Chapter XVIII

Lut Gholein, known as the jewel of the desert, is the main trading port and city in Aranoch and a major point of call on the trading route between Kurast and the towns of Khanduras. But perhaps the reason of its epithet lies in the fact that it is a welcome sight for the weary merchant on the way east.

It certainly was for Warriv as well as Cain, Talina and Geldar as they finally sighted the city on the last morning. The sound and smell of the sea was much better than that of blood and sand that they had endured. By early evening they were through the gates and Warriv was heading to the merchant's quarter of the city.

Geldar, Talina and Cain were about to get a decent meal at the, the Jewel of the City, the public house in town when they were stopped by a brightly clad personage who greeted them rather pensively.

"Welcome travellers," his tone was warm but his expression was apprehensive. "I am Jerryn, Lord of Lut Gholein and I bid you welcome to my fine city. We have recently heard that Diablo, the Lord of Terror, walks again and there has been increased unrest in the city. I have ordered the port closed and the town placed under a strict watch. I have to get back to the palace, I am sorry but I cannot invite you in. Things are…a bit of a mess at the moment."

"The port is closed?" Talina asked. "But I need to get home as soon as I can."

"I am sorry but due to the unrest that is impossible," Jerryn said regrettably. "You should speak to Atma, she should have some information for you."

"You are Lord Ariedam's son aren't you?" Cain asked suddenly. "I knew your father, he would be proud of you right now."

"Deckard Cain, is it?" Jerryn asked. "I heard that one of the Horadrim was still alive. It does well for us if you are here. If you'll excuse me…" Jerryn said and he looked around frantically.

"By all means," Geldar said, and the young lord was gone.

"What am I do to now?" Talina asked as they entered the tavern, ignoring the stares of those within as they went to a table.

"We have to get them to open the port," Geldar said as they headed to a table.

"And how?" Talina asked as the serving girl came around and they ordered.

"The same way with the rogues," Geldar answered when she had gone. "Earn their trust, that brings many things."

"Though you do not speak in such terms in regards to Norleche," Cain observed.

"That's different," Geldar replied. "He is good in a fight but I don't trust him yet."

"Neither do I," Talina said.

"Not even after he saved all of us when he spotted those two groups of saber cats a week ago?" Cain said. "Not even after he was able to reverse the poison of a well so we wouldn't die of thirst? What is it that you judge him of? Past prejudices? They mean nothing now."

"I have the values instilled in me by the Zakarum," Geldar said. "I can't abandon those very easy despite what has happened. I'm not going to turn my back on the Church of Light as my brother did."

"And you?" Cain asked Talina.

"As a personal opinion I see Geldar's notion of good and evil as very simplistic," Talina replied. "There is no such thing with mortals, with demons and lesser beings I agree but there are various degrees of corruption such as the story of Horazon."

"I had no idea you were so informed of Vizjerei history," Cain said.

"It was part personal interest and part required study in the temple of Zerae," Talina replied. "But I don't trust Norleche because I don't understand his actions and how they are brought about. And if I ask he doesn't answer, how can I trust such mystery."

"Talina," Geldar asked. "Would you mind showing me how you summon lightning bolts? That skill could come in useful one say."

"Of course not!" Talina said sharply. "Such actions are arcane knowledge to the initiates of Zerae and –" she suddenly smiled when she realised what Geldar was trying to prove. "Well at least my prejudices aren't grown in me, they are based on experience."

"I call a truce, for now," Geldar said, holding up a hand.

"People change their values," Cain reminded them. "You'd be surprised."

"We can discuss this later," Talina said, and looked up to see that their food was coming. "Let's just eat for now."

When their meal was finished Geldar started fishing around for his money. A tall woman in a purple gown came to collect their dirty plates and empty mugs. She was very beautiful but had a tragic face. By the way she ordered around the serving girls Geldar deduced her to be the proprietor of the place.

"I was told by Lord Jerryn to ask for a woman named Atma," he said to her. "Might you know where I would find her?"

The woman looked at him longingly and her eyes glazed over. "You are the travellers from the west that sent Andariel back to the burning Hells aren't you?"

"Yes," Talina said, noticing that the woman had stopped. "You are Atma, aren't you?"

"That is my name," she said, wiping away a tear and quickly walking away from the table with the laden tray.

"What did you say to her?" Talina asked.

"I only asked her name," Geldar replied. "Whatever tragedy touched her it must be recent. Let me pay, I think she wanted to tell me something."

"She might be married," Talina said slyly but Geldar ignored her.

