{"id":222,"date":"2019-03-27T11:59:00","date_gmt":"2019-03-27T11:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/141.148.246.190\/index.php\/single-post\/wings-of-chaos-chapter-22\/"},"modified":"2023-03-31T17:34:08","modified_gmt":"2023-03-31T16:34:08","slug":"wings-of-chaos-chapter-22","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.alexisveenendaal.com\/index.php\/2019\/03\/27\/wings-of-chaos-chapter-22\/","title":{"rendered":"Wings of Chaos: Chapter 22"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
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Chapter Twenty-Two: A Second Spellbook<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Shale woke in darkness, her head fuzzy and her body aching. She could hear an annoying thumping noise. Was that what woke her?<\/span> Thump, thump, thump. <\/em>\u201cHey!\u201d a man\u2019s voice came from outside a door, just visible as Shale\u2019s eyes grew accustom to the dark. \u201cQuiet in there!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Oszaren? <\/em>Shale wondered. Her hands and feet were bound, and she was curled on a dirt floor inside a small room with a few stacked, empty crates. The walls were made of wood, and the thumping was coming from one of them. It stopped now, and Shale shouted the warlock\u2019s name. \u201cOszaren!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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She\u2019d seen him coming back for her just before she was knocked unconscious by Azbarra\u2019s guards. What had she been thinking? Had they all been captured? She hadn\u2019t seen the others. \u201cI said, be quiet!\u201d The guard shouted, this time slamming a fist into her door.<\/span><\/p>\n

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She only heard muffled words coming from the wall. She guessed it might have been Oszaren, but it was difficult to hear. She went quiet, examining the room more carefully.<\/span><\/p>\n

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She tried to sit up against the wall, which was difficult with her hands tied behind her back. She slipped her arms under her feet until they were in front of her, then started working at the bonds. They were tight. She tried to push her thumbs in as far as she could, even willing to break them, but the way she was bound didn\u2019t give enough leverage. She swore in frustration. If she could get one of the guards in there to speak with her, she could try to use her fog cloud again to escape through the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhat do you plan to do with us?\u201d Shale demanded loudly, slamming her shoulder into the wall repeatedly. \u201cCome in here and face me!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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A moment later, the guard, a young man in dark clothing and leather armour, threw open the door and snarled at her. \u201cI told you to be quiet.\u201d There was a ferocious cruelty in the young man\u2019s eyes. Too young for such anger.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale tried to splay her fingers through the ropes to cast her fog cloud, but she couldn\u2019t wiggle them free enough. C\u2019mon, c\u2019mon, <\/em>she thought desperately, but the spell was ineffective. Talking, then. \u201cWhere are we? What are you going to do with us?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Without saying anything, the guard drew his sword and strode over to her, holding the point to her face. She looked at him without blinking. Unfeeling. Then, he raised it and slammed the butt of his sword into the side of her head.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Instant darkness.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Reverence saw Keelan standing beside Trigger near the entrance of the inn, the thick-armoured man scratching the fox nervously behind the ear. He straightened when he saw the tiefling and said, \u201cI\u2019m glad to see you\u2019re alright. I was about to go searching for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Reverence sighed and rubbed his eyes, leaning against the wall of the inn next to the paladin. \u201cThis is\u2014bad.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Keelan nodded his agreement.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhat if they get Oszaren and Shale\u2014to talk?\u201d he looked down at the fox, who was rubbing against Keelan\u2019s legs. Could the animal sense the loss of its master? \u201cWe can\u2019t risk them being tortured and giving away our secrets.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI trust them,\u201d Keelan said.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThis isn\u2019t just about trust,\u201d Reverence shook his head, \u201cthe Red Wizard has magic. He can\u2014make them talk.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Keelan stared out at the street, which was sparsely populated with people going about their business with carts or wagons of supplies. It was a working day for most.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWe may have to kill them,\u201d Reverence said seriously in the silence that followed.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Keelan looked at him. It was difficult to see behind the Paladin\u2019s eyes without using his new amulet. \u201cWe need to send a message to Whisper and Fillip,\u201d Keelan told him, bending to pet Trigger again.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cAlright,\u201d Reverence said, \u201cbut we should find them in person. I\u2019m worried the cult may be looking to intercept messages.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Keelan locked the fox in the stables, very much to the dismay of the tiny animal, who yelped and whined as they strode away. \u201cOur first priority is to save them,\u201d Keelan said, feeling guilty for leaving them behind in the warehouse.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Reverence sighed again. \u201cShale has taken leave\u2014of her senses. There may be nothing left to save.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cAre you willing to do\u2014what needs to be done?\u201d Reverence demanded of Whisper and Fillip.<\/span><\/p>\n

