15th Wealsun, 582
[This being the Seekers' third adventure, we find our heroes on the road heading north towards Chatwin]
Having bid Werthan and Feister a fond farewell, the Seekers began the foot trek north to Chatwin. They spoke of their adventure and how time had flown by.
"My God we couldn't have been in there that long? Could we???" Pirvan looked at the others waiting for an answer as if they know what it is.
Lwcynda hazarded a guess. "Well I guess it was long it may have just been the magic in that realm. "I say we head on home to make sure that no one has done anything to our things, and get that rest we deserve." She asked her friends, "How about you guys?"
Andremar seemed distracted, but nodded that he was in agreement.
"Fine with me," said Cassandra. "You're right Pirvan, I don't feel like we have been away that long either. Oh well, let us go and as you say, check on what's been happening in Chatwin. Suddenly I feel awfully tired."
"Yes it seams like time maybe catching up on us, so we had better hurry and return before we fall asleep on our feet."
They held out hope of getting home this day, but, ....
************************************
It was late afternoon, maybe three PM. Chatwin was so close, they could almost smell it. Just a few miles away. The Seekers had walked from where they had left Werthan and Feister to this point, some three miles of woods to go. For the past few miles, the road had paralleled and sometimes crossed a stream. They had traveled through some thinning woods, and transversed some low hills.
Now they were nearing the last thickening part of the forest, before the plain that would take them to Chatwin. The forest was alive with bird song and the croaking of tree frogs. As they splashed across a small stream, the sounds of wildlife ceased. ~Voices~ were heard in the woods a slight distance before them.
Four ugly people entered the path around the next bend; their faces were hideous and their voices harsh. A wolf loped along beside them. The four humanoids were dressed in mangy robes and furs, and carried axes and shields. They walked ahead of the Four, not noticing them, caught up in their own discussion, in some guttural tongue.
"Goblins" whispered Cassandra.
As the Seekers watched, the largest of these creatures suddenly hit one of his fellows on the head with the blunt end of his ax. The smaller creature dropped like a rock and moved no more. The other two looked down at the fallen one, then at the larger one. The wolf's nose raised into the air, sniffing ...
Andremar once more readied his agile mind and soul for a little bit of a fracas, but didn't initiate any aggression. His manner suggested a chat first, followed by taking a more threatening pose, followed by hanging these little friends inverted from a tree.
He wondered aloud, ... "How is it that um, uh... foul creatures such as uh, as um, these goblins can... mmm... can wander the roads to Chatwin???"
Lwcynda whispered "Maybe we should hide for the moment and ready ourselves for a fight if it comes to that. I don't think goblins are much likely to want to parley. What do you say?" Lwcynda moved off to the side, her sword ready.
Pivan whispered back to Lwcynda "Yes I do not feel like an encounter with some hostiles, but I would sure like to try out my new toy." Hinting to his long sword which he drew, as he moved towards the tree line to hide.
Seeing the two others moving towards cover, Cassandra gave her friend a gentle push, moving him off the road ever so slightly.
The wolf continued to sniff, ....., growled somewhat. The largest of the goblins gave the animal a cuff on the back of the head, quieting him. He said something to the other two. One pointed at the stunned one on the ground. The big one shook his head side to side, waved away at the stunned one, and began walking across the road into the trees, the wolf at his side. The other two looked at him, called out. He waved them towards him, yelling something. The two looked down at the fallen one, back at the big one, shrugged their shoulders, and followed .
After a few minutes, the sounds of their tramping off into the trees could no longer be heard. Cassandra began to approach the one that had been knocked out, short sword in hand. The stricken one raised his head. He saw the armed thief looming over him, the other three making their way towards him. Still groggy, but able to take in the situation, he merely got to his knees and pleaded in halting common, "No kill. No kill."
"Well now he knows some common. Tell us why shouldn't we kill you?" Pirvan walked out towards the goblin motioning for the others to stay where they were, "in case it might be an ambush or the others come back."
The fighter hovered over the now kneeling creature; Cassandra was nearby, though she was watching and listening at the woods, heeding Pirvan's warning.
"I say now give me a good reason or I shall try my new sword and run you through."
At this image, the goblin swooned, as if to faint. T'was only the smell of his now soiled pants that woke him. Shaking, shivering, he said, "Tree-sure. Me no of beeeg tree-sure." He closed his eyes tightly, waiting for death.
