For a traveling merchant, getting attacked by bandits is considered a dreadful day. Lawrence had even felt the sting of this reality a few times in his past. Although this was certainly the first time the bandits that were robbing him turned into his personal protection. The sudden change had left an uneasy that forced him to follow calmly, his eyes sneaking cautious glances at the six people around him.
Xenk, as he introduced himself nearly an hour ago, was likely the only one he could trust. This felt paradoxical to him given his past encounters with any knight who had sworn their own oaths where he and Holo were from. He had been the only one to be the most straightforward with them when he first rode in on his horse. Gallant, earnest and even showing a share of dignity in the way he carried himself in his long strides as if he knew his purpose in life. The only issue was in Lawrence's experience, Knights tended to range between fanatical zealots or even corrupt abusers of their authority depending on their station within their holy order.
Xenk in contrast, behaved as if he came from a church revisionists story that was often preached as the truth of their heroics or god's glory. Following that mindset, he should have attacked Holo immediately; most holy warriors would often choose to try and slay a creature like her. The armor-clad knight, however, recognized what she was and showed no fear of her. In some way he spoke to her as if she were still a deity, a title Holo herself often dismissed with annoyance.
Beside the noble knight on his own horse was the one called Edgin. As they had traveled Edgin had pulled out his lute to serenade his daughter and the party a little with his surprisingly baritone voice. He strummed with a surprising amount of grace despite the swaying of his horse. Listening to his tune made the merchant think of what he had seen of him. When Holo's retaliation was about to become lethal, it was him that devised the tactic to halt the fight between his group and Holo by using his daughter. His plans, though unorthodox, paired with the way the rest of his group. Each listening to his orders without much hesitation met he had the most experience in terms of leadership amongst his band of thieves. The only one that his entire group was behind was his daughter Kira. When the fight nearly broke out, he prioritized her by sending her off to hide unsure how the skirmish would end for his group. Choosing her wellbeing over the potential rewards of his ambush, a sacrifice Lawrence imagined any parent would do without hesitation. That kind of bond was even seeable now as the two shared the cramped saddle of their horse. Lawrence held a tinge of jealousy of the two's bond, being able to start a family was more of a dream for traveling merchants, a life goal always seemingly out of reach.
Kira was different from the rest, almost innocent but seemed to have her father's knack for mischief. He had no doubt that she had no experience of violence, which is why she often was forced to run before a fight broke out. Her pendant convinced him of these thoughts since she quickly had turned invisible with when he and Holo confronted her. Regardless of her abilities, each member of the thieves treasured and cared for her, the most ferocious in their protectiveness being Holga.
Holga, the woman that had thrown him from his wagon. She was strong and her horse road close to Edgin and Kira. Lawrence took a guess based on the two's appearance that she had no family connection to Kira, yet she was willing to face anything that dared to threaten her without hesitation. The moment Edgin made the plan to use that strange necklace and caught his band's attention by using his daughter. It was Holga who was the first to respond and her answer was strictly violence. If not for Holo restraining her, he would be dead now. Since the fight she had been quiet almost exclusively speaking with Edgin as if seeking answers. In a way he started to almost feel remorse for her. Though he knew little of the strange circumstances that had gathered them together, He could sympathize with her anger at the way the two used his daughter as a bargaining chip. He wanted to apologize to her, however her current mood likely would either have no effect at best or negative consequence at worst. He concluded that leaving her to brood and care for the child until more details about their predicament became known was likely was his best option.
The other two had been more interested in conversating amongst themselves. These two were oddities to both him and Holo. The two appeared human at a perfunctory glance. But since having time to observe their physical details his focus always found it way shifting gradually to Simon's somewhat pointed ears. It reminded him of stories Bards and town criers of his and Holo's world would speak of stories. Stories of a hidden world of trickster sprites they had called elves who did many malevolent things to misbehave children and non-followers of the lord who granted his divine protection. It was these stories that made him start to think Simon may be one, yet he lacked courage to ask.
