The general gathered all his troops at the broken base of the once Great Column to distribute emergency orders. His officers started taking huge groups off in different directions around the now downed column. Once that got started a scout ran up to General Ferent to deliver a message. After he was dismissed the General locked eyes with Armand’s party. He did not look happy.

  “I don’t know what that disaster of hellfire was, and I don’t want to know. It managed to scatter the moss ghouls. Unfortunately, the damage was already done. My shapers tell me they were digging through the base as the climbers freed it from the top of the cavern. What I need now is action. We are going to secure the far end of the column and ensure no one can use it to get to the ziggurat.” The general said.

  “What do you need from us General?” Asked Armand.

  “As far as I’m concerned you completed the offered quest.” Said the general.

Quest complete- Defense of Mulvaria- You helped defend the people of Mulvaria. You have gained a new level. You have gained 1 attribute point.

  “I will have Lt. Lenny escort you back to the nearest top side exit point. Mulvaria thanks for your help. We’ll take it from here.” Continued the General.

  “But what about the dagger and the unknown inner-city guardian?” Deacon asked.

  “You are done here adventurers. Do not make me force you to leave.” Declared the General with the full force of his authority.

  Lt. Lenny gestured for the group to move quickly to leave the area. They collected Michael and Elle then took off traveling east around the city. After about thirty minutes of silent walking the lieutenant took a sharp right turn and kicked their speed up to a jog. Armand became alarmed and drew everyone in closer as they moved. As they crossed over into the city proper, Lenny ducked into a dilapidated building where six more Mulvarian soldiers waited.

  “The General apologizes for the subterfuge. We are currently flouting the laws of our people right now, but it can’t be helped. Your bandits were spotted climbing the now tipped over column. We expect they will take it into the city center. This is an unofficial mission.” Lt. Lenny said.

New Quest- Defense of Mulvaria 2- General Ferent realizes if the dagger wielder isn’t stopped it will bring a disaster down on his people. Successful completion of this quest will grant you honorary citizenship within the borders of Mulvaria.

  “That is what we came down here to do and I don’t see why we would stop now.” Armand responded.

  “He thought you’d say that. We have several groups like this now scattered down the length of the column. It’s the only real help we can offer. They will get you to the column and on top. Hopefully before the shapers begin breaking it down to secure the outer city again.” Said Lt. Lenny who then gave a curt nod to the soldiers gathered and they all took off toward the column.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  “Are we really going in there?” Asked Michael.

  “You're free to run lad, if you think there is anywhere to go. I’m sure Armand will tell the authorities you died in all the fighting.” Typhus replied.

  “Stop teasing him Ty, but he is right. I may just loose track of you if this all turns out well.” Armand said with a wink.

  “Focus up. We need to avoid the other officer's patrols wherever possible. The fewer people who know what we are doing the better.” Lenny said.

  The group skulked through alleyways and back streets keeping out of sight. When they came across a moss ghoul straggler, they put it down swiftly and quietly. They came to a T intersection where one of the shaper groups had started breaking down the column. It was huge from this vantage point. Easily five stories tall. Lenny stopped everyone looking over the group and shook his head no. They back tracked around another street when Deacon leaned against a wall. Suddenly the wall caved in making an enormous racket and swallowing him whole. The Mulvarians quickly dug a hole in the rubble and everyone filed in. The patrols would have heard that.

  “What happened?” Lenny asked.

  “The wall gave way. I didn’t Kool Aid Man my way into this random building.” Deacon shot back.

  The group waited patiently for the patrols to pass by before exploring the building. It seemed to be a two-story building with an open center leading to a second floor. Deacon broke away from the group to do some exploring against the hushed warnings of Lt. Lenny. There were several broken tables and ancient bookshelves. There wasn’t much but dust and crumbled molding. He lifted the remains of an old chair off some remnants and found a book in mostly good shape. It was half under the chair half under a floorboard. If he wasn’t poking around, he would have never found it.

New Technique Manual found – Aura Focus- with this technique you can focus your aura in a single direction causing Holy damage to a single target. Requires 1 level of meditation and any Monk class. Would you like to learn Aura Focus? Yes/No

  Deacon chose yes. This sounded just like a Ryu fireball and a child’s dream could finally be achieved. Unfortunately for deacon there was a follow up notification that left a bad taste in his mouth.

You have learned the Technique Aura Focus- Trailblazer has converted Aura Focus to Nether Beam. Nether Beam fires concentrated Nether Plane energy causing a target to freeze in place until thawed. This technique can be sustained to create thicker ice at the cost of a soul per minute.

  “Oh, come on. Damn it.” Deacon said.

  “Keep it down.” Elle replied.

  “I almost had a street fighter fireball and now it’s just a Mr. Freeze cold gun.” Deacon complained.

  “I think we’ve had enough fire out of you. Keep it down.” Typhus said.

  The group checked the streets outside and began moving again. Armand noticed they were getting closer and closer to the swamp moat as they avoided patrols and looked for friendlies to get them on the column. About fifteen minutes later they heard a cracking as the column was split in half. The shapers must be sectioning off the work. Lenny suggested that they all hurry. Finally, they found some friendlies patrolling and guarding some shapers. After a brief conversation, the shapers began making stairs into the column for the group ascend. Once on top of the column it was straight shot to the inner city. That’s when they heard an odd scrapping. At the end of the column facing the ziggurat were four figures and several moss ghouls fighting what looked like the skeleton of a giant rattlesnake.