Ch3

After breakfast, I pulled Katriona aside.

"I have decided to lead Lilian to the Eyegouger hold today."

"You really like her, don't you?" she said. "I like her too. We're planning to spar later on. Should be fun-she really moves like a warrior." Katriona gave me a warm happy smile, one I was about to wipe off her face. "Did you see her sword? She let me hold it. That deranged dwarf of hers forged it and Elanee enchanted it. Nice!"

I had noticed Lilian's sword. I could sense the holy enchantment. That had factored into my decision. Also, the scouts I had sent out last night had returned and confirmed that Yaisog was dead and the Bonegnashers had dispersed, exactly as Lilian had told us. Not that I distrusted her word but much was at stake and I could not, must not make an error in this. My life was in my Lord Tyr's hand, now and always, but I could not risk the lives of the good people under my protection merely because I found a chance-met stranger charming and plausible.

Once I had trusted my own judgment. Now I double-checked.

"If she's a typical Harborman, I see how they got their reputation," Katriona said. "I'll get the men together and join you."

"No," I said. "I'll go alone. I need you to pack up camp and take everyone to Old Owl Well. Everyone. Let the families take refuge with the Greycloaks and have our fighters join Callum in the defense of the well."

"Join Callum? Now? After all this time avoiding him?" She snorted. "Won't he be surprised."

"The situation has changed. The orc patrols have approached our outer defenses. You know this. It's only a matter of time before they find our camp. If Lilian fails in the assault, you know that Logram's revenge will fall upon you all. He isn't taking prisoners."

"Lilian says they took the emissary prisoner."

"She believes that. I am not so sure he still lives. They haven't asked for ransom and what else could they want with him? Regardless, we have been a thorn in Logram's side too long. Our continued survival makes him look weak, especially now that his war leader is dead. He must wipe us out and quickly. We must strike first."

"You've got it all thought out."

"I have thought of little else," I said. Last night, my dreams had been troubled and anxious. Although I remembered no details, the urgent feeling that time was slipping through my hands had stayed with me.

"Then let us help you. This is our fight, too, you know."

"I know. If the orcs attack Old Owl Well, Callum is going to need our best. He'll need you."

"A compliment. Thanks so much, but I'd rather go with you."

I shook my head.

"You are a stubborn, stubborn man. Let us help you."

"This is what I must do."

"Very well." She sighed and she let it drop. "Don't get killed."

"If the gods will it."

"I'd rather put faith in our sword arms. I hope that Harborman is as good as she seems."

"I hope so."

"Don't go all Katalmach on us. Seems like those adventurers are already half mad. You need to stay sane."

"I am sane."

"I thought paladins weren't supposed to lie." She smiled but I knew I had hurt her. I regretted that for she was a fine woman and a fine sergeant and she certainly deserved better than what little I could offer her.

p-p

When I told Lilian I would lead her group to the Eyegouger hold, her face lit up like the sun, so much so that I had an insight. She was a follower of Lathander. The god's mark was so clear upon her that I murmured his title, "Morninglord," and her startled laugh confirmed my guess.

"As Tyr and Lathander are allies, let you and I ally together as well," I said.

"Great," she said. "I can't wait," and she gave me a hug. What an odd reaction. I couldn't remember the last time anyone had hugged me.

We left the camp and Lilian redeemed her earlier promise about eradicating our tracks.

"You people have been careless," she said. "And lucky. I don't know why the orcs haven't tracked you down before now."

"Are you a ranger?" I asked.

"My father is. He taught me a lot. I'm nothing compared to him."

"Few are," Elanee murmured.

"This many orcs, I can track well enough. They aren't even trying to hide their movements."

"Could you have found the Eyegouger hold on your own?" I had to ask.

"Yeah." She gave me a sideways look. "Glad you're here though. Saves a lot of time."

"Time is a factor," I said, fighting my foolish feeling of disgruntlement.

"It is. Last night, I dreamt about that big water clock in Neverwinter. Have you seen it? I woke up scared. I feel like time is running out." I must have given her an odd look for she asked, "Did I say something wrong?"

"You said something right, I believe."

p-p

As we approached the winding path leading to the Eyegouger hold, Lilian motioned us to shelter in the shade of a rocky overhang.

"Wait here a bit," she said. "Elanee and I are going to scout the way."

"They won't let us come along," Khelgar told me. "They'll say we're too loud. They're too polite to tell you to your face but they've told me plenty of times."

"Khelgar, you stomp everywhere you go," Elanee said.

"Aye. Stomping is good. These orcs need a good Ironfist stomping."

"Why can't I go with you?" Grobnar asked. "I don't stomp."

"You are very quiet," Lilian said. "Except when you're humming or strumming or singing. Or talking. I need you to stay here and protect Khelgar and Casavir."

"Okay," the gnome said cheerfully.

"You ready?" Lilian asked Elanee. The elf stood, motionless, and her eyes drooped closed.

She turned into a wolf.

I took an involuntary step back.

"Oh, I am so sorry!" Lilian cried. "I should have warned you. We're all so used to it-anyway, not sure how long we'll be gone. Don't worry. Take a nice break." The wolf, her nose to the ground, had already headed up the path.

The next couple of hours were exceptionally boring. The dwarf leaned against a rock and took a nap. Due to the lack of the formidable snores I'd heard last night, I believed this was a mere pretense. While we waited, the gnome attempted to teach me a Lantanese word game but I found the rules so baffling that, by mutual consent, we gave up.

He had many questions about the history, geology, and ecology of Old Owl Well, most of which I couldn't begin to answer. When he learned I had lived in Neverwinter, he had even more questions. I wondered if he took me for a travel guide and I was tempted-sorely tempted-to emulate Khelgar and feign sleep. Luckily the women returned before self-preservation overpowered common courtesy.

