{"id":173,"date":"2019-03-29T11:59:00","date_gmt":"2019-03-29T11:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/141.148.246.190\/index.php\/single-post\/the-giants-gamble-pt-11\/"},"modified":"2022-04-22T08:38:57","modified_gmt":"2022-04-22T08:38:57","slug":"the-giants-gamble-pt-11","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.alexisveenendaal.com\/index.php\/2019\/03\/29\/the-giants-gamble-pt-11\/","title":{"rendered":"The Giant’s Gamble Pt. 11"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
\n

Chapter Eleven: Giantslayer<\/span><\/h3>\n
\n

\n

\n
\n

\u201cI think we should buy some drugs,\u201d Roon said matter-of-factly as the group of them strolled to the inn. They had just arrived in the town of Silverymoon after leaving Evelyn\u2019s family manor. They were initially looking for Zimmorvan Hall, where the owner of the giantslayer sword was said to be, according to what Urgola told Evelyn back in Triboar. However, after some discussions with townsfolk, they found the hall was another day\u2019s journey. The owner of the sword, Harthos Zimmorvan, was said to frequent an establishment known as the Gilded Griffin<\/em> in Silverymoon. That was where they were headed now. If they couldn\u2019t find him there, they would have to make the extra day\u2019s journey.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cDrugs?\u201d Opal asked curiously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYeah, like, hallucinogens.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

She shrugged, not understanding.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cImagine what would happen if we used a pound of that on a giant<\/em>.\u201d He smirked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure that\u2019s what you were thinking of using it for,\u201d Thia rolled her eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

They came upon the Gilded Griffin<\/em>, a white-wood establishment with etched golden markings around the doorframe. Roon picked up Beatrice the tressym, and stroked her fur as they entered. \u201cExcuse me,\u201d he called to the man behind the bar, \u201care pets allowed in here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The man looked at the odd assortment of them, spotting the tressym, and nodded, \u201cthat\u2019s fine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Roon nodded and turned back to Kilian, who was just coming through the door. \u201cHear that, Kilian? You\u2019re allowed in.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The sailor grunted and went to speak with the man, asking after Harthos.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cHow\u2019d the rest of you like to try your hands at gambling?\u201d Roon asked, looking to Evelyn especially, whose eyes brightened at the notion. \u201cIt\u2019s time you put that training to good use!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Bran said, \u201cI think I\u2019ll watch,\u201d and Roon took Evelyn to a table of young men and asked for a game, and Thia joined in.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

Kilian was told to wait around until evening to see if Harthos would come by, so he settled in with the rest while Thia, Evelyn and Roon played cards with a steadily growing table of bettors. Soon there were roars of laughter, shouts, and more than one slight of hand by the gnome, Kilian noticed. Eventually, with Evelyn blowing bubbles from a pipe and doing her best to distract the other players, Roon and Thia came away with their winnings, grins of victory on their faces. <\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cSo,\u201d Roon said as they sat and began counting their gold, \u201cwhat\u2019s the deal? Do we think Harthos is going to come?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Kilian shook his head. \u201cI\u2019m not sure. We may have to take the extra day of travel. I told the barman to let me know if he comes in. Let\u2019s give it a few more hours.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

So they sat, and drank, and waited. As the Gilded Griffin<\/em> filled with more patrons, Roon took the opportunity to slip out of their booth and sneak behind the bar while the owner was in the back kitchens. He took out the head of broccoli he\u2019d purchased a few days ago, which was now starting to grow fuzzy, and broke off smaller pieces and hid them around the bar, including stuffing one particularly large chunk into a corked bottle of fire water. He grinned mischievously as he returned to his companions. Arden would\u2019ve been proud.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYou know what, Roon,\u201d Thia said with a contented sigh, sipping on her mead, \u201cI\u2019m not even going to ask.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

