{"id":71,"date":"2018-10-03T11:59:00","date_gmt":"2018-10-03T11:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/141.148.246.190\/index.php\/02-3\/the-giants-gamble-pt-2\/"},"modified":"2022-04-19T15:27:38","modified_gmt":"2022-04-19T15:27:38","slug":"the-giants-gamble-pt-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.alexisveenendaal.com\/index.php\/2018\/10\/03\/the-giants-gamble-pt-2\/","title":{"rendered":"The Giant’s Gamble Pt. 2"},"content":{"rendered":"
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<\/p>\n

Chapter Two: Spare the Dying<\/span><\/h3>\n
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One and a Half Years Ago<\/em><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cListen, kid, if you\u2019re going to be clever, then be clever. If you\u2019re going to be tough, then be tough. If you\u2019re going to be wise\u2014then get older, because you\u2019re too damn young.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cFirst of all,\u201d Roon said, raising a finger and squinting across the table at the sailor, \u201cyou\u2019re technically not much older than me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cTechnically,\u201d Kilian broke in, laying aside his cards and moving in for another one of his speeches, \u201cyour gnomish age compared to my human age is like comparing dogs to dragons. So, yes, technically you may<\/em> have been alive for comparably as long as I have, but logistically, you\u2019re far behind me, and always will be.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cUntil you\u2019re in the grave and I\u2019m around for another few centuries,\u201d Roon snorted, and the sailor rolled his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThe way you\u2019ve been living, you\u2019re like to perish before me, Roondock.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Roon shrugged and Kilian picked up his hand, reorganizing his cards.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cIf you hadn\u2019t met me,\u201d Kilian continued, throwing a low card and drawing another, \u201cyou\u2019d be dead already. I guarantee.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cIf you<\/em> hadn\u2019t met me<\/em>,\u201d Roon said, drawing from the discard pile with a smirk, \u201cyou would still be bleeding out of your ears back in Mintarn.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Kilian rubbed his clean-shaven chin thoughtfully. \u201cI\u2019m sure someone would have picked me up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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The rock gnome wiggled his fingers at the human. \u201cNo one with my majestic healing powers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cLet\u2019s keep that head of yours from getting too big,\u201d Kilian laughed heartily. \u201cAnd,\u201d he added, eyeing Roon\u2019s hand in the air, \u201ckeep those fingers away from me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cFour of a kind,\u201d Roon dropped his cards.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cAlready?\u201d Kilian asked, throwing his cards in a scatter across the table. He drew back in his chair and folded his arms. \u201cShow them to me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cShow what?\u201d Roon asked innocently, arms out. \u201cThe proof is in the cards, my friend.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019ll not fall for that trick again,\u201d the sailor told him, and Roon relinquished the trick card in his sleeve with a sigh. <\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cEven after having blood leak out of your ears,\u201d the gnome shook his head, pocketing the cards, \u201cyou still know my tricks.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cYou\u2019ll need to learn new tricks.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Roon nodded thoughtfully. \u201cYou know, you may be right.\u201d With that, he stood abruptly and made for the door. \u201cI\u2019ll be right back!\u201d He called as he flew into the night.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Kilian waved down a server and ordered another ale, rubbing his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Present Day<\/em><\/h4>\n
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They were ten miles from Nightstone before they heard the insistent ringing of the bell. The sound echoed across the fields, hollow after the memory of their short encounter with the giants.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Nightstone was a small town, wrapped with a moat of brackish, slow-moving water and walled in by a makeshift wooden palisade. The drawbridge leading into the town was down, and there were no guards in sight. They entered the town quietly, hesitantly, surveying the damage. There were tracks leading out of the village, mostly human, but there were signs of goblins and wargs as well. The town was empty.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Gong, gong, gong. <\/em>The bell persisted.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cLet\u2019s search the guard towers,\u201d Thia suggested, and they split up.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Strewn across the town were massive boulders, some of which had ripped through the rooves of houses and shops. There were no bodies, anywhere. \u201cWe need to find out who\u2019s ringing that bell. It\u2019s giving me a headache.\u201d Roon told Kilian and Evelyn, and both nodded in agreement.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The companions gathered near the drawbridge and discussed their plans. \u201cWhere did all the townspeople go?\u201d Thia asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Kilian shook his head. \u201cTaken, or escaped.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cTaken, I\u2019d bet,\u201d Roon said. The town was too clean. Every door to every building lay wide open.<\/span><\/p>\n

