Orik didn't resist being taken prisoner by the adventurers and revealed where they could find the key to the cells along with Draul and Mariel's belongings. Once freed from prison, Draul started to put his armor back on while Mariel, reunited with Luxford, collected her spellbook to prepare for the battles ahead. Kennick stood guard over Orik while he surrendered his weapons and stripped out of his armor, wearing only the clothes he wore beneath his armor. Afterwards, he was placed in one of the cells and locked up with his belongings stored safely out of sight. Although a prisoner, Orik was relieved that he was still alive and was given some cloth to stop his bleeding wounds.

Now that the adventurers had been reunited, they caught each other up on what happened since they were separated at the bridge yesterday. Razvan and Corita started with a story of how they made a deal with the goblins and were able to defeat Bruthazmus with Kennick offering a comment when asked for his input. Draul was glad to hear that they negotiated with the goblins and intended for them to look for a peaceful resolution even if they spared Nualia and her allies like he still hoped for. He was also impressed with the plan they came up with to defeat Bruthazmus, and between that and their fight against Orik, he could see that they had learned how best to work together.

In return, Draul and Mariel told the others about their experiences in captivity. Mariel didn't have much to say other than that she was questioned and was fortunate enough to avoid torture. Draul kept quiet over some of the details relating to his past when discussing his questioning, not wanting to reveal that to the group yet. There would be a time to come clean of the man he once was, but for now, it was important to worry about the challenges ahead.

"With the goblins out of the way, we don't have a lot of opposition left," Razvan noted after everyone was caught up on what they missed. "Gogmurt told us about Nualia's allies, and aside from her, we only have Tsuto and Lyrie left to deal with."

"Nualia also has a pair of monster dogs."

The adventurers turned to the cage where Orik was imprisoned with Draul speaking up. "Monster dogs? What do you mean by that?"

"That's about all I know," Orik admitted with a shrug. "They have dark fur and red eyes. They're not like any dogs I've seen before and they're not like the kind the goblins keep. Nualia has them guard the area and they creep me out."

"Thank you for letting us know but why are you helping us?" Corita asked.

"The way I see it, the only way I get out of here alive is if I help you," Orik answered nonchalantly. "If Nualia defeats you, she isn't going to be happy that I was defeated."

"Should we trust him?" Kennick asked, frowning at the prisoner. "I don't like that he's quick to turn on his allies."

"He's a mercenary, Kennick," Draul told his friend. "I think we can trust him. Aside from his reasoning, I got to know him a little before you rescued me and he seems to be a decent man."

"We were fighting each other to the death a few minutes ago," Kennick pointed out and crossed his arms.

"It was nothing personal," Orik said. He opened his mouth to continue but the glare the coldborn shot him with was enough to silence him.

"I think for now, we can trust that he will do what it takes to get out of here alive," Mariel stated matter-of-factly. "Where might we find Nualia and her remaining allies?"

"Lyrie's probably in the room leading to the lower levels with Tsuto," Orik answered, his tone growing annoyed at the mention of Tsuto. "I don't know about the monster dogs but Nualia's on the next level down. I've never been down there below so I can't tell you what to expect other than there being a deadly trap somewhere. Poor Jagen never stood a chance…"

"It sounds to me like we know where to go next," Corita said. "What's the quickest way to get to the stairs leading down?"

"You'll want to take that hallway over there to the chapel," Orik explained, gesturing to the door in question. "You'll leave through the big doors and turn left down the hallway. Around the corner, you'll keep going straight and that'll get you there. The door to the stairs is hidden on the far wall of the entrance but you should be able to find it if you look for it."

"Any other threats we need to worry about?" Razvan asked. "What about Malfeshnekor?"

"None that I know of. Lyrie has a cat but I don't think it can kill any of you. I don't know much about Malfeshnekor other than that he's locked away in the lower levels and that Nualia hasn't found a way to free him."

"That cat must be her familiar," Mariel said, tapping her chin in thought while glancing down at Luxford. "We must be careful."

"I think that's all the questions we have," Draul said with a quick nod. "You have my thanks, Orik. I appreciate that you're being open with us."

