A/N: And here's the next chapter, Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Dungeons and Dragons. I only own my original ideas.
Chapter 66: To the Valley of Tears
We were given quarters for the evening, and the following morning Verrax flew over to me, looking worried.
"Ah, Valingnatirisk," said Verrax, "Last night, I had a portent, a sense of something dark dwelling deep in the forests east of here. I'll cut to the chase: I would like you and your allies to assist me by investigating this place".
"What exactly did you forsee?" I asked.
"That's the problem," said Verrax, "I'm used to having vauge portents, but this one was unusually so. It seemed like someone or something was attemping to prevent me from scrying deeper".
"Will you be joining us, or will you remain here?" I asked.
"As much as I would enjoy getting out for a bit and put my skill to use in the field, I've got classes to teach today… perhaps some other time," said Verrax.
"Very well," I said, "Thank you once more for their hospitality".
My allies came out of their rooms, and after I told them of our new task, we started down the road, following the path Verrax had indicated. A short distance into the forest, we came upon our first point of interest. We found a small shack which was almost hidden by the deep forest. A search of the interior was empty aside from a large cast iron oven. However there weren't any signs of where the owners might be.
Further on, we came to a small camp, occupied by 8 humans. Most were wearing rough, piecemeal armor, while one was in robes. As we approached, they grabbed their weapons to fight us.
"I'd reccomend lowering your weapons," I said, "you need not die here".
"Your words won't save you from our blades!" said the bandit leader.
One of the bandits rushed forwards and attempted to attack Charles, but he tripped and nearly dropped his scimitar. Lydratir took aim, and fired pair of shots towards the bandit in robes. The arrows sunk in deep, leaving the bandit badly wounded. Narcrath focused his magic for a moment, and then snapped his fingers. The air in the middle of the group of bandits seemed to burst outwards, and all but two of the bandits in the area of effect were taken down. I moved up the one of the wounded bandits, and took him down with a swipe of my claws. I looked at the leader of the bandits, knowing I'd given him fair chance. Charles Charles raised his blade, and took out the bandit before him with a single practiced swing. Krisyra summoned a small flame and lauched it at the bandit leader, burning him a bit. The bandit leader looked at me in anger, and came at me slashing. I snarled as his scimitar and dagger bit into my hide.
Lydratir hurried over to assist me, jabbing at the bandit with his rapier and leaving him reeling from his wounds. While he was recovered from these blows, Narcrath hurried up to him and blasted him lightning, taking the bandit down.
We continued on our way, and as it got on into the afternoon we came upon something again. We heard them before we saw them, a mad cackling and chanting in a language I couldn't understand. We saw six hunchbacked figures dancing around a fire, but when they saw us they stopped and snarled at us. It was a group of Gnolls, but a strange scent surrounded them, the scent of dark magics.
One of the gnolls charged forwards to attack Lydratir, biting and clawing at him. A second gnoll attack Krisyra, but only hit with one claw. Krisyra suddenly morphed into a giant scorpion, and then strack back at her attacker. She pinched down on the gnoll with her claw, and then stung it with her tail, leaving it looking quite unwell. I looked towards the gnolls that had yet to engage my allies, enhaled deeply, and unleashed my flame, wounding all of them. Narcrath weaved his magic, and the air around the gnolls I'd burned rippled with energy. Most of them seemed to resist the effects, but one took the full brunt of it and was looking dazed. One of the gnolls rushed Charles, biting him, but missed with its claws. Another gnoll carged Charles, but only hit with its claws this time. The dazed gnoll moved up to me, but it its addled state failed to pierce my hide. Lydratir jabbed at the gnoll before him with his rapier, each hit seeming to hit it unusually hard. Charles slashed at the gnoll nearest to him with his greatsword, his second swing finishing it off. Even still, the blade remained completely clean. Another gnoll approached me, biting and clawing at me. I realized that its bite seemed to be venomous, but I resisted its effects.
The Gnoll near Laydratir attacked again, clawing him once more. The gnoll held by Krisyra's claws shook itself free, but seemed unsure what to do. Krisyra reacted by clawing it again, and then finished it off with another strike of her tail. I took out the dazed gnoll with a swipe of my claws, and did the same with the other gnoll, taking it out as well. Narcrath hurried over towards Lydratir, blasting the gnoll near him with lightning and finishing it off. The remaining gnoll struck out savagely at Charles, biting and clawing him. Lydratir stepped over to assist Charles, and finished off the last gnoll with his rapier.
With the area clear, we recollected ourselves and continued on. As night fell, we arrived at an ancient stone archway, which Krisyra was looking at with interest.
"This looks like an ancient elven design," said Krisyra, "this should me a safe enough place to make camp".
My companions made camp, while I looked around the small clearing. However, besides the archway there was nothing else there. My allies decided on who would take watch, and gave me the night off.
As I slept, I slipped into the place in my mind where Ashardalon rested. As I glided down toward him, he favored me with a small smile.
"Ah, young one," said Ashardalon, "it has been a small while since we've had the chance to speak. Of course, I've been keeping an eye on your progress".
"What do you think of what I've encountered thus far? I asked.
"You've done well to aid those you've encountered," said Ashardalon, "these planar incursions… I've not seen the like before. I wonder if those Void Dragons you encountered might be involved".
"Perhaps," I said, "what about those other dragons I encountered?"
"Well, with the aid you've given him, Vorlianax will likely be a good ally in the future. As for Brykienth, only time will tell, but at least he's willing to be reasonable. Verrax, though… I like him. He lets no one push him around, and seems to know how to use his nature to his advantage. I'd bet he's used being a Pseudodragon to caused his foes to underestimate him. To speak of your current task, I've no idea what you will find ahead, but there is likely something dangerous waiting for you. Use caution young one".
With that the dream began to fade.
A/N: And there we go! Next time, our heroes arrive at that dark place known as the Valley of Tears. See you then!