A/N: The world of Exile (Avernum) remains the property of Jeff Vogel and Spiderweb Software. Following my bit of fun here, I promise to return to the game unharmed the following persons: Captain Arlen, Awrmm, Gary, Commander Lynn, Gorb, Caerno, Cronan, Dougherty, Lorraine, and Gilda Radner; and places: Silvar, the Honeycomb, and Mertis, Almaria, and the Castle. Note: The individual that higher clearance comes from is Gilda in Exile II, Radner in Avernum 2—I just put the names together, even though it does coincide with the name of a late comedienne to whom no disrespect is intended.
Trekking south from the nepharim fortress, the platoon met a group of poor, ragged nephilim foraging for food. They were half-starved, having little luck finding sustenance.
Jenneke called them over, and said, "We are about to break for a meal, would you join us?"
The meal was small, but the nephilim were grateful, and afterwards, they parted company.
"Gotta do our part," said Jenneke. "Empire's helping make enemies friends, but it doesn't hurt to do a little more."
"No, sir," said Nigel. "Funny, they seem all right people, you get to know them, when they're not attacking you for the sight of you."
"They are perhapsss more like usss and you," said Thissa. "Not all are sssame."
Returning to Silvar, they made their way back to Captain-Mayor Arlen's office, and Jenneke reported, "We've done as you asked. We freed the nephilim slaves."
Despite being tired, he stood and shook hands with Jenneke, and then Adrianna, Thissa, Nigel, Feodoric, and Michael in turn.
"I've heard that you led a successful revolt. Well done!" said Captain Arlen, and he showed them a scroll. "I'll send this on to the Castle. It'll help you gain a higher clearance. On behalf of Avernum and the nephilim, I thank you."
"Thank you, sir," said Jenneke, and being dismissed, he headed back to the Silvar Arms with his platoon.
Seeing Awrmm still there, he pulled a seat for Adrianna, and after she'd taken the seat, he sat down, and said, "Well, we did it for you. Freed some nephilim slaves up there."
Awrmm set down his milk and stood, tail swishing happily. "You ... you are kindness," he said. "You save us much. I wish you great well. Now I must go find my people, so we can reform village. Thank you, and luck!" With that, he ran from the bar.
After a day of resting in Silvar, they continued on the way to Mertis. Outside the city, they were welcomed in by a group of poor and worried farmers, treating the platoon to homebrewed mushroom ale and asking for news of goings-on elsewhere in Avernum and telling of undead plaguing the region. After some time, they offered some fresh foodstuffs for sale.
Figuring that it was a way to replenish the supplies of his platoon while giving these farmers some cash for all their hard work, Jenneke agreed to buy some of the foodstuff, and then they continued toward the Honeycomb.
"This," said Jenneke, "is the Honeycomb. Famous for having more tunnels in less space than almost anywhere in Avernum."
"It's easy to get lost here?" said Adrianna.
"Very easy," said Jenneke. "Fortunately, Feodoric here is good at keeping maps. So ... anyone need anything before we go?"
"Nah, we're all set," said Nigel.
As they wandered, they came into a small cavern occupied by a clan of nephilim, working mushrooms, tending herds of giant lizards, and throughout, the decorated poles of their race.
"Hope these are friendlies," said Nigel.
The long stone huts and low warrens were filled with feline beings watching the group, but they made no hostile move, and Jenneke walked further into the village, figuring that they might be able to trade or gather a bit of information. Finally, several village elders came out, and explained that they were a peaceful clan and had nothing to offer, as they were not wealthy nor had they had other visitors, and would be obliged if the platoon left. Bowing politely, Jenneke agreed, and led the platoon away.
"Well, call that a wash," said Jenneke. "Keep looking for hidden bandits."
It was many more days before they came to the place, hidden behind an illusionary wall, and they met a band of bandits.
After a few tense moments, one of the leaders said, "We can't be having intruders wander in our lands unmolested. Give us fifty gold, or we'll take it outta your hide."