Another hour passed before the owner signalled Kilian to a man who\u2019d just walked in and taken off his cloak. He wore fine clothing that signified his wealth. He had a graying beard of reddish hair, which was thinning on the top, and fierce gray eyes. He ordered a drink and turned to see Kilian and Evelyn looking at him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cAre you Harthos Zimmorvan?\u201d the sailor asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI am,\u201d Harthos grunted. \u201cWho are you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Kilian introduced them, \u201cI am Kilian, and this is Evelyn Elynbrynne. We\u2019re here because we were told about your giantslayer sword, and we need to borrow it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWho told you about my sword?\u201d He asked suspiciously, taking a seat at the bar.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cUrgola,\u201d Evelyn piped up, \u201cfrom Triboar.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cUrgola,\u201d Harthos mulled the name over, then nodded, \u201cwhat do you need the sword for?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Kilian sighed, also taking a seat, \u201cwe were in Triboar when the recent giant attacks happened. They destroyed half the village before we could kill one and run the other off. I hate to say it, but that isn\u2019t the end of the giant attacks. There will be more.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYou,\u201d Harthos laughed, eyeing the small Evelyn in particular with disbelieving eyes, \u201ckill giants?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Evelyn reached into her pack, which was stained beyond all reason, and Kilian was impressed the stitching was still intact with how much was stuffed inside it. She drew out one of the large giant\u2019s hearts she\u2019d harvested. It was sticky and smelled horrible. She gave Harthos a look, tilting her head as she held it aloft.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The man shook his head in shock and raised a hand, motioning for her to put the organ away. \u201cAlright, alright, I believe you. And I\u2019d be happy to give you the sword. Unfortunately, I don\u2019t have it anymore.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Kilian felt his stomach sink. \u201cWhat do you mean? Where is it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cMy good-for-nothing son stole it when he ran off and married some common thief in Yartar. I disowned the bastard, but never tried to get the sword back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cSo, he\u2019s in Yartar?\u201d Evelyn asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Harthos nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s his name? Do you know how we can find him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cHis name\u2019s Harthall. I\u2019m sure if you ask around, you\u2019ll be able to get to him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Kilian said sincerely. \u201cIf we find your sword, do you mind if we borrow it? It would be of great help to us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Harthos shrugged. \u201cYou can keep it, if you like. I\u2019m an old man who has no use for such things, and I no longer have an heir to pass it to. If the blade can be used as a giantslayer once more, then I will be proud to give it up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

They thanked the man and returned to the table to give the news to the rest of their companions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI\u2019m so glad we came all this way,\u201d Roon said sarcastically, \u201cjust to go straight back to Everlund.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

They returned to Everlund after a two day\u2019s journey, thankful the trip hadn\u2019t been a complete waste, though Roon grumbled that they could have just as easily sent Harthos a message before making the long trek on his tiny legs. They went straight to the mage\u2019s tower, climbing the stairs and being greeted by the mage, who brought them onto the transport circle that would take them to Yartar.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThis is more like it,\u201d Roon grinned, happy to be off the road.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The mage touched a marking on the wall, and everything spun as they were lifted off their feet, Roon\u2019s stomach going weightless for a second. He felt his lungs compress as they popped into existence in another space entirely.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

As their surroundings clarified, Roon turned and vomited, spraying the stonework in sick. \u201cEgh,\u201d Thia jumped back before she could be splattered, but Opal wasn\u2019t so lucky. Kilian shot a blast of wind at the genasi, and the vomit was blown off her cloak and splattered on the walls behind her. She smiled up at the storm sorcerer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWelcome to Yartar,\u201d a voice said, and they turned to see an elderly man in thin orange and yellow robes, his beard reaching halfway down his chest. He gestured for some younger initiates dressed in similar, if less decorated robes, to clean up the sick with magic. \u201cHappens more than you\u2019d think,\u201d he told them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Kilian said as they all stepped off the transport circles. \u201cWe\u2019re looking for Harthall Zimmorvan. You wouldn\u2019t happen to know him, or where he lives?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The old man shook his head. \u201cYartar is a big city. I suggest talking to the locals. We,\u201d he gestured around, and they could see they were in an open-roomed temple of sorts surrounded by lush gardens, \u201crarely walk the common streets.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

They thanked the old man and Kilian handed him a silver. \u201cI\u2014don\u2019t know how this works,\u201d then they headed into Yartar, searching for the busiest part of town.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cKilian,\u201d Roon said casually, \u201cdid you just tip a mage?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

Bran suggested they look for contacts in the Thieves\u2019 Guild, since Harthos said his son\u2019s wife was a thief. They\u2019d asked around for the better part of an hour for Harthall Zimmorvan and found nothing. Bran told them the guild was made up entirely of women. Roon thought that sounded terrifying, and they agreed the rogue should do all the talking, should they find them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

