Cloudy skies and a slight mist greeted the Seekers as they set about their return journey. Grummie and Drist took the lead, followed by Lwcynda and Anachraeus. Maylaine and Emily were in the middle of the pack, followed by Andremar and Cassandra, with Jutos and Gork bringing up the rear. They marched on vigorously. There was much pent up energy after a week's rest.
The girls continually spoke of their desire to get home and see their father. Try as they might to engage Andremar in conversation, he felt uncomfortable around them and, in answer to their questions, tended to fall back into an old pattern of "ah, yes," and "um, no." Cassie said something about, `all that dough wasted on those elocution lessons.'
They quickly covered the ten miles back to the fork in the trail. Here they took the southern trail. "Only a few more miles to go," assured Maylaine. And, it seemed that she were correct. In about another hour, the Seekers found themselves approaching what looked like a typical woods type farm house, resting comfortably in a clearing on the east side of the road, about thirty yards away. The house was made of logs, with a good looking thatched roof. Beyond the house stood a few other wooden structures, and there were some overturned plots where crops had probably grown till scant weeks ago. Maylaine turned to Emily, "Home," she pronounced softly.
Grummie slowed his pace a bit, and mentioned to the others. "Me sugges' we let da girls go first, and make special effort ta not look menacin' . Dey father been missin' dem an' prob'ly not know dat 'napped dem. He could easily blame us, o' attack in fear dat we be meanin' dem harm." He then looked at the girls, and said with a smile. "When yea see yer poppa. Be sure to smile and run to him, tellin' him dat we rescue'd yea, okay? We not want him to think we bad folk, okay?"
Again, Andremar was impressed with the Gnome's plain sense. He pondered, *Is it because of Gummie's years or because of the gnome's strong ties with nature and the simple folk?* Regardless, the young mage iwa satisfied to just relax and catch his breath after the quick march.
The girls began to make a beeline for the cottage.
Andremar took the moment to ask Cassandra about her conversations with Anachraeus, "Have you learned of this mage that enchanted the centaur?" Andremar was concerned about meeting a mage that could and would do such a thing.
"A bit. It took some doing, but Anachraeus did give a description which fits that cur who caused such a stir back in Chatwin. Took me a while, but I did recall his name - Khielgarn. Something tells me that an impatient and arrogant type such as he would not be all the hard to trace. He no doubt left a trail of insulted commoners in his wake."
Their conversation came to a halt for the moment as the were treated to another reward, the sight of the cottage door opening and a man being reunited with two daughters much too long overdue. While they could not hear what was being said, they really did not need to. The hugs, smiles, and tears told the story better than any words could convey. They all stood transfixed as that warm feeling wafted over them.
Eventually one of the girls looked up and away, pointing towards the party. The man stood tall and, led hand by hand, walked over. He could barely get a hand free to shake, as the two children clung tightly to him. His face was lines and weathered, but his smile was very broad in deed. His voice was softly breaking as he said, "I'd like ta thank yee, for the safe return o me children. Thought I'd lost `em, yes I did. You all best come inside and share some bread with us." His eyes met each of the Seekers, from short to tall, "All a yee, be welcome, though some will find it a tight fit."
He turned and began to walk back to the cottage.
Cassandra bent down, "Er, seems, ah, my boot lace's undone." Should took a few sniffling minutes to `fix' the lace. Then she rose and whistled for her dogs, "Comon fellas, let's go see what the nice man has to offer. I'll bet there's bones." Heckle and Jeckle padded along beside her. By now the man had gone inside. Emily stood holding the door open.
Grummie followed along eagerly. Far be it from him to pass up a free bit of grub, and his eyes widened slightly at the thought of what woodsy brew this fellow might have conjured from his stills.
One of Jutos's trademark smiles, barely turning up the corners of his mouth so as to hide his fangs, appeared and passed in an instant, likely unnoticed by those around him. Seeing Grummie's expression, he knew too well what his diminutive friend was thinking, and the thought made him smile again, a bit wider this time.
Andremar was only too eager to enter and find a place to sit. The long hike after a week spent in private study has left him sore and tired,... and hungry! Drist followed along but saying nothing for the moment.
Gork saw to the dogs, and made his way in side. Anachraeus begged off, saying, "I really prefer it out here, though should some food find its way outside, I would not complain."
The inside of the cottage was warm and cozy. A fireplace dominated one wall, were kitchen style decor was the order of the day. To the other side, comfortable furnishings, warmed by some sort of closed stove, made the travelers feel very welcome.
The man spoke. "Almost fergot meself outside. Names Raymond. Raymond Roundtree, and I really cannot thank you enough for bring my two girls home.
Drist explained modestly, "No thanks needed my friend. We found your daughters locked in a shed by the goblins, and once they were ready we took them with us, since we were going this way anyway, it only seemed right."
Andremar added some appropriate pleasantries as best he could. For, while he may not stutter as often as before, his self assuredness in social situations was raw at best. And, both Emily and Maylaine kept their adoring eyes on their hero. The others joined in, nodding and smiling, that they were only too glad to have been fortunate enough to have been of service.
Once he was sure anyone who wanted, had whatever drink he could offer, Raymond went about preparing a fine meal. Grummie was impressed by the farmer's spirits, and Lwcynda commented favorably on the dandelion wine. The others had their pick of these, ale, mead, or a reddish wine. As he fussed about the kitchen, with the girls' eager help, he told much of his life story. He was from around this side of the mountains, been a farmer his whole life, lost his wife to a wave of sickness some years back, and wanted for nothing but to work the soil and revel in its annual rewards. He appeared a truly happy and contented individual.
At one point Drist asked about the party's travel route. "What is the quickest way to and across the Dragonteeth Mountains.?"
Raymond responded, "Up till a week or so ago, I would have said to go under them. There used to be a bridge cross the swift river, leading into a tunnel system which went right under the mountains."
Cassandra mentioned that they had come through them about a month back.
"Ah," said Raymond, "so t'was you folks that got them orcs all stirred up." When pressed on the issue he continued. "I noticed of late more and more travelers passing my place than normal for this time of year. A couple have stopped by asking to buy food, and I was only to happy to make a few coins. Talk is that the orcs of the undermountain were done a mortal blow. For now, those who've survived destroyed the bridge so no one else can wander in upon them. Don't know rightly what they hope to accomplish by that. Come full spring the authorities will come in and rebuild it, and probably deal with them in the process. Anyway, for now, the best and only way cross the mountains is to continue southeast long the road out front, and it will take you to the over mountain trail. It's not manned nor maintained, but should be passable, especially since so many have been using it lately.
Time passed. All were called to the table. And a fine table and setting it was. Everything from soup to nuts, was served was served. Raymond sat at the head of the table, and Jutos took up the other end. The two girls got into a minor argument over which of them would sit next to Andremar, till he took a seat midway down one side, and each could sit aside him. Cassandra sat directly across from he long time friend and kept singing his praises to the two young ladies, who continued to delight in his presence and her tale of his powers. The others placed themselves around the table, and a fine meal was had by all.
Gork saw to it that a good supply of food was taken out the centaur, and the dogs had some of the finest bones of their lives.
Raymond insisted that all must stay the night, so the celebration continued long after anyone, even Jutos, could eat another bite.
Blushing a darker shade than the red wine, Andremar retreated to his old pattern of stuttering as the attention of the two young girls makes him more and more nervous. He attempted to stare daggers at Cassandra who only seemed to enjoy his discomfort all the more and encouraged the girls interests with more outrageous exaggerations about the young mage.
Attempting to turn the attention of both the girls and Cassie elsewhere, he asked Raymond, "Can you tell us of those who have passed, both leaving the mountain and going to it?"
Raymond pondered this one for a bit. "No one of particular note. I did speak to some woodsmen, who were heading east bout three days back. They were well equipped for winter still, I can tell you that. Those who have come west tell of snow still coming down in the higher elevations."
He also encouraged Cassie to describe the mage that entrapped Anachraeus' mind, hoping not so much to get information as to focus his friend's attention elsewhere.
Cassandra proceeded to retell the tale of how they first encountered the centaur, going on and on about the nasty nature of that mage, "Khielgarn the Red was his name. Scourge of the Wild Coast from what I've heard tell. Well, it took some dealing but we managed to trick him into thinking an old beat up plough horse was a fair trade for the centaur. I think Andremar probably played tricks with Khielgarn mind." She paused here to allow the girls to throw adoring looks at the gangly one.
"That was so brave of him," said Marie, her eyes bright and huge as she gazed at her hero.
"Yes it was, but that's not all. Why don't you tell them about our plans, Andremar?"
"Er, um, plans?"
"Ooooooh please tell us."
"Yes, Andy, please tell us," they begged.
"Um, plans? Ah, er, I, am, ump." Andremar's face turned towards Cassandra as no words could emerge from his lips."
"He's much to modest sometimes, but ........ once we return to Chatwin, Andremar has told me that he intends to track down this Khielgarn and show him who's who, once and for all. He said that anyone who would steal the mind of a centaur should have his own stolen. Why isn't that right Andremar?"
He listened to Cassandra's ramblings, but had no response. Suddenly he jumped when he feels something brush his knee. He could only sputter at the two girls until he looks across at Cassandra and saw her barely able to suppress laughter as she looked away, pretending to gaze at Raymond but, rather.
The gangly mage, after nearly upsetting the table, could only mumble, "ah, er, the dogs or, um, something, er, I think, .." Andremar sat down quietly and accepted that he would be the brunt of Cassie's joking for the remainder of the meal.
Grummie looked up from his plate and cup only long enough to cast the occasional chuckle at the mage's plight and embarrassment. He spent most of the evening eating heartily and drinking more than his share of the spirits. After a delightful evening, and a full belly, Grummie set himself to sleep outside, doubting there'd be room enough for the Seekers within the small house. Nonetheless, he was grateful for a hot meal and the pleasantries, as they might not see much of that for some time to come.
The meal gradually came to and end. Everyone had eaten his fill, and there was plenty of drink to last into the night. Raymond tore the girls away from their hero to help clear the table. Andremar excused himself to go out and feed the dogs, or himself to them.
Once the clean up had taken place, Raymond insisted that the girls go to bed in their rooms in the back, and then summoned Andremar back inside. The farmer set about turning the living area into one large sleep quarters, with feather pillows, blankets, skins, and other comforts. "If you'll be heading across those mountains, you best get one good night of rest," he noted.
All took his message to heart, and, tired from their long day's walk, slept very soundly indeed.
Morning brought with it a bright sun, and a brisk wind. Raymond and his daughters prepared a hearty breakfast, and put together some provisions for the trail. The Seekers prepared to take on the Dragonteeth Mountains.
Grummie enjoyed waking to a nice morning meal, albeit he seemed a bit out-of- sorts having imbibed heavily in the spirits from the night before. Nonetheless, he made ready to depart and thanked the kind farmer for his hospitality. After making sure the centaur and dogs where fed, Grummie turned to his companions and suggested, "Well, shalst we be off? I for one look fondly on seein' Chatwin an' me own bed again."
Since the party had already outfitted themselves with extra blankets before the trip under the mountain, Andremar sole concern was to depart quickly before the young girls are about. He ate breakfast quickly and urged the others towards speedy preparations so that they might get an early start. His plan seemed to be working for neither Maylaine nor Emily were yet to be seen
Lwcynda announced herself ready to depart anytime the others were. To Raymond she said, "I would like to thank you for your hospitality. It has been a pleasure to have been able to bring the girls back to you. Is there anything we might do for you before we leave? Also, do be careful should any gypsies come by -- I hear they sometimes like to cause mischief. Also, I'm sure if you need any help, the druids are not far away and the girls know where to go. And if you are ever in Chatwin please do drop in."
Jutos too, expressed his thanks to his fine host before making his final preparations. Putting together his pack, he silently hoped they would not have to cross that river again.
Raymond accompanied the Seekers out into the cool morning air. Grummie was already there, as were Anachraeus and the dogs. Andremar shook Raymond's hand, thanked him, and turned towards the road, only to stop in his tracks. For there stood both girls, accompanied by a grinning Cassandra. "They made me promise to wake them early `lest they miss saying a proper good bye." As the others headed towards the road, the gangly mage had no choice but to accompany them.
The girls made a proper and improper fuss over him, telling how sad they were to see him leave, extracting mumbled promises of his return, "once you've vanquished that Red mage." While it seemed like hours to him, his parting took mere minutes.
Soon the Seekers were on there way south, thoughts of Chatwin and home dancing through their heads. The forest rail was smooth, and the day relatively pleasant. After a few hours, the sound of rushing waters echoed throughout the forest ahead, sending a shiver through Jutos.
Gradually the forest thinned, and the waters of the Wild River appeared. Jutos peeked through semi closed eyes, only to be rewarded with the sight of what seemed to be a much tamer river than the one he had been forced to cross weeks earlier. The shore here was broad, and although the water ran swiftly, there was none of the mad dash and white water which the northern section of the river had offered. Nor was there another dangling bridge, for no bridge spanned the river at this point, which was almost half a mile from bank to bank. Scores of prints on the trail - hoof prints of deer, paw prints of medium sized forest animals, and some human footprints - indicated that this was a common crossing. The water looked no more than two to three feet deep at most.
Grummie peered up at his monumentally large friend Jutos, and tugged lightly at his leg for attention, saying, "Metink's me hab an' idea me big friend. Da water may be'est too swift for me short legs alone, but da two o' us ken cross da river, wid weight 'nuf to hold us firm to da bottom. An, I ken hold some o' yer stuff overin' yea head, ifen it mights get wet."
Jutos smiled at Grummie, as much aware that Grummie was trying to help him cross the water. Taking a deep breath, Jutos then reached down and hoisted Grummie into the air, placing him on his broad shoulders. "I reckon your feet'll not come near the water," he said, as he took his first tentative steps into the river. Although he seemed to have control over whatever fears had besieged him before, nevertheless, Jutos started to cross at a pace to make a snail blush. With his face wrinkled in a mix of concentration and trepidation, he gingerly placed one massive foot before the other, testing each step as he went while silently vowing to Heironeous many a task should he make it across the river without mishap.
Andremar took extra time to ensure his spell-book and scroll were packed in the most water resistant method possible. To do this, he removed the scroll case from his robes and put it in his pack. He then tied his pack as tightly closed as possible and insured it fits snugly upon his shoulders. He grabbed the bottom of his robe and pulled it up between his legs, tying the end into his belt. While this exposed his pale legs, he hoped to keep the robe out of the water. The only item he had in his hands was the carved oaken staff given to him by the druid. He used this to probe the river's bottom and steady himself.
He did bring two spells to mind, ensuring their availability if needed. The first was the same spell he used to charm Jutos last time he had "difficulty" with water. The second would create a floating disk, just in case Grummie started getting in over his head.
Lastly, he moved towards Cassandra, knowing for sure that she would not slip and hoping, that if he were to fall, that she might aid him.
Cassandra was concerned about the dogs. She called then to her side as she began to move into the stream. The two responded eagerly till the water's edge, then the chill made them question their master's intent. But as she eased out behind Jutos, with Andremar at her side, her constant chiding made it clear that she was going on without them if necessary. Both Heckle and Jeckle eased themselves into the stream.
Drist made sure his pack and supplies were on tightly and then followed along. Lwcynda made sure that everything was securely packed away. She kept her hands free. She told Gork to do the same and checked on Anachraeus. He seemed unbothered by the water, and moved freely out into it. Lwcynda quickly followed.
With Jutos leading the way, the group followed his guided and steady steps. It was easy to judge the depth in relation to his lower legs, and any misstep was avoided. The large one made a good leader, nimbly side stepping rocks, and not sinking too deeply in hidden holes. The stream was steady, but not so strong that anyone seemed in danger of being pulled away. The dogs soon got used to the water, and drifted and paddled, moving south from the group, but under control.
The Seekers had all passed the halfway point and were about 20' from the eastern shore when some half dozen large green creatures with black and dark brown splotches appeared from the brush on the shoreline. They appeared wet and slimy. In the blink of an eye, and with a quick hop, they were in the water. Long sticky tongues flicked out at the tasty treat Jutos had on his shoulders. Before he knew what had happened Grummie found himself being drawn helplessly through the air towards a gaping maw! Two other tongues flicked at Cassandra and Andremar. Her quick reaction allowed her to duck under, but poor Andremar found himself being pulled towards another one of the creatures. Two more lashed out at Drist and Lwcynda, but neither was struck for now at least.
Cassandra cursed herself for having her hands empty, especially of Andremar's arm.