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They\u2019d found Fillip in the Castle Ward\u2019s open market, selling spices and looking cheery, wearing a fake moustache and an absurd amount of eye makeup. They\u2019d filled the druid in on everything that happened, then taken him to the academy to find Whisper. Fillip sold the rest of his spices to their kitchens while they tracked down the tabaxi and told him of Shale and Oszaren\u2019s capture. As they walked back to the inn together, Reverence warned them of a fallback to their plans.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Fillip grimaced, \u201cI don\u2019t want to kill them. They\u2019re our friends.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Reverence looked over at Whisper, who was looking thoughtful but said nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWe should remain optimistic,\u201d Fillip continued, \u201cif they\u2019re not dead yet, then the cult wants them alive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThat\u2019s what should concern us,\u201d Reverence shook his head, \u201cthey could give them everything.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Fillip shrugged. \u201cWhat\u2019s there to give away? We\u2019ve done a shit job at infiltrating the cult so far anyways.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Whisper looked at the half-elf indignantly. Fillip raised an apologetic hand to him.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cYou\u2019re right\u2014we can\u2019t kill them,\u201d the tiefling lied, pretending to drop it. He knew what he might need to do.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale felt a magical presence reaching into her mind as she awoke the second time in darkness. She couldn\u2019t be sure how much time had passed.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The presence pushed against her will insistently, and she pushed back. The effort drew sweat from her brow. A few minutes later, she heard Azbarra outside her door. \u201cThey\u2019ve both resisted the spell. I suppose we\u2019ll have to do this the old-fashioned way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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There were movements at the door and the sound of scraping wood. Shale breathed in and pushed herself back up against the wall, awaiting the worst.<\/span><\/p>\n

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She heard a conversation in draconic. Shouting. Confusion. A demand? A new voice. A voice Shale knew. Whisper?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI deserve right to kill her,\u201d the tabaxi said in common. He was right outside her door now.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThen I won\u2019t bar your chance,\u201d Azbarra said smoothly. \u201cMove aside.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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The door opened and the tabaxi walked inside, two guards behind him. He conjured a staff in one hand and swatted her over the head with it. Shale threw up her arms to block the blow.<\/span><\/p>\n

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There were muffled shouts in the room adjacent. It was Oszaren, yelling.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Azbarra turned from Whisper and Shale and shouted at a guard, \u201cquiet him!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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A moment later, the guard shouted to another. \u201cGet over here! The half-elf\u2019s gone!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhat do you mean, he\u2019s gone?\u201d Azbarra demanded, stepping out of sight and shoving a man aside.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Whisper glanced down at Shale and, with a pointed look, conjured a small dagger in his hand and dropped it in the dirt in front of her. He nodded subtly and she inched her feet over the dagger to cover it as the tabaxi turned and walked out, slamming the door behind him. \u201cWhat happen?\u201d She heard the tabaxi demand.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cIdiots!\u201d Azbarra swore. \u201cHe\u2019s obviously gone invisible! Check everywhere! LOCK THE DOORS! Don\u2019t let anyone leave.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cFind him!\u201d Whisper commanded.<\/span><\/p>\n

