Chapter Seven
Ari began to feel better moments after rowing into the river from the inlet's mouth. The river she was accustomed to and could manage just fine. It had been the choppiness of the waves and the back and forth of the boat that had done her in back on the Silent Rudder. Already they could see the large ship dropping sail and heading south, charging forward despite the storm. On the river the water ran fast, the current rushing against them making it hard for Samash and Kuku to row. Chaucer was using his control water spell to try and move the rougher water away and around the boat so they could more easily row. The rain was coming down so hard that it almost didn't make a difference.
Ari and Tamar huddled under Ari's cloak to shield themselves from the downpour. Kuku and Samash were soaked to the bone while Goilon had wrapped himself in a poncho and hunkered down with Big Medicine at the front of the boat watching for dangers along the shore and in the water. Chaucer seemed to be enjoying himself and soaked up as much of the rainwater that his tiny body would allow. He had taken off his finely woven vest to expose more skin to the rain.
"Maybe we should pull off into those ruins over there," called out Tamar aloud trying to lift her voice above the sound of the heavy rain. She pointed into the jungle to their right where ancient ruins could start to be seen through the thick downpour. Samash and Kuku looked to one another and gave a silent nod, both agreeing that getting out of the rain would be the best course of action for the party. Chaucer adjusted his control water spell to assist in getting the boat to shore, cutting the current down that was in their way so that rowing against it was easier as they approached the shore. Goilon scanned the shore looking for anything that might be a threat while Samash and Kuku rowed hard against the current.
Reaching the shore the group moored the tiny whaleboat under a thick pile of brush and undergrowth just off the bank. Hustling through to the forests edge that overlooked the ruins they took up positions under the thick trees and scoped out the site for enemies. Tamar slipped into the shadows and picked her way through them to inch closer to the ruins to get a better look. Perching on a crumbling wall under a stone overhang she looked out onto the site. She was greeted with stillness. Feeling confident in her assessment she ushered the rest of the group forward as the rain pounded down on them, wind kicking up to blow their cloaks and robes all about.
Under the overhang they took up positions to fortify their small patch of dryness in the torrential downpour. Goilon set up in the would-be entrance while Samash went over to start a fire. Chaucer stood on the edge still taking on rain as he opened his waterskin and let it fill with rainwater. The rest of the party took a cue from him and did the same, though they stayed mostly under cover while filling theirs. Ari pulled off her cloak and slung the soaking wet fabric over a crumbling interior wall to dry. She then set about taking off her wet boots and socks. This time Samash and Goilon followed suit and did the same. Tamar pulled out her blanket and used it to dry her wet fur while Kuku stood in the corner and ruffled his feathers dry. Setting their boots by the fire the group sat down around it trying to dry off while the rain continued to pour down. Water had started to pool up in some places under the overhang from water seeping in from outside.
"Well this rain sure puts a damper on things," stated Kuku pulling a dead fish from the bag of colding and tossing it down his gullet. He tilted his head back to let it slide down his throat with ease.
"We ave been fortunate dat we aven't encountad much rain like dis since setting out togeda," Ari commented. "Dis island be known fa its eavy rain an igh winds. It been ah oddly dry season dis yea." Going over to Tamar she asked, "Wi ya old up de blanket so dat mi cyan change inna drya robes?" Tamar nodded and finished drying herself off while Ari pulled her pack off her back and fished out a new set of robes. Holding the blanket high with Ari behind it the druid dropped her wet robes and quickly slipped on her new dry ones. Picking them up she brought them over to the fire and set them nearby to dry while she sat down and pulled on a fresh pair of socks, her boots drying by the fire along with her robes.
Samash took a cue from Ari and changed out his shirt, pulling his soaked shirt over his wet matted head and pulling the new sleeveless shirt over and onto his torso. Taking his wet shirt he ran it through his long black hair a few times to dry it. Goilon asked Kuku to hold the line while the dwarf pulled off his hunting vest and silk shirt and pulled a new set of clothes out of his pack. Dropping his shorts in front of everyone he had no shame about changing in front of the group, his bare behind facing everyone. Chaucer, meanwhile, stood just out from under the overhang and continued to soak up the rain with a smile on his face. The white grung loved the water and took every opportunity to get wet whenever water was around.