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They crept across the abandoned town toward the temple, where the bell was ringing fiercely. Whoever was up there had clearly lost their wits.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Kilian snuck up to the door and peered inside, then waved them all over to him. \u201cIt\u2019s empty down here,\u201d he told them, and they filed in, closing the door behind.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The interior of the temple was small but decorated well. At the end of the chamber lay a pulpit before a colourful mural of several gods and goddesses. To their left, a spiral stone staircase lead up to the bell tower. As they ascended the stairs, the ringing grew louder and louder until Roon felt he may be deafened by the noise of it. When they hit the second landing, he could barely hear the crash of a sack of baubles that Thia tripped over noisily and sent scattering down the stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWait,\u201d Kilian whispered and put a hand out. His voice was drowned out by the bell, but Roon understood. There was shouting over the noise, coming from upstairs. Goblins.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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Evelyn rushed past them and clambered up the final few stairs, jumping onto the top landing. She drew one of her rapiers against the flesh inside her arm, drawing blood, and the sword flashed with the sudden light of flames. With a wicked grin, the tiny girl rushed up and out of their sight, and a moment later Roon heard the dying screech of a goblin.<\/span><\/p>\n

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They joined Evelyn a second later, all drawing weapons. Opal threw an ice shard of magic into the air, narrowly missing the goblin who was swinging on the bell rope and causing the ruckus. The goblin leaped and rolled, raising a scimitar and rushing in to attack the intruders. It managed to scrape its blade across Evelyn\u2019s arm before being interrupted. The body of a second goblin lay in two pieces on the floor, clearly slain by Evelyn only moments before.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cAnswer my questions if you want to live!\u201d Thia shouted, the noise of the bell now swinging to quiet.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The goblin hesitated, eyeing the five of them. It knew it had been beat.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhy are you here?\u201d The elf demanded.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThe town was empty,\u201d the goblin replied with shifting eyes and quivering hands.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cEmpty? You mean, you found it this way?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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The goblin nodded, and Thia turned back to her companions.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWho is your leader? Why were you ringing the bell?\u201d Kilian asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cBoss is Hark,\u201d it was unclear on the gender of the goblin, but its voice seemed squeakier, so Roon attributed it to female. \u201cWe came to take stuff. Lots of stuff.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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So, they had found the town empty, and made some fun out of it.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cCan we kill it now?\u201d Evelyn asked in her quiet voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Roon raised his bow and shot an arrow into the goblin\u2019s pitiful face, and it fell backwards out of the window of the tower. It was a merciful kill. Kilian dragged the two pieces of the other goblin body and heaved both out of the tower, staining the dirt below to crimson.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019m glad to have that noise done with, but it\u2019s bound to attract anyone in the area.\u201d Kilian told them, moving back to the stairs and descending. They followed, weapons out, and by the second landing they could hear the low growls of beasts. The huge nose of a warg was just beginning to peek through the temple doors, and Evelyn was the first to charge it, one rapier flaming, the other slashing. In the span of a few moments, the girl thrust one rapier into the dog-like creature\u2019s head and used the other to partially hack off its jaw. There must have been some incredible magical elements to the swords, or the girl, because Roon had never seen a blade fine as that one able to cut through anything so thick.<\/span><\/p>\n

