{"id":237,"date":"2018-11-10T11:59:00","date_gmt":"2018-11-10T11:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/141.148.246.190\/index.php\/single-post\/wings-of-chaos-chapter-8\/"},"modified":"2022-12-02T11:08:07","modified_gmt":"2022-12-02T10:08:07","slug":"wings-of-chaos-chapter-8","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.alexisveenendaal.com\/index.php\/2018\/11\/10\/wings-of-chaos-chapter-8\/","title":{"rendered":"Wings of Chaos: Chapter 8"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Chapter Eight: A Shifting Balance<\/span><\/h3>\n
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A shock of lightning streaked across the dark and cloudy sky, crackling into a heavy roll of thunder. Whisper knocked lightly on the door of the Keep and waited. A smattering of cold rain pattered against the sides of the Keep.<\/span><\/p>\n

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He knocked a second time, loudly and with a closed fist. After a moment, there was shuffling behind the door and the scraping of wood against metal as the entrance was unbarred. One side of the large door creaked open, and a grizzled man with droopy eyes and a bandaged face peered out into the darkness, a candle in hand. It was the governor of Greenest. \u201cW-what is it?\u201d he grumbled, eyeing Whisper with tired eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cFound news on cult,\u201d Whisper said in common, ears flicking as rain dribbled from the roof onto his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cYou\u2019re back?\u201d The governor said in surprise.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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\u201cOkay, come in,\u201d he opened the door. \u201cWhere is everyone else?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cMuch\u2014to talk about,\u201d Whisper said quietly. \u201cClose door.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cVery well.\u201d Governor Tarbaw ushered the tabaxi inside and set the candle down on a table, barring the door behind him. The man looked to have not slept or changed his clothes in days, and he moved with slow, deliberate movements that seemed to pain him.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The floor of the Keep was littered with refuse: broken spears, abandoned crates empty of food and tattered blankets and straw mattresses, all abandoned by the townspeople who had hunkered down in the Keep during the attack. \u201cWhat happen here?\u201d Whisper asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cAh, the townspeople have mostly returned to their homes now. This is what\u2019s been left behind. There are some whose homes were destroyed, and they\u2019re staying above, but for the most part, Greenest is trying its best to return to what\u2019s normal.\u201d Tarbaw rubbed his eyes with thumb and forefinger, sighing. \u201cIt will take some time to reclaim livelihoods. Much was stolen from us in the attack.\u201d Whisper nodded, and the governor gestured to the stairs. \u201cPlease, come to my office. We can talk there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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They ascended the stairs quietly and pushed into the office. Tarbaw shuffled slowly to his desk and gingerly sat, folding his long fingers before him. Whisper took the empty chair opposite him, perching on the edge of it anxiously.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cTell me, where did your friends go?\u201d the governor asked finally. \u201cWhat did you find?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI find cult,\u201d Whisper said. \u201cI know what doing and where going.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThe cult?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Whisper nodded and took out a small wooden object painted with the emblem of Tiamat: five coloured dragon\u2019s claws in an eternal circle. He had stolen the object from one of their clerics.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cCult of Dragon.\u201d Tarbaw took the emblem and inspected it, then handed it back a moment later.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cDragons, you say? We did not fair well last time,\u201d he paused, rubbing his temples. \u201cWill they attack again?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cNo, not here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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\u201cI need protection.\u201d Whisper said quickly, dragging the conversation in a new direction.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cFrom the cult? I\u2019m not sure what we can\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cCompanions. Try and kill me.\u201d He pointed to the scar where fur had now closed up the wound.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cYour companions did this to you?\u201d Tarbaw straightened. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Whisper threw up his paws and cast a small illusion over the man\u2019s desk. A tiny re-creation of the army camp came into view, with the orange tiefling carrying Leosin and running. The tiefling turned and threw a dart into Whisper\u2019s eye. The scene faded in blood, and another scene grew up from the pool showing Reverence hitting Leosin in the forehead with an open palm and knocking him unconscious. The image faded, and Tarbaw scratched his chin thoughtfully.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThese images you show are troubling.\u201d He sighed heavily. \u201cI had a trust for this tiefling. I met him even before the battle\u2026 Do you know where they are now?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cNo. Take other prisoner and run. Try kill me. Need protection.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cOf course, you are a friend of Greenest. Perhaps it would be best for you to stay the night here, and in the morning, we can discuss your situation further.\u201d Exhaustion seeped into the man\u2019s expression, and he stood with a wide yawn. \u201cI do apologize, but the hour is late.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cOkay. Need find other prisoner. Leosin.