Once changed into a new hunting outfit of nobleman's quality, Goilon took up his position at the edge of the overhang once more, scanning the area for threats and dangers through the curtain of rain. Inside the party gathered around the campfire and made conversation. Ari sat cross legged in her new yellow robes with her wet dreadlocks tied up. Tamar sat next to her licking the back of her hand and combing over her head as housecats do. Kuku walked back over from Goilon's position and took a seat next to Samash who was sitting on his knees at the fire. The half-orc looked back to the entrance and called for Chaucer to join them. The white grung quirked his head towards them and came into the camp area with his webbed feet flapping against the wet ground.
"How long do you think this rain will last?" asked Chaucer as he approached the fire and took a seat between Kuku and Tamar. "We can't just sit here and camp out the whole time."
"Dese storms cyan last anywhere from a few hours ta days. Dere's na tellin from anyting de storm presents how long itwi last," replied Ari in her soft patwah. She turned to look at Tamar who was still licking herself clean. "Ya did betta in de rain den mi tought ya would," she chuckled to herself. Tamar looked up at her, little pink tongue sticking out ever so slightly.
"Well I'm not actually a cat, you know. I don't have an aversion to water like housecats and I don't knock random things off of shelves," she smiled as she replied. "I do love a good ball of yarn though," she laughed. Ari looked a little surprised. "I'm kidding, kid. It's a joke," Tamar finally said.
The conversation went on as the campfire burned and Goilon stood guard. Among the ruins a cloaked shadow of a figure moved silently out in the rain, to far away for Goilon to catch it in his range. The figure moved into a position to be able to see the party under the overhang being certain to stay in the shadows. Taking out a spyglass and wiping a light layer of transparent mud over the lens to keep it from shining the cloaked figure brought it up to his good eye and peered into the party's camp. What could be discerned was that the party was vulnerable right now, weapons to their sides, armor off, backs to the entrance. Some of them even had no shoes. The only thing to get past was the dwarven guard. The cloaked figure decided he would approach from the rear and come down on the party from above the overhang. Using the cover of the rainstorm he quietly crept around the ruins the party occupied.
Inside the camp Tamar finally relented and removed her wet armor, propping it up by the fire to let the leather dry. Samash blushed a little and looked away when he realized Tamar wore nothing under her armor and was topless from the waist up. She let out a laugh at his bashfulness and said to him, "You realize I have fur, right? It isn't like when you skin bags are without clothing and we see all your naughty bits." Kuku let out a squawking laugh. Samash just shook his head helplessly.
"Should we go ahead and eat while we're stopped," asked Kuku the penguin patterned monk. "It makes sense to me to eat now while we're already stopped instead of stopping later when we're more hungry."
"You're always looking for a reason to eat, Kuku," replied Samash. "You eat more than most orcs I know, and they eat feasts when they're hungry."
"I think the lad is on te something," called back Goilon from the front. "I think it makes the most sense tactically." He stood from his position and came back to join the party around the fire, setting Big Medicine against a crumbling wall before sitting down. "There's nothing out there in that downpour. Might as well enjoy some warmth and dryness." He reached into his pack and pulled out a fine pack of trail rations, not the usual mundane rations that were typically available in the shops. Samash and Kuku looked at them hungrily. "I make my own, lads. One o the perks of being a hunter," Goilon added as he bit into a slice of venison.
Kuku pulled a few more dead fish from his bag of colding and offered them to the others though no one was interested. Ari nibbled on some berries and chewed on a root while Tamar and Samash had some of the standard trail rations they'd bought earlier. Chaucer pulled a small vial from his belt pouch and held it up to look into it. Seven insects buzzed around inside. He smiled as he popped the cork and caught them with his tongue as they tried to fly out. The party laughed watching him.
