After escaping from the camp, Calder eventually took over as the guide for the former prisoners with Zavier helping Robert carry Leosin. Even though he wasn't from the region, the ranger was familiar enough with survival tactics to decide on the best path. Fargrim covered the rear of the group, working to cover their tracks so that the Cult of the Dragon wouldn't be able to follow them. Even then, there was a general fear that their captors would find them at some point.
Nameia and Doltin were able to find the group around an hour after the escape and helped as guards in case of attack. Calder may not have known the two as long as he did his other companions but he was grateful to see that they were able to survive their role in the plan. If the Cult of the Dragon was able to catch up at some point, he was more confident that they would be able to fight a small group off. However, there would be little chance of survival if the full force of their enemy found them.
Eventually, the large group was forced to rest for the night, even if some weren't able to sleep easily. There weren't enough bedrooms for everyone and others were quick to point out that a campfire may draw attention. The group settled on setting up camp by the hills, hoping to use them as cover against the Cult of the Dragon. Although Calder was ready to volunteer for a watch, Nameia sternly told him that he, Skylar, and Arzenya needed to rest after being captured. The ranger knew better than to argue with her but found it difficult to fall asleep.
The next morning, the group continued onward to Greenest. The Cult of the Dragon had yet to catch them and possibly gave up the chase the night before. Even if that were the case, Calder remained on guard, not willing to give his enemy a chance to sneak up on his companions and the escaped prisoners. Still, with each step they took to safety, he thought that they had dealt a blow to the Cult of the Dragon. It was a matter of keeping the fight up in the future.
Finally, by the afternoon, Greenest came into sight. The group picked up their pace significantly toward the town, which was slowly recovering from the dragon's attack. At the town's edge, Doltin broke off from the group to return Leosin to Nesim and the other monks that were in Greenest. Nameia joined him with Arzenya dragged along with her. The escaped prisoners started to head to find their hopes, or for those who were taken from other villages, went to the stronghold to find out where they could stay.
Calder, Skylar, Zavier, Fargrim, and Robert headed to the stronghold as well, although they were more interested in meeting the governor. A few minutes after their arrival, Governor Nighthill met with the group. The ranger was pleased to see that the town's leader had recovered from his injuries.
"I've already received word that you've saved the prisoners from those raiders," Governor Nighthill said with a smile. "I promised you payment for your services and your daring cunning has earned it in full."
"Thank you, governor," Calder bowed his head. "We were glad to be of service."
"Is there anything else we can do?" Skylar asked.
Governor Nighthill handed the pouch of gold to Calder and shook his head. "Not at this time. We need to dedicate our effort to seeing Greenest restored to what it was before the attack, but given what I've seen you accomplish, I believe that you would be better off helping anyone else in need."
"What of me?" Robert asked. "I still serve Greenest."
"So you do, Sergeant Markguth," the governor said with a nod. "Yet I believe you asked for leave so that you can stop the raiders. If you feel there is more, then I will gladly release you from your obligations."
"Thank you, governor," Robert said with a smile. "There's more I can do, even if it means that I'll have to leave Greenest."
"I trust that you will make us proud," Governor Nighthill said and turned around. "That is all I have to say. Once again, thank you."
Once the governor was out of the room, Zavier turned to face the group. "That'll be fifty gold for each of us, Calder."
Calder nodded and started to divide the gold up between the group. "What shall we do now?"
"I'm not sure about you but I intend to head north," Zavier declared. "It's time to start a new journey."
"A new journey?" Skylar asked. "But the Cult of the Dragon is here."
"And they're in greater numbers than we can hope to compete with," Zavier said with a frown. "I know that you want to do the right thing but sometimes it's better to live and fight another day."
"We can pick them off one by one," Calder argued. "No one is saying we have to fight them directly."
"Master Blackwood, are ye sure that we should leave?" Fargrim questioned. "Th' Cult o' th' Dragon needs te be stopped."
"We would be better off informing the Lord's Alliance about what the cult is up to," Zavier explained. "Even though we really don't know what they're up to other than raiding villages for their wealth."
"Robert, were you able to learn anything during your infiltration?" Skylar asked.
"Not much, I'm afraid," Robert sighed. "All I did was nod along and try not to draw attention. The kobolds are being used by the Cult of the Dragon but they're sticking around since they're loyal to dragons."
"It was good working with you all for the time but we must think of the bigger picture," Zavier said. "Waterdeep will know what to do about the Cult of the Dragon and have the resources to deal with the raiding."
Calder didn't know what Waterdeep or the Lord's Alliance was but knew that with each passing day, the Cult of the Dragon would grow more powerful. By the time they let someone else know, it could be too late. Yet, the ranger didn't try to argue the point. He had hoped that during their time traveling together, Zavier would muster the courage to stand up for a greater cause. Yet, the bard was intent on following his own path, one that led away from the Cult of the Dragon. As disappointing as it was, Calder was at least thankful that he didn't run away for good when their plan at the camp fell into disarray. The ranger handed the gold to his companions silently and let the matter of Zavier's loyalty drop.
