The adventurers made the trek back to the Monastery of Saint Vardishal. Fortunately, there were no signs of any gnolls chasing after them, and about twenty minutes into the journey, many came to believe that they were safe. Belash couldn't help but look over his shoulder or around the area, expecting some sort of ambush, but nothing came after them. The group kept quiet with how tense they were with the only conversation taking place being introductions. The man the group rescued, Felliped of Senara, was grateful for the group and promised to explain what he could once they made it to their base.
It took an hour for the group to make it to the Monastery of Saint Vardishal. The burning pile from before had died down with only ashes left of the ruined furniture left. The guards by the entrance let the adventurers through with Emra breaking off from the group to seek out Father Zastoran. Even though they decided that they weren't likely to return to Kelmarane until tomorrow, they would be best off saving their own magic in case of emergency. Belash wanted to take the fight back to Kelmarane after hearing what Felliped had to say, but by the time they were prepared to go out, it would be too hot to travel. He hated to admit it but it was best to wait until evening or even morning the next day before assaulting Kelmarane again.
The remaining adventurers were able to arrange a meeting with Almah and Garavel in the chapel a few minutes after their arrival. The merchant princess and her majordomo listened to their report over their initial foray into Kelmarane. They went over the fight against the mamba and the gnoll patrol but it was clear that Almah was more interested in Felliped and what he had to say. She motioned for him to stand up and speak on his side of the story. Felliped looked back at his saviors, and with a sigh of relief, did as Almah instructed him.
"I and my childhood friends from Senara have always dreamed about becoming adventurers on our own. When we were old enough, we set out on our own to see what the world had to offer. We formed our own adventuring group, the Lions of Senara, and in time, we ended up joining up with the Pathfinder Society."
"You're a Pathfinder?!" Zalerian asked, shocked. "You didn't mention that before."
"Forgive me but I didn't find the time to bring that fact up," Felliped told Zalerian and glanced in his direction.
"Let's save any questions until the end of Felliped's story," Almah said. "If you would, please continue."
"Of course," Felliped said with a bow. "My friends and I traveled across the world in search of treasure and lost magic. Nora, rest her soul, believed that what we sought was hidden behind a sealed vault in the ruined temple of Sarenrae at Kelmarane. We arrived a week ago, and unfortunately, we underestimated the gnolls. We fought as hard as we could but it was for not. Nora was killed and I was captured along with Andrus and Oxvard. I managed to escape before I was brought to that building on top of the hill and hid in the stables, and that's how I met with these brave heroes."
"Why did you not try running away from the stables?" Melkia asked, crossing her arms. "Surely, you could have found a gap in the patrols to make it out of Kelmarane?"
"I considered the idea, and had it only been gnolls, I might have done so," Felliped answered. "The gnolls have made powerful allies such as a peryton, harpy, and some sort of fiendish goat man. I dare not risk an escape knowing any of them could have spotted me."
"That is useful to know," Almah said with a nod. "Felliped, I suggest you check with our healer. For now, you can stay with us."
"I thank you for your generosity but I must ask one more favor of you," Felliped told the merchant princess. "I've lost one friend to the gnolls already but I think there is still hope for the others. Please, you must rescue Andrus and Oxvard from that large building atop the hill."
"That would be the battle market," Arguk noted with a frown.
"Killing four gnolls isn't enough for an attack on the battle market," Almah said firmly and shook her head. "There's nothing we can do for now."
"But my friends-"
"I will not risk my agents on an attack that could cost them their lives," Almah interrupted Felliped's protests. "I understand that you care for your friends and I promise to do what I can to see that they are rescued but to attack the battle market now would be a futile effort. We will have to wait for the right opportunity."
"Andrus and Oxvard may not have much time left!" Felliped told Almah, unable to mask his anguish.
"My decision is final. Now, I would suggest that you do as I said and head to our healer."
Felliped bowed his head in defeat. "Very well."
"I can show you the way to Father Zastoran," Zalerian offered, stepping up with a smile.
