Kennick fought as hard as he could against the goblins but their numbers overwhelmed him. They pushed him down onto the bridge, and before he could get up, he found himself in freefall. Kennick shouted out and terror and hit the water faster than he expected. Pain surged through his body, especially across his back that struck the water, and salty water filled his mouth. His eyes winced in pain from the water and he felt himself sinking.

With a surge of adrenaline and the pain reminding him that he was alive, Kennick moved his arms and legs, rotating his body in the water. He swam up, and once he broke through the water, took in a large breath of air.

Kennick grimaced in pain and looked around his surroundings. He could make out the faint sound of goblin cackling from above and looked toward the sky. He could see that both the island Thisletop was on and the mainland that he was on would be a very difficult climb. Stray arrows were shot from where the goblins were to Thistletop and Kennick was glad that they hadn't looked down. He heard splashing ahead and turned to see Razvan breaking through the water, taking deep breaths as he looked around. Ahead of Razvan, Corita broke through the water's surface and Kennick could see that both of his companions were in a great deal of pain.

"I thought the bridge was safe!" Corita gasped, looking around in a panic. "What happened?!"

"I don't know," Kennick grunted. "The goblins pushed me onto the bridge and it fell."

"Maybe it couldn't have supported all of our weight," Razvan noted, sighing. "Just our luck."

"Draul and Mariel could be in danger," Corita looked up from where they fell. "We have to get to them!"

Razvan looked to the island Thistletop was on and shook his head. "We're not going to be able to climb up that way."

"Then we'll climb up the other way," Corita told Razvan, swimming back toward the cliff the mainland was on.

"Hold on, Corita!" Razvan swimmed to block her path. "There's only goblins that way and we can't even get to Thistletop with the bridge down."

"We have to do something!" Corita shouted, glaring at Razvan.

"Quiet," Kennick warned the bard. "If the goblins hear us, they'll have their archers finish us off."

"We need a plan," Razvan told Corita, holding a hand on her shoulder to keep her from moving away. "And before we can come up with a plan, we need to get to land."

"There's a shore not too far from here to the southwest," Kennick told his friends, relying on what he recalled about the environment. "It's not occupied by any goblins."

"Then that's where we go," Razvan said, glancing in the direction. "Corita, everything will be alright. You need to stay with us."

Corita looked ready to argue, but after several seconds, sighed. "I know. I just hate leaving our friends behind."

"Me too," Razvan nodded softly. "They would want us to get to safety and come up with a new plan other than killing ourselves climbing a cliff or getting shot by goblins."

Razvan let go of Corita's shoulder and started to swim west. Corita glanced toward the Thistletop one last time, and shaking her head, she turned to swim after Razvan. Kennick swam after his friends, his thoughts heavy with the defeat they suffered facing the goblins. Unlike their previous setbacks, the group had lost two of their companions. Kennick wanted to believe that Draul and Mariel could survive but he didn't like their odds. There was no chance to escape Thistletop for them and they would have to face the goblins in Thistletop along with their leaders on their own.

Still, Kennick pressed on, knowing that he and his companions would find a way to Thistletop even if it was too late to save Draul and Mariel. They didn't have a lot of options but to keep fighting the goblins. Kennick couldn't think of returning to Sandpoint while the threat the goblins posed remained while Corita wouldn't abandon Draul and Mariel. It was hard to get a read on what Razvan wanted to do, and although he was the more pragmatic of the trio, he was also stepping up to lead now that Draul was out of action.

The path would be tough, but as long as the trio stayed together, they had a chance to come up with a plan to return to Thistletop.

Draul gasped awake when cold water splashed across his face. He felt sharp pain across his shoulder where Ripnugget had stabbed him as well as across his back. He vaguely recalled goblin archers in the throne room but didn't have a chance to fight back before his injuries took him out of the battle. He felt cloth bound across his wounds as well as rope keeping his hands tied together. The paladin had been stripped of his armor but had the clothes he wore beneath his armor still on. His eyes adjusted to the light of the chamber he found himself in that was lit by a hooded lantern.

