Moving quickly they started by following the others out. Then they went back to their entrance and down the tunnel. Once back in the tunnel Talos commented: Shouldn't there be a body here? Nysa responded: Shit, let's hope it took enough of a beating that it won't attack again. As they were running Rawlin pulled out his bow and said, let's hope it doesn't have friends.
Luckily nothing attacked them on the way out from the dwarven tunnels.
Once back up in the regular city as they started walking fast.
Talos: Horses?
Nysa: Yea, i think there’s a stable in this direction.
Rawlin: No, well… You’re right but if we use the army stables it will go faster, it’s right outside the city walls.
Pylia: And they will let us just take the horses?
Rawlin: I’m a captain, I can order them to let us borrow some horses. I might get grilled for it later but they won't miss five horses. at least for this short mission.
As they rushed towards the city exit, they saw two groups coming out of the dwarven tunnels, both headed for the stables. Before they reached the city gate one of them rode right past them.
As they arrived at the military stable they saw the two guards had been attacked. One was lying dead, the other had a nasty cut along his left arm. When he saw Rawlin he said, Captain, they stole horses!
Rawlin: Give us some horses, we are going after them!
Soldier: Yes sir!
Pylia: Hold on. Before we go, I can help you.
Pylia laid a hand on him and mumbled some words, the wound stitched back together. I left a scar, but it should keep functioning until you can get help.
Soldier: Thank you mam.
Rawlin: The horses man, give us the horses.
Nysa: Can I have this?
He held up a bow that had been leaning against the wall.
Soldier: If you kill those bastards you can have anything you like.
Pylia picked down an old pike shield hanging on the wall. He looked a bit embarrassed.
Pylia: What? Talos broke my last one in a training exercise…
At that Talos smiled.
The Soldier walked inside and opened some horse boxes. I’ll write it down that you have these horses and tell everyone you're after them Sir.
As they were saddling the horses Rawlin said, good man. I’ll send word what happend. you keep guard.
As they rode out Rawlin took a detour to the gate and just made a hand sign to the guards and then pointed at the stables.
After that they pushed the horses to their limit, riding hard and fast. They knew that they couldn't do it for long but if they wanted to catch the thieves this would be the fastest way to do it.
Nysa: Are you sure we should bother with this?
Rawlin: Those that did it are most likely competition and the guards gave you that bow!
Talos: They broke the law!
Pylia: Returning the horses now will cost us valuable time.
Rawlin: We take them back after.
Nysa: If we get hurt it could cost us the mission.
Rawlin: Look if we…
Nysa: Stop.
Nysa started to slow down and so did the others. What is it? Asked Rawlin. Nysa just pointed ahead. Up ahead they could just barely make out a group of men on horses.
They decided to match the pace of the guys ahead, the horses were tired anyway.
Nysa: They are six.
Rawlin: Can you make out the Army marks on the saddles? They stole them too so it would prove they stole them.
Nysa: It’s hard to make out, but I think so.
Pylia: we need to be sure.
Talos: Unless someone moves closer we won’t be able to make sure.
Rawlin: You volunteering boy?
Talos: Sure, but I don't know how…
Nysa: Nah, it won’t be necessary, there's a good place to water horses up ahead they will most likely stop there, it’s the only place for miles.
Rawlin: But they might know that. If they expect to be attacked, that's probably where they think it will happen.
Talos: I don’t think the punishment for horse thieves is death is it?
Rawlin: Killing a soldier in the army is.
Talos: Right…
Linnet: Are we really going to do this?
Rawlin: YES!
Linnet: Can we at least do it the sneaky way?
Nysa: Approach as friends?
Rawlin: They're going to be on guard.
By the small brook five horses were drinking, two men were sitting refilling water canteens next to them. The last horse was standing eating some grass by the third man leaning against a tree. Two men were preparing food and the last standing guard.
Talos and Pylia came riding down the road so the guard yelled out and told them to stop.
Talos: Hey, we just want to water the horses!
Guard: Get your own place.
Talos: This is the only viable place, further up it’s too rocky and further down it turns into a swamp, if the horses drink there they will get sick.
Guard: Fine make it quick.
Talos walked the horses right past the guard and over to the water. As he did he noted the seal of the military on the saddles. He turned and waved to Pylia how had walked back a bit along the road. She walked back over and as soon as she stood right next to the guard they sprung into action.
Talos brought his morningstar out in a quick motion and smashed the first guy right in the back of the head. The other guy pulled a knife and stood up and tried to stab Talos in the chest, so he had to block with his morningstar. The guy was fast but he only had one knife so as soon as he over extended Talos took the moment and smashed him in the head with the but end of the morningstar. Before Talos hit his head he got an arm up, though with the force Talos brought he broke the man's arm. He fell backwards and disappeared under the water.
So Talos raised the Morningstar over his head and as soon as his opponent's face returned to the surface he got all of Talos might right in it.
Pylia started her fight differently, she had her shield casually strapped to her arm so as soon as she saw the signal from Talos she prepared to strike, when she was right next to the guard she pushed with all her force into him, the pike on the shield penetrated deep into his guts. The guard pushed her off and with one hand holding his guts in place, he pulled a smaller sword instead of the big one on his back. Then he made a stab, but Pylia blocked it with the shield. Then she smashed his head with her mace.