His role on the team seemed to be a thankless one. Often, he played the devil's advocate to Edgin's optimism. This met he usually was the first, and sometimes only, one to poke holes in his schemes or note parts of the plans that rely on luck. It was his own pessimism that also led to him spotting glaring problems that felt more like blatant oversights from Edgin rather than simple inconsideration. This seemed to make him display a very negative demeanor, sometimes showing a lack of confidence, usually complaining about their predicament. Though despite his reluctance and continual negativity, he often followed Edgin's schemes. Though Lawrence could not tell if his willingness to follow such plans was because it came from trust in Edgin's capabilities or because no one else was trying to devise another plan. The only thing certain was he knew magic and likely it was that key ability that allowed him to remain part of the team, otherwise he would have been discarded from his continual naysay.
The last member was the one that had Lawrence most concerned, if only because of the numerous stories spread by the church as warnings to the masses. Doric had many physical attributes that churches warned as the telltale signs of a demon in human form. Curved horns and a long tail that had the nimbleness akin to a cat that would slowly flick about on the back of her saddle. She had been mostly quiet as well, only talking when needing clarity or to speak of her findings. This made her analytical behavior seem almost detached from most of the bandit's conversations, it was even seeable with the fact she lacked any emotional bond with Kira which even the pessimistic Simon showed a fond amount of attachment to.
Though Doric puzzled Lawrence in another way. As he had traveled with Holo, he had only encountered two people that were able to transform into animals; both spirits that some in his world would have treated as gods. Holo was one of the two, the other was an alchemist that often-archived ancient stories of the Animal spirits that lived in their world. Doric was the third shapeshifter he had met, though only the second one to show her ability to transform. Despite the similarity, He noticed that Doric's abilities were different. unlike Holo, who could take on the form of a massive wolf, Doric would only transform into a Falcon; not a large falcon however, just a plain ordinary falcon. Also, unlike Holo, her humanish form lacked any animalistic traits like feathers or talons. Holo, when she first witnessed Doric's form change, it caught her by surprise and seemed to recognize it as different from what she could turn into, though neither Lawrence nor Holo could tell what she was.
Holo nudged him catching Lawrence off guard. She seemed to have settled down having reverted to the human form she usually traveled in. "You should be at ease." She spoke calmly in someways amused. "It's not often that one's assailants become their protection." Her teasing proved to be a mild source of comfort for him.
"If you say so." Lawrence muttered out aloud. His eyes drifted seeing the Xenk and Edgin still have been talking. Their voices were in hushed tones, barely audible above the creaking axels of his cart. Though he already knew Holo had been eavesdropping. "What are they talking about?" He asked in his own quite muttering.
Holo turned to him. "Curious now, are we?" her fangs visible within her grin. Lawrence only nodded taking their situation seriously. "Well, if you must know, it seems this has been only the second time they have met." A detail that had caught the merchant by surprise.
"And they trust him?"
"Aye, though I do not know why or how, perhaps his reputation proceeds him." Holo confirmed as she looked past them. "From how they have been speaking, they are trying to understand some events of the year prior in Some town they call Neverwinter."
Neverwinter; the name held little meaning to Lawrence. With the introductions Xenk had given to the traveling duo, their situation was far from normal. So far removed from the very idea of normal, one would think their mind had gone mad from being too long in the moon's light. Thus, should the paladin to be believed, then the least likely outcome of being in a different world was possible, Albeit absurd. It presented a new troubling notion to his situation; Any of his current coin, be it Trenni or Limar, would not be recognized as valid currency. The only thing he had of any value was his construction materials he had bought prior to being transported and if desperate the dagger he kept on him that served more as an emergency fund rather than a defense weapon. It was better than his situation with the armor debacle though not by a lot.
"It appears our Bandit friend has been trying to pry into our own affairs as well." Holo mused with a slight smile on her face. "I hold no doubts over his hesitancy. Though the Paladin has been unforthcoming with what he knows." As she spoke Holo sounded more agitated by the ordeal. This took Lawrence by surprise, even now she was still trying to gather her bearings.
