Hours later, Myllo gathered the guild members again in the Great Hall. To Joe, it looked like almost everyone was there. Though since he had met several of the guilders only a little while ago, he was not one hundred percent positive. The one conspicuous absence was the strange tatterdemalion named Yuk. His teammate Lexaroth was present, glaring at anyone who looked his way. Joe avoided eye contact with the scowling warlock and listened to Myllo instead.
“Well done, everyone. It looks like we are in for another raggedy Founders Day, but you know what? Some of the best Founders Days I can recall over the last fifty years have been the raggedy ones. I think almost all of you were around four years ago after Captain Curl and his pirate fleet were driven off. Then there was the Year of Rain. What was that eleven years past? The high point of those soggy, endless days was the holiday.”
“Don’t forget Barlegon Blue,” Edror interjected. “That titan woulda made Cauldrakon look like a toddler.”
Joe looked to the group he was with, and Earcellwen whispered back, “Massive whale creature.”
“I was getting there, Ed,” Myllo quipped back animatedly. “Even though we lost most of Docks to the beast, harvesting that brute brought us enough money to rebuild them even better than before. That Founder's Day, we honored not only our ancestors but all those lost in that battle. Just as we will do tomorrow.”
The red-beared little man lowered his head and took a deep breath. “Now, I’m sure you have all noticed we may have lost one of our own.” He brought his eyes back up to the group and, in a firm voice, continued. “But let’s not rule Yuk out yet. Like the creatures he is so fond of, that kid is tough to kill. He and Lexaroth were separated in the storm, but we have no knowledge as to his whereabouts or condition. We have sent a request to Haurspex Row for a reading, but Yuk had a trait that made him almost impossible to divine.” Myllo’s eyes found Joe’s during that statement, but then the guild-leader moved on. “So, for now, we are going to keep looking for him. When we know more, we will let you know.”
“So, for the rest of the night, we will be working shifts. You all fought hard today, but there are still people out there who may need us. We are going to clear this room and move the outdoor clinic in here. Joe, without Mortalius, I’m afraid we are going to be keeping you busy tonight. I want you to grab an hour's sleep. If you don’t think you can, let me know, I’ll have Isias charm you out. Everyone else, see Taylyn for times and assignments. Use the bunk rooms upstairs to catch some rest if you’re off, but please don’t scatter. We don’t have time to be tracking people down if we need you.”
“That’s it for now. See Taylyn and find a bunk if you’re not on call. Those on duty, stay with me here for a minute.”
The gathering converged on the tiny mousling woman who rapidly squeaked out assignments. Joe hung back since he already had his.
Kenda returned first and stated, “I’m crashing with you … as well as you, “ she corrected quickly with a small blush. “I’m taking over coordination for Myllo in a few hours.”
Tezeno also was off duty for a few hours. RC, Kerrig, and Vexor had immediate assignments. Joe followed the archon and trainer upstairs to find several bunk rooms ranging in size from four beds to something that could hold a whole platoon. As the three of them grabbed one of the smaller rooms, they were joined by the bejeweled elven sniper.
“Hello, Joe. We have not had much time to get to know each other, but I’m sure we’ll be fast friends soon.” Even though her words were sweetly spoken, the sharp glances she was throwing at Kendell and Tez contradicted her welcoming tone. “Myllo asked me to guide you to sleep. Let me know when you are ready.”
“Um, ok,” he replied, removing his gambeson and placing it on the footlocker at the end of the bed. Sitting on the edge of the bunk, he pulled off his boots before lying down. When his head hit the pillow, he looked at the woman, giving her a nod. “Go for it, I guess.”
Isias leaned over him and placed a finger on his brow. Suddenly, Joe was utterly aware of just how beautiful the woman was. Not just beautiful. She was ethereally lovely in a way he had never encountered before. He never wanted to look away, yet when her perfect mouth whispered a shushing sound, his eyes immediately closed, and the world faded into dreams of elven beauty, long golden hair, and flawless emerald eyes.
----------------------------------------
Joe was woken sometime later. He took a quick shower to wake fully up and clear the clinging glamorous images of Isaias from his head. Joe could see why Earcellwen had warned him about her. Her charm magic was incredibly potent. Thankfully, she would not be able to employ those powers against him easily. If he had not consented to her charm-based spell, [Iron Mind] would given him a solid defense against the effect.
Through the night, Joe worked in spurts, healing those brought into the Guildhouse by the rescue teams. He understood why Myllo had insisted he get some sleep. That quick power nap had been enough to reset his [Efferous Endurance] usage. Joe was easily able to keep himself wide awake and productive.
Shortly after dawn, a fearsome group entered the Great Hall. Joe was warned first by his nose. Much like Vexor’s infernal odor, the leader of the troop stank, not of abysmally burning tar but icy vile putrescence. The pale blue-skinned woman had to duck under the lintel of the door. Not only did she stand seven feet high, but she had a pair of tall, crescent-like horns sprouting from her forehead. Unlike Vex’s classic devil tail, this fiendish lady had one that would be right at home trailing off a dragon’s back. Black barbs covered forearms, which bore a massive jagged bone axe.
