{"id":235,"date":"2018-10-27T11:59:00","date_gmt":"2018-10-27T11:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/141.148.246.190\/index.php\/single-post\/wings-of-chaos-chapter-5\/"},"modified":"2022-11-07T13:52:11","modified_gmt":"2022-11-07T12:52:11","slug":"wings-of-chaos-chapter-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.alexisveenendaal.com\/index.php\/2018\/10\/27\/wings-of-chaos-chapter-5\/","title":{"rendered":"Wings of Chaos: Chapter 5"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Chapter Five: Healing Fire<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Nazim took Shale by the arm and pulled her out of the entrance of the Keep. Shale gestured for the others to follow, and they did so. \u201cWe should find a private place to discuss this,\u201d Shale said, looking over the villagers as they, in many stages of shock and grief, mulled around the Keep.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Nazim nodded in agreement and they soon found themselves in the dingy room of a temporarily abandoned home. The thatched roof was pulled down in places and furniture littered the floor. The fireplace still had a few burning coals left in it, tiny curls of smoke belaying remnants of those who dwelt there only the night before. A bloody spear lay cast aside in one corner, the fate of its victim unknown.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Nazim righted a chair and took a seat, gesturing for everyone to follow suit. The young man, whom Shale now noticed was covered in dried blood and streaks of ash, leaned over the table and stared at her intently. His black eyes looked haunted. \u201cHow much did Leosin tell you about his travels?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cAlmost nothing,\u201d Shale admitted. \u201cHe was a man to himself, and I am not one to press.\u201d She seated herself across from him.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Nazim nodded, wiping his brow. He cleared his throat, then began: \u201cOriginally, we travelled from Candlekeep to Beregost, where we met you. In Candlekeep, Leosin was researching an old organization known as the dragon cult, something that has been growing in the region. He intercepted some communications from this cult and was given the notion that there may be attacks to the surrounding towns.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cYou helped your master in this research?\u201d Oszaren asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Nazim shrugged. \u201cHe was very private about the matter. What little we ascertained was only the information he was willing to part with. We followed him, obeyed his commands, but he kept much of his quest a secret.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhy Greenest?\u201d Shale asked. \u201cHow did he know the attack would happen here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cIndeed,\u201d Reverence paused, gazing around at the group with lazy eyes, \u201cI warned of this\u2014 attack. Why did your master say nothing?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cGreenest was a viable target. It\u2019s a rich town with strong resources. Nothing was certain, as far as I know,\u201d Nazim told them. He put his face in his hands. His distress seemed believable.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhere is Bram?\u201d Shale asked. Bram was Leosin\u2019s other student. The tall, pale haired boy.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Nazim looked up, lips tightening into a grimace. \u201cHe was horribly wounded in the attack last night. I stayed with him when Leosin ran off, but\u2014he died. I ran in search of my master\u2026 I didn\u2019t get far before I found his broken staff. Leosin wouldn\u2019t go anywhere without his staff.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cHow do you know your master isn\u2019t dead as well?\u201d Fillip asked, arms folded.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Nazim shook his head grimly. \u201cI found no sign of his body.\u201d He sighed, straightening. \u201cI think Leosin was planning to infiltrate the cult. Perhaps he tried to disguise himself but was found out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cCan I see that?\u201d Oszaren asked, holding a hand out for the broken staff. Nazim passed it to him, and the warlock examined it. \u201cIt looks as though it was broken by the man carrying it, as if he dealt several blows before it cracked on him.\u201d He set the staff on the table softly.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cDo you know how Leosin learned of this cult? What are his ties to it?\u201d Shale studied the boy\u2019s face, but found only grief. <\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWe are monks from a sect known as the Avowed, charged with managing the Great Library of Candlekeep. We spend our days studying, and our nights training. Leosin may have taken Bram and I with him on this journey, but he entrusted nothing to us. We are students. Amateurs. Nothing more to him.\u201d He held up his hand. \u201cDon\u2019t get me wrong, we respected him, and he was good to us. But, he did not trust us with his secrets.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cCan we trust you?\u201d Keelan asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI hope that you do,\u201d Nazim said.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cEven if we were to find him,\u201d Shale whispered, thinking aloud, \u201cwhat could we do? We don\u2019t know why he is infiltrating this group. We don\u2019t know what he has against them. Or, for them. Leosin could have any number of reasons for doing what he has, and not all of them are well intentioned.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cYou\u2019re right of course,\u201d the young man sighed, pulling something from one of his pockets and holding it out for them to see, \u201cexcept that I found this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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It was a silver pendant, molded in the shape of a harp and looped through with a strip of black fabric. The fabric was torn as though it had been ripped off.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cLeosin wore this always. I found it on the ground not far from his staff.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cHarpers,\u201d Whisper said matter-of-factly.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d they all turned to the tabaxi.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cYour friend is right,\u201d Nazim said, tucking the pendant away. \u201cIt\u2019s a symbol for the Harpers, a secretive group that aims to keep power in the right hands.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThat\u2019s extremely vague,\u201d Oszaren said with a humourless chuckle. \u201cWho decides who the right people to keep in power are?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Nazim shrugged. \u201cI know very little of the group myself. I didn\u2019t even know Leosin was in it until I found this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI thought you said he wore it around his neck.\u201d Shale pointed out.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cYes, but I never saw the pendant.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cSo, what do you expect from us?