With the conversation fading away, Zavier made his way to the exit of the stronghold. Fargrim was quick to follow even if he disagreed with his mentor while Calder, Skylar, and Robert reluctantly joined them. When they left the stronghold, they were able to spot Leosin and Doltin heading to the stronghold. The half-elf monk had yet to fully recover but waved towards the group of five to grab their attention. The group approached the monks, wanting to see what they had to say.
"Good day, friends," Leosin bowed. "I trust that your meeting with the governor went well."
"I would say so," Zavier said with a smile. "Is there anything you need from us?"
"Actually, I was hoping to hire your services," Leosin explained. "I hate to ask more of you after all you've done for Greenest and for myself, but in my current state, I'm not able to deal with it myself."
"Is this about the Cult of the Dragon?" Zavier asked, his smile disappearing.
"How can we help?" Skylar asked and stepped forward next to Zavier, making sure he didn't try to weasel his way out of Leosin's task.
"I need you to go back to the camp," Leosin stated in a blunt manner. "Specifically, you need to head to the caves towards the back of the camp."
"There's far too many cultists and they aren't going to fall for disguises for a third time," Zavier argued. "If we go, we're not coming back."
"Be that as it may, it is a matter of importance," Leosin shook his head. "Aside from the looted treasure being stored in the cave, there's another reason it needs to be looked into. Through my captivity, I was able to find out that they called the caves the Nursery. The Cult of the Dragon is trying to hatch dragons."
Calder gasped. "Seriously?"
Leosin nodded grimly. "If a batch of chromatic dragon eggs were to hatch, it would spell disaster for the land. Hence why I need you to recover the eggs or destroy them."
"Master Blackwood is a slayer o' dragons, no matter what part o' life they're in," Fargrim declared and looked up to Zavier. "Isn't that right."
"O-of course!" Zavier replied, not willing to drop the act. "But there's still a matter of payment."
"I promise a hundred and fifty gold to each of you once you complete this task," Leosin said, smirking in amusement at Zavier's predicament. "I don't intend to stay in Greenest, so I ask that you find me in Elturel after you're done. Of course, I shall see that you are provided transportation for the way there as well."
"Elturel?" Calder asked.
"It's a large city that's a fair distance away from Greenest," Robert explained. "I doubt that it's been attacked lately so the roads should be safe enough."
"What about you, Doltin?" Skylar asked the dragonborn. "Can we expect help from your group?"
It took Doltin a few seconds to muster up a reply to Skylar. "Well, you see, I wouldn't call them MY group, really, but uh, yes. Leosin told us, and you see, Nameia thought it best to offer her aid, and that Arzenya was to join us as well."
"That is good to hear," Skylar smiled widely. "It'll be nice to travel with you and your companions."
"If dragon eggs are a problem, should we do something about the one I found?" Calder asked Doltin.
"Worry not," Doltin said, his nervousness gone as he spoke in a professional tone. "It was a silver dragon egg that you found. Metallic dragons are forces of good so we should do our part to ensure that it hatches. If you don't mind, I shall do what I can to make sure the egg remains healthy."
"Not so nervous now, are you?" Skylar asked in a teasing tone.
Doltin gasped and clasped his hands. "Well, uh, I didn't want to interrupt my own explanation, you see."
Leosin chuckled. "Doltin may not be much of a conversationalist, but his dragon lore will be of great assistance, not to mention his fighting prowess."
"We'll see about that," Fargrim grunted.
"We should make any final preparations for the task ahead of us," Calder told the group. "It is in our best interest to leave as soon as possible. Doltin, please inform Nameia and Arzenya of this."
Doltin nodded silently and Robert stroked his chin in thought. "I'll take this as a chance to say goodbye to my family. I'm not sure if I'll see them again."
"And Fargrim and I shall see about finding rations for the trip ahead," Zavier offered. "We wouldn't want to starve on the way there."
"I hope you don't mind if I come with you," Skylar told Zavier. "I'd like to help."
"I'll be by the edge of town around the way we came in," Calder told the group. "Meet me there when we are all ready."
The group broke off with the adventurers splitting off into different directions. Calder had already seen the wrath of one dragon during the battle of Greenest. It was worth ensuring that no more chromatic dragons hatched. He was glad to have the assistance of Doltin, Nameia, and Arzenya, and that for all his talk of leaving, Zavier was willing to stay with some prodding from Fargrim.
Taking on the entire camp wasn't an option. Calder hoped that once they returned and assessed the situation, they would be able to find the best path into the Nursery.
A/N: Another update, and at this point, we're reaching the end of the Defense of Greenest. What happens at the Nursery is going to be the last part of Tyranny of Dragons that I cover as part of this story although it won't be the end of Calder and his friend's journeys. There are a few more surprises left in store with these final chapters that I look forward to writing about as well.
Until next time.