{"id":219,"date":"2019-03-13T11:59:00","date_gmt":"2019-03-13T11:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/141.148.246.190\/index.php\/single-post\/wings-of-chaos-chapter-18-19\/"},"modified":"2023-03-28T15:47:23","modified_gmt":"2023-03-28T14:47:23","slug":"wings-of-chaos-chapter-18-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.alexisveenendaal.com\/index.php\/2019\/03\/13\/wings-of-chaos-chapter-18-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Wings of Chaos: Chapter 18-19"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
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Chapter Eighteen: The Watchtower<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Fillip watched Arietta descend the stairs of the inn, her long blonde hair tied in a tight braid behind her back. She walked toward the bar through the din of late morning conversation between travellers. Whisper sat at the bar lapping a mug of warmed milk. Arietta smiled, then reached under the bar and took out a bottle of mead and two mugs, then stood next to him at the table and poured, sliding one to him. \u201cMind if I sit?\u201d she asked softly, sitting.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Fillip reached over and took her mug, draining it and slamming it back down on the table. Then he reached for his own and sat back with it. He took a sip and watched her carefully.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Arietta sighed, folding her hands anxiously on the table. \u201cI hope you know, Fillip\u2026 I\u2019m not a bad person. At least, I don\u2019t mean to be.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cYou\u2019re a slaver,\u201d he said dully. \u201cYou help kidnap and sell people.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cIt\u2019s a life that came to me,\u201d she said under her breath, eyeing the empty mug before her, her eyes far off.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cYou could get any job,\u201d he said. \u201cAt this inn, for instance. You can live a normal life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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She shook her head. \u201cIt\u2019s not as simple as you think.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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There was an awkward pause. Then, Fillip said, \u201cI didn\u2019t tell your secret, but my friend read my mind with some weird magic and he knows everything.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Arietta straightened, looking around with a worried expression, \u201cwhere are your friends?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThey took Zelena with them to the watchtower, to save the prisoners taken by those slaver friends of yours.\u201d His face was emotionless in response to hers.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cMy sister?\u201d She tightened her hand around the empty mug, \u201cthey won\u2019t hurt her, will they?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI believe Reverence has her best interests in mind,\u201d Fillip drained the rest of his mead and reached for the bottle, pouring himself a half glass.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThey should be careful around Zelena,\u201d Arietta said seriously. \u201cShe\u2019s\u2014not what she seems to be.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d Fillip perked up curiously, then added, \u201cshe\u2019s not your sister, is she?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Arietta shook her head.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWho\u2014what\u2014is she?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Arietta shook her head again. \u201cThat\u2019s all I\u2019ll say on it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cIf this is going to work,\u201d Fillip told her, leaning in, \u201cthen you need to be honest with me. No secrets.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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She looked around the busy room nervously, then took the bottle of mead, which was nearly empty, and took a swig. Just then, a black shadow of a raven swooped in through the cracked window and landed in a swirl of magical mist, cawing, and hopping on the table next to Fillip. Arietta jumped and nearly smashed the bottle on the ground. Fillip reached out a hand as the raven proffered its leg, where a roll of parchment had been tied. He took it, and the raven cawed again, then dispersed like a cloud being pushed apart by a strong wind.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhat was that?\u201d Arietta asked in shock, a hand on her breast.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Fillip unrolled the parchment and a second piece fell to the table. Arietta flattened it. It was a map of the area, with a section of forest circled, several miles from the Grinning Gnome Inn<\/em>. The note was written and signed by Oszaren.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cLooks like we don\u2019t have time for another drink,\u201d Fillip said, standing and taking the two papers, then crossing to the bar to put a hand on Whisper\u2019s shoulder. The tabaxi jumped, and Arietta trailed after him, looking concerned. \u201cWhisper, we need to go. Arietta,\u201d he turned back to her, \u201cyou need to stay here. We have to go help our friends.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cDon\u2019t let Zelena fight,\u201d she said quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cFight,\u201d Whisper repeated, standing and leaving his milk on the bar. He conjured a small flame in the centre of his palm, looking excited.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cFight? Why?\u201d Fillip asked suspiciously.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cJust\u2014don\u2019t. She can\u2019t control it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Fillip thought for a moment, then grabbed her arm and pulled them both out the door. \u201cThen you\u2019d better come with us. Let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Once they were outside, Fillip transformed into a large replica of the golden stag they\u2019d seen on the road. Arietta nodded tensely and grabbed his neck, pulling herself onto his back. Whisper trotted off and returned a few moments later with his donkey. If Fillip wasn\u2019t a stag, he would have suggested a horse was much faster, like perhaps the one they used to pull their wagon. Instead, he shook his antlered head and felt Arietta wrap her arms around him tightly as they set off at a steady gait, the wizard tabaxi following shakily behind them on his trotting donkey.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale, Keelan, Oszaren and Reverence took the time waiting for Whisper and Fillip to scout around the watchtower in search of entrances. They finally decided the best way to get the prisoners out would be to climb the tower and pull apart the rotting shingles on top, then lower them down on ropes while the rest fought whatever abominations resided within. If they could distract them long enough, they could get the prisoners to safety. Perhaps, finally, one of their plans would be successful.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale set up her crossbow trap at the front door in case anything tried to break free. Keelan impatiently paced as they waited for their companions. Shale spent the time checking old footprints through the forest, but the foot traffic was sparse. Oszaren used his eldritch sight to scan the perimeter for magical traps, and Reverence tried to comfort Zelena, who looked bored but surprisingly uninterested in the whole thing. Shale still didn\u2019t trust her in particular.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Finally, a golden stag burst through the trees and Arietta dropped from its back. Fillip transformed back into his half-elf form and greeted them, and a few minutes later, Whisper appeared atop his sweat-lathered donkey.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Oszaren and Shale relayed their plan, and they all agreed to it. Whisper dismounted and put a paw on Keelan, causing his plate armour to glow brightly. Fillip pulled Arietta aside and whispered to her, and the woman reached out for Zelena and pulled her into the forest to hide.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale checked her arrow trap a second time, then went to the door and inspected it for traps as Whisper began climbing the side of the tower. \u201cAnything?\u201d Keelan asked impatiently.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cIt\u2019s hard to tell,\u201d Shale said slowly, sliding her fingers along the edges of the door. \u201cI\u2019m not an expert with these sorts of things, but Oszaren said he didn\u2019t sense anything on the door.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cGood enough for me,\u201d Keelan said, pushing Shale aside and kicking the door open roughly.<\/span><\/p>\n