\u201d She asked, throwing up her hands. Secret groups, warrior monks, dark cults… <\/em>This was getting out of hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI don\u2019t know, exactly,\u201d he said uncertainly, and Shale was reminded that the boy was hardly more than a teenager. \u201cI just feel that it is my duty to make sure he\u2019s okay.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cAre you wanting to come with us?\u201d Fillip asked the boy. \u201cWe already have plans to follow this supposed cult. Were you hoping to tag along?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Nazim shook his head a bit too fervently. \u201cNo, no, I\u2019m not much of a fighter yet. I thought of going to Berdusk, see if I can get help from the Avowed there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale nodded and stood, and Nazim did the same, taking her hand and grasping it firmly as she turned to leave. \u201cPlease, see if you can find my master. I know he was part of something much larger than you or I, and I have a feeling he must succeed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWe will do our best,\u201d Shale promised, giving him a small smile. \u201cWhere would you like us to send word, should we have any?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI hope to be in Berdusk for a while. If you send word and I am not there, the Avowed will know where to send it. Thank you, Shale. Thanks to all of you.\u201d He nodded at them all in turn, then made for the door. \u201cI must go now and make arrangements for\u2014for Bram\u2019s body.\u201d He exited the small hut, leaving the rest in silence.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThis sucks,\u201d Fillip pointed out, then added, \u201cbut, at least we\u2019re getting paid.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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The group left the home and watched the villagers bustle through town as they discussed their next course of action. Whisper began digging a hole ferociously in the front lawn. \u201cWhisper, what are you doing?\u201d Oszaren asked wearily.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cDig,\u201d the tabaxi said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cYes, I know you\u2019re digging,\u201d Oszaren rubbed his eyes, \u201cbut the question is why.\u201d Shale couldn\u2019t believe the gods had brought her here, with these people.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Whisper continued to pull up large scoops of dirt, ignoring the warlock. Oszaren shrugged and turned to the rest of them. \u201cIf we\u2019re going to follow this cult, we should leave as soon as we can. They already have a half-day’s head start on us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThey will be\u2014moving slower with their numbers.\u201d Reverence said.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThe monk is right,\u201d Shale said, \u201cthey will be easy to track, too. Our challenge is to either stay well-hidden or find a way to blend in and join the group before they reach their destination. Though, I will most likely be recognized as the person who fought their champion in the ring. I\u2019m not sure how I\u2019ll hide my face.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI have a disguise kit,\u201d Fillip offered, \u201cso we could try to mask your appearance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhy don\u2019t we just grab a straggler from the back of their group, interrogate them, and find out where the cult originates?\u201d Keelan posed.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cAn army like that will have made its base somewhere,\u201d Oszaren said. \u201cWe should follow them and evaluate their stronghold.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cKnow your enemy,\u201d Reverence said, nodding in agreement with Oszaren\u2019s plan.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWe need a map of the area. Does anyone have one?\u201d They all shook their heads. \u201cI will go back to the Keep and see if they have a map of the lands.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cLet\u2019s split up,\u201d Shale offered. \u201cI will go back to the inn and gather the rest of our possessions. Oszaren will go find a map.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2014will look for\u2014more food rations for the journey,\u201d Reverence said with a bored expression, then turned on his heel and left. Whisper bounded after the orange tiefling.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Fillip and Keelan went with Shale to the inn to collect their things. The bottom floor of the inn had been torn through, but luckily their bags had been securely locked away and untouched. Fillip managed to stuff a few bottles of wine into his pack with a wide grin and a shrug. Shale had to admit that a drink wouldn\u2019t be the worst thing in Faer\u00fbn after the fight she\u2019d been through.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale quickly pulled off her sweat-stained shirt in her room and exchanged it for a clean one. The old shirt had a massive gash in it that she had tied together, but there was no use trying to repair it. She cast it aside and rearranged her pack, then tied back her long cords of lavender hair into a thick braid. She rejoined her companions at the entrance of the inn, and the rest returned soon after, Oszaren holding a rolled-up sheet of parchment.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThe dragon flew toward the Sunset Mountains,\u201d the warlock told them, unfurling the map and pointing eastward at the jagged line of a mountain range. \u201cThe army marched here,\u201d he dragged his finger along the inky lines.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cLet us\u2014not delay,\u201d Reverence said, and Shale turned to Keelan.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cDo you have a prayer for us?\u201d She had said her own and realized it may be good for the others to hear one.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cYes, hm,\u201d Keelan grunted, raising both hands, \u201cdivine Kossuth! Bestow your healing fire! Bless us in our journey, and breathe your holy flames upon us!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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They all nodded, seemingly assured, and Shale took up the front of the troupe as they found the wide trail of trampled earth. \u201cThe army is travelling in the same direction they came, but their steps show deeper tracks. Heavy laden with the treasure they\u2019ve stolen,\u201d Shale announced after a moment of examining the path.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThat means they are returning to their base,\u201d Oszaren said. \u201cThey\u2019re done attacking.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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For now, <\/em>Shale thought, but what if there\u2019s more of them? What if other towns are being ransacked as we speak? What if the dragon returns to wreak havoc on more of the land?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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Whisper and Oszaren began arguing in draconic, and Shale knew it was time to leave. She pulled her hood up against the growing breeze and, as the half-elf and tabaxi continued their untranslated discussion, the group journeyed southward. Into the maw of the beast, as it were.<\/span><\/p>\n

