A/N: As I had trouble uploading the chapter before this, the readers I'm delighted to find I have are in for a double treat.
The world of Exile/Avernum still belongs to Jeff Vogel and Spiderweb Software. I promise to put back the following people: Krantz, Gary, Jenny, Elizabeth, Nance, Elspeth, Paul, Mayor Steele, Asp, Konig, and Renn, and the following places: Silvar, Cotra, the crystal cave and the nepharim fort.
Leaving Alexi's camp at the ruined farm, the companions continued along the way by the southern wall of the Great Cave. As they traveled, they came to a place much more like what a cave would have seemed to be like, at least based on their knowledge before arriving in Avernum. For Avernum had a great quantity and variety of flora and fauna, yet here, the miraculous ecosystem came to an abrupt end, this part of the Great Cave a barren, blasted stone devoid of moss, fungus, lichen—and all other higher life forms. The air was particularly humid, and rank smelling, as though some malevolent force had created this life void. Not wanting to tarry in such a place, they continued their eastward trek.
Eventually, their path turned north, and then east, and continuing on through a month unremarkable by comparison with the other days they had spent in Avernum thus far, they arrived at the southern end of the bridge outside of Silvar.
"Well," said Ansel, "I guess it's time for us to start dealing with the sliths—you figure we oughta go to Cotra now?"
"We can," said Jynx, "but why don't we spend a night here in Silvar. Not often that we will get to rest up in relative peace—and we've spent this long before getting onto the task, what's another night?"
"All right," replied Ansel. "Anyone object?"
"Nah," said Brynja. "Let's go see what Gary's got on the menu."
As they came into the town, the sound of work at the boatworks greeted them.
Jynx said, "Wait—what if we bought a boat here? I'm sure they're cheaper here than at the front."
"Good point," said Ansel. "We'll look into buying one when we're ready to go."
"Hello," said Ansel, as he opened the door into the bar.
"Welcome back," said Gary, polishing his clean bar. "I see you're getting yourself settled into Avernum all right."
"I suppose so," said Ansel. "What else can ya do?"
"What else," said Gary, sounding a little gloomy. "Life gives ya mushrooms, ya might as well make ale."
"Speaking of," said Duncan, settling into a seat, "we'll take some of that. And aren't we taking rooms for the night, Ansel?"
"Yeah," said Ansel, "as long as you got them open."
"Of course I do," replied Gary. "You folks are getting to be known. Makes a nice selling point that ya slept here."
They ate the meal, and retired to their rooms before breaking their fast and heading down to the boatworks. There, a burly man with nearly translucent pale skin was working, his belt filled with tools.
"Say, how's the boat business?" asked Ansel.
"There's a big call for them in these caves," said Krantz. "You can get one for not too much gold. Hope ya do. The sliths have been hell for business. But, you wanna boat, say the word—three fifty gold."
"Three ..." said Ansel, looking like he might choke.
"We'll take one," said Jynx, letting her hand drop from around Ansel's waist to give his ass a pinch. "Seems like it will be something we'll need sooner or later."
"Where do the sliths live?" asked Brother Theo, his journal out again.
"Yeah, you sure will. Sliths—there's droves of them out west of here, the other side of that huge lake. They pretty much own that territory, people can't fish there anymore, it's too risky. Now it's still one of the best ways down to the Great Cave down south."
With a sour look, Ansel counted out the required coins, and Krantz handed over the title to a boat.
"It's tied up at the docks," said Krantz, pointing east. "Thanks for your business."
"You're welcome," said Ansel, and he headed out of the boatworks. "Let's go see that boat of ours, huh?"
"It's a good deal," said Jynx. "We'll be able to get so many different places now."
"I'm thrilled," said Ansel.
"And it will enable us to fulfill our mission," said Duncan. "Now, stop pulling the long face—we'll make the money up again."
"Fine," said Ansel, "let's head east a bit, and get used to the boat business."
"Sounds like a plan to me," said Jynx, getting into the boat and moving forward.
"Duncan, you and Brother Theo take the back," said Ansel, "you'll be able to do some heavy rowing. I'll be up front for steering, and Brynja, you and Rudel take the middle."