They found rooms at the Wink and Kiss<\/em> tavern and inn, and Kilian again took the lead and approached the owner, a tall half-orc man with bluish skin and thick tusks that jutted from his lower lip. \u201cCan you tell me how to get in contact with the Thieves\u2019 Guild? We\u2019re looking for a man, Harthall Zimmorvan.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The owner grunted and leaned in. \u201cAye, I can get you a meeting. Sunset, tonight,\u201d he nudged a chin to point at the corner of the bar where a booth of seats and a high table were, \u201cthat table. I suggest you meet alone,\u201d he looked over at the other five of them, \u201cotherwise, your guest may not stick around.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Kilian thanked the shady owner, trying to himself look dark and mysterious and being rather unsuccessful at it, then returned to the rest of them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

They waited until sunset, and Kilian sat with Bran at the corner booth waiting for the member of the guild to make herself known. The others sat in a table nearby, hoping to listen in and react if there was trouble.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

A younger dwarven woman with thick, dark hair braided back stepped on quiet feet into the inn and, spotting Kilian and Bran sitting, went and slid into the booth across from them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\u201cYou gave her how much<\/em> gold?\u201d Roon asked, aghast. \u201cWe\u2019d better hope you haven\u2019t been swindled. Did she seem okay to you, Bran?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The rogue shrugged. \u201cYou can never trust a thief.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cGreat,\u201d Thia crossed her arms. \u201cWell, I guess now we wait for this dwarf to come back with the information we need.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI thought she would know Harthall, or at least his wife,\u201d Kilian shook his head, looking disappointed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure she\u2019ll come back,\u201d Opal smiled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWell, while we\u2019re waiting, I think I should send a message to Zephyros and see where he\u2019s at,\u201d Roon suggested, and they all agreed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The gnome closed his eyes and focused on the cloud giant. Sensing his consciousness he began to speak his twenty-five-word message. He told him where they were and asked if he knew where they should go once they had the giantslayer sword.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Zephyros answered after a minute. \u201cI can\u2019t know for sure, but I have heard of a dragon in Crypt Garden. The dragon knows about the oracle. You could look there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cHuh,\u201d Roon said, repeating the message to the table, \u201cI don\u2019t really get it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWho\u2019s this dragon?\u201d Thia asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Roon shrugged. \u201cCrypt Garden\u2026 I think that\u2019s South of Triboar, so it looks like we might be going back there after this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI thought giants didn\u2019t like dragons,\u201d Opal said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cAnd what\u2019s the oracle supposed to be?\u201d Roon wondered aloud.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Thia shrugged. \u201cOracles are seers, right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cSo, we\u2019ll go there, talk to a dragon, hope it doesn\u2019t kill us, get it to tell us where this oracle is, and then\u2026 find out the future? See how to win and bring order back to the giants?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

It was Kilian\u2019s turn to shrug. \u201cIt\u2019s the only lead we have, so I guess we have to try it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Roon pressed his face into his hands. \u201cI\u2019m so confused.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Thia said, \u201cwe know we have to stop the giants. At least there\u2019s that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYes, but even with a giantslayer sword, we can\u2019t kill every giant in existence. Besides, some of them are like Zephyros and don\u2019t deserve killing. They\u2019re just as confused as us. We need to find this king of the giants and put him back on his throne, not go around trying to take down creatures that are much bigger and stronger than us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve killed giants,\u201d Evelyn said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYes, but they also killed many of the people fighting with us,\u201d Kilian pointed out, \u201cthink about all the villagers in Triboar. Roon\u2019s right. We can\u2019t let that go on.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI don\u2019t feel worthy,\u201d Roon sighed dramatically. \u201cI need another drink.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Thia looked at all of them curiously. \u201cWhat if Zephyros has gone around to every group of adventurers he meets in Faerun and tells them the same thing?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat,\u201d Kilian said, \u201cthat they\u2019re destined to save the world?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cHuh,\u201d Roon smiled hopefully, \u201cthat would be nice. It would also make more sense, because I definitely don\u2019t feel destined for anything quite at this caliber.\u201d Not to mention he hadn\u2019t heard anything from his trickster god, despite his nightly prayers to the deity of deception.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Bran watched them but remained quiet.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cMaybe we should quit,\u201d Roon finally said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t!\u201d Opal insisted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cRight, cause, maybe, destiny.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cOpal\u2019s right,\u201d Thia fingered her porcelain mug thoughtfully, \u201cwe can\u2019t give up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Roon shook his head. \u201cFine, but we need a team name if we\u2019re going to keep running around the wreaking havoc. I want people to know who we are.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cTeam name?\u201d Opal said excitedly, \u201cHm, let\u2019s see\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cTeam Giant Slayer,\u201d Bran said dully.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cTGS,\u201d Thia smiled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Roon snapped his finger and grinned over at Kilian, who raised his eyes to the ceiling in silent prayer for patience. \u201cTGS.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