Lwcynda came forward to look at the poor creature. "What's he saying -- he is no big treasure or he has no treasure? Well, I will agree that he is no big treasure. Pirvan, would you check him for any weapons and remove them and then maybe we can talk to him and find out what goblins are doing here so near to Chatwin."
Pirvan gave the `beast' a quick pat down, carefully avoiding the seat of his pants. He removed a dagger from the goblin's belt. There was a wooden club lying along side, which Pirvan kicked away.
She turned to the goblin and said, "OK, you are no treasure. What is your name? What are you and your friends doing here in these woods? My name is Lwcynda and these people are my friends. What say you goblin?" Before the goblin could get the nerve to speak, she turned to Andremar. "Andremar, what do you think we should do with this 'gentleman'?"
The mage was still contemplating appropriate action when the goblin uttered, "Me Nork. No, me no treesure, but me no _of_ treesure. Me chief, Bayerlet, very sick. Me tribe sha mann, Vergrim, no of cure. He say we need all-icorn powder from horn of the white horse with wings, Silver Lants, who guards woods near here. Vergrim make magic arrow. We make ambush. Arrow hurt Silver Lants. He be dying, he be dead in day, maybe two. Me tribe search for his lair. We search caves around his wood. If you find him first, you could have beeg tree-sure, the horn of the flying white horse, the all-icorn.
Cassandra said, "I have heard of a Bayerlet. Rumor has it that he is an evil bandit type, the kind who preys on lone travelers, isolated farms. Not that it sets him apart from most goblins."
"Me Nork, me no bad. No kill, no kill!" he pleaded.
Andremar was sympathetic to the creature's pleas. "Uh, I can't um... condone killing, uh, this thing... mmmm well, it just uh, doesn't seem right. Can we uh, truss him up or um... or, uh, whatever? "I suspect he uh, mmmm... means he knows of a um, well, uh, I guess... he knows where a... uh... where a big treasure is... So, uh, I'd be um, loathe to let the uh, mmm let such an opportunity pass... . Why don't you um... ask him for more information?"
To the goblin Lwcynda said, "So Nork, you have already shot this unicorn and he's somewhere in the forest hurt? And your friends have now gone hunting for him to get his horn and treasure. Is that it?"
"Right," Nork dared a smile, "U right. And you find heem first, you get thee tree-surr." The sadness of the wounded white horse was lost on the goblin.
Turning to her companions she said "Well I don't want to outright kill this goblin either. Maybe we can just restrain his hands and he can show us where they shot the unicorn and maybe we can find him before the other goblins do. I don't hold to killing a good creature just to save an evil bandit. So if we can save the unicorn and find treasure too, well all the better for us and the world. What do you want to do?" She threw in a wishful, "Where are those fairies when you need them?" She knew this wish would not be answered.
Andremar was quite enthusiastic about wandering off to have a lookie for the treasure, but wanted to make sure that they were adequately supplied with food and the like...
Cassandra checked her pouches, "Still plenty of those delicious iron rations. And this is a normal forest, must be some game. I'm sure the Bold One here can catch us something is we need it. Course, if the little one here," glaring at Nork, "gives us any guff, we can always eat him."
Pirvan added, "I will not kill you you little runt." He paused, "If you show us where this flying horse is or where your friends went, please."
Nork seemed to know enough common to be properly warned. "Me no trouble. Me show U where horse get shot. Me show?"
The Seekers discussed the situation quietly amongst themselves, and decided that here was still enough daylight to make some headway on what had apparently become their next adventure. Nork's hands were tied behind his back and he led the way north along the regular road.
The road to Chatwin, on which the Seekers had traveled south a month ago, continued in a northwesterly direction. After a mile, the path and the stream which Nork had described, led off to the north east.
"Wonder, um, how, we, er, missed this last time?"
"Probably because it is hidden somewhat, and we weren't looking for it. We were fishing for bandits with us as the bait," Cassandra surmised.
Following this path now, the Four traversed some hills, which gradually gave way to a broad vale. As the stream and path entered the vale, there were several felled trees to the side of the path. Some small bodies also littered the scene. They did not block the path.
The trees seemed chopped down, with fresh cut marks, apparently from axes. Something had stained one of these trees and tufts of white hair were stuck with a brownish substance to the bark. On the ground beneath this tree lay the shaft of an arrow, snapped, with the arrow head missing.