The two cooks saw what Pylia did and stod to fight, or one of them did because the other had gotten an arrow through his throat. The other pulled two meat cleavers and moved on Pylia. He was fast but she was good with a shield and they tangoed for a bit. But as Pylia blocked with her mace she smashed with the shield hitting his other cleaver and pushing the shield up to his face having the pike right next to his eye. He took a breath of relief just as Pylia smashed his leg. Lying on the ground, He wasn't hard to disarm.
The guy by the tree was standing quickly as everything was going down, but as he began moving towards the others he got a slash along the back. He spun around to see Nysa with two long daggers, Nysa started moving in striking quickly. The guy had a short sword that he was using to block with but he also had thick armor that stopped some of Nysas blows. After a short battle Nysa saw an opening, as he made the man block far down with the left hand he made a stab with the right, it passed through the man's right artery on the neck. When Nysa pulled back he made sure to cut even deeper into the throat. The man stepped backwards holding his throat, once Nysa saw the man dropping his weapon he made sure to puncture the man's stomach as well.
While all this happened Linnet had the glamorous job of trying to use her magic to keep the horses from running. It wasn't easy since the horses didn't know any of them, they were very easily scared. Linnet had frowned and wanted to be in the middle of the action but her illusions could hide the commotion from the horses, such things were easier with animals.
Pylia bound the man she had disarmed and moved on to deal with the dead bodies. They started taking care of the bodies one by one, first by sewing them into their cloaks and then binding them up on the horses they had stolen, they did this so the guard could hang them once they returned.
It was common practice to hang the bodies of criminals as a warning to everyone even if they were already dead.
Talos: What if they start smelling?
Nysa: That usually takes about two to three days in this weather.
Talos: And we should be back by then right?
Pylia: Yea, we should be back at the end of tomorrow.
Linnet: If we're lucky and have the energy to ride tomorrow after the fight.
At that moment Pylia had turned around, What are you doing? she said, seeing Rawlin standing over the bound man.
Rawlin answered with a knife in his hand: He helped kill a man of the army, there is no need to spare him.
The man started wiggling away from Rawlin as Talos said: No, but don’t they usually get a trial.
Rawlin just said no, as he stuck his dagger in the man.
Talos said; Got damn it man! As he watched the prisoner bleed out. Then Talos spit on the ground and walked back to his horse and started tending to it.
As they finished up, before it was time to leave and they let the horses have a final drink from the water then they heard thundering hooves from the road.
Another adventuring party came along the road. They stopped for just a second seeing the bloodied site and the dead bodies. They choose to keep riding and just as they diepeard around the corner one of them yelled “Fucking killers!”.
After that, they mounted their horses deciding it was best to leave this location as soon as possible. Riding down the road; this time at a more relaxed speed, but still making good time. The ride was very quiet, Talos had still not forgiven Rawlin for what Talos belived was murder.
Pylia suddenly said: We are not too far away now, and it’s getting late.
Talos: Maybe it's time to take a break?
Nysa: That sounds like a plan, lets move a bit of the road and up the forest, that way we won't be ambushed.
Rawlin: I’ll scout up a head and see if I can't find traces of that other group while you set up.
Talos: Just don’t kill them!
Rawlin: Get over yourself, they had committed a crime worthy of death.
Nysa: We’ll set up camp, don’t get ambushed or anything.
With that comment Nysa rode up and into the forest thereby cutting off any further discussions.
As they moved up they made sure to mark the path so Rawlin could find it, but in a way so that people not looking for it wouldn't notice.
As Rawlin rode along the road for a bit he heard voices. So he stopped and jumped off the horse, after tying it down he continued on foot. It was the group that had passed them earlier by the brook. They had set up camp right next to the road having two guards while the others were relaxing. Rawlin noted that they were very heavily armored and had set up a good perimeter. Clearly one or more of them had military training.
Rawlin stayed around listening to them for a while, they didn't say much of interest. Until finally they started talking about how they planned to attack the goblin cave. Rawlin noted down everything including the time they decided to attack.
After that Rawlin moved off slowly and went back to his horse. This time he decided to walk it wasn't too far back along the road. He found the small marks Nysa had carved on two trees to mark the path.
After moving along it for a short time he came across Nysa standing right infront of him, keeping an eye down towards the road.
They walked together back to camp, It was just a little bit further. Nysa stopped at the edge of camp and turned towards the path, this way he could see if someone followed them up into the forest, while still taking part in any discussion happening in their camp.
Nysa: What did you find?
Rawlin: I found our friends from the last stop, they made camp right next to the road.
Pylia: Brave…
Talos: They expect they can handle anything that comes their way.
Linnet: Do they look like they can take care of themselves?
Rawlin: They will be tough to take out.
Talos: No, We won’t attack them! They're not criminals!
Rawlin: I agree, they plan to attack the goblin camp right after lunch. I say we leave the horses here and attack the goblins right after breakfast.
Linnet: So sneak over and take the prize before they have any idea what happend? I like it.
Rawlin: I'm going to go down and take a look right before breakfast, so they haven’t changed their plans.
Nysa: We have taken care of one group. There are five more somewhere out there, don’t you dare drop your guard. I'm taking first watch.
Linnet: I’ll take second.
Talos: Then I’ll take third and start breakfast.
Rawlin: Wake me when you do so I can scout a bit, I'm thinking I’ll go looking for the other parties and traces of the goblins.
Nysa: I’m going down a bit to keep an eye on the road, come fetch me when you're done with dinner.
