The Cohort
As the bugbear charged they yelled out a warcry that was echoed by the screech of a massive eagle that swept down from the cloud cover an additional assailant riding the eagle, firing an arrow at the party. The arrow buried itself in the dirt mere inches from Halimedes' boot, before the eagle came to a hover in front of the party, its rider holding out a hand, stalling the bugbear's charge.
"Who are you! Why are you here!" demanded the eagle rider in a thick accent, who was now revealed to be a well armored hobgoblin.
"We're looking for the people of Nestrin." Replied Charles, riding Buck over the embedded arrow. "Who are you to fire upon us, I might ask?"
"You are the strangers in this land. You answer us first." replied the hobgoblin indignantly.
"They are strangers, but I am not." answered Naivara, looking around Charles and Buck. I was born and raised here in Nestrin, and I am merely looking for my parents. My companions have helped me track the trail of the villagers this far. Do you know what happened to them?"
The hobgoblin paused for a moment, examining the group, and pondered Naivara's statement. "We will show you the way to the people of Nestrin. However, be warned, I know not if your parents are among those who escaped. My compatriot, Krags…
"Wait, did you say Craig?" interrupted Hal.
"No, I said Krags." Goblin enunciated. "What would be wrong with the name Craig?"
"Oh, uh, nothing would be wrong with it, I just wasn't expecting it, that's all."
"Anyways, as I was saying, Krags will guide you along the path, while I scout ahead in the air. Follow his lead, and do not betray us, you will not survive if you do." The hobgoblin then turned to the bugbear, who was apparently named Krags and relayed a few sentences in a thick guttural language that several of the party recognized as goblin, but could not understand the true meaning of the words.
The hobgoblin mounted the giant eagle once more and flew up into the sky, while Krags turned and gestured, leading the party further into the wilds. The hyena that bore him upon his charge now nowhere to be seen, a fact that troubled Akash ever so slightly. For several hours they trekked through the woods, pausing every now and again as Krags held up, his bugbear ears swiveling, searching for any out of place sound. The day managed to pass without too much incident, however, the party did notice dark shadows pass over top of their heads several times during their journey. Each time the shadows passed piercing shrieks filled the air. The sound was unlike any bird Akash had heard before, while the shadows passed quickly each time, the cries drilled into his mind, causing quite the migraine to build up over the course of the day. By the time night fell upon them Akash was more than ready for the release of sleep and the relief it would bring from the migraine.
Hal and Gnoll took the first watch, hoping to stave off whatever had seemed to be chasing them during the day. No more than an hour into the watch all seemed to be quiet, when suddenly Halimedes' sword began to vibrate, starting as a low hum it soon amplified into a high frequency whine as a spectral light began to leak out of its scabbard.
"That's new…" commented Gnoll.
"Yeah, I think I know what's gonna happen. Stand back." Said Hal as he slowly drew his blade, white light dripping from the edge like honey. The light slowly came together rising in a mound to take the form of an elderly elf. It seemed to be the same figure that Hal conjured back at the entrance of the mines outside Three Falls, but now that it was right in front of them Hal and Gnoll noticed the empty scabbard that hung at the apparition's waist.
"Hello Halimedes, I am sure you have many questions for me." The figure spoke with a formal tone, and an accent that Hal recognized as adjacent to that of the elven nation of Sylvar. "To begin, I am Tolith. Many centuries ago I forged the blade you now carry. Now that you carry it you must continue its mission."
"Wait, hold on." Hal interrupted, "I was left this sword by my father, do you know what happened to him, know where he's been for the past 40 years? And what is this so-called mission as you call it."
"I knew your father, yes. However, I know not how he obtained the Peacekeeper, or where he is now. He carried me well, but now that responsibility falls to you." Tolith responded.
"Why now though? My father left me over 40 years ago and I have had you ever since. I always thought this was just a sword passed down through my family due to our family name etched into the crossguard."