The six bodies were those of goblins. Dried blood, quite cold; some had crushed skulls, others a singular hole in the chest. Small bipedal footprints headed off to the west, seemingly around the outside of the vale. The path and the stream continued northerly, into the woods.
Andremar recommended that someone keep an eye on our captive, "whilst we, er, examine the, um, scene." He asked Pirvan to have a look for foot/hoof prints, while he looked about in a more general manner himself.
Cassandra kept watch on Nork, and did her best to listen for any footsteps approaching.
Pirvan checked the bodies of the dead goblins. "Seems these here were trampled on their heads. This others had a hole bored right through their chests. Maybe a lance, or something. Maybe a _unicorn's_ horn?"
"Hey over here I found something, " pointing to the ground. Andremar responded to the spot.
"Looks like, er, cloven hooves."
"Yes, they do. The head that way," pointing north into the woods, "They, all four hooves, get together right here," pointing to a spot 20' along, "then vanish."
Pirvan returned to the dead goblins. "Couple of wooden clubs, some poorly sharpened short swords. Hey, this one has a pouch of, ...... 20, no make that 22 pieces of silver."
Pirvan brought this booty back to the others. "O.K. lets go and see if we can find this thing before his friends do."
"Looks like this broken arrow must have been the one that hit the unicorn. Nork, are these here dead goblins some of your former comrades?"
"Yes, me no them. They dead now, yes?"
"And this broken arrow, is it the 'magic' arrow you made to kill the unicorn?"
"Yes, that the arrow. We chop down tree. We no that the flying horse come to save trees. He come from over there," pointing north into and above the woods.
To no one in particular she muttered " I guess it's useless to ask him if he knows where the unicorn lives as they would have gone there to shoot him in the first place."
"Are there any horse/hoof prints around here? Do any of you see any?"
Pirvan informed her of his find.
"Nork, let me see your foot. Step here next to this footprint." She, Pirvan and Cassandra compared the foot print of Nork to those which headed off to the west, around the forest vale.
"Looks like his," they all agreed.
Lwcynda "OK, you did find some horse/hoof prints that we can follow? So which way should we go? Would a horse stick to the stream or go inland? I yield to anyone's expertise, even yours Nork."
Nork pondered this one, then answered, "Yes, my friends. They go to look een caves around the forest. We live een caves, don't U?" He seemed content and somewhat proud of his answer.
Lwcynda looked to her companions.
Cassandra said. "Doubt we could catch those goblins. They have too much of a head start. And, by the way Lwcynda, the stream does go inland, into the woods," she pointed out.
Andremar still stood at the point where the four hooves had come together and disappeared. "Uh, could this be, um, the incredible shrinking unicorn? Who's hooves have uh, mmm... shrunk with him??? Or perhaps it simply... flew off? Is a gap in the canopy which would uh, allow a um unicorn to fly through?"
Carefully scanning upward in the direction the hooves led, and might have leapt and flown, there was indeed sufficient space.
Andremar examined the broken arrow again, looking for traces of blood at the broken end. "If... mmm if there's, um, if there's blood here, I'd say um, uh... then we're looking for a uh, wounded unicorn." Traces of a dried brown substance confirmed Dr. Andremar's diagnosis.
Looking down the line of the hoof prints, Andremar looked up, to see if there was some obvious destination like a mountain or similar, but, alas, no, just forest to the north.
Pirvan agreed with the `flew off' supposition. "Remember Nork said it had wings So I think once it got to there It must have started to fly off." He turned to the goblin prisoner. "Nork could you remind us what this horse can do and what it looks like from your memory?"
"Him white, him have horn on nose, wings, and he can fly. He flew in, after fight, he flew out." Nork pointed in the direction which Andremar had already scanned.
"I have an idea, it may not work but it is worth a try. If the Horse thing is flying and bleeding I say that maybe we can see if we can find a trail of blood to follow it may lead us to this horse before the goblins get to it. Or maybe it used magic to cover its trail, Andremar isn't there some sort of spell that can do that?"
"Hey how about this while you to think of an answer," pointing to Andremar and Lwcynda," Cassandra and I can take a quick look 20' beyond this point to see if there is a trail out side this clearing?"
Andremar muttered a few incantations and began to turn slowly around, in an attempt to detect any magic present, residual or otherwise, but, alas, found none.
