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Chapter 4

It wasn't long before they came close to the edge of the mines, where indeed a bunch of Kobold Workers were camped there. Unlike the Vermin that the three of them fought much earlier, these kobolds wore blue overalls, and held in their hands was a stone hammer of some sort.

Gideon then turned to his two friends and said. "Alright, now that we are here... we had better start planning on how to deal with those guys. Something tells me that they are no pushovers, and I am certain that they are stronger than those Kobolds we found loitering in the woods near Northshire."

Tyrion nodded and said. "Indeed... judging by their posture and the weapons they carry, that much is obvious, I believe. What do you think Lynette? You have always been the smartest one out of the three of us. Can you think up of a plan for us to achieve our objective while avoiding getting too much damage in the process?"

Lynette blushed slightly at Tyrion's praise of her abilities, even though that she knew what he said about her was true. She soon recovered her composure, and then began to think, trying to come up with a plan that, as Tyrion had said earlier, would achieve maximum results with minimum damage.

She then looked at them and said. "Well, judging by their numbers, it would be best to pick them off one by one... but in this case, I think it would not be possible, since unlike their weaker kin in the woods, these workers would probably help out each other when one is attacked. So, the logical method we should consider right now is for me to provide some long range support by bombarding these workers with my fire magic, while you two can stand guard in front of me and pick off any survivors that are not killed by any of my fireballs or fireblasts, which should be easy enough by then, due to the injuries that they will incur. But before that, I suppose we should strengthen each other up before the attack as well."

Tyrion and Gideon both thought for a moment before Gideon spoke. "It is a good idea... we used a variation of this plan when we dealing with the Defias earlier, so there is no reason why it would not work against opponents that are weaker than the Defias."

Tyrion thought for a moment and nodded. "I agree as well... by this time your spells and our abilities should be able to take care of these vermin with ease. We'll go by our original plan then."

The three of them nodded unisonly, as they got ready for their assault. Once again, Tyrion fortified the group with his Aura of Devotion, and Gideon let out a loud war cry, strengthening his comrades' resolve, though it attracted the attention of several kobolds who started moving towards their location.

This was what the three of them were waiting for, as Lynette concentrated, a ball of flame once again appearing at the tip of her staff, before she directed it towards the lead kobold, seriously wounding it, and Tyrion moved forward and swiftly killed it with his sword, and slashed to the right, wounding another which fell to Gideon's blade.

The kobolds did not flinch even if their some of their brethren perished, though some of them did seem afraid and ran away to the mines, while the others swarmed forward, hoping to take down the three adventurers through their greater numbers. But it was not to be, as the mixture of fireballs from Lynette, combined with the physical prowess of both Gideon and Tyrion made short work of them, and when it was over, there were kobold corpses strewn across the entrance of the mine.

Both Gideon and Tyrion breathed rhythmically as they cleaned their blades with a cloth they always carried, wincing slightly as they felt some pain from the areas where the kobolds were able to strike them with their small hammers.

Tyrion then concentrated and stretched out his hand towards Gideon, and a small curtain of light enveloped him, healing him of all his wounds. He then said. "Well, I suppose that concludes the quest that the marshal has given to us. Though I suppose, I didn't expect that such a large number of those kobolds were camped outside the mine."

Gideon nodded and said. "Thank you for healing me, Tyrion, though I do think you need to freshen up a little yourself. But I suppose you are right... this doesn't look good at all, with such large numbers amassing near the mine. If those kobolds were of any indication, which could mean that there might be more hiding inside the mines."

Tyrion nodded and said. "Indeed... let us get back to the Abbey and report this to the Marshal. I am sure he will be most interested to learn of this development. But before that, let us freshen up a liitle. Lynette... do you have some mana potions available?"

Lynette shook her head and said. "Not at the moment, though I hear some of those spring waters that we have can restore a bit of our mana."

"I see..." Tyrion replied as he took one of his healing potions, and drank just enough to heal him, and he put it back into his storage space, before he took out two waterskins full of spring water, and handed one to Lynette, which she accepted gratefully. They both drank the spring water, and felt immediately refreshed, before discarding the empty waterskins and started their trek back towards town, but not before looting the kobolds' packs for anything useful.