With the bridge having collapsed, Draul figured that even though the chamber was unfamiliar to him, he was still in Thistletop. He turned his head to the side and saw six cells with iron bars. Draul wasn't imprisoned in a cell but he spotted Mariel crouched down in one of the cells, her hands bound and her mouth gagged. He was glad to see that she was alive but a quick glance around the room showed that they weren't out of danger. Draul did his best not to focus on the iron maiden or the cage that was held above an unlit brazier and instead his gaze fell upon the two men that served as his captors.

At first, Draul focused on the bugbear, taking in the hulking warrior with dark fur across his arms. The bugbear, Bruthazmus as Draul realized, looked down at him with a wicked grin. Draul turned his head away from the bugbear and took notice of a human man who set down an empty bucket on the floor. The man wore banded mail armor along with a matching helmet that left his face exposed. His face was rugged and his blue eyes looked down at the paladin with a professional demeanor. Draul knew that Nualia had more than goblins but wasn't expecting to find a typical warrior working with her.

"I told you cold water would wake him up," the man said, glancing at Bruthazmus.

"Pain would have done the job just as well," Bruthazmus grunted. "Come on. The others are waiting."

Bruthazmus led the way to a door facing away from the cells. The warrior helped Draul up on his feet with a frown, grabbing him by the rope that kept his hands restrained. Draul didn't care much for Bruthazmus' sadistic nature but noted that his companion wasn't too rough. The man motioned for the paladin to follow the bugbear, and with little other choice, Draul walked through the door and into a dim hallway.

The warrior followed behind Draul and whispered quietly. "Just a word of advice but you're about to be asked some questions by my employer. We've already questioned the elf, and if your answers are different from her, Bruthazmus might kill you for lying to us."

"And what if Mariel lied while being questioned and my answers are different because I'm being honest?" Draul asked quietly, looking over his shoulder.

The man shrugged. "Then there's really nothing you can do."

"Wonderful," Draul said and turned back to look ahead.

Bruthazmus led the way into a large chamber that Draul recognized as an ominous chapel, lit by a dark crimson light from the braziers running along the walls. They had come through a side entrance onto a platform on the left side of the chamber and the paladin could spot the main entrance, which sported wide doors, toward his right. The sides of the room contained stone fonts along with pillars that held the ceiling up. Murals of monsters slaughtering and devouring innocent people were carved on the wall with a black altar, its surface covered with ashes and scraps of bones, standing before a tall statue of a naked and pregnant woman with monstrous features such as taloned hands that wielded kukris, a reptilian tail, and the head of a three-eyed jackal with a forked tongue.

Draul frowned to himself when he recognized that the statue was a depiction of Lamashtu. He was deep in enemy territory, and as of now, had very little opportunity to escape. All he could do was wait and see what he could do as long as he drew breath.

Bruthazmus stepped aside, revealing three figures on the platform he led Draul to. Draul recognized Tsuto, who looked over him with a shake of his head. He stood to the left of two women who were strangers to the paladin. The woman to the right had her face mostly hidden by a hood but Draul could make out that she had dark skin and that her hair was braided into cornrows. She wore revealing white robes that left little to the imagination, and given the pouches she carried on her belt, Draul figured that she was a spellcaster like Mariel.

Draul turned to focus on the woman in the middle who had her back turned to the paladin. He could make out that she wore dark armor that exposed her midriff, revealing tanned skin. Her hair was white and fell past her shoulders, and when she turned to face Draul, he realized that she was an aasimar as her violet eyes glared at him. However, her body was twisted despite her celestial nature. Her left hand was a dark red with sharp talons and there were ugly scars that ran across her exposed midriff.