At that Rawlin pulled out his cooking pots and started preparing dinner. The night went by without anything of note happening. As Talos awoke Rawlin. He noted that the sun had still not risen.
Rawlin: Good, Thanks.
Talos: What? mm sure no problem I guess.
Rawlin: With the sun still down, it will make it easier to scout the locations.
Talos: Finding the goblins you mean?
Rawlin: That and checking in on the other party.
Talos: Good luck.
The last words were spoken with no sincerity in them. Talos had started a small fire, he was clearly planning to start making breakfast before he awoke the others.
Rawlin headed out but he didn't make it far before he noted something was off, he felt it even before coming down to the road. Rawlin stood completely still for several minutes. He pulled his bow off his back as quietly as he could, then he placed an arrow in the same hand as he held the bow. With the other hand he made sure to unbuckle the clasp on his knife. As the clasp came undone, he listened as carefully as he could, but nothing moved at the small sound it had made.
He started walking at the slowest pace posible. Then finally he saw it, a small green head sticking up from a bush looking out over the road. It was a goblin and it was on the same side of the road as him so it was looking in the wrong direction. It was startled and moved its head fast looking in every direction.
His first instinct was to put an arrow in its head, but he stopped himself. That would make noise… So instead he pulled the knife slowly and started to move closer, he didn't want to drop the bow in case there were more of them but he moved the bow to his off hand. After what seemed like an eternity he was within striking distance, now he had to make a choice: Put down the bow and maybe expose himself, attacking with only one hand and having nothing to cover his victims mouth with or trying to knock it out and getting some much needed intel on the goblin lair.
He put the bow down as quietly as he could but the moment he laid it on the ground a weak yell was heard from the other side of the road. He struck immediately, the goblin had no time to turn and the knife went deep into the back of its neck. There he left it to pick the bow back up, but then nothing. He couldn't see anything! He knew it was out there… he had a general location from where the sound had come from but that might as well be a guess at this point. So he decided to take a step back, disappearing behind a tree he stood patiently for almost fifteen minutes before something happened. He then saw it, a small goblin moving at a creeping pace coming out of the bushes. As soon as it had left the bush it took off running apparently believing he was gone. So he shot an arrow aiming for the right leg.
The arrow pierced right through its leg, Rawlin saw that it had pierced an artery if he didn’t stop the bleeding fast enough the goblin would die. Rawlin made a calculated guess based on previous encounters with goblins. He figured if there had been more scouts they would have moved already as well. So he ran down and put a thick rag around the leg, cutting off the worst of the bleeding.
Then he tied the goblins legs and hands together. before taking a quick look around and picking up the bound goblin.
As he did that he noticed another goblin further down the road. Then he threw his captive down to grab his bow again but before he got it up the new threat was gone.
He moved quickly back to camp.
Rawlin threw him in front of the others that had just barely started breakfast.
Nysa: What do we have here?
Rawlin: A new friend, someone that can tell us everything about his friends at the cave.
Talos: That looks like a child…
Rawlin: So? He's a monster just like his parents.
Talos: I agree, but I…. I just never expected this…
Nysa: where did you think they came from, they don’t spring like fruits from a tree….
Talos: I wish they did, that would make this easier.
Goblin: Don’t eat goblin! Goblin not tasty.
Rawlin: Only speak when spoken to…
As Rawlin said that he moved closer with the bloody knife he pulled from the other groblins neck. Pylia placed a hand in front of him.
Pylia: Can’t you see he’s just scared?
Linnet: If you help us we will give you gold and treasure and let you go.
With a handful of gold and jewels Linnet moved closer. Seeing the tindering lit in the little goblins eyes, she smiled. She poured the gold into a small pouch, closed it carefully and started untying his feet.
Linnet: I know they were mean to you.
Goblin: Mean to… me…
Linnet: They deserve what's coming to them…
Goblin: d-d-d-deserve…
Linnet: Where are they?
As she hoped, he drew a very crude map over the area and placed a finger on a location. Pylia checked it against the map she had and said. It looks right.
Goblin: If you attack, you die.
Linnet: What do you mean?
Goblin: We… They strong. They many… They kill group, two group!
Linnet: What groups?
Goblin: Camping group and hidy group… Yes! One try attack, die in goblin ambush!
Others We ambush at road, many arrows, they dead.
Linnet: Goblins die?
Goblin: Ya! First group many die… Hard battle. other group? No! Too many arrow.
Linnet threw the pouch at him, he caught it with both of his hands, he had a bit of trouble opening it since his hands were still tied.
You're going to let him go? Rawlin asked. Linnet said, up to you guys I got what I wanted.
Talos quickly smashed the goblin in the head with his hammer and said as the others looked a bit surprised. “A monster is a monster, I can’t let myself feel sorry for them just because they are young monsters.”
He then pulled up the pouch and opened it to give Linnet back her treasure. Inside he found only pebbles and sand.
She clapped him on the back and said: “I need something to give the Illusion weight and some monsters need a second judgement. All aren’t bad.” He looked confused but didn’t answer, so after a moment Nysa spoke up. “It looks like the goblins have taken care of two of our competitors, three left and we should probably try to ambush the goblins. They may have numbers on their side.
Rawlin: One of them saw me at the road so it's a good bet their gathering supplies to attack.
Pylia: Not good, that means we lost the element of surprise…
Linnet: Not really, I have an idea that might get us all the surprise we may need.