His mind head once again been read by the wisewolf as she gave a rueful smile to him. "I promise on my life to make sure you get out of this unscathed." She spoke calmly and directly, meaning her intentions. "It seems it was my doing that wrapped you into this ordeal, had we not been on this journey you would likely have been spared." Guilt filled her voice as she looked onward.
Lawrence looked at her in silence. Though she was confident in herself, Holo never intentionally put him in danger, quite the opposite, she often was the one to save him. As their current travels had progressed, she had put her intelligence, cunning, even her own power to ensure he would escape unharmed.
He sighed looking at her. "Just don't overdo it." he said calmly before looking to the road again. "Your flare the dramatic may drop your appeal in me." He teased out earning a hearty chuckle from her.
Holo gave him a bemused smile at his comment. "You have learned much from when we first met."
The two sat in solemn silence as they let the enemies' turned friends lead them to the village Xenk had taken lead in.
An hour passed as the two lost travelers saw the plains around them slowly shift into the bumps of hills. Beyond the visage of the rough dirt road the two could see the formation of a lofty mountain range that stretched into the heavens.
"The Sword Mountains are now in our reach." Xenk spoke fondly Turning back to Lawrence. "We shall be in Phandalin within the hour." He announced calmly.
Lawrence hearing this nodded, his merchant instincts started to retake hold now that he had calmed once more. "What kind of town is it?" He yelled out.
Edgin's motions suggested he had let loose a disappointed sigh. "It's a mining town, that once stood on these lands five hundred years ago, got rebuilt by some dwarves, though any miner in the town would give credit it to Gundren Rockseeker for bringing in a group of sellswords in on an unexpected supply run. That was almost ten years ago."
"Were their provisions low?" Given how they ambushed him, as well as Kira saying a name that sounded like a crime group, he guessed robbery in the area was high.
"Kinda, in truth the group found the location of Wave Echo Cave. Place has been a thriving location with a few guilds fighting to build a branch out here."
"And how would you know all of that?" Simon yelled out. Based on this Lawrence had to guess Edgin was not likely from the area.
"Long story." Edgin responded "The Harper's after I took part in the… Red Robe capture , they had me travel out toward Stormwreck Isle." The pause did not escape Lawrence nor Holo who had a look as if she had pity for the man.
"You took part in that?" Xenk asked, interested in the story.
"No, I was observing them. Dragon's minions tend to talk more when drunk." He explained farther, most of them noted his hesitance to talk of the Red Robe. as if it were a sore subject to him.
Lawrence gave his more practiced smile trying to redirect the dower thoughts of the thief leader. "So, what did they mine?"
"Most the usual metals, Place is rife with them. Gold, Silver, Platnim and of course gemstones." Simon started to explain to the two. Though the look in his eyes showed the signs of one with not too many fond memories. "Place is rough, used to do rounds between there and Triboar."
"That explains a lot." Holga muttered, unsurprised.
Holo listening looked at Doric. "It at least explains the men here, so what of the tailed one and the brute?" Holga shot her a nasty glare as though she did not want to humor her with a response. Typical to her own way of antagonizing those around her she gave a bemused smirk to the barbarian. "You thieves seem to know more of us than we do of you, do you honestly expect us to leave our own curiosity unsated?"
"We don't know anything about you." Holga retorted annoyed.
"Tis true, you may only know the events pertaining to our origins. Though it as not as if there is much to be figured out." Holo responded, her eyes now much more focused. "For instance, take Lawrence here. You know he is not a fighter, Smart and cunning sure, though its likely you noticed this only because you know someone like that. Do you not?"
Holga looked at Holo. She was trying to discern who the wisewolf was referring to. "She means me Holga." Edgin finally spoke up before turning to face the wisewolf though his eyes shifted more annoyed at Lawrence "and we are not alike." He added in glaring at the merchant.
The Merchant chuckled lightly at the conversation. "I Don't honestly see her comparison." He spoke in agreement.