Just then a lone figure swooped into the camp from the overhang above and darted towards Samash, driving a shadowy dagger into his back before disappearing in a cloud of shadows. Samash cried out in pain and anger, reaching back to hold his hand over the wound but finding himself unable to reach it. As Ari moved to help him the figure appeared once more, this time beside Kuku where the figure slammed a dagger into the monk's chest. The cloaked figure kicked Ari into the fire as she leaned over towards Samash and spun around to disappear again into a shadowy puff of smoke. By now the party was on alert and scrambled for their weapons.
As Tamar went for her leather armor the figure appeared once more, this time driving a dagger into her throat. He paused a moment to allow the tabaxi to recognize him before disappearing again. Tamar's eyes widened at the site of her brother. Valen Sunseeker was rumored to be dead and she'd been living her life as such. Now she stood face to face with a ghost from her nightmare of a past. Stunned, she blinked in confusion before sliding off his dagger and falling lifelessly to the ground.
Valen the Mangler smirked as he went to disappear into the shadows again as a slug from Big Medicine hit him squarely in the back. Turning to face the dwarf he smiled evilly, throwing himself into a rage. He rushed Goilon as the dwarf struggled to reload his blunderbuss but was instead met with the strike of a halberd that sent him careening to the back of the camp and slamming against a crumbling wall, Ari's cloak sliding down to drape over him. Samash let out a mighty roar throwing himself into a rage as well and charged the assassin.
Throwing the cloak off himself Valen rolled out of the way of Samash's next glancing blow, disappearing once more in a puff of shadowy smoke as he rolled to his feet. Kuku pulled himself to his feet as he placed a healing hand over his chest where the dagger had stabbed him. Ari patted the last of the flames from her now smoldered and tattered robes as she went to Tamar and knelt down over her holding her throat. As the assassin popped up once more Chaucer yelled "Ears!" while he cast out a spell. The party quickly obliged and covered their eyes instead as a hypnotic pattern emerged onto the battlefield around everyone. Valen looked around confused for a moment before catching sight of the magical effect and strained to overcome it.
Another ball of ammunition found itself lodged in Valen's shoulder as he grimaced and disappeared once more, quickly reappearing this time behind Chaucer with his dagger ready. Chaucer reacted quickly, polymorphing into a large crocodile and snapping down on Valen's leg before he could react. Valen screamed out in pain as the teeth clenched down over his leg. Chaucer thrashed and rolled with Valen in his mouth, the rough looking tabaxi kicking out at the crocodile's head to try and break free.
Ari felt Tamar for a pulse but found none. She furrowed her brow in anger and looked over to the assassin in the jaws of Chaucer. Samash was running up now and struck him multiple times with his halberd. Kuku waddled over to Tamar and Ari while Goilon unleashed shot after shot into Valen Sunseeker.
Standing up from Tamar's side Ari lifted her arms and spread out her fingers as spikes of earth rushed up to engulf the tabaxi assassin. Valen screaming out in pain and frustration as the druid followed it up with a strike of lightning to the center of the spike growth, hitting their attacker square on. Samash drove his halberd straight into the spikes and heard a gurgle of something in response.
Chaucer reverted to his natural form and peered into the spike growth. Inside Valen Sunseeker struggled to move, crushed by earthen spikes and seared by lightning. Ari knelt back down to Tamar where Kuku was trying to revive her and laid her tender hands on her friend. Closing her eyes she whispered an incantation and made some somatic motions with her hands before sending a surge of healing magic into Tamar. The orange tabaxi gasped as she came back to life, clenching her neck where her wound had been. She looked up at Ari, eyes wide. She quickly noticed that Ari had burns on her hands and face and much of her robe was scorched or burned away, exposing what was underneath. Ari extended one of those burnt hands and helped Tamar up. The druid motioned to the spike growth and escorted Tamar over to it. "You know this guy?" Samash asked Tamar.