Getting into the boat, they took some time before they got co-ordinated, but soon, they were rowing smoothly, and came to an open shore on the southern side of the cave.
"Want to explore?" said Ansel.
"Why not?" said Brynja. "Maybe we'll find us some gold."
As they rounded the corner, though, they came upon an old woman accompanied by several goblins. After a few tense moments, the attack was joined, despite the apparent reluctance of the goblins. The battle was brief, and in the end, they found nothing except the belongings of the goblins and the old woman, a bunch of tools, and the start of a tunnel.
"Well, that wasn't much," said Ansel.
"No," said Jynx, "but I don't think she could've been up to any good, working with goblins. Still a good day's work."
"Anyway," said Brynja, "I think we got the rowing thing down, so what say we head over to Cotra now?"
"Sounds good to me," said Ansel.
Ducking as they came to the bridge, the companions continued on their way, finally coming to the city of Cotra—or at least what passed for a city in Avernum, and they found an open spot in the docks and tied up their boat.
A woman, dressed in a bright green dress and in an obvious good mood, was walking near the docks.
"Hullo," said Ansel, helping the others from the boat. "Good day to you. Enjoying your walk?"
"Oh yes. My name's Nance, and this is my day off. I run a weapons shop with my friend Elspeth," she replied.
"Weapons? That's your usual business?" said Ansel, his face showing that he was thinking that weapons shopping might not be too amiss before facing off against Avernum's fierce reptilian foes. "Oh, right. I'm Ansel. This is Jynx, and Brynja. And Brother Theo and Duncan and Rudel."
"It's a pleasure to meet you. No, I prefer to work with the magical arts," replied Nance. "However, I lack proper materials, and the last person who tried to improvise met a rather nasty fate."
"What happened?" said Jynx.
"He tried to use a blue teaching crystal to reverse the portal in Fort Avernum," replied Nance. "I don't know what he was thinking. Experiment near drove him mad, and he was lucky to get away with his life."
"What happened to the crystal?" asked Brynja.
"So far as I know, it's somewhere in Fort Avernum," said Nance. "When I met him later, what sense I could make of what he said was that he left the remains of it by a statue there."
"What are these crystals?" asked Jynx.
"There's these blue crystals. No one knows much about them. They were found scattered about when Empire first started sending down lots of people. When you stare into them, they talk to you," replied Nance. "Who made them? No one knows. I sure would like to meet whoever's responsible. Whoever they were, they sure knew how to work crystal."
"You know Elspeth pretty well?" asked Duncan.
Nance gave a shy smile, and said, "She's my ... friend." There was an odd emphatic inflection on the word 'friend' and she studied the group for a reaction.
"Your friend?" said Rudel, edging closer to Duncan.
"Yes, my very, very close friend,"said Nance, her cheery mood darkening to display a touch of anger. "I don't know what Empire's reasons for putting you in Avernum were, but you're getting close to mine."
"I think I understand," replied Duncan, his lips thinning slightly as he put an arm around Rudel.
"Yes," said Nance, "I think you do." Her mood lightened, and she said, "You be sure and stop in and see Elspeth or me when you're needing to buy some weapons."
"Will do," said Ansel. "Enjoy the rest of your day off, then."
Seeing an alchemy shop, they stopped in, as Brother Theo was interested in refilling some of his herbal supplies.
Inside, a pregnant blonde was cooking some pungent concoction.
"Hello," said Ansel. "What are you cooking up?"
"I'm Jenny," she replied with a smile. "And I'm an alchemist by trade. I brew a wide variety of potions. It's a dangerous craft, as those who practice it are rather jealous and protective of their secrets."
"Any secrets you might be interested in?" asked Brother Theo.
"An excellent question," replied Jenny. "Well, the greatest mage in Avernum is named Erika, and her tower is somewhere west. I don't know where, exactly, but I'd pay a finders' fee for locating it."
"I don't think we've found that," said Ansel regretfully.