"Why Pirvan, that sounds like a good plan. If the trail goes north and then disappears it is likely that the horse flew away. Nork even says he seemed to come from that way too. Now maybe he couldn't fly too high up and we may find some drops of blood along the trail. Pirvan or Cassandra, do either of you think you might be able to find such a trail?"
Pirvan and Cassandra set about looking for a trail.
Lwcynda continued, "Now I guess I could try to detect magic on the trail, but unless his blood is magic or he used a spell I don't know how helpful this would be. I'll go with your plan Pirvan unless anyone else can think of a better plan."
Upon seeing what Andremar was up to, she said, "Oops, sorry. I didn't realize Andremar was way ahead of me. I don't always think too fast I guess. So Andremar, what did you find?"
"No, er, magic, um near here."
Pirvan and Cassandra returned from their scouting. "The path and the stream continue on the other side of this clearing, sort of north. Guess they take us deeper into the woods. No sign of blood, but if the horse was flying, the odds on it dropping on the trail would be slim," noted Cassandra.
The Four considered their options.
Follow the goblins around the forest or a path which seemed to go through it? Head to the west, or to the north? Does a unicorn live in a cave, or in the woods. Consensus had it that the latter was the best choice in each instance. "Good chance to head off the goblins as well," said Cassandra.
The Seekers took the path, wide enough for walking, with Pirvan and Cassandra in the lead, followed by Andremar and Lwcynda. The path wound through the trees, sometimes thick growths, sometimes thin, with the occasional clearing. They crossed and recrossed the stream. Late afternoon was becoming early evening, long shadows engulfed them and a chill born of deep woods began to enter their bones.
From off the side of the path came wisps of smoke. Looking into the woods, maybe 50', smoke rose from a fire. There was a small rugged camp. Some firewood piled, a lean-to, a pole ax stood next to a somewhat large, hairy figure leaning over with something on a spit toasting in the fire. Its human like hands checked the dinner. As it turned in profile, the greenish gray skin of its hyena like face became clear in the glow of the fire. It seemed to have a dull yellow mane. For now, the figure was unaware of the Four peering at it from the pathway.
Andremar said, "oh! uh... hmmm my uh, uncle described a um, troll as looking something like this - but he used to drink a lot... uh, shall we try to skirt around the um, fire?"
Lwcynda too looked at the figure and then whispered "I had heard that trolls are afraid of fire so why would he have one? Maybe it's something else. Anyway, if you want to try to go around I'll go with you. Does anyone else have any ideas about what he is?"
Cassandra noted that she had heard that trolls were green with long noses, not snouts, but that did not help much.
"Yes I do believe that we should go around this being. But why is it there? There maybe more of them in the woods, this maybe their camp." Pirvan wondered.
"Well If we confront it We should make sure we are ready and try not to make too much noise and dispatch the thing quickly, but It would be safer to go around."
Lwcynda wondered, "What time is it anyway?"
Realizing that it was getting late, and a spot for a camp would have to be found, The Four decided to try to slip by. Pirvan took a quick look at the surroundings to see where the safest passage around the creature would be. He led the way through the woods off the other side of the path, then rejoined the path some ways along. As they made their way through the woods, no unusual footprints or sounds were heard.
Now back on the path Pirvan noted some regret, "And I did so want to test out my new toy."
The Seekers continued for another half hour or so, but nightfall was making further progress difficult. They sought out a fairly level clearing, somewhat removed from the path, where they could set up a make shift camp for the night.
"Well, if that thing, whatever it was, has no qualms about a fire, don't see why we should." She set about gathering wood, while Pirvan did his best to nab a squirrel, Andrmar did his finger dexterity exercises, and Lwcynda her Tai Chi. Soon, all had practiced, eaten and were ready for sleep. They took turns on the watch, but nothing untoward happened to them on this night.
"And I did so want to test out my new toy," said Pirvan at the break of dawn.
After a simple breakfast, and a thorough covering of the fire pit. The four rejoined the path and headed north, Nork still in tow. They had traveled about an hour, on this sunny crisp morning, when
Suddenly and without warning, two 3' tall creatures, with short ivory horns, bodies covered with scales in colors from yellow to brick red, flying with bat like wings with an 8' span, swooped down from the upper woods in front of the four. They sent a volley of spears flying towards the front rank of Pirvan and Cassandra, but threw high and wide. But, three others came out overhead, dropping jagged rocks on unprotected heads. One of the rocks fell on the helpless Nork, crushing him. Meanwhile two others dropped upon the rogue, who, concentrating as she was on the two spear chuckers, made a distracted target. One smashed into her right shoulder, the other glanced off her forehead, opening a bloody gash. The five creatures, each still armed with a spear, dove for the Four, with malice aforethought, and shiskebabs dancing in their palates.