Nysa: And what is this idea?
A horde of goblins were moving along the side of the road. There was a arguing group standing in the middle of the road, clearly arguing over a dead goblin. One man was pointing out into the forest while another pointed along the road. The goblins stopped, but after a moment it was clear that the group hadn’t noticed them so they kept moving. To get to the perfect firing position the goblins had to jump over a couple of rocks that had been placed across the road a, few of the goblins were a bit nervous. This was the third group they had encountered in a few days.
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They all followed their fearless captain; he signaled to stop so they stopped. The half with bows had stopped right behind the rocks while the ones with swords and spears were in front of them.
They had the enemies in sight who were still foolishly arguing. Then suddenly out of nowhere a massive wall of fire appeared right along the rock ridge.
Then three more fire walls surrounded the forward part of their group. The captain started screaming something that he never got to finish because two arrows had landed in his throat. One from each direction, the second in command started screaming for support from the archers but as he looked back through the fire to the archers behind, they were not responding. Two massive demons had appeared one with a giant two handed morningstar he was moving through the archers smashing several with each hit, on the other side a demon with a mace and a shield was moving and shield bashing with one hand and crushing skulls with the mace in the other.
So the second in command ordered a group of goblins with shields to move to the front.
They did as commanded but when they turned to see what their commander wanted next he was already dead. He was also targeted by arrows.
For a few minutes they didn't know what to do, the archers were getting slaughtered and the others got arrow after arrow and fell dead.
Then as the trapped group had all gathered in a corner slowly pushing each other further and further towards the fire a goblin fell, he landed right on top of the fire. Screaming for a second in pain. Then he looked confused, he wasn't dead but before he had time to say anything he died from an arrow. Then two more goblins fell, at that the group realized that the fire wasn’t burning them. So they rushed the closest of the demons. Fury replaced the fear that had just held them trapped.
The demon smashed the first of her new opponents head to the side and he fell with a broken neck, the next got impaled on the shield pike. She pushed hard and the corpse flew back on the others. Then she smashed the next with the edge of the shield, continuing the motion then spun around and hit three goblins with the mace, but now the goblin spearmen had come close enough to form a spear wall and she had to start backing off. The archers were relieved and started moving in behind their reinforcements. But the other demon followed them. Six goblins with swords came at him, two flew off to the side dead. The others had shields up. But the closest got struck by an overhead swing from the demon, his shield shattered and he died from the impact. The other three quickly stabbed at him with their swords two were blocked but the third managed a nasty cut on his leg for which he paid with a blow from below going under the shield edge and breaking the arm with the shield and making the shield fly. The other two attacked again this time only one attack got blocked.
Now this demon had to start moving back to.
The archers had refocused their attention on the trees from which the arrows had been raining down, they couldn't see their targets but they shot arrow after arrow hoping to at least force their targets to stay down.
The Demon with a great hammer smashed and smashed again finally getting the last of the goblins. But just as he did another group moved in. this one much larger. it would be hard to deal with. The first demon flickered, it was Pylia. She was still moving backwards with a large number of spear goblins going for every opening they could find. She smashed a spear and split it but immediately another one took its place. then she smashed another one.
The other demon had turned into Talos and at this stage he looked battered and bruised but with a swift blow he broke the leg of one of the goblins following him. Then A thousand arrows rained down from above. All the goblins threw themselves towards the nearest cover. This gave Nysa and Rawlin a chance to jump down from the tree.
Nysa moved over to Talos, while Rawlin moved over to Pylia she quickly healed him with magic to close up the wound from an arrow that he just pulled out.
The goblins didn't take long to catch on that the rain of arrows was an illusion. They jumped back up but Talos and Nysa worked well together. Nysa focused on blocking and cutting any Goblin that moved a bit to boldly while Talos focused on smashing hard. He had new focus and a raging fury that wouldn't stop.
The archers regrouped to get a good position on Talos and Nysa, since they were the ones without shields they figured that they would be the best targets. Little did they know that Linnet had expected this. An eight armed demon stepped out with fire in her eyes. They let it walk up right next to them believing it was just another illusion. Then she struck with a quick blow that went right through the eye of the leading goblin. They stumbled back in scared confusion. Then a long blow and the top of another goblins head was missing. The archers started to flee.
The demon then took flight. having seen what it had done, the archers screamed in panic “It's real! It's real!”
The other goblins took one glance at it and decided to flee. Rawlin and Nysa picked up their bows and killed a few more before the horde was gone. Then they quickly moved back towards their campsite.
Once back Pylia started to tend to everyone's wounds. Healing magicly was a quick and dirty business. It may fix a wound superficially but it didn't take care of the wounds permanently, so she had to bandage and dress the wounds before applying more permanent medicine.
Talos was worse off, he had taken several blows before the arrow rain had allowed Nysa to move over to his side. Linnet had barely taken any damage but had spent most of her magic.
Nysa and Rawlin had several scratches from arrows but only Rawlin had taken a direct hit.
Nysa offered, once Pylia had taken care of his wounds to go down and see if he could see anything. The others agreed, but Talos added: Be careful.
Linnet: That was more goblins than I've ever seen.
Pylia: Damned it! what happened?
Rawlin: We underestimated them. Despite being told they killed two groups.
Talos: But that was probably their main force! Maybe all their fighters!
Rawlin: What are you talking about, boy?
Talos: Didn’t you see?
Rawlin annoyed: See what?