The moment they stepped into town, they quickly made their way towards the abbey and found Marshal Mcbride. He then nodded at them and said. "Ah good, the three of you are back. So... how is the situation at the kobold camp?"

Tyrion then told the Marshal about the number of kobolds that he and his friends fought in front of the Echo Ridge Mines, with Gideon and Lynette confirming their friend's story. "... and that's about it, Marshal."

Marshal Mcbride fell silent for a moment, giving some thought to the information that Tyrion and his friends brought him. He then spoke in a solemn tone. "I see...thank you for bringing this information back to me. Frankly, I don't really like the thought of these kobolds running around freely in our mines. Nothing good can come out of this, that I am sure."

He then paused for a moment, and counted out forty pieces of copper coins and handed it to Tyrion. "Here, take this as payment for the information that you have given me... and I hope you are not too tired to go back to the mines, since I need you three to return there as soon as possible."

Tyrion divided the copper coins as equally as possible between the three of them, and he nodded. "I don't think we need much rest, Marhsal... I think we can carry out the quest after we take a short break to sell off some of the loot we obtained earlier. Why don't you tell us about the task that you wish for us to carry out?"

Marshal Mcbride nodded and said with a serious expression on his face. "Well, according to the information that you three have given me, it is obvious to me that the Echo Ridge Mines needs to be purged. I need you three to return and enter the mines and help to clear it of kobolds. There is no time to waste... the longer those kobolds are left unchecked in the mines, the deeper the foothold they have in Northshire. It is an outcome that we all wish to avoid."

Tyrion nodded and said. "I agree with your assessment, Marshal. From what I gather and experienced, those kobolds might be small in stature and generally a nuisance... but in greater numbers, there's no telling what they are capable of in greater numbers."

Marshal Mcbride nodded and said. "Indeed... and since it is likely that they are definitely more dangerous, would you like additional assistance in taking down those kobolds in the mines?"

Tyrion shook his head and said. "I do not believe so, Marshal... though I am curious, who do you intend to send with us on this mission?"

"That would be me..." A familiar voice came from behind them, and the three of them turned to see who was the one who spoke. Tyrion smiled at the young woman that approached them. "Miss Evelyn, it is good to see you again. I see that you have applied yourself to the path of the mage... may I ask why you have chosen this path?"

Evelyn just smiled at Tyrion and said. "It is indeed good to see you again, Tyrion... and as to why I chose to become a mage, well... right before I was forcibly drafted into the Defias, there was a retired old mage that stayed near my home. He once mentioned that he could see some glimmer of potential within me to study the magical arts, and had began training me in some rudiments of the arcane, but he passed away before he managed to teach me anything substantial. So, by then all I knew was mainly theory, as well as how to tap into the arcane, but that's about it."

Tyrion nodded and said. "I see... well, it is indeed a pleasure to work with you, Miss Evelyn. An additional hand is indeed appreciated, especially if we are expecting heavier opposition within the mines."

Evelyn nodded and replied. "You are most welcome, Tyrion... now, I believe we have some business to deal with in the mines, do we not?"

Tyrion nodded and said. "I believe so, Miss Evelyn. Let us depart then... we have some kobolds to take care of." He then bid the Marshal farewell for the moment, and the four of them started off towards the Echo Ridge Mines once again.

After a bit of walking, they soon reached the entrance of the mines, which was by now devoid of any kobolds, since they had cleared the area in front of it earlier. Tyrion then turned to his friends and said. "Well, this is it then... let us go in, and take care of those kobolds." The four of them nodded in unison, as they steeled themself and then stepped into the mines.

The interior of the mines was exactly like every mine, with greyish green colored rock walls supported by wooden support beams that were seen all around them. As they journeyed through the mines, they encountered some more kobold workers, which they dispatched easily, since they had Evelyn to provide additional fire support for their group.