Andremar wiggled those nimble fingers, and let loose with a magic missile, at one of Cassandra's foes. The missile drove into its target, slowing, but not stopping, the winged creature. Lwcynda blessed her friends, and prepared to do battle. She shouted ahead to Pirvan, "I guess you can try out your new 'toy' Pirvan, looks like we are in a little trouble."
Pirvan reacted with the instinct of his training. He stepped in such a way as to offer the kneeling rogue some protection, then slashed with the new blade at one of the dive bombers, but missed. The creature, in some way resembling a goblin, drove its spear, but missed the fighter. A second creature did likewise. Cassandra rummaged in her pouch, produced a vial and drank deeply from it.
Andremar moved back into the trees, hoping to negate the advantage of flight that these invaders held. Two dove for the cleric.... but neither could connect. The fifth landed and jabbed at Lwcynda, but missed. Now all five were on the ground. Two stood before Pirvan, three near Lwcynda. Cassandra was getting to her feet, anger in her eyes.
The unknowns pressed their advantage in numbers. Three of them jabbed away at Lwcynda. She managed to evade two of the spears, but a third slipped through her defenses. She took a serious poke in the lower abdomen. The other two attacked Pirvan. He dodged one blow, and his shield deflected the other. He struck back mightily, slicing one in half. Seeing this, and Lwcynda's disadvantage, Cassandra moved to help the cleric. She jabbed her short sword into the ribcage of the one which had struck the cleric. Lwcynda sliced with her sword, finishing this creature.
Pirvan slew the one nearest him, but not before receiving a minor jab in the thigh.
Cassandra received another thrust in her side, then dispatched the offending creature with a sword thrust. The two remaining creatures took flight. Lwcynda tried to take one out, but her reach was too short. They had risen and flown out of sight before Pirvan could draw aim with his bow.
Pirvan made a visual sweep, while Cassandra gave a listen, for anything that might heard the fight and decided to investigate. Neither found any new reason for concern.
A search of the bodies turned up nothing of value. Three spears were the total booty. Pirvan wondered, "If there is time I say that we should give Nork a proper burial. He was as good a Goblin as any I have met." Saying this stirred a memory. "You know, I have heard of flying goblins. I think they are called Urds. I believe that is what these flying creatures were.
By now Lwcynda had cast a cure upon herself. Pirvan's wound seemed minor enough for now. Cassandra was still OK. Lwcynda helped bury Nork and said a prayer for the poor creature. "Not his fault he was born a goblin. And he did help us."
"True enough," agreed Cassandra, "but in the end, better him than me."
Lwcynda suggested that the group continue its search. They set off along the
path once more. It continued to wind its way through trees and clearings for a
few miles.
The woods to this point have been lovely, if the circumstances under which the Seekers have journeyed have been less than joyous. Here there is a noticeable difference to the forest. Some 100 yards to the northwest, off the path, a group of ancient oaks towered over the other trees by some 40-50'.
Pirvan said, "We must be getting closer now, the trees are larger and maybe with the flying horse near they grow stranger and lager then the rest."
Pirvan looked around for and blood or other signs of a horse. But there were none nearby. "What should we do now?" Then answered his own question by saying, "maybe we should rest in the clearing? It may be a trap I suggest I go into it first."
Andremar mumbles something about having no phone for a couple of days, thereby explaining his lack of recent input... [apparently the long cord snapped?]
Anyhow, "I, uh, suggest we head for those um, ancient um... trees. There's always uh, always been something errr... mystic which, which uh, I've found entrancing about uh, groves of mmm of big trees in a whole lot of uh, of littler ones... . Shall we take the usual precautions, and uh, make our stealthy advance?"
"Yes the trees may give some safety from other creatures and with them we maybe able to find the flying horse."
Lwcynda went along with Pirvan and Andremar. No problem. "I love old trees too!"
"Yes let's continue with stealth." said Pirvan as he led the way towards the tall copse, keeping his eye out for enemies or other beings.
Andremar and Lwcynda followed as quietly as possible. Cassandra took her usual circuitous route, so as to come around from another direction, just in case a shiv in the back was in order. `Sure worked on the Galahorn guy,' she smirked to herself.
