Chapter 3: The Costly Toll and a New Power
The next morning, Charmane awoke feeling less refreshed than she had expected. She rubbed her bleary eyes and sat up, feeling dazed as the entirety of the dream rushed back to her in a flurry of images and emotions.
"You okay?" Imoen asked, looking concerned. "You don't look right."
"Nasty nightmare," Charmane muttered groggily.
"Sure sounded like it alright. You were tossin' and turnin'... mumblin' in yer sleep too. L-"
"Please, Imoen. Let us not sugarcoat it," Edwin interjected. "It was as if a horde of orcs were howling in unison. Or perhaps a pack of rabid dogs? I could not quite tell the difference." He stretched his arms and rubbed his eyes. "In any case, it was a rather noisy affair."
Imoen snickered at Edwin's comment but quickly composed herself when Charmane shot her a warning glance.
"I'm sorry to have disturbed your beauty sleep, Edwin," Charmane replied, feeling equal parts apologetic and annoyed.
"Beauty sleep? Ha!" Edwin scoffed. "I need much more than that to maintain this visage of perfection. But I suppose I'll forgive you this time, Charmane. Just don't make it a habit."
"As I was saying," Imoen interrupted loudly, shooing Edwin away and earning herself a baleful glare. "Did you want to talk about it? The nightmare I mean."
"The nightmare, yes, right," Charmane said trying to shake off her sleep. "I saw Candlekeep. The whole thing was saying I wasn't welcome. Then I saw…" She gulped. The words caught in her throat. The guilt from Gorion's death still fresh in her mind. "He…", Charmane had to take a deep breath before she could continue. "Gorion was alive. But not alive. It was eerie. He approved of this path I am taking, I think. There was another path, an easier one. It looked wrong but so tempting. Like a cheat? I guess. But I rejected it. And that's when this voice, you know, like those creepy foreboding types you hear in plays? It said 'You'll learn'," Charmane mimicked, feeling a tad lighter.
"Sounds kinda creepy," Imoen replied after a moment. "Still, I'm glad Gorion seemed happy in your dream. I... I don't know why, but I'm also glad you took this path. Anyway, no harm done, I guess? It was just a dream... right?"
"Yeah, just a- No wait, there's…" Charmane trailed off. It had only been a few weeks since she had begun travelling with Jaheira and Khalid, and the Thayvian did not even pretend to be trustworthy. They were milling about preparing for the day within earshot. "I'll tell you later, Imoen." She whispered. "Now isn't a good time."
"Well, okay," Imoen replied, now curiosity mingling with her concern. "Just remember, you can tell me anything, alright?"
"Of course," Charmane replied.
Not long after, the bridge to the Gnoll Stronghold stretched out before them: a precarious-looking path that seemed to defy the laws of physics. It was made of thick ropes, woven tightly together to form a sturdy foundation, with wooden planks placed intermittently on top for footing. The ropes were tied securely to two massive pillars on either side of the chasm, with smaller ropes extending down and disappearing towards the frothy sea below.
The planks looked old and weathered, with splintered edges and gaps between them that seemed wide enough to swallow a foot. The ropes groaned and creaked as they crossed, and the wind whistled mournfully through the gaps in the wood.
As they neared the other side, the party noticed a hulking figure coming towards them. The creature was at least seven feet tall, with rippling muscles and a brutish face that was a cross between an orc and an ogre.
Charmane recognised it immediately as an ogrillon; she'd seen illustrations in Candlekeep but this was her first time encountering one.
"Me Gnarl, me hungry!" The ogrillon said as he stepped forward, blocking their path, "Uh… Stop! Yeah! Stop! You go nowhere! This our bridge. You pay to walk it!"
"Yeah, you pay... 200 for all heads, or lose heads!" A second ogrillon piped up from the foot of the bridge.
"Isn't 200 gold a little steep?" Charmane said, trying to look as pitiful as she could. "I mean, do I look like I have that kind of coin?"
"Okay, maybe 200 gold too much." The first one said. "Maybe you pay... 100 gold!"