They soon encountered a different group of kobolds, which was slightly larger than the workers. Like the vermin that they encountered near Northshire, these kobolds were wearing brownish red overalls, but the only difference was that these particular kobolds were carrying pickaxes, which wasted no time in approaching them with a deadly intent.

The four of them drew back and Lynette and Evelyn once again concentrated their energies, and slowly but surely, an orb of flame began to form on the tips of their staffs, before they launched them towards the kobolds, killing the first two kobolds that were in front of the group, and burning some of the kobolds behind them lightly, due to their proximity to the fireballs' impact.

The kobolds let out squeaks of outrage at the death of some of their brethren as they charged the party of four, intent on avenging their fallen, only to be systematically cut down by Tyrion and Gideon, who by this time had managed to synchronize their moves in tandem of each other, empowering each other with war cries and seals, as they hacked their way through the mob, the two female mages supporting them with fireballs, firing them at random kobolds, aiding them in their grisly work.

Some time passed before the carnage came to an end and the front interior of the mine was littered once again with kobold corpses, some of them smelling quite badly, since some of them were burned quite badly, and the four adventurers wrinkled their noses at the smell of burnt kobold flesh. They sifted through the corpses, picking up some picks and storing them into their personal spaces, and other loot from the kobolds' packs, before the four of them exited the mines.

The four of them felt relieved when they smelled the fresh breeze that was in the air, and the smell of the forest as they emerged from the mines.

"Phew... I never thought that I would be out of there. It is good to breathe in some fresh air again after smelling the burnt flesh of those kobold vermin." Lynette commented as she turned to her comrades.

Evelyn nodded and said, agreeing to what her fellow female adventurer had stated. "Indeed Lynette... the smell of those burnt kobolds is too... foul to describe and I am glad that we do no longer smell it."

Both Gideon and Tyrion also nodded, since they didn't really care for the burnt smell of kobolds, and judging by the way the mine tunnels are constructed, it would be some time for the smell to really go away.

"I suppose so, Lynette... but let us be glad that we are now no longer breathing in foul air... anyway, let us get back to town. Let us report this to the Marshal so that he knows that the mines, at least part of it, have been cleansed of kobolds." Tyrion said to his friends, who nodded in agreement, before he turned and walked back towards the direction of the town, and they followed closely behind.

In the meantime, they took their own time to breathe deeply in and out,taking in fresh air into their lungs to rid themselves of the foul smell that they had just experienced in the mines.

They soon arrived in town and made their way straight to the Abbey, where they met Marshal Mcbride, who smiled at them warmly. "Ahh, good, you have all returned. Have you completed the task that I have assigned to you four?"

Tyrion nodded and said. "Indeed we have, Marshal." He then told the Marshal briefly about what they have done in the mines, with his friends and Evelyn adding their own accounts to his report to the Marshal.

Once Tyrion has finished recounting his account of the mission that he had been given, Marshal Mcbride nodded and said. "I see... well, it is good that you are beginning to build your own reputation for yourself, Tyrion. You have my respect, something that you have earned for yourself, and not based upon your birthright, which is good."

He then turned to all four of them and said. "And the Stormwind Army expresses its gratitude to the four of you. If what you say is true, the numbers of the kobolds in the mines is slightly more than what I had expected, but thankfully, you all had put a dent into their numbers at least. I will send others to take care of this, so you all can rest easy for the moment."

The four of them nodded and was about to leave when the Marshal said. "Oh that's right; please hold on, the four of you. I just remembered something that I must say to all of you."

"What is it, Marshal?" Tyrion replied for the four of them, curious as to what the Marshal had wanted with them. "Is there another task that you wanted us to carry out for you?"

Marshal Mcbride just smiled and shook his head and said. "Not really, Tyrion... but it concerns the four of you... rather Evelyn, Gideon and Lynette. Oh, and the equipment that is part of the reward for this quest can be collected from Deputy Willem, for both you and Gideon."

Tyrion nodded and said. "I see... do you wish for me to leave for you to speak to them in privacy?"

The Marshal shook his head and said. "There is no need for you to leave, Tyrion... you can hear what I have to say to your companions." He then turned to Gideon and Lynette and said. "Normally, I would send you two alongside Tyrion to go to Goldshire, but in this case, I would like you to stay in Northshire for the moment."