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI don\u2019t know this Leosin,\u201d the governor said, \u201cbut if he is a prisoner of the cult, then\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cHe spy. Knows much,\u201d Whisper interrupted. \u201cHe help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Tarbaw nodded firmly. \u201cVery well. We can ask around for him in the morning. Is there anything else I can help you with? You\u2019re welcome to stay in the armoury.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cNeed charcoal. Incense. Herbs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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The human gave him a curious look. \u201cWell, you can find charcoal just about anywhere. As for the rest, you may look about the town tomorrow and see what the shopkeepers have, but as I said, much was stolen from Greenest. And, if you\u2019re truly worried about your companions, you may not want to leave here until we have this conflict sorted out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Whisper nodded, and Tarbaw walked around to open the door for him. The tabaxi crept down the stairs of the Keep and found a cot in the corner of the armoury. He sat on it with his back to the wall and pulled out a book, trying to decipher the words on the page. He stared at it for a long time, his single eye shifting in and out of focus as depth was redefined. Soon the words blurred, then refocused, and the language became clear to him. He recited a few lines of the ancient script and held out a flat paw, then waved his other hand over it, forming a large ball of yarn. He set it aside with a satisfied smile and pulled out the parchment where he had copied Reverence\u2019s journal and tried to decipher the code. He stared at it for a long while, but this was not written in any language he could interpret.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Reverence kept watch inside the inn, sitting on a table with legs folded under him. The companions all slept on the floor in piles of warm blankets, the tables pushed to the corners of the room and the fireplace crackling in the hearth. Old dishes and spilled ale were reminders of the lively nights spent in the place.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The town of Greenest was quiet, a steady rainfall pattering against the houses, and soon Fillip, naked as the day he was born, woke to relieve him of watch. Reverence raised an eyebrow but said nothing, finding a place to sleep amongst his companions.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Fillip ascended the stairs found a spot by the second-floor window. As the hours drifted by, the rain tapered off and the storm clouds cleared, and soon the light of the full moon peeked from amongst the stars. Fillip watched the light, bathed in it, and felt strength in his veins. He stood in his human form and bayed at the moon. The druid felt a newfound but expected power as the wolf inside him grew to a howl.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Downstairs, Oszaren woke from the howling and muttered, \u201cdamn these shape shifters,\u201d before pulling a blanket over his head and to try and fall back to sleep. Keelan, however, woke and rolled over, but sleep eluded him. Visions of the past few days drifted through his mind: the village burning, the murders, Whisper\u2019s attack and betrayal. So many hours of the day spent in trial. I must stop these things from happening again. It is my duty to rid this world of injustice.<\/em> As he thought the words, a warmth filled his chest like the burning fire of Kossuth, and he felt sleep overcome him finally.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Oszaren could not sleep, so he drew off his blanket and padded up the stairs, sending Fillip to get some sleep. Fillip rejoined the room downstairs, walked in a circle, and curled up to sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Oszaren found a chair and dragged it to the window, looking out upon the sleepy town. The warlock stretched and sat. He guessed it to be an hour to dawn and scratched lazily at the window sill before his eyes grew heavy and he drifted off in the quiet.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Suddenly, he found himself in a dark forest, trees spanning around him for miles. The smells of the forest were unfamiliar, and the vegetation strange. A few stars twinkled through the top branches of the trees, and he heard a rustle and the flap of wings as, with a woosh, a black shape plummeted, then soared up past him and perched on a branch. He heard the caw of a raven, followed by another and another until thousands of ravens began cawing around him. The sound grew to a climax. Then, they all took flight at once, swirling in a circle before him. In the middle of rushing wings, a form appeared. It was a face out of darkness, of wings and wind. A woman\u2019s voice boomed out in the space around him.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI told you to be patient. You have been so.\u201d It breathed, and the cawing continued but the sound was stifled and distant. \u201cI can see you have great potential. You\u2019re not ready to face the tasks that I will set before you. Not yet, but soon<\/em>. Keep following the tenants that I lay out for you, and your reward will be great.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhat are your tenants?\u201d he asked quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The ravens flapped and cawed and flew away, and the overwhelming smell of rotting flesh consumed him. A deer carcass lay on the ground, ravens pecking at its loose flesh. \u201cHold no pity for those who must die, for death is the natural order of things.\u201d The voice sighed deeply, and the sound was consuming. \u201cYou will learn more as you grow, and in time you will discover your true purpose as my chosen warrior.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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The dream faded and Oszaren jolted awake. He stood abruptly and looked to his side to see his sword was no longer in its scabbard. With a deep breath, he closed his eyes and concentrated and felt something that wasn\u2019t there before. A new power inside himself. As he reached out to touch that force, he extended his hand out and his great sword appeared from it in a sudden flash of gleaming silver. He drew up the long blade and examined the jade hilt. It had two roses inlaid in twisting vines upon the cross guard. Runes faintly glowed on both sides of the blade, but he could not discern their meaning. He concentrated again, and the sword disappeared.<\/span><\/p>\n

