Chapter Two
Phandalin
Jip and Jock were still munching happily on the foliage when the party returned to the Triboar Trail. Sildar had needed a little help navigating the goblin path as he walked with a limp. By the time they reached the wagon he was white as milk so they made room for him in the back to rest. They also loaded the three crates baring the blue lion symbol and soon they were plodding along again. Sildar fell asleep and Lyra took over driving the wagon so that Emmaline could scout ahead with her bow.
"Tell me more about this Forge of Spells," said Lyra softy, so as not to disturb Sildar.
"Well, how it was created is a bit of a mystery," Toby explained. "But it was wonderous. The mages could imbue items with magic at a fraction of the effort and time it takes nowerdays. When the orcs attacked, they had mage mercenaries with them. The ensuing spell battle destroyed much of the caverns and buried the entrance."
"But now old Gundren has found it?" Beorn mused. "Can't say I'm surprised, he always was a top notch delver."
"He'll be valuable to the goblins and this 'black spider' character then," said Lyra bracingly. "They'd be fools to harm him!"
For the rest of the afternoon Toby racked his brains but he couldn't recall hearing any lore about a black spider. He shuddered. He loathed spiders, he hoped it was just a name and nothing more. The sun was setting by the time they reached town. The rutted track emerged from the wooded hillside and they caught their first glimpse of Phandalin. The town consisted of forty or fifty simple log buildings, some built on old fieldstone foundations. More old ruins – crumbling stone walls covered in ivy and briars – surrounded the newer homes and shops, that showed how this had been a much larger town in centuries past.
Most of the newer builds were set on the sides of the cart track, which widened into a muddy main street of sorts as it climbed towards a ruined manor house and a hill on the eastern side of town. As they approached they saw children playing on the town green and adults going about their chores or running errands at the shops. Many people looked up at the party but then went back to their business after giving them a curious once-over.
"Look," said Lyra, raining up outside a larger building. "This is the trading post."
The sign over the doors read Barthen's Provisions. This was where Gundren had told them to deliver the goods. Sildar Hallwinter climbed laboriously out of the wagon, accepting a helping hand from Toby.
"My friends, if you don't object, I shall seek lodging whilst you conduct your business here. I find myself in need of a hot meal and feather bed."
"Would you like one of us to walk with you?" Beorn offered but Sildar held up a hand.
"You are most kind but I can manage. The Stonehill Inn is just across the green. On the morrow we can discuss payment for your assistance today."
With a formal bow he departed, still limping. Lyra shook her head as she watched him go.
"Warriors," she sighed. "They hate to let anyone help them. Well, come on, let's get rid of this stuff then we can have some food too."
She hopped down from the driver's seat and the four of them entered the shop. Inside they found shelves stocked with adventuring supplies and behind the counter stood a lean, balding human man of around fifty. He looked up from a ledger as they entered.
"Afternoon, what can I do for you folks?" he asked.
"Barthen?" Beorn asked and the man nodded. "We've brought supplies from Neverwinter at Gundren Rockseeker's request. He said you'd be expecting us?"
"Oh, bless me yes!" cried Barthen, his eyes lighting up. "Wagon outside is it? Just a mo, Ander! Thistle! Bring the wagon at the front round to the yard."
A couple of halflings, so alike they had to be siblings, hurried from the backroom and out into the street.
"Is Gundren with you? I was expecting him to arrive this morning but he never showed."
The party exchanged looks.
"I'm sorry to say that Gundren met with some trouble on the road," said Emmaline. She related their encounter with the goblins and Barthen's expression went from surprised, to concerned, the sorrowful.
"Oh dear," he said. "Oh dear, dear, dear. What is the world coming to, honest folk snatched off the roads? Goblins running amok in the forest? It ain't right."
"Do you know anything about this Black Spider? Or do you know where Cragmaw Castle is?" Beorn asked urgently but Barthen shook his head.
"I'm afraid I don't. Know of the Cragmaw's o'course. Blumin' goblins been a menace in these parts ever since people started moving back. I'm truly sorry to hear about this. I consider Gundren a friend."
"Did you know what the Rockseekers were doing in these parts?" Lyra asked.
"Yes indeed! Wave Echo Cave, they were very excited about it, we all were. Be a great boon for the town if it were up and running again. Never mind no mythical forge of spells, there's gold and silver in them hills."
"So they weren't exactly hiding the fact that they'd found the entrance," Toby mused. "Can't have been too hard for the goblins to find out. What about the other two brothers?"