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A second warg pounced as Evelyn hacked the other and tore its teeth into her shoulder. Kilian had run up to the pulpit, using it as a cover, and shot a bolt from his crossbow, which embedded itself in the door, narrowly missing its mark. Opal\u2019s bolt missed the beast, but Thia and Roon\u2019s arrows struck furry flesh and the animal released howls of rage as it thrashed its head, jaws tightly gripped on small Evelyn. The light-haired girl wasn\u2019t moving as the warg threw her against the stone wall just as Thia and Roon shot two more arrows into it. Roon\u2019s arrow hit its open mouth, and it dropped heavily to the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Roon rushed toward the unconscious Evelyn, whose shoulder was torn to shreds. \u201cAetha,\u201d he whispered, watching the magic do its work. The girl\u2019s eyes fluttered after a moment, and the gnome breathed a sigh of relief. Her blade was no longer in flames, and she sheathed it, looking annoyed.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThere\u2019s more coming,\u201d Kilian warned, standing at the partially open door.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Sure enough, Roon heard more goblin shouts through the wall. Kilian shot a blast of fire and hid behind the doorframe. Evelyn, now thoroughly enraged, threw open the doors to the temple and killed two goblins within a few seconds. She turned her blood-spattered face to her companions, a white smile on her face. A third goblin dropped to its knees and begged for its life. Evelyn trust her rapier through its abdomen, silencing the pleas.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cLook out!\u201d Roon shouted, just as another two goblins rounded a corner and drew back their bows. The arrows took Evelyn in the back, and she fell to the dirt, unconscious again.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Thia shot an arrow at one goblin, and there was an explosion of cold as Opal cast another dagger of ice. Roon ran to Evelyn again, releasing a sparing spell to keep her from bleeding out as he pulled the arrows from her back. Kilian shot his crossbow and killed one of the goblins, and at the same moment, Thia cast a ray of frost at the other and froze it where it stood.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cHelp me get her inside,\u201d Roon said, \u201cthere\u2019s not much else I can do for her at the moment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Kilian lifted the unconscious girl out of the dirt and carried her through the temple doors, setting her down gingerly on the ground and resting her pack under her head. The man then walked up to the doors and wedged them shut with a slab of wood, dragging a wooden bench over to prevent intruders.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhat do we do now?\u201d Opal asked, eyes wide.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cFor now, we rest,\u201d Kilian told the genasi, taking a seat against the wall. Roon joined him.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThen what?\u201d Thia asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Kilian shook his head and looked over to the unconscious girl. \u201cThen, we get to the Keep. If anyone remains in the town, that\u2019s where they\u2019d be.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Roon closed his eyes as exhaustion swept over him.<\/span><\/p>\n

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They were partway to the river, across which lay the Keep, when Thia stopped them. \u201cThere\u2019s an inn here. We should see if we can find anyone inside.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Kilian nodded. \u201cVery well. I will stand guard outside, if you want to go through.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI will stand guard as well,\u201d Evelyn said, now revived.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cHey,\u201d Roon said, looking up at Opal, \u201clet me know if you find any booze.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cCome on, Opal,\u201d the elf said, and the two of them entered the open door. Roon drew his bow, notched an arrow, and scanned the abandoned town.<\/span><\/p>\n

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A moment later they heard a scuffle, a shout, and something green streaked past them through the doorway. Surprised, both Kilian and Roon\u2019s shots missed the creature as it skidded past. Evelyn caught up to the goblin easily enough, however, and slid a rapier into its back before it could escape. She wiped the blade clean and returned to human and gnome where they stood at the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cEvelyn, you\u2019re very good at this death thing,\u201d Kilian said approvingly. \u201cI\u2019m glad I\u2019m on your side.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cShould we go in and check on them?\u201d Roon wondered aloud.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cGive them another minute. The more of us who are in there, the louder we\u2019ll be.\u201d Kilian said.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cAnd the easier we are to kill,\u201d Evelyn added solemnly.<\/span><\/p>\n