"Oh well," replied Jenny, sounding unsurprised. "If you have been inside, come back and tell me about it. All I can tell you is it's far to the west. I'm quite eager to journey there, as they all say her powers are unsurpassed."
"So, what potions do you make?" asked Duncan.
"All sorts," replied Jenny. "For healing, for curing poison, for easing pain," she looked down significantly at her swollen abdomen, and added, "let me know if you want to buy something."
"You teach any alchemy?" asked Brother Theo.
"I guard my secrets," she said with a headshake. "But, there is a mage who's been hanging about in Darklake Pub, he mentioned he's got some skill in the art. Maybe he would teach you some. His name is Konig."
"Well, thank you," said Ansel, looking around to see if others wanted to buy any of her potions before departing.
Following the walkway, they came to a small inn, the signboard reading "Darklake Pub."
"Let's go see what the rumors are," said Ansel.
They came into the pub, where an aging, yet still raven-haired woman wearing a gray homespun dress was tending the bar, while a man dressed in wizard's garb and a young man with a rather expressionless face were sitting at tables.
"Hullo," said Ansel, coming up to the bar. "What's the word?"
"My name is Elizabeth," she replied. "I sell food and drink for here or for travel. And if you need a room for the night, I got one out back. On tap today is a fine mold ale."
"We'll take some of the ale," said Ansel. "Heard any rumors might interest adventurers?"
"Well, not much. Actually, I have heard tales of a crypt to the north. Some merchants stumbled upon it. Nobody knows who built it or when, and nobody can find out either, as the front gate's always closed," replied Elizabeth. "Well, there was one old coot who said that it'd open on the first of Remembrance. Or Radiane, or something—some month that starts with R. Of course, he was drunk, so who knows that he's to be believed."
"Interesting," said Brother Theo, jotting notes in his journal. "We met someone named Matthias at Fort Emerald, he said he was looking for you."
"Was he now? That's no surprise," said Elizabeth. "It was hiding that rebel in my inn on the surface got me thrown down here. He must want to make amends. He's welcome to try."
"You didn't mean to hide rebels in your inn?" said Brynja, the ever-tactless.
"And end up down here with the likes of you? I think not," said Elizabeth. "No offense, but I'd rather be up in the sunlight right now. Much rather that. No, Matthias led his band of rebels from my inn, and I didn't know a thing of it."
"Thank you," said Ansel. "The ale was quite good."
Duncan took his ale, and sat down at the table with the expressionless eyes, and said, "So, what brings you to Darklake?"
"Just passing through," grunted the man, pointedly drinking from his mug.
"If you don't mind the observation," said Rudel, sitting down by the man in wizard's robes, "you look like you've been traveling. What brings you here?"
"I am here looking for the crystal cave," replied Konig. "And I prefer to be alone at the moment."
"Sorry to disturb you, then," said Rudel. "But could you tell us about this cave?"
"It is a legendary, dangerous cave filled with powerful crystals," replied Konig. "I've heard of it from time to time, and if I knew more, I wouldn't tell you."
"I heard you know a bit about alchemy?" said Rudel.
Brother Theo sat down, journal at the ready.
"Alchemy? Ah, you must have been talking with Jenny," said Konig, his dour face twisting into a smile. "What I was saying was a man named Miles found some new uses for mandrake. Now, he lives around Fort Duvno, you want to ask him about it."
"You know any spells we might learn?" said Jynx.
"I know one very powerful spell," replied Konig. "Normally, I would charge a great deal for teaching it. However, I sense you are strong, and capable of great things. Therefore, I shall teach you for free, in the hope that my assistance will help change the world."
"I would much appreciate that," said Jynx.
Konig produced a long parchment roll from his robes, covered with magical writing, and Jynx and Rudel concentrated on his explanation.
"Thank you," said Jynx when the lesson was firmly fixed in her mind.
As they left the inn, the next building had engraved letters on its sign, declaring that it was city hall. Inside, they found a wiry, apparently nervous man with a rather aggressive bald spot at a desk.
"Excuse me," said Ansel. "Might we speak with the mayor?"