Andremar was none too happy about her empty hands either. Desperately trying to avoid panic, he contemplated spell casting, but the constant pulling made this impossible. He clung to his staff and, as he neared the amphibian's giant mouth, he thrust the staff within it, in an attempt to keep the creature's maw from shutting. Still bound by the tongue, but still outside the now braced open jaws, the potential irony of the situation came to him. *Ironic! I hope the druid was correct when he said the staff would reward me if used in the way of nature: I intend to keep it in the way of that beast there.*
Cassandra drew her daggers and tried to get a line of fire on the one which had tugged Andremar away. With him now at the brink of the frog's mouth, she quickly abandoned this plan and charge up, dodging the thrusts of two other tongues as she did so. Once there, she drove one of her daggers into the monster's tongue. The frog drew it back in pain, releasing Andremar in the process. He still clung to his staff which was preventing the beast from snapping at them.
Grummie having been ripped from his shoulders, Jutos snarled in rage and tromped through the water after him, creating waves of epic proportions as he did so.
As Grummie flew through the air, he was slightly cognizant of Andremar's actions. He would have drawn swords, but his arms were stuck and his trip was over quickly-too quickly. He had just begun to almost enjoy his first flight when the sun disappeared from view. A warm dampness surrounded him, and all seemed quiet. It took just s moment for him to realize that he had been swallowed. "Guess dis be a good place te dig as any," he said to himself. He produced his two short blades and thrust one left, the other right.
Jutos arrived waving his great ax at this frog, but feared a slice might kill the proverbial two stones. As he contemplated the problem, he saw the frog suddenly grow wings- short metal ones! He recognized them as blades emerging from each side of the creature's abdomen. The frog faces grimaced as if it had the worst case if indigestion.
Lwcynda, too, drew a weapon, her mace and charged, muttering, "Darn, I should have guessed that going home wouldn't be so easy. ...." She managed to get close enough to bash one, but wet from the river, her aim was off. Gork followed behind her. When the beast dodged Lwcynda's mace, he thrust his sword into its side.
Drist stood safely out of the frogs range and fired off arrows. Two flight found their target, and one of the slimy devils lay dead. Anachraeus followed Drist's lead and used his bow, but his skills were rusty. His arrows flew harmlessly passed the attackers.
Two more giant frogs emerged from the brush which covered the shore. One leapt to Jutos' side and scratched him. The other ended up near Cassandra. Its jaw clamped on her lower left leg.
Mouthing a silent prayer that Heironeous guide his strike, Jutos prepared to strike at the frog which had swallowed Grummie. But where to strike exactly? He figured that a clean blow to the frog's head would be the wisest.
Meanwhile, within the frog's stomach, Grummie realized both his plight and location. Now able to see a bit of daylight, he took to cutting his way out of the beast, sawing and chopping at one of the holes he managed to create already.
Jutos readied his strike, ..., then saw two blades emerge from the frog's flank. He heard a familiar voice, somewhat muffled, from within, "I be no fly yea beast! But me sting be liken to a bee!"
The frog collapsed to the ground as the gnome emerged from the side door he had created. Jutos now directed his ax towards the other frog. With a mighty `swish' he lopped the head off.
Working purely on fear and instinct, Andremar was, nonetheless, vaguely aware of Cassandra's plight. He could only grasp flashes of vision while his ears rang like the wind in the willows Sensing that this was his one chance to get off this wild toad ride, and since the tongue has released him, he relinquished his hold on the staff for now, and dropped to his knees in the water's edge. Not even taking the time to rise, he cast sleep upon the nearest beasts, centering the spell on the one attacking Cassandra.
The two were quickly in frog dreamland, visions of multitudes of flies passing before their closed eyes, till Cassandra turned their magical sleep into a more permanent variety.
Drist and Anachraeus continued to fire arrows, and drove off the left flank. Meanwhile Lwcynda and Gork continued to fire their assailant. Lwcynda missed, but Gork connected again. The frog turned its attention to the Runt, scratching him, then biting him and swallowing him for good measure! Lwcynda's cry of alarm attracted Andremar's attention. He scrambled to a safer spot and now directed his favorite missile of magic at this one. Two bolts hit it and the beast fell dead. Cassandra and Lwcynda cut their goblin friend out from within.
A bit groggy and slimy, he emerged with a confused look on his face. "Heem have bad breeath, heeem did."
The sight of Jutos bearing down on him, along with more arrows form the bowmen, drove off the one frog which had lingered on the left flank. The Seekers had reached the shore at last.
With fight over and the last frog fleeing, Jutos checked Grummie's wounds. "I guess you gave that one a bit of a stomach ache, eh?" he said with a smirk. Looking him over, he was relieved to find nothing more than a scratch on the gnome. Then, however, he saw Gork. It was obvious the goblin was more hurt than he let on, and Jutos rushed over to him. "Rarely have I seen such courage, little one." Placing his hands on Gork's wounds, Jutos prayed aloud, "May the blessings of Heironeous shine upon you for your valor this day."
Lwcynda thanked both Jutos and Andremar for their help. The feisty goblin stuck out his chest proudly, "You weelcome beeg guy. Meee happy to fight." He felt the healing flow through his body. "and not die," he added.
As the last beast retreated, Andremar caught his breath. Soaking wet he started to shake, whether from the cold or delayed panic was uncertain.
"Cassie!" he started to call. He saw her blissfully engaged dissecting one of the creatures.
"Grummie!" he began to shout, but then saw the hardy gnome climbing out of the north side of a southward facing frog. He turned to each of his companions, relieved to see that all were alive.
Cassandra had carefully extracted the staff of the druids from the maw of a beast. She handed it over to Andremar, and helped him drag himself up onto the shore. "Guess it has some special powers, if only of luck," she grinned, and then set about her work on the frog once more.
Andremar plopped down on some dry grass, exhausted, but happy to just be alive. As he tried to stop
trembling, he asks, "Can anyone start a fire? er, please?"
Grummie knelt down by the water's edge, and began the grotesque task of washing the slobber and slime from his clothing and flesh, cursing under his breath the entire time. As he cleansed himself, the rush of excitement faded and washed away with the water. Suddenly, Grummie found himself weak in the knees and looked very pale about the face. He soon waddled his way over to the shoreline near Andremar, and lay down flat upon the ground, gazing up to the sky above with a waxy glare in his eyes. He said nothing, nor did he seem injured in any way, save maybe bruises to his pride and confidence. Saying nothing, he lay there motionless for a long reflection about his own mortality, the "here-after" and how close he came to both.
Lwcynda and Gork began gathering some deadfall from the nearby woods, and set about making a fire. Drist helped, while calling for the dogs. It was not long before the animals had found their way back to their masters. Anachraeus took a quick stroll through the nearby woods. By the time he returned, the fire was in full blaze. Both Grummie and Andremar huddled in its warmth. Cassandra moved form the first animal to the second, then on to the third. Andremar asked her, "Why are you bothering with them? aren't the dead enough for you? What could you possibly hope to find within them?"
Cassie did not miss a beat. Rising from her last victim, she held out two huge legs - frog's legs. "Dinner," was all she said. It was not long before a spit was set up, and the very large limbs were slowly rotating over the open fire. As they waited for the meal to be ready, Anachraeus reported that he had spoken with the local creatures. "Other that this group of frogs, most of which we have killed, there do not seem to be any other threats to us nearby."
Cassandra pronounced the first set of legs ready. It was about 1PM.
Grummie finally regained his composure in front of the warmth of the fire. He must have found some comfort or sense of satisfaction in the thought of partaking of the very creature that nearly had him for lunch. As Cassie announced that the first of the frog-legs was ready, the gnome wasted no time in cutting away a large section and taking a seat near the fire to sup. After taking a few bites, his face wrinkled with doubt. He took another bite, chewed a bit, then the creases in his forehead flatted and his eyebrows raised with surprised. With a tiny grin, he looked up at his comrades, and with a mouth full of food, he grumped with disbelief, and announced,
"It tasteth just like chicken!"
As the wind shifted and Andremar smelled the cooking, his stomach growled. Leaning near Grummie, he cut off a piece of the frog-meat, trying to avoid the gnome's stabs in the process. The meat warmed his inside as the fire dried his clothes. Appreciatively he smiled at cook, saying "Cassie, you're a life saver!"
"In more ways than one," she said to herself. "Well, I had lots of good material to work with."
Hearing Grummie vocalize his pleasure as well, a glint came to Andremar's eye. He muttered to him, "Just be glad it doesn't taste like, er, gnome."
Soon all were enjoying the fruits of their battle. When all had been stated, there was still plenty of well cooked meat to carry on the rest of their journey. Cassandra set about packing the leftovers, and fixed them in the dogs' packs.
Once Andremar had stopped shivering, the young mage emptied his back pack and dried out anything that was wet. Once sure each item was dry, he carefully replaced his belongings. The others followed suit. The centaur reminded that, "Only you can prevent forest fires." Gork dutifully made a few trips to the river to get sufficient water to douse the fire. Andremar refilled the water skins, paying special attention to ensure it he did so from a spot upstream from where Grummie had bathed.
With a few hours of daylight remaining, the Seekers decided to put some miles between themselves and the river. The trail ran along the southern slope of the Dragonteeth Mountains. Eight miles below the ford, the trail turned sharply northwest. It then followed a slight uphill turn into a valley flanked on both sides by the mountains. As had reached the foot hills of the Dragonteeth by dusk, there they decided to set camp once again. While the trip over the mountains would be actually shorter in distance than the one under the mountains, they figured that this one would take about four days, assuming the weather cooperated.
A fire was started, a perimeter established.
The subject of a watch schedule came up. Andremar admit that was not the best one to organize a watch schedule but, would prefer either the first or last watch as he could at least see a bit at dusk and dawn but not much in the dark. Also, he would regain his magical strength best when he got uninterrupted sleep.
While preparing the camp, Grummie had made it known that he would take whichever watch was necessary, readily willing to take the middle watch, as his night sight and archery skill might prove useful in the darkness.
Lwcynda decided that she and Andremar would take first watch. Then Grummie, Drist and Jutos would take over. Cassandra, Gork and Anachraeus would take the final watch.
After a fine supper of leftovers, "That's the thing about frog's legs. They's just as good the second time around," noted Cassie, the fire was stoked, and all prepared for the night.
Lwcynda and Andremar set the first watch. She had her mace out and a ~command~ at the ready. They spent a very calm, if somewhat cold, few hours watching a light snow fall. Then they turned the job over to Grummie's gang. The nimble gnome climbed a nearby tree to get a better scan on the area, while Drist and Jutos kept an eye out from below. Grummie had filled his pockets with rocks, in case he had to wake the others. Fortunately, or unfortunately however he looked at it, he had no use for these on this night.
Cassie's crew took over, and brought the Seekers safely to morning. After a hearty breakfast of frog's legs omelets, [a handy food, those], they broke camp and set out once more
The trail began to show some elevation, as they began to ascend the Dragon's Teeth. The weather became cooler, not unusual for this time of year. The skies were slate gray. By noon, a slight snow had begun to fall, blanketing the region. After a couple of hours, with four inches on the ground, it stopped. Anachraeus noted that there would be more snow in the higher regions, but the passes were not usually blocked at this time of year.
The valley began to narrow after lunch, frog burgers. Boulders which had fallen in previous years lay across the tapering path, but were not too difficult to circumvent.
Night came suddenly in the valley. The sun sank below the rim of the mountains and the shadows of evening closed in. The party came upon a small notch in the valley which seemed to provided the best chance for good shelter. Three logs lay nearby, dry enough to provide warmth and a cooking fire.
Once again the Seekers prepared a campsite. Make shift lean-tos were created out some other scavenged spurs, and spare blankets. More potential firewood was gathered and Cassandra whipped up one last frog meal, the ever reliable frog stew. She was not sure if the applause was for the goodness of the stew, or for her announcement that it represented the last of the frog.
After supper, those not on watch made themselves comfortable in the lean-tos and quickly fell into the deep sleep of exhaustion. Lwcynda and Andremar took turns nudging each other awake. The day had been a hard one and the cool clear mountains air was very conducive to sleep. At about ten PM they turned the job over to Grummie's Gang. No tree being available, the gnome mounted the largest boulder he could find. For the next two hours they watched the mountains and listened what real quiet was. Suddenly, about midnight, a strange cry echoed throughout the valley, a howl like cry which sounded almost human. It appeared to come from within the mountains, but from which side or how far up could not be discerned. Those who heard it were glad it had come from some distance away.
At 3AM, they woke Cassie and the other members of the third watch brigade. Their shift was uneventful, till about an hour before dawn, when they heard the crunching of footsteps, slow and deliberate, somewhere off in the darkness, but yet somewhere near.
Cassie's keen hearing discerned a distance, and she pointed Gork's night sight in that direction. While he could not actually `see', he could sense, "Something beeg." While Anachraeus moved slowly in the general direction, Cassandra moved quietly to the lean-to, waking the others. "We've got company." As they came awake, she signaled them to silence. They all listened, to the sounds of their own nervous breathing, and footsteps, still crunching, but now moving away at great speed, but without the usual clatter of someone running, gradually fading into the early morning.
Once Cassie noted that the "coast" was clear, Grummie made his way out into the early morning air to try and find footprints in the snowy drifts which had formed during the night. He was accompanied by Drist, who had waited silently until the creature had moved away, and Lwcynda. Cassandra and Gork kept watch on the west side of the camp. Andremar, maintained his silence, either from his vast experience in tight situations, or else he was just scared speechless. He had no intention of moving in whatever direction the sound of those large footsteps came from. In the meantime, he will keep his blanket wrapped around him for warmth. Whispering, he said, "Cassandra, do you have any idea what that was?"
"Yes, but if I told you, you'd just wrap yourself up tighter," she answered, not that she had a clue either. Shortly after, something rapped upon the tent. "Uh, oh, it's come back," Cassie warned, as her snowball found its mark. Andremar knew only the noise.
Still in some darkness, the three bold ones found a clear trail of larger than man sized footprints which formed a half circle around the east side of the camp. Always curious, Lwcynda asked the others what might have made the footprints. `Close to human,' was the consensus on possible type. In several places the prints stopped, and were deep and blurred as if the maker of the prints had stood still for a while. Grummie moved off to one side, knelt down, and brushed aside the snow from some nearby boulders. He put his head near the ground and began making some chipping noises? Lwcynda wondered if he had gone insane.
Drist followed the tracks a bit as he looked for broken branches, for any fur or whatever the intruder might have left behind. He found something of interest. He bent over slightly and reached out with one hand to grab whatever it was. He turned to show the others, holding up something white. "Lookie here,"
As Lwcynda looked across she pointed behind him, "Drist, look out!" The elf had time to glance about himself. A large white-furred creature had reared up from a nearby snow bank. Snarling in rage and beating his chest, he charged. The creature swung his enormous arms in a wide circle as he bore down on the elf. Drist had time to [hmm, doubt he has a weapon since he just woke up, hmm,... Course, does anyone have weapons, or armor for that matter? hmmmm ] raise his arms to try to fend the thing off when it reached him. The huge arms circled around Drist as if trying to envelope him. He ducked under the right one, but the claws of the left scraped across his shoulder.
Drist backed away as far as he could from the creature, narrowly avoiding another swipe by the huge beast's paw. He screamed, "We need to get some kind of weapon or get back to the camp!" Drist winced from the gash on his arm and shoulder and looked around until he found Lwcynda. To her he said, "Can you cast a spell on him or freeze him in place?"
Grummie jumped and reeled from the commotion, seeing the elf in dire need of assistance, and he without a sword or blade one. He glanced around quickly, trying to find something with which to attack the beast, not to mention a method by which to best it. Having found a fallen limb, Grummie charged over to the monster, glancing up at the monstrous beast before him. However, at his height his choices were limited, so he struck where he thought it would do the most good- straight down on the big thing's foot! The thing pulled back its injured limb.
Lwcynda tried to command the beast to sleep, unfortunately to no avail. It swatted down at the gnome, knocking him backwards!
Cassandra dropped her snowballs, and came a running, drawing her weapons as she did so. Gork followed right behind her. Though both were armored, they were momentarily taken aback by the sheer size of whatever stood before them. Since the gnome had been knocked backwards, she had a clear line. Cassie stopped a safe distance away and threw two daggers and the white haired thing. Maybe her earlier efforts with the snow had numbed her fingers, because both flew wide right.
Drist's screams had drawn Andremar from his warm cocoon. Once outside, he moved in the direction of the commotion, using, the tracks of the other as a guide. He arrived in time to see Lwcynda's valiant effort at drop kicking the monster, but the surprisingly agile beast side stepped her foot, then swatted her aside. The mage devised a brilliant, or desperate strategy. He called upon a little used spell, that of scare , hoping to drive the beast back and give the others time to regroup. The beast slowed its movements, then began to shake, as if the cold had suddenly affected him. His eyes looked about panic stricken, his shaking became trembling, till he bolted off into the darkness.
