Chapter 42
Without waiting to see if they would follow, Khalid moved down the street towards the smoke. Garrick nervously looked at the others before scurrying after him. Eldoth hesitated, then took Skie's hand, and she jogged to keep pace with his long strides.
People elbowed and shouldered each other in their haste to investigate the rising black clouds. Skie and her companions were quickly swept up in the tide and Eldoth moved behind her, shielding her with his broad frame. She squeezed his hand out of gratitude and to stave off her mounting anxiety.
Garrick staggered and nearly fell as people shoved past him. Khalid on the other hand was not impeded in the slightest. When he reached a slight bend in the road, Skie caught a glimpse of his quiet, emotionless face through the crowd. Her eyes went to the smoke and she felt a chill run down her back.
She remembered the guilt from sending Eldoth away six days ago. When she heard a few days later that the caravan had been attacked by a bandit army, she had grown so distraught that Safana took her out against Eldoth's wishes and brought her to the Jovial Juggler. There, Skie was able to stave off her fears and worries, losing herself in the music and dancing. The cheery, carefree atmosphere had been a thoroughly welcome relief from the sullen moodiness that seemed to infect every other part of the town. It had given her the strength to tough out the next several days shut up in her room in Feldepost's, anxiously awaiting Eldoth's return.
A blast of fiery-hot air hit her as she, Eldoth and Garrick rounded a corner. She flinched, shielding her eyes from the heat, then opened them to see the Juggler in flames.
"Milil have mercy!" Garrick cried.
Flaming Fist, temple guards and town militia had surrounded the building. Most of them were struggling to put out the blaze with buckets and spells while others attempted to keep back onlookers. Skie spotted the old paladin Bjornin among them, hefting a barrel of water.
An anguished cry pierced through the sounds of crackling flames and collapsing wood, and Skie saw the Juggler's innkeeper fall to his knees, the dwarf Gurke placing a hand on his shoulder.
She felt Eldoth grip her shoulders and steer her away. Garrick followed close behind as Eldoth barged and elbowed his way through the crowd. She saw Khalid waiting for them beneath an overhang. His face was still devoid of emotion. Despite the intense heat from the fire, a cold feeling rose in her belly as they approached, and she leaned back into Eldoth as the half-elf stepped forward.
"Leave by the southern gate," Khalid ordered calmly. "I will meet you there." Without waiting for an answer, he headed down a side-street.
Skie watched until she could no longer see him in the crowds, then looked at the two bards. Garrick's face had gone pale, and he was shooting glances between Khalid and the burning inn behind them. Eldoth was grimly staring at the spot where Khalid had disappeared.
"Let's go," said Safana's voice. Skie jumped; she had forgotten the other woman's presence.
The quartet hurried away from the Juggler, Eldoth again keeping Skie in front of him and using his broad frame to muscle through the crowds.
There was a deafening crash behind them, and Skie looked over her and Eldoth's shoulders to see the entire second floor of the inn collapse in a billowing cloud of ash and splinters. The townsfolk yelled and reeled back as the mercenaries, guardsmen and militia redoubled their efforts to keep them away from the blaze.
Skie looked away, panic clawing at her chest as Eldoth steered her down the street.
What have I gotten us into?
..
A rowdy crowd had formed in front of the palisade's southern exit, most of them carrying packs while merchants and nobles sat on wagons or saddlebag-laden horses.
Panic and fear permeated the street. People jostled, shoved and elbowed to reach the exit. Several town militia waded in to break up a fight between a group of peasants.
Skie, Eldoth, Safana and Garrick joined the queue. Surrounded by a crowd of nervous and anxious people, none of them dared to speak of Khalid's possible involvement in the Juggler's destruction.
As they shuffled forward with the line, Eldoth still protectively holding her in front of him, snatches of conversation from all around reached Skie's ears.
"Had enough of this, I don't care about this being our home…"
"Travenhursts all butchered in their beds, a patrol murdered the same night, madwomen throwing lightning around and sell-swords killing each other in the Sheaf! 'Everything under control' my arse, I'm getting the hell outta…"
"Never liked the Shields, but now who's gonna guard the caravans an' roads? What are Kelddath an' the Dukes playing at?"
"Fist only care about catching that dwarf. Silvershield cares more about his dead son than the people he's supposed to be looking after."
Skie felt her heart sink, and looked down at her boots. Eldoth's chest press into her back, and his arms wrapped protectively around her. Her hands found his, taking comfort in their strength.
She then felt rather than heard Garrick tense up beside them and lifted her eyes to see nearly thirty Flaming Fist mercenaries streaming into the area. Half of them joined the militia in stopping people at the palisade exit, which elicited an outcry, while the other half split into groups of three and began moving through the crowd. The mutterings intensified as the roaming mercenaries scrutinized faces and ordered people to remove their hoods or hats. A merchant who refused got a cuff across the cheek.
In contrast to Garrick, Eldoth seemed relaxed. Skie felt his hand squeeze hers. She breathed slow and deep, willing herself not to panic as a trio of Flaming Fist scouts moved toward them.
"You!" One of them shouted, pointing at Eldoth who was the tallest of the four. "State your business and purpose here!"
Eldoth's head slowly turned, his eyes boring into the mercenary's. At his grim, unfriendly demeanour, the other two Flaming Fist moved their hands to their weapons.
"Business?" said Eldoth, not intimidated by the gesture. "Purpose?" He let go of Skie. "You want to know our business?"
The mercenaries did not flinch or step back, though they stopped and briefly glanced at each other as Eldoth stepped menacingly towards them.
"You want to know our business?" he said, his voice growing louder with every word. "Well I'll tell you! My friend and I answered your company's request for volunteers to defend that caravan. We risked our lives to protect it, we nearly got killed for it, and when we got back, you refused to pay us!"
Mutters and hostile looks arose from the crowd, almost all of them directed at the Flaming Fist. The leader of the trio glared daggers at Eldoth and straightened, ignoring the surrounding onlookers.