Charmane smiled. By now the party had hoarded over forty times that in gold alone. A large portion may have resulted from unauthorized property acquisition, but if she kowtowed to every worthless extortionist they encountered, they would be penniless. "You know, I was just testing my arbitration skills," she said, her voice laced with sarcasm. "But I think I'd rather test my combat skills now."
The hulking creatures looked at each other for a moment, their thick brows furrowed in confusion. "Arbri… Uh.." Gnarl scratched his head in confusion.
"Tell me, creature," Edwin quickly piped up before they caught onto what Charmane meant. "Who taught you the words 'two hundred'? For I am entirely sure that you cannot count it out. If you wish to prove me wrong, please do so out loud, and we shall pay you the whole thousand for your efforts. But under one condition: you and your companions should all close your eyes, while you're counting."
"Oh... yeah. Close your eyes!" the tall figure shouted to his counterpart from the foot of the bridge. "One… Two..."
"And what are you waiting for, Charmane? The countdown?" Edwin hissed.
"Four…" the ogrillon continued. "Yeah, you smart! We take heads anyway, and get lots gold!"
"Finally," Charmane muttered. "Let's get this over with."
Edwin sighed, pulling out his sling. "Of course, the monkey couldn't wait until we were off the bridge to start a fight. That would be too easy," he grumbled. "Who needs to avoid falling to a watery death when we can engage in fisticuffs with these delightful creatures?"
Charmane couldn't keep a smirk from forming on her lips. "That…" she began as she darted towards the ogrillon blocking their path. "Was quick thinking there, Edwin," she shouted, appearing on the creature's massive shoulder. "Maybe they wouldn't have resorted to violence," she continued through gritted teeth, sinking her dagger into its back, "if you had even half the charm they have!"
Charmane's Shadowstep had left the path clear for the front line. Khalid fearlessly charged at the ogrillion, all the while expressing his dislike for violence, with Jaheira closely behind. But the second ogrillion was now rushing headlong at Charmane, who was too busy to notice.
Edwin scowled as he loaded a rock into his sling. "You may jest now, chimp, but mark my words," he continued, taking aim. "The day will come when I overthrow you." He let loose a rock that shot past Charmane and with a satisfying thud hit the second creature in the head. "And on that day, you will pay dearly for your insolence."
Although grateful for his intervention, Charmane couldn't help mock the surly wizard, "Oh Edwin! You're such a great shot!" She dislodged her daggers, leapt from the first ogrillion, and in one fluid motion, spun mid-air, each blade tracing a deadly arc. One dagger cleaved into the second ogrillion's flesh, quickly followed by another, completing the devastating attack. The hulking creature reeled back, bellowing in agony as Charmane landed gracefully on the unstable bridge. The impact rocked the bridge violently, causing her comrades to stumble and nearly lose their balance.
Amidst the chaos, Imoen shouted as her arrow went astray, but Charmane paid it no mind as she sprinted to safety near Khalid and Jaheira. "Maybe you should give up this wizard business," she called back with a grin. "And become a full-time rock thrower!"
Seconds later, a rock sailed through the air, missing Charmane by a hair's breadth, causing her to jump back in surprise. She glared back at Edwin and found him regarding her with a furious scowl. Charmane cackled gleefully and carried on fighting, pleased she had managed to get under his skin.
With Jaheira and Khalid's shields bearing the brunt of the ogrillion's punches, a volley of arrows, bullets, and knives quickly brought down the two brutes. As the group breathed a sigh of relief, Edwin tutted to himself. "Well, that was certainly...messy," he said. "Next time, perhaps we can try a bit of finesse?"
"Of course, Edwin," Charmane replied haughtily. "I'll be sure to use your share of the loot to pay our way out of trouble next time."
"Infuriating monkey," Edwin muttered to himself with a scowl. "Perhaps next time I'll craft a spell to throw her."
