Chapter 10: Her Mage
With the bounty hunter dead, Prism was finally free to finish his sculpture. Sometime later, he stepped back from his work, wiping his brow with the back of his hand. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out two large emeralds. With great care, he affixed them onto the stone, placing them where the eyes of the woman would be. The effect was stunning. The deep green of the emeralds seemed to bring the sculpture to life, highlighting the woman's striking features and giving her an otherworldly beauty.
The man gazed upon his creation with a look of awe and reverence. "Alas, my work is complete." he rasped. "Take what you will from my possessions, but leave the sparkle in her eyes." he said, his eyes still fixed on his work. "O sweet creature, my effigy to thee is done. Perhaps our paths shall cross in distant realms, and I shall find the courage to call thy name: Ellesime!" as he spoke the sculptor's strength left him, and he collapsed onto the ground.
Charmane rushed to his side, but it was too late. The man was dead. His lack of sleep and sustenance had finally caught up with him. Despite his tragic end, Prism had left behind a legacy of exquisite beauty in the form of his sculpture, a testament to his passion and dedication to his craft.
Charmane rummaged through the late sculptor's belongings and held up two gold coins and a piece of worn leather armour.
Edwin's face contorted with disdain. "Is this all we get for wasting hours protecting this deluded imbecile and his ode to a worthless, tree-hopping whore?" he exclaimed, shaking his head in disbelief. "I should have known this would be a fruitless venture."
Charmane flashed a wry smile. "Oh, Edwin, you have such limited imagination," she said, her voice low and smooth. "We agreed to protect the sculptor, yes, but we never said anything about leaving the emeralds be."
"Spare me the snark, rogue. We could have taken those from him hours ago."
"But then we might never have found this." Charmane replied, tapping the magical weapon at her belt. Edwin simply scoffed in reply.
"Uh, do ya reckon it's a good idea to take those?" Imoen asked, hesitantly. "It doesn't sit right going against a man's dyin' wish. What if he haunts us or somethin'?"
Charmane chuckled and placed a reassuring hand on Imoen's shoulder. "Don't worry, Imoen. The emeralds weren't his to begin with. Besides, if we don't take them, someone else will. Now let's get ourselves some sleep, we have a mine to investigate."
The group made their way onto a wooden platform that jutted out over the edge of the mine. A series of steep wooden stairs led them onto the pit below. The sheer walls of the mining site were dotted with dark openings, leading to tunnels dug into the earth. Rusted tracks extruded from these openings, snaking along the path and disappearing into the darkness.
Every now and then, they passed small wooden huts. These seemed to be makeshift dwellings, constructed from rough-hewn planks of wood and corrugated metal. They looked barely big enough for a single occupant, and seemed to be used by the miners as sleeping quarters during their long shifts.
The place seemed almost empty. With only a handful of miners milling about in drab loose-fitting tunics, sometimes with a leather apron on top, roughspun trousers and leather boots. Their faces and hands were smudged with grime, evidence of long hours spent toiling in the earth.
The few willing to speak to them were apathetic, fearful or both. They whispered of missing miners and sword-wielding dogs lurking below, something that the foreman was allegedly covering up. The foreman in question, though reluctant to provide any information, was happy for the party to investigate the mine's depths.
The entry to the mining tunnels was guarded by Amnian Soldiers, a clear indication that something was seriously amiss. Inside was a cacophony of sounds - the clanging of pickaxes against rock, the shuffle of heavy boots on gravel, and the muffled voices of miners deep in conversation. The place was bustling with activity, yet there was an unease that hung in the air. The miners were spouting all sorts of delusions - one was hysterical about little demons jumping out of the wall, while another claimed there was a dragon in the lower levels. Still, others whispered of ghosts haunting the tunnels, their voices barely above a whisper.
The Amnian soldiers stationed here seemed equally uneasy. They stood guard, clutching their weapons tightly, their eyes darting about as if expecting an attack at any moment. They were unsure what was causing the miners to go missing, and their nerves were frayed.
"What do you reckon's down here?" Imoen asked. "It couldn't be a dragon? Right?"
"Nonsense, child." Jaheira replied. "The very nature would be whispering of its powers if it were so. No, this must be kobolds, the very same creatures that were harassing that gnome earlier."
