels have been repaired.
Note: Until your channels are repaired, you will continue to leak mana at a rate of your total wisdom per hour, more if you meditate. Your body is currently 4% saturated due to repeated mana exposures and your mana leak. At this level of saturation, you will experience +4% heightened awareness, +4% gain in stamina regeneration, -4% in mana regeneration, -4% in concentration, and -4 HPs every hour.
Biting back a curse, Glade did the only thing he could think of to mitigate any additional damage. He deleted the message so Kedryn wouldn’t read it. No sense in alarming anyone seeing as they already had enough on their plate.
After he removed the message, Glade reached out with his mind as he mentally berated himself. He had known he was overextending his skill but hadn’t fully understood the risks. He really hated discovery learning.
At least his headache was gone.
Extending his senses, Glade confirmed there was nothing behind them. Either the spiders hadn’t caught up or had stopped following. Hopefully the latter.
That done, he shifted his mind to focus on the area in front of them. A brief glimmer of mental energy, just as complex as the Gnolls they had faced earlier, appeared briefly on the edge of his skill’s radius, then vanished.
“We’re going to have company soon,” Glade said, turning around. What he saw brought his headache back threefold.
Kedryn had pulled off his outer robes and was in the process of beating a patch of silent, black fire that was slowly spreading across the floor.
“What in the name of all that is holy happened?”
“Get me outta these chains!” Krazzik cried, as some of the black fire began to spread in the dwarf’s general direction.
“When I turned around, I saw the black flames!” Kedryn cried. “I didn’t think that abyssal fire could burn rock!”
“Obviously it can!” Riya yelled. “Now put your clothes back on before your robes catch fire. There are only two ways to fight abyssal flame, with any other elemental flame or celestial light!”
Riya raised her hands, golden light rushing out to collide with the black fire.
“Flame?” Kedryn asked, a wolf-like grin splitting his face as he threw his outer robe to the side and ignited twin balls of fire in both hands. “Well, let me show you what a fire mage with a sympathetic attunement can do!”
Small streams of flame erupted from Kedryn’s outstretched hands.
Both elves unleashed a torrent of heat and light that brightened the room like it was noonday. The dark fire withered at the onslaught, extinguishing the fire in moments, torch and all.
“Blessed Mother!” Krazzik whispered. Whether out of fear or awe, he couldn’t tell. “A Celestial and a Pyro? Exactly who are you people?”
“Abyssal flame has been conquered,” Kedryn said, raising his flame-covered hands in triumph before turning to face the group, his burnished silver hair, regal features, and silver eyes plain for everyone to see.
“A royal?” Krazzik gasped. “The Pyro is a bloomin royal!?”
Kedryn gave Krazzik an odd look. “What’s wrong with me being a pyro?”
Glade turned to Riya for an explanation. They were missing something. What he saw stopped him in his tracks. A look of pure horror and shame formed on the elf’s face as Krazzik stared at her in utter shock.
“A treeless!?!” roared the dwarf, “May the Mother take me now for I’ve seen it all. The Celestial is a slagging treeless!?”
Glade’s eyes turned to ice as he actively repressed the surging anger threatening to break free of his self-control.
Ignoring the dwarf, he turned to both Riya and Kedryn. The Kid looked stunned while Riya looked like she wanted to crawl under a rock and hide.
“Well done, both of you,” he said, “I too didn’t know that abyssal flame could burn rock.”
Turning to the dwarf, Glade let his gaze drill into Krazzik. “We will be freeing you momentarily Chief Krazzik, but understand this. I will not allow you to treat my team with anything but dignity and respect.”
The dwarf nodded, a look of shock on his face. Whether it was from Riya being a Banished Elf or that Glade had stood up for her, he didn’t know. Truth be told, he didn’t care.
Two minds appeared at the edge of his perception, drawing his attention.
“Change of plans,” Glade said, turning back to the tunnel entrance. He quickly checked his gear. Knives, pistol, and spare magazine were all easily accessible.
It was time to dance with the devil. Or hyena-like devils in this case.
“Riya, free Krazzik. Once you’re done with that, catch up to us as quickly as you can. We have some visitors coming that we need to deal with.”
Riya grabbed the keys from Kedryn and deftly worked the dwarf’s shackles.
“You aren’t gonna leave me with a slagging banished elf, are ye?”
“That’s strike two,” Glade spoke with icy authority. "You can either join us or stay here. Your choice." The underlying message that the dwarf was on extremely thin ice came across loud and clear.
Turning to Kedryn, he said, “There are two Gnoll’s coming our way, likely a scouting party for the others. I don’t want to give them a chance to retreat, which means moving to contact with all haste. Same set up as before. I’ll blast ‘em, you roast ‘em.”
“Should we tell the dwarf about the huge spiders following us?” Kedryn asked loud enough for Krazzik to hear.
“Spiders?” Krazzik said, a spark worry in his voice. “What spiders?”
“Corporal, stay focused,” Glade said, turning away so the dwarf didn’t see as he flashed the Kid a smile and a wink. He had to give Kedryn props. That last statement had been timed perfectly.
“Wait!” Krazzik cried. “Ye are truly going to fight the Gnolls then?”
“Yes,” Glade said, striding toward the tunnel entrance. The two Gnoll’s had stopped their advance, likely trying to figure out what happened to the previous party without placing themselves in the same danger.
He wouldn’t give them that chance.
“Please, be on the lookout fer me clan!” Krazzik cried. “Free as many as ye can. And if’n ye see me son, please keep him safe for me till I get there!”
You have been offered a Quest: A Chief’s Plea I. Krazzik Slaghammer, Chief of the Slaghammer clan, has offered you a quest. His people have been enslaved and forced to work for an unknown party for months on end with no hope in sight. To succeed in this quest, you must meet one of the following conditions:
Success Condition I: Rescue 50% or more of the Slaghammer Clan prisoners.
Success Condition II: Save Krazzik’s son.
Success Condition III: Eliminate 75% of the captor’s.
Reward: Increased regard from Krazzik Slaghammer and his clan. 25 XP per dwarf saved. Variable rewards are possible depending on the degree of completion.
Do you accept? Yes/No
Just what he didn’t need, another quest. He was going to help the dwarves regardless, as long as it aligned with his objective of getting his team to safety. But there were too many variables to simply agree to the conditions without further consideration. Who knew what the penalties would be if he failed the quest?
For that reason alone, he didn’t feel comfortable accepting.
Then Kedryn spoke up.
“Honorable Chief Krazzik of the Slaghammer’s, I, Kedryn of house Serevlir, formally accept your quest. Rest assured, your people will be safe soon enough,” he said with a flourish.
Attention! Due to your Shared Bond, Bei’Kedryn Serevlir has accepted the quest A Chief’s Plea I on your behalf. Furthermore, he formally declared acceptance upon his house’s honor, and by the power of the bond, your honor. All rewards are now doubled. You must fulfill at least one of the prescribed success conditions or lose one level of renown.
Riya rolled her eyes while helping a struggling Krazzik to his feet.
Glade’s praise for Kedryn vanished as he grabbed the Kid by the arm.
“We need to talk about the bond,” Glade hissed through clenched teeth, his voice low enough so Krazzik couldn’t hear. “Until then, do not accept anything else on my behalf without my express permission. Understood!?”
Kedryn nodded dumbly, surprise written all over his face.
“Time to move,” Glade said, turning his killing intent on the monsters who were unlucky enough to cross his path.
The last thing he heard as they left was Krazzik asking Riya, “They were joking ‘bout them spiders, right?”