"It's no problem, but if I may ask a favor, try not to kill Lyrie and take her prisoner. I'd hate to see her die."

"You have my word as a paladin that I will do what I can to capture our enemies, not kill them," Draul stated and turned to his companions. "Are we ready to continue?"

"Are you sure it is wise to take them prisoner?" Kennick asked, his tone showing his disbelief at Draul's promise. "After everything they've done?"

"It may not be wise but it is the right thing to do," Draul told Kennick. "We have a way to keep them imprisoned with the cells here. It is worth considering."

Kennick kept quiet, looking away from Draul. The others offered no objections and were ready to move further along with Thistletop. Draul knew that some of them might not have liked how he spoke on their behalf over the fate of their enemies, but as far as he was concerned, he was still their leader. He figured that given their inexperience, they may not hold back in a fight, but Draul knew how to swing with enough force to knock someone out. Even with Kennick's feelings over taking those that would harm Sandpoint as prisoners, Draul didn't think his friend would kill someone while they were unconscious. The decision had been made and he would see that he kept his oath.

With his greatclub in hand, Draul led the group toward the chapel through the door Orik motioned to. He felt comfortable to be armed once again, especially considering that they were entering the chapel of a dark goddess. Draul and Mariel had described the chapel to their companions but the trio of adventurers looked around the room in a horrifying awe at the statue of Lamashtu. He turned toward the set of doors and grew still when he noticed two pairs of red eyes shifting along the darkness. The other adventurers were quick to notice the movement as well, with Corita, Razvan, and Kennick stepping up to stand alongside the paladin to prepare for battle.

It was when the two hounds emerged from the shadows that Draul recognized them as yeth hounds. It was easy to understand why Orik thought them to be creepy given that they weren't natives of the world. The supernatural hounds served fiendish masters and Draul could see that it was possible for Lamashtu to give a pair of yeth hounds to Nualia for her service. Defeating the yeth hounds wouldn't be a simple fight but he was confident that they could pull it off.

"Stay close to me," Draul told his companions before charging toward the yeth hounds.

The yeth hounds let out a loud bay, and while Draul felt the supernatural fear their howl brought, he pushed through. He extended the powers he felt as a paladin for a brief moment, granting his allies the courage they needed to stand against the monsters. Draul slammed his greatclub down on the back of one of the yeth hounds with Mariel blasting the monster with a dart of arcane magic. The other adventurers focused on the second yeth hound with Corita and Kennick facing it head on with blade and claw respectively while Razvan attacked it from its flanks.

Unfortunately, the early advantage the adventurers had wasn't enough to best the yeth hounds, who showed them how dangerous they were. The yeth hound Draul faced made a lungeing motion but stayed back, letting the paladin swing his greatclub for an attack that never came before pouncing. Draul found himself on the defensive, his armor holding out against the sharp teeth of the yeth hound. It was only when he turned toward Corita after hearing her scream in pain that he had let his guard down. He had seen her collapse under the weight of the yeth hound that she faced when the other yeth hound bit his forearm painfully.

Draul let out a painful grunt but was determined not to fall to the yeth hound. It was an awkward swing with one hand but he shoved the yeth hound back with his greatclub, striking it in the chest. The paladin stood his ground, seeing that Razvan and Kennick were struggling against the yeth hound they faced with Kennick bleeding from a bite he sustained to his leg. Mariel directed her spells against the second yeth hound, leaving Draul to hold out on his own.

For the moment, Draul kept the yeth hound from tearing into him, keeping his greatclub between him. He was fortunate enough that Razvan was able to kill the yeth hound he fought by running it through with his shortsword, allowing Mariel to blast the one Draul fought with another magical dart. The yeth hound turned toward Kenick, seeing him administer a healing potion to the unconscious Corita, but Draul slammed the hound back before it could go after them. Razvan advanced to join the yeth hound, and while it was focused defending itself from the rogue, Draul saw the opportunity he needed. With a final swing of his greatclub, he crushed the yeth hound's skull to end the fight.

"Orik was right," Razvan said with a frown. "These weren't normal dogs."

"They're yeth hounds," Draul explained before looking at Corita and Kennick. "Are you two okay?"