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There was a loud bang, then a sucking, whispering sound that consumed the warmth in the air as clawing black shadowy hands began grasping and reaching through the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cHoly shit!\u201d Keelan swore, jumping back and drawing his sword as he tried to step out of their grasp. \u201cYou said it wasn\u2019t trapped!\u201d The hands began grasping his legs and climbing up him and he tried to swing, but his blade sliced through mist.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale turned to Trigger frantically. \u201cGrab the paladin!\u201d She shouted, drawing out her bow and looking at Oszaren, who was staring into the tower with a tilted head as if seeing something within. To her, there was only darkness. Keelan began casting a spell over himself, his armour still glowing from Whisper\u2019s enchantment, as the hands continued to wrap around him. The whispers were all around them, seeming to come from no direct point.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale released an arrow and it skittered against the stone. How do you fight a shadow? She thought desperately. Trigger sunk his teeth into Keelan\u2019s thick leather boots and began pulling him out of the shadows.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cTry to lure them out!\u201d Fillip shouted as two bears formed around him and flanked Keelan and Trigger protectively.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Oszaren shot a black cloud forward and it swirled inside the watchtower. Over what, Shale couldn\u2019t see. Then, she heard the laboured moans and shuffling as rotting corpses staggered to the door and passed through the grasping hands harmlessly.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Raised dead, Shale thought, shooting another arrow and catching one of them in the shoulder. It paused for a moment, then turned it\u2019s white, dead gaze on her. She\u2019d sensed the undead while they travelled to the tower, but unfortunately there were many kinds, and she couldn\u2019t discern what they were until they were right in front of her. She felt her sanity quiver as memories threatened to push their way to the forefront of her mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Oszaren was so focused on his spell within the tower, that he noticed the walking corpses with startled realization once they had perked up, seeming to lose their lethargy as they neared their targets. The warlock stumbled back, and the shadowy whispers of hands continued to expand and reach out as they all backed away.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale\u2019s arrow trap shot four consecutive arrows as the undead shambled forward, sticking into three and barely slowing them.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Pieces of shingles from the roof of the tower came scattering down as Whisper dug through it to get to the prisoners. Shale hoped he could get them out quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Reverence danced around the clinging shadow hands and shot air fists at the walking corpses, pushing them back momentarily. Shale shot arrow after arrow into the bodies and Keelan took out his crossbow and followed suit until they were littered with shafts. Trigger began pulling at Oszaren to draw him out of the shadows, and the warlock shot blasts of green light into the corpses, but still seemed distracted by something within the tower. Whatever he\u2019d cast the black sphere over, he was waiting for it to escape. One corpse exploded and flew back, leaving only a leg behind as Reverence hit it with a compressed burst of air. Then, he pulled out his spear and flipped it, smashing it into a corpse as it stepped out of the protection of the ever-growing shadows, and sent its arm flying off, then pierced it through the eye with the point of his tail. Fillip\u2019s bears clawed at the shadows but didn\u2019t dare enter them, and the druid shot stones from his slings, which bounced off the corpses.<\/span><\/p>\n