"Aren't you not the one who devised the plan to crash the pyrite market in Kumerson when my courtship was on the line?" she asked with a teased tone.
Lawrence rubbed the bridge of his nose, disappointed. "Yes."
"And Pray tell, who was the negotiator when a small helpless village was on the verge of financial ruin when a church and noble wished to force them into submission."
"It was your miracle that allowed that to happen." He retorted bluntly.
"Tis true, but it would be unfair to fully say I carried such burdens. Even in our first financial ploy it was you who convinced that trading company we sold pelts to into rescuing me as you hid in the sewers." This one was more of a malicious jab at him rather than praise, her sign of telling him to take the compliment.
Lawrence sighed in defeat at her argument "I only did what I could at the time."
"Then I would say you two are quite the same." She reaffirmed her point satisfied.
Lawrence shook his head. "Honestly." He chided under his breath.
"How does someone like you end up guiding a god?" Doric finally spoke up looking to them.
Lawrence looked at her then at Holo who gave a gesture as if to goad him into speaking. "It is a bit of a long story." He responded. "One that has brought a lot of unexpected opportunities and quite a bit of trouble."
"Trouble?"
"What can I say, the boy is a handful." Holo chirped in only to get a scowl from her companion. "But in fairness If you need a deal struck— you likely cannot find a finer negotiator." She complimented Lawrence though even her compliments could feel more like a sting.
"Great, if we decide to bargain our way out, I'll keep it in mind." Edgin spoke with a chagrined chip in his tone.
With the conversation soured the group returned to their normal cloisters, Holga, Kira, and Edgin to two horses close to the front. The two semi-human thieves, Simon, and Doric traveling on the right of Lawrence's cart. The only one whose position shifted the most being Xenk himself, who chose to travel beside the cart on the side closest to Lawrence. Within half an hour the town of Phandalin finally appeared beyond the small hills. Despite the explanation provided by both Edgin and Xenk, Phandalin looked rougher around the edges than how it had sounded. Simplistic buildings are constructed by heavy logs and flagstones. Entering the town the stares they got from the town were met with distrust and curiosity. In someways it reminded Lawrence of whenever he would first visit a pagan village, people are often suspicious of strangers; here was no different.
The group traveled to one building, its signboard reading Stonehill Inn. The board was decorated with what looked like a rough painting resemblant of the tallest visible mountain from their visage. Under the sign was the rusted head of a used pickaxe. At one end of the pickaxe's chisel, a crack ran down the center to its eye where it warped ever so slightly. The rest of the building was made of much nicer materials, wood that compared to the more Monotonous construction of Phandalin's buildings had been tempered for more rainier weather.
Inside the tavern bar was bustling with the miner's and stone merchants who traded in the precious metals. The barkeeper was a man of shorter stature than most, though he had a jovial disposition upon seeing an entourage of unfamiliar faces enter his establishment.
Edgin approached the man the same disarming smile he used on Lawrence and Holo when he first ambushed them in the midday. Chatting grandly the barkeep passed off the few tankards in his hands to a barmaid and moved to grab a records book. As the man worked his wile charms on him, Lawrence observed his motions. It took him a moment to realize why the seemed familiar to hm. Musicians between songs and the recitals of poetry most often used similar motions as a way to help them commit things to memory. After a moment, the Barkeep looked at him before nodding gleefully.
After a few friendly exchanges Edgin returned to the group. "Okay, seems like Xenk was not kidding about being ready for us, rented half the rooms here." If not for his tone, one could easily mistake him for being impressed. "Apparently he also struck a deal to let us eat and drink in the meeting rooms."
Lawrence listened intently, his eyes looked at the rest, many of them seemed to be glad to have a roof over their head. He could attest to that, being a traveling merchant, he met many hardships in his travels, evenings of rain or cold being some unfavorable examples.
The group slowly moved their way to the back Xenk tailing the group and being the one to close the door behind them. With an almost practiced motion he pulled out a strange looking item that to Lawrence looked to be a talisman of sorts. Speaking In a language he did not recognize, Xenk muttered something and in response the Talisman suddenly produced a strange light the suddenly covered the door.