Talos: Several of the ones I fought were injured!
Rawlin: Damned it! Your right!
Pylia: So we take a break, let the magic and the herbs do their thing and get back out there and finish this fight?
Rawlin: sounds like a plan! I’ll go tell Nysa.
Pylia: No you won’t! If you’re going to be useful those injuries need to heal. I’ll do it!
Rawlin: Fine but bee sneaky!
Pylia: I wasn't born yesterday.
She moved off making sure to keep silent. After only a short moment of moving along the path they had marked she saw Nysa up ahead. He was looking at her, signaling her to be quiet and waving her over.
She moved over as quietly as she could. There below them was another adventuring party, it was the Legendary Heroes of Garbin.
Nysa whispered: they're examining the battlefield down there, They tried tracking us but i coved our escape route.
Why us? Pylia answered in a whispering tone. Then she heard the voices:
First voice:Sir I can't find any tracks.
Second voice: Too bad, looks like they took a hell of a beating. We probably could have finished them off easily.
Third voice: But that's not very honorable…
Then a smack was heard.
Second voice: Stop that. Do you want the price? Do you want to be one of us?
Third voice: y-y-yes sir!
Second voice: Taking them out of the fight is good business. Then we write them a heroic end in our books. That way we give them more honor than they deserve and we get the price.
Third voice: That sounds good, it's a bit like letting that other group have the first glory fighting the ghouls in the tunnels?
First voice: Yes, it’s not our fault they didn’t have what it takes to be adventurers.
Pylia: Sounds like that's one more group dealt with.
Nysa: Wonder which one….
Pylia: Worried about your friend? Talos noticed that some of the goblins were injured so we think we fought the majority of their remaining forces.
Nysa: That would be good news if we didn’t have to get past these bastards to get to the goblins…
Pylia: Think they have what it takes?
Nysa: Maybe, Up front they look though.
Pylia: Lets just hope they fail. I'm heading back. We can't do much against them now anyways.
Nysa remained for a while. Once he returned to camp he told the others about the Legendary heroes of Garbin. Talos seemed very disappointed, that's when Nysa remembered that Talos looked up to them. so Nysa added; I’m sorry kid, you should never meet your heroes.
Talos grumbled and left, so Nysa continued; I have more bad news, they talked about setting up traps. I don't think they want anyone else getting to the goblins.
While the others slept Nysa and Linnet held guard. But after about an hour Nysa said; I can't wait around. I need to know what’s happening.
So he moved off, Linnet said “No, wait” but it was too late.
Following the markings back down, while still being a good bit above the road he stopped and listened. Nothing, so he moved parallel along the side of the road. At first he couldn’t spot any of them. But then he saw one of them sitting alone by a tree. It looked like he was guarding a path. it wasn’t one of the heroes, it looked like a servant or someone they had fooled into coming along. At first Nysa thought, I'll move up behind and give him a quick death.
But then he realized if they came back they would never stop looking for them. so instead he went around until he was just a few meters from the path behind the man. He heard combat from up ahead so he hurried. A little extra noise won't be noticed he thought.
There he saw the heroes pushing the last of the goblins back into a cave opening. They hadn't even bothered leaving their other two followers that just carried equipment. Something looked wrong to him.
But the heroes pressed on until they stood right at the mouth of the cave. That's when Nysa noticed it. The rocks above looked loose, not only that but about twelve goblin faces looked out from above.
Then the rocks fell down, all of the heroes were caught in the landslide, even the two followers.
The few remaining goblins rushed back outside and started furiously stabbing the first knight. The leader stood up. The others didn’t look like they could, He pulled out a scroll. After reading a few words, he and the four knights that looked the oldest disappeared.
Nysa was gaping; such magic was powerful, most magic like that could only be cast by an arch mage! And here they had a scroll of it?
But clearly it hadn’t been made for them, if it was it would have brought everyone. The youngest of the knights was trying to fight his way back giving it a valiant effort despite his injuries, holding one of the followers behind him, she was a young girl with only a tiny dagger in her hand.
But then the arrows came hailing down from above. Arrow after arrow came sailing down towards him. He took one in the leg, then one in the chest. Soon he didn’t move anymore. Then the girl tried to run but the goblins caught her and dragged her into the cave. The other follower was also dragged back inside.
Nysa quickly moved back. once down at the road he tackled the man they had left there.
Once they were on the ground he said: Hay, did you know your bosses left you to die? The goblins are coming! Either you stay here and die or follow me!
The man looked confused then worried and then he followed.
Once up the path Nysa turned around with a dagger in his hand and said: No offence but i'm going to take any weapon you have, I don't trust the Legendary heroes and therefore I dont trust you!
The man handed over a short and stubby dagger and said: None taken, I don't exactly trust you either.
As they came up the path the others stood up.
Rawlin: What the hell Nysa?!
Nysa: The heroes are gone, and if we had attacked before them maybe we would have all died!
Talos: What?!
Nysa: The basted goblins had booby trapped the cave opening.
Pylia: So how do we get around then?
Nysa: Well that trap will take a long time to reset, so we have a chance… If we can deal with the archers first!
Rawlin: What archers?
Nysa: They have an archery perch on the mountain side.
Rawlin: Damned it, is this never going to be finished?
Nysa: It did look like the goblins were on their last leg! they had less than ten fighting up front and they had twelve archers, so if we can get to the archers we have basically won!