"Your lands?" said Jenneke, laughing. "You're fucking daft! We're here to make honest men of you, or kill you in the effort."
The bandits looked slightly confused and annoyed, as though this were the first time that they had a demand refused, but they drew weapons, and the battle was on.
After the bandits were dead, Jenneke said, "They don't seem to have any supplies. Must have their base near here."
"Yeah, look here," said Thissa. "Tracksss."
"You're right," said Jenneke. "I think we're on the track of that group Lynn was talking about."
"Who?" said Adrianna.
"Commander in Mertis," said Jenneke with a shrug. "OK, everyone ready?"
They moved in, and after carefully following the trail, they found themselves teleported.
"A magical trap like that," said Adrianna, "takes a great deal of skill. I couldn't do that myself."
"I know," said Feodoric. "Either there's a lot of mages, or there's one really powerful one."
"Not to mention," said Jenneke, "people with an aversion to being taught an honest way of life."
They continued, finding the lair had several narrow passages defended across chasms by archers, but after slaying their foes, continued into a beautiful cavern with crystals sprouting from the walls.
"It's beautiful!" gasped Adrianna.
"Yeah," said Jenneke. "Once you get used to it, Avernum's like that. But we don't have the time for sight-seeing. After the war, we'll come back, ok, Dree?"
"You're right," said Adrianna. "I'm sorry."
They fought their way through the stronghold, and then emerged into an unfinished area, where it became clear who had helped the brigands create this magically trapped warren. Hovering over the remaining ruffians, there was a gazer, eye-stalks waving eagerly at the prospect of combat, and it muttered a brief command before battle was joined again.
"You concentrate on the gazer," said Jenneke, "we'll get the scruffs."
Whatever magical force kept gazers aloft faded quickly upon death, and it landed on the ground with a loud, wet splat. Even if Jenneke and his patrol meant to leave any brigands alive, they would no longer have the advantages the gazer had given them.
Returning to Mertis, they stopped in the office of Commander Lynn.
"We took care of the brigands," said Jenneke.
"Well done," said Lynn, nodding as she took notes. "We don't have the funds to pay you, but we have a better reward. I'll pass news of your deed on to the Castle, and it'll count towards your getting a higher security clearance."
"Thank you," said Jenneke.
They went into the inn, and Jenneke said, "Now, I'd like to get in to see that prisoner we heard about, but all of us would draw too much attention."
Nigel said, "How about just you and me, sarge? You ask the questions, I'll handle the doors."
"All right," said Jenneke, giving Adrianna a wistful look.
"It's better I don't," said Adrianna. "Someone might recognize me."
Jenneke made a face at that and after a mug of mushroom ale, he and Nigel divested themselves of armor and weapons, and slipped into the yard where Empire prisoners were stored. Dirty sleeping mats were scattered about a feeble bonfire, and a few of the prisoners looked up, listlessly.
"What's your name?" said Jenneke, as he saw one listless soldier, skin color from the surface world still intact.
"I'm Gorb," he said, "whaddaya want?"
"Not much, just passing through," said Jenneke.
"I'm just a prisoner here," said Gorb. "Just hoping to get out of these foul caves alive."
"Don't like it here, I take it?" said Jenneke.
"How can you all live down here? It's hell!" said Gorb. "I've only been down here two months, and I think I'll go nuts if I don't see sunlight soon!"
"You get used to it," said Jenneke with a shrug. "Why'd you come down here?"
"I volunteered to come down here cause they promised money and adventure. Instead, I get cold, wet caves and crappy mushroom food all the time, all to fight a bunch of regular folks who are just trying to do all they can to live down here," said Gorb. He looked rather sincere as he said, "If I could, I'd take back coming down here a thousand times, and that's no joke!"
"Yeah, I understand," said Jenneke, thinking how much like Adrianna's account Gorb's was, and he momentarily imagined what it would have been like for Adrianna, spending the rest of the war in a pen like this.
Another of the prisoners, however, was staring at them rather defiantly.