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He drew out his notebook and scribbled a note for himself: \u201ccheck inscription.\u201d Troubled, he returned to his watch.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Rays of sunlight stretched out above the horizon and birds began their morning songs in the warmth of the new day. Shale woke suddenly, sitting up and looking around. Everyone else was fast asleep. She felt claustrophobic in the warm room and pushed the blankets off her, standing up and creeping around her sleeping companions. She felt impatient as though the world was calling her to step out. There was a shift\u2014a balance had been tilted.<\/span><\/p>\n

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She donned her cloak and pushed through the doorway into the morning light and felt herself being drawn to the town\u2019s edge. She breathed deeply of the fresh, crisp air and a smile touched her lips as she spotted something. She stooped down and studied a fresh print in the dirt. It was the familiar shape of a paw with a star set in the middle of it. She had seen this mark before, many times.<\/span><\/p>\n

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She looked up and saw a cloaked figure standing before her. They drew back their hood to reveal a shaved head and fine features. \u201cHello, Shale. It\u2019s been a while.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cIt\u2019s good to see you,\u201d she said with a smile, standing.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cYou\u2019ve come a long way, I see,\u201d they said.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI-I\u2019d like to think so,\u201d Shale faltered. \u201cIn some ways. Though, in others, I fear I\u2019m lacking.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cYou\u2019ve done good things, and you\u2019ve helped protect what\u2019s important.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI try,\u201d she breathed slowly, looking down.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cAnd you will continually try and succeed. Fail sometimes, perhaps, but mostly succeed. You have felt a change coming?\u201d She nodded. \u201cBut, alas, I\u2019m here because I have someone who wants to see you again.\u201d They gave her a kind smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cTrigger?\u201d Shale asked, and the figure faded and disappeared just as a small creature came bounding out of the grass toward her. \u201cTrigger!\u201d Shale cried, squatting down and holding out both arms.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The fox jumped up into her arms and began licking her face affectionately. She wrapped her arms around the squirming animal. \u201cI missed you!\u201d she laughed, letting him down as she stood. \u201cCome! Meet my friends!\u201d She turned back and saw the pawprint had disappeared.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The fox yipped at her and jumped around her legs as she led him back to the inn, throwing open the door and letting Trigger run amongst the sleeping forms of her companions, barking excitedly. They all woke, grumbling and confused as the fox jumped around and over their bedrolls. \u201cTrigger is back!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhat\u2019s happening?\u201d Fillip asked groggily, rubbing his eyes as Trigger bounded toward him and started licking his face.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cNo, no, Trigger! Not that one. He\u2019s naked. Very inappropriate, Fillip. Honestly,\u201d Shale sighed, and Trigger ran back to her feet where she scratched him behind the ear. \u201cWhere\u2019s Reverence?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Reverence stood atop a hill on the edge of town, breathing in the morning air and practicing his forms. They were slow and deliberate exercises meant to stretch the muscles and strengthen the mind. He stood with his shirt off and sweat beaded his brow as the motions became more and more complex. Soon, sweat drenched his entire body as he became one with the earth and air.<\/span><\/p>\n

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All the tension in his body eased away and he suddenly stopped, feeling the wind pass over him. He stretched out a hand and pulled his limbs into the movement of the wind, grasping at it and pushing it away from himself. It released from his hands in a burst of air and he fell back into a familiar stance.<\/span><\/p>\n

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He had never been able to manipulate the wind before, but now\u2026it felt natural<\/em>. It was a part of him. He raised his hands and twisted the air around him, then punched a fist into the ground, the wind pushing him back. His heart raced as he stood, feeling awash in a newfound power.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Reverence stepped through the door of the inn, slipping into his shirt. \u201cAh\u2014good morning\u2014everyone.\u201d He tilted his horns and stared at the fox, who yipped and began smelling him curiously.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cEgh, Reverence, you stink,\u201d Oszaren said, covering his nose. \u201cWhat were you doing?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cMonk stuff,\u201d the tiefling said with a flash of sharp teeth.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Oszaren waved his hand through the air and suddenly Reverence\u2019s skin and clothes glowed and smelled faintly of lavender. \u201cThere, that\u2019s better,\u201d the warlock nodded approvingly. He had cleaned Reverence from head to toe. Trigger seemed especially happy about this, and no longer felt the need to snuffle around the tiefling.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhat should we do now?\u201d Shale asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI want my gold,\u201d Fillip said, standing up from the bedrolls.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cPut some pants on, first,\u201d Oszaren said, throwing them in his face. Fillip grabbed them, glared at everyone, then began pulling on his trousers.<\/span><\/p>\n