"Nundro and Tharden?" Barthen asked. "They're camped somewhere outside of town, not sure where exactly. Haven't seen 'em in a tenday so I'd expect them to be returning any day now to resupply."
Toby deduced the brothers must be guarding the entrance to Wave Echo Cave until Gundren returned so finding them would be a little tricky. As he was pondering this, one of the halflings poked his head through the door and called,
"Hey boss, there's crates in here belonging to mistress Graywind. What should we do with them?"
"Oh, are those the crates with the blue lion on them?" Lyra asked. "We found them in the goblin cave, figured they must belong to someone in town. Where does this mistress Graywind live? We can return them to her."
"That's mighty kind of you, poor Linene has been going spare ever since her caravan was ransacked. The Lionshield Coster is on the other side of the green. If you hurry, you can catch her before she shuts up shop for the day."
Lyra and Toby went to deliver the goods whilst Beorn and Emmaline remained in Barthen's Supplies to take payment for their own task. As Lyra was pulling the blue lion crates out of the wagon and placing them in Toby's waiting arms, the half-elf felt a prickling on the back of his neck as if he were being watched. He looked around and saw a couple of human men standing in the shadow of the smithy across the road. They both wore red cloaks and short-swords at their hips. They looked away as they saw him watching and began hooting at a passing elf woman who lengthened her strides to get away from them.
Toby scowled at this behaviour, but the woman seemed alright, and he didn't feel like getting into an argument. Lyra had not noticed – thankfully, for she certainly would have intervened – and soon they were crossing the green with their arms full of boxes. They spotted the shop baring the blue lion sign at once. Inside the fading sunlight streaming through the windows glinted off a rack of swords and a handsome kite shield's fittings.
"Hello?" Lyra called, for there was no one in sight. They heard something being set down in the backroom and then a human woman with a somewhat stern, thin-lipped expression appeared.
"Sorry we're closing now," she said sharply.
"We're not customers, we believe these belong to you?" said Lyra, holding up the crates for the woman to see. Her eyes went wide and she came around the counter to inspect the boxes.
"Where is Lathander's name did you find these?" she asked.
Lyra explained about the goblin cave and the woman scowled.
"Those bloody Cragmaws! I'd like to wring their scrawny necks! I can't thank you enough for recovering these. Do you mind bringing them through here?"
The half-elves were happy to oblige and they followed Linene Graywinds – as Toby presumed she was – into the backroom. Here there were yet more weapons and armour and Toby was grateful to set the crates on a table. His arms were beginning to shake.
"Here, you must have a reward," Linene insisted and she took a key from her belt and knelt by a strongbox. Toby began to protest but Lyra elbowed him in the ribs. As the shop-keeper counted out gold coins she muttered to herself.
"Damn goblins, as if we don't already have enough to deal with what with those pestilential Redbrands! I hope you gave them what-for!"
"We did," Toby confirmed. "But I fear they were only a small part of a larger war-band. They're working for someone called the Black Spider."
Linene paused in her counting and frowned.
"Never heard of them," she said. "Well, anyway, here you are. Forty gold should cover it. And do come back if you need any weapons or armour. You look like the adventuring types."
With their coin pouches considerably heavier, the half-elves left. The shops around the green were beginning to close their shutters and they could hear parents calling their children inside. The only building with much activity was the inn with a brightly painted sign of a green hill surrounded by stone hanging over the door. Toby's stomach gurgled at the thought of dinner so he and Lyra headed inside. The modest common room had round wooden tables and a fire pit crackling in the middle. Locals sat around chatting and nursing mugs of ale and cider. Some eyed Lyra and Toby with curiosity but no one seemed hostile so they went over to the bar where a short human man was pouring drinks.
"Be with you in a just a sec," he said with a jaunty smile.
Toby looked around and decided he approved of the tavern. It seemed clean and he could smell something rich cooking nearby. It wasn't a patch on the Green Dragon of course, the inn owned by Lyra's mother Rosalyn back in Ashton. Presently, the inn-keep came over.
"Good afternoon, new in town eh? Will you be needing food and lodging?"
"Yes, please," said Toby. "There's ourselves and our two companions. They'll be along shortly."
"Well we've got enough rooms going spare. It'll be five silver each for a night's stay, paid in advance if you don't mind. Nothing personal, it's just we've had trouble with shady types lately so I've put the new rule in place for everyone."
"That's no problem at all," said Lyra, fishing out the silver. "We'll pay for our rooms now and the others can sort theirs when they get here. And we wouldn't mind a good meal either."