Anachraeus had come up to the others, bow in hands. "Yeti," he declared
Grummie wriggled and squirmed, trying to free himself from the snow embankment in which he had landed head-first. Luckily, for those nearby, his banter was muffled by a snow-filled mouth, since his choice of words were none-to-nice. Nonetheless, he finally managed to free himself from the grip of the cold white powder. The gnome's cheeks shone bright red, but whether it was an effect of the cold snow, or down-right embarrassment, none can say for sure; and he certainly wasn't saying. Grummie quickly brushed off the cold snow, and threw down the limb he had used as a make-shift weapon, saying, "We should nae stay here. Dat beast will nae doubt return b'fore long, an' wid a vengeance, I should think." Grummie paid little attention to his wounds, as his pride had been harder hit, by far. Yet still, he shook off the ill- effects of the encounter rather quickly, and a smile once again crossed his face, as he glanced back at the hole his head had been stuck in.
Lwcynda praised the mage. "Thank you Andremar, good spell. Now I think I'll get my weapons so that I will be better prepared when we next meet the beast."
Receiving Lwcynda's thanks with barely a mild blush, (it was cold after all), Andremar retrieved his blanket and again wrapped it about himself. Glad that all were uninjured, he responded to the gnome's and the priest's words with agreement. "If it is beastly in mind, it may consider its temporary fright as cause to avoid us. However, if this Yeti creature has any intelligence, it may decide to return. That desperate spell used up most of my magic, thus it will be upon the rest of us to fend off this creature. A hasty return to camp for armoring and arming would be prudent."
Thus said, Andremar moved quickly back to camp to recover his pack and staff. Seeing his obvious cold condition, Cassandra made a make shift belt with shoulder straps, to keep the blanket around him while giving him freedom for movement and casting.
Andremar stoked the fire, hoping the additional warmth would stop his shaking.
Cassandra and Gork took up positions of observation in the increasing light of dawn on the side where the creature had approached.
As Lwcynda and others gathered their weapons, she asked the centaur, "So what do you know about these yeti?"
Anachraeus, his bow still ready, kept watch on this side of camp. He answered, "The yeti is closer to the ape than to the human. They inhabit cold regions, usually living in caves. They are usually not found in large groups, though a family of them is possible. The hunt to eat. My guess is he had known of our presence and awaited a good time to attack. Probably hoped to catch one of us unawares, and take him away for breakfast, so to speak."
Cassandra called out, "Don't hear a thing. Either he's gone, or he's really close."
Grummie gathered his belongings, and slipped on his armor; perhaps as much for the warmth of the thick hide as much as protection. He warmed himself by the fire for a few moments, keeping his bow and quiver close at hand. Having pondered the situations, he commented, with a slight stutter and shiver in his voice, "B-b-est we not tarry for long. D-d-is snow-beast be most comfortable in dis cold, and hab da vantage. W-w-hat say yea we be off soon as ready?"
The gnome's words caused the gangly mage to clutch tighter to his staff. "I can't help but agree with you Grummie. My gear is packed and I don't know how much longer this fire will last. Once the sun is high enough to give us good light I will feel better."
Andremar paused for a moment but, when a breeze comes by and caused him to shiver, he says, "You know, while I sure don't want to see that Yeti again, I do envy him that fur coat."
Drist stood straight and looked around. "If what Cassandra said is true, then we best return to our camp. If I am going to fight a yeti, then I would like to be armed and ready for it. We would do better to stay in a group also. If it catches us separated again, something more serious than a few bumps and scratches may happen." With that, he turned around and started walking back to their tents.
Jutos nodded at Andremar as he applied a whetstone to his ax. "If it returns this night, it is you who will be the envy of others over such a coat. I'll do my best not to ruin it for you."
But the yeti did not return, and by the light of early morn the Seekers broke camp and headed onward.
It took some climbing, and a few more days, but eventually the Seekers made their way out of the Dragonteeth Mountains. From the western edge of the mountains, the valley loomed in sight. The air warmed, and the snow melted. The fringe of the woods lay ahead. The walls of the valley gradually diminished revealing the forest below. The woods spread out like a great carpet to the north and west. The path led down into the forest and headed east. The Seekers knew they were well south of the trail which had led them into the forest and through the undermountain. They followed this path, wondering if it would lead them out of the woods, or would they have to find their way north?
About midday the path they were on came to an intersection with another path which ran north and south. But this new path did not command their attention as much as did the figure which stood at this intersection. Ahead, squarely in the middle of the path waited a young man. His hands rested on his hips. His gaily colored clothing and the bandanna around his forehead contrasted with his pencil thin black mustache. He had a ring of what appeared to be pure gold in his right earlobe. He flashed a dazzling smile and bowed low, in an exaggerated fashion.
"Good day hardy travelers, I am Rinaldo. I see that you have had an interesting journey. I hope you are well." His manner seemed to be of genuine concern. "You do not know me, but I have heard of you. Not too long ago I was at Master Bolo's inn, and some passers-by related your story. I put two and two together, and some very strange occurrences seemed to suddenly make sense. I tried to catch up to you, but the caverns beneath the Dragonteeth are no impassable. I figured the best way to run into you was to meet you here." He shrugged his shoulders, "And so here I am."
Suspicious of this stranger, especially considering that an original motivation of this mission was a curse laid on by folks dressed similar to this Rinaldo, Andremar leaned towards Cassandra and whispered, "remember the gypsies."
She nodded knowingly.
The young mage had always been reluctant to speak for his companions, especially in light of the trouble he usually had. But, since no one else stepped forward, and Lwcynda gave him an encouraging nudge, the true tongued Andremar broke the silence. "You evidently have us at a disadvantage, Rinaldo. Since you apparently know us but we know nothing of you, perhaps you would, ah, tell us of yourself and why, um, it is that you decided to wait for us here."
As he awaited a response, Andremar scanned the area since this cross-road is a likely ambush location and Rinaldo might be the "trigger" of some trap. The gangly mage kept his staff in one hand while his other remained inside his robe, appearing to simply be a relaxed gesture but actually allowing him close access to his spell components.
Drist, also being suspicious of this stranger, casually rested his hand on his sword hilt as he awaited Rinaldo's reply to the mage.
Lwcynda was also somewhat suspicious [is there no trust left in this world????] of this character and doubted very much that he stood before them so boldly if he were alone. For the moment, she kept quiet and waited for the stranger's answer. She wondered, however, just how it was possible for this man to know they had had an interesting adventure After all, they had left Bolo's some many weeks ago.
Rinaldo flashed his winning smile once more, as he eyed the ever-suspicious comrades. "Ah, yes, you are surprised, no?, to hear that your exploits travel so far so quickly?" He waved his right arm about as he continued, "These woods speak the very name of The Seekers, those who thwarted the thieves at the inn, those who drove the orcs from the undermountain. Your modesty is a pleasant characteristic, but you even more right to be proud. Why, even little birds of the forest sing your praises." His empty hands stretched outward towards the party. "And once words of your exploits reached the ears of Madame Riva, she said to me, 'Those are the ones I wish to see.'" Rinaldo motioned with his arms once more, and six large, brightly dressed men stepped from the thickets.
"Do not be alarmed. They are here to help grant you safe passage to Madame Riva. She has a business proposition for you. I think you will find it quite profitable to hear her out." Rinaldo glanced about nervously. "Come," he said, "it is not safe to tarry in this portion of the woods."
The six men stood in two groups of three, some 15' to the left and right of Rinaldo. Each had a sword of some type at his waist, but none had a hand on his. They, too, glanced about cautiously observing the forest, more than they did the party.
*If there were to be an ambush,* Andremar thought to himself, *I don't believe Rinaldo would spring it by showing some of his men.* Looking to his friends, he saw the suspicion in their countenances. However, he could also see the curiosity in Cassandra's face. "A cat or Cassie, some time it is hard to tell the difference," he mumbled. "Curiosity, stealth, and a penchant for pouncing when flashing things move too near. I just hope we get to share her nine lives." Figuring that this may be the only way to get to the bottom of the mystery that originally sent them off, Andremar removed his hand from his robes in another 'obvious' relaxed gesture. He nodded his head to his friends, knowing that after long association the gesture would be taken by all to mean *of course we all distrust Rinaldo and his associates but if we don't chase this mystery down to its source, Cassandra will have a stroke and Lwcynda will never let us forget it so let's keep our guard up and follow these guys while trusting that Drist, Gummie, Jutos and the rest of you will raise the alarm if you spot even the slightest movement in the woods and of course if any of you send me back a contradictory shrug then I will withdrawn my 'knowing nod' and follow your lead,...*.
It never occurred to the quickly-aging mage to be amazed at the depth of communication one can express in a simple 'knowing nod' of the head.
Whether he understood all the nuances of the nod, or was just exercising good sense, Drist loosened his grip on his sword, but still kept his hand there. He called everyone over to himself. "We might as well go with him. It doesn't seem we have much choice anyway, and I want to know what the leader of these gypsies wants with us."
Grummie demonstrated his usual suspicion, evident by the look on his face; however, there seemed to be no easy way of avoiding this encounter. Even if a fight could be avoided, by simply refusing to join these glistening gents, such would no doubt bring on the wrath of this Madame Riva, and the entire gypsy hoard. Not knowing more about these wanderers, their numbers, or their mystic powers, it might be best to simply follow along, at least for now. Although Grummie did not engage the strangers directly, he did take the opportunity to parlay with his comrades in their quiet huddle; "Me tinks dat ifen dey know o' our journey, den dey know o' our concern about da plight dey hab set on dis forest, an' our intent to aid those dat hab been dey victim. Somethin' most foul be afoot, for ifen dis road be so dangerous, den how is it dat dey waited here for us so long? Me no trust dey words, nae indeed, but I follow."
Lwcynda agreed that the companions must go on and discover the truth of the curse. This may be the only way. "And besides, if they wanted to ambush us they would have done so rather than talk to us." She nodded to Andremar, though her nod palled in comparison to his. .
Jutos too had his suspicious doubts; however, he merely grunted, content to follow the lead of his companions. Following behind Grummie, he surreptitiously loosened the strap of his great mace and rested his large hand upon its handle, prepared for any surprises.
Cassandra raised her eyes to the heavens, as if Andremar's nod would never end. Then when all had spoken, and the decisions to go along had been made, she added, "Good idea"
Rinaldo said, "So, you will come then? Wonderful. You have my word, as a member of the Traveling People that no harm will come to you." He turned, as did his friends, and began to head southeast along a lesser used path. Three of his buddies went with him. The other three waited till the Seekers followed, then took up the rear guard.
After a short trek, maybe half a mile, the Seekers entered a clearing on the southern fringe of the Welkwood. There they found a camp full of life and happiness. Everyone was brightly clad in a variety of silk garments. Most were dark haired and had black, flashing eyes. Many wooden wagons formed a circle around the encampment. The wagons were painted in bright reds, greens, yellows, and blacks. Most had a door and a back step, although a couple of the entrances were covered over only by leather door aprons. Small windows lined either side of the wagons.
In the center of the camp was a communal eating area. A large table was spread there, and various members of the Traveling People stopped and took some food, be it an apple, some bread, or a piece of game meat, as they passed by. Only a few heads turned to notice the Seekers as they were led to this central area.
Rinaldo waved his hand over the feast. "Please, as our guests I insist you help yourselves to whatever you fancy. You have come a long way, and are no doubt hungry. Go, eat and drink, while I see if I can find Madame Riva and inform her of your presence."
Cassandra helped herself to a leg of meat. "Hmm, venison, I believe," she said, holding the leg aloft. "Might as well enjoy it. There are way too many of them to do much about it now. Plus, I noticed some of them in the trees above up as we journied here."
Jutos whispered to whoever's near, "I don't know much about Gypsies, but these hear match my idea." Placing his hand firmly on the shaft of his great mace, he adds, "We'd best be prepared; I don't trust anyone who wears so much color." As a precaution, he readied a ~bless~ spell.
Lwcynda, seeing Cassandra eating, shrugged her shoulders and decided she was hungry too, so she ate she awaited the arrival of Madame Riva.
The words of concern expressed by the other Seekers seemed to fall silently on Grummie's ears, as he found himself completely caught up in the festivities, vivid colors, and wondrous fanfare. He smiled often and widely, his grin nearly as wide as his nose be long. He partook of the food heartily and drank of whatever he could find, enjoying the entire event.
Drist stayed alert but realized he was hungry. He quickly got some of the offered food, but then distanced himself from the central table. He went and sat in a fairly empty area near one of the fires where Jutos, who had refrained from eating. Jutos nodded when Drist approached him. They kept careful watch on the fate of their perhaps too trusting companions. They noticed that Anachraeus had wandered off to the other side of the camp and was looking about the perimeter, as if contemplating something.
From their fire side, they could sense Andremar's nervousness. He delayed eating, apparently observing his companions who started eating early for signs of foul play. But as time wore on, and he saw no indications of their being drugged, he did eat lightly, but only pretended to drink.
Others of the tribe came and went from the table, taking different items of food and drink. On occasion, one nodded to the new comers, but none made conversation. After a half hour or so Rinaldo returned to the central table. "Madame Riva wishes to see you now. She is this way," he announced, as he began walking towards what was obviously the largest wagon in the camp, a bright red one with a yellow band and black wheels. On each side of this wagon was a big silver star.
Sitting of the back stoop was a thin old woman. She had dark, piercing eyes and a cynical grin. She held herself erect, and acted in no way enfeebled. She was dressed in many colored silks. Rinaldo stood off to one side, his armed folded across his chest.
"Good day, young folk," she said. She nodded to herself saying, "You'll do, or I miss my mark. Please be seated," she indicated some logs. "Not as fancy as towns folk chairs, but it keeps you off the cold ground. It's a hard enough world this is, without making it any harder than it must be." She pulled out a long white pipe and lit it, inspected it carefully, and looked up again. "You've eaten? We cannot offer much, but we share with those who are our guests." She pointed with the mouthpiece of the pipe at the Seekers who sat? before her. "You've been beyond the mountains to see the Druids?"
Drist did his best to look beyond Madame Riva to examine the interior of the wagon. He did not notice anything out of the ordinary-some chests, clothes- nothing special. He said nothing to the old woman, as he was unsure of how much to tell her. He waited to hear what his companions had to say.
Grummie listened intently to the Madame's dissertation. However, he said nothing for now. He merely observed everything with his typical interest, or was it suspicion...
Lwcynda, as usual, had some difficulty containing her curiosity as well as her mouth. She looked first at her silent companions, and then at Madame Riva. "Thank you for your hospitality. I am Lwcynda and I do not wish to seem ungracious, but how is it that you know so much about us, Madame Riva?"
Cassandra sat to his right, and the end of one of the logs. She, too, remained silent, confident in Lwcynda's natural innocence to get the best out of the situation.
Andremar silently shared this thought. *I remember Lwcynda bartering with some of the merchants and their dazed look after she completed her bargaining. I would almost be tempted to feel sorry for the older woman were it not something in her demeanor reminds me of Lwcynda, .. and even of Cassandra for that matter.*
Madame Riva took a deep draw on her pipe, "Answering me question with one of yer own. Canny, I like that." She took another draw on the clay pipe, then exhaled slowly. She looked like a loving grandmother gazing out on her flock of young ones. Her voice was informal. "There is little about you that I do not know. You are from the Downs." She raised a hand, to halt any attempt at denial. She added sadly, I was through the Downs not too long ago. "
Cassandra dead panned, "Yeah, we heard something to that effect, or your effects, whatever."
The old lady's gaze feel coldly upon the thief. Cassandra looked at her own boots, then brushed away some imaginary mud. Madame Riva returned her look to the others. "As I was saying, just before the Traveling Folk entered the Downs, we encountered Olot the ogre. We treated him well. He repaid us with lead when we had given him gold." She smiled craftily. "In short, young folk, we gave him the hospitality of the camp, and he stole from us. "
"When we sent some men to his lair to regain our possessions, they were slain by the big man that guards Olot dwelling. No member of the Traveling Folk is able to approach the dwelling to reclaim what is ours. That ogre demands payment form us for our own possessions!" She puffed angrily on her pipe.
Then she calmed slowly. "That is why, young folks, when I passed through the Downs I asked for silver. The people there would not give me any. I needed silver to buy back what had been stolen from us. I thought if I threatened the Downs, they would pay. They did not-I cursed them in my anger. It should have been Olot!" She checked her pipe, only to confirm that it had gone out. She rapped it against the heel of her boot till it appeared empty, then put the pipe away.
"Here is what I propose: you do me a small service, and I will lift the curse on the Downs. If you wish not to deal with me, I will sell you a cure for the curse that blights The Downs." At this point she fell silent, and waited for any reply.
Drist again turned to his companions and whispered, "Should we tell her of the cure already given to us by the druids? Or should we here what she has to propose?" Thus said, he waited for an answer from any of them.