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A figure broke out of Oszaren\u2019s spell and came lunging forward, pushing through the moving corpses. It was fleshless, with gray skin pulled tight over its skeletal, humanoid form. It wore a tattered hood and spoke in a strange, hushed language. This was the leader, the one controlling the bodies of the dead.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale redirected her arrows at it, casting her hunter\u2019s mark over its form and shedding it in a blue-lit symbol only she could see. Oszaren backed up and began blasting the leader with eldritch spells, ignoring the corpses.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhisper!\u201d Fillip shouted up as more shingles fell over the edge, \u201cblow these fucking zombies out of here!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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The tabaxi peeked over, noticing, it seemed, for the first time the corpses and the crawling shadows. He raised a paw over the edge and a tiny swizzle of light zipped down and exploded in a massive burst of heat. Pieces of the corpses flew in every direction and one of Fillip\u2019s bears disappeared from impact. Shale nearly lost her footing and covered her eyes from the fire. When she looked up, Oszaren was laying on the ground, unconscious. Only one corpse remained, its arms missing. The leader hissed and retreated into the tower, seeing its defenses worn. Fillip raised his sling and shot the final corpse through the head, felling it. The shadowed hands were all that remained of the defenses now. They grasped onto Oszaren and started to pull him toward the door while others overtook Fillip\u2019s second bear. The animal roared as it was overwhelmed by the whispering shadows, then burst into light and disappeared.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Keelan quickly ran to Oszaren\u2019s body and dragged him away from the shadows, slamming a heavy hand over his chest and healing him. Oszaren gasped as the burn marks over his face and arms healed over, and he kicked his legs free with Keelan\u2019s help. Shale ran past them and aimed her arrow at the leader as it shrank into darkness. She breathed, and the moment slowed as the creature\u2019s pale-yellow eyes stared at her. She felt cold. She released her breath and the arrow shot true. It slammed into the creature\u2019s forehead. It wailed, and with a sickening thump, it collapsed to the stone floor, permanently dead. Or, so she hoped.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Oszaren got to his feet and shouted, \u201cDISPEL!\u201d A bright light flew from his fingertips and slammed into the shadows, creating a dome over them and pushing them back. The whispering hands retreated into the tower, sliding and crawling, until the darkness was sucked back into a point in the centre of the room. They all ran into the room and saw a stone circle with carved runes. As the last lick of darkness seeped into it, the light of the runes faded.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Oszaren went to check the body of the leader while Fillip headed to the treeline to find the twins. Keelan made for a ladder in the corner of the room, which led up to a trapdoor. He climbed cautiously with his heavy armour, testing his weight on each rung, then slammed an elbow repeatedly into the wood until it cracked.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The bottom floor of the watchtower was circular, and across from the doorway sat a stone box flanked by two stone statues. Shale felt drawn to them, and walked to the one on the left, gazing up at the hooded figure. There was something familiar about the carving. She looked down at its base and could see a dirt-covered marking. She brushed it with a hand, revealing a symbol she\u2019d seen before, carved on the base of a tree, and as the brand she used to mark her quarry. It was a bear\u2019s paw with a star in the middle of it. Gwaeron, she thought, looking back up at the statue, with its familiar, smooth features. She glanced over at the other statue, a cloaked woman with one hand reaching back to draw an arrow from its stone quiver. \u201cThis place was made for rangers at one time,\u201d Shale said, her voice echoing.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cDo you know who that is?\u201d Oszaren asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