"If you have a complaint, freelancer, I suggest you – "
"You asked for us!" Eldoth yelled, taking another few steps towards the trio. "You promised we'd be paid! Is this how the Flaming Fist rewards those who help them?!"
The mutterings increased. The officer ignored them and sneered at Eldoth.
"For your information, the caravan never even made it to Baldur's Gate. Your contract was to escort it there. Since you failed to uphold – "
"We almost died defending it," Eldoth snarled. "And you're giving me this?" He stepped forward with his fists clenched. "I have half a mind to-"
The officer drew his sword. "Back off right now or I –"
"The caravan didn't make it?!" a nearby peasant shrieked. The officer's head snapped towards her in alarm, realizing too late what he had said out loud. Skie saw the faces of the other two mercenaries fell just before the crowd erupted.
"We haven't heard of this, what are you hiding from us –"
"My sons were there!"
"You told us you drove off the bandits, you lying scum!"
"You people are in the Juggler all the time, where the hell were you when – "
"Hey, good-lookin'!" an old, toothless woman hollered eagerly at Eldoth. "Cave that bastard's face in!"
A chorus of agreement arose and the three mercenaries found themselves surrounded by a ring of shouting, jeering peasants.
"Break it up!" another nearby mercenary yelled, violently shoving people aside as he attempted to get to his comrade. "Break it up or we'll start making arrests!"
The officer looked up at the sound of his co-worker's voice. Eldoth sprang forward and decked him hard across the face. Blood sprayed from the man's nose as he staggered backward into his two comrades, bringing all three of them to the ground.
All hell broke loose.
The officer who had threatened to arrest people was immediately overwhelmed. Other groups that were also moving through the throng of civilians were attacked as well. The crowd turned into a mass of fists, feet, clubs and knives.
Skie was jostled hard and struggled to stay on her feet. She spotted Garrick, his bright-coloured clothes making him stand out in the crowd as he blocked a punch from and then shoved away a nearby peasant. The latter fell and was immediately trampled.
Someone grabbed Skie by her shoulder, and she whirled around with her hand on her dagger.
"Roof!" Safana shouted. Skie hesitated for a half-second, then nodded and bolted past her, ducking and weaving until she reached the nearest building. A single leap propelled her up to the overhang, and she scaled the wall to the rooftop in seconds.
Clambering onto the tiles, Skie turned around to help Safana up and her mouth fell open as she saw the carnage below.
The officer whom Eldoth had punched was being beaten and stomped to death by enraged townsfolk. Other mercenaries had also fallen and were being torn apart by the mob. One of them was held down by three peasants while a forth hefted a brick. Skie felt bile in her throat and hurriedly looked away as the man raised the brick up high with both hands.
Safana tugged on Skie's sleeve. "This way! Hurry!"
As she followed the Calishite woman across the roof, Skie watched the remaining Flaming Fist rally at the palisade exit, raising their shields against thrown stones and debris.
Safana skidded to a halt near the roof's edge. "We'll have to jump!"
Skie's eyes darted to the palisade, gauging the distance, and then widened as she watched the rallied Flaming Fist launch a volley of spells into the crowd. She froze, unable to tear her gaze away as commoners, merchants and nobles alike either rushed the human barricade and were cut down or trampled each other in their haste to get away.
"Skie!" Safana shouted, grabbing her by the shoulders and spinning her around to face her. "We have to go now!"
"W-what about Eldoth? I'm not leaving without him!"
"He'll be fine, he's been through worse than this. I promise we'll meet him later. Now come on!"
Without waiting for an answer, Safana hopped back a few steps and took a running leap off the roof's edge. She hit the palisade hands-first and immediately began to climb.
Panic flooded Skie at the thought of being left alone, and her feet moved as though of their own accord. She cleared the distance, struck the palisade hands-first like Safana and swiftly climbed, forcing herself to ignore the screams and cries below.
The duo reached the top, and despite fearing what she might see, Skie turned her head to survey the crowd, desperately searching for her lover. Her heart leaped into her throat when she saw several mercenaries' faces turn toward her.
"Jump, now!" Safana shouted.
Skie threw herself off the palisade. She felt the rush of arrows just behind her, and then the ground rushed up to greet her.
They both landed and rolled at almost the same time, Skie springing to her feet an instant sooner than Safana. "Come on," the latter breathed. Skie hesitated, looked back at the palisade and gasped upon seeing a man pulling himself on top of it only to be hit in the side by a crossbow bolt and fall back out of sight with an agonized cry.
"Skie, run!" Safana shouted as Flaming Fist mercenaries appeared around the palisade.
"No escapees!" An officer's voice rang out. "Stop now or we'll -!"
This time Skie did not look back. She took off at a sprint across the field as arrows sped past. A searing pain tore into her side, and to her own surprise, she neither flinched nor slowed down as she plunged into the woods, the cries and screams of the townspeople trailing after her.
..
Skie did not know how far or how long she ran. She sprinted past trees and through foliage, the burning pain in her side increasing with every step.
After what felt like a full minute, she slowed to a halt. The pain spiked, and an anguished cry escaped her lips as she looked down to see the arrow embedded in her hip.
Forcing herself to stay upright, Skie staggered to and leaned her back against the nearest tree before looking around.
"Safana?" she called out. "Safana?" she tried again, louder this time.
Panic struck her like a hammer as her eyes darted around the trees and foliage. Her breathing became rapid, and she struggled fruitlessly to remain calm as she started to hyper-ventilate.
A hand came down on her shoulder and she screamed, turning swiftly and sending a razor-sharp burst of pain throughout her side.
"I'm here, Skie," Safana implored, her voice calm yet firm. "Be still."
Relief flooding her senses, Skie leaned back against the tree once more as Safana kneeled and lifted her shirt to examine her wound.
"Straight through the armour," the former pirate said with a grimace. She looked up at Skie. "I'm going to pull it out. Brace yourself."
Skie hesitated, then nodded, breathing deep. Gripping the arrow-shaft near the wound with one hand, Safana then held the feathered end with the other. She paused, glancing up at Skie, then swiftly yanked out the arrow.