The grass-covered swath was quiet and still. Four huge oaks stood at the corners of the meadow. Beneath one of them, a white horselike figure lay on the ground. A closer look revealed the creature's ivory horn and white beard. Blood had splashed down over the side of his neck from a wound near the spine, where the stub of an arrow was impaled. The animal's eyes were glazed and his breathing labored.
A great wave of relief washed over the Seekers as they saw the unicorn was still alive. They quickly and efficiently set about the task of aiding its recovery.
"Lwcynda, can you um, work some healing on this uh, poor creature? The rest of us can keep a... uh, a watch for um, goblins and their likes..."
Pirvan agreed, "Yes, we had better heal this magnificent creature, but we had better be cautious at first It may think we are its enemy." Stepping forward, "Here Let me go first," Pirvan set aside his weapons and approached slowly, making soothing sounds. As he reached the stricken creature he added, "We will not hurt you we are your friends." Something about his manner, and the fact that none of these three were goblins, set the white horse's mind at ease. Pirvan realized that the time for Lwcynda's healing had come, and he moved aside to keep watch, his long swords now recovered and ready. Cassandra, who had not entered the clearing, read the signs, and took a post on the other side.
Lwcynda looked at the creature and quietly approached, reaffirming the friendship idea, and adding that she was a healer. The horse murmured a low `Come forward,' in some dialect of `good,' raising its weary head slightly.
Lwcynda took out her trusty 'first aid' kit and tried to remove the arrow head. It took some doing, but finally she extracted the deadly impediment. The horse showed immediate improvement. Then she cleansed the wound, and added a cure for good measure. While the animal was not fully recovered, Lwcynda recognized the animal's natural recuperative powers were already at work. She offered comfort with, "Have no fear, my friends will protect you."
The horse said, "I know," and quickly fell asleep. Three hours passed; dusk had arrived. The unicorn winnied itself awake. It was obvious to all that the animal had made a remarkable recovery. It's coat was bright white, the bristles on its beard and mane had a life to them, and its eyes gleamed a deep sea blue. Getting to its feet, it used its snout to wave the four to its side, `Come, rest,' in forms of `good' brought the Seekers into the glade.
Once the four had entered within the safety of the four oaks a calm restfulness came over them all. The last words they heard before falling into a deep, restful, and healing sleep were, `Silverlance will protect.'
**********************************
17th Wealsun, 582, Silverlance's Grove
Morning did not break; it swirled gently through their minds, till each in his or her own way gradually awoke. The oaks stood majestically, and the horse which had guarded the four all night stood in equal magnificence. The Four realized that they had fully recovered from the ordeals of the past two days, and so had Silverlance. They did not feel hungry either.
Silverlance looked at each of them. "Thank you, each of you. Come here whenever you need to. You are my friends, and friends of this forest." Another waved of calm washed over the Four.
Silverlance then said, "Now I must hunt my enemies."
Pirvan said "Thank you very much for the offer to stay here when we need to. Could I please come along and help you kill these vile creatures? I would really like to help, and I think that we all agree on this." Pirvan then remembered the three others with him. "How about it guys. Do ya want to help too? Or should we go back to our home and make sure that our things are O.K. still and with the five years there should be much new news." He added, "Well I leave the choice up to you guys."
Lwcynda said, I'll follow along with whatever everyone thinks, but it's up to Silverlance to decide if he needs our help. Remember, Nork made that magic arrow and there are no more so at least he is safe from that and Nork is dead. Well Silverlance what do you think?"
The white horse said, "I would welcome your company."
"What about you Andremar? Cassandra? Have you had enough adventure for now or do we continue? How long have we been away anyway?"
Cassandra answered, "From what Feister told us some days ago, we have been gone about five weeks. Another day or two will not matter. Besides, we have a new ally. And this bump on my head makes me want to get some means of satisfaction."
Andremar `examined' his spell components and pronounced them ready.
With Silverlance leading the way from a vantage point just above the tree line, the Seekers followed the path north till they reached the northern fringe of this forest.
Silverlance landed. "From what you have told me, the band of goblins which is after me was making its way around the perimeter of the forest, thinking that one such as I would live in a cave." He raises his eyes in disdain at the thought of existence in such cramped conditions. Can any of you tell if their route has taken them past this point as yet?"
Pirvan and Cassandra scoured the area, but found no tracks.