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They cleaned up their belongings and left for the Keep. As they walked, Fillip joined Shale and Trigger, who bounded through the grass chasing bugs, and asked, \u201chow long have you had the fox?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cA couple years, since he was a pup. I sent him away while I was travelling through the towns. He prefers the forests, and it\u2019s safer for him there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cHow did he find you?\u201d Keelan asked, stepping up between them.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cHe\u2019s quite clever,\u201d Shale smiled, and Trigger wagged his tail at her and gave her a doggish grin.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Reverence knocked on the Keep door and they waited as they heard footsteps approaching from inside, then bolts being unlocked. A bar was lifted from the door and a man appeared from it garbed in full leather armour and helmet. \u201cUh, yes?\u201d he asked in a gruff voice, eyeing each of them in turn. \u201cWhat can I do for\u2014oh, yes! It\u2019s you. We\u2014uh\u2014we weren\u2019t expecting you to come back.\u201d He looked around awkwardly.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d Shale asked, disconcerted. \u201cWe\u2019ve come with news.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cDid you send us on a suicide mission?\u201d Fillip crossed his arms.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cN-no! Of course not,\u201d the man said, opening the door further.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhat do you mean you didn\u2019t expect us to come back, then? What sort of greeting is that for your town heroes?\u201d The druid stepped forward with a scolding finger. \u201cI demand to see your governor, now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cW-well, uh, you see\u2014I was told to\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cIt\u2019s alright, it\u2019s alright,\u201d Shale raised a hand to calm the flustered man, \u201cbut we need to see the governor. It\u2019s important.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2014suppose so\u2026\u201d he trailed off.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cTell him it\u2019s\u2014urgent,\u201d Reverence said slowly. The man stared for a second, and Reverence raised his eyebrows pointedly.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhat were you told?\u201d Fillip cut in.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWell, one of your companions came back in the night and told us\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhisper,\u201d Shale said, and the man nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cListen, we have the information your governor wanted,\u201d Oszaren said, \u201cso why don\u2019t you let us in? This is the information he asked for<\/em>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWe need to take precautions,\u201d Fillip said, eyeing Reverence in particular. \u201cWhisper may be out to kill us. Actually, he definitely is<\/em>. We don\u2019t know specifically what his motives are, but they can\u2019t be in our favour.\u201d He looked then at the guard. \u201cWe believe him to be untrustworthy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cPerhaps the governor can meet us somewhere else?\u201d Shale suggested.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cA neutral ground,\u201d Oszaren clarified.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThat is a fantastic idea,\u201d the man breathed, looking relieved. He started to close the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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\u201cClovis.\u201d He hesitated, opened the door wider, then turned back to yell at another guard. <\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cLorne! Grab the governor. These people need to speak with him.\u201d A pause and a grumble. <\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cYes, now! You can finish your breakfast later.\u201d Oszaren gestured for them to all step away from the doorway.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cPerhaps someone with good repour should go and speak with Whisper,\u201d Fillip looked at Shale and Oszaren when he said this. \u201cWe need this matter cleared up. For all we know, Whisper\u2019s going to kill us in our sleep.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019ll go\u2014talk to him,\u201d Reverence offered with a serene smile. \u201cI\u2019m\u2014a people person.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cNo, that\u2019s not a good idea,\u201d the druid said seriously. \u201cWe all know Reverence\u2019s side of the story\u2014why he did what he did\u2014but we don\u2019t know Whisper\u2019s side, and we have the opportunity to speak with him right now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThen maybe I should speak with him,\u201d Oszaren said.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cYou, or Shale.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI can at least have a higher conversation with him,\u201d the warlock told them, and Shale nodded her agreement. Whisper and Oszaren both spoke draconic fluently, but Whisper lacked in his knowledge of common. \u201cBut I don\u2019t think I should go alone. We\u2019ve seen what Whisper is capable of.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWe also don\u2019t want to frighten him off,\u201d the druid pointed out. \u201cThe rest of us should leave.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWe shouldn\u2019t split up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Keelan shrugged. \u201cWhy don\u2019t we all just go in and see what happens.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cKeelan, no,\u201d Shale said, \u201cwe\u2019re not all as strong as you, and Whisper\u2019s a spellcaster.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Begrudgingly, the paladin said, \u201cI just want to know if cats are evil or not.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI mean, they\u2019re kind of both,\u201d she shrugged, reaching down to pat Trigger between the ears. He yipped up at her happily and then rubbed his face on Keelan\u2019s legs affectionately. The paladin stooped down and scratched him.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Clovis, who was still standing at the doorway, cut in at that point. \u201cMy grandmother had a cat, and the looks it gave me were terrifying\u2014oh, governor!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Governor Tarbaw approached looking haggard. \u201cHello,\u201d he looked over them from the doorway. \u201cI was told not to expect you. What can I do for you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWho told you that?\u201d Reverence asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The governor looked at him the longest, tension in his voice. \u201cI think you know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cListen,\u201d Shale stepped in, \u201cwe\u2019re not sure we can trust Whisper.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWe\u2019re not sure we can trust you, either.\u201d They could see behind the governor a few guards with their weapons drawn and at the ready.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cIt seems you\u2019ve already made your decision,\u201d Fillip said, anger rising in his voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWait a moment,\u201d Shale pleaded to the governor. \u201cI think there was a misunderstanding, but we need to hear Whisper\u2019s side of it. From our perspective, he walked into the enemy camp, spoke with their cult leaders, and, when we broke him free, ran straight to them and offered to help. That\u2019s why Reverence attacked him. If Whisper betrayed us, then he might\u2019ve told them our secrets, and the secrets of Greenest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cSo it seems,\u201d Fillip glared up at the governor and his men, \u201cthat not only have you ignored Reverence\u2019s warnings that your town would be attacked in the first place, but now you\u2019re working with someone who is possibly collaborating with the people who attacked you. You\u2019re harbouring him in your Keep and\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cClearly,\u201d Shale overrode him, teeth clenched in frustration, \u201cwe\u2019re all upset about what\u2019s happened, but I think we can find a mediation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYou must\u2014forgive Fillip,\u201d Reverence said slowly. \u201cHe was\u2014up all night\u2014howling at the moon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The governor raised his eyebrow at this, and uncertainty flickered over his face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI\u2019m feeling betrayed,\u201d the druid told them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe all are,\u201d Shale said. \u201cBetrayed and confused. I think the best thing we can do is speak with Whisper and sort this out ourselves. Your people have been through enough, governor, without taking this on your shoulders.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Tarbaw drooped before them. \u201cI\u2019m intrigued, but I don\u2019t know who to believe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Oszaren pulled out his map of the army camp with all his pages of notations and held it up. \u201cDo you want this map, or not? We obtained the information you wanted.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cMay I remind you\u2014of\u2014your current track record\u2014of not trusting us?\u201d Reverence added.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cAlright, alright,\u201d Tarbaw sighed. \u201cOne of you may come in and speak with Whisper. I will leave this to you to sort out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Oszaren nodded and handed his weapons to Reverence and Keelan, then followed the governor through the front door.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cAnd now, we wait,\u201d Shale sighed, stepping away from the Keep as they slammed the door closed behind them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