"Thank you," Felliped said quietly.
Zalerian left with Felliped and Almah took a moment to address the remaining adventurers. "It was good of you to bring Felliped to me. We now know that the gnolls have powerful allies of their own. I suggest that you be aware of them and do what you feel is necessary."
"Are we really going to abandon Felliped's friends to their fates?" Belash questioned harshly.
"Knowing the gnolls, they're already dead," Melkia said with a shrug.
"I know that you want to rescue them but I do not want you to throw your lives away with a reckless attack on the battle market before you're ready," Almah told the adventurers, her tone softer than before. "If you keep up the good work and kill more of the gnolls, I'll feel more comfortable authorizing an attack on the battle market. I'll leave you to your work.
None of the adventurers made further protest against Almah's decision as she left the chapel along with Garavel. Belash noticed that while Melkia didn't care for the fate of Felliped's friends, Arguk and Teshak both frowned at the idea of doing nothing for the prisoners. Thinking on the matter, Belash realized that while he wanted to rush into the battle market to save Andrus and Oxvard, it was far from the wisest decision. He had to accept that Almah was a merchant princess for a reason and that she had to make tough decisions, such as wanting to keep her best champions safe from overwhelming odds.
"We should take this time and prepare for our next trip to Kelmarane," Arguk suggested to his companions. "A peryton is a dangerous creature from what I've heard and there may be more than one harpy for all we know."
"What do you think Felliped meant by a fiendish goat man?" Teshak asked.
"No clue," Melkia answered with a shrug. "It might be too hot for us to travel safely even at such short distances. I'll stand guard in case the gnolls launch a counterattack."
"Trax and I shall head out to try to cover the tracks we made so that our enemy won't be able to follow us," Arguk told the others. "We won't be out for too long."
"I'll…" Belash started to speak before growing silent for several moments. "...will think of something."
Belash watched Arguk, Melkia, and Trax leave the chapel, leaving him alone with Teshak. The truth was that aside from fighting, there wasn't a lot that he was useful at. He considered himself to be a strong warrior, but after years training as a gladiator, he worried that all he knew was related to only fighting. Perhaps he would be able to learn more about what he could do after he found Haleen.
Teshak coughed into his arm before speaking. "Belash, if you're not busy, but could we train together?"
"You want to train with me?" Belash asked, confused.
"That's right," Teshak nodded. "You're likely the strongest warrior we have so I think that I would learn the best sparring with you."
"I appreciate the praise but shouldn't you focus more on your magic?" Belash pointed out. "If I could cast spells like you, I wouldn't need my greataxe."
Teshak patted the pommels of both his daggers. "I want to put these daggers to good use and even my magic has its limits. It would be best for me to learn how to defend myself if I need to, wouldn't it?"
"I guess you have a point," Belash admitted. "Alright, let's head outside and train together."
"Thank you," Teshak said, following after Belash. "I look forward to what you have to show me."
"We'll see if you still think that after we're done," Belash chuckled. "If you want to learn how to fight, then I'll teach you, but it's not going to be easy."
"I wouldn't have it any other way," Teshak laughed alongside Belash.
When Zalerian first heard that Father Zastoran was interested in claiming the laboratory in the undercrypt for his work as a healer, the monk was hesitant on the idea. The fight against the mold that had influenced Teshak was still fresh on his mind and he wasn't sure if it was a wise idea to stay there for long. Leading Felliped through the undercrypt, which was now lit up with torches, Zalerian was relieved to see that there wasn't any sign of danger within the laboratory and that Father Zastoran had cleaned up the room to the best of his ability. He felt that after the elderly healer stayed in the laboratory overnight, it likely meant that there wasn't anything dangerous left for them to worry about.