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They walked for several hours in the cool autumn afternoon over grassy green hills, passing the occasional patch of trees whose leaves had begun to change. Eventually they reached rockier terrain. Browning scrub brush dotted the grey and yellow landscape, fighting to survive between the cracks of dried earth and scattered refuse of long retreated ice. Shale was familiar with this terrain.<\/span><\/p>\n

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I wonder what Kelek would think of me now, wandering through Faer\u00fbn, fighting dragons, and trailing around with this strange group of nomads and misfits. He\u2019d probably say I\u2019d lost it. Well, he wouldn\u2019t be far from the truth\u2026<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cHold up,\u201d Shale said, holding her arms in front of the group as they took their first few steps into a wide canyon. The walls of rock rose at a steep incline on both sides. The edges were not so shear as to not see the top, and Shale thought she caught a glimpse of some movement.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cNow!\u201d A voice shouted from above, and a split second later a huge rumbling crash echoed through the canyon as four massive boulders came rolling down the walls toward the party. Everyone dove out of the way, a spray of jagged rocks flying in all directions and cutting a gash across Shale\u2019s arm as she covered her face from the debris. Oszaren was not so lucky, and a larger chunk of boulder struck his leg with a resounding crack. He cried out in pain and dragged himself back.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale drew her longbow as she took a few steps back, looking to both sides to count their enemies. There was movement, but large shards of stone stood between her aim and her quarry. An arrow whizzed through the air and grazed her thigh, shooting past her and skittering across the stone. Beside her, Whisper cast a magical shield of armour across his glowing body and sprung up the steep hill. Keelan stepped up and shouted, \u201cHold on a moment! Who are you? What are your intentions?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI think their intentions are to kill us,\u201d Fillip whispered helpfully, sling in hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