"I'm secretary to his lordship, Mayor Steele," replied Paul. "If you have some business with him, you have to go through me. But he's pretty busy with this prisoner business. You'd have better luck in the library."
"Where's the library?" asked Rudel.
"That door there to the right," replied Paul. "Not much there, mostly just records. But there might be a magic scroll tucked in there," he added with a wink.
"We'd rather speak with the mayor now," said Ansel.
"Normally, he loves to see people," said Paul, "but the Nepharim to the north are holding some of our men prisoner. I'd only bother him if it's really important."
"It is," said Ansel. "This way?" And with that, he moved into the next room—not the library that Paul had pointed out.
In the next room, a gray-haired man in impeccable silk robes was hunched over a desk, muttering to himself.
"Sir, I would like to speak with you," said Ansel.
"What?" said Mayor Steele, "Look, I'm very busy. Unless you have something important to say, please, just go away."
"You are the mayor of Cotra?" said Ansel.
"Yes," snapped Mayor Steele. "Obviously. I lead one of the six large cities in Avernum. And the city closest to both wars—against the sliths and against the kitties. So if you will excuse me, I must get back to my planning."
"Well, that's just it," said Ansel. "We heard you're having trouble with the nepharim?"
Mayor Steele looked up from his desk. "Somewhere north, the nephilim and nepharim have gotten together and built a fort. They've been giving us all kinds of grief. The biggest disaster happened about a week ago. They captured ten of our soldiers." He ran a hand through his hair, and said, "We don't think they're dead yet. But who knows how long before the kitties get hungry. If you could rescue them, you will be rewarded, I promise that."
"We'll go to work on that," said Ansel.
"I'd appreciate that," replied Mayor Steele. "We humans can't afford to lose a one."
Ansel then led the group out of Cotra to the north, and as they explored, they came to a large hidden cave, its entrance half-hidden until they stumbled through it. The sight was breath-taking, a huge cave filled with flawless crystals. They reflected light in a dazzling array, and the crystals hummed gently. The sound and motion was almost soothing, but somehow jarring, and it was only then that they noticed some vandals had broken off some of the crystals. As they tried to make repairs, it became evident that there were six crystals missing, and they could only hope to find them to restore the cave.
"Wrong cave, I guess," said Ansel. "Let's keep going."
As they continued across the plain, they came to a place patrolled by nepharim and nephilim. After the battle was joined, they noticed a small cave opening to the north, surrounded by strange totems.
"This has to be it," said Ansel. "Let's hope we find'em alive."
As soon as they were within the cave opening, it was obvious that the fort was well-defended, and a direct attack was not likely to succeed.
"Quick, this way," said Brynja, as she noticed a small crevice that opened into a passageway.
They followed the narrow twisting way, until they found a human huddled in a corner, his aggressive stance relaxing once he recognized fellow humans.
"What are you doing here?" said Ansel.
"Name's Renn," he replied. "I am with the Cotra militia, and we got captured. I managed to get loose, and now I'm trying to snag kitties without getting caught myself so I can get the others out."
"Well, we're here to rescue them," said Ansel. "We just came up from Cotra."
"Thank the gods," said Renn. "You've got to do it soon. I don't know how long the kitties will leave them alive. I can kill one when I catch 'em alone, but it's slow, too slow. I know where they are, but there's the guards and the stupid portcullis."
"OK," said Ansel, "tell us everything so we can get a plan together."
"There's a big portcullis down the passageway," Renn replied, "near a crumbling wall. Go back to the branch and go right—you won't be able to miss it. Now, if you could get that open, it'd be a great escape route."
"So, how will we get past the guards?" said Jynx.
"First off, there's lots of them," said Renn. "Most are around the front gate, though. Few in the big open area, but not too many near the prisoners. Problem is getting to them—there's a hidden tunnel, but they're always watching."
"Where's that?" said Ansel.
"Near here," said Renn, sketching out on the ground. "Be sure you're careful near the crypt."
"Great, a crypt?" said Duncan.
"It's down past the portcullis," said Renn. "Gives me the willies."
"We'll keep that in mind," said Ansel. "So these guards, real watchful, are they?"
