{"id":212,"date":"2018-12-16T11:59:00","date_gmt":"2018-12-16T11:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/141.148.246.190\/index.php\/single-post\/wings-of-chaos-chapter-11\/"},"modified":"2023-01-30T16:48:01","modified_gmt":"2023-01-30T15:48:01","slug":"wings-of-chaos-chapter-11","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.alexisveenendaal.com\/index.php\/2018\/12\/16\/wings-of-chaos-chapter-11\/","title":{"rendered":"Wings of Chaos: Chapter 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

Chapter Eleven: A New Promise<\/span><\/h3>\n
\n
\n

\n

\n

\u201cSo, we\u2019ve found three black dragon eggs. Leosin and his trusty band of Harpers want them destroyed. The cult of the dragon wants them hatched.\u201d Fillip summarized the discussion they\u2019d been having for nearly half an hour. \u201cI say we keep them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Whisper had presented them with three dragon eggs, which burned comfortably in the brazier beneath the shrine to Tiamat. He confirmed that all three contained black dragons, which Oszaren explained were considered the most fearsome of the five dragon types. They went back and forth on discussions about what to do with the eggs, but finally landed on a decision.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe take them,\u201d Oszaren said firmly, \u201cand we get the hell out of this cave.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cAgreed,\u201d Fillip said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat happens when we remove them from the fire?\u201d Shale wondered aloud. \u201cWill we need to keep them warm while we travel, or will they go into a stasis if they are away from heat? Whisper?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The tabaxi scratched his chin with a long claw. \u201cBe okay,\u201d he said finally. \u201cKeep safe, warm when back to Greenest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cGreat,\u201d she sighed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Oszaren placed one egg inside his pack, handed another gingerly to Shale, and Whisper took the last and slipped it into his own pack, though she wasn\u2019t particularly pleased that he had one. Shale wrapped the warm egg in her cloak and tucked it away. It had a substantial weight to it. Keelan nodded his head approvingly at their decision.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cNow, do we leave\u2014or do we continue through the rest of this cavern?\u201d Reverence asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe should probably explore everything,\u201d Oszaren said reluctantly. It was clear he wanted to get moving. \u201cThere could be more eggs hidden elsewhere.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWait!\u201d Fillip jogged over to Langdedrosa\u2019s corpse, drawing his scimitar and hacking off the half-dragon\u2019s clawed hand. It took quite a few tries and a well-placed stomp of the foot to snap the bone before the druid got the hand free. Then, he held it up to them all and said, \u201cproof,\u201d then stowed it away in his pack.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

With that, the group of six climbed the stairs on the opposite end of the room and walked through another dimly lit tunnel. This opened into another large cavern. \u201cDo you hear that?\u201d Keelan whispered. Shale strained her ears and heard leathery wings flapping through the air on the other side of the cavern. It was too dark to see anything.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThat would be the winged kobolds I saw earlier,\u201d Fillip said, \u201cwhen I was a spider.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThey might be guarding something important,\u201d Oszaren whispered. \u201cWe\u2019ll need to get past them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cLight?\u201d Shale suggested.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cDo it,\u201d the warlock said, and Shale unshaded the lantern at her belt.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The cavern appeared before them in the orange glow of the lantern light, and several flying kobolds came into view, screeching. One dove for the light. Shale drew her bow and shot an arrow at it as it folded its wings for a dive. The arrow struck its chest and it fell to the ground. Reverence held up his hands and a thunderous sound started shaking through the cavern. The kobolds shrieked something in draconic. This can\u2019t be good, <\/em>Shale thought, drawing another arrow. Whisper picked up a stone and it began to glow. Then, he shot it into the air to hover in the middle of the cavern, drawing the kobold\u2019s attention momentarily. Keelan ran forward with his sword and waited and was nearly hit by a stone as Fillip\u2019s sling released. \u201cYou really need to stop doing that,\u201d Keelan growled without looking at the druid, his eyes on the kobolds above.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Across the cavern was a staircase leading down, and from the depths there were several low snarls. There was a creak and clang and skittering as three massive drakes clambered up the stairs. The second they appeared, Oszaren shot an eldritch blast at one, striking the lizard in the shoulder. Shale hit the same drake a moment later with an arrow, then drew her blades and ran to Keelan\u2019s side. Reverence turned in the air and punched a stream of air at another drake, and it hissed and drew back, looking for its target. Then, the kobolds in the air began to attack. They swooped down at Keelan and Shale, but Keelan battered them away with his shield. One clawed a substantially sized rock from the cavern wall and threw it at Shale, who was too distracted by the giant lizards to notice until it smashed into her shoulder. She nearly dropped one of her blades but recovered enough to parry as the bite attack came. She blocked the drake\u2019s face, and its tail swished around and raked across her ribs with spiked edges. She cried out and stumbled back, pressing her arm to her bleeding side.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Whisper threw a blade of ice from behind them and it struck the middle drake, exploding shards of ice all around it. The explosion hit the two other drakes and the one with Shale\u2019s arrow in it froze instantly and shattered into a thousand bloodied pieces.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The drake nearest Keelan snapped at the paladin and he continued to block it. The monster struck with its tail and, as Keelan ducked with his shield, it pounced and locked its teeth into his shoulder, cracking the armour. Keelan swore and shoved the creature off.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Oszaren came up between Keelan and Shale and summoned his blade, the greatsword appearing in an instant in his open palm. He grabbed it with both hands and, as the drake reared to pounce at Shale a second time, the warlock slammed his greatsword into its skull, hilt-deep between the eyes. The drake dropped, and he had to put a foot on it to pull the blade free.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