An anguished cry escaped Skie's lips, and tears welled up in her eyes. She then felt the cool rush of liquid on her hip as Safana applied a healing draught to the wound, and the pain slowly ebbed from a burning agony to a dull throb in her side.
Standing up, Safana placed a hand on Skie's shoulder and gave her a reassuring smile. Despite the pain and tears, Skie smiled back and placed her own hand on Safana's. After a moment, her eyes widened and her breathing intensified again.
"We need to go back," she said. "We need to – "
"No," Safana replied calmly. "We wait. Do not worry, Skie. Eldoth will find us."
"But how – "
"Just trust me."
Skie looked at Safana's calm, relaxed face. She then slowly nodded and sank down, sitting at the base of the tree. Safana patted her shoulder before turning away to wipe the bloody arrow on a nearby plant.
"I c-can't believe that just happened," Skie stammered. "Everyone just…"
"Hush, sister. Do not dwell on it."
Looking at her friend, Skie forced herself to breathe slowly, trying to stave off the images and sounds threatening to burn themselves into her mind; of people being bludgeoned, beaten and trampled.
They waited in silence, Skie remaining seated while Safana slowly moved around, occasionally turning her head to scan their surroundings.
What if he's hurt? What if he's been arrested? And about Garrick? If we lose him, how can we explain it to his people?
His people.
Khalid's face appeared in Skie's mind, and she again felt a chill run down her back.
Safana suddenly stiffened, her head darting to face off to the right. The sound of rustling foliage brought Skie to her feet, and she quickly moved next to Safana as it drew closer.
Three figures appeared out of the undergrowth, two of whom appeared to be supporting the third between them. Skie recognized Garrick by his clothes before she discerned his, Eldoth and Khalid's faces, the last of whom was partially obscured by his helmet.
"Thank the gods!" she breathed, moving towards them.
"What happened?" Safana asked, also approaching the trio as Eldoth and Khalid both kneeled and slowly laid Garrick down on his back.
"Blow to the back of the head," Eldoth answered, looking up at her. "Out cold, but nothing serious." His eyes narrowed upon seeing the blood on Skie's shirt and trousers, and he quickly drew her close to examine it.
"I'm alright," Skie said. She then saw the blood on his temple. "You're – "
"It's nothing," The bard replied, still examining her wound. "You should see the other guy."
She paused, then threw her arms around his neck and pressed a kiss to his cheek.
When she opened her eyes, she saw Garrick being seen to by Safana and Khalid. The latter now had a sword and was wearing the armor and helmet of a Lathanderite temple guard.
Feeling her eyes on him, Khalid looked up at her. She met his gaze, refusing to look away, and he slowly returned his attention to Garrick.
Satisfied that her wound had been properly treated, Eldoth released her and turned around, facing Garrick, Safana and Khalid.
Skie looked down at Garrick; from his youthful features, she guessed that he could be the same age as her, or perhaps even younger. She found herself hoping that he wouldn't die, and realized that she had been holding her breath when he stirred, groaned and opened his eyes.
"Stay still," said Safana, leaning over him and placing a hand on the crown of his head. The bard blinked up at her for a moment before his eyes moved to Khalid.
"Khalid…where were you? What happened back there?"
"I was about to ask the same," said Eldoth, folding his arms across his chest. "I believe you owe all of us an explanation."
Khalid stared coldly up at Eldoth. His eyes then moved to Skie and then to Safana.
"I think introductions are in order first," Garrick said from the ground. Glancing down at him, Safana patted his head before looking across the supine bard at Khalid.
"My name is Safana, and this is Skie. I presume you already know Eldoth." Safana paused, and when Khalid did not speak, she went on. "We lost nearly all our money during our journey from Baldur's Gate to Beregost. Eldoth joined the caravan, and when he discovered your party, he hoped to elect you to escort us to Amn."
Khalid still said nothing. Safana fell silent as well. The half-elf slowly moved his gaze from her to Skie and then to Eldoth.
"Why are you headed for Amn?" he asked, his eyes fixed on the bard.
Safana and Eldoth both exchanged looks. Garrick remained quiet, eyes darting from them to Skie. She hesitated, then breathed deep and stepped forward.
"I am the illegitimate child of Piergeiron, the Lord of Waterdeep."
Khalid blinked, but otherwise did not react. Skie hesitated again, then took another deep breath and plunged on.
"His daughter Aleena wishes me dead. She has already made more than one attempt on my life. If not for Eldoth and Safana, she would have succeeded. If your people could see us safely to Amn, my mother will reward you greatly."
There was a moment's silence. Khalid still did not speak, and Skie resisted the urge to back away. Garrick slowly sat up, gingerly rubbing the back of his head.
"Khalid," he said, his voice soft. "Nobody's going to force you. But we'd really like to know what happened back there."
Khalid looked at the young bard's face. He then slowly stood up.
"I f-followed Rodei Vai to the Juggler," he said, keeping his eyes on Garrick. "I was h-hoping to find Farrahd." He paused. "I got to the upper floors, but Rodei discovered me. I could have escaped, but I didn't want to lead anyone back to you. So I set fire to the inn."
No one spoke for a long moment.
"How many people were…?" said Garrick.
"None," Khalid answered. "I made sure."
"Did you?" said Eldoth. Khalid glared at him.
"Did you start the riot?"
Skie realized that she had backed away. She drew close to Eldoth, her hand finding his forearm.
"We were about to be arrested. I did what I had to." Khalid stepped towards him. Eldoth did not flinch. "If anyone is to blame, it would be the mercenary who was foolish enough to refer to the caravan not reaching the city in such a way that people thought he meant it was destroyed."
"He's got a point," said Garrick. "Although you did throw the first punch."
"If I hadn't, we would all be in prison," Eldoth replied. "Or worse," he added, putting an arm around Skie and glaring coolly at Khalid. "Would you not have done the same to protect your wife?"
Khalid's eyes dropped to half-lids, and Skie's own widened as she saw his left hand rest almost idly on his sword-pommel. Garrick raised his arms, but before he could speak, Safana stepped between Eldoth and Khalid.