Rawlin: No! I'm not taking chances, we are going to go at this fight like we think they're at full strength, so far they have outsmarted everyone on every turn!
Nysa: Good point! I brought this guy, he was the Legendary Heroes follower, he was left as a lookout towards the road. The other two followers they had with them the goblins have dragged into their nest.
The man: Dragged in?
Nysa: Yes well goblins like their prisoners, unfortunately they don't treat them very well.
The man: My sister is in there, if you save her I’ll give you everything I have.
Talos: What’s your name?
The man: Arion, Please save her?
Pylia: Why did you serve them?
Arion: Ha! serve them? My sister was a fan, she had all their books. when she saw them on the road she said she loved them and wanted to do anything for them! The leader rode around us then said, Luckily for you we need some new followers, they dragged us after them and used us as bait and packing mules. When my sister finally had enough, the leader took her into the forest and talked to her. When they returned she had changed her mind, all but the youngest were cruel to her but she just said thank you.
So one night I asked her what had happened that night. She said that the man had said if we don’t do as he said he would kill us, not only that but he had a magic spell that would let them locate us wherever we went. She looked so afraid.
Nysa: Why not go to a big city and tell your story?
Arion: And who would believe two randoms of the streets? have you read their books?
Talos: I have… And I'm beginning to believe they're just horse shit!
Arion: Are you going to save my sister or not?! Otherwise I'd like my knife back so I can do it myself!
Rawlin: We are, and keep your savings we have bigger scores on the horizon.
Nysa: We can’t leave him here, what if he steals the horses?
Rawlin: Right…
Linnet: Kill him?
Arion: WHAT?!
Linnet: Kidding!
Arion: That’s it! Im….
A thud as he turned around. Linnet had given him a wack in the back of the head.
Linnet: Tie him up and we can free him after we are done.
Rawlin and Talos: Really?
Nysa: Works for me.
Talos: What no!
Rawlin:Oh well, it’s done now. I don't think he will mind, If we save his sister I think he will forgive us.
Talos refused to answer but went along with the rest of the group. Pylia was shaking her head as they walked off.
Arriving at the point where Nysa had watched the previous fight, now they saw several goblins outside. Most of them tried to clear the cave opening properly, it hadn't been blocked, but the boulders made it hard to come and go from the cave.
Up there Nysa said as he pointed out the upper layer where the archers had stood.
Only two could be seen up there at the moment.
Talos: Do we fight our way in?
Nysa: Too risky, even if it's just six or seven up there they can really rain down hell on us.
Rawlin: I can definitely take one out.
Nysa: At this distance i can't say i can do the same…
Pylia: lure them out?
Nysa: Then all will come, can we handle that?
Linnet: I can probably delay some of them.
Nysa: They know we have an illusionist now… They will be wary of your tricks.
Linnet: The demon sent them all running didn’t she?
Nysa: Wanna bet on it working again?
Linnet: Urgh, fine.
Rawlin: Nysa, what’s your idea?
Nysa: Since you asked… I say we climb up the cliff and attack them from above!
Rawlin: Hmm sounds risky….
Nysa: I climb up, set up a rope. The rest of you can follow using that!
Once they all had reached the top it was just a matter of following the cliff edge until they reached the archery perch.
Rawlin noted that the goblin's archery perch looked too well made. It was carved out of the cliff, made with embrasures to defend archers. There weren't two goblins up here but five, two sleeping and two walking on and off, with a final one sitting by a small stone table eating something that smells rotten.
Rawlin signaled he would shoot the guard furthest away, so Nysa showed with a knife move that he would take the patrolling one. Linnet placed herself above the one eating. They moved as one. Rawlin shot an arrow hitting the left lung and that goblin collapsed in shock.
Nysa took three quick sprints and sliced his target's throat before he had time to yell. Linnet landed on her target driving the rapier from the top of the goblins head all the way down into the bench it was sitting on.
The two sleeping goblins were waking up but with Talos and Pylia standing over them they just sort of looked up in shock as they both got their skulls shattered.
Pylia placed herself right in the middle of the door to the perch so she could block anyone coming up with Talos on her left side wanting to smash anyone she showed him an opening for and Linnet on the other side waiting for the same.
Nysa and Rawlin went over to the armaments and started to pick off targets one at the time outside.
It took the goblins longer than expected to understand what was happening. But finally they did and stormed back inside to kill the intruders.
Once the targets outside were gone Nysa put his bow on his back and pulled out his two long daggers and Rawlin placed himself so he could shoot anyone if they got past the others.
Inside they could hear the goblins long before they came into visual range. First up where four spearmen. Pylia blocked and crouched, Talos hammer went right over smashing one straight in the face. He fell backwards tumbling onto the guy behind him taking him with him back down the stairs. The one next to him got Linnets rapier through his throat, He collapsed right in front of Pylia. The last goblin didn’t even have time to react. because as he looked at his dead friends his chest met with Pylias boot pushing him backwards down the long flight of stairs. Next up came some swordsmen, this time the first one met Pylias shield, he held his sword up high and so the pike went right into his chest. Second one got a Smash from her mace. Once she cleared for the others to attack there wasn't anyone left, they had run back downstairs.
They all looked surprised. Nysa said; I’m sure there are at least eight more.
Then it came, A big roar something large was coming up the stairs. Everyone heard the noise it made as it moved up. Pylia stood steady and said; It’s an ogre!