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A woman stepped closer to the edge and looked down at them. \u201cI could say the same for you! Why are you following us?\u201d She was clothed in black armour and a long, black cape.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWe\u2019re not following you,\u201d Keelan shouted back.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The woman hesitated for a moment, eyeing her companions, some of whom had stepped up to the edges and were looking down with arrows pointed. \u201cLay aside your weapons and your belongings.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Keelan looked around at them and shrugged. \u201cI don\u2019t think my party will agree to that.\u201d He paused. \u201cI have to tell you, you won\u2019t win a fight against us. We\u2019ve all defeated people greater than you, without breaking a sweat. How about you and your friends leave us be, and you survive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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The woman\u2019s laugh echoed audibly. \u201cWe will see,\u201d she said, then motioned to her followers and ran back to cover, whispering to a man dressed in identical black armour.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cSuit yourself,\u201d Keelan growled, drawing the javelin from his back and hoisting it up, waiting for a clear target.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cAttack them!\u201d the woman screamed a moment later, and the battle ensued, arrows and spells streaking through the air like a deadly meteor shower.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Reverence bounded up the steep edges with incredible light-footed speed, Oszaren shot blasts of green energy, hitting the man in the black armour, and Shale raised her longbow, striking the woman in a crack of armour at her breastplate. Fillip ran next to Shale and shot his sling at the woman as she cast a javelin at the druid. He dodged, and the tip of the javelin clipped his side. Just as Shale turned to see if Fillip was hurt, a small bolt struck near her foot. She spun and drew another arrow, spotting a Dwarf leaning over the edge and cursing, having just loosed a shot at her. Reverence had reached the top of the hill and was passing blows against two armed opponents. One of the men cast a spell on his ally. This can\u2019t be good, <\/em>Shale thought, looking around at the walls to check for purchase. Could she climb as well as a tabaxi, or a monk for that matter? She loosed another arrow, this one narrowly missing the cursing Dwarf as he just managed to duck out of the way. \u201cWe need to find cover!\u201d She shouted to no one in particular. They were toads in a puddle if they stayed at the bottom of the canyon for much longer, picked off one by one. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Whisper appeared on the top of the hill and was casting a spell. Moments later, two of the men collapsed, unconscious. Keelan scrabbled up the plateau in his heavy armour, using his javelin to steady himself as he climbed. He drew out his warhammer as he reached the top and, with a mighty howl, sent the hammer crashing down against the stone, pushing a fiery white light through the ground and sending rocks flying in all directions.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Fillip began clambering up the other side of the plateau just as Reverence took a running jump and soared ten feet through the air, landing on the other side of the canyon without skipping a beat, then bashing his fist into the chest of an armoured man, who, taken unawares by this incredible leap, stumbled back and dropped his throwing hammer. When Fillip reached the top, he shot a stone straight into the Dwarf\u2019s eye, dropping him on the spot.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale continued to shoot arrows whenever she saw an enemy appear. If I stop shooting and start climbing, they won\u2019t have any more distractions. They\u2019ll cut me down before I get two feet off the ground.<\/em> She turned just as the woman charged at Fillip with scimitar drawn. He gave her a smoldering look and said, \u201cwell, hello\u2014\u201d she swung at him and he dodged the first strike. The second hit him in the temple with the pommel of her sword and sent him sprawled and unmoving. Shale ran and started pulling herself up the rocky edge, swearing all the while. A javelin passed by her ear and two throwing hammers smashed into the stone next to her in two consecutive seconds, nearly crushing all the bones in her hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shale reached Fillip\u2019s body quickly, and looked around for the woman, but she had ducked for cover from some green blasts of energy sent by Oszaren, who had crawled up the edge just behind Shale and was still limping from where the boulder had struck his leg. The warlock drew his blade and charged the woman, and Shale took the opportunity to bend down and reached into her pocket, pulling out a handful of goodberries. She wrenched Fillip\u2019s jaw open and stuffed them in, uncorking her waterskin and forcing both water and berries down his throat. He awoke moments later, coughing and spluttering and looking somewhat abashed. \u201cYou\u2019re welcome,\u201d Shale breathed, helping him stand. He gave her a quick nod, then catching the woman in his gaze, drew out his scimitar and, while she was fighting off Oszaren\u2019s blade, sliced metal through flesh and relieved her head from her body. The head went soaring through the air with an arc of blood, and the body dropped heavily to the stone only seconds later, arms twitching. Fillip picked up the headless woman\u2019s scimitar, weighing it against his own bloodied one, then nodded to himself and sheathed the finer blade. Then, he walked over to where the woman\u2019s head had landed and, taking it by the long black hair, shoved it into a bag and tossed it over his shoulder, grinning at her.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cGross,\u201d Shale said to him and looked around for the rest of her companions.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Reverence was chasing down a fleeing man, shooting darts at him as he ran. Across the chasm, Whisper had clawed the face off a man and was now fighting another with a dagger. Keelan was bashing against the armour of a man\u2019s breastplate with his warhammer, sparks of white light bursting forth. Keelan\u2019s man fell, and Whisper thrust a dagger into his opponent\u2019s stomach, wrenching the blade across exposed flesh and spilling guts and gore over the plated stone.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cKeep one of them alive!