"We need to be on our way," she said firmly. "Garrick, please contact your people."
"Urm…right," the bard replied, his eyes darting from Eldoth to Khalid as he reached for his pack.
"Now, as far as I see it, both of you made decisions for the sake of the group," Safana stated, planting her hands on her hips. "If you want to quarrel about it, I won't stop you. But I hope that it won't descend into violence. We all have enough troubles as it is."
Khalid and Eldoth looked at her and then at each other. After a moment, both men seemed to deflate slightly, albeit still glaring at one another.
"I just spoke with Ajantis," Garrick quickly piped up. "There is a house in the woods to the south, about an hour's walk from the town. The people there know Kagain and would grant us shelter."
"Then we must hurry, before the Flaming Fist think to send search teams for us. Or other escapees," said Safana, looking pointedly at Khalid. The half-elf held her gaze for a moment, glared coldly at Eldoth yet again, then moved to and offered a hand to Garrick. The bard accepted the offer, wincing and rubbing the back of his head as he stood up.
Khalid then turned and quietly walked past all of them. A moment passed before Safana sighed.
"Men," she said. She caught Skie's eye and winked at her before turning to Garrick. "Can you walk?"
The young bard frowned at her. "Yes."
Safana smiled at him, then turned and strode after Khalid. Still frowning at her, Garrick adjusted his pack and followed.
Skie watched the three of them moving off into the undergrowth. She then felt Eldoth move beside her, on the side where she had been wounded. He took her hand in his and gave her a small smile.
As he led her after the others, Skie again took comfort in the firm yet gentle grip of his hand. She looked up at Safana calmly following Khalid, and closed her eyes.
This is happening. I am really doing this. I am going to meet the dwarf who Father believes killed Gunnhallur. I must be brave and strong, like Helmut. And I am not alone. I have Eldoth and Safana with me.
She opened her eyes, and her steps became strides as she gripped Eldoth's hand tightly in her own.
I will learn what happened to you, Gunnhallur. I promise.
..
"Hungry?"
Khalid turned his head to look at the wrapping of peppered and unleavened bread. He then looked up at Safana for a moment before shaking his head and turning back to face front.
Behind them, Garrick frowned at Safana's back while Eldoth raised an eyebrow. Beside the latter, Skie regarded Safana as the former pirate walked in silence next to Khalid.
Eldoth's spent six days integrating himself into the party. It looks like she is now doing the same thing. Skie then looked at Garrick who was slightly ahead of her and Eldoth. I should do the same thing. I'll have to if I want to find out anything about my brother.
Giving Eldoth's hand a squeeze, she then released it and moved up next to the other bard.
"Are you feeling alright?" she asked, noting that he was still occasionally rubbing the back of his head. He blinked and smiled.
"I've had better days," he replied light-heartedly, nodding at her blood-stained hip. "I shouldn't complain. You have had it worse than me, my lady."
"Yes," Skie answered, trying not to think of the burning pain of the arrow.
"The Flaming Fist archers are not only well-trained, they often use enchanted arrows as well," said Garrick. "One usually needs more than luck to avoid their aim."
"I guess I need to give some coin to Tymora," Skie replied, wincing as she placed a hand on the closed wound.
"I saw you leaping from the roof and climbing over the wall. A feat not many could have accomplished so easily."
"Thank you," said Skie. The memory of the rioting crowd filled her mind, and she lowered her gaze. "I am sorry, but I would prefer not to speak of it."
"Oh. Urm…my apologies."
Skie smiled at Garrick. She then glanced over her shoulder at Eldoth who was frowning at Garrick's back. He caught her eye, and she gave him a smile before looking back to the young bard.
"How did you come to know Safana, my lady?" he asked, his gaze now on the former pirate who appeared to have succeeded in getting Khalid to speak to her.
Ah. Alright, Skie. Remember your story.
"I met her in Baldur's Gate a year ago. Eldoth introduced me to her."
"He did?" said Garrick, looking back at Eldoth.
"They had worked together on several occasions." She paused, then leaned closer to Garrick. "They're con artists."
Garrick's eyes widened comically, and he cast a nervous glance over his shoulder at a smiling Eldoth. "Urm…"
"I know. At the time, I thought of it too. But they took a liking to me. We became friends and worked with each other many times in the past year."
"By 'work', you mean…"
"I steal things." Garrick's mouth fell open, and despite what had happened today, Skie had to resist the urge to laugh. "Only from bad people. Or who didn't need the items anyway."
Garrick stared at her. After a moment, he closed his jaw. "Ah…I see. Well, my lady, you certainly are more interesting than most noblewomen I have met."
"Thank you."
"Soo, you and Eldoth…"
"You noticed, didn't you?" Skie smiled. "The answer is 'yes'."
Garrick paused and then frowned at Eldoth, adding to the number of people who have given the same reaction upon learning that he and Skie are lovers.
Looking back at and exchanging smiles with Eldoth, Skie was then about to ask Garrick about his party when Eldoth suddenly stopped walking, all amusement fading from his face.
Skie and Garrick both spun around to see that Safana and Khalid had stopped as well. The latter had his right hand on his sword, and Skie could not help but notice that his left hand was now holding the bread that Safana had earlier offered him.
Eldoth moved next to Skie, hands loose at his sides as his head slowly turned to survey their surroundings. Everyone else stayed still.
After a moment, a tall, auburn-haired man stepped around a tree, sunlight reflecting off his chain-mail armor as he stood before the party. He held a longbow in his hands, pointed down yet with the string pulled back and an arrow ready as he regarded the party with narrowed eyes. His gaze lingered on Khalid, who did not release his grip on his sword.
"You a temple guard?" the stranger said at last.
There was a long pause.
"No," said Khalid. The man's eyes narrowed to slits. Skie felt her heart quicken as she saw his hands tighten on his bow.
After a moment, he drew his hands to his sides, removing the arrow and releasing the taut bow-string. "Well, you ain't hobs or ogres."
"Ogres?" said Garrick, sounding more curious than afraid.