A winged kobold on the ground was stumbling toward them with a ring of keys in one hand and a dagger in the other. It must be the one that let the drakes free, <\/em>Shale thought as it charged at her. Ignoring the pain searing in her side, she twisted around the creature and cut off its head with her right blade, then continued to turn and slashed her left blade across the shoulder of the remaining drake as it struck at Keelan. Reverence pounded the drake from the other side with deft hits from his mace, dancing around the lizard as it started to move back from the many-sided onslaught.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Two kobolds still flew back and forth above, casting rocks at them as they fought. Annoyed, Whisper pointed a paw to one of the kobolds and blasted it with a streak of flame. The kobold screeched and incinerated. Fillip shot a stone at the last kobold as it started to flee toward the entrance of the cavern, but the stone missed and slammed into a large patch of green across the way. They looked to be\u2014giant mushrooms? And, were they moving?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cBurn with the fiery wrath of Kossuth,\u201d Keelan shouted, hitting the drake again and again with his longsword and shield.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThis was a terrible idea,\u201d Shale said to Oszaren as the warlock leapt past her toward the drake, who was focusing its efforts on taking down Keelan. The warlock cried out and hit the creature in the side, tearing through it and disembowelling it in one fell swoop.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYou were saying?\u201d He said lightly as the drake shuttered and went still. His blade disappeared from his hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale raised her eyebrows, sheathed her blades and drew her bow and shot down the screeching kobold, which had nearly reached the stairs and was flying haphazardly. It stumbled to the ground and continued to run, and Reverence threw a dart, hitting it in the back. It rolled into the patch of giant mushrooms, which were slowly ambling their way toward them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The mushrooms were of a height with Whisper, but their movements were slow and didn\u2019t seem to be too dangerous. They split up and explored the drake\u2019s cages and a small antechamber but found nothing but old deer carcasses and a smattering of dirty rags. No more dragon eggs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Satisfied that there was nothing else to be found there, they easily walked past the large mushrooms, Reverence throwing them a handful of food. They climbed the stairs, which brought them back to the main entrance of the cave leading outside into a starry night. Trigger bounded to Shale\u2019s side and wagged his large tail happily. \u201cTrigger!\u201d she scratched his ears and he leapt up onto her shoulder, curling around her neck.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

They turned left at the entrance and pushed back through the hidden chamber where Mondath\u2019s office and the covered tunnel were. Fillip removed the rug from the hole in the ground to greet Mondath first. She glared at him, mouth gagged and suspended in the air by several ropes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Fillip pulled out Langdedrosa\u2019s hand and held it up in front of her. \u201cI hear you\u2019re recently single.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Her eyes widened, but the gag prevented her from speaking. Fillip set aside the hand and pulled down the gag. She spat a string of curse words at him. \u201cTiamat will see you burned for this,\u201d she hissed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWell, sounds like you\u2019re not interested. Everyone needs their time to grieve, I get it,\u201d Fillip said lightly and drew the rug back over the hole. Mondath continued to shout and swear, the sound now muffled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cKeelan, can you carry Alfric to the horses?\u201d Shale asked the paladin. The mercenary was well tied and still laying on the floor, staring at them but not struggling. Keelan nodded and knocked the man out, throwing him over one shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI\u2019ll carry Mondath,\u201d Oszaren offered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cOh, I can do it,\u201d Fillip volunteered with a smirk.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Oszaren looked him up and down, then said, \u201cuh, no. I don\u2019t think so.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cNo want her to see me,\u201d Whisper said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI can\u2014fix that,\u201d Reverence offered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