"There." He spoke plainly as he turned to face the group now sitting at what looked to be the Innkeeper's family table with several extra chairs populating the cramped kitchen. "It is time I be right forth about our predicaments."
Simon sat down at the table. His eyes filled with a strong mix of annoyance "Actually yeah, I would very much like to know something. Mainly, why did you give us a lead and fail to mention there would be a goddess who could turn into a twelve-foot-tall wolf?" As he spoke, the pacing of his words got quicker and angrier with the paladin.
"Simon, he only warned us; we chose to ambush them." Doric pointed out flatly. Her eyes still shifting glances as if mesmerized by Holo's ears.
"Yeah sure, but he could easily just lead with saying that." He complained loudly.
"My intention was never to bring you harm." Xenk spoke up. "But given your leader's hesitance I was not sure if he would still honor his oath with his daughter now being his concern."
"Yeah, yeah. The whole I forsaken my oath talk." Edgin waved off with disinterest. "You made it sound like a basic highway robbery; I figured it would be something easy, we stop them, rob them get the values, we keep the money, and I'd just turn over whatever the item was to the harpers for proper handling."
"If it was a clandestine relic. I have little doubt that you would uphold your oath like you swore to me for the Helm of disjunction." Xenk responded with a tone that showed a surprising amount of faith in Edgin's willingness.
"Regardless of who's at fault be it Mr. Edgin's plans or Sir Xenk's lack of clarity I think the important matter at hand is the two at this table without a hint to familiarity." Holo spoke up.
"A fact that bears no denying, Holo." Xenk moved in placing his armed gauntlet on the table. "I have no doubts that the new burden ahead is far from complete, as we had merely bought time."
"Time?" Holga's face showed the same kind of confusion that piqued Lawrence's interests.
"Our enemies have started to remobilize— fully aware that their plans have been intercepted. If they are as I fear they are already aiming to scry on the two, likely doing it now as we speak.
Holo looked concerned. "Scry? If I am to understand you, you say they are peering into the future like some kind of charlatan?"
"If only it were that simple." Xenk responded though there was remorse to his tone he showed little shift in his posture. "While magic is reserved for the some that may harness it, the weave is much more plentiful allowing its practitioners to do many miraculous things. Simon Aumar may have cast a few such spells earlier, but it is far from what it is capable of. Piercing the future's veil is mere child's play, even with Mystra's limitations."
"Okay, so to summarize this is things are bad, Wolf deity was summoned and we need to get her back to where she came from." Holga spoke up seeing it as a straightforward problem. "Simon can do it right? Easy as that."
Simon groaned hearing her speak. "It's not that simple Holga. Plane shifting is not something I can naturally do. Worse yet, they might not even have plane shifted." He explained "And why do you think I can still just magic us out of a problem."
"You did when we raided the Neverwinter vault."
"No, I didn't!" The man yelled angered by the barbarian's lack of understanding at the intricacies of his craft. Lawrence, while seeing it as foreign and far beyond his own comprehension, could relate to the sorcerer's trouble. Having been reminded of the times he tried to teach Holo about the many tricks he used as a merchant. Ignoring his own personal musings, he listed to Simon as he continued to explain the problem to the woman in detail. "We had the Helm of disjunction. It can do what we needed, not me, I could only attune to it."
"Well put it on and send them back then."
"That won't work either, Sofina and Forge disposed of it when we were captured." He explained annoyed at her. "And even if We did have it, they clearly are not under the effects of a banishment spell."
Holo took a swig of her wine as she listened to the two's bickering. While she seemed indifferent, Lawrence could tell that she had already begun formulating her own thoughts and plans based on the details they gave. As always, she was ever so industrious with her situation.
She stopped drinking after she heard Simon's counter point. "There is even more reason as to why the plan of simply returning us from whence we came would be pointless." She spoke up finally as she finished off her pint the subtle thud of the mug being placed on the table. The group turned to face her, most showing expressions of some level of curiosity. "Even if Simon were to somehow miraculously transport us back, be it an accident or mastery on his part. It does not bite at the root of the problem."