Lwcynda said, "Madame Riva, it was most unkind of you to take out your frustration with Olot on the people of the Downs. Did you not consider that perhaps they had very little silver to give away? Your punishment was quite severe. Please excuse us for a moment, I would like to confer with my companions for a moment."
The old woman showed absolutely no reaction to this tongue lashing by the cleric.
She whispered to her companions "I think we should find out what service she needs from us. If she knows everything about us then I guess it doesn't matter if we tell her about the cure we have anyway. Maybe if we help her then she will remember not to take out her frustrations on unsuspecting folks. "
Moving close to Lwcynda, Andremar whispered, "I cannot help but agree. This woman evidently is used to having her way and has subjected those who offended her to this terrible curse power. It would not be wise of use to offend her and, thus, I believe we will be forced into complying with her wishes. Perhaps the only advantage we can negotiate is an alternate payment since, as you say, we already hold the cure. I fear that we must resign ourselves to this task and, by seeing it accomplished quickly, can speed her from the Downs."
The gangly mage sullenly listened to the whispers of the others.
Jutos nodded after listening to his companions. "I believe we should not only tell her that we have found the cure for her curse, but that we would be happy to help her just the same. We were right in our suspicions about these folk, but now there is much more to be gained by altruism. We should do that which is right, and my heart tells me that means helping her people. Perhaps our doing so may lesson the tension between them and the other people of the woods."
Cassandra sat silently staring at the old woman. If Madame Riva minded, or even noticed, she did not show it at all.
Lwcynda gathered that there was a consensus on to helping the gypsies, so she asked Madame Riva what service she required.
The old lady smiled slightly, knowing that the Seekers had at least been intrigued by her proposal. She said, "Olot is a cunning, devilish ogre. We met him in the woods, and he did not harm us, so we gave him the hospitality of the Traveling Folk. He repaid us by stealing Silverwing, a Pegasus we captured and were taking south for a lord. He took Silverwing to his cave and demanded that we pay 20,000 gold for his return. We do not have that kind of money."
She fiddled with her pipe, but looked over it at the faces of the Seekers to gage their reaction to the sum mentioned. "Olot had found a flesh statue which has he empowered to kill and harry only traveling Folk, so we are unable to reclaim that pegassus." She spat on the ground. "Bad luck to him, I say! Anyway, I feel that since Olot is so clever, perhaps his own cleverness could be turned against him. What if some bold people went there to reclaim my Silverwing?" She laughed at her own scheme. "What if you went there to reclaim him?"
She leaned forward in anticipation of a response.
Lwcynda was greatly disturbed to hear that the gypsies had actually laid claim to a Pegasus. She could not contain herself though she was willing to bargain. So she said, "Thou hast done a dreadful deed. The taking of a Pegasus is not to be taken lightly. And to forfeit his life into servitude is most unworthy of any human, gypsy or other. Why would you do such a thing?" Her voice raised in disbelief. "For money? I am truly offended by your actions, though my companions may or may not be so." Then she momentarily calmed "However, we are inclined to help you. But I must inform you that we already have a cure for the problem in the Downs and we do not need your cure. But, if I am to understand this, you actually captured a Pegasus and intended to sell it to someone for profit. Is that correct?" She waited for her answer.
The old lady, as usual, displayed no emotion. "Yes, I can see why you might be upset. But, then there are things that other people do which I do not understand, and, which I might find offensive. Yet, it is not for me, or my people to judge others by our standards, just as it is not right for you to do so with us. Our ways are different. We are a people much preyed upon. And, to answer your question, yes, we have a Pegasus, and yes, once we get it back we intend to sell it. It is ours and there is no law which forbids such an action." Her voice remained calm throughout.
Lwcynda responded, "We are willing to help you. We will try to get your money back, however, the issue of giving a pegasus up for hire is another matter. We all hold with the law of nature and that nature does not give a pegasus easily into 'slavery'. If you want us to get back your money, I, and I think my companions have no problem with that. However, if you wish to give this Silverwing," [here Lwcynda was thinking of the pegasus that she, Cassandra, Andremar, and Pirvan had saved from the goblins. She assumed her companions remember this too] "into slavery for money, I do not know if we can do that. It is an issue which we must discuss and decide upon in private. What say you, Madame Riva? Do you seek out those special animals just for profit? Do you want us to find this animal for you to give to someone who would give you money and then hurt this animal? I may speak out of turn, but I do not wish that when we find this Silverwing for him to be given to one who wishes him to be but a mount and ought else. A Pegasus is not such a being and only those truly worthy can hope to have them as a friend or other. Even a gypsy, who is one with the land, or so it is said, would not do such a thing. Do you value money so much that you would give up your beliefs and betray the land in such a way? What say you, Madame Riva?"
Lwcynda looked to he companions, and to them she appeared greatly distressed. Inwardly, she only hoped that they would not hate her for her verbosity for, as usual, she could not help herself in letting others know when they were wrong, at least in her view of the world.
Drist nodded his head in agreement while Lwcynda was talking. Knowing that the cleric had a way with words, Drist remained silent and awaited the answer of the gypsy leader.
Cassandra sat in silence, mouthing only to herself, "Silverlance, and it was a unicorn, but who's counting."
Andremar flinched as Lwcyanda spoke. Leaning towards Cassandra he whispered, "She has a good heart but I hope her open honesty doesn't get us in trouble. I cannot feel as strongly as she about the capture of a pegasus since I have ridden many a horse without remorse or guilt. Still, I can sense her passion in this matter for a flying horse would truly be a wondrous thing. And her suspicions may have merit for I too suspect that this Olot creature may not be exactly what this woman says."
Cassandra returned, "Agreed. I trust no one here, save us, of course. And, while I have every sympathy for the pegasus, I have no intention of making that view known to one and all. Some times our loquatious friend is her own worst enemy. The temptation to cast sleep upon her right now must be nagging at you." She turned her smiling face back to the old lady.
Andremar and Cassandra, having shared their concerns, followed Drist's example and did nothing
to hinder Lwcynda's bargaining.
Lwcynda's outburst had been heard by most of the Traveling Folk. Many of them, including Rinaldo, had moved to Madame Riva's wagon. The Seekers, found themselves the center of attention.
Rinaldo asked, "What is all the fuss about? The fine lady's voice can be heard to the mountain tops."
Madame Riva raised a hand, as if to wave everyone away. No one left. She spoke. "Tis nothing. Just a minor disagreement in a business proposition. We are merely haggling over a price." She directed her words now to Lwcynda, whom she assumed spoke for the Seekers. "Well, my friend, you drive a hard bargain. So, you already have a cure for the Downs, do you? Well, it might interest you to know that that which you have will work, but not for the coming growing season. It will take a year for the Druids cure to take effect. And what will the people of the Downs do during that time?
"While I appreciate your argument, we gypsies do not hold nature in the same high esteem as do you. As we have been outcast by so many peoples, so many cities, even entire areas refuse us passage, we have no choice but to set the value of anything on the amount of gold it will bring us. This flying horse is, indeed, a magnificent creature, but to us it's only value is monetary." Her calm demeanor seemed to satisfy the curious Traveling Folk, many of whom went back to whatever they had been doing. "So, the best I can do is to sweeten my original offer. If you get our Pegasus back, you may keep whatever portion of Olot's treasure is not ours. And," she said as she reached back into the wagon, "I will throw in this special weapon." She held aloft a curved blade, a scimitar. "It has special powers against ogres I am told ."
She let all the Seekers study it for a moment. Then she asked them, "So, what will it be? Will you perform this task for us? Yes, or no. In either case, and you should feel yourselves under no pressure, you are welcome to stay with us for the night. We have plenty of food and drink, and we are always interested to meet new people, especially those who speak their minds."
She looked away from the group, nodding for some reason towards Rinaldo, who seemed not to notice. He fixed his gaze on the Seekers.
Lwcynda added one more thing. "Just how much money did this Ogre take from you along with the Pegasus?"
Madame Riva though for a moment, then smiled. "In truth, he took no real money. The Pegassus, Silverwing, which we ourselves caught, and then trained to be ridden, is the sole treasure of ours. He is, no doubt, worth more than all the gold that cunning Olot might have amassed and kept within his cave. The flying horse, a magnificent creature, is the real treasure involved." At this point her voice grew soft, her eyes heavy. "It is all we ask in return for all we offer."
Lwcynda accepted this response. Then she said, "I would like to speak with my friends in private. Please excuse us for a few moments."
Madame Riva nodded an approval, and Rinaldo moved over to the lady. The began a low voiced conversation, seeming to turn their backs on the Seekers.
Lwcynda led the companions away from the old lady's wagon, to an open area where they might 'hide in plain sight' as Cassandra had taught her.
Lwcynda said in a more calmly voice, "I am sorry that I got so 'annoyed' with that woman. I know I shouldn't let the world know everything I'm thinking, but I guess I will just have to work on that. I also realize that we can't save every creature from its fate. In the meantime, what do you all think? I guess we may not be able to save the Pegasus from his fate, but do you want to help these people for the sake of this other cure for the Downs? I guess that was the reason this all started in the first place. Do any of you have any questions for the Madame? And does anyone have an opinion about that sword?"
"Lwcynda," began Andremar, "I admire your passion and sense of justice. I admit to what I believe is a bit more pragmatic viewpoint but will never fault you your perspective for your behavior has always been honorable."
"However," the gangly mage continued, "I might suggest a solution that will appease you. I would like to obtain the gypsies cure that will save the downs a growing season. At the same time, I would like to see you in possession of this Pegasus rather that the gypsies or the lord to which they would sell it. The solution is simple, albeit challenging...."
Andremar paused for dramatic effect but, only seeing quizzical looks on his compatriots faces, he shrugs and then continues. "The woman has set the flying-horse's price at 20,000 gold. If this ogre is so great of a robber that his treasury has become full, then perhaps we have a chance to gain the beast's purchase price and to deliver the gold in lieu of the Pegasus. It is certainly no guarantee but at least it is a possibility. What do you think, um, of this?"
Jutos clapped Andremar on the back, causing the gangly mage to stumble forward awkwardly. "Aye, tis indeed a good plan. Though I worry not for the Pegasus, by following your idea all are appeased. I for one will most happily contribute my share of any plunder we find amongst the wretched ogre's ill-gotten booty, as I'm sure shall the rest of us."
With that, Jutos looked around at the other Seekers, gauging their reactions though he already figured he knew what they would be.
Cassandra had kept her back to her companions, her eyes on the rest of the camp, but her ears had been on what had been said. "No one seems to be watching us, but that does not mean no one is listening," she warned, talking out of the side of her mouth.
She continued. "This woman has not set the price of the animal, Olot the ogre has. He wants 20,000 gp for its return. We do not know what Madame Riva is expecting. I know nothing of the value of these animals. I do know we already bought one horse not so long ago, for which we pooled our resources, and we had to trade it for the centaur." At this point her gaze swept round the camp, as if looking for Anachraeus, but he was nowhere to be seen. "Needless to say, I intend to get that investment back. But I'll save that for another day. Anyway, I would like nothing more to take a thieving ogre's gold. And, if that buys us yet another horse, albeit one of a different color, that is fine with me."
Grummie had been strangely silent for some time now. "Aye, rather us have `im, than some strange one ta which dese Travelin Folk might be sellin' him. And dat sword, it did seem a fine blade, one which our elven friend," indicating Drist, "might wield wit pride. So I sez, `why not?' Maybe our sharp tongued mage `as come up wit an idee which just might make everyone one happy."
"Yeah," chirped Cassandra, "he's stock full of good ideas." She somewhat insincere in her praise, as if perhaps her friends had bitten off more than they could chew. After a brief hesitation she continued, "Yet, when we finally get that Khielgarn, the one that done in the centaur, and owes us a horse, we'll finally and financially be ahead of the game."
Grummie pondered the situation further, then added, "Aye, tis mayhaps a good idea, me reckon, ta ask da Gypsy what be her price in gold, ifen we could buy they interest in da Pegasi." He frowned slightly, hanging his head, as if in slight distress, "Aye, I dare say I be willin, ta part wid me share o' da coin already won, for da sake o' such a marvelous winged creature o' nature." His countenance then turned to more of exuberant concern, and he continued, "But lets me say dis! She be too willin' ta trade dat sword, ifen it be so grand, and accursed it may be, as da Downs. Wary I be of it." Grummie said no more, concerned about Cassie's words regarding those that might be scrying their conversation from afar.
Seeing Rinaldo's eyes burrowing in on them, almost as if he were pulling the words right off his own lips, Andremar covered his mouth and leaned forward to whisper, "Grummie, your suspicions may have merit. If I were to have a day with the blade I might be able to tell something of its mystical nature."
The young mage paused, then began afresh with his mouth still covered. "Cassie, you have corrected my mistake. We may indeed not be able to afford this creature's ransom. Regardless I believe that we will, in the end, accept this mission for doing it will certainly shed some good while resisting this woman's will may bring us or the Downs further ill. And delay only works against us so perhaps we should just accept the inevitable and comply with Madame Riva."
Almost as if an afterthought, Andremar said, "Oh, and have you noted how intently Rinaldo watches our conversations? Cassandra has the right of it, it would surprise me not to learn that our words have been 'heard' by the eyes of these folks."
Having listened to Andremar, Jutos stood before the group, drawing his great ax for emphasis. "Then let us waste no more words, but let our deeds speak for themselves. I, for one, shall seek the Pegasus."
Lwcynda, with tears in her crystal blue eyes, said, "I thank you all for your understanding and know this, that there is none other that I would chose to seek the truth with!"
She blinked, "What do you think the gypsy will take for the Pegasus? Perhaps, we can bargain to give her all his, the Ogre's, treasure she believes it to be so much? What do we say to her now? Who shall speak for us? I know I have spoken overmuch and mayhap one of you," looking at Jutos in particular, "would like to speak so that your words might carry more weight?"
She then added, "If not, I will make a bargain if you tell me what I should say. I do also think that Grummie has a point. She is quick to give up her sword. Perhaps we can ask her if we might have a look at it for awhile? What say you?"
T'was Drist who took the initiative. He led the way back to Madame Riva's wagon, where she and Rinaldo still seemed engaged in a private matter, seemingly ignorant of the Seekers' presence.
Drist politely interrupted. "Excuse me, Madame Riva?"
They both turned and looked down from the back of her wagon.
The elf said, "If we have all agreed with no further objections, then I think that we will except this quest from you."
The old lady smiled in approval. "Good, good!" She turned to Rinaldo, "You have done well, you have brought us a bold party indeed."
Rinaldo beamed in appreciation of her words.
"If you will give us the location of the Ogre we will gladly go in search of it. Without further ado, I think we should leave, so that we can find the ogre."
Rinaldo shock his head in the negative. "Patience, my friend, for while the sun still shines, it is close to setting." His right arm extended pointing toward the sun, now sinking lower on the horizon. "Tomorrow is another day, and a fine day for hunting ogres." Here his gaze stuck upon Jutos. A bemused look crossed his face. "Er, present company excepted, of course." He waved his hand cross the camp. "On this night, the full pleasures of the Traveling Folk will be at your disposal. We will have wine, food, dancing, to celebrate this glorious undertaking." His voice rang with enthusiasm, as he jumped down from the wagon. "Yes, tonight will be one to remember. Then, I the morning, I will show where the cave of that dreaded ogre, that thief, is located."
Madame Riva offered the sword. "So, you have earned the right to use this. Which of you will take it? You, perhaps?" as she extended it towards Drist.
Under normal circumstances, the elf might have been quick to receive the gift, but, Grummie's warning still rang in his head. Madame Riva noted the hesitancy. "What? you do not like ......? No, nooo, not `like', but `trust.'" He eyes met those of each Seeker. "You do not trust my gift, now do you?"
Andremar would really have liked to use his new fangled tongue to explain away the discomfort all were no doubt feeling, but it seemed more full of knots than his boots. He nudged Cassandra.
The wily thief spoke, "Trust? What's not to trust? It's just that, well, um, er, it's just that we were wondering if we might, um, test, yes, that's it, test the blade. So that, er, we might , um, better know how it actually performed." Her eyes were everywhere but on the old gypsy lady. "We'd rather be certain of its properties before we meet that who you have described as a cunning `devil.'"
The old lady drew her pipe from her apron. A subtle grin crossed her lips. "Yes, yes I can see how that might come in handy. Well, then, here," she said, as she tossed the sword to the ground. It came to rest harmlessly aside the Seekers, and lay helpless. "It is there for you to do with as you wish. I believe it will help you against Olot, but that is up to you to decide. Take it if you wish."
She looked over the heads of the party, he attention drawn by the sounds of laughter, brief strumming of instruments, and other jocularity. "Ah, the celebration begins a bit early. Well, no harm in that, is there?" Not waiting for an answer, she made her way down the steps of his wagon. "Join us at you leisure," she said in passing as she headed off to the tables where many people, men and woman. boys and girls, were gathering.