"What's your name?" said Jenneke, surprised by the look from the prisoner.
The prisoner frowned, and said, "Caerno. Private. Third Cavern Corps. Three. Five. Seven."
"I want to talk to you," said Jenneke.
"I've nothing to say," she said, giving them a long look, "rebel worm."
"I'm no rebel," said Jenneke, bringing his face close to hers. "I'm a citizen of Avernum, not the goddamn Empire."
"Whatever. You can do what you want to break me," she said, "but I'm an Empire soldier!"
"Yeah, that much is obvious," said Jenneke.
She spit, and said, "We're tough enough to take living in these caves, and we're tough enough to take you! And that's all I have to say. Do what you want!"
"Yeah, and that's where you're wrong," said Jenneke. "We're gonna win this war, and you'll wish you'd been a damn sight nicer."
"Sarge, over here," said Nigel, pulling Jenneke along. "What, you like her?"
"Fuck no," said Jenneke. "She's a stupid one. What's ... oh."
Nigel had led Jenneke into a corridor where the odor of unwashed bodies was quite strong, and two reinforced doors were visible.
"OK," said Jenneke, "let's find this prisoner, get the info, and get out."
Nigel opened one door, and a surface worlder sat, curled up in the corner, looking at them meekly, purple bruises on her face.
"What's your name?" said Jenneke.
She stood with some effort and bowed. "I'm Dougherty. Private. Second Cavern Corps. One. Eight. Six."
"You look like you've been beaten," said Jenneke.
"Of course I've been beaten. That's what you Avernites do ... You torture us until we talk," said Dougherty with a flash of temper. "I didn't want to come fight you people. I had no choice. I wish none of this had ever happened." She closed her eyes, and rested her head against the stone wall.
"Look, I'm sorry. Emotions run pretty high, I mean Empire's committing a lot of atrocities, and people kinda take exception to being wanted dead," said Jenneke. "Could we speak with you?"
"Look, I've been waiting here weeks!" said Dougherty. "I've said I'll say all you want, if you'll just let me get to the surface again!"
"Miss the surface, then?" said Jenneke.
"I can't take it down here! I don't care what the Empire does to me. I gotta get out of here!" said Dougherty. "I'll tell you about the passes even, just help me!"
"OK, tell us about the passes," said Jenneke.
"The gray passes are the best, and the rarest. I know where one is, too! I hear there is a fort, real secret, beyond some lava fields in that steam cavern west of the Tower of Magi. Lots of soldiers, doing guerrilla stuff!" said Dougherty. "They say it's hidden, but it's real near this obelisk! That's what they say! Can I go now?"
Jenneke shook his head in the negative, and she sat down, looking discouraged. He said, "Tell us how we can get there."
"West of the Tower of Magi, there's a merchant outpost by a lake, and a lot of lava south. Secret tunnel at the west end of the lava. The Empire outpost is back there," replied Dougherty. "Entrance is hidden by magic. Just wander around near the obelisk, you'll stumble into it. Little northwest, I think, of the obelisk," she said.
"I'll see what we can do," said Jenneke. "No promises. I don't have that kinda pull."
"I understand," said Dougherty, looking dejected.
After locking Dougherty back into her cell, Jenneke said, "OK, let's get the fuck outta here."
Wasting no time, they got out of the prison yard, and made their way back to the inn.
Jenneke sat down beside Adrianna, stopping to give her a kiss on the cheek as he took the seat.
"How'd it go?" she asked, a little nervously.
"Not bad," said Jenneke as Nigel took a seat. "We know where we gotta go, anyhow."
Cronan said, "Here's your new round. Sorry, all I got in rooms is the commons, but plenty of room for all of you."
"I guess we'll have to take it," said Jenneke, paying up.
Once Cronan was back behind the bar, he said, "We got in and talked to that prisoner that everyone's trying to see. She told us how to get into a fort where the commander's holding a gray pass."
"So, that's our next stop?" said Feodoric.