"Why wouldn't it?" Holga blurted agitated; she looked like she was genuinely confused rather than mad someone contested her thought for a plan.
Holo shook her head disappointed "Well, let us act as if the world worked as we desired." Holo started her explanation. "IF Simon were to get us back to where we were pulled from returning to our own journey we have been pried from, it never absolves the issue of whom is doing it. Nor will it halt this cabal from trying to do so again. There is no other way of looking at their exploits thus far It —from where I now stand. To our foe, this was merely a minor inconvenience. they got their target, me, within their reach. If not for Xenk's message to Edgin, we surely would have been caught." Her tone and glare got far colder than normal. "They know what I am, it is not as far of a stretch to assume they have devised ways to hinder my abilities." Her gaze looked to Holga almost directly "No doubt you are a hunter, yes?" She never even waited for Holga to answer as she continued "When being hunted, prey often only think of running. They fail to think about the possibility that more of the pack lays in ambush looking to surround the helpless creature. Wolves know this well enough; it is our own tactics to surround a helpless prey and strike while it is occupied with what is behind it."
"Well, that's dark." Edgin retorted trying to relive the tension. "But She is right on that, whoever did this probably connections in high places. It would not even surprise me they plan to attack you two the moment you set onto The High Road." He admitted plainly as if formulating his own plan. "Though maybe we may have something we can use." He suddenly spoke up as if he had started to form a plan.
Xenk seemed to take immediate interests "As always, a Harper knows what to do with what they have within their reach and what they know they need." He smiled amused as he drank water from his glass. "What is it you have in mind?"
"Amulets of nondetection." He responded though he appeared confident Lawrence noticed his hesitation about the plan. "We have the advantage that they probably do not know we are with them now. And on the bright side, they are hard to come by they should be easier to get than the helm of disjunction."
"Are you mad?" Simon bleated loud enough to cause Holo's tail to puff out sharp bristles briefly. "Amulets of nondetection are bleeding expensive none of us have that kind of money."
"No, but Neverember does." Edgin retorted. "He still owes you and Doric a favor for helping in solving the mystery of his illness and if not maybe Xenk can see what he can do to let us borrow two for a bit."
"Dagult Neverember is an honorable man but I do not believe his influence within the Lord's Alliance will be enough, not without some willingness from our end." Xenk spoke in adding to the conversation.
Holga nodded along it seemed she understood the basic idea. "Long as they are hidden it should be fine; it is not as though they know is with them." She added in. "But would he want from us anyway."
Xenk gave a moment of pause thinking. "There have been rumors spurring that a dragon has found a home close to the city of Neverwinter. Slaying such a beast may prove such valor."
"Woah, Xenk we are not warriors." He gave pause as he turned to look at Holga and Doric. "Okay, most of us are not. Facing a few bandits, heck even a goblin or kobold nest we can handle. Dragons are not in our field." He looked to Simon "Come on Simon back me up here. remember what's his name, that fat dragon we found underground."
"Themberchaud?"
"Yeah, him; that one, couldn't even hurt him."
Xenk gave a confident smile. "Thankfully, it is a dragon not fully grown. It is a green dragon that has been culling its time in ruins already explored." He explained calmly placing his hand on the leader's shoulder. "And this time it is not a quest you and you friends' burden alone. For you shall have my blade, a merchant's cunning and a wolf's instinct this time around."
Edgin glared at him, though gave a reluctant sigh. "Doric, you have someone you trust to watch Kira?"
"The Emerald Conclave should be willing to help with that much for one of its saviors." Doric confirmed and at least seemed confident in her answer.
"Okay, Kira while I am dealing with this mess, I have a different thing I need you to do for me." Kira looked at him curiously. "See what you can learn of the monk's desire for knowledge. After we get those amulets there is only one place that may give us our answers on how to get them home; Candlekeep."