Naragash: Cambion (Ice): Fighter/Thrall of Whintur 25
The man beside her almost made Joe jump off his stool to come to his aid. Grey cracked skin was peeled back, revealing weeping wounds. Corpse-white hair hung lankly down his back. The desiccated man’s armor was made from black leather reinforced with ribs of bone. Across his shoulders was coiled a patchwork skeletal serpent. It was made entirely from bones, but they were not snake bones. The head looked like it belonged to a gnome or a human child. The body was formed from dense spinal bones that might have belonged to a jotun or large animal. The creature ended in a spiky tail comprised of barbs and spines from several different creatures. Joe took one look at the man’s aura and sunk back down on his stool, horrified. Wrapped around the man was not the red of wounds or blue of health but a black writhing miasma that reeked of death.
Broon Enorab: Revenant (Human): Necromancer/Gravewalker 23
Behind these two entered a trio, each as dreadful as the next. A smoldering axeman sneered at Tezeno as he shoved past the archon. His features vaguely reminded Joe of Hah’roo if his friend had been aligned to raging flames instead of the roaming winds. The red-skinned warrior bore a pair of heavy double-headed axes strapped to his back.
Reven Miano: Ignin: Brawler/Burnrager 21
A gangly, wild, feral-looking humanoid stood as tall as the team’s leader. Tusks jutted out of the corners of his mouth, and long, pointed ears speared out of a mop of greasy, jagged hair. It bore a huge bow across its back, and several jawed-traps hung from its belt.
Graymuck: Trollkin: Hunter/Beastmaster 22
Lastly was another bulky figure. She was not quite as tall as the cambion or trollkin, but only shorter by inches. Unlike the lean pair, this armored figure was broad across the shoulders. Like the necromancer, she was dressed in pitch-black mail, but instead of bones, her armor was festooned with ebon feathers. When Joe looked to her face, he saw tears of ash streaking down her cheeks.
Mortalius Tam: Fomori: Cleric/Graveguard 22
These were unquestionable Naragash’s Hellions, and Joe immediately understood why they were given the jobs outside the town limits. They looked like the band of villains the townfolks should be fleeing, not expecting rescue from. Had they walked in bearing a large sign announcing, ‘Yeah, we’re actually the good guys,’ Joe doubted anyone would believe it.
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
The troop marched through the Great Hall, gruffly asking for Myllo as they went.
About forty minutes later, Earcellwen trotted up to where Joe was sitting, waiting for a new patient to be brought in from the town. His healing duties had been slow for a while now, allowing him to relax and think. Mostly about Finn. The chimera would be just as challenging to have attend the Founders Day celebration as that band of blackguards. Having made no headway on what to do with this problem, he was grateful for the distraction.
“Myllo wants us in the study. Come on. You get to meet the Hellions.”
Joe stood and stretched. “I saw them. Man, what a group. Were they trying for the spookiest-ever squad award?”
“Shhh,” Earcellwen hissed. “Don’t let them hear that. They are not as dire as they seem, but you don't want to get on their bad side. As my father always says, ‘Better to have the devil overlook you than to earn his ire.’” She stopped and looked Joe in the eye. “You had that look at the valley," she stated, gesturing to Joe's pensive expression. "Is something wrong?”
“Yeah, and I’d love your thoughts. But it can wait,” Joe exclaimed, turning onto the North Hallway.
“Quick. Give me a hint. You can’t leave me guessing all meeting,” the archer appealed as they approached the study door.
“Finn and Founders Day. Not sure what to do with him.”
“Ah.”
“I can hear you two whispering in the hall,” Myllo announced from inside the room. “Come on in. They won’t bite … Hey, Gray, no biting.”
“Funny, Squirt,” growled a raspy voice with an odd twang to its inflections.
In the tight confines of the room, the mostly large and/or imposing ensemble felt threatening, even knowing they were allies. Even the trollkin’s smile towards the bearded korrigan conveyed far more menace than mirth.
“So I have been filling these guys in on what you found by Mount Serabuk,” Myllo began. The small man was sitting on a desk, swinging his short legs in the air. “Then I realized that I had info for you two as well. So, let’s down two birds with one dart. First, Yuk and I both went to check the area. We are both confident the necromantic leakage from the valley is not accelerating. It’s still a slow trickle. To our best guess, that ward-stone fell over sometime last winter. Yuk also checked under the soil, and he was sure the corruption wasn’t seeping into the ground.
“So, the good news is we should be able to enjoy Founders Day without worrying about an undead horde broiling up to the walls. We still have to get out there and deal with it, but we have time.
“I left a rune circle so Vex can portal Broon and Mortalius out there in a few minutes. Just in case they can sense if we missed something. Barring any new dire report from them, we will be heading back out there in force in three days. Let’s give everyone a day after the holiday to shake off their hangovers.