Just as it hit her, she went flying and smashed into the archery defences. Talos struck low hoping to cripple its legs. Linnet on the other hand tried to aim for the eye hoping to penetrate the brain.
Talos hit his mark but it had little effect on the ogres leg. As Linnet moved forwards to strike the ogre picked her up. She screamed in agony. Then a long arrow with red feathers landed in the arm holding her. The ogre let go but with his other hand made a slamming motion and smashed Talos into the wall. Talos sort of just slid down on the ground after that.
Nysa moved in trying to keep away from the monstrous hands of the beast.
He slashed and slashed again, forcing the beast to cry out in pain. Then with both hands it smashed the ground in front of it. Nysa just barely got out of the way, Then as it moved to strike at Nysa again, a rapier dug deep into its side. It lashed out with an elbow to try to get whatever did that. But Linnet had already moved.
As it looked for her Nysa moved back in to stab at it but he got a stomach full of fist as it turned back around. He collapsed into a pile, the ogre tried to give him another smash but yet another arrow with red feathers hit its mark this one dug deep into the throat. The ogre pulled it out not even noticing the heavy stream of blood.
Then from behind Linnet struck her rapier deep into its left elbow, cutting the nerves. The rapier was stuck up to its hilt, but the ogre couldn't use it’s left arm anymore. It grabbed it’s arm and howled. Linnet went at it’s back with several blows from a small dagger. It turned around looking furious at her.
She just stood there. The ogre smashed. but she still just stood there. She had used invisibility to move, leaving an illusion in her place. Then the ogre got smashed from behind, Pylia was back on her feet smashing over and over again. The ogre tried to get her with the left arm but it turned into a howling instead as the rapier was still stuck in its arm. Then the ogre punched with the other arm. Pylia blocked, this time ready she moved backwards across the floor despite not taking a step back.
Then the creature looked around confused and after a moment it fell over. out from the soft spot on the back of the head stood another one of those arrows with the red feathers. Rawlin had moved over to get the perfect shot straight into its brain. Pylia fell down on her knees. Talos was back up on his feet, supporting himself with his hammer. Linnet looked the least damaged so she took up position on the stair. Below she saw a goblin, it stared at her.
Then she yelled: “That’s right we just killed your little beasty! Now we are coming for you, if you don’t leave at once!”
The goblin made a shriek and then another right before he took off outside they saw the last of the goblin warriors flee and behind them several goblin families with kids in tow.
Talos looked out after them and said: There they go, off to breed new goblins to kill and murder others all over the cuntry side.
Linnet: We can't fight them now, if we had we would all have died.
Talos: I know, I know… But i don’t have to like it.
Nysa: Let’s get downstairs and see what we can find.
Rawlin: Nysa you look like your internal organs are about to burst and Talos that slam against the wall, I thought you looked like a nut in the cracker frankly. You stay here with Pylia and get healed up. Me and Linnet can handle things downstairs.
Pylia started pulling out her healing ointments.
Rawlin lit a torch and walked down the long and dark passage.
Linnet pulled out her rapier from the ogre’s arm and followed. Talos noted that the rapier was completely clean. Magic he thought.
As they came down the long stair they ended up in what the goblins had turned into their throne room. Where the ogre had been living, the goblins had made some sort of throne to the ogre.
They found some coins and small treasures, all that went into the shared treasury. But soon after exploring the cave a bit more they found the dead bodies they assumed were of the quest givers associates, they also found a prison cell. The man Nysa had seen getting dragged in was hanging from a chain, they had started to cut him up, it looked like they were planning on eating him. Rawlin sighed: why are good endings always so hard to find. The woman had been cut up but was still alive, it didn't look fatal. They carried her back up to the top. Then they went back down and continued their search but they found no research material, they looked around for quite some time and still found nothing.
After some time Nysa and Pylia came down, Talos was keeping watch.
Nysa: What’s going on?
Linnet: Good you're here!
Nysa: What?
Rawlin: We can’t find shit. You found the passage in the tunnel, can you work your magic here?
Pylia responded in disbelief: He just knocked on some walls with a knife
Nysa: And we got attacked for it!
Linnet: Any other suggestions then?
Nysa: fine.
After searching for a while it was finally Pylia that found it. On the wall right up in a corner, but not so far up you couldn't reach it, the sigil of the quest giver was engraved on a stone.
She yelled out for everyone.
Once everyone was gathered, even Talos, she pushed on it. It moved to the side, behind it was a handle, she pulled.
A lever shifted and a stone block moved slightly, after everyone gave it a push they managed to get it open. Inside was a new room, the first notion was that it was an altar to a dark heart, drawn with black oze flowing from it. Talos noted that the oze was flowing over tiny drawings of people.
Talos: I’ve never heard of a good like that!
Nysa: Not sure there is one, but if there is I’m going to bet it’s not one of the good ones.
Rawlin: Old tales, rumors from campaigns with the elves. They tell stories of the first god, an evil master. All gods worked together to seal him away, His heart was all dark and now resides in the human plain, corrupting anyone that tries to claim it’s power.
Pylia shivered and brought her light past the altar. In the room they found several large tomes dedicated to different strange artifacts; The eye of eternity, The eternity arm and the heart of darkness.
I bet these are what we are after! Nysa said and put the books into a bag. This one too Talos said and threw in a notebook he found on the floor next to one of the altars.
Nysa held the bag open for him.