"Dragon-like snout and scales, the red hue of a demon, and a bark reminiscent of a dog. The druid is likely correct, for onc- Aaaah!" Edwin yelped, as something leapt out of the darkness.
Their flickering torchlight revealed a small creature with scales the colour of dried blood, its beady eyes fixed on the group with a feral hunger. The reptilian creature stood no taller than a human child, yet possessed razor-sharp claws and a long, pointed tail. The creature growled, baring its jagged teeth as it lunged forward with its little sword, but the party was well-prepared and quickly dispatched it before it could do any harm.
"Kobolds it is then." Charmane added, chuckling at Edwin's reaction.
Further into the tunnels, a miner dashed towards them, his eyes wide with fear, babbling about yipping demons hot on his heels. Before Charmane could even utter a reassuring word, they heard unmistakable barks and growls. Four kobolds, each one armed with a bow and arrow, appeared around a bend.
Jaheira and Khalid sprang into action, holding their shields aloft to deflect the incoming projectiles, and charged at the kobolds with weapons drawn. Charmane barely had the chance to swing her sword before the little creatures lay dead.
There were fewer miners here, but guarded closely by Amnian soldiers. With the kobolds lurking in every shadowy corners, these people were under no fanciful delusions.
As the party continued onwards, the distant clanging of pickaxes faded away, leaving the party to navigate by the dim light of their torches. Soon the stench of decay filled their nostrils, before they came across the bodies of several miners.
Within moments, kobolds came at them from every other bend and though they were outnumbered, the small creatures posed no significant danger to the group.
Tired of the kobolds dying too fast for her to land a blow, Charmane now took to sneaking ahead and positioning herself behind the creatures, ready to strike just as her team came into sight.
Interestingly, one kobold was carrying a vial containing a reddish liquid. A miner earlier had mentioned finding an empty one near the iron carts, suspecting sabotage. Charmane picked up a few iron fragments from a nearby cart and stuffed it alongside the vial for evidence.
"You see that?" Imoen suddenly exclaimed, pointing at a dead miner ahead. "He's got a greenstone ring. Isn't that what the lady said belonged to her husband? Oh no…" she trailed off, a hint of sorrow in her voice.
"Let's hope this will at least give her some closure." Charmane replied, softly, as she pulled the ring off the corpse.
They had gone but two paces when Jaheira tripped, and an arrow came shooting towards her, just narrowly missing her waist.
"Traps!" Charmane exclaimed. "Imoen, you're up."
Imoen proceeded with caution, keeping an eye out for any signs of traps as the group moved slowly through the tunnels. As they progressed, the ground transformed from a reddish-brown dirt to a soft, sandy brown, carried in by ancient underground streams. The air became dryer and warmer, as if the very earth was breathing out a gentle warmth. Eventually, the tunnel gave way to a bridge suspended over a searing river of molten rock, a clear indication that they were venturing into unknown and dangerous territory.
As the party stepped cautiously onto the bridge, Charmane's voice echoed in the dimly lit cavern, "This bridge practically screams 'trap'."
Suddenly, two kobolds emerged from the darkness on the other end, their bows drawn and their red scales shimmering in the fiery glow of the molten river below.
Without hesitation, Charmane barked orders, "Shields up! Ranged weapons only!" and a flurry of arrows, bullets and knives brought down the kobolds.
With the way clear, Imoen immediately went to work, skilfully disarming not one, but two traps that had been cunningly laid across the bridge.
As they crossed the rocky bridge, a natural cave system opened up before them, with jagged rocks and stalagmites growing ominously towards the ceilings. It was surprisingly beautiful in its own way. Natural pools of crystal clear water dotted the rocky terrain, shimmering in the flickering light of their torches.
The tranquillity did not last long as a ghoul emerged from the darkness, its skin grey and decaying. Its eyes glowed with an unnatural hunger, and its claws were long and sharp. It did not prove difficult for the experienced adventurer and soon they were slaying giant spiders in a spider nest nearby.
Not long after Imoen stopped the group to disarm yet another trap and another set of kobold archers. While defeating the kobolds proved to be a straightforward affair, the mechanical traps scattered throughout the area hindered their advancement.
The natural tunnels gradually gave way to an odd man-made passage that led to a massive cavern. Sandy shores stretched along the edge of the cavern, while the centre was occupied by a peculiar dome-like cave surrounded by deep water. The only way to reach it was through a narrow stone walkway, which led straight towards a small entrance to the cave.