They pulled Mondath out of the tunnel and Reverence knocked her out with an open palm to the forehead. Oszaren picked her up and they made their way out of the cavern quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cDon\u2019t forget about the hunters outside,\u201d Shale whispered, nodding toward the tent where they had seen them earlier.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Everyone nodded and crept past, but Keelan\u2019s heavy armour and their two heavy burdens made it difficult to stay quiet. Keelan kicked a stone with his boot and it clattered loudly against a large boulder.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

A startled voice came from inside the tent. \u201cWhat was that? Hello?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

After a pause, Shale looked around at everyone, shrugged and responded. \u201cHello.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWho are\u2014who\u2019s there?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe\u2019re with the cult. Go back to sleep,\u201d Oszaren said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cOut for a nightly stroll to worship Tiamat,\u201d Shale added helpfully.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cW-what?\u201d There was a noise at the entrance of the tent.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Reverence placed a hand over his chest and spoke in a low, growly voice reminiscent of Langdedrosa\u2019s. \u201cIt\u2019s none of your business. Go. To. Sleep.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

It was quiet for a moment, and then the hunter muttered to himself. \u201cDamn cultists.\u201d There was rustling as the man returned to his bed, followed soon after by snoring. They all breathed a sigh of relief and continued, unhindered, out of the abandoned army camp.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

The ride to Greenest was long and exhausting. Shale had wrapped her gored side as best she could, but the night was cool, and she was soon shivering, her ribs aching with every step her horse took. Trigger followed at a lope beside them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

They arrived in the sleeping town by early morning, the moon nearly set and the horizon brightening with the promised arrival of a new day. With their prisoners still unconscious and draped over the backs of their horses, they went first to the keep and knocked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Keelan pulled out the coal from inside his pack, which was still burning and was wrapped in a pile of singed and tattered clothing. It was the thing he\u2019d pulled from the brazier. \u201cOh, Keelan,\u201d Shale said, eyeing all his belongings in ruins, \u201cwe should really find you a box for that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI make bowl,\u201d Whisper said, holding out a hand and conjuring a large metallic bowl.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Keelan took it slowly. \u201cThis would have been great seven hours ago,\u201d he said, but thanked Whisper and placed the coal inside, then returned it to his pack, stuffing the edges with his ruined clothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

A guard appeared at the door of the keep, and Oszaren asked for him to bring governor Tarbaw, and offered up the prisoners. The guard ushered for four more to carry Mondath and Alfric away. \u201cPoor Tarbaw,\u201d Shale said reminiscently. \u201cI don\u2019t think he\u2019s slept in a week\u2026 Speaking of,\u201d she looked longingly across the town where the second story of the inn stood above the rest.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cMe too. Sleep,\u201d Whisper nodded to the inn.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cCome on, Trigger,\u201d Shale said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWill you three be\u2014alright without me?\u201d Reverence asked. \u201cI could use a rest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cGo ahead,\u201d Oszaren said. \u201cWait!\u201d He ran up to Shale and handed her his dragon egg, wrapped in a cloak. \u201cTake this back to the inn for me?\u201d She nodded and took the bundle.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI\u2019ll make sure he gets the full scope of what we\u2019ve been through,\u201d Fillip said dramatically, flipping his mid-length silvery hair behind one shoulder. \u201cAnd I\u2019ll make sure we\u2019re fully compensated.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Whisper, Reverence and Shale walked to the quiet inn and found beds for the night. They had to wake the innkeeper for the keys, and while the inn was still unoccupied, the place had been drastically cleaned since the day before.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale found a quiet room and placed her belongings carefully on the floor. She ate a handful of goodberries and watched in the mirror as her skin stitched back together over her ribs. Her shirt was ruined, so she balled it up and threw it in the corner. Luckily, she had extras. She pulled the leather ties from her hair and shook it so it fell around her shoulders in varying cords of lavender.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Sometimes, it was easy to forget.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Trigger hopped on the bed and walked around in circles, finally finding a comfortable spot and nestling down, pointed nose tucked under one leg. Shale smiled and stroked his reddish fur. She kicked off her boots. \u201cI wish you could have met them,\u201d she said wistfully, pushing under the covers without disturbing the sleeping fox. He snuggled close to her contentedly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale blew out the lantern beside her bed and listened to the soft, steady breathing of her friend. It was nice, hearing that again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