"Is there a reason why you asked us to stay, Marshal? Not that Lynette and I mind though... since you probably would have something good in mind for the community." Gideon replied and the Marshal nodded.

"You are right, Gideon... the reason I asked you to stay is because you two are one of the few senior volunteers here in Northshire. I would like you two to assist your respective trainers in training the many new volunteers that have just arrived, not to mention to work with Evelyn and the reformed Defias, who have also joined into the service of Northshire Valley." He said crisply, and turned to Evelyn and said. "And your job, Evelyn, is to be the liaison between your comrades, and the volunteers that is now helping to restore order to Northshire Valley."

Evelyn nodded and said. "There shouldn't be any problem. I'll go speak to my comrades, and have them work hand in hand with the new volunteers."

Both Gideon and Lynette also agreed and Lynette replied. "I see... well, I suppose I won't mind staying in Northshire for a bit... and I am sure that Gideon won't either. I suppose that you would send us out when you feel that our services here are no longer needed, right, Marshal?"

Marshal Mcbride nodded and said. "Indeed... well then, I won't take up any more of your times then. You four are dismissed for the moment. And Tyrion... before you decide to depart to Goldshire, whenever you decide to do so, come and speak to me. There is a letter I need you to deliver to Marshal Dughan, who is stationed there."

The four of them nodded and they took their leave of the Marshal, and exited the abbey. Once they were outside, Gideon spoke to Tyrion. "Well, I suppose this is goodbye for now, old friend... I look forward to seeing you in Goldshire, once our tasks here in Northshire are completed. Come on Lynette... let's go."

He then turned and left, and before she followed, Lynette spoke to Tyrion. "Don't worry, Tyrion... we'll watch out for your sister for you in your absence. It is a promise from the both of us. So if you decide to go, do so with a easy heart... and do not worry for her. We'll keep her safe."

"Thank you, Lynette, both of your thoughts and good intentions are appreciated, and I am grateful and relieved that you both are watching out for her." Tyrion replied, and Lynette nodded, before she followed her partner.

Evelyn also said to him before she left him alone as well. "If you decide to go, do not worry. As I said before, Lana is like a sister to me, and so is she to the rest of us. So do not worry, we will keep her safe from any harm. It's a promise, our promise to you."

Tyrion nodded, and gave her thanks before she nodded and left him alone. He then went to Deputy Willem, who handed to him the three pieces of equipment that was part of the reward to get rid of the kobolds in the mine, and he quickly changed into them in the abbey, before stepping out again to go to town again.

He then went to Brother Danil, whom he sold some of the junk that he had collected from the kobolds' packs and bodies earlier, and he also went to Dermot Johns, who is the resident leather armor vendor in Northshire, to sell off the few pieces of leather armor, gloves and belt that he occasionally found on the kobolds.

He soon returned home, where he was greeted by his father. "Welcome back son... have you finished the tasks that the Marshal has given to you?"

Tyrion nodded and said warmly to his father. "Yes, father I have... though I suppose that I would have to travel to Goldshire alone for the moment, it seems. By the way, how is Lana?"

"She is well, my son... in fact she has already awakened and she is now at the dinner table setting up dinner. Why don't you join us for dinner, and we can talk all about what why you have to go to Goldshire alone for the moment."

"Alright, father." Tyrion replied, as he followed his father to where the dinner table was, and he saw Lana, who walked up to him, and gave him, a hug which he returned briefly before he let her go.

"Welcome home, brother... it is good to see you again." Lana said gently, a soft smile on her face, and Tyrion was relieved that she looked slightly better now and that she was feeling better.

"I feel the same, sister..." Tyrion said as he sat down at the dinner table with Lana and his father. "It is good to see that you are feeling better now."

Lana nodded and said gently. "Thank you brother... it is all thanks to you and father who have been very accommodating by giving me time to rest and recuperate." She then started to serve the food that she and Edgar had cooked together earlier before Tyrion returned.