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There was a commotion outside the door, but Shale was already picking up the dagger and sawing at her ropes, cutting her hands free then ripping the ties off her legs and standing, dagger in hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cYou two, stand guard over the woman,\u201d Shale heard the Red Wizard say, and she could see the shadow of four feet under the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The ranger started testing the walls for weaknesses, wondering how she would get out of the warehouse alive, and what her friends had planned.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cIs it just me, or is that rat staring at us weird?\u201d The guard said, tilting his ugly head down at the little brown rodent that watched them.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cStep on it,\u201d the other one said, \u201cI hate rats.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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The first nodded and stomped a boot at the rat and it scurried away, but the man was faster. He caught its tail underfoot, and with a sudden flash, the rat tail disappeared, and the rodent transformed into a crouching half-elf with long, silvery hair and a wry smile on his face.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Fillip leapt to his feet and punched the guard square in the nose, then spun on the spot and transformed back into a rat before the other man could react, summoning two great bears next to him. The guard, grabbing his bleeding face in complete shock, now stumbled back as one of the bears swatted a massive paw in his direction and roared.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhat the\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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There was a loud, smashing clatter as a pile of pots and pans fell from seemingly nowhere and crashed on the ground, scattering across the dirt and drawing a few of the confused guards, who had also just noticed the two bears.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhat in nine hells is going on!\u201d A worker whined, backing away and dropping the crate he\u2019d been carrying. Several of the other workers stumbled away, trying to get through the doors, which had been locked. Many of them pressed against the walls, trying to stay away from the conflict.<\/span><\/p>\n

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There was an earth-rumbling roar from one of the offices. The dirt floor vibrated. Something hard was slamming against the wall.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Keelan, who stood outside, watched in surprise as suddenly a massive hole appeared in the side of the warehouse and a piece of the wall exploded in splinters of wood, followed by a huge stone fist.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cOszaren?\u201d Keelan said in surprise.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Oszaren stood with a crushed yellow gem in one hand, with his and Shale\u2019s packs and weapons over his other shoulder. Next to him and towering several feet above was an earth elemental with stone flesh and potato features. It blinked and Keelan could see Oszaren\u2019s eyes were yellow and clouded. He was commanding the elemental.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The giant creature turned and burrowed into the earth, leaving behind a huge hole.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhere\u2019s he going?\u201d Keelan asked, but a second later, he saw exactly where.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale fell backwards into the opposite wall as the dirt ground beneath her exploded, and a giant stone face appeared through a hole and smiled up at her. She shouted in surprise and backed against the wall. It then proceeded to crawl up, dirt sloughing off its form, and turned to the outer wall and punched it until it cracked and opened up. \u201cThanks, buddy,\u201d she breathed after the initial shock wore off. The elemental gave an ugly grin and dove back into its hole.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale jumped through the wall and landed outside, looking over to see Keelan and Oszaren standing there. Oszaren had started the wall on fire. When he turned and saw Shale, his eyes shimmered from yellow back to white, and he smiled and tossed her pack to her. She grabbed it. \u201cOszaren, I\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cLater,\u201d he said, holding up a hand and pointing the other to another section of the wall and releasing a second bout of fire.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cHow did you get out?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cTurned invisible,\u201d he grinned, \u201cthen snuck out when they opened the door to my room.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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She took her swords, bow and quiver quickly and strapped them on, watching the fire burn.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhat now?\u201d Keelan asked, and Shale shook her head, unsure.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cDo we run? Who else is inside?\u201d She said, \u201cI only saw Whisper, and they think he\u2019s one of them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cFillip went in as a rat. Reverence was on the roof last I saw.\u201d Keelan eyed her more closely, \u201chere, let me heal you. You\u2019re barely on your feet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale felt instant relief as the paladin put a hand on her shoulder and healed the wounds she\u2019d received upon capture. \u201cThanks,\u201d she breathed.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cLook at that, Fillip brought his bears to the fight. I have the elemental in there distracting them. Oh, looks like they killed Fillip\u2019s bears already,\u201d Oszaren said, eyes back to yellow. \u201cAlright, let\u2019s punch Azbarra really hard<\/em> in the face\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Azbarra crawled out of the crater in the ground, clutching his broken ribs and wheezing. He took a few unsteady steps back as his guards ran in to crowd around the massive earth elemental, their weapons doing very little to the stony creature. With a shaky wave of his hand, he felt mist swirl around his legs, and he ran for the door, which had been thrown open by the workers trying to escape. The spell took him out the door in a blur of speed and he didn\u2019t slow until he was in amongst the crowd in the street. Many were onlookers headed home after a day\u2019s work, pausing to see the fires and hear the roars of the elemental inside the warehouse. Azbarra, still holding his side with a pained expression, limped away through the crowd, being swallowed by the people.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Whisper turned from the elemental as he saw Azbarra slide away in his misty step and enter the crowd of people. The tabaxi ran after him and raised a paw. An explosion of fire shook the earth and there were terrified screams as several people were thrown back, others charred and smoking, dead instantly. The target, Azbarra himself, was thrown forward off his feet as the fire hit and was now crawling up from the ground as the crowd pushed back away from it all. Those that could, anyways.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Whisper waved his paw until mist swirled under him, and he shot forward so he stood in front of Azbarra, tilting his head at the Red Wizard, who was bleeding from a gash in his forehead and breathing heavily.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cYou<\/em>\u2014\u201d Azbarra said accusingly, eyes shifting as he looked for an escape through the crowd, which had now made a good distance between them.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Reverence sprinted from around the warehouse, Fillip jumping from his shoulder and transforming back into a half-elf and summoning two bears into existence to stand behind Azbarra, growling to keep him from running.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Reverence ran, jumped and tried to kick the wizard\u2019s legs from under him, but the mist still swirled under his legs and he dodged. The monk used his momentum to skid through the dirt and pivot, planting a firm punch into the man\u2019s shoulder, locking him in place with a quick stunning spell.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Azbarra breathed a sharp intake of breath as all his limbs stiffened.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The rest of the cultist guards ran through the front of the warehouse to see the gathered crowd as they fled the earth elemental inside.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cMust kill,\u201d Whisper said firmly, and Fillip nodded from behind him. Whisper glanced down at the wizard\u2019s bag, where his spellbook was sure to be.<\/span><\/p>\n