"Then if we head west we should encounter them," Silverlance reasoned, and resumed his position above, but kept close to the trees. The Seekers chose the ground route, but kept it close to the woods for cover.
About an hour passed before the horse began to hover, then descended. "There is a band of eight of so, some 200-300 yards ahead. They are heading this way. They are not aware of our presence. How shall we handle the attack? I can take one person upon my back, by the way."
"Now he tells us," moans Cassandra, who has sat to massage her aching calves. "Well, I am not much for the air. I prefer to rely on my stealth to be able to get behind one." Looking to her friends, she asks, "So while I'm skulking about, how will each of you handle the situation? What tricks do we have up our collective sleeves. "
Pirvan hesitated, "Well I am O.K. at riding a normal horse like the one I left at home but you are no normal horse and I have never flown before. If no one else here will go with you SilverLance I will, But I maybe more useful on the ground with my Bow and arrows."
Silverlance assured him that the ride would be exhilarating, "And, I will not let you fall. Your arrows will be well placed from above." Pirvan agreed to give it a shot.
Pirvan added, "There are many routes of attack we could choose but I think that if we wait in the woods until they are about the pass, I fire some arrows along with Andremar some of his magic while we are in cover. Then we engage them It will cut down there numbers, or at least injure a few. He asked, "Silver Lance do you have any magic? If you do you could help with some spells to ....Trap or kill them? I don't know what your powers are like if you have them."
The horse replied, "I am a creature of magic, but my own magic is limited. Once aboard, I will give you a demonstration of my best spell like effect."
"Well guys? What should we do?"
Andremar's explained that his tactics were simple... "I'm uh, a bit of a um, a uh man for the old sleep spell - quite uh, effective against... mmm this type of uh, enemy." He added that he planned to stay out of hand to hand combat range, hoping to either repeat the spell, if there were sufficient numbers remaining to warrant such action. "Otherwise, it's, er, the old, er reliable magic missile."
The others agreed that this was an excellent course of action for the mage.
Lwcynda said, "Before the combat begins I will bless our party. Mayaheine will then be on our side. I can then command one to sleep and then I will fight with sword in hand. Is that OK?"
Everyone agreed that it was.
With such an excellent plan, the element of surprise, and the healthy Unicorn with them, the battle, and the goblins, were short lived, indeed.
As the nine goblins came within range, the Seekers recognized one as the nasty fellow that had knocked out Nork some days before. He was slightly behind the others, bullying them, and urging them on. Cassandra declared that he would be her main target, "and I would appreciate your help when you are ready, fair cleric."
Lwcynda cast her bless spell on everyone, and the thief headed off through the woods, making very little sound.
The goblins were now in range of the spellcasters, who did their best to create a goblin slumber party. Once spells were cast, first three, then another one, fell to the ground. At this moment Silvance instructed Pirvan to, "Hold on tight," and presto!, they were airborne and behind the remaining goblins. "Teleport," the unicorn explained. Pirvan fired two arrows into the backs of the remaining creatures. Each arrow felled a goblin.
The two remaining little ones began to panic, but their leader would take no mutiny. He pointed to Silverlance and Pirvan, the only obvious targets. "Get them," he ordered. They tried their best to comply, but the unicorn has wisely chosen a spot out of reach of their spears, which fell short of the mark. Pirvan's bow was well within range, however, and he felled another one; his second arrow missed the mark.
By now Cassandra had crept through the woods and approached Mr. De Nasty, the leader, who was challenging the unicorn to "Come down and fight like a goblin."
For the second time in her adventuring career Cassandra made for a back stab, and for the second time she was perfect! She fitted her short blade between the back ribs and right into the heart of the beast. "You'll give no more orders," she declared.
As Andremar contemplated another spell, and Lwcynda emerged from the woods, her blade ready and willing, the one remaining able-bodied goblin surveyed his surroundings, and the last moments of his life. Three of his companions snored loudly, one moved groggily, and the four others were dead. Cassandra's bloodied blade, now removed from the leader's back, was a hair's breath from his neck. Silverlance and Pirvan were making a bee line towards him, as was Lwcynda. He decided to face these overwhelming odds with the true dignity which goblins throughout Greyhawk posses. He fell to his knees, threw up his empty hands, and begged in the ever popular halting common, "No kill, No kill."
"Silver Lance what do you say about putting this measly little creature out of its misery?" Pirvan took aim with his bow, and awaited Silverlance's approval.