"Yeah, one of them catches sight of you, you're likely in for a big fight," said Renn. "You gotta be careful, try and stay outta sight."
"We'll see what we can do," said Ansel. "We'll be back."
He led them back to the place where Renn had said a secret tunnel was, and then turned to his companions and said, "Think these nepharim are tougher than a chasm drake?"
"Nah," said Duncan. "Bring 'em on. We'll be doing them a service down in Cotra, if we root 'em out."
"Right," said Brynja. "Let's go kick kitties."
"All right then," said Ansel. "Let's go."
Barely had they stepped out of the hidden passage, but nepharim guards were upon them, and the battle was joined. Skulking from building to building, room to room, they managed to find a wheel which opened the portcullis, and opening it, they smashed the wheel to prevent the nepharim from closing it again.
Working their way around, killing every nepharim they encountered, the companions finally came to a guarded room, and after killing the last of the guards, opened the door where seven emaciated humans dressed in rags were.
The prisoners greeted the companions with great joy, and asked a few questions, and upon learning the portcullis was open, they grabbed makeshift clubs and made a run for it. Following them, they returned to Renn, who was still hiding, and told him.
"I'll tell everyone how you helped," said Renn. "I'm off. Thanks!"
As Renn ran toward Cotra, Ansel said, "Wanna take a look in this crypt?"
"Of course," said Jynx. "Telling us that something's dangerous just means we have to go there. I've learned that much by now."
"Maybe we'll find that part of the sword," said Brother Theo, checking his journal. "Solberg did say that rumors were that nepharim took a piece of Demonslayer. Might be good to find."
"Then it's settled," said Ansel.
"And so we go, back into the jaws of doom," said Brynja.
"You sound like Thairl," said Jynx. "Come on, Brynja. What's the worst that can happen?"
"That unlike you, I'll never live long enough to get laid in Avernum," said Brynja.
"Well, I guess you can't have everything," said Jynx, flushing.
"All right, are we ready?" said Ansel. "I didn't know you was looking, Brynja."
"Well, I'm not taking sloppy seconds," said Brynja, "but I wouldn't mind it."
"I'm sure there's someone. Avernum's a big place," said Ansel.
"Yeah, sure," said Brynja. "Let's go."
They continued past the open portcullis, and came to a basalt building, its walls marked with unfamiliar runes.
"Looks like a crypt," said Ansel. "Let's go."
Opening the door after Brynja jimmied the lock, they found themselves in a crypt with strange twisting black basalt decorations—and two horrible demons.
"Great, demons," said Brynja, barely getting a chance to voice that before the battle was joined.
After the two demons were defeated, they moved closer to the other end, where upon a bier was a mummified nepharim, his clasped hands holding what appeared to be the pommel of a sword.
"Is that?" breathed Brother Theo.
"I dunno," said Ansel. "But let's take it. Someone's gotta know."
Ansel took the pommel out of the dead hands, and the group held their collective breath, but apparently the removal did not summon more demon defenders, and Ansel carefully stowed his find away.
"Let's go see what the mayor's reward is, shall we?" said Ansel.
"Not to mention, resting up from this fight," said Brynja.
"That too," said Duncan.
They managed to avoid combat as they crossed the plain, though they crossed paths with a few rather bloodied Avernum troops.
Ansel made his way through city hall to speak with the mayor and said, "Well, we have freed those prisoners."
"Ah yes, I'm glad you came back," said Mayor Steele. "They returned here, got patched up and are back out fighting the good fight. They're eager to take the fight to the kitties. If you'll excuse me, please."
He left the room for a moment, and returned with a heavy leather cloak and a bag which gave the tale-tell jingle of a coin pouch. "Please, accept this money and cloak as our sincere thanks. Without your help, those men surely would have died."
"So, how goes the war?" said Ansel.
"You did a good deed," said Mayor Steele. "You've given them quite a shock, and we should have a good leg up in the fight."
"I'm glad," said Ansel. "Well, we're going to go rest up. We're supposed to head west."
"Of course," said Mayor Steele. "And again, I thank you."