Inside was a network of small caves with torches set evenly along the walls. Charmane patiently waited until a pack of patrolling kobolds separated, then picked them off one by one with ruthless efficiency, concealing their bodies behind jagged stalagmites in a nearby empty cave. As she ventured deeper into the cavern, her gaze caught a peculiar sight - a set of purple curtains obscuring the entrance to one of the caves.
Carefully peering through the gap in the curtains, Charmane's eyes widened at the sight before her. The garish cave was strangely warm and inviting, the flickering light of a brazier in the corner casting a comforting glow over the room. Mismatched carpets and pillows were strewn haphazardly about, as if someone had raided a hoard of exotic textiles and furniture without any care for aesthetic harmony. In the far corner, sat an extravagant stone throne completely out of place among the humble surroundings. Beside it, a red chest emblazoned with gold stood boldly, enticing with the promise of treasure and secrets.
In the warm glow of the brazier, Charmane could see a man dressed in dark chain mail, his greenish skin and small tusks visible in the flickering light. The half-orc appeared to be engrossed in a missive, unaware of the world around him.
Clearly, this man was leading the operations. Before engaging him, Charmane thought it prudent to explore the last cave ahead. As she drew closer, she caught sight of a captive elf in the dim torchlight. He sat with shoulders slumped, and his head hung low. Despite his colourful blue-purple robes, his eyes looked dull and lifeless. It was almost as if he would not have made an effort to escape had the ropes binding him not been secure.
Beckoning her party forward, Charmane walked into the room, causing the elf to look up. Charmane held a finger to her lips as she got closer and cut him free.
"I thank you for your freedom friends, for I have languished in these dismal vaults for too long." the elf began his voice low and despondent. "It was unbearable, Waking each morn to the mud and rock instead of the rising sun. I am Xan," he said, straightening up and wiping his robe down. "A Greycloak of Evereska, and as proficient in the ways of magic as any man can be. If you be enemies of Mulahey, I would join your cause, hopeless though it is."
Edwin scoffed, "As proficient as any man? How pitifully mediocre." he muttered, looking the elf up and down with disgust. "I bet this spineless simian couldn't even conjure up a spark without singeing his own fur. And to get captured by a pack of kobolds? How laughably pathetic. Leave him to rot in his own inadequacy, I say."
Charmane chuckled, "Don't mind Edwin. He just wants to keep all the magic scrolls to himself." she said, shooting a playful smirk at Edwin who scowled in response. "I'd be happy to have you travel with us, for a time."
"I thank you." the elf replied, sombrely. "However ineffective our actions be, I shall not rest until I have made payment to you. When you have a chance to search through Mulahey's treasure, see if you can find my moonblade among his documents, it is my most valued possession."
"Sure." Charmane replied. "But how about you wait here for now? You are unarmed and don't look in any shape to be slinging spells." The elf simply nodded in response.
Mulahey, a hulking half-orc, bit his nails in agitation as he read and reread the letter from his ruthless boss, Tazok. The once smooth lines of his greenish face were now creased in worry. He had been running his operations with a tight grip, and it had been going so well until now. He had all the miners under his thumb, scared of his kobolds, and he had successfully poisoned all the iron. Yet now Tazok was sure to send his agents after him, all for the sake of a few measly miners. Mulahey could not understand why his boss was so fixated on the lives of those disposable pawns. How else was he supposed to let the scaled pests blow off steam?
Despite his growing fear of Tazok's wrath, Mulahey had yet to send a reply to the letter. He didn't know what to say or how to explain himself. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was failing his boss and that his days were numbered. The half-orc knew he had to come up with a plan, a way to appease Tazok and salvage his own position. But as he paced back and forth in his makeshift quarters, his mind remained blank, and his anxiety only continued to grow.
Mulahey's thoughts were interrupted when he heard a faint rustling behind him. He instinctively reached for his morning star, ready to strike. But before he could even turn to face it, he felt a sharp pain in his side, and a wetness that should not be there.
Mulahey let out a pained grunt as he stumbled forward, barely avoiding another strike. As he spun around to confront his assailant, his eyes widened at the sight of a lithe figure stepping out of the shadows. The woman was holding two longswords and wore supple brown leather that hugged her curves. Her raven locks flowed like silk from beneath the hood that concealed her face.