"My Elsa's got a prime boar stew on the go, fresh bread to go with it too. It's another three silver each but that'll cover you for breakfast tomorrow as well."
More coins were handed over and as the inn-keeper poured them mugs of ale Lyra asked,
"Who were these shady types you mentioned? Only Linene Graywind said something similar."
The inn-keeper's smile slipped and he suddenly looked grave.
"That'll be the Redbrands. Bunch of ruffians set up in town about two months back. Can't seem to get rid of the blighters and Harbin Wester, that's the townmaster, he's no use. He says they're just sell-swords helping to keep the peace, but they're a menace! Harassing the womenfolk, picking fights, shaking down the shop-keepers! Steer clear of them whilst you're in town, you'll recognize them by their red cloaks."
Toby remembered the two men he'd seen outside Barthen's Provisions.
"If they're trouble-makers, why don't the town guard run them off?" he asked and the inn-keeper laughed.
"Don't be daft lad! No guards in these parts, we're only a rough and ready outpost. Might be Dagult Neverember will send some if the mines prove fruitful, but until then we watch out for ourselves. So you just keep your noses clean and you'll be alright. Give the Sleeping Giant taproom a wide berth, that's where them Redbrands drink."
With that warning in their ears, Lyra and Toby went to sit at an empty table. Shortly after, Emmaline and Beorn arrived and after they'd also paid their dues for the rooms and food, they joined them.
"Seems we've wondered into a sticky situation," Emmaline mused after Lyra and Toby recounted what they'd learned. "Goblin raids, kidnappings, and now a gang of thugs! And there was me thinking this would be a place to lie low after that business with the Zhentarim."
Toby grimace at the memory. If he never met a member of that shady organisation again, it would be too soon. Before travelling north he'd only heard whispers about the Zhentarim but they were a force to be reckoned with in the cities of the Sword Coast. He wasn't entirely sure what their goal was, only that they were mercenaries who sought to exert control over the north through wealth and influence. An agent had contracted the party to clear out some gnolls from a farm near Neverwinter and, being low on coin, they'd agreed. But when the job was done the agent had tried to stiff them and when they'd objected, they'd found themselves at the sharp end of a dozen swords.
The pretty barmaid Elsa brought their stews out and Toby took up his spoon hungrily.
"Are you adventurers?" Elsa asked, fluttering her long eyelashes. Lyra flashed her most winning smile.
"We are indeed, just relaxing between delves at the moment. I'm Lyra, bard by trade."
Over at the next table a farmer in grass-stained shirtsleeves perked up and glanced over appraisingly.
"Don't get too many fighting types around here," said Elsa. "Apart from old Daran Edermath of course. But he's retired now, owns the orchard on the west side of town. I heard he was looking for someone to help him with a monster problem if you're interested."
Beorn lowered his cider and cocked his head.
"What kind of monster?" he asked and Elsa shrugged, her blonde curls bouncing.
"Not sure, but he's a good sort Daran. He'll likely pay a fair price."
She walked away and Lyra watched her go with a faint smile.
"Pretty girl," she commented. "That might be worth looking into after we've found Gundren. We could always use some coin."
"Speaking of which, here," said Emmaline, handing Toby and Lyra two stacks of gold. "Ten gold each from Barthen for bringing the supplies."
"Thanks," said Lyra, pushing the coins back. "But you might as well keep it. Linene Graywind paid us the same amount for bringing her stolen goods back."
They ate their meals quietly after that. Toby assumed Sildar Hallwinter had already retired and he was content to sit in the common room and drink a second mug of ale, listening to the chatter all around. Most of it was idle talk about farm work or family news, but some of it caught his attention. A group of farmers near the fire pit were looking grave as one said,
"Did you hear that Sister Gareale is back in town?"
"Been gone for days hadn't she? Know what she was up to?"
"Not a clue, but she came back with a nasty wound. Poor lass looked exhausted."
On the other side of the room by the bar a miner in dusty leathers was gossiping with the innkeeper.
"Saw more orc raiders at the east end of Triboar Trail. Townmaster's looking for someone to run them off but if you ask me, no reward is large enough to tempt anyone sensible to tangle with those brutes."
It seemed Phandalin was not the peaceful place the party had hoped it would be. Toby raised his mug to take a sip but slopped some down his front as a little boy bumped into him.
"Sorry mister! Anyway, mum, mum! Listen mum! Carp says he found a secret tunnel in the woods, but them Redbrands nearly caught him."
The boy's mother, the innkeeper's wife by the looks of her, looked up sharply from the empty plates she was collecting.