\u201d Fillip yelled across to them just as Keelan thrust a javelin into the turned back of a Dwarven woman who was attempting to flee. Oszaren made his way down the steep edges and started climbing up the other side. Shale and Fillip followed, and they saw Reverence again sail over their heads and land with a shoulder roll on the other side. There was one man left, facing off against the group. As Oszaren crested the hill, he shot an eldritch blast at the man, whose armour absorbed the spell. Keelan crashed into him with his warhammer, and as the man stumbled back, Whisper shot a bolt of fire at the man\u2019s chest. The breastplate split open and the man fell back, dead.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Fillip transformed suddenly into the shaggy form of a wolf and howled into the air, then crouched over and began licking himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cOh, really?\u201d Shale said, shaking her head in disgust. The wolf looked up at her, head tilted curiously, then returned to his licking. \u201cThat\u2019s just inappropriate, even for a druid.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cHere, this one is only asleep,\u201d Oszaren said, moving up to an unconscious but peaceful looking form. \u201cWhisper cast a sleep spell.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Whisper nodded happily and bounded up to the warlock\u2019s side. Oszaren took out a length of rope and bound the man\u2019s arms and legs. Keelan and Reverence began sorting through the enemy\u2019s belongings. \u201cThey have\u2014very few rations,\u201d Reverence told them.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThe army\u2019s not far off, then,\u201d Shale said. Keelan was inspecting some strange pieces with symbols Shale didn\u2019t recognize. He handed them off to Whisper, who pocketed them.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Whisper began waving his hands through the air, and large piles of dirt started pulling from the ground to create a massive hole. \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d Oszaren asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cGrave,\u201d Whisper said with satisfaction.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThat\u2019s a good idea,\u201d Shale agreed. \u201cHide the evidence in case scouts come back this way. It should buy us some time, anyways.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Soon they had dragged the bodies across the canyon and into the massive grave. All except the woman\u2019s head, which dripped blood from the bag next to Fillip\u2019s curled up wolf form. They took the black cloaks and armour for themselves. Once their work was done, Oszaren stepped up and shook their sleeping captor awake. The man opened his eyes with a sharp intake of breath, staring around at the scene of a freshly covered grave and an assortment of six people with weapons raised in his face. \u201cGood morning,\u201d Oszaren said pleasantly, pressing his blade into the man\u2019s throat. \u201cDon\u2019t scream. My friends and I have some questions for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cYou\u2019ll learn nothing from me,\u201d he spat back.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Whisper punched the man in the jaw with a large, curled paw. The man grunted as droplets of blood appeared from his newly split lip. He spat again.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cSpeak,\u201d Oszaren barked, blade still by the man\u2019s throat.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Still, no response. Whisper raked his claws slowly along the man\u2019s face, leaving four bloody marks from temple to opposite ear. The man cried out in pain as flesh tore and more streaks of blood dribbled into his eyes and mouth.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWe made short work of your people,\u201d Oszaren whispered. \u201cTalk, or you\u2019ll be five feet under with the rest of them.\u201d Whisper began licking the blood from his claws.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019ll take the five feet under,\u201d the man said without skipping a beat.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhat do you think you\u2019re dying for, here?\u201d the warlock asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI serve her until the day I die.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cHer?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cTiamat,\u201d Whisper said slowly, putting a paw to the man\u2019s nose. Shale had heard the name before, in her near-death dream. A burst of fire shot from his paw and clung to the man\u2019s face. He screamed in agony, his cries turning to an inhuman pitch of raw horror as skin bubbled and burned. The sickening smell of burning flesh filled the air and Shale gagged, turning her face away and barely keeping herself from being sick. When she looked back, the flesh on his face had melted away and patches of bone and muscle were visible. His lips were nearly gone, and his eyelids had been burned away. He was shuddering and convulsing, but still alive.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Oszaren had stepped back from the heat of the firebolt, but Whisper still stood over the man, watching the horrific scene unfold with malice in those slitted cat eyes. Shale took the spear from her back and, before Oszaren could block it, drove the point into the man\u2019s temple, killing him instantly. With a grimace, she pulled it back out and turned away, wiping the back of her shaking hand against her lips.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhy did you do that?\u201d Oszaren growled in anger.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Tears in her eyes, Shale shook her head. \u201cHe wasn\u2019t going to tell us anything.\u201d She still looked away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t know that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale looked around at all of them. Keelan seemed fascinated by the burns, but Reverence looked stern and Fillip\u2019s wolf tail was hanging. \u201cAre we the sort of people who torture?\u201d She demanded. \u201cAre you? I know nothing about you people!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Oszaren had the decency to let his eyes drop.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cTortured people\u2014will tell you whatever you want to hear,\u201d Reverence said with a slow sigh. \u201cIt is not effective. At least, not like this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Without another word, Shale walked away and started clambering down the plateau, the sight of melting flesh haunting her blurred vision. When she reached the bottom, she could no longer hold the contents of her stomach.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