"Aye, ogres," the stranger replied. "Can't you smell them? Two, maybe more. And a score'a hobs too."
"Hobs?" said Eldoth.
"Hobgoblins," the man replied impatiently, walking over to them.
"Where?" asked Khalid.
"House 'bout a half-hour south'a here," the stranger answered. Skie felt her heart sink.
"A house? Here in the forest?" said Eldoth.
"Not from around here, are you? I can tell. Place is a lodge for hunters and trappers. Woman by the name of Tamah owned it. Got taken over by them hobs and ogres a few days ago. Hunters and guards put up a good fight, but then this fur-wearin' hob steps up, spends like a half-hour chantin' and wavin' his arms, turned the area into a swamp, right below the damn place. Sank right in with everyone in it."
The party all looked at each other.
"How do you know all this?" Skie asked.
"I was there. Was comin' back from huntin' and saw the whole thing."
"And you didn't try to help them?" Skie said, her voice rising. Eldoth placed a hand on her shoulder, and for just an instant, she was angry at him.
The stranger shrugged. "Never liked Tamah or her people. Never liked the other hunters too, for that matter. Real shady lot. 'parently, they were in bed with the Dented Shields. Scummy bunch'a sell-swords if I've ever seen one."
"What happened next?" Safana said, giving Skie a warning look.
"Hobs and ogres are still there. I sent word to Beregost, waitin' for Kelddath or the Fist to send a team to kill the bastards. Been five days now, and nothing. So I've been spying on them in between my hunts, 'case they decide to hit the roads or push closer to town."
"Did you see anything else?" Safana asked. "Did anyone make it out of there?"
The man frowned at her for a moment, then seemed to deflate at her imploring expression. "No. Funny thing, though…there's a cave not far from the house. Hobs and ogres've been staying there too. What I saw, they found some treasure or loot hidden in there, but for some reason still haven't left the place." He shrugged. "Maybe they needed shelter after they sunk the house." He paused. "Who are you people anyway?"
"I'm Safana," said Safana. "This is Khalid, Garrick, Skie and Eldoth. We are trying to get to Amn, and we heard that the roads are too dangerous. You?"
The stranger looked at each of them in turn. Skie noted that his hands were still holding the bow and arrow. "Just a hunter," he said at last. He regarded them a moment longer before turning away.
"Where are you going?" asked Safana.
"Gotta keep watch on the house," the hunter replied. He walked away without another word or backward glance, disappearing into the undergrowth.
"I have to warn the others," Garrick said, breaking the silence. Skie turned and saw him carefully removing a strand of black hair from one of several pouches at his belt.
"The cave must have a passage to the Upperdark," said Khalid. "That's why they haven't left it."
"The Upperdark?" said Skie. Khalid looked at her, and when she instinctively flinched at his gaze, he seemed to soften.
"We were travelling underground to avoid the Flaming Fist," said Eldoth. "And if you are correct," he added to Khalid. "Our friends may be about to meet those 'hobs and ogres'. Assuming they haven't already."
"They haven't," said Garrick. "I've just spoken to them, they are still underground." He paused. "But the other exits are too far away, and Kagain's decided to fight. He's going to hit the enemy head-on and drive them out of the cave."
There was a long pause. Khalid then turned around, facing the direction that the hunter had left.
"Khalid?" said Garrick. The half-elf looked at him. "Are you…?"
"I am," Khalid replied, his voice soft. "The enemy have a shaman. A powerful one. If the enemy keep them inside the cave long enough, he'll collapse it down on them."
"There's a score of them over there. And ogres!" Garrick exclaimed. "And there's only five of us!"
"And if you think we have any intention of throwing Skie's life away, you're gravely mistaken," said Eldoth.
Khalid glared at him. Eldoth folded his arms. The half-elf's eyes moved to Skie. She blinked as his expression seemed to soften behind his helmet. Khalid then looked at Garrick again. A few seconds passed.
"Stay here," he said. He began to turn away and stopped when Safana placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I'll go with you. Just to scout," she said firmly. "If it's too dangerous, we'll wait for your people to attack them first, perhaps try to get closer to the shaman. If not, we head back."
Khalid quietly looked at Safana. After a long moment, he nodded. Safana gave him a quick smile, patted his shoulder once, then turned to the others.
"You three stay here and wait for us. If you hear any fighting, or if we are not back in ten minutes, you come running and save us."
"Okay," Skie replied. "Just…be careful."
"Aren't I always?" Safana grinned. "Take care of her, Eldoth."
Eldoth nodded in reply. Skie felt an impulse to protest being coddled, but the fire, riot, arrow and the hunter's talk of people being drowned in their own home drove it out of her.
"You too, Garrick," Safana said to the other bard. Garrick did not answer; he was drawing another hair from his pouch, apparently to contact his party again.
Turning back to Khalid, Safana paused briefly to look him in the eye, then moved past him toward where the hunter had gone. Skie watched her and Khalid out of sight, and her hand subconsciously found its way to Eldoth's once again.
"Hm," Eldoth said, breaking the silence. "I hope I am wrong…but it seemed to me like he was spoiling for a fight."
"Khalid wants to help his wife and friends, Eldoth," Garrick said reproachfully. Eldoth looked at him with half-lidded eyes.
"Oh? Like he did at High Hedge?"
Garrick frowned at him, though it seemed half-hearted. Skie's brow furrowed.
"High Hedge? What happened at -?"
How she sensed it, she didn't know. But something made her look up, and she froze at the sight of a figure leaping from a tree branch and plummeting towards them.
Eldoth and Garrick were both looking at her when she was speaking. Upon seeing her face, they leaped away in opposite directions, Eldoth lifting Skie off the ground in his arms and pulling her with him.
Garrick cried out as Eldoth released her and whirled around. She saw blood spurt as the figure, taller and broader than Eldoth with reddish-brown skin and dark hair, pulled its knife out of Garrick's arm. Blood flicked from the blade, staining the hobgoblin's dark-brown mane of hair as Garrick barely reeled back in time to avoid the slash at his face.