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She turned, and saw the warlock was the only other person with her. The rest had gone to free the prisoners, or gone outside, without her noticing. She nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cHow do you know them?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale reached a hand up and pulled the scarf off her head, letting her lavender dreadlocks tumble around her shoulders. \u201cThey saved my life when I was young,\u201d she said. \u201cI ran away, and they taught me how to survive alone in the forest. They taught me to fight, and to shoot a bow, and to track. They\u2019re\u2014well, a deity. Made to protect the rangers.\u201d She remembered the lavenders on the graves.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cOpen it,\u201d Oszaren said, pointing his chin toward the stone box. \u201cPerhaps it\u2019s meant for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale looked at it, then strode over and, with a heavy push, threw off the stone slab, revealing its contents. She took out a bag, which contained a handful of gems, then a tube, which, when she opened it, contained a fragile piece of parchment. She handed it to Oszaren, who quietly took it and raised one hand above it. \u201cIt\u2019s a scroll of magic to do with transmutation,\u201d he told her finally, handing it back to her.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale shrugged and walked to the ladder, ascending it. She had no need of scrolls. When she reached the top, she saw that Keelan had healed all four prisoners, and they were standing around thanking him and Whisper. \u201cWhisper,\u201d Shale called, and the tabaxi walked over to her. She handed him the scroll. \u201cI\u2019m not sure what it does.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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The tabaxi stared at it excitedly then nodded and put it in his satchel.<\/span><\/p>\n

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They helped the prisoners down the ladder one by one, all of them still weak from being fed small rations. There was a man and woman who were holding each other. They shyly introduced themselves as farmers from the area. The small, male gnome looked disheveled and tired. He didn\u2019t give them a name but simply bowed and thanked them. Finally, the Harper stepped up, pulling on a tattered robe over his bare chest, \u201cto whom do we owe our thanks?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhat,\u201d Fillip asked, entering the circular room with Reverence, Arietta and Zelena, \u201cyou mean, like a team name? We don\u2019t have one.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThough it\u2019s not\u2014a bad idea,\u201d Reverence said thoughtfully.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Harper looked confused.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhat\u2019s your name?\u201d Oszaren asked, ignoring the other two.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cAh,\u201d the Harper smiled weakly, \u201cmy name is Carlon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cCarlon?\u201d Shale said quickly. The name was familiar.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cYou know Ackyn?\u201d Fillip asked in surprise, reminding Shale of the man who sold them their wagon and helped them join the caravan.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Carlon also looked surprised. \u201cY-yes, I do. In Baldur\u2019s Gate?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Reverence drew out something from his cloak and Shale saw a flash of the Harper\u2019s carved symbol. \u201cOur interests\u2014align\u2014it seems.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Carlon pulled the robe tighter to his chest and his gaze focused on the tiefling. \u201cIt seems they do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cHow were you taken?\u201d Oszaren asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Harper sighed and rubbed his neck as if it pained him. \u201cI was left for dead on the road by the caravan I travelled with. They suspected me of spying on them\u2014which, for their sake, I was. I was tracking members of the dragon cult.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cLet\u2019s get these people back to the Grinning Gnome<\/em>,\u201d Shale suggested, and Keelan nodded and hurried off to get his horse, Whisper following behind for his donkey.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWe should discuss these things in private,\u201d Oszaren agreed.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale helped the couple out of the door then turned to the gnome, leaving the Harper with the others. \u201cWhat\u2019s your name?\u201d She asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cAh,\u201d the gnome smiled mischievously despite his tired disposition, \u201ca trickster never reveals his secrets.\u201d He had messy brown hair and a passable goatee, and his cloak was reminiscent of richer days.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale nodded. \u201cFair enough, but how did you get captured by the slavers?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWell,\u201d he shrugged, then his eyes flashed up at her slyly, \u201clet\u2019s just say I was putting my hands in the wrong pockets, and I happened to find a very valuable, yellow diamond.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cUnderstood,\u201d she said seriously.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cYou didn\u2019t happen to find one around here, did you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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She shook her head.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The young gnome reached up a hand and patted her on the arm. \u201cYou know, from one crazy person to another, it doesn\u2019t hurt to smile. You should really consider it.\u201d With that, he trotted off to Keelan, who helped him onto Ember\u2019s saddle.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale shook her head, feeling confused, then smiled slightly, calling for Trigger. The fox bounded out of the long grass that had overgrown the side of the watchtower and nuzzled his face into her leg.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Oszaren walked over to Shale and handed something to her. She looked down curiously at a yellow diamond the size of her palm. \u201cWhat is it?\u201d She asked, thinking of the gnome and keeping it from his view.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI found it on the wight,\u201d he nodded to the doors, \u201cthe one controlling all the corpses. If you crush it, it will conjure an earth elemental.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhy are you giving it to me?\u201d She didn\u2019t even bother asking how one would possibly crush a diamond.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Oszaren looked at her for a moment, then said, \u201cI think it will serve you best.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale nodded and tucked the diamond away, reminding herself to keep it far from the little gnome with the wandering fingers.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Fillip transformed into a shaggy-maned palomino and Arietta and Zelena both pulled themselves up onto his back. As Keelan led them back through the trees, Shale paused behind the rest. There was a pale figure standing amongst the trees, cloaked in a dark green robe with the hood up. It raised a gentle hand when she looked at it, and she dipped her head. In her mind, she heard a soft, familiar voice say, well done.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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Whisper paused and looked at the figure, then raised his paw and waved at it just as the pale figure faded and was gone. The tabaxi looked back at Shale curiously but said nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/h3>\n
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Chapter Nineteen: Message to the Red Wizard<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Carlon travelled with the caravan for the two-day trek to Daggerford, while the other rescued prisoners went their separate ways.<\/span><\/p>\n