An hour passed before Oszaren came back through the door of the Keep, Whisper following tentatively behind. Reverence stood behind the rest of them as the two walked by.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWell?\u201d Fillip asked as Whisper continued past and into the town, not even bothering to glance in their direction.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Oszaren gave them all a nod. \u201cI have explained to Whisper what happened.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe all want the same thing, then? To bring down this cult?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI think so,\u201d Oszaren said, but he did not look overly confident. \u201cIt will have to do for now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cNo one leaves Whisper alone,\u201d Shale said quietly. \u201cIf he\u2019s on watch, someone is with him. If he tries to run off, someone follows.\u201d They all agreed. \u201cGreat. Now, I would like some new weapons. Shall we go see if this town has a blacksmith?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cDefinitely,\u201d Oszaren sighed, \u201coh and here\u2019s our payment from Tarbaw.\u201d He handed them each a pouch filled with two hundred gold. A fortune. They each counted out the coins then hid them away. Then they all headed into town, Whisper staying ahead of them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale sold her short swords in place of two dangerously sharp machetes, finely crafted and balanced with simple, geometric designs at the hilts. She stowed them in crossed sheaths at her back. The rest of her companions traded weapons and armour, and Reverence bought a strange grouping of items from the general store, which still had some stock from their storage which had not been found during the raid. Shale found herself a new pair of laced boots with brown stitching, and Keelan bought a long red cape that was fitted at the shoulders and flowed outward. Whisper wandered off to the edge of town near the Keep and Shale kept her distance, watching him as he hunched down in the grass and began weaving a spell. The rest of them all met up outside of the general store, Whisper out of ear shot.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cSo, tell us about what you actually said to Whisper,\u201d Fillip looked at Oszaren, then back at the tabaxi. \u201cHow do we know we can trust him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe kind of patched things up. We need to be careful around him and slowly earn back his trust.\u201d Oszaren picked at a fingernail. \u201cWe don\u2019t know if we can trust him, and he doesn\u2019t know if he can trust us. To be fair, we did gouge out his eye. I kind of promised him that when we get to a big city we will try to find someone to fix his eye. That\u2019s a promise coming from me, so the rest of you don\u2019t need to feel obligated.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cDid he\u2014tell you\u2014anything more about himself?\u201d Reverence pushed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cAbout himself? No,\u201d Oszaren scratched his chin. \u201cBut, he had some information about the cult. More than Leosin did.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cSo\u2014all we know\u2014is that he looks like\u2014he still wants to betray us.\u201d The tiefling summarized unhappily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIt still sounds as though nothing\u2019s changed,\u201d Shale agreed. \u201cHe may still be part of the cult. We shouldn\u2019t promise him too much.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cDo you think he\u2019s good, or evil?\u201d Keelan asked simply, as if it were a simple answer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, but\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI\u2019m all for\u2014trusting him,\u201d Reverence cut in, \u201cbut we have to be careful. We know\u2014nothing about him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe will keep him close and watch him carefully,\u201d Oszaren promised. \u201cI want him to be on our side, but I\u2019m just not sure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