"I think so," said Jenneke. "Then we'll get over to the Castle, and see about that clearance thing. Fair bit of work to do, and we need to see that one mage, and need the higher clearance to get there."
After the meal, they made their way into the common room, and Jenneke took Adrianna over to one bed in the corner.
"Jenneke, we can't," said Adrianna, somewhat anxiously as she realized that Jenneke meant for her to get in so he could follow.
"I know how you feel," said Jenneke, holding her close, "and I ain't gonna fuck you in front of everyone, but I'll be damned if I'm going to give up holding you in my arms at night. Understand?"
"Yes, sir," said Adrianna, with a sly grin, "sergeant sir."
"Don't you fucking do that," said Jenneke, feeling an undeniable surge of desire. "Or I'll forget the first part of what I said."
"Jenneke!" said Adrianna.
"Damn it," said Jenneke as he kissed her, "I've half a mind to go boot that squatter out and demand the room."
"You can't, there'd be trouble," said Adrianna.
"I know," said Jenneke, "so just get in bed, would you?"
"All right," said Adrianna, folding her outer gown neatly before getting into the bed.
Jenneke's clothing followed, more in a heap than careful folding, and he then got into the bed, pulling Adrianna into his arms. Images of Adrianna beaten and thrown into the holding pen he'd seen flashed through his mind, and his embrace tightened. I couldn't ever let that happen to her.
After a good night's rest, and plenty of ribbing from Nigel about the sleeping arrangements, they continued on a southerly journey from Mertis, and then turned west without coming into sight of the Tower of Magi. Adrianna stared in astonishment at the view ahead of them.
"This area's pretty famous," said Jenneke. "South end is just a massive active crater, and there's a big natural spring in the middle, and when the lake water flows south and hits the lava, there's just steam. More variety of mold and fungus here than anywhere's else."
They stopped at a permanent caravan stop, and over mushroom ale, the merchants told about fast, deadly Empire raids, originating from somewhere that no one had yet located. Jenneke told them about the group that had been seeking them out, surmising that they had originated from this same fort.
After parting company with the merchants, Jenneke led the way as it had been described to him. "Don't think she'd have reason to lie," he said, "but I'm not convinced ... at least, not until I actually find the place."
Finding their way to a concealed passage, Jenneke said, "So far, so good."
Suddenly, there was a flash, and they were beset by a small band of clearly highly-trained Empire troops that must have teleported into the location.
"Oh, fuck!" said Jenneke. "They know we're coming."
"Well then I guess that means we just have to go through with it," said Adrianna. "No backing out now."
"Right," said Jenneke. "Hey, here's the obelisk."
They moved through a concealed passage, and the sight to the west was bone-chilling, despite the physical heat. The wide passage was lined with totems covered with broken armor, weapons, and heads of slain Avernites.
"We've gotta put a stop to that," said Jenneke, spitting on the ground at the sight.
Nigel put up a hand, as he'd scouted just ahead, and said, "Empire soldiers, dead ahead."
"They probably have good defenses at the front gate," said Adrianna. "Do you think we can find a back way?"
"Too late, we've been spotted," said Nigel.
"Then we better take 'em out before they raise a general alarm," said Jenneke, unsheathing his sword.
Fortunately, the sentry post had only had four soldiers, and the battle was over almost as soon as it began, and they stood quietly listening, but no general alarm seemed to have been raised.
"It's possible there's a crack in the walls or something," said Jenneke, "these caves tend to move around a bit, let's look. Otherwise, it'll be storming the front gate ..."
"If the gate's even open," said Adrianna.
"Yeah, there is that," said Jenneke. "Better find the back way, then."
"Look there," said Feodoric. "There's ledges along the lava ... maybe we'll luck out."
"Let's hope," said Jenneke. "OK, Nigel, you're on point. Thissa, rear guard. Dree, you're with me, and then Feodoric and Michael."
They edged around carefully, feeling the heat from the lava even as they skirted their way along the ledges.
"Lizards ahead," said Nigel. "Fuck! They spit fire."
"Thanks for the warning," said Jenneke.
