/Disclaimer: I in no way own Harry Potter, although I wouldn't mind one bit if I did.
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17: goblins
Ginny, Luna, and I headed south from the manner. We passed the door that led into the Adrianus Manner on our right, and the door to the temple on our left. When we reached the fountain we turned west. As we continued walking we passed the General store, as well as a cottage. As we approached the west gate 1 of the guards called out to me.
"Excuse me, citizen - are you going into the mines?"
I blinked. Didn't Lord Adrianus notify his guards what I had been doing all this time? I mean nobody objected when I went through the north gate. "I am. Why?"
The guard walked closer. "Well, you're either very brave, or very foolish. But since you're going in, perhaps you could be of service. The city guard has reason to believe there's a fugitive hiding out somewhere in the caverns - a thief who's been robbing the nobility blind. If you learn anything of his whereabouts, please let us know - not that we can go in after him, with all the goblin activity."
I frown to myself. This is something Adrianus should have stamped on as soon as it began. Oh well, that just means I'll have to take care of it. Like always. "I'd be happy to help. I'll let you know if I learn anything."
As the guard thanks me I notice words flashing over my head. "A new /quest, Stolen From the Rich, has been added. A thief has been robbing the town's nobility. The captain of the guard may have some lead on the thief's location." Before heading for the gate I decide to see what the guard captain has to say. Looking at my map I soon find the guard barracks. After tracing a path from the west gate to the barracks we set out to talk to the captain.
The map led us east back passed the fountain. We walked passed the temple, and turned north when the map showed the barracks to our north.
Entering the barracks we looked around. The barracks was rather barren. There was a simple wooden desk, a locked door to which I think was the armory, and little else aside from the captain himself. After examining the desk and finding a potion I walked up to the captain.
"What's your business, citizen?"
I studied the guard captain. He had a name tag that said "Lucian", and he looked quite stern. I smiled at him brightly. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Captain Lucian gave me a look. "Frankly, no. I don't know you, and I don't trust you."
I blinked in surprise. "But I want to help. How can I prove myself?"
Captain Lucian was unmoved. "I trust the people of this city, and the men under my command. Impress them, and you just might impress me."
I shrugged before remembering what brought me here in the first place. "I was told a thief has been stealing from the nobility?"
Lucian's eyes light up. "Ah, yes. He's set up camp in the abandoned mines, but with all the attacks recently, I can't spare the men to go after him. We have a good idea of where he's hiding out, though; here - I can mark it on your map." Lucian marks a spot on my map. "If you can deal with him, I'd count it as a great favor - assuming the goblins haven't done the job already."
Thanking the captain we leave the barracks. With his warning to not cause any trouble ringing in our ears, we return to the west gate.
As we exit through the west gate and enter the Silvershade Mine words flash over my head. "A new quest, The Goblin King and I, has been added. I've entered Silvershade Mine. It's abandoned, and overrun by goblins. I need to figure out how the creatures are getting into the mine, why they're attacking, and if possible, how to stop them."
Remembering that we also need to find gold and iron for some of our quests we set out.
First, we head west until we reach a pit. We turn south until we reach a wall, before turning west again. After reaching a corner in the mine we turn south. Following the wall, we soon reach another corner and turn east. We had to move around a pit that blocked off some of the path, but at last, we reached a longer passage that led east. A little while later we reached a corner and turned south. Upon reaching a wall we turn west and spot a vein of iron just ahead. Searching the bein we find 4 ingots of iron ore. While searching for more we are attacked by a "Goblin Mystic", along with 2 "Boneman Warrior", and 1 "Boneman Archer". After the battle, both Ginny and Luna gained a level.
Ginny reached level 16. she placed her attribute point into her Strength bringing it up to 15. As for her skill point, she raised her "Flash Freeze" skill to rank 3.
Luna on the other hand placed her attribute points into her "Will Power" bringing it up to 20. As well as maxing out her "rest for the weary" skill and purchasing rank 2 of "miraculous healing". After Luna finished in her level-up screen we moved on.
As we searched the vein for more iron we ran into 4 more goblins. After defeating them I reached level 18 and finally learned a new spell. First I placed my attribute point into my Intelligence bringing it up to 20. Because I had been saving my skill points I was able to max out "Fire Blast" without trouble. With my 2 leftover points, I decided to raise "Intense Shock" to rank 3.
As I finished with my level-up screen I said, "I don't think there is any iron left in this vein. How are we supposed to get the 25 ingots of iron Jerome asked for?"
Ginny shrugs, but Luna looks thoughtful. "Remember how every time we entered 1 of the family crypts after reentering the catacombs? I think if we exit the and reenter the mines the iron will reappear."
Ginny perks up. "And while we're at it we can take out any goblins we come across."
I smile and nod to both girls. Deciding to follow their suggestions we head for the exit of the mines.
Our trip back to the Farhaven gate was uneventful and we first passed back into Farhaven and then we reentered Silvershade Mines.
Again we headed west until we reached a pit. Then we moved south enough to move past the pit while still heading west. When we reached a wall we followed it as it made us turn north, and then east. Once we reached a wall we turned south. Upon reaching the next wall we turned west and saw the Iron vein just ahead. Searching the vein this time we only found 3 ingots of iron, and no goblins appeared at all. Since it seems to work for the iron at any rate we decided to do it again.
Our next time through the iron vein we found 6 ingots of iron. However, we didn't see any goblins. Have we scared them off? I don't think so. On our way out of the mine, we finally come across 4 more goblins. After they are defeated I can sense that we have cleared out enough goblins to help the guards. That wasn't very many. We only killed 11 and it seems that is enough to lessen the pressure on the city. Better check back with the guard.
Near the fountain, I find the guard that I first met when I arrived. "I've dealt with the goblins, just like you asked."
The guard looks surprised. "I'm surprised you survived! Er, not that we'd send you into mortal danger, of course. Here - I'm licensed to give you a small bounty, for services rendered." The guard hands me a small amount of gold.
As the guard continues his patrol words flash in gold over my head. "The quest, The Exterminator, complete. The guards were impressed by how well I handled the goblins. Maybe they'll turn to me for help in the future."
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An: and that's where we'll end it this time. Not as long as my previous chapters but it does cover everything the group does this time in the mine. Next time we will finish the iron ore quest as well as meet the final member of the party.
As always if you have a comment or questions you can leave me a review, or send me a PM. I hope you are enjoying this story, and I will see you all /next time.