“Last bit of info is the quest. Neither Yuk nor I were able to pick up a quest in the area. I also know Edror and Isias tried. So it looks like you two are the quest-guides for this mess. Hopefully, you’ll be able to share it when we get there, but if not, I may have to split you two up so we can have two quested teams.”
Joe could not help but check his quest log.
[PLUG THE LEAK] (Rare)
You have discovered the source of the necromantic malignancy is the breach in the wards around the valley of Glen Cumha, also known as Margen’s Mourn. Will you stop the corruption from spreading across the Hornlands?
+50 Reputation with the Adventurers Guild
Quest completion reward: 900 exp.
“Any questions?” the guild leader concluded.
The icy half-devil spoke first. “How do you plan to deploy us, Myllo?” Nargash’s voice was a sharp purring sound that sent shivers down Joe’s spine.
“I was hoping the Hellions would tackle the roaming undead in the valley while we send one team into the pyramid and have the last team work on the broken ward,” the korrigan replied. “The faster we clear the surrounding terrain, the more we can focus on the valley. When it comes to large-scale damage, we have you guys and Taylyn.”
“You could put the mouse on our team again and have the best of both worlds,” the fiery Reven declared. “I love that girl. She’s a blast. Literally.”
“I’ll pose it to her, but I wouldn't hold your breath. The last time I lent her to you guys, Graymuck’s hyena almost ate her. Let me see if she still has any lingering trauma before I make that assignment.” Myllo flipped a page on a small notepad he had beside him. “But speaking of additions to your team, I have somebody I’d like you guys to train up. Lexaroth has tons of potential, but I am running out of people to partner him with.”
“You better not mean that bitchy warlock,” the troll growled. “I’d keep Zaebos on his best behavior for the bomber mouse, but if you stick us with that entitled fop, I’ll be letting Z take bites out his butt.”
The blue cambion launched herself out of the chair and rounded on the hunter. “Knock it off, Muck. We follow orders in this troop, and if boss-man here says we take dead-weight, then we say thank you, you furry-faced, pip-squeak, can we have another? Got it!”
“Yeah, yeah. Don’t melt yer horns, Nara,” Graymuck pouted, crossing his lanky arms across his chest.
“That’s two, Muck,” the necromancer drawled lazily. “One more, and you and I will have to have a talk about etiquette again.”
The subtle air of menace in those softly spoken words was palpable. Joe found Earcellwen unconsciously scrunching up against his side. When he looked across the room, Joe saw the fierce trollkin’s face visibly pale.
“Ok, enough, you reprobates,” Myllo barked. “This was not meant to be a punishment for anyone. You guys are the A team, so Lex will rightly feel like he is being promoted. At the same time, you are guys nobody messes with, so I shouldn’t have to worry about the boy’s tendency to be a dick at times anymore. As I said, Lex has tons of potential, coupled with a piss-poor temperament. You guys are just the group to turn that potential into a powerhouse while shutting down the boy’s attitude. Win. Win.”
“Oh, if you put it that way, then I volunteer for drill sergeant duty,” the axe-wielding ignin offered.
“I’ll leave that to you all,” Myllo sighed. “Alright. It has been one damn long day, so unless anyone has anything to add, let’s call it here, and you all can go enjoy a couple a days off.”
“Nope,” Joe yipped as he quickly pulled RC along with him out of the room.
While he was pretty sure now that these guys really were allies, if he had to stay near them a moment longer, he might have torn his nose off his face. It was not just the cambion either. Broon exuded the fetid reek of death. Graymuck must not have showered for years. The stench of animal, sweat, and filth rolled off the man. Reven’s smokey, hot metal smell was not too terrible but muddled in with the others just made it all worse. Only the silent Mortalius had a pleasant scent, smelling of a mild dry incense.
Joe jogged out of the guild-house into the early morning light. Scrubbing at his nose, he gasped to his friend, “Where is he?”
RC looked over at his efforts to clear his sinuses and covered her mouth. “Oh no. I didn’t even think of how bad that must have been for you to be in that small room with another devilkin. Wow. You did way better than you did with Vexor the other day.”
“I think I’m building a tolerance to it. But man, all those guys need serious showers. Well, not the cleric. But damn! I was dying in there.” Joe snorted a couple more times before adding. “So where did you stash Finn?”
“Oh, that is what you meant. Some boy came and got him. He said you would want Finn looked after. I thought you had set it up.”
“What boy?” Joe snapped, his concern delivering the question more harshly than he meant to.
“I don’t know, but Finn really liked him,” Earcellwin replied, sounding nervous that she had made a mistake. “He talked very slowly and never seemed to look at me…”
“Mahq! Oh. Phew. We’re good,” Joe sighed with relief. “Sorry. Mahq is not great at explaining himself, but I think Finn is in good hands. Let’s go get him. Then we can figure out what to do with the big guy.”