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One of Fillip\u2019s bears stood on its haunches and pulled the frozen Azbarra down, ripping out his throat with its teeth and leaving a growing pool of blood in the dirt. The Red Wizard twitched and gasped as his lifeblood seeped from him, his hood falling back to reveal his bald head and lifeless blue eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Fillip turned his bears to the fleeing guards, and the men stopped near the entrance, unsure of what to do.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Whisper strode over the five blackened bodies and stopped over the Red Wizard\u2019s corpse, ripping the spellbook from his satchel, which was now stained with blood. With a quick wave of his hand, the blood vanished. He stroked the black leather cover lovingly, then shoved it into his own bag before looking around at the horrified faces.<\/span><\/p>\n

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There was a collective sound of swords being drawn, and at least a dozen men in uniform pushed through the crowd. One pushed through ahead of the rest and shouted, \u201cStop this! Drop your weapons!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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The city guard had arrived.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale grabbed Keelan\u2019s arm as they rounded the corner and saw the city guard surrounding Fillip, Whisper and Reverence, all of whom stood over several fallen bodies, some of them burned. She noticed the Red Wizard\u2019s crimson robes. Azbarra was dead, then.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Whisper was standing strangely as well, as if frozen, and Reverence was looking at him imposingly. Had the tiefling done something to Whisper? He looked stunned. She could hear Reverence growling, \u201cwhat in NINE HELLS<\/em> did you do, Whisper? Where is your conscience?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Fillip spoke up, gesturing to Azbarra\u2019s body. \u201cGentlemen, I implore you. This man plotted to destroy your city. Look inside for the evidence\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale knew they needed to leave. \u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d she hissed before they could hear the rest of Fillip\u2019s speech, and the two of them ran in the opposite direction, hoods up and looking for cover. Oszaren turned to look at them as his elemental crawled through the hole in the wall and dropped a crate in front of the warlock, which smashed upon impact, littering the ground with road working supplies.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cDamn, no gold,\u201d Oszaren said, then waved a hand and the elemental disappeared. The warlock drew up his own hood and trotted after Shale and Keelan. \u201cWhat\u2019s happening? What did I miss?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Fillip sent his bears into the warehouse where they zipped out of existence, and in the confusion of the other cultists dropping their weapons, Reverence pushed past Fillip and Whisper and bolted. Whisper stirred, the stunning strike dealt to him by the monk wearing off, and he too ran. The tabaxi fled into the warehouse and presumably out the other side. The captain of the guards started shouting orders. \u201cFind them! Hells, don\u2019t let them get away! We need them all for questioning!\u201d Some of the city watch ran after Reverence and Whisper, others started calling for buckets of water to put out the fires, and some who looked to be their healers came forth and assessed the burned bodies Whisper had left behind.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Dozens of innocents were injured by the explosions. Five were dead besides the Red Wizard, not to mention the cultists inside who\u2019d been hit by the earth elemental Oszaren summoned.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cDon\u2019t let anyone leave!\u201d The captain barked, pointing to the innocent bystanders. Many had fled, but there were many others who\u2019d been too terrified to run.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Fillip knelt, dirtying his trousers in the loose dust, and raised his hands in surrender, his false mustache twitching on his upper lip. \u201cI surrender,\u201d the druid declared to the captain, a rugged man with handsome, gray features, \u201cthough, I am innocent in this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWe\u2019ll see about that,\u201d the captain said as two men grabbed his arms and pulled them behind his back, lifting him to his feet. \u201cTake him to the outpost,\u201d he ordered, and Fillip was escorted away, the burning warehouse to his back.