Disclaimer: I in no way own Harry Potter, although I wouldn't mind one bit if I did.
– Separator –
13: the ruined fort
Luna, Alice, and I found ourselves at the start of a long road leading west. On either side of the road is a thicket making this quite narrow. In the distance we can see a bridge.
As we walk forward toward the bridge the thicket seems to open on 1 side of the road at a time. First on the left, or south side of the road. Then next on the right, or north side of the road. Finally once nore on the left side just before reaching the bridge.
As we approach the bridge we spot a horse standing by the stream the bridge crosses over.
"What is a horse doing here" I ask myself.
Apparently, I asked that out loud, because Luna answered. "It might belong to Annabell. She runs a stable in the southwestern corner of Farhaven."
Alice blinks. "And she just sent her horse here into the Deepwood ruins?"
Luna shakes her head. "I don't know. However, I doubt it. Why don't we go and ask her about this horse?"
Nodding at Luna's suggestion I and the others return to Farhaven. Meanwhile, words flash over my head. "The quest, You Can Lead a Horse to Water..., has been added. I've found a horse in the woods north of town. I should speak with the owner of the stables and find out whose it might be."
Heading south from the fountain we come across a woman tending to some horses. Her name tag reads "Annabelle". Walking up I greet her.
Annabelle looks worried about something. "You're an adventurer, right? Have you been to the woods north of town?"
I nod in agreement. "Yes, I've been there. Why?"
Annabelle stares at me. "Did you see one of the horses from my stable? Someone rented one to go riding and never came back."
I nod at Annebelle's question. "I saw a horse, but no rider."
Annabelle relaxes. "That must be Wilbur. I'm glad he's alright. I wonder what happened to the rider? Well, I can't do anything about that. You've been so much help already; can I ask you one more favor?"
I nod to her. "I found a dead body near the horse, but I don't know how they died or if it was the body of your missing rider. As for your other question, Of course; what can I do to help?"
Annabelle hands me a bridle. "I had this bridle enchanted in case of a situation like this. If you can just put it on Wilbur, it will lead him straight home."
I nod as I place the bridle in my pack. Remembering the trees blocking a path in the forest I ask. "Can I rent a horse?"
Annabelle smiles at me. "With everything you're doing to help the city, I'd be glad to rent you one of our steeds. What sort of work will you be doing?"
"I need to clear some fallen trees in the woods," I say.
Annabelle frowns. "For work like that, I need my missing workhorse. Until he's found or I get a replacement, I don't think I can help you."
I nod determinedly. "Then I guess I'd better go find him." Thanking Annabelle the 3 of us return to the Deepwood ruins.
Heading west we soon arrive at the bridge we crossed before. Crossing the bridge we make our way down to the stream. We find the horse standing just where we saw him earlier. Examineing him I see The markings on this horse's bridle and harness indicate that it's from the stables in town. This must be Wilbur Annabelle's Workhorse. Placing the bridle over his head Wilbur sniffs me curiously and then starts trotting along the ancient road toward town. I guess we will need to return to Annabelle to get help clearing those trees.
We return to Farhaven and head south to the stables again. Ariving at the stables we find Annabelle again.
Annabelle is smiling as she greets me. "What can I do for you?"
I smile back at her. "I put the enchanted bridle on your missing horse."
Annabelle beams at me. "I just got him back in the stable. Thank you so much for your help. Here - something for your trouble."
As Annabelle hands me 200 gold, words flash in gold over my head. "The quest, You Can Lead a Horse to Water..., completed. I got the missing horse back to the stables safe and sound, and got a healthy reward on top of it."
Something I didn't know was that when we complete quests we gain experience points. I just now noticed this because when those words flashed in gold over my head Alice reached level 13. She placed her attribute point into her agility. Bringing it up to 14.
Remembering why I originally went to find the workhorse I turn back to Annabelle. "Now that your workhorse is back can I rent a horse to clear those trees in the forest?"
Annabelle nods to me. "With our workhorse back in the stable, that shouldn't be a problem. I'll even give you a discount - just 150 gold."
I blink for a few seconds and then grin to myself. After all Annabelle just handed me 200 gold. "Alright, here's 150 gold." I hand over the gold to Annebelle.
Annabelle takes my gold. "I'll have those trees moved as soon as possible."
As she turns away words flash in gold over my head. "The quest, Horsepower, comploeted. Now that I've contracted a team of horses, the path should be clear the next time I'm there."
