''Not a very cheerful place'' remarked Welfor as the four newcomers made their way through the camp. It was hard to believe that the small fortification had managed to resist Evil's assault. Apart from a few female Rogue warriors, and the small wooden walls, the camp seemed fully unprotected. Suddenly, they saw red-haired woman, wearing an armor, coming in their direction.
''Greetings, outlanders. It is good to see warriors coming to aid us in our plight. Though I fail to see what common merchants would be looking for here.'' she said aggressively to Gheed and Warriv. Gheed looked scared, however Warriv answered politely.
''Greetings, noble warrior. We only are looking for a safe place to stay tonight, before we can resume our trip. We seek to go East, and look refuge from Hell's minions within Lut Gholein. Our caravan stayed behind and is camping some miles from here, but I and my companions feared an attack this night, and so we came before the rest of our group''
''I really don't know why we should let you stay in the safety of our camp. We need brave warriors to help us, not cowards who aren't even able to stay the night with their caravans, and run asking for protection !'' said the Rogue fiercely.
''Kashya ! Is this how we receive strangers who ask for safety in those dark times ? Our Order is devoted to protecting the innocent, have you forgot ?'' said a voice. All turned, and saw an old lady, dressed in a purple cloak. She had a warm and welcoming look, though her eyes seemed filled by intense pain. Kashya walked away, her head high.
''I apologize for her, but she isn't that fond of outlanders ever since disaster struck us'' said gently the old lady.
''Disaster ? Are you talking about Tristram'' asked Welfor.
She looked surprised, but then realization hit her.
''It's true, the news spread slowly with all this Evil in the world.'' she sighed, and continued ''as you all know, the Sisterhood of the Sightless Eye has always been an important force, here in Khanduras. Through the generations, our Order has fought to protect this land from all threats, and has succeeded in keeping the Mountain Pass through the Tamoe Highlands and the way East open...until now'' she said sadly.
After a small silence, Arcadio asked her.
''Does that mean that the pass is closed, and that we are blocked here in our way East ?''
''Even worse, my friend. Not only is the Pass closed, but our Monastery has been lost, and the fighters of the Sisterhood who escaped the slaughter at the Monastery are either here in this small camp, or already dead. Andariel, the Demon Queen has defeated us. Now she is installed in our Monastery, commanding from there the destruction of the last resistance spots'' The anger and sadness of her voice made it impossible for Welfor to keep silent.
''Of course I am going to aid your Order in any way that I can !''
''And so will I'' said Arcadio.
''And I, am ready to sell you anything which you might need...for the right price of course'' said Gheed.
The woman ignored Gheed and watched attentively the two warriors. Finally she spoke.
''Then let me introduce myself. I am Akara, High Priestess of the Sisterhood. And who are you ?''
''I am Warriv a caravan merchant''
''I am Welfor, from the North''
''I am Arcadio, a Zakarum follower and fighter''
''Gheed,a merchant''
''We have accomodations prepared for you. Visala will lead you there'' she said calling a Rogue archer. ''Please, install yourselves the best you can. But before I would like to have a word with you warriors, if that is possible''
As Gheed and Warriv followed Visala, Arcadio and Welfor now stood alone with Akara.
''My friends, you both said that you wanted to help us. Now don't get me wrong, if you refuse the quest I would like to assign you we will welcome you all the same. There is, not far from our camp, a cave of great evil, called the Den of Evil, which recently has become more and more filled with demons from all around the countryside. I am afraid that they are plotting an attack against us. I am asking you to get to that cave, and kill all the monsters which dwell there''
''High Priestess, tomorrow morning we will go to that cave'' said Arcadio.
''And the demons would do better to run tonight, before they meet my axe'' added Welfor
''In name of all the Sisterhood thank you. But I will not hide from you, that place has already taken many of our fighters. Just yesterday, a sorceress who came with another caravan, went in there, and hasn't come back ever since. I fear the worst. May the Great Eye watch over you''
The warriors had been led to a tent, which seemed to be the dormitory of the camp. After putting their few belongings in the chest they were given, they both prepared to sleep.
''So Arcadio... It seems that we are stuck here for some time'' Welfor commented.
''Yes.... That was a wise move from Diablo, to attack the Monastery. Now it is impossible to follow him eastward'' said the Paladin darkly.
''What do you think we should do ?'' asked the Barbarian.