"Pip! What have I told you about those Redbrands! You're to stay away!"
"I did!" the boy whined. "It was Carp!"
As they moved away, the farmer at the next table stood up and approached the party with his cap in hand.
"Begging your pardon miss," he said to Lyra. "Didn't want to disturb you when you were eating like, but did I hear you say you're a bard?"
Lyra smiled as she could already see where this was going.
"Aye, not trained at New Olamn but a student of the road and tavern shall we say?"
"Splendid! Would you mind playing something for us? Been a long while since we had a musician to entertain us."
Always glad to be applied to, Lyra took up her lute and went to the head of the room where she might get the best acoustics. After perching on a stool she began fingering an improvised tune before settling into an old favourite.
"Ho! Ho! Ho! to the bottle I go,
To heal my heart and drown my woe.
Rain may fall and wind may blow,
And many miles be still to go,
But under a tall tree, I will lie,
And let the clouds go sailing by."
The next morning Toby woke slowly, savouring the soft bed and the warm blankets. Sunlight was streaming in through the small window and he lay for a while listening to the twitter of birds and the movement of people downstairs in the common room. His room was like the rest of the inn, modest, but clean and comfortable. It had the benefit of a chest and a padlock as well as a locking door, as one could never be too careful. After a while Toby decided he'd best stir himself so he swung his feet out of bed and stretched, his joints popping. It was only then that he noticed a piece of paper on the floor near the door.
After swooping to retrieve it he found a message written in Lyra's elegant hand.
'Beorn was up at the crack of dawn to look for clues about Cragmaw Castle. Emmie and I will ask around town too, didn't want to disturb you. Come find us if you like, otherwise we'll meet at the inn at midday for lunch. Lyra.'
Toby glanced out of the window and realised from the position of the sun that it must be well past ten o'clock and he hurried to get dressed. As he pulled his spare shirt and trousers out of the chest he realised he still had the pouch of coins they'd recovered from Klarg's horde. Making a mental note to count them later, he dressed and washed before heading downstairs.
The common room was quiet at this time of day, with only the innkeeper's wife sweeping the now cold firepit of soot, and Sildar Hallwinter nursing an ale. When he saw Toby he raised a hand.
"Good morning young sir. Care to join me?"
"Good morning," Toby greeted. "If you don't mind." He took the empty chair beside the warrior and flagged down the innkeeper's wife to order some breakfast.
"How are you feeling?" he asked as he waited for food. Sildar waved a hand.
"Much better, thank you. I told you it was nothing a good night's sleep couldn't cure."
Personally, Toby thought the man needed far more than a good night's sleep. The bruises on his face had started to turn yellow as well as purple and he held himself stiffly, as if his ribs were cracked. He also appeared rather gloomy as he sipped his ale.
"Is something bothering you, sir?" Toby asked and the warrior sighed.
"I have had a disappointing morning," he explained. "I presented myself to the townmaster, chap by the name of Harbin Wester. I'm sorry to say I found him to be a pompous old fool. You see, whilst I am eager to see the Rockseeker brothers succeed in their endeavour with the mines, I had a second purpose in visiting Phandalin. A fellow member of the Lord's Alliance, a wizard called Iarno Albrek, came here about two months ago. He stopped sending reports back to Neverwinter and now I find that shortly after arriving, he apparently vanished! Wester was useless, didn't have a clue where he'd gone. It seems I have yet another missing person to find now."
"I'm sorry to hear that," said Toby, who rather felt for the older man. He'd certainly had a rough time of it. "If there's anything my party can do, we'd be happy to help."
The warrior gave a wan smile.
"It's good of you to say so. If there is anything, I may just call upon you. Which reminds me."
He withdrew a pouch from an inner pocket and placed it on the table. It clinked with coin.
"Fifty gold, as promised, for helping me out of that dreadful cave. Wester may be a fool but he is also a banker and I was able to secure a loan from him."
Toby took the pouch with thanks and added it to his already heavy satchel. He really must find the others and divide up the party funds as soon as possible. Elsa appeared with a steaming bowl of porridge and set it before Toby with a wink. Toby smiled sheepishly.
"Tell me about yourself, T'oberan," Sildar prompted as Toby ate. "You appear to be Waterdavian unless I am much mistaken. What brings you so far north?"
Toby swallowed his porridge and hastened to correct the warrior.
"Oh no, not Waterdavian," he explained. "Lyra and I grew up in Ashton, it's a town just south of Waterdeep. My family owns a small museum there and Lyra's mother runs the inn. She was an adventurer in her day, a member of the Iron Maidens."