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A few restless minutes later, Thia and Opal returned, and they weren\u2019t alone. A tall woman with dark hair and a living snake wrapped around her, came through the doors. She and Thia were speaking in hushed voices. Opal appeared behind them carrying a large wooden chest that looked extremely heavy.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhat\u2019s happened?\u201d Kilian asked, eyeing the newcomer.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThis is Kella,\u201d Thia told them. \u201cWe found her in one of the rooms upstairs. She said she was sleeping at the inn when the giants attacked. Supposedly they were throwing boulders down from a floating castle in the sky.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cA floating castle?\u201d Roon asked doubtfully, inspecting the woman carefully.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Kella nodded. \u201cI woke up and barricaded myself in my room. Took down a few goblins.\u201d She showed them the crossbow she held in her left hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhere did all the townspeople go?\u201d Roon asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cLet\u2019s talk inside,\u201d Thia suggested, and they all entered the inn, Evelyn keeping a cautious eye on the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Opal handed Roon an hourglass. \u201cWhat\u2019s this?\u201d the gnome asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

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She shrugged. \u201cI fixed it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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He admired the smooth glass and fine metal design, then stuck it in his pack. \u201cThanks, Opal.\u201d She nodded happily.<\/span><\/p>\n

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There was a goblin body on the floor with a crossbow bolt in it. Kilian reached down and pulled the bolt out, wiping it clean and handing it to Kella. \u201cYou did this?\u201d He asked, and she nodded. \u201cWould you care to join us? At least until we can get this thing figured out?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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“I suppose so,\u201d Kella said, her snake sliding up her neck and tasting the air with its flicking tongue.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Opal threw open the chest she had carried down and raised a shirt of chainmail, inspecting it. She dropped it and pulled out a few gold pieces.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWe shouldn\u2019t be looting these things,\u201d Kilian said. \u201cThe townspeople will return to Nightstone. It\u2019s not right for us to steal it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cCome on. Let\u2019s get to the Keep.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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They encountered a trio of goblins chasing down chickens and dispatched the group quickly. Another group of goblins were carrying pumpkins twice the size of them from the fields. They killed these creatures as well. It seemed this empty town was a vacation spot for these scattered goblins. Finally, they reached the windmill, where two goblins were standing atop and holding bows.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cHalt! Who goes there?\u201d One of the goblins demanded.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cGet down from there,\u201d Roon said, now thoroughly annoyed by all the interruptions.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cLongo, shoot the elf!\u201d The other one cried, and the first goblin shot an arrow at Thia. Before the wizard could react, she was on the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cHow was that, Yek?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThat\u2019s it<\/em>,\u201d Roon growled, drawing his own bow and taking aim.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Kilian shot his crossbow first, striking the goblin named Yek in the foot and causing him to fall off the top of the windmill. Roon shot the other one in the arm at the same moment that it released an arrow at Kilian. Opal\u2019s bolt missed the goblin, which was howling in pain, and Kella finished it off a second later with her own bolt.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cKilian!\u201d Roon cried out. The sorcerer was laying on the grass, unmoving.<\/span><\/p>\n

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He pulled the arrow out of Kilian where it had struck his neck. The man\u2019s face was incredibly pale, and Roon cast a sparing spell on him, then rushed over to Thia and did the same. \u201cHelp me drag them into the windmill!\u201d What in the hallowed halls of Cloakshadow was happening to them today?<\/span><\/p>\n

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Opal, Kella and Roon dragged their unconscious companions into the windmill. Evelyn was already inside the windmill, descending the stairs. \u201cSee anything?\u201d Roon asked, and she shook her head, looking disappointed. \u201cOpal, can you keep an eye on these two until they wake up? I\u2019ll take guard upstairs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019ll come with you,\u201d Kella volunteered. Evelyn pulled out what looked like an eyeball from one of her cloak pockets and started playing with it. Roon shook his head and didn\u2019t ask.<\/span><\/p>\n

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They sat atop the windmill for the better part of an hour. Despite Roon\u2019s pushing for conversation, Kella was a guarded person and only gave one-word responses.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cLook!\u201d She shouted suddenly, pointing across the town at an approaching group on horseback.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Roon squinted his eyes, but he couldn\u2019t tell what they looked like, nor if they were friend or foe. \u201cWho do you think it is?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