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale, Keelan and Oszaren snuck back to the inn, using back alleys through an indirect return route. Shale went straight to the stables and brought Trigger out. The fox leapt into her arms, yipping happily. \u201cWe need to talk,\u201d Oszaren said seriously, and they all found a table inside. It seemed the events at the warehouse had yet to be spread to the wider populace, but Shale guessed it wouldn\u2019t take long.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Reverence arrived at the inn soon after, feigning casual as he slid onto the bench next to them. He ordered a drink and sat back with it, taking a few sips. They were all quiet, anxious. Finally, the monk spoke. \u201cFillip\u2019s been arrested, as I assume you all saw.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cHe can handle it,\u201d Keelan said, and Shale had to agree. The druid was rather convincing about most things. Besides that, he had on a disguise. She wouldn\u2019t be surprised if he got himself out of jail within the hour with that silver tongue of his. <\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cListen, I\u2026\u201d Shale trailed off uneasily, \u201cI need to apologize. Something came over me, and,\u201d she looked at Oszaren, \u201cI nearly got you killed. I\u2019m sorry. I\u2019m so sorry, Oszaren. I know saying it won\u2019t change what happened, I just hope you can understand. I\u2014I can explain.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cDid you happen to see\u2014what Whisper did?\u201d Reverence asked before Oszaren could speak.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhat Whisper did?\u201d She asked, confused. \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhisper\u2014\u201d Reverence straightened in his seat, \u201ckilled<\/em> five innocent people trying to get at the wizard. Five.<\/em>\u201d He slammed a fist on the table, drawing the stares of a few patrons in the bar. \u201cYou did this, Shale. You are guilty for these deaths.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale felt tears come to her eyes. Her throat was raw. \u201cI\u2014I didn\u2019t know. I mean, I saw the bodies, but I didn\u2019t realize\u2026\u201d She held back a sob, putting her hands over her eyes. The shame threatened to overwhelm her. The guilt. Five innocent people, dead.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWe can\u2019t only blame Shale,\u201d Oszaren said gently, \u201cwe all did what we had to in the moment. Death has its place.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cIt was murder,\u201d Reverence swore.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale looked up at the tiefling and the rage was written clearly on his face. \u201cDid Whisper get away?\u201d She asked in a strained voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cYes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThen he is probably at the academy, hiding out,\u201d Oszaren said.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWell, what do we do now?\u201d Keelan grumbled, folding his arms.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWe need to get back and speak to the council, try to get back in their good graces,\u201d he glanced at Reverence pointedly, \u201cwe need their help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI will stay back,\u201d Reverence declared, standing. \u201cI must\u2014meditate on this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWe should send a message to the academy for Whisper,\u201d Keelan suggested.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale nodded and soon they had one written and sent. \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d She felt sick. Could Whisper have really done that? Killed so many, just to get at the wizard?<\/span><\/p>\n

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The three of them stood and made their way to the Yawning Portal Inn<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Fillip sat alone in a small room with stone walls. He was free to stand and walk around the small room, but all he was given was a plain wooden chair. He didn\u2019t need to wait long for the captain of the guards to step through the door. He\u2019d already given them his name: Fillip\u00e9. Close, but not exact, as with any good lie.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