It took Draul several seconds to realize that the scars she bore weren't typical scars but a symbol called the Mark of Lamashtu. During his time training to become a paladin, he had heard tales of how followers of the Mother of Monster were branded with this mark, showing that they were devoted to the monstrous goddess. Those that bore the Mark of Lamashtu were also cursed so that any children that they gave birth to would be monsters. He hadn't expected his enemy to be such a devoted follower of Lamashtu.

"What have you done to yourself, Nualia?" Draul gasped, unable to hide his shock and horror.

If Nualia was surprised to learn that Draul knew her name, she didn't show it as she shook her head. "I've started to free myself of the celestial taint I was born with."

"By becoming a demon?" Draul questioned. "You can't be serious."

"You do not know what I've been through, paladin," Nualia said firmly, raising her demonic claw. "But you're not the one who's supposed to ask questions. Your friend told us much already, Draul, but I want to be sure that she told us the truth. Tell me of the events that led you to arrive at Thistletop."

Draul thought about remaining silent, but after taking a quick glance at Bruthazmus to see that he had his hand on his weapon, he knew that telling his story would keep him alive even if for a few more minutes. It also helped that Mariel seemed to be honest with their captors as she told them his name. At the very least, his captors wouldn't believe he was lying and strike him down. With a sigh, Draul told his captors on his side of the events that took place in Sandpoint.

Draul started off with the defense of Sandpoint during the first goblin raid and how he came to become a hero along with his close friends. He glossed over the details of some of their tasks that didn't relate to Nualia's plan but mentioned both discovering that Father Tobyn's remains were missing and the battle against Tsuto at the Glassworks. Afterwards, Draul revealed what happened to the quasit and the runewell beneath Runeforge although he quickly realized that Mariel had already told Nualia that when she showed no sign of surprise from the story. Finally, Draul focused on the group's arrival at Thistletop, and although he went over with the fight with the goblins with few details, he stopped himself short when mentioning what happened at the bridge.

Slowly, Draul shook his head. "I went across the bridge first to show that it could hold our weight. Mariel had crossed it when the goblins from the maze attacked. Corita, Razvan, and Kennick were still on the other side when the goblins attacked and then…"

Draul paused, and when he failed to continue, Nualia spoke up. "The bridge fell with them on it."

"Yes," Draul nodded, closing his eyes. "I wanted to save them but there wasn't much I could do from where I was."

"Kennick would have made for an excellent ally to our cause," Tsuto said with a sigh. "He was once my friend and I'll miss him."

"He didn't suffer like we had and had grown to love Sandpoint," Nualia glanced towards Tsuto, shaking her head. "Kennick would have given his life to defend Sandpoint, and from what the goblins that survived the raid have reported, he's a strong warrior."

"Then it is good that he died along with the other adventurers," the hooded woman said.

"Indeed, Lyrie," Nualia turned back to Draul. "After the bridge fell, you fought your way through Ripnugget's warriors and struck him down. Did you not think about escaping or did you think that you could stop me with most of your companions dead?"

"I was consumed by rage after I saw my friends fall from the bridge," Draul admitted, opening his eyes. "I thought about nothing else but avenging them. If it weren't for Mariel, I might have broken my oath in my rampage."

"Orik, do you have his holy symbol?" Nualia asked. "Give it to me if you do."

The warrior that escorted Draul into the chamber stepped forward, taking out a wooden ankh. Draul winced when Nualia took the ankh with her demonic claw and was relieved to see that she was more interested in examining it than destroying it. Seeing his holy symbol as well as thinking back on the mistakes he made during his rampage reminded Draul of his oath. Although he was a captive, he was still a follower of Sarenrae. He wouldn't be able to fight his way out of Thistletop in his state, but with what he knew of Nualia and his talent with persuasion, Draul hoped that he would be able to talk her out of the path she was on.

"It's not too late to stop this madness, Nualia," Draul said, his tone carrying his conviction.

"Bold words coming from a paladin that won't live to see the next day," Nualia glanced up from the ankh at Draul. "Sandpoint deserves to burn."