They spent the rest of the evening discussing their plans for when, and if, they found Harthall. They threw around ideas of disguising spells, following him to his house, and even using a mind-reading spell. Kilian grew more and more nervous as the night wore on, and still the dwarf from the Thieves\u2019 Guild did not return.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cRemember that thing I said about drugs?\u201d Roon asked again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Thia said immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWell, I still think that\u2019s a good idea. Besides, I\u2019m getting bored sitting in this tavern.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cBuying drugs sounds fun,\u201d Evelyn said politely.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go for a walk!\u201d Opal said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cSomeone needs to stay behind and wait for the dwarf,\u201d Kilian said, \u201cso I guess that would be me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Roon put a comforting hand on his friend\u2019s shoulder. \u201cI can get you some extra drugs if you\u2019d like.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Kilian said sarcastically, then added, \u201cbe careful.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI\u2019ll stay with you,\u201d Bran offered, and the rest of them headed out the door into the night.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Roon shot Bran a glare, but he wasn\u2019t sure if the half-elf noticed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

It didn\u2019t take long for them to come across a group of men standing in a back alley, drinking and laughing and wearing clothes with just enough patches in them to suggest they were the types Roon was looking for. Roon used a disguise spell to change his form so he looked like a young halfling man with curly ginger hair. He cleared his throat and strode toward the group; Thia, Evelyn and Opal following, Opal looking nervous, Thia looking bored, and Evelyn looking like she was ready for the deal to go sideways.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

In the end, Thia did the best at getting what they wanted, and Roon came away with a bag of, what the man claimed was, powdered unicorn horn. After a serious discussion between Opal and the man about the moral implications of harvesting unicorn horns, the man admitted he didn\u2019t know what the substance was made of but promised it would work for what they needed. Thia smelled the contents of the bag and confirmed that they seemed legit, and Roon decided not to ask the wizard why she knew so much about buying hallucinogens. He, himself, had never done so, and thought it would be rather prudent not to mention that now.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

They returned to the Wink and Kiss<\/em> a short while later, and when they asked Bran and Kilian if the dwarf had returned, Kilian shook his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t realize how difficult this fellow would be to find,\u201d Bran said, crossing his arms. \u201cIf I\u2019d known this, I would\u2019ve just looked for him myself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll table that for next time, I guess,\u201d Kilian said, looking embarrassed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIf she\u2019s not back by morning,\u201d Thia said, \u201cthen I\u2019d say we\u2019re out some gold, and we need to search Yartar ourselves.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

They all agreed, and Roon and Kilian stayed up while the rest went to bed, Kilian scratching a fingernail into the wooden table surface, and Roon spreading out his tinkering tools and working on a tiny clockwork creation. \u201cWhat are you making?\u201d the sailor asked finally after watching Roon work in silence for nearly an hour.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cHopefully,\u201d Roon said, tightening a piece, his tongue sticking out of the corner of his mouth with the effort, \u201csomething we can use to distract an enemy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cEnemy?\u201d Kilian raised his eyebrows. \u201cOur enemies are giants. How are they going to see that little thing?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Roon shrugged and looked up at his friend. \u201cThe mighty TGS will have many enemies before this war is over.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cAre you always this funny?\u201d Kilian asked dully.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cUsually,\u201d Roon admitted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