As the gypsies begin to disperse, Andremar moved towards the spot where
the scimitar was dropped. "Lwcynda, can you sense anything, er, bad about
this weapon?"
The priestess took some time to ponder over the blade and, after some ten minutes declared it `not evil as far as I can tell.'
After hearing this possitive response from Lwcynda, the young mage then asks Cassandra "And is there anything about this weapon that would suggest poison or treachery?"
Cassandra had been watching Lwcynda and the weapon. "Well, why give us a weapon which would poison the wielder. If they wanted us dead, we would be so by now. There are many more of them than of us." She bent down and examined the weapons for markings. "Cannot see anything written upon it, and the way the old lady handled it, either she is under its powers, or it is relatively safe." with that pronouncement, she picked it up. "Hmm, light." She sliced it around. "Quick, too." She looked down the curved blade, noting it sharpness. "Seems like a fine weapon to me. They must really not like this ogre," she surmised, as she handed the scimitar over to Andremar, "or," her voice lingered, "there is more to this endeavor than they have let on."
Andremar took the blade cautiously, then confirmed, using his arcane arts, that it was magical, for he would not waste his time further it were not. "Yes, it has some magic properties."
"I thought it might," added Cassandra, "it had the feel of an above average weapon. You know, I just might be being too cautious here. These people are Gypsies after all. Their lifestyle and priorities can be quite different from ours. What is important to them, their Pegasus for example, can far outweigh the value of this seemingly fine weapon. It could be that simple in their minds." She stopped, satisfied with herself for the moment, then added, "Then again, they might be up to something."
Andremar rolled his eyes at the wavering opinions of his friend. He figured he needed to examine the blade more on his own. Addressing his large compatriot Jutos, he said, "I need time, undisturbed, so that I can attempt to discern the mystical nature of this blade. If we were to seek out a quiet corner, would you be willing to insure that I am not interrupted during my efforts? We might also seek the aid of Drist but I would not attempt to pull Grummie away from a feast or celebration. What say you on this my friend?"
Jutos nodded, obviously not having enjoyed his short stay in the gypsy camp. "I'd gladly accompany you," he said, glancing around at the odd folk going about their feasting. "Though I dislike passing up food, yet do I not trust these people as far as I could throw them."
"Well," he continued with a short laugh, "as far as you could throw them." Then, with another pat on the back again sending the mage lurching forwards, Jutos smiled, "Fear not, you shall not be disturbed in you efforts. Let us retire to see what enchantments this small blade may hold."
And so the two excused themselves and went off, stopping at the food table only long enough to pick up some food and, at Andremar's insistence, some wine. They retired to the woods, where they were joined by Anachraeus. The centaur explained that Gypsies were not his cup of tea. "I have been pet to one person too many this lifetime. I'd rather they not become enamored of me.
Upon hearing what the mage was seeking, the Druid led them to a secluded area in the woods, a quiet place, where the mage could conduct further magical tests on the blade. Jutos and the centaur both stood guard and watched with fascination as Andremar prepared the glade for spell casting. "This, um, might take some time." And it did. He spent the rest of the afternoon, evening, and part of the night getting the area just correct, by removing branches, leaves, stones, creating a clear area of ground. Then he made a bed of leaves upon which he placed the scimitar. He sat still near it for one hour, then rose and shifted to another side of it, and sat again. He repeated this process time and again. Meanwhile Jutos listened for any who might disturb the mage, while the Druid made certain that no woodland creatures ventured forward to disturb the goings on.
Finally, round midnight, Andremar pronounced the area `cleansed,' and announced that he was about to proceed with the actual spellcasting. "Jutos, my friend, this will take quite something out of me. If, perchance, I pass out, do not be alarmed," he said bravely. Then, remembering who he was, he clarified, "Well, OK, be alarmed, but not too alarmed. Just make certain I get to a bed for some rest quickly."
Andremar took out the wine, which appeared to have a feather in it. He crushed some sort of stone into the wine, stirred it with the feather, and drank it! He then placed his hands upon the blade, running his fingers across every inch of it. The process seemed painstakingly slow, though it lasted only about three minutes. Andremar turned away from the weapon. "Indeed, it definitely does not like ogres. It should work well against this Olot," he said weakly. His hands went to the ground to support himself. "Well, at least I am still conscious," he smiled up at his two large companions."
Meanwhile, back at the Gypsy camp the others had planty of time to kill.
For her part, Cassandra indulged herself with a reasonable amount of food. She then spent the rest of the evening glued to the sport where she noted Andremar and Jutos had gone off into the woods. She knew better than to follow, but ...
Drist walked the a table and took some food and wine, then he went and found a place to sit. Once seated and comfortable, he ate and tried to appear as if he were enjoying himself, though his thoughts wandered elsewhere. For instance, he wondered if the blade would actually help to fight the ogre. He thought, * I've seen Jutos fight, and he would be a formidable opponent, and he is only half ogre! How hard will a true ogre fight?*
Drist tried to put these concerns aside, and try to truly enjoy the festivities, but they kept popping back up into his head, especially because he recalled the recommendation of the old gypsy, that it would be he who should use the weapon .....
Grummie wasted very little time with conversation, all the while continuing to fill his belly with food and wine, or dancing around an singing. At one point, he was on top of one of the tables, dancing in a rather ridiculous jig, and attempting to juggle various fruit and foodstuff. This was much to the delight and approval of an admiring crowd. He soon found himself joined by members of the Traveling Folk, who proved themselves equally adept at table dancing.
The entire affair might have gone unnoticed, since while standing atop the table, he was able to conceal himself among his taller dance partners. Nonetheless, he had obviously imbibed heavily, and eventually the short funny man lost his footing, crashing to the ground with a resounding thud. Amazingly, Grummie did not seem too badly bruised in the fall, not in pride, spirit or body... And the gypsies, figuring this was part of his program, began to flop and fall from the table, trying to match him in the style of his apparent pratfall.
He got up gingerly, accepting their applause, his pride unhurt. However, his muscles might moan to a different tune in the morn.
It was after midnight. The camp was gradually falling more silent, as many of the tribe were retiring to their wagons. Cassandra heard some noise coming from the woods. Her expectant eyes fell upon her best friend Andremar, who was being helped along by the joint efforts of Jutos and Anachraeus. She had seen him tired from spell casting before, like on those many nights which he spent mastering his magic missile off every tree near their cottage- but never like this. Andremar could not speak. Jutos confirmed that he had not spoken on the slow walk back to the camp.
A very concerned Cassandra took charge of her friend, and led him to a wagon where beds had been provided for them. "I hope he'll have news for us in the morning," she said, but her eyes betrayed her worry." A few gypsies pointed and murmured, but a sidelong glance from the rogue silenced them quickly.
The centaur and Jutos watched as she led him off. The others could not help but notice that Jutos held the blade for now.
Gradually the remaining members of the Traveling Folk made their way to their wagons. The Seekers took shelter in some extra wagons which had been prepared for them. The centaur retreated back into he woods.
Morning came in calmly, an as it did, the gypsy camp gradually came to life. As the Seekers awoke, they watched as various members of the Traveling Folk began to undertake their individual or group task, each designed to keep the camp in smooth running order. Some were gathering wood, others cleaning up debris from the night before, others busy preparing food, while others appeared to be practicing various forms of gymnastic exercises and tumbling.
Slowly the Seekers dragged themselves from the warmth of the wagons out into the cold crisp morning. The brought blankets with them and huddled near one of the camp fires. They awaited the wakening and arrival of Andremar.
It was about mid-morning before he emerged, Cassandra at his side. The gangly mage walked slowly but steadily. He seemed to be a bit fatigued, but was in much better shape than when last seen at round mid-night. He sat on a log near the fire. He asked for the blade from Jutos, who handed it to him.
Andremar held the blade over the fire, high enough that it was not effected by the controlled flames. "Friends, this blade is indeed and interesting one. From what I have been able to detect it is magical, it will have the ability to hit and damage any creatures better than a normal blade of its type. And, as the old lady suggested, it does, indeed, appear to have a special penchant for ogres. It will have a better strike and damage against creatures of that type. So, if this Olot is an ogre, this blade will be very useful against him."
He stopped for a couple of comforting breaths. "So, we best decide who will wield the weapon." He turned the blade over and over in his hand. "This curved blade is a bit longer than a short sword, like the one you usually employ," he indicated to Cassandra , "so you might have difficulty adjusting to it." His gaze turned towards Lwcynda, "and you prefer a broadsword, which relies on both its edges. Plus, your spells are probably more valuable to us than is your still formidable fighting ability." He nodded in appreciation. "So, that leaves Grummie and Drist, our two real fighters." He spoke at Grummie first, "Now I in no way mean to belittle you, but you are a bit smaller than our elven friend, and you do employ the short blade like Cassie, so you might have certain difficulties." As he turned towards Drist, looking him straight in the eyes, "So, Drist, this blade does indeed fall to you, as Madame Riva said it might." He thought for a moment, as he handed the blade to the elf. "Hmm, maybe she can _see_ things after all. Perhaps we should have her consult her whatever, and tell us the outcome of our endeavor?" Then he quickly shook his head in a negative manner, "No, best not know. Best to let nature, and our own skills, take their course."
Andremar stopped speaking.
Cassandra spoke, "So that's it then. I guess we best getting going to wherever this Olot is, and see what we shall see." And, she got up, brushed herself off. "I'm going to get ready. Meet you all back here in half and hour or so?"
Andremar, too, rose. "Best give me two hours. I have some studying to do."
Cassandra indicated that was fine with her. And so the seekers went off to make whatever preparations they deemed necessary.
It was early afternoon when the Seekers fed and prepared for an assault on the lair of the one known only to them as a ogre named Olot . Rinaldo acted as the guide. The road along which Rinaldo led was winding and little traveled. Weeds threatened to overtake it totally. It went through the forest, gradually turning uphill and due east. Somewhere in the midst of the forest, Anachraeus joined the procession, latching on to the end of the party. As the hill became higher, the steep path became more narrow. The trees thinned to reveal the top of a hill. The temperature had dropped a good ten degrees during the climb. Suddenly Rinaldo stopped. "You are almost there. Just around this bend is the big man. I will wait here for you. Do you want me to watch any of your valuables for you so you will not be encumbered?"
From where they stood, the Seekers could ascertain that the path continued upward, with sheer walls covered with treacherous ice on either side. The ground was frozen with both stone and dirt patches underfoot.
Drist held the sword in front of him and looked towards the cave. Turning back to Rinaldo he said, "Since I have the great pleasure of wielding the enchanted weapon," he grinned wryly, "I, at least, would like to leave my pack here so that I may move more freely." Without another word, he removed his pack and set it on the ground.
Then, turn to his companions, he said, "I think that we should approach the cave as cautiously and as quietly as possible. Therefore, I will take the lead, maybe with Cassandra, for she will be able to move as silently as I. After that, can come Grummie, Anachraeus, and Jutos, and last can come Andremar and Lwcynda. Any disagreements?"
Lwcynda was fine with the arrangement. She said, "When we are near to fighting I will 'Bless' our group. Then we shall see. My sword will be ready if needed, but I will likely try to see if I can 'Hold' the ogre before I enter the fight."
Grummie too nodded in agreement to Drist's basic plan. However, the gnome decided to retain his belongings, albeit few they were. He stowed his short sword and prepared his bow, setting an arrow against the string. Advancing onward as quietly as possible, when the party were only a few steps away from Rinaldo, they heard a muffled moan come from the general direction of the half-pint ranger. The company stopped momentarily and glanced at the gnome inquisitively. Feeling somewhat belittled by the onslaught of glaring eyes, Grummie quietly cleared his throat, and concealed the grimace that was on his face when all eyes fell on him. He then uttered, in an ever-so-soft whisper, "I be a bit sore in da muscle... Me 'pologies... I shall be quiet."
Andremar is happy to accept Drist's suggestion and moved to the rear of the party. Being only lightly encumbered, he preferred to retain his gear and politely declined Rinaldo's offer. He kept his staff in hand. He used the clasp given to him by Cassandra to affix his blanket about his shoulders, as a brace against the increasing cold. He recalled the friendly pats from Jutos that felt like they dislocated his shoulder. As he considered the likelihood that they will be coming face-to-face with a full-blooded ogre, Andremar found it difficult to remain calm. To those preceding him he quietly said, "Be, um, careful."
Jutos, too, preferred to carry all his items, having little faith in these gypsies. It seemed this was the general mood, as only Drist passed anything to Rinaldo.
As they approach the lair, Jutos took his large ax from his back and gripped it ever more tightly. The thought of slaying this ogre appealed greatly, and a bit of a snarl escaped his throat, making those nearby glance back in alarm. Looking back, he saw Rinaldo one last time, and more suspicions flashed through his mind. "I do not trust these folk," he thought to himself. "Maybe there is more than meets the eye." Taking hold of his holy symbol, Jutos whispered a prayer to Heironeous that he may see if there is truly evil here.
The path snaked upward. Sheer walls lined it, an their ice covering added a chill to what was already a chilling exercise. Just around the bend, the path widened to 20'. Standing in the middle of the path was a man just over 7' tall. His face and hands were criss-crossed with many scars and old wounds. He faced the party, his eyes did not blink. His hands were the only part of him which moved, as they clenched and unclenched at the party's appearance.
By now, Jutos' spell had taken effect. He allowed its range to fall upon the big man. "Not sure what he is exactly, but evil he be not," he pronounced.
They could see that the path narrowed again beyond the big man. Still in the narrows on this side, Cassandra examined the side walls. "No sense in even trying to climb them. They are just too slick."
At the site of this giant of a man, though he was yet a head shorter than himself, Jutos stepped forwards boldly. Slipping his great ax through his back sling, Jutos brought his hands to his sides, hooking his thumbs on his belt. As he did so, he surreptitiously prepared to draw his mace, if necessary. "I am Jutos," he began in common, hoping the man understood. "My companions and I come in peace and seek the one called Olot."
Grummie stood very still, looking about, surveying the immediate area, and listening intently for any sounds or "rodent muttering" that might be of assistance. Still, he always kept one eye in the direction of the towering man before them, prepared to draw back on his bowstring, and sling arrows at the monstrosity with due haste.
Andremar once again felt out of his element. Uncertain of neither the big "man" nor of Jutos's plan, he nonetheless trusted Jutos's instincts. Still, he prepared to support his tall friend and brought fresh to his mind such spells as ~Ray of Enfeeblement~ and ~Grease~.
The young mage remained quest and as observant as possible, watching for hostile actions by the creature and for anything that might come from the periphery of the group. He held his staff tightly, less for support that to give him something to
express the nervous tension he felt.
Lwcynda waited to see what happened before doing anything.
If the big man understood anything that Jutos said, or if he even heard him for that matter, there was nothing about his actions that suggested such a result. The big man stood as he had, clenching and unclenching his hands. His eyes did move, as they looked at and about each and every member of the party. The body stood still.
Cassandra used Jutos large presence as a buffer and began moving to the side. As she came into the big guy's peripheral vision, his eyes clearly took her in, and then continued to survey each and every member in turn. Still, no action did this being take.
Both Jutos and Cassandra had by now gotten a much better look at him. His scars were more like actual stitches, as if parts of him had been sown together.
Andremar awaited in readiness for those near the large humanoid to take action or for the big guy to do something other than clench and unclench his fists. The young mage did not know whether the thought of those hands closing about his throat or the image of those fists pounding into his body made him more nervous. Although it may have been selfish of him, he was glad that Jutos was in front of him.
This relief was short lived, because Cassandra continued past the big man, who still showed little concern about her approach and her passing. His eyes continued to scan the group, and beyond. The rogue, now safely beyond the scarred and sewn figure, waved the others onward. Jutos complied, moving past the big guy, leaving Andremar facing him. The gangly mage gulped once, twice, "Come on, already," Cassandra chided, till he had swalloed enough courage to walk on by. Soon the others followed until all had walked around him. He still stood in the middle looking ahead, clenching and unclenching his fists.
The party resumed the order which Drist had suggested. He and Cassandra led the way, some fifty feet north, along a narrow, steep walled, passage, scanning the ground as they went, till it turned abruptly to the west. They began to navigate this twenty foot length. Midway, however, undetected by the rogue's trained eyes [damnit, I missed!], their weight shifted a stone beneath their feet. A whitish gas spewed forth upon them, and those in the rank behind. All four breathed in the noxious fumes, coughing as they did so, till the air current caused them to drift upwards. Their eyes teared, but no other infirmary seemed to bother them. At least not for the present.