"Your path is no good," Lilian said. Elanee, still in wolf form, wagged her tail in what I assumed was agreement.

"No good? What do you mean?" I asked. "This is the way to the Eyegouger hold, I assure you."

"Of course it is and they all know we're coming. They are ready for us, Casavir. There are sentries everywhere," she said. "Archers on most of the high ridges. Someone's kicked the ant hill wide open."

"Probably us," Khelgar said.

"Yeah, probably us. The orcs built barrier walls to slow us down. They're ready for us. Your path is Suicide Hill. Which is great! It's perfect! I couldn't have planned it better!"

"Excuse me?"

"It's going to be just like the Bonegnasher hold. Maybe better."

"Oh, lass, not that again," Khelgar groaned.

"Worked once, no reason it won't work twice." Lilian grinned at me.

"It's a coward's way," Khelgar said.

"No, it's not. We already went over all this last time, Khelgar. You know I'm right."

"May I be enlightened?" I asked.

"Well, you probably figured the four of us didn't just run in and totally wipe out hundreds of orcs, right?"

"We killed plenty," Khelgar said.

"Yes, we did. What happened was we caused a little rumpus and chased some orcs back to their hold. The orcs sounded an alarm, posted a bunch of sentries and archers. I'm thinking they were already nervous, thanks to all your attacks. Anyway, they sent most of their warriors out and made their own little Suicide Hill and waited for us to trudge up it, like fools. So we didn't. While they were milling around we slipped in the back door and rescued the emissary. But it turned out he was a fake and we had to kill him." She made a face.

"He was a lying Luskan dog," Khelgar said.

"He called for help, though and we were attacked by Yaisog Bonegnasher and all his cronies and bodyguards, who I guess were right in the next room having some kind of big meeting. So we killed them too." She made another face. "Turned out well, though. With Yaisog and his staff dead, a lot of the rest of the orcs ran off. We only had to fight the really stubborn stupid ones."

"All orcs are stupid," Khelgar said.

Lilian shrugged. "They're smart enough to set up an ambush. Anyway, we're going to try it again. Elanee already found the back door to the Eyegouger hold."

"So there is a back entrance?" I asked.

"It's hidden, but yeah. There's always a back way out. Even orcs aren't dumb enough to trap themselves in a cave with one exit."

Meanwhile, Grobnar circled Elanee.

"You know, if you were just a bit bigger, I could ride you into battle," he told her. She lifted her lip in warning. Grobnar peered into her mouth. "What large, sharp teeth! Can I feel them? Can you become a dire wolf? I've got enough leather to make a saddle." Elanee growled and backed away. "It was just a thought," Grobnar said. Elanee turned back to her elf form. "Aww," Grobnar sighed.

"Lass, I don't like this sneaking about," Khelgar said. "Ironfists go through the front door, not the back. I'm sure the lad here agrees with me." He gave me what was meant to be a nudge but felt more like a shove. "Am I right?"

I didn't immediately answer in light of Lilian's enthusiasm because, in truth, I was a bit uncomfortable with this plan.

"We won't be sneaking. Khelgar. You can't sneak, it's physically impossible."

"Got that right."

"Oooh," Grobnar said. "Ooooh, oooh! I feel a song coming."

"Not now, Grobnar," Lilian said. "We need to hit the orcs in daylight, while they're sleepy."

"Orcs do like to sleep in the day," Grobnar mused.

"That makes it even sneakier," Khelgar said.

"No, it doesn't. They won't be asleep today because they're expecting us. We're avoiding an ambush. That's strategy, not sneakiness. Listen, we have two goals. One, rescue Issani. If we go charging up the front way, maybe they'll just kill him before we get to him. So that's no good."

"That Captain Brelaina of yours didn't seem to care if the emissary was alive or dead, as long as you found out what happened to him," Khelgar said.

"Well, I care. Our other goal is to kill Logram and we can't do that if we're shot full of arrows. Which we will be if we run up Suicide Hill like a pack of idiots."

"But..."

"Don't go all blood-thirsty on me, Khelgar. Even going the back way, I'm sure we'll find enough fights to keep you happy. Just remember our goals. You need to learn to focus if you want to be a monk."

"Humph. What do you know about monks?"

Lilian smirked. "Only what Prior Hlam told me when you were ranting and raving about your Trials."

I stiffened. They knew Hlam? His name brought back unpleasant and uncomfortable memories of my last day in Neverwinter. I wondered if she'd heard the gossip. Not from Hlam, I was sure of that. Not from anyone, most likely. No doubt, that embarrassing scandal was old and insignificant news by now. Hlam had told me I acted rashly and for some time now, when I reflected on my actions during that dark time, I wondered if I hadn't indeed acted and reacted with more passion than wisdom. Not that I regretted coming to Old Owl Well but had it been necessary to leave so many bridges blazing behind me?

Now was not the time to think on such things. Lilian's arguments with Khelgar had swayed him and they swayed me as well. I gave a silent prayer to Tyr for guidance. If the front path led to glory and defeat and the back path led to the achievement of our goals, then surely the back path was the correct one. This felt right.

"You're very quiet, Casavir," Lilian said. "Are you with us?" The wind ruffled her spiky bright hair. Her eyes were a touch anxious.

"I am with you," I said.

"Wonderful!" She practically pranced in place with anticipation. Dear gods, she seemed so appallingly young.

p

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Author's Note: This is the first verse of the song Grobnar sang in camp later, sadly interrupted by Khelgar's hurled boot:

I'm a backdoor gnome. I'm a backdoor gnome.

Well, the orcs don't know but the nice girls see me roam...

When all the orcs are trying to sleep

I'm somewhere making my midday creep.

Late in the evening, when the screech owl hoots

Something tells me to shift my boots...Ow!