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When they reached the outskirts of the town of Daggerford, Shale saw it was a small, but militaristic place with thick walls. Half the town seemed to be citizen homes and military barracks, the other half taken up by a large manor with exquisitely elaborate gardens.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cOh, I\u2019ve got to talk to whoever lives there,\u201d Fillip said wistfully as they approached.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Outside the town were dozens of tents with refugees settling in, making camp and selling wares in a makeshift marketplace. Their caravan paused outside the town and made camp with the rest of the refugees. They left their cart with Oyn, then pushed their way into the overcrowded town. \u201cWhy so many people?\u201d Shale wondered aloud.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019m\u2014going to ask\u2014around,\u201d Reverence said, and the tiefling walked in the opposite direction, soon disappearing into the milling crowds.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale stepped up to a guard, who was standing sentinel by the gates. \u201cExcuse me,\u201d she said, \u201cdo you know why there are so many people camped outside the town?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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The soldier looked her up and down. He was of a height with her, and looked to be no more than twenty, with only the hints of a beard on his chin. \u201cNot sure. Your guess is as good as mine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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She looked back at him seriously. \u201cMines probably better.\u201d She walked back to her friends, shaking her head. \u201cHow could they not know what all these people are doing here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI say we talk to their government here to see what\u2019s going on,\u201d Fillip said.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Oszaren pointed his chin to the giant manor. \u201cIf memory serves me, the town is run by Duke Daggerford\u2014the town aptly named after his family, who founded it generations ago. I\u2019ve heard of this one. He\u2019s not particularly friendly, and he\u2019s rather young and spends most of his money on the finer things.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cSounds like my kind of man,\u201d Fillip grinned appreciatively.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cYou go,\u201d Shale suggested, looking at Keelan, Oszaren and Fillip. \u201cThe three of you are better at diplomacy than Whisper or I.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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They agreed and headed off toward the manor, making plans to meet at the finest tavern in town later.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI have some things I\u2019d like to sell at the market,\u201d Shale told Whisper. \u201cDo you want to come with?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Whisper meowed affirmatively.<\/span><\/p>\n