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She shook her head, eyes alight. \u201cPeople come to help the town.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Roon rushed down the stairs and told the others. Kilian and Thia were looking rough, but at least they were awake. \u201cRiders coming into town,\u201d the gnome announced. \u201cWe\u2019re not sure who they are yet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cHave they seen us?\u201d Kilian asked, standing slowly and making for the stairs. Roon shook his head and joined back up with Kella. She was shouting and waving her arms, and he cast thaumaturgy, creating a ringing bell noise. The riders stopped, pointed, then turned their horses to a trot and approached. When they were nearer, Kella yelled out and ran down the stairs, throwing the door open.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cXolkien!\u201d she said. Roon followed closely behind her. So, she knew the riders after all.<\/span><\/p>\n

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This man, Xolkien, sat at the head of the group and was a half-elf with a scar across his face and a snake coiled around the top of his head, scalene wings tucked behind its back. A flying snake.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cKella,\u201d he said smilingly. \u201cWhat news?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cLady Nandar must be in the Keep,\u201d she responded.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cVery good,\u201d Xolkien said, looking at first Roon, then Thia and Opal, who had followed behind. Kilian and Evelyn were nowhere to be seen. \u201cThis is our town now. And you\u2019re coming with us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Roon snorted and crossed his arms. \u201cWhat makes you think that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Xolkien kicked his horse and it stepped forward so he was towering over the gnome. \u201cThere are seven of us, and three of you. You\u2019re coming with us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThere should be two more,\u201d Kella said. \u201cA man and a girl.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Xolkien nodded his head in the direction of the windmill. \u201cFind them,\u201d he ordered, and two of his men dismounted their destriers and went to investigate. Roon could feel his heart pounding hard in his chest, but he gave no reaction.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cYou can have the town,\u201d Roon said, eyeing the half-elf. \u201cWe honestly don\u2019t care what you do with it. Take it, own it, whatever. Don\u2019t care. All we want is to chase down some giants. So, if you don\u2019t mind, we\u2019re going to leave now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI don\u2019t care what you want,\u201d Xolkien growled. \u201cI said you\u2019re coming with us<\/em>. To the Keep.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhy exactly do you want us?\u201d Roon raised an eyebrow, unsatisfied.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Xolkien just looked down at him for a moment, then turned his gaze to the windmill as his two men returned with Kilian and Evelyn in tow. They shoved everyone together roughly and mounted their horses again.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWe\u2019re going to the Keep,\u201d Xolkien announced, kicking his horse. Kella followed next to him on foot, and the other men swept up around Roon and his companions.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThese fine folks seem extremely reasonable. We should definitely follow them,\u201d Roon said loudly to his companions, and Thia gave him a warning look.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI should have known we couldn\u2019t trust that woman,\u201d Kilian cursed under his breath. Roon sidled up closer to Xolkien\u2019s mount to inspect the insignia emblazoned on his saddlebag. It depicted a white dragon flying down. He reached a hand up to look inside.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cDon\u2019t,\u201d Thia warned, and he dropped his hand just as Xolkien turned and gave him a dirty look. His chest was swelling with rage. Whoever these people were, they clearly couldn\u2019t be reasoned with. But, who were they? Why did they care about a few travelers? What did they want with some small, deserted town?<\/span><\/p>\n

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They reached the river, across which stood the Keep. The bridge was broken, but it only took a few minutes for Xolkien\u2019s men to jump across and string a few ropes, which they crossed, leaving the horses behind to graze.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThat\u2019s the Zhentarim emblem,\u201d Thia whispered to them while their captors were busy.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d Kilian asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cFrom what I know of them, they\u2019re a power-hungry faction looking for new means of control.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhat do they want with Nightstone?\u201d Roon demanded in a hushed voice, but before they could discuss it further, Xolkien dismounted and walked up to them. \u201cWell, well, look who got off his high horse,\u201d Roon said.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Xolkien raised a gloved hand and backhanded Roon across the mouth. The three-foot tall gnome fell back and spit out a glob of blood, then shot the half-elf the dirtiest look he could muster. Kilian helped Roon stand, and as he did so, Roon cast a blessing of the trickster on his friend. Kilian and he shared a look, and the man nodded imperceptibly.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cGuess they don\u2019t have a sense of humour either,\u201d Roon whispered to his friend, who nodded in agreement.<\/span><\/p>\n