"Sandpoint was your home," Draul pointed out. "Why do you want to see it destroyed? Why would you kill your father? What about Delek as well?"

Nualia chuckled. "You've learned about me. I'm impressed but you clearly didn't learn enough. I was never treated like a normal person because of what I am. The people of Sandpoint are a superstitious and foolish lot. The adults thought my hair, nails, or whatever had holy properties, and many of the children were either in awe of me or hated me. My 'father' only kept me around because I was an aasimar, a gift from the heavens. I will not stop until this celestial taint is removed and I'm reborn as a demon!"

"That… I can see that your childhood was rough, but you're far from the first person to have such experiences just because of your race," Draul argued. "Many people thought I was a brute only because of my orcish heritage yet I never thought to destroy Magnimar out of a misguided hope to become an elf or dwarf or something normal."

"That's because you're too soft and weak to stand up for yourself," Nualia snapped. "The peace the Dawnflower brings you makes it all the more easy for people to continue their treatment of you."

Draul shook his head. "Enough of this. You still haven't told me why you killed your father and Delek."

"Does it make a difference knowing?" Nualia questioned before continuing. "I thought Delek was different. I thought he cared for me. We were lovers. Of course, no one in Sandpoint could know since my father wanted me to become a nun at some covenant and that I needed to maintain my purity. Eventually, I became pregnant. I hoped to run away from Sandpoint with Delek so we could start fresh somewhere else, but when I revealed the truth to him, he called me a harlot and ran off. My father punished me by locking me up in the cathedral. He lectured me every night and forced me to pray to Desna for forgiveness. They both deserved what happened to them."

Draul fell silent for several seconds before he asked the question. "And of your child?"

"It died," Nualia answered, her tone bitter. "I fell into a deep sleep from the trauma, and when I woke up, I knew what I had to do."

"I see," Draul said, carefully considering his words before continuing. "The world hasn't been kind to you. Although I can never agree with your justification for wanting so much death and destruction, I understand where you're coming from. I beg of you to reconsider the path you're on, all of you. Tsuto, there are still people who care about you. Orik, Lyrie, I know not of why you help Nualia but you can turn away and make things right. Bruthazmus, I've heard that many bugbears are evil by nature but I believe that you could be the first to show that goblinoids can be good. And Nualia, you've suffered much throughout your life, and because of that, Lamashtu has lured you to worship her. Still, it is never too late to find redemption."

Draul took a deep breath and carefully looked at everyone in the room, careful to show no signs of trying to escape. Tsuto had frowned when Draul first started but the mention of those who cared for him earned a flicker of regret across his face. Lyrie showed no emotion and shook her head while Orik glanced down at the ground. Finally, Draul focused on Nualia as she brought her normal hand to her chin, tapping it in thought. He wasn't sure if his words were enough to convince her but he wondered what was on her mind.

Suddenly, Bruthazmus chuckled, and before Draul could do anything, the bugbear pushed him down onto his knees. Although he wanted to stand and resist, he caught a quick glimpse of Bruthazmus' flail and realized what the bugbear had in mind.

"I don't give a damn about changing my ways to be better, fool," Bruthazmus declared and looked to Nualia. "He's told us enough. Let's kill him and be done with it."

"Hold, Bruthazmus," Nualia commanded, glaring at the bugbear.

Bruthazmus snarled, but after several seconds, took two steps away from Draul while keeping his hand on his weapon. The paladin heard from Shalelu how strong Bruthazmus was and it was unnerving to see him listen to Nualia's orders even if it meant sparing his life. Nualia stepped away from Tsuto and Lyrie and toward Draul, kneeling down by the paladin. She locked eyes with him and held up the ankh she carried in her demonic hand.

"Do you really think that I can be saved?" Nualia questioned, her voice quiet but unwavering. "Can someone who has murdered without hesitating find redemption?"

"They can," Draul answered without hesitation. "I've seen so for myself."