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They met a few hours later in an almost empty, lavishly built tavern with two parallel, roaring fireplaces made of carved marble and fine, stained woods. Shale was less surprised by the absence of patrons when they ordered their first drink and it cost her three gold, far more expensive than she was expecting. Admittedly, it was the best drink she\u2019d ever tasted. She paid the barman reluctantly, and they all sat to discuss what they\u2019d learned.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThere are\u2014many rumours,\u201d Reverence told them first, \u201camong the refugees\u2014of a green dragon\u2014and armies of kobolds.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cSounds like cult business to me,\u201d Oszaren said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat did you find out from the Duke? Were you able to see him?\u201d Shale asked the other three.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cSame sort of thing,\u201d Fillip said. \u201cThe peasants have come, claiming dragons burnt their houses down. He didn\u2019t believe them, though. Says it\u2019s not believable. That dragons will steal livestock occasionally, but mostly keep to themselves in this area. But, if this is cult business, their claims are likely true.\u201d The druid paused. \u201cI sold him some of our spices. He doubts the town will have enough supplies for the winter, so the refugees will likely have to move on. Their number has doubled in the last two months or so.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe must\u2014stop them,\u201d Reverence said seriously. \u201cSoon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThe peasants?\u201d Fillip joked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThe cult,\u201d Reverence reminded them all, \u201cbefore\u2014the world ends.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Keelan added, \u201cI met with the Duke\u2019s advisor, Sir Lathandar Istaval.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThe famous Paladin?\u201d Shale asked, impressed. Even she in her forest guiding had heard of his adventures long ago.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Keelan nodded. \u201cHe agreed the cult was dangerous but didn\u2019t have much for advice. He said they were partly responsible for his retirement.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cSo, we continue on to Waterdeep,\u201d Shale summarized, \u201cand keep our eyes up and alert for dragon attacks.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI also heard\u2014the attacks were centred in\u2014the High Moors,\u201d Reverence told them, and Oszaren quickly pulled out one of his maps and spread it on the table before them, pointing at the large area to the northeast of Daggerford.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cDo you think that\u2019s where their base is?\u201d Shale asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Oszaren shook his head. \u201cThey wouldn\u2019t attack so near their point of operation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think\u2014they\u2019re that clever,\u201d Reverence pointed out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cStill,\u201d the warlock rolled up his map and tucked it away, \u201cI say we continue on to Waterdeep. That\u2019s where the cult members in our caravan are headed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cDo we know anything about green dragons?\u201d Shale asked in the silence that followed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe have some research to do,\u201d Oszaren said, looking to Whisper.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cAgreed,\u201d Keelan said, then stood, his drink finished, \u201cI\u2019m going to stay in the caravan tonight, to keep an eye on it. No offense, but I don\u2019t think Oyn is capable of handling a group of thieves on his own.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Whisper stood and exited with the paladin.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhere are Arietta and Zelena?\u201d Shale asked Fillip.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cShopping,\u201d he said. \u201cThey should be along soon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale felt impatient, with the caravan\u2019s plans to stay in Daggerford for two nights. She wanted to be on the road. In fact, she wanted to be in the forest. She missed the woods and felt guilty for leaving Trigger behind with the caravan. More than that, though, she felt lost. For years she\u2019d been searching for the red wizards, and she suspected they were involved with the cult, but what happened once the one she searched for was defeated? Would she ever find him again? What happened when her vengeance was done? What did she have left to live for? Could she start over? Fall in love again, start a family again? Live alone as a hermit in the forest? Continue as a forest guide, living out her days helping others to their destination? The questions in her mind gave her a headache, and she excused herself, making the slow trek through the darkness back to the caravan outside the town walls.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Perhaps, she thought, it was better if she didn\u2019t survive the fight ahead.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

Early the next morning, their caravan received a new visitor who joined the cultists, adding his possessions to one of their wagons and greeting them. Keelan recognized the man immediately. \u201cIt\u2019s the strange man I met in the temple of Kossuth, back in Elturel,\u201d he hissed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The man wore thick robes and had a hood over his head, obscuring any baldness or distinctive features.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYou think he\u2019s a red wizard?\u201d Shale whispered back, heart thundering in her chest.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure of it,\u201d the paladin told her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale stared at the man, then pulled her gaze away, thinking desperately. Was this Gwaeron, sending her a message? Or was this fate? She looked around, then, and noticed Whisper had snuck off. Likely to speak with the cultists and find out who their new member was.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI don\u2019t like when he does that,\u201d Keelan said suspiciously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Shale agreed. Whisper had proven himself when he\u2019d saved half of them from the vampires, and he continued to prove himself their ally. Yet, there was still so much they didn\u2019t know about them. So much they couldn\u2019t communicate.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The others returned from the town soon after and Keelan filled them in on the new member of the caravan. A while later, a small female gnome wandered through their caravan wearing heavy furs that her tiny figure nearly drowned in. She approached the finally dressed dwarf in their caravan and began speaking animatedly toward him. The dwarf shook his head. \u201cSorry, but no,\u201d Shale overheard him telling her. \u201cAsk someone else.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The gnome shrugged and passed by them, looking up at Shale, \u201cexcuse me, who runs this cart? Who\u2019s your employer?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale raised an eyebrow, arms crossed as she leaned against the side of their covered wagon. She nodded a head back and said, \u201cFillip, someone would like to speak with you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Fillip appeared a moment later from around the cart, Arietta, as ever, trailing behind him and blushing prettily. \u201cYes?\u201d The druid asked, looking down at the gnome woman.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cSir,\u201d she said politely, shifting in her furs, \u201cI\u2019m looking for a spot on your cart. I need to travel with a caravan to Waterdeep.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWaterdeep isn\u2019t far,\u201d Oszaren said, stepping up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cTrue, but it isn\u2019t safe to travel alone, I fear,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019ll pay you,\u201d she added.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s your business in Waterdeep?\u201d Oszaren asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cSorry, but my business is my own, far as I\u2019m concerned.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThat\u2019s fair,\u201d Fillip allowed. \u201cHow much will you pay us?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI can offer five gold,\u201d she said, looking relieved.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cMake it seven, and we have a deal.\u201d Fillip bent to her height and held out his hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

She clasped his hand in her tiny one and shook it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe leave tomorrow morning,\u201d Fillip said, then grabbed Arietta\u2019s hand and they walked away together.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