"Why? Because all tabaxi know one another?" she commented in an annoyed voice as she approached. "Actually, he's my brother and I thought he was dead. When I knew him he was known as the Mangler for what he would do to his victims before killing them."
"What should we do with him?" asked Kuku. "He'll surely not stop his assault if we release him. If he's your brother then you should have the final say on what happens to him." Samash and Goilon nodded in agreement, both understanding the dynamics of family and how sideways things can get with them sometimes.
"He is extremely dangerous and he won't relent. You're not going to like this but I think we need to kill him," said Tamar without a trace of pain in her voice. "There's never been an ounce of good or decency in him for as long as I've known him. The world is better off without him."
Struggling to breath Valen coughed and managed, "Kill me if you want, little one, there'll just be more like me to come after you." He coughed once more, this time producing blood. "The Oakdell Circle is marked for death, and death awaits you all. Especially you Tamar." His breathing was ragged and thin, a single earthen spike protruding up through his chest, blood running down from the tip of the spike where it had punched through.
Angered by what he did to Tamar and frustrated at his words Ari waved a hand and cast stone shape, causing the spikes to turn inward and stab sharply and suddenly into Valen the Mangler. The evil tabaxi let out a final death groan as the earth stopped moving, Tamar letting out a sigh of relief. Her limbs shaking Tamar took a knee and lowered her head, Ari placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. She shuttered for a moment before regaining her composure. Reaching up she grasped Ari's small hand in her own furry paw-like hand and said, "Thank you for saving me. I was a goner for sure." Ari just smiled as she thought back to the times Tamar had helped her. Reaching down she assisted Tamar to her feet and brought her over to the campfire where her armor still sat. Sitting down next to her Ari pulled out a cloth and began wiping up the wet blood on Tamar's neck.
"Your robes are ruined," lamented Tamar as her friend wiped the blood away. She wasn't sure how to feel in this moment and so she kept it superficial. Ari nodded mindlessly. "Your under garments are showing and even those are burned in some places. You're just not decent right now, girl."
"Mi just change back inna mi old robes, den. Cyan't go round in dese anyway. Got em big ole in de front." Tamar laughed softly. She could in fact see plenty of Ari's under garments through the gaping hole in the front, and some of those had been burned too. As Ari finished Tamar reached over to her armor and pulled it back on despite it being a little damp. The tightness of it around her body was reassuring and Tamar found comfort in it.
Samash and Chaucer came over to the campfire and sat down across from the ladies, Chaucer helping Samash by holding a cloth up to the wound in his back. Ari moved to go offer the half-orc some healing while Kuku and Goilon inspected what was now the gravesite of Valen the Mangler Sunseeker.
"Had he lived we could have found out what he meant by more like him coming after us," Kuku said to Goilon as he side-eyed Ari. "I'd sure like to know if there's a contract out for us or some guild or another trying to off us. We're sure to have upset any number of bad guys with our exploits." Goilon stroked his beard and considered the monk's words.
"Marked for death could mean anything, lad, but if this be the caliber of people they send after us I think we'll be alright." He smiled as he hefted his blunderbuss onto his shoulder and stepped away from the earthen tomb. "He was definitely waiting for us though. Notice how he came in after I stepped away from the entrance. That won't happen again." Goilon made his way over to the entrance and loaded another musket ball, laying down prone with his rifle to survey the rainy area.
Kuku moved to join the party around the fire, taking his previous seat and looking around to the group. Chaucer had moved away from the fire and towards the entrance with Goilon while Ari finished patching up Samash in a robe that looked to have been tattered in flames and was showing much more of her than he'd ever seen. He hadn't figured her for someone who wore under garments. Tamar held Ari's old robes up against the fire trying to dry them faster, being careful not to let the flames touch them. Kuku looked down and saw that one of Ari's boots that had been drying was smoldering in the fire. He pulled it out and propped it up with a grimace. Looking outside Kuku saw that the rain still came down in buckets and the wind had picked up considerably. Hunkering down in front of the fire he said, "Looks like we may be here a while, folks. Rest up."