A guard brought in a second chair and placed it across from Fillip\u2019s, and the captain sat, sighing heavily and rubbing his eyes. \u201cThis is a mess,\u201d he muttered, looking up at the half-elf with discerning eyes. \u201cYour friends did this?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Fillip put on a confused expression. \u201cFriends? I promise you, captain, I know very little about what happened in that warehouse.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat do you know?\u201d The man asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cNot much,\u201d he said earnestly. \u201cI\u2019m just a spice merchant who happened to be walking past at the wrong time. I ran across two wizards dueling, and I thought maybe I could help. I have a bit of healing skills, you see.\u201d He paused, letting his statement ferment. \u201cI\u2019m just lucky I wasn\u2019t one of the ones that\u2014well, you know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The captain looked at him, studying his face, then sighed again. \u201cFunny enough, I believe you.\u201d Fillip looked up. \u201cYou\u2019ve never seen these wizards before?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cHonestly,\u201d Fillip said, \u201cno. I\u2019ve barely heard of wizards exercising magic in the city\u2014outside of the academy, of course. I didn\u2019t realize it was such a common concern.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cDid you happen to notice that one of the wizards was a Red Wizard of Thay?\u201d the captain asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Fillip shook his head and shrugged helplessly. \u201cDon\u2019t know much about them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cAnd that we uncovered a smuggling operation inside that warehouse?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cCaptain, I can\u2019t take any credit for that discovery. As I said,\u201d he kept his demeanour calm, kind, \u201cI was merely passing by when I noticed the fire and the shouting.\u201d He took a deep breath. \u201cI\u2019m sorry those people had to die. I hope you find who\u2019s responsible.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The captain scratched the stubble on his chin, thoughtful. \u201cAlright,\u201d he said finally, standing and motioning for the guard to open the door. \u201cWe may have to keep you here for a few days, in case we have any more questions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThat\u2019s fine,\u201d Fillip said. \u201cIf you need to corroborate my identity, just go to the markets in the city. My buyer\u2019s will tell it true; I\u2019ve been selling spices throughout Waterdeep for the last two days. Even sold some at the academy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The captain nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWere there any survivors from the blast?\u201d Fillip asked, remembering the charred bodies Whisper had left.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIt was bad,\u201d the captain said solemnly, \u201cSome won\u2019t return home. Others won\u2019t return in the same condition.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Fillip nodded, his suspicions confirmed. \u201cCheck my bag. I have some healing potions you can take. I\u2019m willing to spare two. If you need more help with healing, I\u2019ve also been known to dabble with my herbal kit. I could help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThank you. I\u2019ll take the potions for now.\u201d With that, the captain left, barring the door behind him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Fillip sighed and looked around the square room. \u201cWell. This is going to be boring.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

Shale, Keelan and Oszaren were led by Elia, Remalia\u2019s tall, human handmaiden, from the entrance of the Yawning Portal Inn <\/em>to a private room in the back, though the main room of the inn seemed mostly empty. Inside waited Remalia, her husband Arthagast, Leosin, and Omthar Frume. They had last seen Omthar in Elturel when he\u2019d given them their ship.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Another male, an elf, was seated there as well, and he was the only one they didn\u2019t recognize. He had long dark hair with streaks of gray and a weathered face with tanned skin. He was draped in animal hides and a green tunic that matched his deep-set eyes. Remalia introduced him as Delan Winterhound, Ranger of the North and member of the Emerald Enclave.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

They settled in around the table, looking abashed. Shale was thankful they\u2019d left Reverence behind, though she wished Fillip were there to talk them through it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI believe we owe you an apology,\u201d Oszaren began softly, looking to Remalia, then Arthagast, and finally Leosin, \u201cour last meeting was abrupt and our actions brash.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Remalia inclined her chin, showing she would listen to their plight.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe have urgent news,\u201d Oszaren continued quickly, and proceeded to tell them what happened at the warehouse.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThis is serious, indeed,\u201d Arthagast said when the warlock was finished, \u201cbut it seems you\u2019ve made a dent in the cult\u2019s smuggling operation. There\u2019s something to say for that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIt\u2019s in the hands of the city watch, now,\u201d Oszaren said. \u201cAs are the wagons filled with gold.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cAnd the Red Wizard is dead,\u201d Remalia said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale felt a tightness in her abdomen.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat have you learned from your council meeting?\u201d Keelan asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThe cult is busy in the North,\u201d Arthagast explained. \u201cThey\u2019ve been attacking villages with armies of kobolds and a red dragon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cRed dragon,\u201d Shale said, \u201cdoes it have a name?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cNone that we know,\u201d Remalia turned her gaze on Shale, who dropped her eyes. \u201cHowever, Delan has informed us the Emerald Enclave has captured another Red Wizard working for the cult.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