A twig snapped behind her and she turned to see two more hobgoblins emerge from the undergrowth, bastard swords clutched in their hands as they stomped side-by-side towards her.
Her heart hammering in her chest, she fumbled for and drew her dagger only to immediately drop it. Her gaze moved from it to the hobgoblins who were now right in front of her. For an instant, her heart stopped beating.
The sound of a single strum of a lute pierced the air. The two hobgoblins lurched and staggered, and then Eldoth was in front of her, his sword decapitating both men in a single slash. Skie saw the miniature geysers of blood issuing from their necks as their heads and bodies tumbled to the ground.
Eldoth turned to her, and she looked up at him for a second before remembering Garrick and spinning around. The young bard now stood over the body of his would-be killer, pulling a thin-bladed short-sword from the hobgoblin's chest.
All three of them looked at each other for a few seconds, Garrick breathing heavily and clutching his arm. They then turned at the sounds of battle-cries and clashing steel.
"Khalid and Safana," said Garrick. He took off at a run, trailing blood as he sped past Skie and Eldoth.
"I'm going too," said Eldoth. She looked up at him, her eyes wide. "Follow me but stay back."
Skie hesitated, then nodded jerkily. She then looked around, spotted and grabbed her dagger off the ground, holding it in both hands close to her chest. Eldoth looked at her for a moment before turning and running after Garrick.
Skie followed him, stealing a glance at the three corpses on the ground, two of which were headless and still flowing blood from the stumps. She looked away, facing forward and willing her heart to stop thumping painfully against her ribs as anguished screams from up ahead reached her ears.
Eldoth barged and hacked his way through the undergrowth. Skie followed, head lowered and one hand over her forehead as leaves and small branches whipped past her face. About ten paces in front of them, Garrick suddenly skidded to a halt as three more hobgoblins appeared, armed with bastard swords and tower shields.
A crashing sound to her left made Skie turn, brandishing her dagger, and she screamed as a seven-foot-tall, yellow-skinned humanoid appeared from behind a tree and rushed at her with a huge club raised over its head in both hands.
Remember your training remember your training remember your training –
Her left hand shot up and the dart flew straight and true, plunging deep into the ogrillon's right eye. It howled in agony, but instead of falling backward, continued its charge.
Skie's body turned cold as the club swung down towards her skull. Somehow her legs moved, springing her away just as it struck the ground where she had been a second earlier. Dirt, leaves and twigs flew, hitting her hard in the face. She reeled back, slipped on a tree root and landed on her back. She opened her eyes to see the ogrillon, face twisted in rage and blood flowing from its eye, lifting its club in both hands once again. Its expression suddenly became one of surprise, and the club slipped out of its hands as it slowly fell to its knees.
Stepping around and ignoring the ogrillon as it began to vomit blood, Eldoth reached down and grabbed Skie's arm, then roughly hurled her to her feet. He looked down at her for a full second before turning around to see Garrick being pushed back and hemmed in toward a tree by one of the hobgoblin swordsmen while the remaining two advanced on her and Eldoth, moving side-by-side with their shields up and their sword-arms pulled back with the tips of their weapons pointed at them like spears.
Eldoth turned to face them and strummed the lute at his left hip. His brow furrowed when the swordsmen continued to advance unimpeded.
"Your petty magics can't harm us, human!" one of them shouted. "Our comrade's power protects us!"
Sneering, Eldoth raised his scimitar as the two swordsmen separated, moving to the bard's flanks.
As Eldoth held his ground and parried a strike from the swordsman on his right, Skie dove forward into a roll past the one on his left. The hobgoblin's head turned towards her, his mouth opening in alarm, and he screamed as Skie's dart embedded itself in the back of his thigh. Parrying another strike from the other hobgoblin, Eldoth then leapt toward the injured one and scored a slash across his torso, his sword tearing through leather armour and flesh. The hobgoblin crumbled in a spray of blood, and Skie flinched and gasped as some of it struck her clothes.
Eldoth, his face and clothing blood-spattered, faced the remaining swordsman and smirked. Skie turned her head and saw that Garrick now had his back to the tree, barely warding off blows to his arms and legs from his opponent's sword, shield and feet. She slipped another dart into her palm and hurled it with all her might into the hobgoblin's back. Though the armor absorbed most of the dart, the swordsman nevertheless recoiled in pain and turned his head to look at Skie. In that half-second Garrick struck, his sword piercing his adversary's armpit below the sword-arm.
As the warrior fell and gave a death-rattle, Garrick, his arm still flowing blood, marched over to stand next to Eldoth. The bards and Skie stood together, facing the last hobgoblin.
"I advise you to surrender, sir," said Eldoth. Drop your weapon now, and call to your comrades to do the same. Do it and we may let you live."
The hobgoblin's eyes moved from the trio to his dead fellow swordsman, then to the ogrillon who was still on its knees. He looked back at Skie, Eldoth and Garrick, eyes narrowed in hatred.
"There's no need for you to die," Garrick said loudly, his voice shaking as he cradled his wounded arm to his chest while the other held up his sword.
A loud thud sounded in the distance, followed by another. Garrick and Eldoth glanced at each other while keeping their swords pointed at the hobgoblin. The latter's lips widened into a smile.
"No. It is you who will die."
There was a moment's pause, and then Eldoth sprang forward. The hobgoblin turned the bard's sword aside with his shield, backing up as Garrick and Skie both turned to look at what was approaching.
Khalid appeared, helmet gone and armour dented and blood-spattered, running towards them with his sword in one hand while the other clutched at his stomach. Six hobgoblins burst out of the undergrowth after him; five swordsmen and one clad in brown fur and carrying what appeared to be an unlit torch.
The shaman's free hand reached for the head of the torch, and Skie's eyes widened in horror as a ball of brown, smoky liquid materialized above it.
"Kill them, brothers!" the surviving swordsman screamed, parrying another slash from Eldoth and backing towards his comrades. "Kill them all!"
The shaman looked past the liquid-ball and 'torch', eyes blazing at the sight of his dead comrades as he glared at the party.