Cassandra apologized, "Can't believe I missed that one. We better slow a bit and look more carefully." The path continued ten more feet then turned back to the north for fifty feet, where it turned, this time to the east. Cassandra took a slight lead, bending low and examining the ground carefully. "This section seems safe," she declared. The others followed warily, to the next elbow. She then examined this short eastern section. "Something's wrong right about here," she said distractedly, as she fiddle with another ground stone. Unfortunately, [ever have one of those days?] she over balanced somehow, and the stone fell away and she with it. A solid thump was heard, as she disappeared from view. The path, which was twenty feet in length, now had a five foot wide gaping opening in the center of it.
"Don't know what's worse," Cassandra's voice came from below, the pain to me head, or to my pride."
Grummie immediately scuttled his way to the fore-ranks, climbing down on his knees and peering into the pit from its near edge. As he glared down into the ominous hole, he muttered under his breath, "Me hopes me light 'nuf not ta set off more traps." Taking a moment, to allow his vision to adjust to the light below, he called down, "Cassie, be yea alright? In body, I mean, did yea break bone or flesh?"
Jutos peered down into the darkness, trying too see Cassandra. He then picked up a small rock and, touching it to his holy symbol, called down a blessing of light upon it. As the rock began to glow brighter and brighter, he called to Cassandra to catch it and tossed to her.
This time her quick hands works, and she deftly caught the light source. The light of Jutos' stone revealed the fallen thief. She lay on her left side, rubbing her, apparently, bruised right flank [and ego]. The pit was about ten feet deep, and there were a few spikes protruding from the ground floor, one of which Cassandra had narrowly missed landing upon.
To Grummie's call, she responded, "I'll live," as she rose to her feet. The gnome dropped down his rope, and with Jutos firm grasp on it, she pulled herself up.
Surveying the situation, all can see that the pit lay open before them; i. e., it did not close up, so it need be crossed or circumvented by some means.
Drist knelt down and peered into the pit. He was hoping that there might be a way our from the bottom. but the side walls seemed to be rough dug dirt. Drist wondered aloud if the hole was jumpable, or if he could make some kind of bridge across it.
Inspired by Drist's ideas, Lwcynda instructed everyone to step back a bit, so she could get a running start. She took one end of Grummie's rope, and tied it loosely about her waist. With a few quick steps, she glided simply over the top, landing gently on her feet.
"Now, if someone will just toss me hammer and pegs, I'll fix this end of the rope into the wall here," indicating a spot low on the right side where she figured she had fairly solid stone," and you can do the same cross wise on your side." It wasn't long before the tied rope had become a tight rope.
Cassandra, well accustomed to balancing in precarious situations, walked across as if on a bridge. Grummie used his low center of gravity, and Drist his elven dexterity to get across. For Jutos, this whole rope deal seemed much ado about nothing. His size and the length of his stride made this pit little more than a mud puddle which he could hop step over.
Of course, this left Andremar on the wrong side off the open hole. He contemplated trying to ~charm~ himself into believing that he could fly, but knew that wouldn't work. while his voice was now relatively steady, thanks to those druids, his feet had too many `ums' and `ahs' still in them.
Twas Jutos' turn then, to return the favor. "Close your eyes and extend your hand," he said softly. A shaky limb reached out into space. Jutos stretched out his longer arm, firmly grasped the mage's wrist, and plucked him across the pit. "Now we're even," he grinned, his long tooth flickering in the reflected light off the ice walls.
Still, both Anachraeus and Gork stood on the other side. The centaur said, "I can jump this easily, and the little fellow could ride on my back, but I wonder if it would not be prudent for us to wait here for now. We can guard the path against any who might follow us, and, if you do not return in and hour or so, we can come after you. Take up the rope from this end for now. Should anyone come this way, we leap over, and come with fair warning."
And so, the Seekers went on. The path, still 5-10' wide, ran straight on another 60' before coming to a wide area roughly 65' wide by 55' long. Through this wide area a clear path ran straight across to an opening, 5-10' wide, which appeared to continue onwards.
Since nothing of importance or danger had come up yet, Drist suggested continuing on, but more cautiously, for he had the feeling that they were near the end of the tunnel. Whether that feeling was true or not, he suggested that someone scout ahead and look around, in case the Olot was near.
Never one to turn down a scouting, yet cautioned by Drist's warning, Cassandra made here way slowly across this open area, paying very careful attention to the ground, lest it fall way beneath her.
Andremar kept quiet after passing the pit, mostly because he feared speaking. As he finally calmed down he stopped to thank his large companion saying, "Ah, Jutos. You have my thanks for your aid. I appreciate your solution to my, um, difficulty."
The young mage relied on the outdoor skills of the others and continued to follow their lead, scanning the perimeter for signs of trouble.
Grummie found himself again perplexed, mostly by the stitched apparition guarding the entrance to this trail of impending doom. Before continuing, he decided to scan the floor and corners of the chamber more closely, hoping to find some sign that Olot was truly here, or at least had been recently. Although the "trail" was evident, he wondered who or what made it. As he began his quick search, he announced to the others, "Mayhaps dere be signs o' da Ogre here. Bones o' somefin' it ate. Mayhaps even a print o' foot in da dust, dat be clearly giant? Ifen dis trail be true!"
Cassandra, her hands and eyes low to the ground, crossed the center of this area, moving safely to the other side. She looked down the path as it continued in a narrow form beyond this area. "Looks like it continues then turns again," she noted back softly. "No sign of any ogre, though. ..... Yet, that is."
Grummie examined the area to the sides, hoping to find some sign of an ogre. As he neared the right hand corner, he found a sign of another kind, a sing of another trap. The ground fell way beneath his feet! But his low center of gravity and extreme quickness allowed him to leap backwards without suffering the same fate as had Cassandra just minutes before. "Now dat's how ye avoids a trap," he announced proudly. He looked at the open spot, and wiped his brow, "Dat be one icy grave, one I be glad ta not enter." For this was not a simple pit. It was instead a shimmer water pond, whose icy sides would have made for a tough escape.
Grummie now found himself a bit disgusted, and proclaimed his feelings aloud for all to here. "Dis here trail seemeth to head no-where nearer to da goal. Of which, metinks dis big giant would leave some sign o' his passage here. Nae, I wonder. I begin ta again distrust dese Gypsies, and wonder ifen dey hab just sent us on the chase o' a wild goose. A wild goose nest full o' pit-falls that is. What ifen dey just be wantin' us not to make it back to da dale and da barren farmlands?" Grummie rarely troubled himself deeply with such things; however, this situation obviously vexed him. However, he treaded much lighter of foot as he moved back toward the others, and prepared to follow them.
"I too distrust the gypsies," replied Jutos quickly. "They've given us litte to trust in, and thus far naught has occurred as we were led. Mayhaps you're right, Grummie. Mayhaps this is one great goose chase. But, we've come too far to go back. Besides, if the tale of the pegasus is true, we can not leave it to whatever fate the this so-called ogre OR the gypsies would hold in store for it."
Lwcynda said, "I must agree with both of you, so I guess that mean we must get to the end of this mountain sometime and see what's there."
Drist nodded. "I agree, also. I cannot imagine what an ogre would want with a Pegasus. I also agree that the gypsies should not have the pegasus either, even if they DID catch it, it should not have been captured anyway. But that is not important. We must find the pegasus, if there even is one, for the gypsies could be lying. If they are, then we might as well go on anyway, for we can't be sure of anything told to us by them." Having said this, he again took the lead on into the tunnel.
With little that he could add to the others sentiments, Andremar only nodded as his friends addressed their concerns about the gypsies motives. "Regardless of the gypsies honesty or lack thereof, we will learn nothing of truth by, um, just standing here. We can go back and have learned nothing. Alternately, we can, ah, go forward. It will be into danger but at least we will know, er, what is here." The gangly mage could only maintain that sort of bravado for a short period. His normal "cautions" reactions caught up with him as his nervous hic-up interrupted anything else he might have wanted to say.
The party crossed this wide area by sticking to the clear path, the one on which Cassandra had already crossed. The passage, now narrow once more, continued straight for 30'. then right/east for 20', then left/north for about 45' where it could be seen to widen and enter into the mountain. Everyone, almost in unison, echoed a `Finally' at the sight of this cave mouth and a potential end to their quest.
Cassandra and Drist moved up cautiously and quietly. About 20' along. Cassandra held up an open palm indicating a halt. She knelt to more closely examine the ground. "Clever," she murmured, "but where ......?" Her eyes moved from the spot on the ground, which Drist could now clearly see was a slightly raised 3 x 3 flat rock, along the sheer sides, till they fixed on the cave mouth, or just above it. For, there above the opening, blending into the wall, was a round boulder, one which once noticed, seemed a bit out of place among the sheer smoothness of this path to this point. She blew gently around the edges of the flat rock on the ground. Then with a small wire, she played with edges, and then with her dagger, she pried the flat rock up.
She waved the others forward. "I'd advise against stepping in this depression, as it might still bring the boulder down upon us. Stick to the right and you'll be fine."
She and Drist moved forward, and helped to guide the others around the potential danger. Soon all had advanced to within 5' of the cave mouth. No light came from within. The right hand wall fell away 15' into the cave; the left hand wall fell away about 50' inside.
Jutos reached down for his mace, and drew it from its belt loop. "May as well be ready," he said at the questioning looks from his comrades. He then turned to Cassandra. "You still have the light-blessed stone?"
The stone was withdrawn from her pocket. "Yes, here it is."
Andremar swallowed hard. He had never enjoyed entering caves and this one seems even less inviting than those in his previous experience. Since he has nothing to offer in the way of suggestions, Andremar kept quiet, though his eyes continued to dart about nervously.
Drist waited for the cave mouth to be illuminated.
Jutos turned, making as if to slap Andremar on the back. As he raised he hand, he saw the mage tense in preparation. Laughing, he stayed his mighty hand. "Ah, fear not, friend Andremar, nothing shall harm you whilst I draw breath."
Grummie squinted and peered deeply into the darkness, no doubt trying to scry details in the distance. He then began to fumble about with his bow and clothing. He tore a few strips of garment from the bottom edge of his cloth cloak, and began to wrap them tightly about the tip of a couple of arrows. As he did so, he whispered, "Me be not much o' a spelunker, but a tinker am I, and ifen dat stone be not bright 'nuf to light yonder end of cavern, den a flamin' arrow be me best offering." He commenced to finish his task, and awaited the results of the enchanted stone before lighting or using an arrow.
Since precaution seemed the order of the day, Cassandra tossed the light stone into the cave opening. It came to rest some 20' from where they stood. "With all the traps we've met, whoever's in there must know we're coming," she added. The light showed that although the right hand wall fell away, it appeared to come back, making a narrowing some 25-30 within. The left hand wall, while irregular and somewhat boulder-like, still stretched for 50'. In other words, it was as if there was a second true entrance about 30' or so in. The light stone afforded a good look at the ceiling here, and there seemed to be nothing amiss. As well, while the light glowed beyond the true opening, the rear of the cave could not be seen. Grummie also realized because of the angle of the walls, he could not shoot an arrow, flaming or not, much past this interior opening.
Cassandra took out her short sword, "Well, are we going in, or we hoping he'll some out to us?"
Drist looked at the cavern again. "We might as well go on. We can pick up the stone on the way over and throw it in a little farther to see more of the cave." Drist waited for the others to respond to Cassandra's inquiry before moving on.
Andremar was confused. The cave seemed as dark as ever to him. Then the young mage realized that it was Jutos standing in front of him that kept him in the shadow.
Rather than making him nervous, this comforted him. The knot in his stringy shoulder muscles from the last friendly back-slap of his large friend had finally loosened. So did his tongue. "I'll follow Jutos," was all the mage said. Andremar stayed close enough to his large companion to hear the cracking of the leather of the priests armor but far enough behind that he would not be within the arc of Jutos's weapon should the priest decide to swing it.
Nodding at Lwcynda and Grummie, he steeled his nerves (in his case, a very soft steel) and readied himself as best he could to proceed further.
Cassandra and Drist advanced as far as the stone. The thief retrieved the shinny object, then tossed it further in. It landed about 25' from where they stood. From the light in projected all could gather that this cave was very large indeed. While the stone gave off a glow which filled a 20' radius globe, it did not illuminate the entire interior.
The party stood in what seemed the true entrance, still between stone, with stone and walls falling away to its right and left. The best estimate was that the side walls were at least 50' to the left and the right, with plenty of dark nooks and crannies along the way. These walls headed north into more shadows and eventual darkness. The rear of the cave, if it ended at all, was apparently beyond the scope of anyone's sight. From somewhere to the north there came the sounds of whinnying.
"Well I guess that must be the pegasus or perhaps some other animal. Shall we go that way?" she asked, pointing to where the sound had come from. Lwcynda readied a ~bless~ spell.
Grummie listened intently to the whining noises, trying to discern if they originate from any normal creature of nature. "Sounds horse-like," he declared. He suggested they move on, cautiously, and find out what is making the noise. He cautioned if this was a trap, then the worst of it was yet to come, and undoubtedly near-to the whining sound.
Andremar agreed to Lwcynda's suggestion with a nod of his head. He was ready to follow as he certainly doesn't want to be left behind.
Just as they readied to move in, Jutos stopped his companions, having thought of an alternative plan. "Perhaps it would be best to leave Drist to move ahead in the darkness. With the gift of his elven vision, he could see what lies ahead better than using our lighted stone. When he finds danger, he has but to pull the stone from his pocket and we shall be right behind him. The instant light may further blind this Olot, or whatever else we may find."
Drist agreed with Jutos. "Now that I think of it, that would be a good idea. I can see well in the dark, and can move quietly. If no one objects, I will begin to move ahead into the darkness and see what I can see."
The group waited at the opening, watching as the elf moved to retrieve, and then pocket. the stone. The interior fell dark once more. Though they knew he was in there, only the Grummie could still determine where Drist was. The elf took a moment to allow his elven sight to take over, but as he did ....
The sound of stone on stone startled the party. It appeared that the stone like protrusion on their left was moving to the right, thereby closing the entrance. In moments they would be cut off from their companion. Perhaps worse, in moments Drist would be isolated and alone in what they assumed to be the ogre's lair!
Drist quickly pulled out the stone and once again illuminated the immediate area of the vast cavern.
"Hurry! We must all get across! We don't have a choice, and we can't
back out now!" Drist held the stone so that everyone could see the way. He hoped that all his companions could make it.
Cassandra's natural deftness allowed her to react quickly. Jutos quickly followed, moving fast for one of his size.
Andremar, who was "less than comfortable" in caves, was in a near panic when the sudden shadow fell as Drist moved forward. He quickly moved up and grabbed the tail of Jutos' surcoat in the darkness,.. at least he hoped it was Jutos' surcoat.
The young mage nearly jumped out of his robe when Drist suddenly yelled. Unfortunately, he was so nervous that when Jutos lurched forward Andremar didn't even think of letting go. The large man probably didn't even notice the gangly youth being dragged behind him.
Grummie was almost dragged along in the wake of all the excitement.
This left Lwcynda, slightly confused, still standing in the path of the closing boulder.
Jutos turned quickly to insure the others were following. As he did so, Andremar swung around behind him in a wide arc, losing his grip at just the right moment to be catapulted into the cave, landing in a tumble of arms and legs. Jutos reached back for the priestess, grabbing her arm and ripping her into the cave and our of harm's way.
After a few mis-attempts, the groggy mage finally made it back up to his feet. "Wa, Wa, .. what happened?" he asked in general to anyone who might be available.
A very unfamiliar voice answered. "You have come to join me for, I mean, as dinner." Emerging from the southern shadows was a large ogre. He brandished a mace similar in shape and size to that of Jutos. Before anyone could react, he brought the force of it to bear on Jutos, striking him a glancing blow on his left side.
"Just a love tap, to get your juices flowing. I want you to be my tender main course." His massive tongue curled round a fanged tooth. "You, little one," eyeing Grummie hungrily, "will be an appetizer."
Drist leapt backward and prepared to draw the sword, hoping that it will work as Andremar foretold.
Lwcynda released the bless spell for which she had been praying.
Cassandra, as was her habit, began circling the beast, trying to get behind him for her famous backstab move. Alas, this ogre was no goblin. With a quickness that surprised the wily thief, his mace flashed out at her, smashing into her side and sending her flopping along the ground.
Jutos snarled in rage at the ogre, not even noticing the blow he was dealt, and let loose a bloodcurdling cry which made his companions freeze a moment. Then he was on the ogre, matching blow for blow with his great mace.
The ogre got he better of the exchange as one of his smashes caught Jutos on the right shoulder.
Near frozen in fright, Andremar awoke when his large friend was struck by the fearsome ogre, the mage's concern for his friend outweighing his own fear.