Emra sat on the stone table in the center where Father Zastoran finished covering the injury she sustained with cloth bandages. Zalerian learned that the elderly healer did use magic to heal most of the severe damage and that she would need rest to finish her recovery. While Father Zastoran treated Felliped for the cuts and scrapes he sustained and his deprivation of food and water on the table, Zalerian caught Emra up on what she missed during the meeting over by the door leading out of the undercrypt. He was quick to notice her frown at Almah ordering the adventurers to not risk themselves saving Felliped's friends.
Abandoning two Pathfinders to captivity at the battle market didn't sit well with Zalerian either. Aside from rescuing the prisoners being the right thing to do, he felt that the Pathfinder Society may take issue if they learn that he did nothing to save the Pathfinders in trouble. He had his own task for his Confirmation and he worried that even if he succeeded, they may deny him becoming an agent if he did nothing to save Andrus and Oxvard. However, Zalerian also realized that if he went against Almah's orders, he may fail the Confirmation altogether. He hated the position he found himself in and hoped Emra may know what to do.
"If there are people in danger, we have to do something," Emra whispered so that Father Zastoran didn't overhear their conversation. "Lady Almah may be in charge but I won't sit by while there are others in danger."
"What can we do?" Zalerian asked quietly. "We know that Lady Almah and Garavel have information on the battle market which was why they suggested against attacking it. They may know something that could help us but are waiting for the right moment to share such information."
"Perhaps you're right," Emra admitted. "Although if it is true, I would have liked for them to reveal everything they know."
"There may be a reason for that," Zalerian said. "At the very least, she might be willing to share with us what she knows if we can prove ourselves by dealing with more of the gnolls."
"Or perhaps we can prove ourselves by taking on more dangerous foes," Emra suggested and looked over to Felliped while Father Zastoran stepped toward one of the daises for supplies. "Excuse me, Felliped. Would you know where the creatures you hid from typically are."
"I'm not sure about the goat man but the harpy and peryton can be found at the buildings across the bridge from where you found me," Felliped answered. "I think those buildings were the tannery and the mill."
"Thank you," Emra smiled warmly. "We'll be sure to investigate the area and see what we can do."
"You mean to fight those monsters?" Felliped asked with a gasp.
"Of course," Emra said with a nod. "Surely, if we can defeat them, Lady Almah will see that we're ready to handle the gnolls at the battle market."
"A wonderful idea," Zalerian said, clapping his hands together. "We should let the others know. I'm sure they'll be up to the idea of dealing with these threats."
"Which means you'll be able to save Andrus and Oxvard," Felliped nodded along in understanding. "That might work out."
"Then it's settled," Emra said, stepping toward the undercrypt. "Come on. Let's go find the others and let them know about our plan."
"Right behind you," Zalerian told Emra and followed her out.
Zalerian had been so focused on deciding if he should stage a rescue attempt or not that he hadn't considered a third option. Emra had the right idea of dealing with the allies the gnolls had as if they eliminated them, it would show that they could handle themselves. It would be enough for Almah to reveal what she knew about the battle market and they would be able to go back during the evening the day they dealt with the threats. It was a matter of convincing the rest of his companions to follow through with the plan for tomorrow and Zalerian was sure that he and Emra could get their friends on their side.
The rest of the day went by without any incident at the Monastery of Saint Vardishal. Arguk spent an hour covering up the tracks of his companions in case the gnolls sent scouts after them but didn't think that any of their enemies would attack so soon. The gnolls at Kelmarane appeared to be organized and whoever led them may be cautious. It could be possible that the warlord that ruled the ruined town would want to find out who they're dealing with before risking an attack. Arguk didn't mind if that was the case as it gave him and his companions a chance to launch more attacks on Kelmarane without worry of reprisal.
When Arguk returned to the caravan's base along with Trax, he found Belash and Teshak sparring against one another. The half-orc wielded his greataxe against the sorcerer, who fought with Tempest and the dagger he carried before in each of his hands. Arguk had noticed that Teshak had a tendency to rush into melee combat and was glad to see that he was training so he knew what to do in a fight. The fact that Teshak wasn't relying on his magic as much after the incident in the laboratory was still concerning, but as long as he could see the young sorcerer, he would be content being able to help if disaster struck. He nodded toward the pair and made his way inside to cool down from the heat.