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

\n

\u201cJanna Gleansilver.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

As her friends wandered away to tend to other things, Shale touched Janna on the arm, making her pause. \u201cI noticed your gaze,\u201d she told the gnome, glancing purposefully over to the group of cultists who always kept themselves apart from the rest of the caravan. Amongst them stood the red wizard, hidden and cloaked. She caught sight of Whisper speaking with him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Janna\u2019s eyes went hard. \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d She asked defensively, pulling her arm away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI only mean,\u201d Shale squatted down in front of her and whispered, \u201cI am also interested in the cultists and their red wizard, and not in a nice way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Janna looked at her for a moment, reading her face. \u201cAlright,\u201d she breathed, \u201cI believe you. But,\u201d she looked around nervously. Keelan and Reverence were nearby, speaking, \u201cwe shouldn\u2019t talk in the open. Will you meet me tonight, at midnight? Outside of the camp?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale nodded and stood, and the female gnome went to retrieve her belongings and load them onto the cart with Oszaren\u2019s help.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

Whisper waited until evening to speak with Oszaren in hushed tones, in elvish. Oszaren relayed the information to the rest of them. \u201cThe red wizard\u2019s name is Azbarra Johs. He\u2019s part of Rezmir\u2019s inner circle. It seems he was the same wizard we saw in the encampment back near Greenest. There was something else about an elf prince, and that the cult plans to act in Waterdeep. Azbarra told Whisper that Tiamat would rise again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t let that happen,\u201d Keelan said fiercely.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cKeep your voice down,\u201d Shale warned, looking around their small fire.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Reverence and Zelena had gone on a walk, and Arietta was serving ale through the camps, working for Beyd. The rest of them were there. Still, she didn\u2019t want to risk them being overheard by cultists.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cOszaren,\u201d Shale said quietly as the rest of them broke into separate conversations, \u201cI need you to turn me invisible tonight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d The warlock asked. \u201cWhat are you planning?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

She shook her head. \u201cI\u2019m not sure I know, yet. I just want to see some things, and I don\u2019t want to be seen back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

He hesitated, then nodded. \u201cAlright. Come find me when you need to.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d she said, absentmindedly scratching Trigger\u2019s ear as he slept, bathed in the warmth of the firelight.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

Shale watched the moon rise as the refugee\u2019s fires went down to coals across the fields outside of Daggerford. When it was time, she snuck away from the caravan and waited for Janna to arrive, convincing Trigger to stay behind with some gentle commands and a bit of squirrel meat. The small gnome woman came rustling through the long grass, still burdened by her large fur cloak, a short while later.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat is your interest in the cult?\u201d She said as way of greeting.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale crossed her arms and looked out at the distant hills. \u201cMy friends and I were in Greenest when the cult attacked the town and stole everything.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat do you know about them?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat do you know?\u201d Shale asked in response. \u201cWe\u2019ve seen what they carry. You know as well as I that there are some travelling in our caravan.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI have a sponsor,\u201d Janna said. \u201cShe\u2019s very interested in what the cult is freighting and what their plans are.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWho\u2019s your sponsor?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Janna shook her head, sighing in the darkness. \u201cI can\u2019t say.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWell, if our interests are the same, perhaps she\u2019d want to meet us,\u201d Shale suggested.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Janna said firmly, \u201cshe wouldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIt\u2019s gold, gems, heirlooms,\u201d Shale told Janna in the quiet that followed, \u201cthat\u2019s what these ones are carrying, anyways. We\u2019ve already snuck into their cart and checked the crates.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Janna nodded. \u201cThat\u2019s good to know. Makes me job easier. I wonder, though,\u201d she gave Shale a sidelong glance, \u201cwhy are they working with the red wizards? What do you know of them?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Now it was Shale\u2019s turn to sigh. \u201cI wish I knew more. I\u2019ve learned the red wizards have many sects and schools of magic. I don\u2019t know which one this man is from, though I can suspect.\u201d Necromancers,<\/em> she thought, though she didn\u2019t say it aloud.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cHave you seen any of the dragons they\u2019ve rumoured about?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale\u2019s mind flashed back to the blue dragon, streaking lightning bursting from its open maw as it swooped over Greeenest\u2019s Keep. She felt the piercing pain as Langdedrosa\u2019s greatsword was thrust into her chest, narrowly missing her heart. \u201cNo,\u201d she said. \u201cNo, I haven\u2019t.\u201d Absently, she rubbed a hand over her collarbone, tracing her hand over her shirt where, beneath, lay a jagged scar.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Janna said, patting the back of Shale\u2019s knee. The gnome\u2019s head barely reached the height of her hip.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The heavily cloaked figure of Janna shuffled away, back to the caravan. Shale waited a few minutes, eyes closed, and face raised to the sky as though bathing in the moonlight. Finally, she turned and headed straight to Beyd\u2019s cart, where she knew Oszaren would be sleeping.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