Shale awoke before most of the others and trailed downstairs to see Whisper copying notes onto a piece of parchment. He looked up as she and Trigger passed him. The innkeeper didn\u2019t seem to be around, and Shale assumed he was out collecting supplies for the ransacked bar. \u201cYou want spell?\u201d Whisper asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat kind of spell?\u201d Shale asked, seating herself across from him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Trigger traced the ground with his nose, searching for food.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIt give alarm,\u201d he held up his paw, \u201conly once. Here. You have.\u201d He proffered a scroll.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale took it hesitantly. \u201cHow do I use it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYou know when use,\u201d he said simply, then returned to his writing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cT-thanks, Whisper,\u201d she said, tucking the scroll in her pack. \u201cCome, Trigger, let\u2019s find you some food.\u201d The fox snapped to attention at the word food<\/em> and raced her to the door. Smiling, she opened it and followed him through.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cDon\u2019t stay out too long,\u201d Reverence called from the stairs as he descended. \u201cI\u2019m making breakfast!\u201d The tiefling bounced lightly from the steps and pushed his way into the kitchen, long spiked tail swishing behind him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale shook her head with a smile and stepped outside, not bothering to tell the tiefling it was late afternoon.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\u201cGreat news,\u201d Oszaren announced as they all sat around the table eating Reverence\u2019s hearty breakfast. \u201cWe own the horses now. One for each of us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cHow is that?\u201d Shale asked curiously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cOh, only that the stablemaster was a crook and our new friend Leosin paid for them all in advance,\u201d Fillip said, daintily pulling apart a loaf of bread with the tips of his fingers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThat\u2019s great!\u201d Shale said, tearing off a strip of bacon with her teeth, happy to finally be eating a hot meal. \u201cAnd everything went okay with the prisoners?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThey will judge Mondath and Alfric based on the laws of the land,\u201d Oszaren said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right, and we got some gold as well in payment, though the governor was plenty stingy with it,\u201d Fillip handed out a small pouch of gold to each of them. Shale weighed it in her hand. So much wealth in only a week, all for a simple ranger. She tucked it away. \u201cPlus, we basically had to drag a letter of recommendation from the man.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the letter for?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cTo tell the governor of Elturel of our heroism,\u201d Keelan said, and Shale couldn\u2019t tell if he was being facetious.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThat is our next step, I think we can all agree,\u201d Oszaren nodded to them all.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

To find Leosin, or at least his friend, Omthar Frume.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cHere,\u201d Whisper said, handing Mondath\u2019s horn to Oszaren from across the table.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d the warlock said, turning it over in his hands. Then, he bent and pulled a notebook from his pack and began sketching out the horn.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cSo, what about the dragon eggs?\u201d Shale had two of them and Whisper the third.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe hide them from the Harpers,\u201d Keelan said immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cOr,\u201d Fillip said seriously, \u201cwe make omelettes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

They took to the road heading north through the Greenfields, beginning their six-day journey. They kept keen eyes on the roads ahead. Green prairie stretched out before them in all directions, making it easy to spot someone coming from miles away. That was also to their disadvantage for anyone coming their way.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

On the second day as they all rode in a group down the road, Reverence asked them a question. \u201cWhat do you think\u2014of Tiamat?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat do we know about her really?\u201d Shale asked. \u201cIs she a god? A physical being? Is she on the earthly plane or somewhere else entirely?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Keelan drew out a book, dropping his reins on the horn of the saddle as he flipped through the pages. \u201cWell, you see, there are two planes of existence, and they intertwine so the gods can connect to mortals.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Sensing he was about to step into a long speech about religion, Shale cut him off. \u201cRight,\u201d she nodded. \u201cSo, she\u2019s obviously evil, right? Five heads, has a cult\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