"I'll live," Kennick grunted and helped Corita up onto her feet.

"So will I but I think I could use a little more healing," Corita admitted with a painful smile. "I should have enough magic to heal me up, and if not, I have a spare potion."

"Let's take care of any healing now before we head out," Draul told the group.

Razvan and Mariel were both uninjured and Kennick didn't seem worried about his injury at the moment. Draul placed his hand on the forearm that he was bitten on and channeled his divine magic to heal himself. It wasn't enough to completely close the wound but it was enough to let him go on without worry. Corita healed herself with a healing spell, and when that wasn't enough to heal from the devastating bite that brought her down, she took out a potion of healing from her backpack to get back into health. With the healing taken care of, the group proceeded cautiously out of the chapel through the grand doors the yeth hounds guarded.

Following Orik's directions, the group took the left passage when they came to a split in the hallway, opening a door to reveal a small chamber lit up by a standing torch in the furthest corner with another door to the left. The adventurers focused on the various drawings on the walls of the room with the lower portion of the walls covered with crude depictions of goblins fighting men, dogs, and horses. There was a larger and more detailed image on the wall across the door they came through showing an image of Thistletop with the caves beneath it drawn out. It wasn't accurate enough to be a map but within the cave was a large goblin with snakelike eyes and a wicked blade in each hand.

"That must be Malfeshnekor," Razvan pointed out, shaking his head. "That's worrisome."

"If we go off the scale of the other drawings, he has to be at least thirty feet tall!" Corita gasped. "I'd hate to have to face him!"

"I wouldn't trust a goblin to be accurate with their descriptions," Mariel shrugged. "There's nothing of use here. Let's continue on."

Kennick nodded silently in agreement with Draul leading the way through the door leading into the next chamber, also lit by a standing torch. A large wooden table covered in parchment was in the center of the room surrounded by five chairs. The wall to their right was covered with a slate board of different drawings but none stood out more than the map of Sandpoint. It became apparent that this was the room where Nualia and her conspirators planned the raid on Sandpoint. There was another door to their right, but with Orik telling the group to continue straight, Draul led the way to the wooden door and tried to turn on the door knob.

"It's locked," Draul announced when the door knob remained stuck. "They must have known we were coming."

"Those yeth hounds were awfully loud with their howls," Mariel pointed out. "They may have warned the others of our escape."

"I can break down the door," Kennick said, taking a few steps back.

"You can but we should remember the last time Tsuto knew we were coming," Razvan told the group. "He's likely standing to the far end of the room, ready to shoot the first thing that comes into the room."

"I'm ready this time," Kennick grunted.

"We've learned from our past mistakes," Draul said, speaking quietly in case anyone was trying to listen in on the other side. "Kennick, I want you to break the door down but don't charge directly into the room. Instead, get to cover in this room. If Tsuto lets his arrow fly after the door comes off its hinges, it may miss you and give the rest of us a chance to charge in."

"That's a great idea," Corita said, smiling cheerfully. "You've got this, Kennick."

"Lyrie's the one variable we can't really account for," Razvan added. "Mariel, do you think that you can handle another spellcaster?"

"I'm certain of it," Mariel answered confidently. "I can at least get her attention for some of you to get to her."

"Then it's settled," Draul nodded. "Let's get into position and show them how far we've come."

Draul and Mariel stood on one side of the locked door while Corita and Razvan took up position across from them. They would be out of sight of Tsuto and wouldn't have to worry about being struck by one of his arrows immediately. Kennick stared down the door for a few seconds before charging the door. He kicked down the wooden door with ease and jumped to his right, toward Draul and Mariel. Kennick had been a second too late to avoid Tsuto's arrow, which struck into his shoulder, but unlike last time, he remained standing.

Corita and Draul charged in through the open door to lead the way. The paladin fell briefly behind the bard when he noticed that there were four of Lyrie and chalked it up to a magical spell. Corita charged Tsuto, who hadn't pulled out another arrow, and swung her sword with enough force to break through his longbow while cutting into his chest. The wound was painful but not enough to bring Tsuto down as he punched Corita across the face before kicking her back. Draul quickly followed up on the opening Corita gave him, and before Tsuto could escape, swung his greatclub across the half-elf's head.