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They crossed the river one by one and were soon entering the stone Keep. The gatehouse was all but destroyed by a massive boulder, but the main building remained intact. Inside the Keep were four guardsmen, who relinquished control to Xolkien and his men without a fight. They were leaderless in a town with no townspeople.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhere is the Lady Nandar?\u201d Kella demanded of the guardsman who introduced himself as Alara.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cDead,\u201d he told them. \u201cCrushed by a boulder.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThe Lady Nandar is dead?\u201d Kilian asked, stepping up. \u201cCan I see her?\u201d The guard looked at Xolkien uncertainly, who nodded. \u201cExcuse me for a moment,\u201d Kilian said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The guard gestured to Kilian and took him to a secondary room, where the woman\u2019s body was laid on a stone slab, pale and lifeless. He put his hand on hers, and a guard shouted at him, \u201chey! Don\u2019t touch her!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Kilian raised his hands and took a few steps back, and the guard grabbed his arm and dragged him back out of the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThis town is under our control now,\u201d Xolkien was telling the guards. His own men began setting up inside the Keep, unpacking weapons and stoking a fireplace in the corner.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe have no quarrel with you,\u201d Thia said to the leader. \u201cLet us leave this town and pursue the giants. That\u2019s the only reason we are here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhere are the townspeople?\u201d Xolkien demanded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cDamned if we know,\u201d Roon said, glaring at him. \u201cKella can tell you just as easily that we came here with no clue of what happened. She was here during the attack\u2014supposedly. She would know better than us where they went.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Xolkien looked to Kella, who shrugged.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYou work for us now,\u201d Xolkien said, looking at the five companions. \u201cYou\u2019re going to find the townspeople and bring them back to Nightstone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

They all looked at each other, a mixture of confusion and exasperation in all of their faces. \u201cSure, why not,\u201d Roon shrugged. \u201cWe all have a ton of experience with tracking entire villages of lost people. Let us go, and we\u2019ll find the people of Nightstone, no problem.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Xolkien stared at the gnome for a full five seconds before tearing his gaze away. \u201cYou will all sleep here tonight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cGreat, can\u2019t wait,\u201d Roon muttered, and he and his companions found a corner of the Keep near the guards of Nightstone, who were sitting down, uncertain of what to do. They unrolled their blankets and had a fitful night of sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

Roon awoke to the blaring of a war horn. Men were rushing about inside the Keep. Kilian arose and grabbed Kella. \u201cWhat\u2019s happening?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cFire on the edge of town,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Both the guards and Xolkien\u2019s men seemed lost, so Kilian started shouting orders at them to organize. Xolkien walked up, looking harried. \u201cWhat\u2019s your plan?\u201d Kilian asked the half-elf.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYou five can go out and see who\u2019s coming.\u201d Xolkien said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Kilian stepped up to the half-elf, his face inches away, and poked a finger into the leader\u2019s chest. \u201cFine. But you owe me.\u201d He spun on his heel and gestured to Roon and the others to follow him as he stormed out of the Keep.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThese people are clueless,\u201d Roon said as he jogged to keep up with his friend.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Kilian shook his head. They crossed the ropes over the river and ran through the abandoned town of Nightstone in the direction of the drawbridge. <\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\u201cOrcs. At least twenty of them,\u201d Kilian announced as they all stood atop the guard\u2019s tower, gazing over the palisade.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cShould we lower the drawbridge and let them in?\u201d Roon asked. \u201cThey could deal with Xolkien and his men, and we would be free to leave.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Kilian shook his head. \u201cI\u2019ll not leave this town to ruin and ransack.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhy do you care so much?\u201d Thia asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cBecause,\u201d Kilian sighed, eyes down. \u201cThis is where I grew up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cDo you have family in Nightstone?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI did,\u201d he nodded. \u201cMy\u2014parents. Though, I have no idea where they are now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhat do we do, then?\u201d Thia asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe kill them,\u201d the sorcerer said simply.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Thia nodded and looked over at Opal. \u201cI need a blade.\u201d They ran out in search of new weapons.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