A few of them nodded along.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t ask\u2014what you know about Tiamat. I asked\u2014what do you think of Tiamat?\u201d Reverence eyed the tabaxi, who was sitting comfortably in his saddle.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cShe\u2019s a seven out of ten,\u201d Fillip sighed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cShe\u2019s evil to the core,\u201d Keelan added gravely.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI\u2019m particularly interested\u2014in the opinions\u2014of our furry friend.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cNever met her,\u201d Whisper said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cDo you like her, though? Do you worship her?\u201d Shale asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cDo you\u2014want Tiamat\u2014to return?\u201d Reverence prodded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cUh, no,\u201d Whisper hesitated, thoughtful. \u201cSounds bad. Fire, death. No good.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat do you want, Whisper?\u201d Shale asked. \u201cWhat drives you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cMagic.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cAnd what about your family? The ones who raised you?\u201d She was talking about the wolves, a conversation she hadn\u2019t shared with the others. \u201cWould you ever return to them?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cAll dead,\u201d the tabaxi said, looking down and patting his horse\u2019s neck.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cHow did that happen?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cCult,\u201d Whisper looked around at all of them. \u201cCult kill them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThe cult of the dragon?\u201d He nodded. \u201cThat\u2019s where you got the books.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cSo, the truth comes out,\u201d Fillip said finally.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Parts of his story made sense, but still left Shale wondering about why Whisper was working with the cult, or at least pretending to. What did he hope to gain from it? Was he trying to take it down from the inside? Why wouldn\u2019t he have shared that with them? She looked over at Reverence, who was staring out across the grassy fields.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cShould Tiamat return,\u201d Reverence said quietly, \u201cit would be the end of all things.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cEven wine,\u201d Fillip mourned.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cEven wine,\u201d the tiefling confirmed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cAnd why in Faer\u00fbn would the universe put us all together and think that we, a group of strangers and loners, could take down a god and save the world from ultimate destruction?\u201d Shale said heavily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cSpeak for yourself!\u201d Fillip said indignantly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe were at the wrong place at the wrong time,\u201d Oszaren suggested with a shrug.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIt seems we were drawn together,\u201d Shale said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIt is my calling,\u201d Reverence said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cImagine the women if we save the world,\u201d Fillip smiled brightly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale raised an eyebrow at the half-elf.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cOr men,\u201d he shrugged. \u201cI don\u2019t know what you\u2019re into.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cHow did you find out it was your calling? Did someone tell you?\u201d Shale asked the monk, thinking about her own, self-appointed calling.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIn my order\u2014we seek to understand the\u2014inner workings of the world\u2014by any means necessary. As we\u2014meditate\u2014as we look\u2014inward, we open ourselves\u2014outward to the many planes of existence. Through this order\u2014I have come to know\u2014that great calamity will befall us\u2014if the cult succeeds.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cSo, how do we stop them? Did you see that by any chance?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThat would\u2014only be too helpful,\u201d the monk sighed, shaking his horns. \u201cIf we continue\u2014as we have, finding cult members\u2014and interrogating them\u2014we will find a way\u2014to defeat them. My order has been searching for answers\u2014for centuries\u2014but now, we finally have a way\u2014to interact with the cult.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cSounds like they\u2019re pretty inefficient,\u201d Fillip commented.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIndeed,\u201d Reverence said slowly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale shuffled back in her seat and stretched her legs in their stirrups. \u201cWhat made you want to join the order?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI was found by the order\u2014as a child. Typically, tieflings are not\u2014welcome\u2014in many places. But, here\u2014I was able to call the monastery\u2014home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat happened to your parents?\u201d Oszaren asked quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI have\u2014no idea. All I know\u2014is that I am destined\u2014to stop the rise of Tiamat.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWell, you\u2019re giving yourself a lot of credit,\u201d Fillip scratched his chin.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI never said\u2014singlehandedly. Perhaps that is why\u2014we all met.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Destiny, Shale thought in annoyance. What had destiny ever done for her?<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhen\u2019s the last time you got laid?\u201d Fillip asked Reverence with a snort. \u201cI think you\u2019ve done a little too much meditating, if you ask me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Reverence turned his head and they continued to ride until nightfall.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