With the desert growing hotter as the day progressed, Arguk thought it wasn't likely that they would go back to Kelmarane for the day. Even though they could attack in the evening when it was cooler, he felt that it was best to wait until tomorrow and take the time to plan their next move. He was impressed with the plan Zalerian and Emra came up with of targeting the peryton and harpy in their respective lairs as a way to impress Almah enough to authorize an attack on the battle market. Felliped had already lost one friend and Arguk would hate for him to lose two more when there was a chance they could be saved.
Thinking about Felliped's friends reminded Arguk that he had very few friends of his own. He found that it was difficult to keep friends when he was sold to different masters at infrequent times. Once Almah gave him his freedom after Kelmarane was taken back, he would have to see if he could get in touch with old friends he made as a slave and try to free them. Even if that proved impossible, Arguk could focus on the friends he made over the past week. He got along with the adventurers that he fought alongside except for Melkia.
Despite his best efforts to prove that he wasn't the enemy, Melkia held him in contempt for being a gnoll. It was tough for Arguk to accept as he was hoping that they would be able to work together to secure Kelmarane without any issue. Even after fighting against his own kind, Arguk felt like he was no closer to earning Melkia's trust. He wondered why it was that she came to despise gnolls and he knew that she likely wouldn't open up about her reasons if it was personal. At the very least, he could at least tell she wasn't going to attack him unless he stepped out of line, which wouldn't happen. He still hoped to earn her trust but wouldn't force her to do so and intended to give her space.
It was until the end of the day when Arguk volunteered for a guard shift that he learned from Garavel he would be relieving Melkia from her shift.
Arguk stepped outside when it came close to time for his guard shift, noting the stars in the dark sky. Aside from Melkia, the rest of his companions were getting ready to sleep, and he heard that it would be one of the other mercenaries Almah hired taking over for him after three hours. He was tempted to bring Trax with him but wanted the hyena to get plenty of rest as well. Arguk made his way toward a ridge near the monastery that overlooked Kelmarane. From a quick glance, he couldn't see anything of note coming from the ruined town itself but his eyes caught a glint of light coming north of the town. Melkia was focused on studying the light from afar with Arguk walking behind her, making enough noise from walking to let her know he was coming.
"Are the gnolls from Kelmarane up to something?" Arguk asked.
"It's not them," Melkia answered, not bothering to glance at Arguk. "The fire was set north of Kelmarane, likely a mile out from town."
"And a little to the east as well," Arguk added. "There are mountains that far out but it's not where the Carrion King's howl came from."
"So we're dealing with another group," Melkia said, frowning. "I don't like this."
"Perhaps we should consider exploring the area around Kelmarane one day and see what it is," Arguk suggested. "We'd have to cross through the pesh fields east of Kelmarane but we could make it to where that fire is within a few hours."
Melkia shook her head. "We have enough with Kelmarane as is. Let's not overextend ourselves."
"A wise decision," Arguk said. "Speaking of overextending, it's my shift now. You can get some sleep."
"Your shift, huh?" Melkia glanced over at Arguk with a glare. "You're not thinking about letting the gnolls from Kelmarane in for attack, are you?"
"I don't think they would trust me after that fight this morning," Arguk answered with a chuckle.
"Maybe," Melkia admitted, and with a shrug, turned to return to the monastery.
Arguk took his spot over on the ridge, glancing past Kelmarane and toward the flames north of the ruined town. Melkia may have been dismissive of what was responsible for them, and she did have a point that they had much to do already, but the gnoll couldn't help but wonder what other forces were at work in the area.
A/N: Not a lot to report on here other than there's been a change on what day I focus on writing for. Given the amount of projects and the slow pace, I'm swapping from Thursday to the entire weekend. I'll have other things that I do but the idea is to write during my free time as a way to catch up with stories that have fallen behind.
Until next time.