It took a while for the orcs to come within range of the town wall. They swam across the moat with difficulty, and some of them began tossing ropes to catch on the top of the palisade so they could climb it. A few split off from the group and ran in the direction of the river. Good, <\/em>Roon thought, watching the hulking creatures leave, maybe <\/em>they\u2019ll take care of Xolkien.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Once the orcs were within range, they began firing weapons and spells. Thia cast a sleep spell over those climbing the wall, and a couple of them fell to their deaths. The orcs retaliated with javelins, but the guard\u2019s tower provided good coverage from the missiles. Opal twisted her hands in the air and massive vines grew up from the ground and wrapped themselves around some of the orcs. Roon shot a burst of yellow spiritual flames over the vines, which burned and killed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

A singular javelin soared through the air and caught Kilian in the shoulder, pushing him back. He ripped the javelin free with some effort and cast it to the ground, tying off the wound. Evelyn took up the javelin and threw it back, spearing an orc instantly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThis town is well defended!\u201d Kilian shouted to the creatures as their renewed vigor drove them forward. \u201cYou will never take it!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The orcs ignored him, tying up new ropes to throw onto the palisade. Another war horn sounded from the forest, drawing everyone\u2019s gaze. Suddenly, half of the orcs below turned to flee, some swimming desperately across the moat, others running along the fence-line and out of view. The companions shot the enemies in the backs as they ran.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThere are riders coming!\u201d Kilian shouted, loading his crossbow and peeking out of the window again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWill they help us?\u201d Roon asked uncertainly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cElves!\u201d Thia shouted, whooping aloud. Roon scooted in around their legs to see the incoming riders. Sure enough, there were at least six elven riders on white horses galloping down the road. Thia ran to lower the drawbridge.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWait! How do we know they\u2019re not enemies?\u201d The gnome demanded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThey\u2019re elves,\u201d Thia said, turning the crank.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cOrcs approaching!\u201d Opal cried, looking out the window facing the town. The orcs, Roon could now see, were slowing and looking confused at the lowering drawbridge.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Opal shot a bolt at the orcs as they continued forward, and Evelyn cut her rapier against her ribs, drawing blood and alighting it with flames, then ran down the stairs to attack. Roon notched an arrow, released, and took down an orc as Kilian rushed down after Evelyn and thrust a hand against the ground, releasing a wave of thunder and knocking all but the furthest orc back ten feet. With a swirl of wind, the sorcerer lifted off his feet and flew back to the window of the guard\u2019s tower, clambering in. Evelyn was going to be surrounded. The lead orc was pounding against her thin blades with a heavy great-axe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Roon ran out to the girl, but it was too late. She was knocked to the ground, unconscious. Again. She had a huge gash across her chest, and it was getting harder to tell which blood hers was, and which was the enemy\u2019s. Damnit, girl. Quit running into fights alone.<\/em> As arrows, bolts and blasts of magic flew from his companions, Roon cast a healing spell over Evelyn, now that the orcs had moved away from her. Where are those elves?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Evelyn awoke and Roon ran back to the tower for cover, then, with a wave of his hands, invoked an illusion of himself, a duplicate, to run out in front of the orcs and hopefully distract them. From the hands of the illusion, he cast a roaring yellow flame, which caught the nearest enemy and sent it to the ground screaming.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cSurrender!\u201d Kilian shouted to the leader. There were only a few orcs remaining.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The leader summoned the floating, shimmering shape of a large spear and sent it bobbing through the air. It came at Thia, who dove out of its range and drew her newly found blade, singing over it in a strange language. The blade crackled with blue lightning, and her eyes glowed blue for a moment.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Suddenly, the leader of the orcs raised a hand, pointing it at the elf, and said \u201capproach\u201d. Thia\u2019s eyes went blank, and she slowly walked toward the orc.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Roon looked around desperately. How could they break this spell? When Thia was only a few feet away, the leader gestured to another orc and it stepped up, cutting Thia down where she stood. Opal shot a bolt into the leader\u2019s chest, and he ripped it out, looking around to see who had shot it. Roon sent his illusion to Thia\u2019s body to cast a sparing spell over her bleeding chest. Evelyn cut down another orc, ducking under its heavy blade.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cKilian, no!\u201d Roon shouted as Kilian jumped from the tower window and shot a leash of lightning at the leader, wrapping it around his body. The orc scowled and shook the lightning free, and Kilian fell back onto the ground. The floating spear shot from the sky and pierced Evelyn\u2019s chest, knocking her off her feet. Roon sent his duplicate to the girl and cured her wounds, then turned the illusion around so it could make a rude gesture at the leader, who all but ignored it. Again, the leader resisted Kilian\u2019s lightning, but Opal hit him with another bolt. Finally, the lightning wrapped around the huge orc\u2019s body and pulled it through the air. As the orc was dragged, Evelyn leapt to her feet and thrust her rapier hilt-deep into the orc leader\u2019s throat.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