He finally finished his little figurine, which was a tiny knight in painted armour that, when a knob on his head was turned ten times, would click internal gears forward and start walking. It was appropriately annoying, which meant it was effective. He pocketed the trinket and gave Kilian an apologetic look as he went upstairs to bed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\u201cShe came back,\u201d Kilian said, looking relieved as everyone came downstairs for breakfast. He looked like he\u2019d barely slept. \u201cAnd she found Harthall. He\u2019s in prison.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat\u2019d he do?\u201d Thia asked as they all sat.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Kilian shook his head, \u201csupposedly he murdered someone. Anyone who knows him didn\u2019t think he was the type.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat about his wife?\u201d Bran asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cShe said she didn\u2019t find any sign of a wife.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cStrange.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWell, at least we know where he is. All we have to do is sneak into the prison and ask him for the sword,\u201d Roon said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cHow are we going to do that?\u201d Opal asked. \u201cWe can\u2019t just walk in there!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI have a disguise hat,\u201d Bran said, \u201cit will change the way I look. I can pretend to be his father, Harthos, and go and see him. I\u2019ll lie and say I\u2019ve forgiven him, but I want the sword back as a way to make amends.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cRepairing families and saving dreams, that\u2019s the TGS way,\u201d Roon grinned.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cOkay, but you shouldn\u2019t go in alone,\u201d Thia advised. \u201cTake my fey owl so we can see what\u2019s happening.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Bran nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWizards are so weird,\u201d Roon said. \u201cWhy don\u2019t I get a pet that can flash in and out of existence?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYou have a tressym,\u201d Thia said, pointing to the winged cat that was currently lounging nearby in a stream of sunlight, licking her private parts.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYeaaaaahh,\u201d Roon said slowly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Kilian cut in. \u201cI think we should also send you with a couple of bodyguards, Bran. A man like Harthos wouldn\u2019t go without an escort, and that way you\u2019ll have backup in case something goes wrong with the disguise.\u201d He looked at Evelyn and Opal, \u201cI think you two would be best.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI can put disguises on both of you, just in case,\u201d Thia told them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

They all agreed, and once they had their disguises up–Thia deciding to change all their features except Roon and Bran, who could use magic for it–they snuck out the back of the inn, then headed to the prison.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\u201cI can\u2019t believe it actually worked,\u201d Thia said, surprised, nearly an hour later.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that supposed to mean?\u201d Bran asked, his hat still on so he looked like Harthos.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWell, only that our plans don\u2019t usually work out,\u201d Roon shrugged, scratching his nose, his finger passing through the illusion to his real face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat did we learn?\u201d Kilian, ever the one to keep them on track.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Bran explained their brief visit. \u201cThey made me leave Opal and Evelyn at the entrance while I went in. Harthall wasn\u2019t fooled by my illusion, but he says he was framed by Captain Brenner, the man in charge. When he saw the giantslayer sword, he was interested in it, so he got Harthall arrested for murder and took the sword for himself. The boy wouldn\u2019t tell me where his wife was,\u201d Bran shrugged, unfeeling, \u201cso I told him goodbye and to enjoy his time in jail.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cGlad you\u2019re making friends,\u201d Roon said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

With that, they set out planning, all sitting together in their disguises in the park near the prison, Thia keeping her owl on watch duty.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

Thia, in her disguise, ran up to the guard at the entrance of the prison and told him she had a message for Captain Brenner. She\u2019d forged the message expertly to look like it came from Darathra, the Lord Protector of Triboar.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cMessage? Give it here, I\u2019ll take it to him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Thia shook her head insistently. \u201cSorry, but I was given clear instructions to bring this directly to Captain Brenner.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The guard looked at her in annoyance, then called for another guard, who trotted off and returned a few minutes later, letting Thia through. She followed him into a small office where he knocked on the door and she was allowed to enter alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Captain Brenner stood as she came through the door, and she saw immediately the sword they were looking for. It was looped around his chair, still in its scabbard, but with an unmistakably fine hilt. Captain Brenner was a tall man with blonde hair and a matching, well-groomed beard. He stood straight and gave her a gracious nod as she handed him the letter and flashed the badge they\u2019d each received from the Lord Protector. \u201cMessage from Lord Protector of Triboar,\u201d Thia announced.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The Captain looked at the envelope, then nodded. \u201cWhat\u2019s your name?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cFran of Triboar,\u201d Thia said. He flipped her a silver, which she quickly pocketed. Before leaving, she pointed to the sword where it hanged, \u201cthat\u2019s a fine blade, sir.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Brenner looked round at it in surprise, then said, \u201cyes, yes, when you become Captain of the Guard, you receive many such rewards.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIndeed, sir?\u201d He didn\u2019t respond. He was opening the envelope. Sensing he would tell her nothing more, she took her leave.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