With a precision that none would suspect in this gangly youth, none except Cassandra and Lwcynda who have witnessed it on more that one occasion, Andremar quickly marshaled his mental discipline and cast a spell, one of his own creation, reserved for drastic emergencies such as this. A multi colored bolt of light zipped from his finger and hit the ogre I the upper chest. The bolt seared in the beast's chest. "Olot not happy," he cried. He was less happy as the missile exploded on a flash of multi-colored light which wafted up over his face, temporarily, obscuring his vision for now, at least.
Grummie found himself feeling diminutive and helpless, quite literally between a rock, and a "mountain" ... mountain of monster that is. With little other choice, Grummie decided to at least try and distract the beast. Gulping deeply, in disbelief, he drew his sword and charged toward the ankles of the gargantuan Ogre, hoping his speed would best the might that towered above him. Now with the beast's vision disrupted, he made his way behind Olot, wasting no time, and slashing at the Ogre's massive "Achilles" heels, ankles, toes, or whatever might prove effective. Under these favorable circumstances, his short sword deep deeply into the larger thing's calf, doing significant damage. Olot hopped on the unwounded leg, and kicked at the gnome with the wounded one, making some contact, and knocking the bold little guy back into the shadows.
"Now Olot angry, I will make stew of the bunch of you. No more Mr. Nice Ogre," he roared, as the colored lights began to dissipate from his face. . But his voice was stronger than his attack, as his mace flew past Jutos' ear. Drist had his new sword ready and moved in from the side. He drove its point into the ogre's rib cage, realizing as he did so that it did, indeed, do more damage than he had expected from this particular blow.
Lwcynda tried a magical hold on Olot, but it seemed to have no effect.
Andremar could feel that his earlier effort had cost him much of his magical energies. Still, he believed the outcome of this battle will be decided quickly. So, he did not hesitate. He dealt two more bolts, less colorful than the first one. From where she lurked in the shadows, Cassandra recognized the familiar look of magic missiles, a spell she had watched her friend cast nightly for months into the trees out back of their cottage. These bolts struck close to where the other one had hit.
The ogre slowed noticeably, "Olot not feel so good."
"You'll feel even worse after this," exclaimed Jutos as his mace finally hit the mark, crushing Olot's head with a mighty blow. The ogre's body crumpled to the floor. "He does not look so good either," the priest proclaimed.
Grummie and Cassandra moved in from where they had been thrown.
"Dis be one big messy one, bye," said the gnome.
"He's dead, Jim," announced the thief.
As the ogre fell, the exhausted mage slumped down to the ground and sat, staring vacantly at the floor while he gasped for breath.
Drist wiped the sword off on the giant ogre and sheathed it. After looking at the state of some of his companions, he intoned, "I think we should move away from what's left of this ogre and rest. The pegasus should be in no danger now that Olot is dead." Drist offered any assistance needed. He shined the light stone around the area. As he did so, the party realized they were in an immense cave which extended at least 60' in all directions.
Jutos nudged Olot's body with a mailed foot, hard, to check for signs of life. Satisfied that the ogre is indeed dead, he bent down, wiping the ogre's blood from his mace with a bit of Olot's cloths. He placed the mace back on his belt, then turned back to his companions. Before any could speak, he quickly spun back around, ripping his ax from his back. With a mighty growl, he whipped the great blade down onto the beast's neck, severing the head. He stood there, mute, staring down at Olot's decapitated form; dropping his hands to his side, he then mumbled something which the others did not quite hear. Without looking at them, he knelt down and wiped the gore from his axe, his hands shaking noticeably as he did so.
Andremar was shocked to awareness as Jutos jumped forward and swings his axe. Without comprehension, he watched as the large, bloody head rolled towards him and stopped less than five feet away.
The young wizard's eyes blinked twice. Those who knew him would suspect that he was going to pass out. However, Andremar fooled them all. Instead, he turned and retched.
Grummie's eyes instantly widened, and he began to backpedal away from Jutos and the now headless Olot. Grasping at his own throat, the gnome gulped audibly and stumbled over small bits of debris as he presses his back against the entry wall. He did not raise his weapon, nor did he act in any way aggressive... just a bit surprised. In a murmur, the excited little fellow stuttered, "Uh.. uh... Ifen I fall in battle, me b-b-big friend, l-l-let me head stay wid me shoulders, I beg o' thee."
This view was likely shared by all.
Lwcynda broke the stunned mood by asking if anyone needed some healing. She cast cures upon Cassandra and Jutos, and she touched up Grummie's bruises.
Almost instantly, the gnome managed to shake off the shock effects of what he witnessed; he shook his head, blinked a lot, then finally began to search the walls and immediate area for anything of interest, including a way out.
Cassandra helped Andremar to his feet, and moved back to where the stone wall had moved to trap them. She gave her friend some water. She and Grummie examined this wall, till they found the lever which, once pulled down, caused the cave mouth to open once more. Cold fresh air poured in, as did some sunlight. The sir began to clear.
Lwcynda wondered, "Do you think he has any companions here or were all those traps enough?"
No one could easily answer this, as the full depths of this cave had yet to be viewed. Drist moved to the limit of the stone's light, pocketed it, and tried his dark sight. After a scan of his surroundings he said, "I cannot sense anything as yet.
There was still the sounds of whinnying from the darkness beyond, off to the left somewhere.
Grummie walked over to Jutos, inquiring... "Good big friend, yea once said dat dis be just a shell of body. Ifen it not be too disgraceful to a fallen giant, might I suggest dat we search da body? Not necessarily for lootin' mind ya, but Olot may hab held a key, map or sumfin' of importance to da task?" Grummie awaited Jutos' approval before conducting a search of the body
"Thanks Cassie," said Andremar to his friend. He was grateful for her aid and the water she gave him cleared his mouth and mind. He glanced towards Jutos, knowing neither how to deal with his large friend's pain nor to aid the gentle, angry man in fighting his personal demons. He believed that Jutos would reveal his story when the time is appropriate. He nodded at Grummie in an noncommittal way that at least acknowledged the Gnomes quandary.
To Drist and the rest he said, "My magic is exhausted for the day. I still have some scrolls that may provide limited support should another crisis arise. Accordingly, I will follow your lead."
"Lwcynda, I have some potions that will assist healing should we need them. Do not hesitate to commit them to use." After addressing the priest, Andremar found a comfortable spot against the rock wall and sat down to rest.
Drist carefully moved left, the light stone guiding his way. The others set some torches, so he would have a beacon to guide his return.
Jutos turned slowly back to his companions, unsteadily meeting their concerned looks. In his eyes they could read a mixture of embarrassment and guilt. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but no words escaped. Rather, he simply turned around again, bent down, and began to wipe his ax free of Olot's blood. Having finished, he stood up and spoke, without turning to face his friends. "So, the deed is done. Let us find this winged horse and be away from here."
Grummie took this as a noncommital approval, and began a cursory exam of the headless ogre.
It was not long before the voice of the elf carried cross the cavern. "I found him, er her?, it. I found the winged horse." The light glowed across the darkness.
Cassandra grabbed one of the torches, and quickly covered the distance. Drist stood in the entrance to a smaller cave, maybe 50' in diameter. Sure enough, a winged horse, probably a pegasus, stood relatively calmly in this enclosure. A length of rope held it tethered to and iron ring which had been fixed into the wall. Cassandra and Drist approached the horse. The elf spoke in calm and soothing ways, while the rogue checked the rope harness and the wall fixture to see if there might be some hazard involved in freeing the animal.
"Looks safe to me," she stated. They untied the rope from the wall ring, then used the rope to guide the horse from this smaller cave. As the did so, they became aware of another cave, as the torch light revealed another opening, further north and off to the right. Cassandra gave Drist a raised eyebow look, "Curious?"
Meanwhile, Grummie found nothing of interest on either part of Olot.
Slower than Cassandra, the mage climbed to his feet yet again and followed her bobbing light to see this winged horse for himself. He stood back as Cassie and Drist handled the beast since the gangly mage had no skill with animals. However, at the sight of the pegasus he was filled with wonder and was tempted to move forward. Andremar's gaze was interrupted when the others spoke of another cave. Seeing that all-to-familiar glimmer in Cassandra's eye, the young mage could only mumble "cats and Cassie; curiosity will be their downfall."
Jutos too was entranced with the creature's beauty. "Never have I seen such an animal," he said, his face full of amazement. "Suren we've done right by this creature to free it from the likes of Olot." Then, following his companions' gaze, he saw the new tunnel. "Let us press on, for we shall doubtless be in need of Olot's treasure if we wish to buy the winged horse from the gypsies."
Not that she really needed this encouragement, for she had had more than her fill of this place and its traps and quick as lightening ogres, Cassandra was not about to leave empty handed, but it was nice to see the big guy coming back around. With torch aloft, she headed towards the other opening, carefully watching the floor as she went, hoping her soft foot falls would go un noticed.
Lwcynda was also enthralled by the beautiful creature of nature before her. She wondered if it could speak, "Oh wondrous creature, it is truly abominable that someone would try to enslave such a wonder as you!"
The horse responded with a head bob and some snorting, friendly enough, but no real words did it utter.
Then Lwcynda turned to her companions, "Yes, let us try to find Olot's treasure so that we can ensure this creature's freedom for no one should enslave one such as this."
Cassandra had hoped to slink off alone, but she soon found herself leading a parade as Jutos and Lwcynda were right behind her. Andremar had moved in this direction, and Drist led the pegasus, and followed behind Cassandra and her entourage.
This new fairly dark cavern emanated a faint carrion odor. As more light was added, strange shadows fell across the dirt floor. Seven torsos hung like side meat, for this cave served as Olot's larder. Fortunately, most of the carcasses seemed to be animal. Only two resembled humanoid forms, though what they had been could not be clearly determined.
This cave was maybe 15' deep and stretched 30' to the sides. It was a fairly simple matter to give the area a once over. In one corner, Olot had carefully stored his monetary hoard in nine 100 lb sacs, which consisted of many thousands of pieces of gold, [9,000 to be exact]. A smaller pouch contained three fine pieces of jewelry. At the other end of the cave were items which apparently Olot felt were less important. He had pretty much thrown a couple of vials, three of which were still unbroken and contained clear liquid, and two scroll cases.
Cassandra examined the cases and found no traps upon them. Andremar recognized the symbols on the outside of one as wizard type. Inside he found a scroll which contained three spells, knock, Maximillian's earthen grasp, rope trick. The other had obvious religious symbols of a good nature. The clerics found a scroll which contained snake charm, prayer, cure serious wounds.
There seemed to be nothing else within this cave.
Amazing as the winged beast was, Grummie found the entrancing glimmer of jewelry hard to ignore. So much so, that he barely gave Cassie time enough to inspect the containers for danger, before he was head-long and head-first into one of the sacks. He emerged with a wide grin, having retrieved some of the baubles, admiring their radiant shine against the flicker of the torch light. He said nothing at all, allowing only a heavy "sigh" to escape his tiny lips. Half-grinning, half-despondent, he returned the treasure to the sack, and muttered quietly. "No doubt 'twill take all dis ta free da pegasi. Alas, alas!"
Obviously, he found himself struggling internally with his convictions for the preservation of nature's beauty, and his occupation as pawn-broker back at Chatwin. Nonetheless, his frowning countenance slowly changed to a small grinning smile, as he shrugged, and glancing up at Jutos, he said, "Well, twas nice ta least gaze 'pon such finery. Let us not tally, for dis place bears both great gifts an' deep sorrows."
With trembling fingers, Andremar cautiously sealed the wizard scroll tightly in its tube. With care bordering on reverence, he stored the tubes in his pack. It doesn't even occur to him that someone else would want them.
After slinging his pack back onto his shoulder he said, "Perhaps later, in some safe haven, I might attempt discerning the nature of those vials. For now, however, I would feel more at easy if someone else were to carry them."
Cassandra was willing to tuck them away for now. She took the liberty of securing the jewelry as well, "for your discerning eyes later on," she echoed. Lwcynda put away the scroll case which held the clerical spells.
Thus said, Andremar's thoughts turned to the Pegasus, the gypsies and Lwcynda. Based on the amount of gold that Cassandra reported and unless the jewelry was very valuable indeed, he did not think that it would be enough to buy the winged steed from the gypsies. He would almost suggest that the care of the beast be given to Lwcynda who just might accidentally allow it to escape. But then, they would be failing to bring an early release of the gypsies curse and might even earn more of their enmity.
Sighing, he looked upon the pegasus and then to his comrades. Quietly, to no one he said, "This is not going to turn out well, I am certain of it." He turned to the exit, awaiting the party to move out.
Jutos listened to Andremar, nodding slightly as he had come to the same conclusion. Biting his lip, he stood there as thinking as the others collected material together. Then, as they made to leave, he stepped forward. "Perhaps we may yet find some middle ground with them. They are expecting to receive much more for the pegasus, yet why would they turn down all of this," and he swept his hand around, indicating the treasure they had found, "if we offered it to them immediately. There is a saying in the Free City, 'a copper in hand is better than a gold promised.' Let us offer them our 'coppers' and see what they say. In the mean time, we keep the creature safe while we...settle with them."
These various thoughts and proposals occupied the Seekers minds, as they fixed some of the sac across the back of the magnificent creature, who seemed quite compliant to the task. Jutos hoisted two more upon his own back. The remaining two sacs were divvied up in the packs of the other four companions. With a somewhat relief, they left the cave of the ogre Olot, or, perhpas what was now his former cave, or the cave of the former ogre, or whatever .....
As everyone left, Jutos took Olot's head and placed it into one of the sacks, secretly so they wouldn't see. Then he followed them out.
It was not long before the had retraced their steps to that place where they had left Gork and Anachraeus. The goblin sat, while the centaur stood. The pit was no longer visible. Both looked in open-mouthed awe at the winged horse.
"Beautiful," pronounced the centaur Druid, "first time I have ever seen one up close like this."
"It pretty," said Gork, "very pretty, " though his goggled eyed glare and the wide grin on his face made his feelings and appreciation rather evident.
Anachraeus explained that he and the goblin had taken the liberty of fixing the pit trap, "so that it is now safe to traverse," and he proceeded to do so, standing right in the center where Cassandra had fallen not so long ago. "Save for the occasional bird, no one has come along since you headed off some hours ago."
"Mee keep good watch. No one dare come heere," announced the feisty goblin.
"That's right, " confirmed Anachraeus with a slight chuckle, "no one would dare challenge little big man there." He went on to voice what everyone else had been thinking. "So now that you've found and freed the pegasus, what will you do with him?"
Drist looked at the pegasus for a while before saying, "I really can't decide. The right thing to do would be to let it go, but then we don't get the other cure for The Downs, and it risks being caught again. So we have the second choice of bringing it back to the gypsies and trying to bargain for the pegasus. Then it again has the chance of being caught by the gypsies again." Drist continued to watch the pegasus but said nothing else.
Andremar listened to the others, hoping for some revaluation. Since no new idea emerged, he responded by simply saying, "Whatever we can."
Lwcynda, too, was in a quandary. She agreed with what Drist has said and wanted to let it go free, but then worried what if the animal was caught again? There wasn't much that she could do about that. "Well, I guess that this is up to the gods. Our main mission was to save the people of the Downs from starvation, but now it is difficult to let the pegasus be taken into slavery. I don't know what to say. Maybe we should just wait and see what happens with the gypsies."
Grummie pondered, just as everyone else had... only to add, "Remember yea all, dat Ribold,.. er... Raybold... er... whate'r his name be... he be waiting just down da slope ou'side da cave. Not to mention, snow-monsters an' such. We'd be hard pressed ta hide da creature from notice, whilst trying to dicker on coins. Me tinks da pegasi woulds't best be safe in da care o' da woods near- to da druids, but me fret ta think o' trying dat path again." The little gnome studied the recent events even more deeply for a moment, then continued, "But tell me... why dids't da gypsies nae seek out Olot demselves. Dey outnumber us many fold, an have powers me suspects could outweigh the brute." Grummie's words offered little solace, and no solution whatsoever. But something was beginning to smell rotten in Greyhawk.
Apparently Grummie came from the MaCarthy era of Greyhawk's history?
So, since no one had a working alternative, and since they were a good and fairly lawful party, the decision was made to return to the gypsy camp with the winged horse in tow. They retraced their steps along the narrow ravine like way, till they emerged in the original clearing where that `big man' still stood. His head turned to view them, then returned to its scan of the way beyond. The Seekers crossed this clearing, turned the corner, and were greeted by their old friend Rinaldo.
"Success!" he proclaimed. "Our horse! You have recovered our horse!" Before anyone could react he was beside the pegasus stroking its mane. The animal seemed to enjoy the attention it was getting. "I trust you are all well?" he mentioned in passing, not really looking to see if there was any anser verbal or visual to his query.
"Well, let us not tarry here. Who knows what might befall us?" He grabbed the rope tether that held the pegasus, and began to head back down the mountain. "We want to be back at camp before nightfall."