The next morning, Fillip pointed out some black spots on the horizon.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat do you think it is?\u201d Oszaren asked, squinting at the sky ahead.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Fillip shrugged. \u201cShould we try to hide?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cNot with the horses,\u201d Shale said. \u201cThere\u2019s hardly enough trees and we\u2019re surrounded by grasslands. Whatever it is, we have to hope they don\u2019t attack us.\u201d As if they\u2019d ever be that lucky.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cBut we should be ready for anything,\u201d Keelan said, dismounting and pulling out his longsword.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The rest dismounted as well. The objects were moving closer, and soon they could make out massive, feathery wings. Shale drew her bow and an arrow, and held them pointing down, waiting.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The creatures were unlike anything Shale had ever encountered, and she could only guess as to their name. There were three of them, large and colourful with feathers across their wide chests. They had antlers and deer-like faces with massively sharp teeth that glinted in the sunlight. They hissed and began to circle the skies over their group. Their massive taloned feet stretched as the first dove and landed on the ground in front of them, tucking its wings to its side. The horses whinnied and shied. Whisper\u2019s horse pranced back as the tabaxi tried to calm it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cGet ready,\u201d Oszaren growled, blade summoned.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The creature struck and Oszaren shot a blast of green light that hit the creature, sending it rearing back in angry screams. Reverence twirled his mace in his hand and smashed it into the creature\u2019s leg, sending it off balance, then danced back as it tried to bite and claw him. Whisper summoned an orb of crackling lightning energy and forced the creature back a few steps. Whisper\u2019s horse reared and bolted and one of the creatures in the sky dove from the side and dug its talons around the barrel of the horse. The horse screamed as it tried lifting it, then dragged it a few feet before letting it fall to the ground in a bloody heap. The horse did not move after that. Shale was about to release an arrow when suddenly the last creature dove from the sky and grabbed her, picking her up ten feet before dropping her back to the ground. She fell on her back and the wind was knocked from her. She lay there, gasping for a moment, before crawling to her feet and coughing. Her side ached, and she was pretty sure at least one of her ribs was broken. With effort, she walked over to where her bow dropped and picked it up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Meanwhile, Fillip had transformed into a massive, shaggy brown bear and ran at the creature in front of the horses. He bowled it over and dug into its face with massive paws, tearing out the thing’s throat and leaving it twitching and dying.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWell done, Fillip!\u201d Keelan shouted, then ran to Whisper\u2019s horse where it lay dying and put his hands over it to heal.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Oszaren shot more blasts into the air at the creature that had attacked Shale, and it screamed as the shots landed, but continued to circle overhead. The horses were all panicked and moved back from the fight. Shale released an arrow and it flew away wildly as pain arched across her spine. Reverence threw punches of wind at the creatures and Whisper shot bolts of fire. They circled around each other. Suddenly, one dove and clawed at Oszaren and he swung back, but the thing was heavy and pushed him over, digging in with its teeth. Oszaren punched it and it ripped free as the other dove at Reverence and did the same. As Reverence tried to recover, his head bleeding, Fillip ran over to him in bear form and stood over him protectively.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Just then, a massive eagle swooped in at one of the creatures. None of them had noticed its arrival. It tore into the chest of one of the creatures as it flew up and brought it slamming into the ground. The other, at seeing its companion attacked, swerved toward the eagle, but in one moment it was hit by Oszaren\u2019s blast of magic, Reverence\u2019s dart and Whisper\u2019s bolt of fire. The fire caught, and the feathered creature ignited in wounded screams, then careened downwards and crashed in a heap in the grass.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The final creature pulled away from the giant eagle and dove for the bear. Fillip stood on his haunches and swiped at it, leaving a mark along its feathery side as it tried to flap out of reach for another dive. It managed to get its claw into Reverence\u2019s shoulder and sent the monk flying and rolling to a stop on the other side of it. The monk did not stand.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The eagle used this moment to land on top of the creature and dig its talons into its neck. With a snap, it broke the creature\u2019s neck and let it fall. Fillip, still in bear form, lumbered over to Reverence and began casting a healing spell over him, nuzzling his nose over the tiefling\u2019s face. The eagle landed and folded in its wings, then bowed to them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Whisper nudged his horse, now fully healed by Keelan, and it stood, shaking its body free of dust. Whisper calmed it and mounted, bringing the destrier over to where everyone stood. Reverence got to his feet and limped over with them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The eagle slowly began to shrink and transform until an elderly, elven man stood before them. He had long, silver hair, a cropped goatee, and wore roughly stitched animal hides. \u201cGreetings, travellers. It is not often that I see people who can fight creatures such as these and live to tell the tale.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cSome of us\u2014barely lived,\u201d Reverence offered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThank you for saving our lives,\u201d Shale said gratefully, clutching her side with laboured breaths.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIs there something we can give you in thanks?\u201d Oszaren asked the old man.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

He shook his head kindly. \u201cNo, I need of nothing.\u201d He looked confused. \u201cIt is strange, though, for these creatures to be so far from home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat are these creatures?\u201d Shale asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThey are known as perytons. Normally, they make their homes in cliffs. This is very troubling.\u201d He scratched his goatee. \u201cThis far to the west\u2014it\u2019s odd.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYou know what else we saw fly east,\u201d Oszaren said, looking around as they all nodded. The blue dragon flew east to the mountains. \u201cHave you seen any dragons?\u201d He asked the old elf.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve seen a dragon in these parts?\u201d He asked in surprise, the lines in his forehead deepening.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Oszaren nodded. \u201cIt flew to the Sunset Mountains.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The wizened elf shook his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s your name?\u201d Shale asked him gently.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cMy name is Valen Sylmaris,\u201d he dipped his head to her. \u201cPleased to make your acquaintance. Now, you should all be on your way with haste, and disturb as little nature as you can.\u201d The man turned to Fillip, who was still in bear form. \u201cAs for you, a fellow druid, I should hope you teach them to be careful with the creatures of this world.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Fillip responded in growls and grunts and seemed annoyed, as per Fillip fashion, and the man nodded along in understanding.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Shale said again. \u201cOur lives are in your debt. Do you have anything else we should be looking out for on the road? We\u2019re headed to Elturel.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

He shook his head. \u201cMy enclave has been hunting dangerous folk in the area.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cDanger? How?\u201d Whisper asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cDark wizards,\u201d the druid said gravely.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat colour of robes do they wear?\u201d Shale asked quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cOne man was seen, garbed in red.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cHow long?\u201d Whisper asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