A minute later, she felt Keelan\u2019s hand on her shoulder and he drew her back to the path.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

Fillip led the way with his wolf nose, occasionally bounding away to scout ahead. The day soon passed in silence, the sun melting away on the horizon with streaks of oranges and pinks, interspersed with a spattering of soft clouds. There were very few birds passing overhead as the colours faded to black and the chill of night set in.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

After a while, Fillip transformed back into his half-elf visage and trotted back to them, \u201cThere are voices up ahead, and a couple of makeshift guard towers. It looks like they lead into an army base, but I can\u2019t see much else. The towers are flanking a massive ravine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cLet\u2019s make camp off the road,\u201d Oszaren suggested.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cNo fire,\u201d Reverence added, and they all agreed, Keelan looking disappointed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The group made camp a fair distance from the path in a patch of sparse trees, keeping quiet and hearing the occasional sound of drifting voices as groups from the nearby army walked by. Reverence passed out morsels of cold food to everyone except Whisper, who caught a lizard as it skittered by and began eating it raw, pulling apart the stringy bits of flesh with his sharp canines.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Everyone but Shale and Whisper went to sleep. They took first watch and sat in silence for a long while, Shale reflecting on what she knew about this group. She had met Whisper in the woods, and he seemed friendly enough, but what did she really know about the tabaxi wizard? What was he hiding behind his sparse knowledge of the common language?<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhisper,\u201d Shale said eventually, gazing through the edge of the trees and out at the stars and the rocky plains.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The tabaxi looked over at her curiously. \u201cYes. Shale.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhere are you from?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cTrees. Big trees. That way,\u201d he pointed his paw.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThe Sharptooth Forest?\u201d She asked, and he nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cRaised by wolves.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWolves?\u201d She said disbelievingly, then mulled it over in her head for a while. Yes, that made sense. Perhaps he was insane. \u201cSo, that\u2019s why you like to bark?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