Lwcynda looked to Silverlance and Pirvan, "Yes Silverlance, it is indeed up to you as what to do with these evil creatures. But I must say I dislike killing for the sake of killing. I might suggest that we bind them and return them to the Chatwin militia and let them deal with these evil things. You might accompany us at least part of the way to ensure that they don't do anything on the way, but as I said it is up to you for it is you who was nearly killed by their evil deed."
"Andremar, Cassandra, what say you?"
"Killing for it's uh, for its own sake is, mmm it's abhorrant to me... Let him live, " said the mage.
Cassandra's mood has been somewhat assuaged by her dispatching of the nasty leader. "I see no need of mindless slaughter, nor would I get any pleasure out of it. I think the idea of incarceration in Chatwin is sound. Again, however, it is up to the noble white horse to make the final determination. It is his forest they desecrated, and him that they threatened. What say you Silverlance?"
Silverlance snorted then pawed the ground, as if preparing to run the helpless one through. When the creature was pretty well petrified with fright, the unicorn clamed down.
"Yes, cleric, you are correct. Slaying the helpless is not my style."
Pirvan put his bow down. The Seekers quickly bound the prisoners, and prepared to escort them to Chatwin, where the militia and Hawke awaited.
Pirvan took time for one good look around to make sure no real attention was attracted by the quickly ended skirmish. Then he asked, "Well you little runt why shouldn't we kill you huh?"
The little runt replied, "Me Gork, brother of Nork, me nice goblin. Me not like the others. Me not want to hunt white horse. Galdnok," pointing to the dead leader, "Made me and me brudder come along. We no want to. Let me live and me serve you, carry stuff, cook dinner, simple stuff."
Reflecting on the battle, none of the four could remember this one taking any action. He seemed to have been armed with only a small knife.
As the other goblins were now bound, the were awakened and they confirmed Gork's tale.
"Little weaklin, that him."
"Get chance, we kill him, and his coward brother." Cassandra and Lwcynda were almost amused by his plight. They broke the news to Gork that his brother was dead. The prisoners were delighted.
"Served him right. He useless goblin anyway. Maybe their mother was an orc."
Silverlance suggested giving Gork a trial as a gopher. "He seems almost as small as one."
Cassandra thought this a possibility. "Andremar can teach him to climb trees, so he'll have some company."
The matter having been decided for now, the Seekers prepared to head for Chatwin, figuring it should not take them more than a few hours to get home.
Pirvan said, "Thank you for the ride, Silverlance, as you said it was excellent and wouldn't mind doing it again. Silverlance, if you ever need our help, ever you can count on my friends and I to come. You are as great a friend and ally as anyone could ask for."
Silverlance responded in kind. He produced a small gold object.
"A whistle," he explained. "For helping me today with these goblins, I present you four with this. It is specially tuned for my ears alone. I you are in trouble, in the cause of good, in a forest within a one hundred mile radius, sound this and I will come to your aid. It will work three times before it disappears. Use it wisely."
"This has been the most fun I have ever had, but I can't wait for a warm meal and soft bed. What say you? Lets go home."
The Seekers, their prisoners in tow, their new `gopher' carrying, or being inundated by, the packs, headed north towards Chatwin.
************************************
17th Wealsun, 582, The
It was near four in the afternoon when the Seekers found themselves standing outside the Militia Headquarters. Hawke had taken charge of the goblins, leaving them with only `Runt' as Gork had come to be referred to.
"Before we take a well needed vacation," Cassandra said, "there are two things we should decide. First, who is going to carry the whistle that Silverlance gave us? Whoever has it will have to decide when to use it. Who would like that responsibility?" It was decided that Lycwnda would hold onto the whistle of Silverlance.
While this was being pondered and debated, she added, "Then there is our little friend here. Who's going to take him home for the night?"
`Runt' looked to each of the four, a hopeful pleading in his eyes. Pirvan took him along for now.
Cassandra said, "I will be visiting the Silver Cloud Tavern. I hear
they make a very sneaky drink there. Kind of sneaks up behind you, as if you've
been stabbed in the back." She winked. "Then, I'll put my ear to the
ground, so to speak, to catch up on what we've missed. Never know when another
adventure might come along. Will still be at the
Thus ended the third adventure of The Seekers. There are links below which will take you to my main web page. From there you can find more information on my other adventuring groups and my campaign. Should you wish to communicate with me, use the emaill link which follows.
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