Invisible, Shale crept through the caravan camp until she reached the wagons set apart from the rest. There were small tents erected, but the newcomer slept in a bedroll on the ground, his satchel pressed under one arm, his other under his head as a pillow. He breathed softly, and she knelt next to his slumbering form. His hood had fallen back, revealing his tattooed, bald head. She slowly moved her hands forward and began nudging his hand away, slipping the bag free. His fingers dropped, and she stopped, waiting for any movement, but he continued to breathe softly. She unbuckled the clasps and pulled out the contents slowly, cautiously. There was spare clothing and a lot of writing material, a few small rations, and a large, heavy book that took up most of the bag. She drew it out and looked down at the dark leather cover. It had strange markings on the front and reminded her of Whisper\u2019s spell book. She flipped to the first page and saw more of the same markings.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

She could burn the book, but she didn\u2019t know exactly how wizard\u2019s magic worked. Would his magic disappear if the spells in his book did? She didn\u2019t think so. Besides, she might be giving herself away if she stole it. If she had Whisper look at the spells, maybe he could tell her if they were necromantic. If they were, she could\u2026 but, what could she do? Kill him? She could question him and see what other red wizards of necromancy he knew. She didn\u2019t even know his name, the one who did it\u2026 though, now she could guess. If she brought Whisper the spell book, he would want to use the spells, necromantic or otherwise. She couldn\u2019t let more magic like that get out into the world. It was dark. Evil.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale picked up one of Azbarra\u2019s pens, looking again at his face to check that his eyes were still closed, then wrote in large, messy writing that covered the spell in the first page with thick, black ink, \u201cTREAD CAREFULLY\u201d. There. That would at least warn him he wasn\u2019t safe, without directly putting suspicion on anyone. This could start the burn to the fire she wanted. Keelan would be proud of that analogy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Right. Keelan.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

She reached into her pocket and drew out a long, gold chain. Keelan had given it to her when she\u2019d gone to see Oszaren, and she\u2019d relayed her plans. He told her to put the chain in the wizard\u2019s bag, so he could track the wizard wherever he went. She tucked the chain into the bag, then returned all the contents, lastly the book, before buckling it and placing it next to the sleeping wizard.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

As she went to stand, she heard a voice behind her. \u201cI know you\u2019re there!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

She froze, waiting.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cNo sense in hiding,\u201d the voice said again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Then, there was the shink of metal, and a thump.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Still invisible from Oszaren\u2019s spell, she snuck around the wagon, following the noise she\u2019d heard.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cShit, shit, shit<\/em>.\u201d It was Janna, whispering.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale peeked around and saw the tiny gnome woman holding a bloody short sword and standing over the lifeless body of a half-elf guard. Shale recognized the guard immediately as one of the cult members. She covered her mouth to keep herself from breathing too loudly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Janna quickly wiped her blade off on the half-elf\u2019s black cloak, then ran past Shale, the furs of her cloak brushing her legs as she went by and climbed into the back of the wagon. Shale followed her quietly. The gnome used the flat of her blade to press it into the top of one of the crates inside and pry it open, revealing the gold and gems Shale had told her about.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cDamn,\u201d the gnome whispered, \u201cthe girl was right.\u201d She took a few handfuls of gems and filled her pockets, then jumped down from the wagon and ran into the darkness.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale turned back to the body, then took a deep breath and decided what she had to do. She knelt next to the pale figure and dipped a finger in his blood, then wrote in careful letters across his face, \u201cTREAD CAREFULLY.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Then, she stood and ran, heart nearly thumping out of her chest. Once she reached their cart, she pressed her invisible form against the wagon, calming her breaths. Janna had just marked herself for death. That, or Shale and her friends would be found out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale removed her bow and quiver from her shoulders quietly, then slipped into her bedroll and closed her eyes. Trigger lifted his head but, being unable to see her, sniffed the air with some confusion, and returned to sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

It took a long time for Shale to fall asleep. Behind her eyelids, all she saw was crimson red.<\/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<\/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

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

Chapters 18-19 follow 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":737,"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-219","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\/Artboard-4.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 18-19<\/a><\/blockquote>