He nodded, ears twitching.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cHow did you learn magic, if you were raised by wolves and lived in a forest your entire life?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThese,\u201d Whisper said and showed two books inside his cloak, where they were buttoned in. They were spell books, written in languages Shale didn\u2019t know.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cBut, how did you know how to read them?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Whisper shrugged, looking at the book covers with a feline smile. \u201cKnow,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale sighed and shook her head. \u201cI don\u2019t get it,\u201d she said, then looked the tabaxi over once more. \u201cCome on, let\u2019s wake the next two. I could use a rest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

With that, she found Fillip and Reverence, shaking them gently awake to take the next watch.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

With the morning brought discussions on how they could approach the army.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe could use the black armour and cloaks we stole from the cultists,\u201d Oszaren said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThe people walking past were wearing ordinary clothes,\u201d Fillip told them. \u201cThose cloaks might draw more attention than we want.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat\u2014do we want to do\u2014if we get into the camp?\u201d Reverence asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a good point,\u201d Shale agreed. \u201cWhat are we hoping to achieve here? The governor of Greenest wanted us to observe and report back. Not engage directly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Oszaren nodded and took out his map. \u201cI say we do just that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Reverence agreed immediately. \u201cLet\u2019s\u2014not draw\u2014unneeded attention to ourselves.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat about this Leosin fellow?\u201d Keelan asked Shale, and she grimaced.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure about him. Perhaps if we keep an eye on the camp for a few days, we might be able to spo\u2014 hold on, where\u2019s Whisper?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The tabaxi had slunk off. Everyone looked around and Fillip pointed at the tracks leading away from their camp. \u201cHe\u2019s headed to the front gate.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cGreat,\u201d Oszaren cursed, \u201che\u2019s going to get caught.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cHe\u2019s going to be recognized,\u201d Shale added.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cHe\u2019s going to get us all killed,\u201d Keelan finished.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cCome on then,\u201d Fillip said. \u201cLet\u2019s go watch what happens.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

Reverence and Shale crept up to the guard\u2019s tower and found adequate places to hide and listen in. The towers were manned by kobolds and human soldiers, and the discussions were, thankfully, mostly in the common tongue. Oszaren, Keelan and Fillip had climbed around the encampment, which was surrounded on all sides by sheer cliffs, with the intention of keeping an eye on Whisper and observing the guard postings and tent placements. Oszaren assured Shale that they would also look out for Leosin, since he had travelled with her and the monk and would recognize him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale leaned her back against a large stone and closed her eyes, listening, while Reverence curled in his legs and forked tail and began to meditate.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

Two hours later, Keelan returned, looking perturbed. He caught their attention, and Reverence and Shale snuck around until everyone was out of view before daring to speak.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat did you find out?\u201d Shale asked. \u201cDid you see Leosin?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Keelan nodded slowly. He looked stricken.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat is wrong?\u201d Reverence asked in annoyance.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

He took a deep breath, eyeing each of them in turn. \u201cThe tabaxi has been arrested,\u201d Keelan whispered.<\/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<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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

Chapter 5 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":670,"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-235","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wings-of-chaos-dungeons-and-dragons-series","tag-campaign","tag-cult-of-the-dragon","tag-dnd","tag-dungeons-and-dragons","tag-fantasy","tag-hoard-of-the-dragon-queen","tag-series","tag-wings-of-chaos","tag-wizards-of-the-coast"],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/blog.alexisveenendaal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Giant_s-Gamble-Blog-PhotosArtboard-1-copy-3.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 5<\/a><\/blockquote>