Deciding this mystery can wait we return to the Deepwood ruins to see what else is there.
We reenter the ruins and head for the bridge once again. After crossing it we continue walking west. Reaching a bend in the road we turn north. As we head for another bend in the road we come across a ruined fort on our left. Deciding to check it out we had west to the Ruined Fort door.
After entering the fort we walk forward until we reach the wall. turning south we walk to the next wall. Here we can turn east or west. Deciding to explore west we turn right. After passing a possible turn north we continue to the wall. At this point we turn south and spot a prison. Walking forward we explore this prison.
There are long dead bodies in some cells as we head south through the prison. When we reach a wall we turn west. Reaching a dead end we loot another dead body. This 1 must have been a guard given the weapons and armor we found on it. Turning back east we walk to a cell. After exploring the cell and finding nothing we return to the prison corridor.
Heading north we spot a body to our east. Searching this body we find a Deepwood Bandit Treasure Map. Upon examining this map we we find an X marked on it. Might be something important. We decide to check it out once we leave the fort.
While exploring the fort we come across a Courtyard. Still heading south we find a path leading west. Following it we eventually turn north. Close to the north wall, we find a dead body. This must have been the captain of the guard. Since he had a Captain's Helmet and a Captain's Axe. Also, we found a journal on the body. Reading the journal we found the following.
"Day 3: I've barely begun my time at this fort, and I feel as if it's been an eternity. When I was a lad I found the sounds of the forest soothing; now it grates at my nerves like a neverending cacophony. Can't these birds be quiet? How will we hear the footfalls of our enemies if they never cease their singing?
Day 7: One of our scouts found a goblin raiding party heading north for Stonebay this morning. I took the second platoon to deal with them. We only lost one man, a new recruit from Farhaven - Christopher, I think his name was? Divine forgive me, I never spoke to the boy. I never seem to have time to speak with the men. Perhaps that is better. Perhaps that will make it easier, for all of us.
Day 9: That scouting party must have had friends. They showed up on our doorstep during the second watch, riding those horrible white wolves. I suppose we're lucky they thought they could take the fort. If they had ridden off for reinforcements, we may not have held them off. At least I hope they didn't send for reinforcements. I've doubled the sweeps of the forest to be sure; if they're coming, I want to know before they're knocking at the gate.
Day 24: I don't know which is running thinner - our supplies, or morale, or our numbers. Can't bring myself to write more. I hope the captain sends reinforcements soon.
Day 30: Finally some good news, after a month at this post. A detachment of rangers from the east has joined us. I've never known men who could walk so quietly in the trees - one would think they were Elves. One or two of them may be, in fact - I haven't gotten a good look under those hoods they wear. At this rate, I wouldn't complain if they were - any friend is a friend worth having in these times.
Day 34: A messenger came today with troubling news. The new governor of Stonebay ordered an attack on Fort Regent - no doubt we wanted to get it back from the goblins to prove he wasn't as soft as his predecessor. The attack was a fiasco - everyone killed or taken. It was led by Lieutenant Mai - or is he a captain now? At any rate, he was a good man. I fought with him once, defending the eastern crossing from a band of goblins. I've never seen someone so skilled with a bow, or so respected by his men. May the Divine grant him peace.
Day 38: These rangers are proving themselves tenfold as useful as my men, and I can't even begrudge them. My soldiers have little to do now, as none of the raiders can reach the walls before they're felled by arrows. I will have to start sending the men on more patrols or risk them getting soft.
Day 45: Something coming through the ground in the courtyard. What foul beast have the goblins tamed this time? No time to finish - where is my axe?"
I turn to Alice. "Any idea what happened Here?"
Alice shakes her head. "I've never heard of this fort. It is possible this fort was over run before I joined the rangers."
Continuing north we spot a Barracks. Entering it we find more dead bodies. One of these bodies has a strange book on it. It reads as follows.
"As I reach to touch the sky, deepwood, never let me die. If I am gone, you'll never see; but look too close and blind you'll be. Tiny worker though I be, the mighty woods depend on me. Though small in size, respect my role; within me dwells a giant soul. To all that's living, life I give; but deep within me, you can't live."
What is this?
– Separator –
An: and that is where we will end it for now. The first book read in this chapter shows what happened to the fort before the adventure started. While the poem is a hint for a puzzle the group will encounter later. Next chapter the group continues to search the ruins.
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.