"In order to understand why now you must understand how The Peacekeeper came to be. It was forged alongside other implements of peace in Sylvar. The set was created to maintain peace and security across the empire. Over time and across the monarchs who have risen and fallen in the eras past the pieces of the set have been scattered. When brought together they grant the wielder enhanced abilities in order to establish, and ensure peace across the land. The recent turmoil that you have brought me into contact with has reawakened the latent enchantments bound within the blade, and thus I am in-turn reawakened to guide you on your journey." Tolith paused for a moment, seeming to wait for additional questions. When none came he continued, "As for your family name being engraved in the crossguard, I am unaware of how that addition came to be. I know this is a lot to absorb in such a brief encounter, however it is imperative that you learn quickly in these troubling times."
"Wow…" Hal sat down heavily on a fallen log at the edge of their encampment. "I…just…wow…"
"One final warning, The Peacekeeper is only one of several Gateblades that exist in this world. While this one is bound by its purpose, the others are bound by their own prerogatives that may not be so admirable." At this final warning Tolith's form faded into a white smoke that was quickly sucked back into the sword in Hal's grip.
"And I thought that mace we found was going to be the most interesting weapon I came across this year." chuckled Gnoll, knocking Halimedes from his stupor.
"Yeah. Now I really need to figure out what happened to my father, he's got a lot of explaining to do." Hal responded with a retort. "I'm going to wake up Akash and Buck for their watch, I need some sleep after that."
The morning came early in the wild woods of Woodernia, a meager breakfast was all that was managed. While Charles leaned back on a tree savoring the heat of the rising sun and his bland granola he suddenly felt the cold press of steel on his throat.
"You all are quite easy to track. You should work on that." whispered the gravelly voice of Gonlin as his large hobgoblin form emerged silently from the surrounding briars. "We have much ground to cover today. Come."
"Ah, damn him." Muttered Charles under his breath as he shouldered his pack.
Continuing forth for the day was much the same as the previous day, except the addition of Gonlin traveling with them on the ground. The endless trees of Woodernia were slowly starting to concern Akash as he had quickly lost track of the passage of distance without a proper horizon to guide them. Even in the middle of the desert he had been able to track his path through the positions of the sun and stars, but here, under the cover of the pines he had lost his way. Hours and hours seemed to pass to Akash, until Gonlin finally turned around and addressed the party.
"We are very close now. From now on you must step exactly where I step, move exactly how I move." He glowered seriously, "Understand?" His question was met with a series of quick nods. "Follow."
The path they continued on looked identical to Akash, as he was about to call ahead to Gonlin in order to ask what was so special about this part of the path Hal stumbled over a root. As his hand hit the ground breaking his fall, Akash heard a faint thook as a giant boulder wrapped with thorns swung into the pathway! Hal barely managed to flatten himself to the path allowing the boulder to pass over him with inches to spare. There was then a sharp crack as the vines from which the builder swung snapped, sending the boulder crashing into the forest beyond.
Ahh, so that's why. Akash thought to himself. "Are you alright Hal?" He called forward as Naivara helped the shaken Hal to his feet.
"Yeah!" He called back, "Little close, but I'm fine."
"I told you to follow exactly." said Gonlin, clearly annoyed. "Do not expect to survive on luck again. Follow."
Fortunately that proved to be the only slip-up and they managed to finish the path without further incident. The woods opened into a sunny glade with a short, round hill.
"That's a little underwhelming considering the security." Charles jested.
Rolling his eyes at the comment Gonlin whispered a phrase under his breath that Akash was just able to understand as a component to some illusory spell. As the phrase faded from the air the side of the hill facing them opened into a dark tunnel that sloped deep into the earth. "Follow." Gonlin repeated once more as he descended into the tunnel.
The tunnel continued to slope deeper at a fairly shallow angle with several separate passageways that broke off from what was apparently the correct route. As he ran his hand across the sides of the tunnel Akash got the impression that this was not formed naturally, or by hand. It bore neither the roughness of the mountain caves that he explored as a boy, nor the tool markings or supports of a mine. The sheer scale of the tunnels also surprised him, as they were all able to walk comfortably as a group, even Gnoll and Buck were able to walk without concern of scraping the ceiling. Whatever, or whoever created these tunnels was large and powerful it seemed. After nearly half an hour of trekking through the darkness the tunnel opened into a large torchlit cavern that was filled with rows and rows of makeshift tents.