''For now sleep, and prepare to cleanse the cave. We'll prepare our new strategy later... if we survive''
The morning came, but the sky kept dark. Some evil magic had turned the clouds black, and they now floated heavily above the land. Welfor and Arcadio had followed the path through the Blood Moor, and were now in the entrance of a dark cave.
''Well here's the Den of Evil'' said Arcadio
''Let's go in. It is beginning to rain and I don't want to get wet'' answered his companion.
As they entered the cave, they were surrounded by darkness, and the voices of uncountable demons could be heard
''There are many foes here'' whispered Welfor, almost happy with the prospect of fights.
''It is better to be quiet, and not let them know they are under attack. This way we should be able to slay them by small groups, instead of dealing with the whole cave at once''advised Arcadio.
''Oh..alright'' agreed Welfor, a bit disappointed. He wasn't really fond of quiet, organized attacks. He'd rather go in the middle of the demons, roaring and slashing furiously. But he had to admit that the Paladin's idea was more effective.
Thanks to Arcadio's strategy, they were able to kill the fallens, zombies and gargantuan beasts from the cave in relative safety, and soon found themselves in what seemed the most important part of the cave. They were preparing to use the quiet killing again, when they suddenly heard an anguished female cry.
''They're torturing someone ! Quick we have to save her'' yelled Welfor.
''No ! Wait...we should....''
But it was too late. The Barbarian had already leaped forward, and charging the closest demon swung one of his massive axes and cut a zombie in two, while with his other hand he decapitated another. A third zombie joined the fight but Arcadio charged him with his scepter, slaying him instantly. Killing everything in their way, they arrived to a great room. In the middle of it, a young dark haired woman was tied to the wall. A dozen of zombies were near her, torturing her with small blades and fire torches. They stopped when they saw the two warriors. Their leader, a blue skinned zombie yelled some words in his foul language, and quickly all monsters ran to them. Quickly they surrounded the warriors. Welfor heard his companion mutter some prayers, as they now stood back to back in the center of the zombies' circle. The leader once again yelled foul words, and the zombies attacked. Arcadio quickly swung his scepter and killed one of the minions, while blocking with his shield the incoming attacks from the others. Welfor let loose one of his war cries, and killed two of the zombies in a single swing from his two axes. Soon the minions were all dead, and the leader stood alone near his victim. He attacked them, and the fighters understood why he commanded the other minions. He had far more resistance than his minions, and his attacks were stronger than those of his fellow zombies. He hit Welfor in the shoulder, opening skin and hurting flesh. The pain didn't stop the Barbarian to bash him with his axe, and Arcadio swiftly came to his aid and was barely hit too, fortunately his shield stopped the attack once more. The Paladin bashed the demon with his shield, and Welfor finished him with a powerful bash, cutting the body in two. When they prepared to free the woman tied to the wall, they realized that she had fainted during their fight.
''Quick we must take her to Akara. She may be able to heal her wounds'' said Arcadio.
Welfor untied the woman, and carried her small frame in his massive arms through the cave. When they were reaching the entrance of the cave, however the girl's breath started to weaken.
''She is almost dying. We need to hurry'' said the worried Barbarian.
The Paladin didn't answer and placed his end on her forehead. A small glow surrounded her, as the man supplicated the Light to heal her wounds.
''This should help her resist until we get to the camp.'' explained Arcadio.
They walked quickly back to camp, and went immediately see Akara.
''I thank you for having killed the demons in that terrible place. Now our camp is safe...for the moment. However, I am worried for the woman you brought back. She is the Sorceress who disappeared two days ago in the cave, and I'm surprised she's still alive but...'' the old healer shook her head '' She has been cruelly tortured, and I do not know if she will make it. Well I'll do everything I can. You should go rest, you had a hard day''
Walking silently to the tent, the duo came across Warriv who was sitting next to the fire, and seemed worried.
''Ah here you are ! I have more bad news : some Rogue scouts came across our caravan. Our fears were right, they were attacked last night. No survivors.''
''The land here is becoming very dangerous. Travelling is impossible, with all those accursed demons everywhere'' said Welfor.
''The worst is that no supplies are coming here for some time. I don't know how long the Rogues will resist....'' said Warriv
And with those dark thoughts in mind, the heroes went back to the tent, and slept, to gain forces for the new day.
I think I'm going to make the Sorceress join the team. A trio should be more interesting to develop than a duo. What do you think ? Feel free to express your opinions in the review section.