Some time later .....
Rinaldo led the way into the Gypsy camp. Once again, Anachraeus stayed outside the confines of the camp.It seemed much the way it had been this morning. The only difference was that many people took notice of this arrival. Smiles crossed most faces, and cheers of approval were heard. "They have recovered the horse!" was the most commonly repeated phrase.
Rinaldo paid little attention. He and the animal made a bee line for Madam Riva's wagon. The old woman had heard the commotion and was emerging from within as he and the Seekers arrived. A broad smile crossed her face. She looked upon the Seekers. "You have done well young ones. Very well, indeed. This is a great thing you have down for us poor gypsies. You have recovered our only treasure." Her voice seemed genuine in its tone and praise.
"You have certainly earned that sword," she said, looking at the hilt of the weapon which protruded from Dirst's scabbard. "And, you all have earned this." She held aloft a pouch. Opening it, she poured what appreared to be kernels of grain into the palm of her hand. "These special seeds will assure a bountiful harvest in the Downs for years to come." She returned the seeds to the pouch, and extended it out to the Seekers.
Drist politely thanked the old woman and inquired, "What will become of the pegasus now that it has been returned to you?"
Madame Riva replied, "We will care for it for now. It is trained to the seat of our men." She smiled slyly, " It is a good thing none of you tried to ride it. You would have found her particularly inhospitable, indeed." She took her pipe from within her cloak and lit it . "We will use the winged horse as part of our entertainment. Then, as we travel south, we have a potential buyer for her. So, her true fate remains to be seen. "
Drist took the seeds and held the pouch in one hand. To his companions, he will said quietly, "Would any of you like to carry it, or shall I?"
It seemed that the others felt secure with this valuable in the brave elf's hands.
Since night was already falling, Drist asked, "Gypsy leader, if I may ask for one more favor, can we stay but one more night in your camp before returning to the Downs?"
Madame Riva answered, "We would expect nothing less. For all you have done, you are welcome to the run of the camp. We will forever be in your debt."
Drist was grateful as well. "Thank you again for your hospitality and for the cure for the downs. We are grateful, and should bring these to the Downs as soon as possible. So, if my companions have no objections, we will be on our way first thing in the morning."
Satisfied with Drist's response, Andremar nodded in agreement. He listened for the gypsies response to the elf's questions more from academic curiosity than for real concern. He knew that if he must choose loyalties, he would choose his comrades first, the downs second and other considerations would come third.
Andremar encouraged a departure early in the morn, and a return home. He expected their journey to be long with, and he hoped, with fewer incidents than they had faced thus far.
Sensing the same feelings in the others he tried to lighten the mood and, in a rare gesture of humor, Andremar attempted to give Jutos that same hearty slap on the back that the large man had been giving him. At the same time he swung his arm he said, "Well, are your ready to head home, .. Ouch!" The last phrase escaped his lips as the young mage clutched his painful hand. It felt like he had just hit a rock. Whether Jutos even noticed this touch, he did not let on.
Grummie too yearned for the comforts of home, having seen much adventure and wonderment along his journeys with his new found friends and fellow Seekers. Although the puzzle of the winged creature and the mighty ogre still perplexed him, the mere mention of a hasty return towards Chatwin, and the Inn, fell fondly about his ears. Listening intently, the gnome awaited the gypsy's responses to Drist's interrogation. Grummie found himself willing to part with most anything if it might secure the future of the majestic creature they had rescued, so long as he they could begin the journey homeward again very soon.
And so, the Seekers retrieved their sacks of booty from the pegasus, and one of the gypsy men led the fine animal away. The Seekers were once again shown to wagons where they good get some well deserved rest. The gypsies began a great celebration in their honor, but the Seekers, tired from their very long journey, were barely able to acknowledge the honors bestowed upon them. They retired early and slept through most of these festivities.
The Seekers awoke refreshed. Most of the Gypsies were still sound asleep, as most had stayed up till almost dawn. The comrades gathered their belongings together, and bid their hosts farewell. They began to head into the forest, to retrace some of their steps no doubt.
Rinaldo had dragged himself out of bed. "My friends, you are headed in the wrong direction. Should you skirt the southern edge of these woods, you will arrive back in the Downs by mid day tomorrow. To take the woods route, up the old North Road, and back passed Quiet Lake, will take three days or more. If you would like, I will send a guide with you to make sure you return to the Downs quickly. "
"Well I for one wouldn't mind having someone show us a short cut home. I think I would like to get back home as soon as possible. This has been a very long journey. What do the rest of you say?" asked Lwcynda.
Drist nodded his head in agreement. "I too would like to be on our way, and a shorter path than we have taken would be most welcome."
Andremar almost could not believe his ears. At this point, he has no reasons to distrust the gypsy's offer. Smiling he says, "Do you hear that Cassie? Tomorrow!"
For some reason Cassandra did not share this sense of glee, though outwardly she did her best to appear elated. Somewhere in the recesses of her brain, she heard a little warning sound, something to the effect of `if something sounds too good to be true.'
To Lwcynda, Andremar answered quickly, "No objection from me! No maam!" The smile stayed fixed on his visage as he imagined just sitting down for a whole day and soaking his feet in a warm bath of salted water. As he scanned his companions he notes the same eager anticipation on most faces. However, the large priest has been quiet.
With a smile remaining on his face, Andremar said, "Jutos my friend, it has been a hard road but that part of the road is behind us. I invite you to share our pleasure in this good news. We have yet a new path and, like all paths, it leads home. Come, share with us this gladness and let us enjoy what remains of this journey."
And so with little fanfare, as most of the Traveling Folk were still undercovers from the previous night's festivities, one of their number, a comely female named Eddy, led them out of the camp eastward. Their belongs were strapped to pack horses which eastward out Rinaldo had supplied. "Once at the Downs, Eddy will bring them back, not to worry. "
As this day's journey proceeded, Andremar took it upon himself to keep the mood light and cheerful. He noted how Quiet Jutos had been, so he attempted to cheer up this large and quiet man as they walked along with the tale of how he and Cassandra met. It took most of this day, since the gangly youth kept straying from the subject. Eventually he brought the long and winding tale to a conclusion saying, "and the man said, 'if it isn't in my hand and it isn't in your hand, then whose hand holds my pouch?'"
Cassandra spent this day trying not to listen to the recounting, especially the part about the first ogre they ever encountered. While no question, meeting Andremar was the turning point in her life, as it led her away from the risky path of common burglar, one who was frumpy and overweight, to the more disciplined and discipled path she now followed with the Seekers, that experience back in Nyssia had been a sore sticking point with her. After much ta do waiting time in some god forsaken village, their overly large group set off following some huge half orc into the mountains where one of their number sell to his death, and others mysteriously disappeared. When they at long last came upon a cave, she found and disarmed a warning trap, beyond which an ogre slept. She had proposed to let the sleeping ogre lie, but the party insisted on killing it. someone had blundered in, tripped, and woken the beast. While they did manage to defeat it, her belief that the
whole thing could have been avoided has stuck in her craw ever since.
On the lighter side, she did enjoy Andremar's original shyness, and the way he used to choose significant others. How, when they left the village, he quickly moved to the front to be the side companion of the large half orc with the huge sword, who had become their leader. It took some convincing to get him back with her out of harms way.
She did laugh appropriately at the end of her friend's tale, as that punch line always got here. It was then she had invited Andremar to return with her to Chatwin, where they met Lwcynda, the Seekers were born, and the rest as they say was history.
As dusk arrived, they found a suitable site to make camp and did so. Not long after they heard sounds from the woods, but before anyone had a chance to investigate, the centaur Anachraeus emerged from the cover of the trees. "Just been keeping watch, but nothing seems to have followed you. Sorry," he said in Eddy's direction, "nothing personal."
She seemed unbothered by the implications, as if she had heard and faced such things dozen's of times. She continued whatever work in the camp she had been doing. Watches were set, but nothing untoward happened during the night.
5th Ready'reat, Waterday
The next morning, after a breakfast of grains, the party headed along, this time with the druid centaur alongside the others. By about mid afternoon the familiar sight of the barren Downs was just up ahead.
Eddy called a halt. "There is your destination," she pointed, not that anyone had not recognized it already. "I bit you a farewell, and take with you the grateful thanks of the Traveling Folks. You are known, all of you," indicating Anachraeus with a raised eyebrow, "as friends of the Folk. All gypsies will treat you with respect. Now if you'll unload you packs, I'll be taking the animals back with me. After what Madam Riva has done hear, I doubt one of my type would be welcome in the village." She began unstrapping the packs as she spoke.
"Well, I guess we had better go find that mage and see if we can set things straight here, and then we can be on our way home. I wonder what has happened in Chatwin since we left....?" mused Lwcynda.
Grummie eyed the Downs with a wide grin, as this long adventure began to wind toward home. Grummie looked around at his friends saying, "Well, dere be da downs... How me wondered a few o' times wher'd we'd set eyes on dem again, in dis life anyway." The gnome's pace hastened, even for his short legs.
With some difficulty, for now they were without mounts to bear their booty, the Seekers made their way into what served as the village of the Downs. Nothing had changed since they first came here, over a month ago. The farm land seemed even more barren now that winter was almost upon it.
The sign which read , "The Happy Farmer Tavern." still hung outside the bare wood building. Cassandra was first up the stairs and into the door. The hefty, brown haired man, wearing an apron over rough clothing, was still behind the flat wood that served as the bar. He instinctively broke into his, "Greetings, Travelers. If it's a hot meal and a break ...." but his speech came up short as the rest of the Seekers entered and he realized who they were and what their return might signify.
"Wager you did not expect to see us again anytime soon," the pert thief offered.
Milos, the owner, took a few swallows of air. "My stars, no Miss, I did not. We have not mentioned you in weeks." There was an anticipatory sound in his voice, and a hopeful reserve on his face. He thought a moment, then formed his question. "Tell me. Did you find them? The druids, I mean."
Cassandra could not resist this opportunity. "Yeah, we found `em. They said to say `Hello.'"
Milos stood dumbfounded, till Lwcynda shook him out of it. "More than that, they gave us a cure for your woes."
"And," Drist added, "the gypsies gave us a way to remove the curse!"
This was much more than Milos had expected, more that the people of the Downs could ever have hoped for. Milos made a bee line out the door, ran about the few buildings screaming, "They're back! They're back! They brought a cure!" over and over till his voice was hoarse and he could be heard no more. But that mattered little because by the time his voice gave out, a huge crowd had gathered and poured its way into the tavern. The mournful, drawn faces looked in askance, the eyes had glimmers of hope, that this was not some cruel joke. But none could speak, till Delon arrived.
The wizened old mage took one look at the Seekers and he sensed their success. "My children, I am so very proud of you. You have saved us!" his fatherly voice unfurled the words of praise like a red carpet. The Seekers produced both items, that which they had gained from the Lost Druids, and that which Madam Riva had given them. Delon fondled these gifts like new born babes. Cheers rose form the group of locals.
Delon was too overcome to stand much longer. He pulled up a chair and practically fell into it, exhausted, as if he, too, had been on this fantastic quest. "You have done well, very well indeed. So tell me, er, us, what can we ever do to repay you?"
"Truly, we need no repayment," Drist began modestly. "But if you insist, then perhaps you can chose what would be a reasonable repayment."
Delon motioned to Milos. The brown haired man went into the back room for a few minutes. He returned carrying a small sack which the proceeded to empty on the table. The contents poured forth onto the table, a collection of coppers, silvers and gold. "Comes to somewhere in the neighborhood of 27 golds, when all values are added in. We been collecting ever since you left in the hopes that your journey might be a success," he said. His arms waved to indicate the members of the crowd had contributed. They all looked through the drawn faces and eager eyes.
Lwcynda said, "Well, I for one could use a nice hot bath and a cozy bed for a good sleep before we head back to Chatwin. What news have you of these parts or of Chatwin since we were last here?"
Delon though for a moment. "News travels slowly this time of year. We've been too caught up in our own misery to pay attention to anything anyway. But, I'm sure we can muster up some hot water, and we all have beds," he finished brightly. A ripple of laughter went through the crowd.
The mage was not even tempted to speak. He merely turns toward Cassandra and, with the anticipation that one has when knowing a great artist is ready to start a new creation, Andremar watches and listens. As always, he was impressed with Cassie's persuasion skills and was pleased that, for the moment, they were not aimed at him.
Cassandra waited for a lull in the action to clear her throat and step forward. She looked at the coins on the table, and into the faces of those who had put this offering together. To some, it might have seemed meager, but she knew that to them this was more than they could afford. She also knew that these people put great store in donation and what it might buy, this usually drilled into them by an obtuse cleric somewhere along the way. She also knew that to reject this gift would be a great insult.
She spoke calmly to those who had gathered. "People of the Downs, my friends and I are overwhelmed by your generosity. We will put these coins to good use. Since you have done this for us, we want you to have something of ours." She reached into her pack and produced a fine piece of jewelry, one of those taken from the lair of Olot, the headless ogre. "We want you to have this momento of our journey. Long after the magic seeds have been used up, you'll have this to know of this time."
There was some `oohs' and `ahs' from those in attendance. Delon spoke for all when he thanked the Seekers for all they had done. H e shook Cassandra's hand, and she held his for a bit. As the crowd moved round the Seekers, shaking hands, and slapping backs, Cassandra had a private would with the sage.
"There are two things you can do for us. We found many items of interest on our journey. Perhaps you can help my young friend there," indicating Andremar, "to identify them. And, while you are at it, I'm sure there are some spells you might know that he does not. I know my friend is much too shy to ask for this sort of favor, but, if you were to broach the subject ...?"
It was not long before Delon took Andremar aside. "My young fellow practitioner, perhaps you and I could examine those special things you found? Two mages are better than one? And if there is anything I could do for you? A new spell or two perhaps?"
The other Seekers found themselves treated to just about every dried food source known to this area of the world, as well as some very good ale, wine, mead, and beer.
Lwcynda was content to eat and drink with the others and listen to Grummie's recital of the tale of their recent adventures.
Drist made whatever greetings necessary, then politely asked for a way to get a bath and some food. Afterwards, clean and sweet smelling, he returned to the common room and sat with the rest at one of the tables.
At the mention of new spells, Andremar's weariness seemed to disappear. He asked the others for any items they carried that have not yet been identified then eagerly followed Delon, offering his arm for support.
So, they left the inn and crossed over to Delon's modest residence where they could have some quiet.
Once there, Andremar showed Delon the carved oak staff that was given to him by the Druids. "I do not believe it has any magic powers." Then, describing the trials and dangers in which the staff aided him, he continued, "But I feel that it has been blessed with luck. I plan to keep it close at hand."
After examining it, the older sage said, "That is a wise decision. It is definitely magiked and has special powers in the forest.
They examined the seven vials and found them to be a poison antidote, three healing, one of giant control, strength, and speed. The sac was examined at length. It took all the wily sage's ability for him to declare it unusable. "There is a curse about this item. That which it placed in it will not necessarily be there when you return for it."
Andremar said, "Good thing we did not use it to carry our treasure."
Later, as they recovered from the ordeal of identification, Andremar asked, "Thank your for your, um, offer to share spells. Might I, er, ask which spells you, ah, would be willing to teach to, um, me?" Andremar told Delon which spells he knew, all of which were known by Delon. In fact Delon had a good command of low level spells. He ended up teaching him both knock and rope trick. But, he had never heard of the Maximillian spell, so Andremar would have to scry it at a later date.
And so, the Seekers spent a couple of relaxing days here in the Downs, before getting ready to head back to Chatwin.
And on this day, the Seekers left the Downs and headed for Chatwin. They bid the centaur, druid, Anachraeus a fond farewell. He thanked them for what they had done for them. Naturally should they ever be in need of a druid, or a guide in the Welkwood, they had but to look him up.
"Just come to the forest and I will find you."
The journey back to Chatwin took most of the day. When they arrived, they were greeted by a cheering throng. Would you believe a few people turned out to see them? OK, how about a beaver emerged from the stream and gnawed on a tree in their honor?
It had been a long and tiresome adventure. They had many fond memories. All had grown in experience, and were anxious to reunite with their mentors to set about training for new levels. They agreed they would take the time, maybe a couple of months, to do so before undertaking any more adventure.
Cassandra said that she would keep her ear to the ground, so that when all were ready, she would have some good leads. For now, it was also agreed, that the magic potions would be kept in one place, Lwcynda's cottage, until such time as they might be needed. "Rather than argue over them, we'll just keep them as group goodies for now." So the seven vials and two scrolls were entrusted to the very trustworthy priestess.
Thus ends "The Centaur of Attention." What new adventures await the Seekers? Watch these pages for further reports. Who does Cassandra wish to find? Stay tuned for further installments of our adventure.
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