"You must speak to the Council. It is not far now, follow." Goblin commanded in a hushed voice. "They can explain." He then led the party through the field of tents, passing dozens of people who nodded quietly, acknowledging their presence, but nothing past the quick courtesy. Many of the individuals appeared to be magic folk, elves, gnomes, and the like, and all were tired and haggard in appearance. At the far end of the cavern lay a much larger tent with a crimson tapestry covering the doorway. As Gonlin drew back the tapestry sounds of conversation erupted from within the tent. Two elves were having a heated conversation with a group of Gnomes who appeared to be the primary aggressors of the conversation. They were well dressed, and in the brief clip that they were able to catch it seemed that the conversation was arguing about the natural denizens of the cave and issues they had been causing. As Akash opened his mouth to greet this apparent council Naivara rushed past him, hugging the two elves.
"You guys are ok!" She exclaimed, gripping the elves who it was now clear were her parents. Releasing them and stepping back a half-pace she continued at a rapid pace. "The house was completely destroyed, what happened, are you hurt at all, what is going on?" As she paused to take a breath her father spoke up.
"We are ok, don't worry about that. Where did you come from though? We thought you were off researching in Covalion, how did you get back into Woodernia, the borders have been closed for weeks. As for what happened at home, demons appeared out of nowhere in Velling, and have been forcing everyone north. But King Bowman isn't letting anyone with magical blood past a massive wall just north of here. Right now we're just trying to do our best to survive here, but we're starting to run out of food.
"Ahem…" prompted one of the gnomes who had climbed onto the table at the center of the tent, and was now tapping their foot.
"Ah, of course. Allow me to introduce you all to The Rising Flame." He then paused for a moment, and asked, "what shall we call you? It seems you have a merry band of your own at this point."
"Uhh, we dont really have…" Naivara began.
"Call us Craig's Cohort." Interrupted Hal. "I am Halimedes, myself and our other companions have been traveling with Naivara for a week or so on a series of jobs that have brought us back to Woodernia." Akash, Gnoll, and Charles then introduced themselves in kind.
"That…is quite the name you have made for yourselves I suppose. Anyways, now that we are all introduced, we could really use your help. The Kobolds who were in these caves before us are getting rather testy, and we have no real long term plan to reclaim Nestrin."
"We can help provide what food we have on us." Offered Naivara, "But, I'm not sure how we can help with taking back Nestrin. Do you know what is happening down in Velling?"
"We're not entirely sure how, but apparently a Lord from up north by the name of Baron Eldbridge had taken up residence just before the demons started. The main issue with that is the reports that Eldbridge was killed some months ago, and yet now he is walking this mortal plane once more, and the timing of his reappearance is most suspect. I don't really see how this is relevant though, it's not like you're going south to Velling to take on the source of this yourself." He chuckled darkly.
After a brief silence and a round of glances to each other Gnoll stepped forward. "With all due respect sir, I believe I speak for myself and the rest of our small cohort when I say that we fully intend to end this. You said it yourself, your supplies are failing and you have no plan to save yourselves. We," gesturing with a wide sweep of his arm, "may not be the strongest heroes of the realm, however we cannot just stop because the journey is dangerous. Whatever awaits in Velling, we have to at least try."
Red in the face, Naivara's father responded. "You arrogant cleric, I recognize your symbol, one of Gilean's chosen." He spat the words as an insult. "You think knowledge will protect you or your companions? What will you do when a Vrock from the Abyss swoops down and pecks out your eyes? Or a swarm of Dretch corners you in an alleyway once all your magic is spent? Then what, I have no doubt that you have faced foes before, but none such as these. Please do not go, we will find another way, we must."
A long silence filled the pavilion before Akash spoke. "I know this is a big choice, but I agree with Gnoll. Something has to be done, there are times that you cannot wait for the winds to change themselves, sometimes you have to be the gust that starts the storm. But, I think we should all take some time and decide for ourselves. I am going to go distribute my food, and see what I can do to make crops in this skyless cave." He swept aside the pavilion's entry flap, "I hope you join me." then left without another word.