Skie flung another dart and watched in dismay as it struck his face and bounced off as though it were made of stone.
"The Lord of Depths and Darkness take you all," the shaman declared, 'pulling' the ball from the torch.
He pulled his arm back to throw. Skie's gaze followed it, and thus she spotted the glass vial sailing through the air.
It struck the shaman in the back of the head and shattered. He screamed in agony as the clear liquid doused his head, face and shoulders. The ball of liquid disappeared, and the torch slipped from his fingers as he fell writhing to the ground. The other six hobgoblins yelled and hurriedly moved to surround him, heads and eyes darting around frantically.
"Not how you're supposed to use it," Safana's voice shouted from off to the left. Relief flooded Skie as she watched her friend appear from the undergrowth, her scimitar still in its sheath as she strode over to stand with the party.
The shaman gave a final twitch and went still. The six swordsmen glared fiercely at the party as they locked their tower shields.
"You think you can frighten us, humans?!" one of them shouted. "You think you've beaten us?!"
They clashed their shields together and then advanced on the party. Khalid, Garrick and Eldoth raised their swords. Breathing hard, Skie stepped up beside Eldoth, dagger in one hand and a fifth dart in the other. Safana, however did not draw a weapon.
Without warning, brown vines burst out of the dirt beneath the hobgoblins. As they yelled and struggled to break free, Skie spotted a dozen people surge into view, wearing what she recognized as the standard armour of the Dented Shields company and led by a dwarf wearing a winged helmet who could only be Kagain.
Ignoring Skie's party, the Shields moved to surround the hobgoblins, all of whom ceased struggling against the vines upon seeing them.
Skie and Garrick then jumped as another group of people emerged from their right, led by a half-elf woman who immediately ran to and threw her arms around Khalid.
"J-Jaheira," Khalid stammered. "Garrick's wounded!"
The woman named Jaheira held the embrace for a few more seconds before releasing him and going over to examine the bard's arm.
"Where's the hunter?" said Khalid. "We got separated when they attacked us."
"I don't know. I didn't see him when I went to find - "
Safana's voice and every other sound suddenly became distant to Skie as her eyes fell on a second dwarf among the group.
That's him. The one on the notices.
The one whom Father thinks killed Gunnhallur.
The dwarf's eyes met hers, and she realized too late that she was staring. He held her gaze for a few seconds before looking away and approaching Khalid. Skie watched him speak to the half-elf, and Khalid smiling and placing a hand on his shoulder.
He was thin, surprisingly so for a dwarf, and shorter than Kagain. The crossbow in his hands was nearly two-thirds his own height, and he carried no axe or war hammer, in contrast to the battle-axe, flail, throwing axes and heavy crossbow on Kagain's person.
Skie watched as a girl dressed in pink clothing and carrying a short-bow ran up and hugged Khalid. She blinked and looked away, only to find a halfling barely two paces in front of and staring straight at her.
"Montaron," said Eldoth's voice from beside her. "Good to see you again. I'd like you to meet –"
The halfling turned away, walked over to and began to search the nearest dead hobgoblin. Skie felt herself shiver and instinctively looked away, which brought her gaze to the kneeling ogrillon. A man in green robes was leaning over it, feeling its head with both hands and muttering to himself.
"…what's he doing?" she heard herself ask.
"Please pay him no mind," a voice said. Skie turned as a young man in plate armour approached her. Her brow furrowed at the sight of his cape, recognizing its colours as those worn by the Most Noble Order of the Radiant Heart.
What is a paladin doing with these wanted fugitives?
"Are you injured, my lady?" the man asked.
Skie looked down at herself. Her clothes her torn and blood-stained, but she was otherwise unhurt aside from the healed wound in her hip. She looked up at the man, and a wave of fatigue suddenly washed over her. "No, thank you, but…I think I need to…"
Eldoth moved next to her, slipping an arm around her waist. She leaned into him, looking at the two dead hobgoblins whom she had wounded with her darts.
I did that.
She felt her body go slack, and Eldoth promptly reached down and scooped her up in his arms. Too tired to be embarrassed, she said nothing as he carried her and followed the party after the Dented Shield mercenaries, who had bound the hobgoblins with rope and were now frog-marching them back in the direction they had come from.
She glanced over Eldoth's shoulder and saw the pink-clad girl pulling along the green-robed man who pouted and reached for the ogrillon.
"Still feel bored?" Eldoth asked. She looked at him, and her eyes flicked to the blood-stained and corpse-strewn ground behind them. "Sorry," he said, noticing her gaze.
She leaned her head into his shoulder and closed her eyes.
..
The hunter was dead, his throat cut by a hobgoblin scout. The bodies of four hobgoblins lay nearby, all fallen to Khalid's sword.
The house was a one-storey lodge, big enough to accommodate twenty people. It was now sunk up to its roof in brownish water. Judging from the size of the building, Skie deduced that the lake must be very deep.
"The Lord of Depth and Darkness…" she said aloud.
"Maglubiyet is not usually associated with water," Safana spoke from beside her. "Interesting."
Skie looked at her and then at Eldoth and Garrick who were conversing with the party and Kagain a short distance away; the two women had been ordered by the mercenary leader to stay separated from everyone until he was ready to speak to them.
"Do you –"
"Not now, little sister," Safana answered without looking at her. Skie glanced at her and then at Kagain who was glaring at them while speaking to Eldoth. Her eyes then moved to Khalid and Jaheira.
Elven hearing. She admonished herself. Watch yourself, Skie. You're in it now. No time to be careless.
Her gaze moved to the pink-clad girl and Dorean, of whom the half-elves were standing next to. The dwarf, for some reason, had his back to the sunken house.
She felt Safana's hand on her sleeve and looked up to see Kagain stomping nosily over to them with one of his mercenaries, a surly-faced woman with close-cropped hair, following him. The dwarf stopped in front of and glared up at them both.
"Ya want protection."