They finished off the rest of the orcs with ease. A volley of arrows shot up over the palisade and one struck home. When there was one final orc standing, Opal killed it with a lethal bolt to the chest. Roon cursed, glad to see none of the elven arrows had hit his companions. Somehow amongst the fighting, Kilian and Evelyn had been injured. Kilian was on the ground, bleeding heavily from several wounds. Roon relinquished his duplicate and ran to Kilian\u2019s side. \u201cDon\u2019t die, friend.\u201d He whispered, sending a trickle of healing through the human\u2019s body. He healed Evelyn next.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

A few of the elves appeared moments later, their white horses lathered with sweat and snorting. They stopped before the bleeding, exhausted group, steeds pawing at the ground impatiently.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cDo you have any healers?\u201d Roon asked the elves. There were three of them, and the lead one barely looked at him. \u201cPlease, my companions are very injured.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The elf surveyed the orc bodies strewn everywhere. \u201cIs that all of them?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI think so,\u201d the gnome replied.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The elf took up the reins into both hands, met Roon\u2019s eyes for a moment, then said, \u201cyou\u2019re welcome.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The three of them turned their mounts and rode off.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWell, you can always rely on the help of elves,\u201d Roon said sarcastically, looking over at Thia, who was shaking her head in confusion. \u201cCome on. Let\u2019s get Evie and Kilian into the tower before we have any other chatty people to deal with.\u201d Opal and Thia moved their companion\u2019s bodies out of the field and into the entrance of the guard\u2019s tower, Roon trailing behind them with the weapons.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

This has possibly been the worst two days of my life,<\/em> Roon thought, throwing the weapons in a pile next to Kilian\u2019s sleeping form. And I\u2019ve had some pretty bad days.<\/em> He slumped down next to his friend and touched a hand to his forehead. He had come on this adventure, not to die, but to experience life. This… this was something else entirely. This was dark and filled with misery. <\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Without his words and his tricks, who was Roondock Garrick?<\/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<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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

Chapter 2 of the adventures of a strange party of people as their journey takes them across Faerun, following the story from Dungeons & Dragons, the Storm King’s Thunder.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":658,"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":[12],"tags":[18,19,17,14,15,16,23,20],"series":[],"class_list":["post-71","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-giants-gamble-dungeons-and-dragons-series","tag-campaign","tag-cult-of-the-dragon","tag-dnd","tag-dungeons-and-dragons","tag-fantasy","tag-series","tag-the-giants-gamble","tag-wizards-of-the-coast"],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/blog.alexisveenendaal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Giant_s-Gamble-Blog-Photos2.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":"

The Giant’s Gamble Pt. 2<\/a><\/blockquote>