"So you have," Nualia nodded. "How many people did you kill before you found redemption through the Dawnflower?"

Draul hesitated and glanced down at the ground. After several seconds, he whispered his answer.

"Too many."

"Is that so?" Nualia asked with a hint of a smirk.

Draul looked up to face her again. "I have more blood on my hands than you. If I can change for the better, so can you."

"Except you didn't change," Nualia told Draul. "You try to hide who you really are with this heroic act, but deep down, you're a monster like I am."

"I am nothing like you," Draul shook his head, frowning. "My past is behind me."

"Have you already forgotten what you did to Ripnugget and the goblins that stood in the way of your rampage?" Nualia pointed out and flicked the ankh to a dark corner of the chapel. "Don't deny what you want. Claim your justice against those that have wronged you for what you were born as. Pledge yourself to Lamashtu and you'll have the power you need."

"Although I may stumble, I remain true to the path I'm on," Draul declared. "I will never serve Lamashtu."

Nualia sighed and rose back to her feet. "At least your friends died before they learned of your past. Orik, take him back to his cell. You'll keep watch. Tsuto, Lyrie, work with Bruthazmus to restore control over the goblins. We can't let that druid try to wrest control."

The others nodded with their new orders but Bruthazmus crossed his arms. "What use do we need for prisoners? I say kill them both."

"They'll be sacrificed in three days' time during the weekly ceremony," Nualia told Bruthazmus. "Soon, we will free Malfeskenor, and with the heroes of Sandpoint out of the way, none will stand in our way."

Draul bowed his head and remained silent, knowing that his objections would fall on deaf ears. Orik grabbed him by his bound hands and lifted the paladin up on his feet. Draul didn't resist being led back toward the prison since escape wasn't an option. At the very least, he had three days to come up with a plan so that he and Mariel could make it out of Thistletop and back to Sandpoint.

Mariel looked up when she heard footsteps and her eyes showed relief to see that Draul was still alive. Orik led Draul to one of the cells next to the wizard and opened it. The paladin didn't need to be told to step inside, accepting that he would have to be a prisoner for now. Orik closed the cell door behind him and took out a pair of keys to lock the door. Draul noticed that the warrior kept his gaze down to make sure that he didn't look at him.

"You seem to be a decent man, Orik," Draul commented. "Why did you join Nualia?"

Orik shrugged. "I'm a mercenary. I get paid to guard her in case of trouble. So far, you and your band of adventurers have been the closest to get to her and that didn't go too well. It's been boring work but she pays in platinum."

"Then it would seem that I'm wrong about you," Draul sighed. "No decent man would let an innocent town burn down for money."

Orik turned around and walked out of sight without a word, taking up position in a corner in the room. It was a gamble but Draul was already thinking of one way to escape with the help from the mercenary. His words might have been harsh but it served to have Orik think on what he was doing, and if all went well, he may very well feel guilty over his inaction. Draul didn't enjoy using such a method but it worked all the same.

For now, Draul knew not to press the subject further. He sat down on the floor, knowing that all he could do now was bide his time, wait for the next opportunity, and pray to Sarenrae for her blessing to escape and save Sandpoint. Even after what he witnessed in the chapel dedicated to Lamashtu, Draul hoped that he could talk some of his enemies down into doing the right thing. If he could find redemption after terrorizing the streets of Magnimar for years, then he had hope that his captors could as well.

A/N: So, I have a quick announcement to make that I've been hinting at for some time in my author notes across my Pathfinder stories.

As I've made it clear before, I like starting/continuing projects at the start of a new month. We're only a few days away from June, and to celebrate the start of summer, I intend to write a fanfic adaptation of Legacy of Fire.

While this means I'm working on three Pathfinder fanfics, I'll go into further detail as to why I've decided to start a new project when I post the new story around the start of June. The short answer is that I had planned to do Legacy of Fire a long time ago and had the notes ready.

Until next time.