After that, they came to another ledge, and Jenneke said, "We'll have to jump."
"That's ok," said Nigel, "we can climb out if we get stuck."
Moving carefully through these back tunnels, they did see a few Empire soldiers, killing them quickly from behind corners before they could raise an alarm. Then they came to a cemetery of sorts—dead Empire soldiers had been cremated and put in brass urns.
"Well, at least they've had a few losses themselves," said Jenneke.
"Oh, fuck, what's that smell?" said Nigel.
"It's giants!" said Feodoric.
"No ... it's ... no ... fuck," said Jenneke, "giants ... but ... oh shit!"
They fought off the strange giants, their skin some sort of waxy looking, more difficult to harm hide.
"I've never seen anything like that," said Michael, "and I've been around these caves a bit."
"Don't look at me," said Adrianna. "I've never seen anything like that either."
Finally, they found their way into the fort proper, where some sort of magical experimentation was going on, with summoned demons ... but the most shocking thing to Jenneke and his companions was that the cabinet in the room was of vahnatai make, as were the green tiles on the floor, and the blue crystal boxes.
"They've been dealing with vahnatai," said Jenneke, when the fight was over.
"How can you tell?" said Adrianna.
"The only place we've seen this kind of stuff was in vahnatai lands," said Jenneke. "Strengthens the supposition that the Empire's got the Crystal Souls, but I'm not anxious to go into Empire forts on spec."
"Maybe we will find something that points to just one of them," said Adrianna.
They opened the door to find that the Empire guards on duty were looking out, beyond the closed gate. Nor did they feel particularly guilty about killing them from behind before they had time to do more than utter a strangled gurgle. In the next room, they found the commander—a dervish, sitting at the table talking with what had to be some high ranking members of the outpost. Even though this was considered the most honored and highest of possible ranks, he fell before the onslaught of the Avernites, Adrianna's ice bolt the final blow that brought the man down.
"Good work, Dree," said Jenneke.
They moved into the luxurious room which had been the dervish's quarters, searching through the desk, but it was there that they found an official document edged with gray trim. Having found red and blue versions before, they recognized this immediately as the sought-after pass through gray-clearance checkpoints.
After thoroughly checking through the fort, they decided to rest and recuperate inside. After drinking up the surface wine and eating the dervish's food, they started off on their trek to the Castle. Shortly after they had come to the main road, they met up with a patrol group.
The captain said, "Greetings, friends. You should beware. There is a hidden Empire outpost somewhere in the area."
"We know," said Jenneke with a grin. "We just got done destroying it."
The soldiers in the patrol looked both awed and relieved as they heard this news.
"Kind of a personal mission," Jenneke said, "we got enough attention that they were on special orders to kill us ... and we didn't like it."
"Thank you, friends," said the captain. "You've done us a great service."
"No problem," said Jenneke. "It's good for all Avernum."
The patrol then continued on their way, and Jenneke and his platoon continued on theirs. As they reached the bridge leading to Almaria, Jenneke got out five golden coins, preparing to pay them over. However, the guard on duty opened the gate before he had a chance to hand over the coins, and waved Jenneke and his group on through.
"We heard about you," said the guard through the window. "Glad you're coming through Almaria. Where you headed?"
"We need to go to the Castle," said Jenneke.
"Carry on," said the guard, and as soon as the last of the group was through, he closed the gates again.
Passing through Almaria, they continued on the road to the Castle, where they met the largest patrol of Avernum soldiers they'd seen yet—fifty, wearing plate mail, carefully drilled until they marched in unison, wielding halberds and greatswords. They marched on past the platoon without even a second look.
Turning again, they started up the long ascent to the Castle, capital of Avernum, the largest structure in all Avernum. They passed through a gate in the middle of the stone walls, moving quickly past the guards who had massive halberds and armor of a quality rarely seen in Avernum, but whose eyes betrayed a weariness born of a war not going particularly well.