He thought for a moment. \u201cTwo days or so.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cDo you know which direction he headed?\u201d Shale breathed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cHeading this way, along this very road.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale nodded seriously. \u201cWe\u2019ll need to keep our eyes out for this man.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Fillip turned and started back down the path on his four legs, clearly done with this conversation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cSafe travels,\u201d the druid said, then transformed again into a giant eagle and flapped up and away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Oszaren hitched Fillip\u2019s horse to his own and they set off down the road.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

Five days into their journey, Shale rode up next to Oszaren, who was currently leading the group, and looked over to him. \u201cOszaren,\u201d she said, taking a moment to gather her thoughts. \u201cI know we\u2019ve travelled together for a few weeks, but I feel that we don\u2019t know each other that well, and I was curious. I don\u2019t know a lot about magic, but I have noticed that yours seems different from anything like Whisper\u2019s. I know where he gets his powers. He finds them in books. And even Keelan, he receives his power from Kossuth.\u201d She paused. \u201cBut, where does your power come from?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Oszaren looked back at the others, then to her and said, \u201clet\u2019s move forward more. I actually wanted to talk to you about something.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cSure,\u201d she said. They prodded their horses and moved further from the rest of their party.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYeah, my powers are a lot different than what you see in Keelan, or Fillip or Whisper.\u201d The warlock said slowly. \u201cLet\u2019s just say, my powers were not earned or learned. They were\u2014more, inflicted.\u201d He sighed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThat sounds like a bad thing,\u201d Shale said quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIt was a painful thing. There\u2019s a power I\u2019ve been drawing from this source. The more I draw, the more there is.\u201d He looked ashamed. \u201cAnd I am afraid of what might happen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cDo you know what the source is?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI have a vague idea. It\u2019s a\u2014deity. Or, a kind of deity.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cDo you know who it is?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

She didn\u2019t prod him for the name, but instead said, \u201cand it frightens you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat frightens me is not the power,\u201d he said after a while. \u201cWhat frightens me is the cost that the power may take.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure,\u201d Oszaren said. \u201cI might go mad, I might lose my free will, I might start attacking random people, including this company,\u201d he gestured behind them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhen did this happen to you?\u201d Shale whispered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIt was around two years ago.\u201d Oszaren pulled back his braid and looked around nervously. \u201cI\u2019ve been very careful not to draw from the power that\u2019s been given to me\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cBut now you\u2019re stuck in this situation where you\u2019re constantly fighting for your life,\u201d she finished.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI\u2019ve cast more spells in the last few days than I ever did in the last two years.\u201d He took a deep, calming breath.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cHave you heard anything from this deity, this power? Does it communicate with you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIt gives me rules I need to follow.\u201d He paused. \u201cIt\u2019s more like a contract.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIs there a way to escape? Do you want to escape this and lose your powers?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cOf course I want to escape this,\u201d he said in frustration, then looked at her apologetically.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cSo, how do we do that?\u201d Shale felt the new weight on her shoulders and straightened her back. She would help him. She had to.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know. That\u2019s why I wanted to go and find Leosin.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYou think the monk can help you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI need his access to knowledge.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

They continued forward for a few minutes in thoughtful silence. Finally, Shale spoke up. \u201cI noticed your interest in the red wizards of Thay.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI\u2019m a scholar of history,\u201d Oszaren shrugged, \u201cso I\u2019ve heard of them before, and they are really influential and powerful and have been ruling Thay for over a thousand years.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cDo you know anything about their power?\u201d She prodded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cNo, unfortunately.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale sighed in disappointed resignation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cNow, to the point,\u201d Oszaren said, looking at her seriously. \u201cI need your help, Shale. I want you to be my safety net. If you see anything out of the ordinary, like me losing my mind or changing in any way, I would defer to your judgement to\u2014end things.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI can promise I\u2019ll keep an eye on you, but I can\u2019t promise I could end your life.\u201d Shale\u2019s mind flashed back to bloody hands grasping two blades, and the screaming of children. Did that happen, or did she just imagine the screaming? Her memory was vivid but untrustworthy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI\u2019m asking you, because I trust your judgement,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI\u2019ve had to make a lot of personal sacrifices, and I\u2019ve had to kill people that I never wanted to kill\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIf it turns to killing me, it would be because I\u2019m attacking our friends.\u201d He looked at his hands on the reins.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d she nodded, clearing her voice, \u201cand I can promise you that I will help you try and figure this out, so it doesn\u2019t come to this. We\u2019re going to talk to Leosin and we\u2019re going to find what we need, and we\u2019re going to get you out of this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

He raised his chin at her. \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