Let’s head back to our camp Rawlin said. Everyone nodded in agreement. Talos and Rawlin carried the unconscious woman as the others carried the things they had found. About half way to camp she awoke. At first screaming but they calmed her down.
Everything seemed calm until Talos said; Don’t you worry, your brother is back at our camp.
When she responded; My brother died defending me outside that horrible cave.
Nysa took off sprinting and so did Rawlin, leaving the woman in Talos arms.
They took the shortcut Nysa had made for them as he wanted to avoid the road on the way up so they arrived at the camp from the back side.
The camp had been searched. Rawlin looked through his stuff, “Coins all gone.” he informed Nysa, Nysa on the other hand was looking for other things. He opened the secret compartment of his backpack and it was empty. Rawlin looked at him and asked: What is it? What have you lost?
Nysa looked long and hard before he said. Nothing. Everything. Who I am. My Childhood.
Rawlin sighed; “I can’t help you if you don’t tell me specifics”
Nysa looked back at him and he just shook his head.
Soon after the others arrived. Rawlin informed the others: “We’ve been robbed, coins nicknacks nothing of importance.”
Talos: That face looks like it could kill someone!
He said and nodded to Nysa.
Rawlin: You best leave it boy, unless you want to be that someone.
Talos looked through his own stuff.
Talos: Yep my coins are all gone.
Pylia: Mine two.
Linnet: Mine as well, Shit. I had some jewels they’re gone to.
Nysa turned to the others.
Nysa: We need to leave.
Pylia: Why?
Nysa: This campsite is compromised.
Rawlin: Damned it!
Pylia: What?
Rawlin: He took a horse as well.
Talos: Nysa stop.
Nysa was packing his things and doing it fast.
Talos walked over.
Talos: Nysa, this won’t help tell us and may-
Before he could finish he was laying on the ground.
Nysa: Leave me be.
Pylia: That's not necessary.
Linnet: Look anyone can see he needs time, if you’re going to try something like that your ending up on the ground.
Pylia: Stay out of this princess!
Linnet: Oh yeah? What are you going to do grandma?
Nysa: SILENCE!
everyone looked at him
Nysa: I’m sorry Talos, we need to leave. Who knows who he has told of our camp site. If we stay here we will get ambushed, either by the returning legendary heroes or another group.
At that, everyone started packing up.
Talos: What about her?
Nysa stared for a moment: She stays behind, we can't bring her, she's a liability.
Talos: There is no reason to believe she is like that other guy.
Nysa: There is no reason to assume otherwise either.
Talos: She is hurt, alone and we need to help her.
Rawlin: I agree with Nysa, we show her the path back down to the road and then she will have a great chance to survive.
Talos: We can't just leave her! She is unarmed, any wild animal could kill her!
Pylia: Talos please just leave it.
Woman: Please don’t leave me here, I'm scared…
Nysa reached over a knife and said: Here. With this you have a better chance than most.
Then he jumped up in the saddle. Rawlin told her: you see those markings on the trees? They will lead you back to the main road.
They rode down along the road back towards Corinthia, leaving the woman standing alone in the old campsite.
It was very late now but the road was easy to follow. Once they came closer to the brook where they first fought the thugs that stole the horses, Nysa stopped them. Lights he said.
Talos: Could be anyone.
Rawlin: I don’t like to take that risk.
Nysa: Rawlin you’re with me. We’re scouting that area out.
Linnet: I’ll go with Rawlin, Nysa your head isn't on straight.
Nysa: Fine.
Pylia: Nysa, what’s wrong?
Nysa: I’M FINE!
Pylia: clearly.
The scouts were not gone long.
Rawlin: You’re not going to like this.
Linnet: It’s the last party.
Pylia: Did they set an ambush?
Rawlin: no, they still think there's a chance for them to catch the prize.
Nysa: Then what’s the problem? We can just avoid them can’t we?
Rawlin: They have your vampire friend.
Nysa: Yeah, I know she went with another of the groups.
Talos: Vampire?! That’s a monster!
Nysa: Shut up Talos.
Rawlin: Well, they agree with Talos. They have her chained up, I think they're planning on turning her over for a reward.
Nysa: We need to save her!
Talos: Listen to yourself! She is a vampire!
Nysa: Shut up!
Pylia: No you shut up!
Nysa: She saved my life! I owe her my life, I can’t walk away from that! No more than Rawlin can walk away from the military or you from your oath to Taloses parents!
Linnet: And I owe my life to Nysa, so I'm helping.
Rawlin: Fine I get it! I’m in.
Pylia: I don’t like it but if you feel that strongly I’ll help you free her at least.
Talos: NO! You’re all insane! I’m not fine with this!
Pylia: We will be back soon. You can watch the horses.
Talos: Are you really fine with this Pylia?
Pylia: No, but if he really feels that strongly about it. I’ll help.
Talos: Why?
Rawlin: They helped on my mission to save the horses.
Pylia: Because we are a team. Working together means helping one another and trusting one each other.
Nysa: And we would help you if you felt this strongly about something.
Talos: You didn’t help that woman!
Nysa: That’s different!
Talos: No it isn’t
Nysa: Then stay here with the horses.
Linnet: When this is over we’re going our separate ways.
Talos: Couldn't agree more.
While the others walked off to save a monster Talos stood looking at them. Once they were out of earshot he said.
I’m not staying here. I’m sorry Pylia you made your choice. I need to make my own way now.