"What! How'd you get in here!? Tazok must have dispatched you, and my traitorous kobolds let you pass, didn't they?" Mulahey exclaimed, gritting his teeth in anger and pain. "I knew I could not trust them! Armed as such, you have obviously been sent to kill me! By Cyric, not a measure of ore leaves these mines unspoiled, and I am still to be executed?! I'll not lose my head over this!"
"Uh... Yes…" Charmane said slowly. "Fool, Tazok is... is most displeased with thee! Reveal your treachery and mayhaps he will spare you!"
"Tazok is unfair." The half-orc grunted. "I have no desire to cheat him, or thee! My letters will show, they are in that chest. Take them, take them and Tazok will see!"
Charmane narrowed her eyes, this seemed a bit too easy. "You!" She said imperiously, gesturing towards the chest. "Walk ahead of me." she said in a low and dangerous tone.
Charmane followed cautiously behind. However, as soon as Mulahey reached the chest, he let out a massive bellow, "Fools, you'll never have the chance to take anything! Minions, come forth and kill the intruders!"
Within seconds a horde of kobolds and undead skeletons appeared behind the rogue. Outnumbered, she quickly tapped into her magic and vanished, leaving Mulahey and his minions looking around confused.
"Find her!" she heard him scream as she crept as fast as she could to the nearby cave where her teammates were supposed to be waiting.
But they too were embroiled in battle. Mulahey's minions had seemingly swarmed out of the many crevices that riddled the cave. The few in the chamber were not much of a threat but the sound of battle attracted Mulahey and soon the entire room was full of undead and yipping kobolds.
Surrounded by tall stalagmites, Jaheira and Khalid stalwartly held off the minions at the chokepoint, and lashed out with their swords, while Imoen showered them with arrows from behind.
Edwin watched as the crowd of kobold and undead skeletons steadily grew, battering away at the half elves' shields. Just as it seemed as if no more could fit the cave ahead of them, the Red Wizard strode forward and stood beside Jaheira.
Before the half-elf could rebuke him for his dangerous positioning, the mage had already begun his incantation. "Sarkhuntrax, thirizatha thyrra!" Edwin chanted, his palms splayed open in front of him. A torrent of fire erupted from his hands in a blazing cone, engulfing the kobolds and reducing them to smouldering ashes. Whatever magic animated the undead creatures proved to be vulnerable to fire, as every skeleton in front of them crumbled into a heap of charred bones.
Edwin haughtily lifted his chin and emitted a triumphant "hmph" as he watched the flames engulf all their enemies. His smugness was palpable.
Charmane meanwhile had remained in the shadows, wryly watching her mage gloating from afar, as she circled behind Mulahey.
The half-orc had trailed behind his minions and now stood at the mouth of the cave chanting a spell. Without a moment to lose, Charmane stabbed the half-orc at the exact spot she had before with her newly acquired longsword.
"Aagh!" half-orc screamed in agony, as he fell to his knees. "I yield," he breathed. "I yield to thee! Accept my surrender?" he pleaded.
"I think not." Charmane replied and pushed her sword further in, leaving the Priest of Cyric dead before he could cast a single spell.
The battle ended as the last of Mulahey's minions were defeated. Charmane quickly motioned for her companions to regroup and search the area for any valuable loot. She bent down to inspect Mulahey's corpse.
As Charmane rummaged through the priest's belongings, she found what looked to be an enchanted ring and two letters from someone named Tazok. One exposed the truth behind the brittle ore and the missing miners, the other mentioned that a contact of this Tazok was currently renting a room at an inn at Beregost. Her big first mission since leaving Candlekeep was now complete.
When the group finally opened the chest in Mulahey's lair, their eyes widened in awe as they beheld the glittering mound of gold that lay before them. But it was not just the wealth that dazzled their senses - their fingers twitched with excitement as they sifted through the piles of magic scrolls and a gleaming sword of exquisite craftsmanship.
"This must be yours." Charmane said, handing the moonblade to Xan. "While I understand your eagerness to leave this place, we have fought and journeyed for hours on end. This chamber, although of poor taste, offers a much more pleasant resting spot compared to the frigid and dismal stones of the caves. Let us rest here for the night."