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

\n

\u201cZelnar Jorhus.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The name didn\u2019t strike her as familiar, but that didn\u2019t matter. It could be him. No,<\/em> she thought, keep your control. You must know for certain this time. <\/em>She could still see the blackened bodies of those Whisper killed, scattered on the ground. Innocents, walking home to see their families after a long day of work.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat do you know about the incident in Triel five years ago?\u201d Shale asked, turning to Delan.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Delan turned his head, studying her curiously. \u201cWe suspect it was Zelnar who was behind the attack.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale nodded, tight-lipped.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cHave you discovered anything else?\u201d Keelan asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Omthar answered. \u201cWe\u2019ve moved some knights to the High Moores to fend off the attacks there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cA black half-dragon has also been spotted,\u201d Leosin told them, \u201cten days ago, outside the very warehouse you told us of.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cRezmir,\u201d Oszaren said thoughtfully.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIt seems she may be one of five wyrm speakers working for the cult, one for each chromatic colour. The Enclave has learned the names of two others,\u201d Delan told them. \u201cThere is Galvin the Blue and Sevrin the Red. Galvin was last seen near the Sunset Mountains, but Sevrin\u2019s location is unknown.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cSevrin,\u201d Keelan repeated, \u201cwe\u2019ve heard that name before.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Leosin and Omthar nodded. \u201cWe told you about him in Elturel.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cRight\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cNow what do we do?\u201d Shale asked finally. \u201cWe don\u2019t have a caravan to follow anymore, so where do we go? How do we stop this?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Remalia looked at each of them. \u201cWe need the Lord\u2019s Alliance. We need to you to find out what ritual will bring Tiamat to our world. If we know how it\u2019s done, perhaps we can stop it. If you find and follow the treasure and see where it\u2019s going, that may tell us where the ritual will take place.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cA ritual like this would require a huge magical source,\u201d Oszaren said seriously. \u201cHave you heard of the cult searching for any large, powerful artifacts?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cNothing. At least, not yet,\u201d Arthagast said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIf we take out the wyrm speakers, then there will be no one left to complete the ritual,\u201d Keelan said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Remalia dipped her chin. \u201cIt would not be easy, but if you and your companions do this, it would be a great help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat about disguises?\u201d Oszaren asked. \u201cHow will we infiltrate the cult?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIt sounds like you\u2019ve killed or had arrested anyone who knew your faces,\u201d Leosin pointed out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe will leave the logistics to your\u2026\u201d Remalia paused carefully, \u201ccapable hands.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThank you for your help,\u201d Shale said, sensing the meeting was over. \u201cWe will send you a message when we leave Waterdeep.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cGood luck,\u201d Leosin told them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Omthar gave them a friendly grin. \u201cTell that Fillip he owes me a drink!\u201d He chuckled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cOne last thing,\u201d Shale hesitated before standing, \u201cthe giant pit in the other room,\u201d she pointed her chin and the closed door, \u201cwhere does it lead?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Omthar answered. \u201cIt goes underneath the city. Adventurers use it to prove their prowess. Some come back, and some don\u2019t. Strange creatures down there, by the sounds of it!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale felt a chill and told herself she would not be one of those <\/em>adventurers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The three of them slipped from their bench and exited the private room. Oszaren asked to speak with Leosin, and the monk took Oszaren aside. Shale saw him try to give Leosin the symbol of the Harpers back, but he waved a hand and wouldn\u2019t accept it. \u201cWe all make mistakes,\u201d she heard the Harper say. \u201cIt\u2019s how you follow up with those mistakes that matters.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIs there a chance we can interrogate some of the imprisoned cultists, and maybe get our friend Fillip out? Do you have connections with the city watch?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Leosin nodded and said, \u201cI think we can arrange something.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

As they walked past the large pit in the centre of the room, a voice called for Shale. She turned and saw the tall, dark-haired elf Delan standing there. \u201cMind if I speak with you a moment?\u201d She nodded to her companions and they headed out the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cDo I know you?\u201d She asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