Before they ate, they prayed a blessing of the Light, before they started eating. Edgar then asked. "So, my son... please tell us about why you have to travel to Goldshire alone for the moment? I had assumed that Gideon and Lynette would have traveled with you on your trip there."

Tyrion nodded and replied. "We actually had the intentions to do so, father... but apparently the Marshal had other ideas about the matter." He paused for a moment, before he continued. "The Marshal wanted Gideon and Lynette to stay for a while, since they are currently one of the few senior volunteers here in Northshire."

"I see..."Edgar replied thoughtfully. " I can see what you mean, my son... but what does it have anything to do with the Marshal's decision for them to remain here in Northshire?"

"Well, the Marshal wants them to stay to help out in the training of the new volunteers that are expected to come to Northshire, since he is seriously understaffed, and there is only so many students that the current trainers here in Northshire are able to mentor." He the paused for a moment, before he continued. "Not to mention that he wants them to work together with the former Defias members, with Evelyn as their liaison."

Lana smiled as her brother mentioned her protector during her brief days in the Defias, whom she had already considered as something like a sister. She then said. "That means that Evelyn would be the unofficial leader of the former Defias members here then, brother?"

Tyrion nodded and Lana smiled and replied. "It is good then... she is the one of the eldest amongst us, and most of us who were forced to join the Defias had already considered her as our unofficial big sister. Choosing her to be the liaison is a good on the Marshal's part."

Tyrion nodded and Edgar turned to his son and said. "So, my son... when are you going to depart to Goldshire."

He thought for a moment and said. "Well, I was planning of resting for a day or two before I go to Goldshire. Will that be alright for you, father?"

Edgar nodded and smiled warmly at his son. "I suppose it would be alright, my son... since it gives you some time to spend some time with me and your sister. Now, let us eat."

Tyrion and Lana nodded and then started eating, and once they were finished, Tyrion helped his sister with the dishes, just like when he was with his father, before they all retired to bed.

During the two days that Tyrion stayed in Northshire, he spent some time with his sister, aiding her as best as he could, as well as in the minor errands that the town's people asked him to perform. He even took some time to aid Brother Sammuel in training any new paladins that were in town.

Soon, it was time for him to go, and he looked at his sister and father before he said. "Then I will be off then... sister, father. May the Light be with both of you."

Edgar nodded and said. "May the Light be also with you, my son."

Lana gently hugged her brother and said softly; unshed tears were shimmering in her eyes as she spoke. "I am going to miss you; brother... may the Light be with you. Do try to write often to home as often as you can, alright?"

Tyrion hugged his sister back before letting her go, and said. "Don't worry, sister. I will. I will try to return home whenever I can to visit both you and father."

Lana nodded, and stood with Edgar, as Tyrion bid them goodbye, and then he walked towards the Abbey and saw Marshal Mcbride, who smiled as he saw him.

"Ahh good, you are here." He said, as he handed a scroll, capped with a seal and said crisply. "Here is the document that I want delivered to Marshal Dughan. Do assist him in whatever tasks he gives you there, alright Tyrion?"

Tyrion nodded and said firmly. "Of course, Marshal. I will." He then took the letter from the Marshal, and then stored it in his storage space, before he exited the Abbey, and started to walk out of Northshire in the direction of Goldshire, eager to resume his journey to assist the Alliance as best as he could.

End of Chapter 4

Author's Note: And thus ends the Northshire Valley Arc. It has been a long writing process, but it is finally finished. Next up in the following chapter is the beginning of the Goldshire Arc, so please look out for that. Also, here are the current results of the poll about what profession you all think Lana should be.

Priest: 2

Mage: 1

Rogue: 1

It seems many of you (at least those who reviewed) want Lana to be a Priest. But like I said earlier, I will give you guys aroudn five more chapters to vote before I finalize the decision as to what Lana would be. So, if you all want your choice to be the one that is going to win, please review, and state your preference.

Another thing is is I need those reviews to let me know if the direction that I am writing is correct, so please do not hesitate to point out anything that you feel that I might need to improve, alright? Thanks guys, and I'll see you guys in the next chapter.