She smiled back sadly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat about yourself? I\u2019ve noticed that you\u2019ve been trained by elves. You do this slight bend of the bow forward, which increases accuracy. What\u2019s your story, Shale?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Gwaeron\u2019s face appeared before her, smooth featured and bald. She smiled fondly. \u201cWell, to be honest, it wasn\u2019t exactly an elf. At least, not anymore. And it wasn\u2019t exactly a person who taught me the bow. I don\u2019t really know what this person is, I just know that I was lost, and they taught me some interesting powers. They taught me how to be a better ranger, and how to survive on my own\u2026 and, eventually, how to find justice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWho is this person?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThey\u2019re\u2014like a childhood friend that I looked up to and I don\u2019t know much about. Not yet.\u201d She looked over at her fox, who was running alongside the horses and occasionally bounding through the long grass in search of mice. \u201cI used their help when I needed it most, and then I left them for a long time until Trigger came back to me a few nights ago.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIf you need help,\u201d Oszaren said, giving her a serious look, \u201cjust ask.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll be the first I go to,\u201d she said, and she meant it. They continued forward for the rest of the day in casual conversation, much like old friends were wont to do.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

The sun was near to setting when they crested a hill and spotted a bright light on the horizon, brighter than any star and much nearer. \u201cWhat is that?\u201d Keelan wondered aloud, but no one answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Oszaren drew out his notebook to study old research, muttering something about reading about the city some time ago and it seeming familiar.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

They travelled on for another day before reaching the city.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Above the thick-walled Elturel hovered a massive, glowing orb. As they passed closer to it they saw the river Chionthar running east to west, separating the green fields with the wilds of the north. The walls of the city touched the river on the north side and cliffs spanned its edges. A large, stone bridge reached across the river to the city gates, which sat high above the cliffs. A small port lay at the bottom with a scattering of ships and steep, winding passages to the bottom. The city looked to be alive with people moving in and out of the gates.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go to the governor of the city first,\u201d Fillip suggested.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe should find Leosin,\u201d Oszaren said, \u201cor that Omthar Frume fellow he said to ask for.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cLibrary,\u201d Whisper said. \u201cI go there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Oszaren nodded, \u201cI would like to go there as well.\u201d He looked to Shale and she nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cMe too,\u201d she said, though she was quite unfamiliar with large cities, and even more unfamiliar with books.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYou mean to say\u2014we\u2019ve been travelling to this city for a week\u2014and are only now deciding\u2014where to go\u2014and what to do?\u201d Reverence asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

They pressed through the city traffic and walked their horses toward the main gates. The pathways of the city led upwards in zig-zagged roadways, and the walls of the city held two massive hills upon which two large buildings had been erected. On the hill to the right loomed a massive, stone keep. On the left hill was a slightly less looming presence, yet still impressive.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThat\u2019s Helm\u2019s high hall,\u201d Oszaren told them as they walked. \u201cBuilt for the deity Helm. This city is built for paladins and religious folk. And that,\u201d he pointed to the other hill, \u201cis home to the High Observer, Thavus Kreeg. Governor Tarbaw told us about him when he wrote our letter.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Keelan looked up at the Helm\u2019s high hall excitedly. \u201cThank Kossuth!\u201d he said happily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cDid you figure out what that light is?\u201d Shale asked Oszaren.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThat orb,\u201d Oszaren pointed up at it, \u201cwas built after the spell plague a century ago, and it\u2019s painful to all undead who can see it. I knew I\u2019d studied its history before.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale sighed, looking up at the massive light. \u201cI could use one of those,\u201d she muttered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to talk to the governor,\u201d Fillip said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI\u2019ll come too,\u201d Keelan volunteered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cAnd the rest of us,\u201d Shale said unenthusiastically, \u201cgo to the library, to\u2014learn.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

With that, the group crossed the bridge into the city of Elturel.<\/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<\/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 follows our adventurers in this Dungeons & Dragons campaign as they cross Faerun, fighting against the rising tide of the Dragon Cult, in this story based on The Hoard of the Dragon Queen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":638,"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":[11],"tags":[18,19,17,14,15,13,16,21,20],"series":[],"class_list":["post-212","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wings-of-chaos-dungeons-and-dragons-series","tag-campaign","tag-cult-of-the-dragon","tag-dnd","tag-dungeons-and-dragons","tag-fantasy","tag-hoard-of-the-dragon-queen","tag-series","tag-wings-of-chaos","tag-wizards-of-the-coast"],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/blog.alexisveenendaal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Giant_s-Gamble-Blog-PhotosArtboard-1-copy-8.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":"

Wings of Chaos: Chapter 11<\/a><\/blockquote>