The main approach to and from the Castle was a steep, narrow stretch of ground flanked to either side by steep slopes and mounds of jagged rocks. From this approach, there was a good view of the impressive structure. Along the way, they crossed paths with several more groups of troops, each of which questioned the platoon, clearly ready to lay down their lives if necessary in preventing a spy from entering or leaving the Castle.
As they finally reached the Castle itself, Jenneke gave Adrianna's hand a reassuring squeeze, and they walked in, finding many more guards and a very tall, thin woman pacing about, carrying many maps, which she occasionally stopped to spread out on the floor to examine.
"Hello, my name's Lorraine," she said.
"I'm Jenneke, my wife Adrianna, and the rest of our platoon—Nigel, Feodoric, Thissa, and Michael," said Jenneke. "What are the maps for?"
"I'm working on a bit of research," said Lorraine. "That's what I'm here for."
"Can you tell us what you are researching?" said Adrianna.
"Not magic. I'm working on something else, to take a break from all of that," said Lorraine. "I'm trying to figure out where the Sphere of Thralni ended up."
"What is this Sphere of Thralni?" said Adrianna.
"It's an artifact! It enables its bearer to fly! We had it here, but it was stolen," said Lorraine. "But I think I know who the thieves were."
"Stolen? Out of the Castle?" said Michael. "How is that possible?"
"A very good question. A complete mystery. Probably magic," replied Lorraine. "What doesn't get done by magic these days?"
"So, where do you think it is?" said Jenneke.
She spread out the maps, of the caves west of Fort Remote. "There is a huge nest of Empire mages in there, doing research," said Lorraine. After the orb was stolen, troops in Fort Remote thought they saw some people fly over them. The mage fort is southwest of Fort Remote. I would bet that's where the Sphere ended up. Now, if only someone would get it."
"You do seem pretty interested in these maps," said Feodoric.
"Oh, it's a terrible job! With the barriers and the cave quakes and the new settlements springing up everywhere," said Lorraine. "How am I supposed to keep track of everything. I'm so behind, and there's so much I need to know."
"Like what? Maybe we could help?" said Nigel.
"Actually, there is a way you could help me. There's supposedly a new town to the north, near Empire lands," said Lorraine. "It's called Harston. However, we have no idea where it is. If you could tell me where it's located, and what it's like ... it'd be a huge help."
"We'll try," said Jenneke. "Do you know where we are to go for clearances?"
"Oh, through these doors, to the right, and then take a left to the Hall of Records," she said.
"Thank you," said Jenneke, and he moved on, the rest of the patrol following behind.
As they entered, there was a woman with brown frizzy hair, blissfully shuffling forms back and forth, adding numbers, and so forth.
"Hello?" said Jenneke.
She stood, and came over and shook his hand. "I'm Gilda Radner, head record-keeper. Here for a higher clearance?"
"Yes," said Jenneke. "Can you issue that?"
"Well, that depends," she said. "What are your names?"
"I'm Jenneke, my wife Adrianna. Nigel, Thissa, Feodoric, and Michael," replied Jenneke.
"I see," said Gilda. "And do you formally request a higher security clearance?"
"Yes, we formally request a higher security clearance," said Jenneke, wondering if this was a way of driving people mad so they didn't bother.
"Fill out these forms please," said Gilda, "and then I'll check your records."
Jenneke sighed, and filled out the forms. Gilda summoned up a flurry of paperwork, and after a few moments, popped up from a cloud of airborne scrolls and handed Jenneke a small certificate. "You are now of Magi Clearance," she said. "Congratulations."
"Lots of information here," observed Feodoric. "How can you keep track of it all?"
"It's easy! In fact, we could use more. If you're on a daring raid in some Empire fortress, and you stumble across some of their records, bring them here. I'll pay you and it'll be a big help in my work," said Gilda.
"As a matter of fact," said Jenneke, "I think we did find a few of those records."
"Excellent," she said as she inspected them, and then counted out some silver coins in pay. "Thank you, and if you find more, I have more money."
"Thank you," said Jenneke, and he started leading the way out of the Castle.