He shook his head. \u201cI felt a\u2014connection. Something I had to share with you.\u201d He looked at her with stern eyes. \u201cThere is something moving in the world. We\u2019ve seen the cult growing, we\u2019ve seen the divide. It is times like this that we all must come together.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale nodded, though she wasn\u2019t sure she knew what he was getting at.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI\u2014don\u2019t know how to say this.\u201d He almost looked nervous as he reached to his side and unbuckled a sheath, holding it out to her. \u201cI am the caretaker of a restless sword.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale gave a confused expression.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

He drew the blade a few inches, revealing fine steel with runes along the flat side. The hilt was opal inlaid with silver markings. \u201cThe sword can sense evil in the world, and it needs blood.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cHow can it sense evil?\u201d She asked skeptically, still not moving to take it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIt is a magic sword. It has been a sacred instrument of the Emerald Enclave for a very long time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhy give it to me?\u201d Shale asked. \u201cI\u2019m a ranger from Triel. I don\u2019t know anything about your Enclave.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhen I saw you, I knew.\u201d He paused, then said more quietly, \u201csome say Gwaeron Windstrom themselves wielded it on their days upon this land.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Gwaeron. <\/em>She reached a hand out to touch it, but Delan pulled it toward him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cFirst, you must agree to join the Enclave. We need you on our side.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

She looked at the sheath with its strips of light and dark leather and the patterned designs of leaves, and she met Delan\u2019s green eyes. \u201cI will join.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

With a firm smile, the elf handed her the sword. Shale took a step back and drew the blade. It was a fine piece, a scimitar with a curve at the end of the blade. She felt a sudden warmth fill her as she gripped the hilt tighter and felt a vibration in her soul. Delan was nodding.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

She sheathed the blade and buckled it to her belt. \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYou will do well.\u201d He put a hand on her shoulder, then departed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale sighed and went out the doors, calling to Trigger. Then, she headed to the market to buy a second scimitar. She always liked to carry two blades.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

Whisper found a dark, abandoned alley behind a small tavern and nestled in amongst a pile of refuse. He took a moment to cast an alarm spell around him to warn of any passersby. Then, he reached into his pack and pulled out Azbarra\u2019s spellbook, smiling as he flipped through the thick pages. So many spells to learn. His own spellbook was nearly identical.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

He drew out his own book and laid it on top, running a claw over the symbol on the front of the book. His<\/em> book. The one he received from the Red Wizards of Thay months ago in the forest. The one that had taught him magic, the one he\u2019d carried all this way. He held it up, staring at the symbol for Necromancy. <\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

Oszaren closed his eyes in the darkness of his room and felt another presence sweep over him. A flutter of black wings in his mind, a beak pecking behind his eyelids. \u201cAm I lost?\u201d He asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYou are following the path,\u201d the Raven Queen voice broke through, deep and soft but also firm. \u201cYour pact, Oszaren. You are connected to someone, someone you\u2019ve seen before.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWho?\u201d Oszaren asked. There was no answer. \u201cIs it someone in the cult?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

A pause, then, \u201cYesss.\u201d<\/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<\/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":"

Chapter 22 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":748,"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-222","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\/Giants-Gamble-Blog-PhotosArtboard-3-copy.png","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/blog.alexisveenendaal.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/seriously-simple-podcasting\/assets\/images\/no-album-art.png","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":{"amazon":{"key":"amazon","url":"https:\/\/music.amazon.ca\/podcasts\/09c34bbc-b359-49af-a286-31830ed5634c\/short-stories","label":"Amazon","class":"amazon","icon":"amazon.png"},"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/short-stories\/id1621456328","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"google_play":{"key":"google_play","url":"https:\/\/podcasts.google.com\/feed\/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbGV4aXN2ZWVuZW5kYWFsLmNvbS9mZWVkL3BvZGNhc3Qvc2hvcnQtc3Rvcmllcw","label":"Google Play","class":"google_play","icon":"google-play.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"https:\/\/podcasts.google.com\/feed\/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbGV4aXN2ZWVuZW5kYWFsLmNvbS9mZWVkL3BvZGNhc3Qvc2hvcnQtc3Rvcmllcw","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0lcQCRs52MfYlKs35lVX4K","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"},"itunes":{"key":"itunes","url":"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/short-stories\/id1621456328","label":"iTunes","class":"itunes","icon":"itunes.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/blog.alexisveenendaal.com\/feed\/podcast\/default-podcast","embedCode":"

Wings of Chaos: Chapter 22<\/a><\/blockquote>