The wind howled and whipped through their hair as the group stepped off the rickety bridge and onto the barren island. The ground beneath their feet was hard and cracked, baked by centuries of scorching sun. There was no vegetation in sight, only rocky formations jutting out of the ground like jagged teeth. In front of them, the path split into two. To their right, a steep ascent led up to the fortress perched atop a high cliff. To their left, a winding path snaked down towards the lower portion of the island. The path seemed treacherous, with sharp drops and steep inclines that threatened to send anyone who strayed off the path plummeting to their doom. In the distance, they could spot what looked like caves, carved into the rock face. The darkness within them seemed to hold secrets of its own, tempting and terrifying at the same time.
The ogrillions had been carrying potions, a gem, and an interesting-looking gauntlet. Even to the untrained eye, it was clear they would likely fetch a good price. Edwin had been curiously mum when Charmane attempted to goad him about her calculated decisions, and now he did not even complain as she declared that they would first explore the path leading away from the fortress.
The group ventured into the first cave, only to find it teeming with xvarts. With their tiny size and feeble weaponry, they were no match for the skilled adventurers. The second cave was mostly the same, except that it contained a crate. Inside, they found some potions, two scrolls, gold, and an interesting book.
Charmane decided to give Edwin the scroll of magic missiles as she had already found a copy, previously. As they walked out of the cave, she noticed that the mage was engrossed in learning his new spell. Worried that he would trip over and fall to his death, Charmane decided to stop and inspect the tome she had found instead. It was titled "How to Win Friends and Influence People." She chuckled, scanning over the hogwash written on the first page. Gorion had taught her about such tomes. They contained a spell that would permanently enhance a specific trait, and once read, they disappeared. She did not doubt her charisma, but thought she might as well read through the tome at some point to enhance her ability to negotiate.
In a nearby cave, the group had dispatched some xvarts when a putrid stench of decay filled their nostrils, causing them to gag. In a dark corner, a slimy, wriggling mass caught their eye. It was a carrion crawler, a disgusting creature with multiple legs, a bloated body, and a gaping maw filled with razor-sharp teeth. Its slimy, yellowish-brown skin was covered in filth and maggots, and its eyes glinted maliciously in the flickering torchlight.
The group tightened their grips on their weapons as the carrion crawler hissed menacingly. Khalid charged forward, his shield angled towards the putrid creature, and hacked at the creature's slimy body. But the giant centipede was quick, it wriggled away and darting forward with lightning speed, sinking its fangs into Khalid's arm.
A sickening sensation shot through his body, and he felt his muscles seize up. Khalid tried to pull away, but his body was unresponsive. He stood paralysed on the spot. Jaheira frantically attacked, hoping to distract the creature, but the monster was too focused on its stunned prey.
The group attacked relentlessly, but their blows seemed to have little effect on the bloated creature's slimy skin. Khalid's breathing was becoming shallower as Jaheira chanted, trying her best to to cast her healing spell as fast as she could. But the creature was readying another attack. She would not make it.
At that moment, Charmane darted towards Khalid, sheathing a dagger and laying her hand directly on Khalid's chest. A pulsing light emanated from her palms, bringing some health back to his features. The creature's attack found home but Charmane's intervention saved him from certain death. A moment later, a green glow enveloped the incapacitated half-elf, healing his wounds fully.
The party did not have time to dwell on Charmane's divine ability, as the carrion crawler, undeterred, continued its vicious attack, lashing out at the helpless Khalid. But they fought back with renewed determination and vigour. The carrion crawler writhed in pain as Edwin's colour spray burned its sensitive eyes while Imoen's arrow found purchase between its segments.
Finally, with one last burst of energy, Charmane struck a critical, final blow, and the carrion crawler fell to the ground, motionless. The group breathed a collective sigh of relief, but their victory was bittersweet. Despite the healing, Khalid was badly injured and remained paralyzed.
Charmane turned to the group, a determined look on her face. "I hoped to continue to the fortress, but we need to heal Khalid," she said. "It'll take some time for the paralysis to wear off." she turned to the Red Wizard. "Edwin, I know you are in a rush but why don't you use this time to prepare those magic missiles for the fight ahead?"
The group, including Edwin, nodded in agreement, and they moved to a clean corner of the cave to rest. Nobody said anything about Charmane's newfound power. They were simply grateful to survive the harrowing ordeal.