They argued in one of their private rooms back at the inn about what to do with Harthall and Captain Brenner. Roon insisted they get Harthall out by proving his innocence. Bran suggested they sneak in and open his cell and leave the rest of the escape up to him. Roon told him the man would have to run and live as a fugitive if they did that. Thia thought there was no time to worry about the man, and they would have to leave him in jail. Evelyn barely listened to the argument, easily distracted as she was. Kilian insisted their priority was to get the sword from the Captain, which they finally agreed on. Opal was just happy to watch the exchange.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Finally, it was nightfall, and the group snuck back to the prison and waited until Thia\u2019s owl spotted the Captain leaving for the night with eight guards following him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

They followed the group through the city and watched several exchanges between the Captain and guards with other shady fellows in back alleys. One of the guards would grab the thug, demand money, and the Captain would receive the payment. Then, they would move on to their next target. They did this a few times, their group watching from the shadows, before one of the thugs shook his head and couldn\u2019t offer them the demanded funds. The Captain ripped out the giantslayer blade and had it in the man\u2019s gut before he could react. The thug dropped and the guards went ripping into his belongings in search of gold.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cOkay, this Captain fellow is bad news,\u201d Roon whispered, \u201cnow I don\u2019t feel so bad stealing from him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cOh, shit,\u201d Thia said quickly, looking up at them in surprise. \u201cI did\u2014something.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Kilian demanded in a hushed voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI think the guards just saw my owl, so I flashed it out of existence so that it wouldn’t be shot down , and now\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cNow they\u2019re looking for us,\u201d Bran swore, and sure enough, they could hear the mutterings of the guards as they spread out in the dark alleys.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cCover\u2019s up, it\u2019s now or never,\u201d Roon said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Evelyn nodded to her companions, her white hair streaming behind her like some ghost from a dream, and she began climbing the building near them. She crouched on the roof and drew her blades and cut both her arms so the steel shimmer with dark energy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cRight,\u201d Bran said, and the dark-skinned half-elf ran across the alley and began climbing the building across from them. Once he was up, he took out his crossbow and took aim at one of the guards.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Kilian looked down at Roon, and the gnome gave a nervous nod.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

Bran released his bolt and it hit one of the guards, sending the other seven, plus the Captain, into high alert. Thia began to hum a soft tune under her breath and her eyes seemed to glow with some strange power. Then she took out her longbow, leapt from her cover and shot another guard. Roon knew she hit because he heard the grunt. Thia pressed herself back against the wall and said, \u201cthey\u2019re spreading out, all still alive. I got this one in the shoulder. Looks like Bran did the same to the other one.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cFIND THEM!\u201d The Captain shouted, giving up on being discreet. \u201cKILL THEM!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Kilian ran past buildings, casting his shatter spell over a group of guards, and Roon heard one die. A second later, as Roon began summoning his duplicate, he heard a grunt and turned the corner to see the Captain had caught Kilian with a crossbow bolt in the arm.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Opal transformed into a rhinoceros and charged.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Roon nodded to his duplicate and the two of them ran around the charging rhino and cast a giant middle finger over a guard running at Thia. The spiritual weapon of Baravar Cloakshadow, majestic mighty hand, smashed into the man, throwing him against a building wall with a sickening and deadly crunch.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Bran continued to shoot bolts from his place on the roof. Roon couldn\u2019t spot him in the shadows. In the corner of his eye he glanced Evelyn running across the opposite building and jumping off, crashing into another guard and slitting his throat. When she stood, her knees were skinned but she seemed otherwise unharmed. <\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Thia put away her bow and shot a string of lightning, which arced through the alleyway and threw everything into a momentary blinding light. A second after the lightning hit a man, the rhino\u2019s horns pierced his body and threw him lifeless to the ground. Opal snorted and pawed the ground as the other guards moved through the alley to get at her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Kilian threw a fog cloud into another alley as the rest of the guards ran through. Then he ran at Brenner and swung under the arc of the Captain\u2019s blade. He took out a dagger, grabbing his shoulders from behind and pressing the blade under his chin. \u201cYour guards are dead,\u201d Kilian said loudly to the Captain, breathing hard. \u201cYour thieving days are over. Drop your weapon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Brenner roared and stomped on Kilian\u2019s foot, bringing the giantslayer sword around to try and cut the sorcerer. Kilian jumped back and cast a magical, glimmering shield over his form, which blocked the blow.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Kilian had lied, of course. There were three remaining guards struggling to get out of the fog. Roon shot his spiritual weapon into the mist and heard it hit someone hard, but he and his duplicate were already running to protect his friend. He pulled out a shortbow and caught Brenner in the leg with a tiny arrow. The Captain screamed and turned on him just as a bolt from Bran zoomed from the darkness and hit him in the other leg. As Brenner turned to face his hidden rivals, Kilian swirled his hands in front of him, preparing a spell. \u201cSurrender,\u201d the sorcerer growled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Just then, Evelyn charged from around a building and body slammed into the Captain, throwing him off his feet in surprise. Only when she stood did Roon see she had run him through with her blade. The blonde man stared up at the sky, choking on blood and giving up his last breath. <\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYour Captain is dead!\u201d Thia shouted into the fog, and Kilian dropped the spell.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