Whisper returned a short time later as the rest of them discussed their plans to leave Greenest. An owl perched on his furry arm and hooted loudly as the tabaxi approached. <\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s this?\u201d Oszaren asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cOwl,\u201d Whisper said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Oszaren scratched it on the head and it closed its large eyes happily. \u201cI like owls,\u201d Oszaren said gently. Trigger yipped and jumped up at it excitedly, and the owl peered down and gave the fox a scathing look.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

The group returned to the tavern and sat together, stoking the fire back as they discussed the cult and dragon eggs. Whisper stayed silent throughout the conversation, watching them with his one good eye, his fay owl perched next to him and preening his wings.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Keelan kept a cautious eye between Reverence and Whisper, but Reverence seemed to be at ease. Fillip, having consumed a bottle of wine to himself, stumbled around behind the counter in search of more liquor. There was some on the top shelf, and the half-elf jumped to reach it, but in his intoxicated state he knocked the shelf askew and the bottle smashed on the floor. He looked down at the ruined liquor with a morose expression, then came traipsing back to their table and sat down heavily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cSo, Whisper, why do you hate me?\u201d The forlorn druid asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Whisper flicked his ears. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWell, I freed you and you ran away from me.\u201d Fillip\u2019s eyes were welling up with tears, but that was likely due to the drink.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cDivert guards,\u201d Whisper said, eye shifting between all of them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Oszaren turned to Whisper and said something in draconic and the tabaxi responded in kind. \u201cWhen are you going to learn common?\u201d Shale asked. \u201cNo offense, but draconic is a truly guttural and, well\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a horrible language,\u201d Fillip agreed, wiping his eyes and shuddering dramatically.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cHere, Fillip, have some coffee.\u201d Shale said, grabbing a stale cup from a nearby table that had never been cleaned up. Reverence took the cup in his hands and the liquid began to boil. Then, he slid it over to sit in front of Fillip’s face. Fillip drunkenly wafted it to his nose.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cSmells terrible,\u201d he said, then took a sip.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cMay I suggest\u2014in the future,\u201d Reverence said, looking over to Whisper, \u201cthat we deliberate\u2014before we act.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Whisper stared at him with no response.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI apologize\u2014for your eye, Whisper. I hope\u2014you can understand why I did\u2014what I did.\u201d The tension was tangible. Fillip scooted his chair back and Keelan and Oszaren leaned forward, ready to jump in.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Whisper continued to stare. After a few moments of long silence, Fillip said. \u201cSo, what\u2019s our plan?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cBaldur\u2019s gate?\u201d Shale asked. \u201cLeosin wanted us to find the dragon eggs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t want the dragon eggs\u2014in the hands of the cult, but do we\u2014want them with the Harpers either?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know anything about the Harpers,\u201d Shale said honestly. \u201cOnly what Leosin told us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThey could\u2014use the eggs\u2014for political gain.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cHe did say he wanted them destroyed,\u201d she pointed out. \u201cPerhaps we should return to the army camp, now that they\u2019ve cleared out? Leosin also mentioned he\u2019d wanted to explore those caves but never got a chance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a good place to start,\u201d Oszaren agreed. \u201cWe should learn as much as we can about this cult.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cVery well,\u201d Reverence stood, \u201clet\u2019s\u2014not waste\u2014any more time discussing matters.\u201d It seemed he was a tiefling of action over words.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

They rented horses from the town stable and reached the abandoned army camp by late afternoon. They tethered the destriers with ropes hooked to their harnesses and wrapped them around a small tree. The rope was mostly meant to deter the beasts from roaming but would do little to hold them back should they be frightened and try to run. Shale patted her roan affectionately on the neck and it snorted and pushed its nose into her arm. She smiled as they walked off, and the horses turned to grazing on the dry grass.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Trigger followed silently at her feet, bushy tail bobbing behind him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

They walked into the entrance of the army camp and were hit with the smell of smoke. \u201cDid they burn the place?\u201d Shale whispered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYou burn,\u201d Whisper gestured at her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI burned a couple tents, not this,\u201d Shale said, looking around. The entire lower half of the camp had been emptied. Those things they did not take with them had been burnt to the ground. \u201cThey did this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