"Yes," said Safana. "An escort for –"
"Shut up," Kagain growled. Safana blinked, but otherwise did not react. Skie glanced at the sunken house, remembering what the hunter had told them about its residents and occupants being connected to the Dented Shields.
"Look at me when I'm talkin' ta ya, brat."
Skie obeyed. Kagain's eyes were an icy, piercing blue, and despite his shorter height, she had to resist the urge to step back.
"Ya have a noble mom who's willin' ta pay. We get ta Nashkel, ya send word ta her. Tell her ta get a thousand gold ready."
"A thousand?"
"Ya boyfriend tells me ya in trouble with the daughter'a the Lord of Waterdeep. Thousand's just the startin' fee. The more trouble I get protectin' ya, the higher it'll go. Tell ya mom that. Ya don't like it, ya get can outta my face right now."
Skie felt Safana's eyes on her. She looked at Eldoth. The bard, still blood-spattered, appeared calm and relaxed. Then, forcing herself not to look at Dorean, Skie straightened and nodded to Kagain. "I agree to your terms, Captain. You will be paid well for protecting me. You have my word."
"I'll hold ya to that. An' ya better not break it. I don't care whose sodding kid ya are." He glared up at her, then looked at the sunken house for a moment before turning away and waving to his men to gather around him.
Skie looked at Safana. The latter smiled, took her arm and guided her to Garrick's party.
"Skie, Safana," said Eldoth as they approached. "I believe introductions are in order."
Before anyone else could speak, the pink-clad girl skipped forward.
"Heya. I'm Imoen. And the timid one over there is my little brother Dorean. And no, contrary to what the leaders and the law of this country are saying, he is an innocent man."
There was a long pause.
"Not entirely," Dorean said at last, turning around to face Skie and Safana. "I am guilty of thievery."
Skie hesitated, then smiled politely. "That won't be a problem."
"I see you've met Kagain," said Imoen, scowling at the mercenary leader.
"Yes, I…" Skie's voice trailed off as she looked over her shoulder.
The Dented Shields had bound the six prisoners' feet and were now dragging them toward the sunken house.
"What are they doing?" Skie asked, her voice trembling.
"The Chill killed their allies by drowning them," Jaheira said grimly.
Skie's breath caught in her throat as the hobgoblins were hurled into the lake. They trashed violently in the water, bellowing curses and threats at the top of their lungs. The Dented Shields all stood and watched, not one of them moving a muscle. Skie saw several of them smiling at the sight of the drowning prisoners. A shudder ran through her and she hurriedly looked away.
She saw that the young knight had also turned his head from the sight and had closed his eyes, his mailed left hand clenched tightly around his sword-pommel. Dorean again had his back turned to the sunken house, and Skie's eyes widened upon seeing that he was shaking even more than her.
The girl named Imoen put her arms around Dorean's shoulders and rested her chin on the top of his head. She whispered to him and rubbed his arms, and Skie was reminded of Eldoth protecting her earlier from the Beregost crowds.
"We should leave this place," said Jaheira's voice. "We can make our introductions later."
The party moved past the lake and the Dented Shields. Skie caught Kagain's eye as she passed. The dwarf glared coldly at her and she turned away, forcing herself not to look at the rising bubbles on the lake's surface.
No turning back now, Skie.
She felt Eldoth's arm around her waist, and slowly leaned into him.
No matter what happens, no matter what I might see, I will do this. I must do this.
Her gaze fell on Dorean once again; the dwarf was now quietly walking beside Imoen and Khalid.
I will be strong for you, Gunnhallur.
From the corner of her eye, she saw the halfling glancing at her. He held her gaze for several seconds, then silently increased his pace and moved up ahead of her.
..
Kivan sat on a boulder to examine the arrow in his arm. Thankfully, the wound was shallow; the time and effort he had put into crafting arm-guards had not gone to waste.
Extracting it with a pained grunt, Kivan grimaced upon seeing that the arrow's magic was now spent. He placed it in his quiver nevertheless and reached for a healing potion.
He had not expected the Chill to use heart-seekers, much less face archers who were all equipped with them. From what he had seen, the Blacktalons were the primary archers of the bandit force, and even they never used heart-seekers in any of his skirmishes and fights with them.
He will have to assume that they all have heart-seekers from now on.
Standing up, he cast his gaze over the bodies of twenty hobgoblins and seven war-horses strewn across the field. His face wrinkled in revulsion at the sight of the ghasts feasting on the remains.
One of the hobgoblins was still alive. He had propped himself against a rock and was shakily attempting to load a crossbow in spite of the two arrows in his chest.
Kivan slowly moved toward him, stepping over bodies. The warrior snarled at his approach, blood issuing from his mouth and staining his armour.
Kivan stopped less than five paces away. He watched as the hobgoblin tried to pull back the string of the crossbow, eyes blazing with hate at the elf. He finally succeeded on the fourth attempt, slowly raised the crossbow with shaking hands, and pulled the trigger.
Kivan batted the bolt aside with his halberd.
The hobgoblin glared at him for a moment. Blood flowed from the arrows in his chest. He then slowly moved his convulsing left hand to the quiver at his side, grasping another bolt in his blood-slicked fingers.
Kivan did not move a muscle. The hobgoblin, snarling and vomiting blood, spent a full minute attempting to place the bolt in his crossbow. He finally succeeded after dropping it twice, and raised the weapon again.
Kivan's halberd struck and the crossbow was dashed aside, the hobgoblin's left hand still holding the grip.
The warrior did not scream. He went still for a few seconds, then sank back against the rock, wheezing with every breath. His arrow-skewered chest was now soaked with blood, the dark liquid spreading across the ground from his body. His eyes looked up at Kivan, remaining fixed on his face even as the light went out of them.
Kivan did not move for a long moment. Then, slowly, he slung his halberd onto his back and stepped forward.
Twenty paces away, Tiax stood still, his quarterstaff gripped loose in his hand. Ignoring the ghast gorging itself on a horse carcass next to him, he watched as Kivan kneeled and closed the eyes of the dead warrior. The gnome's eyes narrowed, and he neither flinched nor blinked as horse blood spattered his face.