There were three guards still standing, and they looked around, blinking for a moment in confusion. Then, seeing Thia and the rhino, they tentatively approached, weapons up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cDon\u2019t say I didn\u2019t warn you,\u201d Roon heard Thia say as she shot one down.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Bran shot down the other two quickly enough from his point on the roof. The dark alleys of Yartar went quiet.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Bran climbed off the building just as more shouts came from down the road. \u201cHalt! Drop your weapons!\u201d More guards.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Thia turned and, with a thunderous clap, she blinked out of existence, the area around her exploding and throwing the three newcomers back, killing them instantly. She appeared a second later next to Kilian. \u201cWe need to go,\u201d the wizard said quickly through clenched teeth, \u201cgrab the sword.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\n

They heard echoing footsteps, and Bran ran to them. \u201cThere was a fourth guard. He got away,\u201d he said quickly, \u201cwe need to run. He\u2019s going for help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Evelyn picked up the giantslayer sword and Bran went through Brenner\u2019s pockets, pulling out a dangling set of keys, which he pocketed. Opal transformed back into her genasi form and ran up, so they were all together. \u201cWe need to take an indirect route back,\u201d Kilian whispered, and they all ran as quietly as they could through the narrow alleyways.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/main><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chapter 11 of the adventures of a strange party of people as their journey takes them across Faerun, following the story from Dungeons & Dragons, the Storm King’s Thunder.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":755,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","filesize_raw":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[18,19,17,14,15,16,23,20],"series":[],"class_list":["post-173","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-giants-gamble-dungeons-and-dragons-series","tag-campaign","tag-cult-of-the-dragon","tag-dnd","tag-dungeons-and-dragons","tag-fantasy","tag-series","tag-the-giants-gamble","tag-wizards-of-the-coast"],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/blog.alexisveenendaal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Giants-Gamble-Blog-Photos10-copy.png","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/blog.alexisveenendaal.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/seriously-simple-podcasting\/assets\/images\/no-album-art.png","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":{"amazon":{"key":"amazon","url":"https:\/\/music.amazon.ca\/podcasts\/09c34bbc-b359-49af-a286-31830ed5634c\/short-stories","label":"Amazon","class":"amazon","icon":"amazon.png"},"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/short-stories\/id1621456328","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"google_play":{"key":"google_play","url":"https:\/\/podcasts.google.com\/feed\/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbGV4aXN2ZWVuZW5kYWFsLmNvbS9mZWVkL3BvZGNhc3Qvc2hvcnQtc3Rvcmllcw","label":"Google Play","class":"google_play","icon":"google-play.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"https:\/\/podcasts.google.com\/feed\/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbGV4aXN2ZWVuZW5kYWFsLmNvbS9mZWVkL3BvZGNhc3Qvc2hvcnQtc3Rvcmllcw","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0lcQCRs52MfYlKs35lVX4K","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"},"itunes":{"key":"itunes","url":"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/short-stories\/id1621456328","label":"iTunes","class":"itunes","icon":"itunes.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/blog.alexisveenendaal.com\/feed\/podcast\/default-podcast","embedCode":"

The Giant’s Gamble Pt. 11<\/a><\/blockquote>