"I would appreciate it very much," Geldar said to Atma when he walked up to the bar with his gold. "If you'd tell me if a man in a dark cloak called here recently. I speak not of the Wanderer as I know he has gone on elsewhere but another that resembles him."

"You might like to ask Elzix who keeps the Desert Rain Inn," Atma said, counting out his change.

"I haven't met anyone of that name yet," Geldar said.

"He lives on the other side of the city," Atma said. "This is no favouritism, I send all my customers there for rest just as he sends his to me for mead and a meal."

"Much thanks anyway," Geldar said and he posed to leave but Atma caught his arm.

"I don't expect much from you," she said in a low voice. "But if you could help me I would be truly grateful. In the sewers below our city there lurks a horrid creature that hungers for human flesh. The creature has killed many, including my son and my husband. If you destroy it, I will reward you. Please be careful though, that beast has taken enough from us already. The sewer entrance is through the trap door just up the street."

"Thank you again, m'lady," Geldar said, taken aback by her outburst. "I will do all in my power to assist you."

Talina and Cain were looking at him in askance when he approached the table but he volunteered no information until they were outside and heading towards the other side of town.

"Did you get anymore information?" Cain asked.

"That's all she told me," Geldar replied. "Perhaps someone around here will have –" he was stopped when they entered the marketplace and a tall red-haired woman walked towards him and smiled.

"Well met, brother Paladin," she said. "I am Fara and I welcome you here to Lut Gholein."

"You no longer follow the Light?" Geldar asked.

"That is true," she said. "But it matters not. A Paladin, an Amazon, a Horadric Sage and a Necromancer arriving denotes no small thing indeed."

"My name is Talina," the Amazon said when Geldar wouldn't respond. "We were just told by Atma of a creature that eats human flesh. Could you give us anymore information?"

"You speak of Radament," said Fara. "I have spoken with Drognan about it and he may have some more information for you. He is a sorcerer and he's been researching our plight."

"Is there anyone else here who may be of help?" Cain asked. "We only arrived with the caravan this afternoon."

"Drognan has many magical implements for sale while Lysander over there deals in potions," Fara replied. "For arms and armour you can come to myself or the innkeeper Elzix. But repair is something only I can do here. Griez hired out mercenaries, his barracks are in the far part of the city."

"Are there any trading merchants from Kurast here?" Talina asked.

"There is only Meshif who has been anchored here until further notice," Fara replied. "He intends to go onto Kurast if the port reopens."

"If you'll excuse us," Talina said and she started to walk away with Geldar and Cain in tow. "Do you want to go onto the inn while Geldar and I see Drognan about this Radament? I want to move first thing in the morning."

"I don't mind – " Cain started but Geldar put a supportive hand on his shoulder.

"You can get us a room while we find out more about this," he said. "I know I'm looking forward to a real bed again."

When they were alone again Geldar and Talina went in search of the sorcerer. They found him at the entrance to the city, a tall man with a grey beard a brown robe and a tall hat. He leaned on a staff and walked up to them and smiled.

"I have heard that you two are responsible for sending Andariel back to the burning Hells," he said. "I am impressed, that would not have been easy. My name is Drognan and I know some magics, you might wish to look over my inventory if you wish to trade."

"We seek information," Geldar said respectfully. "I am Paladin Geldar and we have heard talk about something called Radament. The lady Atma asked for help and I am willing to do her bidding."

"We all feel for Atma after what happened," Drognan said and he walked over to his stall and got out a few scrolls. "Her husband Asyr was a good friend of mine as was their son Ibole. Their plight was their curiosity; such is the nature of the world. Fara and I have been talking about the creature recently," he showed them several pictures of emaciated bodies. "From my studies I have deduced that it is Radament the fallen, an ancient Horadric mummy that for some reason has left his tomb to prey upon mortals."

"Horadric mummy," Talina mused. "Cain must know something."

"I've heard of your friend, Cain," Drognan said with a smile. "He is the last of the Horadrim. You would do well to heed any advice he has to give you."

"We rescued him from certain death," Geldar replied. "Atma also spoke of a sewer entrance some where along the street. Can you tell us where it is?"

"There are two entrances," Drognan replied, he pointed up the street. "One is up there near Griez's barracks and the other is near the harbour. I'll let you know if I have anymore information about it."

"Much thanks," Talina said and they headed towards the inn. "Well what do you think?"

"I'm still not very sure about this," Geldar said. "But either way Norleche will be of great help."

"My thoughts exactly," Talina replied.