They crept forward, cautious of any stragglers, but so far, the place seemed to be empty. Once they reached the higher portion of the camp, they saw several tents still erect and in good condition.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cSomething\u2019s not right,\u201d Keelan said quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cAgreed,\u201d Shale gestured for them to hide behind a nearby tent just as a tall man with a bushy brown beard and thick auburn hair pushed out of another tent with a bow slung over one shoulder. They all quickly dove for cover, peering out and holding their breaths. The man stretched his back as he pushed from the tent door and waved back inside. \u201cAlright, men. See you in a day or two,\u201d then walked off, taking the path they had just left.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cBandits? Or hunters?\u201d Shale wondered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cMust be,\u201d Fillip hissed. After the three-hour ride on horseback to get there, he was now stone cold sober, if complaining somewhat of a headache.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to sneak a little closer,\u201d she told them calmly, then darted across the path and behind the tent the man had exited. She leaned in and heard two men conversing in low, bored-sounding voices.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhen do you think you\u2019ll be heading out?\u201d the first voice mumbled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI d\u2019no. Not for a few days. We\u2019ve got plenty here and they pay us fairly well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right about that,\u201d the first one said, and the conversation tapered off.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale returned to her companions, making sure no one else was in the area. \u201cThere are two others in there that I could hear. They\u2019re being paid to bring in food by the sounds of it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cCan we afford to keep them alive?\u201d Oszaren asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWell, we can\u2019t go killing anyone and everyone,\u201d she said, thinking back to the conversation she\u2019d had that morning. \u201cPlus, we don\u2019t want to draw attention to ourselves.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI could always try seducing them,\u201d Fillip flashed his most charming smile then winced and touched a hand to his forehead.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI mean, Fillip, you\u2019ve got a great personali\u2014well\u2014some people\u2014well, okay so\u2014I\u2019m sure in some circles you\u2019re\u2014let\u2019s justnotdothat,\u201d Shale stammered through the words, but Fillip\u2019s ego was in no danger of being deflated. He smiled confidently and strode out of their hiding place and toward the hunter\u2019s tent.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Whisper sent his owl out to circle the skies above, and Shale cursed and ran to the other side of the tent to listen to the conversation, ready to jump in if necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cHello, gents! I was here a few days ago and there was a thriving camp, and I was hoping to get more work as a hunter, but unfortunately it looks as though everyone has gone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

One of the voices responded. \u201cYeah, they packed up the camp pretty quick last night. We\u2019re here for work as well, so if you\u2019re looking to compete you won\u2019t find any help from us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cOh, alright,\u201d Fillip sighed, \u201cyou\u2019re all hunters as well?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYes, of course,\u201d the man responded bluntly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cVery well, I guess I\u2019ll have to be on my way then.\u201d He paused, then said. \u201cHow many people could possibly need such gifted hunters as yourselves? It looks as though everyone\u2019s left.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWell, seeing as you\u2019ve been here before you know that the army needed a lot of hunters to feed those creatures inside the caves. Most of the people cleared out but some things inside were too delicate to move.\u201d The man grunted. \u201cThat\u2019s why we\u2019re here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYou\u2019re absolutely certain that if I speak to these people who\u2019ve hired you for work that they won\u2019t pay me as well? You\u2019re not hoarding work, are you? This sounds like promising gold to be earned.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWell if you want to compete, be my guest,\u201d the second man said defensively.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cBut you\u2019ll soon find yourself outmatched by our hunting prowess,\u201d the other added proudly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIn that case, I\u2019ll go out right now, rather than sitting back like you two,\u201d Fillip said boldly, then struck out of the tent and waited to see that the men were not following him before returning to his companions. Shale listened for a moment more and heard the men grumble the words \u201cpompous\u201d and \u201camateur\u201d before skirting the tents and going back to hear the discussion.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cSo, there\u2019s definitely something inside those caves,\u201d Shale summarized. \u201cShould we try sneaking in?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe can try,\u201d Fillip agreed. \u201cThey said there were creatures in there being fed. We could try the direwolf routine again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get a closer look first and see what we can see,\u201d Keelan said in a hushed voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

They dashed between the tents and heard a voice inside another tent muttering. \u201cCultists. They can\u2019t decide whether to come or go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

They continued through the camp until they reached the entrance of the cave and found a group of boulders to crouch behind as they deliberated. The entrance was clear of guards. A few lizards skittered through the rocks and Whisper snatched one up, biting into it with his teeth. It squealed and then went quiet as he tore out another chunk from its fleshy belly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go in first and check things out,\u201d Fillip offered, then bent and shrunk and transformed into a small, black, eight-legged shape.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cCute,\u201d Shale mused. <\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The spider-that-was-Fillip crawled up the rocks and into the cave. As they waited, watching Whisper finish off the lizard\u2019s legs in bone crunching bites, the tension grew. Luckily, he returned several minutes later and Oszaren drew out a piece of parchment and a jar of ink, dripping some of the ink into the lid and placing them both on the ground. Fillip dipped his legs into the ink and wrote Two on right. Steps up ahead.<\/em> It was an impressive bit of penmanship by the arachnid.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cDo they know we\u2019re here?\u201d Oszaren whispered, crouching down.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Yes, Fillip wrote. Oszaren took back the ink and rolled up the parchment.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat should we do?\u201d Shale asked anxiously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe go in, and we kill any cultists that cross our paths.\u201d Oszaren said in a hushed voice, looking to Keelan and giving him a determined nod. \u201cFor honour!\u201d With that, he held out his hand and his blade appeared in it with a flash. The snake tattoo on his arm shimmered with green light.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Keelan grinned and drew out his new great axe. The flat side had a patterned design of flames crisscrossing along it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Before they could move, Whisper shot up and ran through the entrance. A second passed, and then: \u201cHello,\u201d they heard his voice echoing through the cave.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cGreat,\u201d Shale swore and ran in after him, closely followed by the rest. The spider crawled up onto the ceiling and disappeared in the darkness.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