With a gasp, Tsuto fell down to the ground. Draul nodded to himself, confident in his ability to hold back his strength. His attack hadn't been a lethal strike but it was enough to knock Tsuto out of the fight for the time.

"Tsuto!" all four copies of Lyrie called out in anger. "You'll pay for killing him!"

"I didn't-"

Draul didn't get a chance to finish when all the duplicates of Lyrie pointed their palms at him and blasted him with a dark and sparkly ray. Only one of the rays was actually harmful and he felt his strength fade away, although not by enough that it would make a difference However, Lyrie's anger left her exposed to Kennick. His claws and teeth struck three of the copies, and when they dispersed, there was only one left. Mariel blasted the opposing spellcaster with two magical darts of arcane energy and it was when Lyrie screamed out in pain that Draul was confident that they had found the real one.

Lyrie realized that she was outnumbered and tried to flee toward the back wall, likely towards the secret room that Orik told the group about. However, Razvan expected that she would try to flee and was quick to cut off her escape, stabbing his sword into her leg. She let out another shrill and backed away from the rogue, desperately looking for a way to escape. Unfortunately, she was surrounded, and Draul charged at her. Holding back his greatclub's swing like he did with Tsuto, he struck her across the back of the head to knock her out cold.

With Tsuto and Lyrie unconscious, Draul was able to look around the room. To their left from the door they charged through was a wooden work table cluttered in scrolls, books, and stone tablets with wooden shelves holding archaeological tools on the opposite wall. Based on Lyrie's failed retreat and the scuff marks on the ground, Draul was able to see where the secret door leading further into Thistletop was. A white blur dashed from the table and toward the open door only for Mariel to quickly snatch the creature up. The white-furred cat growled and scratched out with its claws but the elf was able to keep it far enough from her that it couldn't injure her.

"I don't think so," Mariel taunted the cat with a smirk. "I won't let your master escape in the same manner I did."

"So they're still alive then?" Razvan asked, looking down at the two foes the group defeated.

"That they are," Draul answered and took out the pair of manacles he kept with him. "Mariel, if you would hand that familiar to Corita and tie Lyrie up in a manner that she won't be able to escape…"

"I will do what I can, but if she is able to slip out of the knots I tie, the cells we lock her up in might not be enough to keep her imprisoned," Mariel explained, frowning.

Kennick pulled the arrow out of his shoulder with a grimace. "If she escapes while we go after Nualia, we could be in trouble."

"Indeed," Mariel nodded. "Draul, I know that you believe in the power of redemption, but your belief may get us killed."

"Be that as it may, I cannot turn my back on my oath," Draul stated, standing firm despite the logic behind the opposing argument. "It may have been better for us had they fallen in battle but I gave my word that I would see them captured."

"We can't kill them," Corita told the others. "If we couldn't bring ourselves to strike down someone that surrendered, then we shouldn't kill anyone that's unconscious either."

Mariel glanced in Razvan's direction and he shrugged. "I don't have much of a say. They're our enemies but Draul hasn't led us astray. I can try helping with keeping Lyrie tied up if that helps."

With a sigh, Mariel shook her head and handed Lyrie's familiar to Corita. Draul knelt down by Tsuto to bind his hands with his manacles while Mariel instructed Razvan on how best to tie Lyrie up so she can't cast spells. Kennick leaned against the wall, glaring at their prisoners. Draul knew that they would go back to the fate of their enemies soon, but for now, they had a job to do. They would be able to continue exploring Thistletop after locking Tsuto and Lyrie in their cells.

Nualia was all that was left, and even though she was alone, that didn't mean she would surrender. Draul steeled himself, preparing for the fight that waited for him in the lower levels against her.

A/N: So, this chapter came out a lot sooner than some of you might have expected. I've taken up a different approach to working on my projects, and with this approach, it allows me to get further along with stories from previous months than one chapter a week. With Burnt Offerings nearing its conclusion, it allows me to get to the end faster so I can get ready to go back to previous stories that have fallen behind.

Until next time.