"I have heard of them," said Silder, his eyebrows raising to show he was impressed. "Mighty warriors indeed."
"Yes," Toby grinned, thinking of Rosamund and her lurid tales of daring-do. "They're who inspired us to be adventurers. I love history you see, and Lyra loves a good story. We've explored a few dungeons and Ilythiir ruins near home, even took a trip to Mintarn two years back. That's when we met Beorn for the first time. He was part of the militia there and we helped him on an expedition. Anyway, we decided to come north because Lyra had a notion to see Icewind Dale. We got side-tracked in Neverwinter but we might still go after we're finished here."
"You met Beorn in Neverwinter did you?" Sildar guessed and Toby nodded.
"Yes, nice surprise running into him again. He was at loose ends because he'd had some disagreement with his regiment, I think. He was happy to join us for a spot of adventuring."
"And your fighter? She is a local, no?" Sildar prompted.
"Emmeline? Yes, she was working on the docks but wanted a change of pace. She's handy with a bow and sword, Lathander knows we needed someone who could take a hit. I think her family were from Thundertree originally."
"Ah yes, poor woman," Sildar sighed.
The story of Thundertree was a tragic one. Thirty years ago, Mount Hotenow had erupted with devastating force, driving the people from the villages to take refuge in the city. It too was covered in ash and it had taken decades to recover. Sildar stood and adjusted his coat.
"Well, it seems you've all arrived at an opportune time. Phandalin is in dire need of adventurers at the moment. I must continue my search for Iarno but I hope we speak again soon. Good day to you."
The warrior then left the tavern. Toby finished his porridge and, after thanking the inn-keeper's wife, went in search of his friends. The sun was shining brightly today but clouds loomed on the horizon, threatening rain. Toby fastened his cloak into place and strode across the town square, looking around for his party. He paused outside the largest building, a hall with sturdy stone walls, a pitched wooden roof and a bell tower at the back. Posted on the board next to the front door was a notice written in Common. It read,
'REWARD – Orcs near Wyvern Tor! Those of a mind to face the orc menace should inquire within.'
The notice bore the town seal and an indecipherable signature. Lyra would probably think a mission like that would be a grand adventure so Toby hoped against hope she hadn't seen the notice yet. He continued his search and soon came across Lyra and Emmeline standing beside a small shrine built of old stones, likely taken from the town rubble. As he approached he saw them talking to a young Elf woman in acolyte robes.
"There you are! Have you only just woken up?" Emmaline asked when Toby drew near.
"I got speaking to Sildar Hallwinter," Toby explained, eyeing the Elf curiously before glancing at Lyra. She took the hint and introduced them.
"This is Sister Garaele, she tends the Shire of Luck here. Sister, this is our friend T'oberan, wizard."
"Pleased to meet you," said the Sister and she shook hands with Toby. She smiled at him, but Toby noticed her face was covered in scratches as if she'd recently fought her way out of a thicket of brambles.
"The good Sister has just been telling us more about these Redbrands. Apparently the townmaster invited them here to keep the peace, but now he's too afraid to keep them in line," said Lyra. Sister Garaele nodded gravely.
"That's right. They were meant to escort supply caravans and guard the mines but they spend all their time drinking at the Sleeping Giant, at the townmaster's expense. Some of us tried to confront them but things turned very nasty indeed. There's a rumour that they murdered Thel Dendrar a tenday ago. He's a woodcarver, all we know for sure is he took offense when the Redbrands pestered his wife. He ain't been seen since then and his wife and children are missing too."
"Who's in charge of these rats?" Emmaline asked with a dark scowl. "Who's their captain?"
Sister Garaele shrugged.
"Doesn't seem they have a captain as such. I overheard a couple of them mention 'Glasstaff' as someone who pays them, but I've no idea who that might be. Funny name."
At that precise moment they heard a loud clang of metal and then a crash further down the street. Then there came a shout of anger.
"That's Beorn!" Toby cried and Lyra sighed.
"What trouble has he got into now? Come on," she fished a copper piece from her pocket and flipped it into the shrine's water pool. "Let's go and help him."
"Tymora be with you!" Garaele called as the three of them ran down the street towards the hubbub.
Villagers were hurrying in the opposite direction and soon the party rounded a corner and found Beorn lying in the dirt, his axe a few feet hence. Four Redbrands were arrayed around him sniggering. One sneered at the party as they skidded to a halt.
"Well, well. Here's a whole pack of little puppies! You come here to bark at us too?"