Trigger raced ahead of Shale and she shouted, \u201cTrigger, stop!\u201d The fox sat immediately and looked over at something around the corner, tail wagging cutely.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale drew her machetes and rounded the corner, swinging both blades at her expected rivals. Two men stood against the wall with weapons drawn, torches lighting the cove in sconces. They were, as Fillip had warned, expecting them, and the first man blocked Shale\u2019s blades midair.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Oszaren, now on Shale\u2019s heels, turned and shot a blast of green light at the guards. As they reeled from the attack, he swung his blade at the nearest one. The man just managed to raise his own blade to ward off the attack and Shale took the opportunity to dive into an attack against the other. Reverence appeared a moment later and kicked into the air, pulling up his mace and driving the first man back with a grunt.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cNow, men!\u201d the second one shouted, and the sound of footsteps echoed from somewhere within. Three more men spilled out, weapons drawn, from a hidden alcove in the wall. These men were dressed in heavy chainmail. It\u2019s an ambush,<\/em> Shale thought, heart pounding violently against her rib cage.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Shale saw Whisper, then, standing in the darkness. His paws moved through the air and a flashing ball of fire began to form between his claws. \u201cWho are you?\u201d one of the soldiers demanded, jabbing his spear toward Shale. She ducked under the other man\u2019s blade and felt the spear dig into her calf and pull free. She turned and stepped back as the three men pushed forward, limping somewhat.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Keelan ran forward with a battle cry, his axe sparking with white hot energy as he raised it with two hands and landed a blow on the chest plate of a guard, throwing him against the wall. A flash of rage and fear flickered in the man\u2019s face, and he pressed against the wall, unmoving. Whatever energy was in that great axe was holding him back.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Whisper\u2019s fire ball finished forming and cut across a guard, burning his arms as he tried to deter the flames. \u201cGet out of the way, Trigger!\u201d Shale yelled as the fox yipped and barked at the feet of the guards. He obeyed and disappeared deeper into the cave. Shale landed a blow on a guard\u2019s arm with one of her blades, then danced back out of his way.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Reverence punched a man in the jaw and he cracked his head against a stalactite and slouched against the ground, blood leaking from his head. Whisper\u2019s ball of flames went roaring through the guards, burning through two of them and leaving them as bones and melted flesh inside chainmail. Oszaren decapitated the third one with a single blow.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cFall back! We need reinforcements!\u201d a soldier cried from the darkness. \u201cWake the lady!\u201d There were more footsteps within the hidden alcove.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Suddenly, Fillip dropped from the ceiling in his half-elf form, smiling. \u201cI followed the stairs down,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s where we need to go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think we\u2019ll have time for that just now,\u201d Keelan growled, taking a readied stance with his axe, which still glowed with a powerful energy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

More footsteps echoed through the chamber down a tunnel, and voices followed soon after. Trigger bounded back to Shale\u2019s side as she quickly tied a strip of cloth around her calf where the spear had struck. \u201cGo outside and hide,\u201d she told him, and he panted and looked at her sideways. \u201cGo!\u201d The fox reluctantly stepped back, then ran off toward the cave entrance.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Whisper sent his fire through the alcove and into the hidden tunnel and everyone ran up to take a stance, waiting for whatever might come next. The lady. Was that Mondath, or was it the dragon lady?<\/em> Well, they were about to find out. Shale sheathed her blades and drew out her longbow, notching an arrow and taking aim, steadying her breathing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Green light flickered across Oszaren\u2019s hands and his tattoo swirled with shifting colours. A ball of air seemed to form around Reverence\u2019s fist, swirling around it like a promised hurricane. Fillip took out his sling and placed a smooth stone in its centre.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWoah, what is that?\u201d they heard a man say as Whisper\u2019s fire disappeared from sight.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cCome out and fight!\u201d Shale shouted. \u201cWe have your dragon eggs! Come and get them!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

There was a pause, and another man\u2019s voice said, \u201cwait, did she just say\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWell obviously she\u2019s lying!\u201d A woman\u2019s voice shouted back. They all recognized the voice. It was Mondath, the woman with the glaive who was at Langdedrosa\u2019s side. \u201cHold the tunnel!\u201d She screamed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Light appeared beyond, and the shouts began.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/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 8 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":672,"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-237","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-5.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 8<\/a><\/blockquote>