Disclaimer: I in no way own Harry Potter, although I wouldn't mind one bit if I did.
– Separator –
18: fight in the lake
The 3 of us turned west and walked back to Silvershade Mines. After entering the gate we followed the same path toward the iron vein to check how much iron had appeared this time. We found 4 ingots of iron, before being attacked by goblins. Ginny and I got knocked out so Luna ran back to the temple in Farhaven to revive us. We then returned to the mines and checked if any iron had appeared. While we gathered iron ingots we were attacked by a "Goblin Archer", and 2 "Goblin soldiers". After the attack, both Ginny and Luna gained a level.
Ginny reached level 17. She placed her attribute point into her Strength bringing it up to 15. She used her skill point to raise her "Flash Freeze" skill to rank 4.
Luna reached level 18. She placed her attribute point into her Constitution bringing it up to 11. She then used her skill point to raise her "Miraculous Healing" skill to rank 3.
After this trip through the mines, we brought our collection of iron ingots up to 22. We only needed 3 more for Jerome. However, we couldn't find any more iron in the vein we were exploring. So we decided to make 1 more trip out of the mines to respone the iron.
After reentering the mines we made our way back to the iron vein. It didn't take very long for us to find the last 3 ingots of iron Jerome asked us for. With iron in hand, we made our way back to farhaven.
On our way out of the mines, we were attacked by 3 more goblins. After the battle, I reached level 19. I placed my attribute point into Constitution bringing it up to 11. Maybe now I won't get knocked out as often. For my skill point, I found I had learned a new spell. So I used my skill point to raise "Arctic Blast" to rank 2.
Finally exiting the mines we head east for a little bit. We walked passed the fountain, and continued walking until we spotted the potion stand to our south. Remembering that we needed to pass through this stand in order to find the blacksmith we turn right and walk through. After exiting the stand we find the small gate that leads into the fordge and walk up to Jerome.
Jerome smiles as I approach. "What's your pleasure, my friend?"
I reach into my pack for the iron Jerome had asked for so long ago. "Here's the iron you asked for." I hand it over.
Jerome's eyes go wide in disbelief. "You got it! I can't believe it. Thanks, my friend! Feel free to browse my premium inventory as payment."
As Jerome gets to work using the iron we brought him words flash in gold over my head. "The quest, Test Your Metal, complete. As a reward for helping replenish his supply, Jerome has made his premium inventory available to me."
As Jerome's Apprentice gets to work with all the new iron ore I gave Jerome I notice Jerome himself looks whistful. "Is there anything else I can do to help?"
Jerome's eyes seem to stare off into the distance. "Now that I have a full supply of iron, I can make weapons and armor again. But even I can't make weapons like the goblins. I wish I could study some of their work up close."
I blink in surprise. "What's so special about goblin weapons?"
Jerome's eyes light up. "Goblins are vicious little buggers, but they're incredible craftsmen. Their work could even teach an old hand like me a thing or two."
I nod in understanding. "You want me to bring you goblin weapons?"
Jerome nods in agreement. "I'd sure appreciate it. I'll be willing to pay you for any goblin-made equipment you can find."
As I turn away from Jerome words flash over my head. "A new quest, Tools of the Trade, has been added. Jerome the Armorer wants to study goblin craftsmanship in the hopes of improving his own work. He's offered to pay me for any goblin-made gear I can bring him."
After checking my pack I decided to sell Jerome what goblin items I had picked up while we were searching for the iron ore. I sold a "Goblin Bow" for 54 gold. A "Goblin Dagger" for 12 gold. A "Goblin Ripper" for 59 gold. A "Goblin Scimitar" for 65 gold. Two "Goblin Mail Hauberk" for 83 gold each. Finally a "Goblin Mystic Armor" for 59 gold.
After selling all the goblin equipment we had picked up I decided to try and find the thief the guard at the western gate mentioned. So the 3 of us returned to the west gate and reentered Silvershade Mine.
After entering the mine we followed the same path we had followed the last 4 times we searched for iron. Upon reaching the iron vein we passed through it until we reached another mine shaft that we had seen while hunting for iron. Entering the mine shaft we headed south. Reaching a wall we turned west. Upon reaching another wall we turned north. After a walk we found some rubble blocking the shaft so we turned east. A few steps later we were able to turn north again. Continuing forward we left the mine shaft and entered some Natural Caverns. Reaching a cave wall we turned west. A little bit later we found a passage that led north so we followed it. We walked to a corner that turned east so we followed it. It wasn't long before we reached another corner that turned north. A few steps later we reached a corner that turned west. After walking for a little bit we reached another corner and turned north. A little later we turned east. Soon we reached a corner causing us to turn south. When we reached a wall we turned east. A few steps later we turned north. I was beginning to wonder if we were going in circles. A few steps later we turned east. As we reached another wall and turned south I spotted a camp sight just ahead.
As we enter the cavern, we find a man counting coins by the light of a campfire.
"98... 99... 100! Romilda, you rascal - hey! Who's there?"
I step into the light of the fire. Ginny and Luna follow right behind me. "Who are you?"
The girl gets a shifty look. "Me? I'm nobody. In fact, I'm not even here. This is a hallucination. You've gotten hit in the head too many times."
As Ginny and Luna giggle I deadpan. "Somehow I'm not buying that."
"Oh, yeah?" The girl looks around before focusing on you. "Well, who are you, anyway? Some mercenary the guards hired to come down here and find me? Nobody else would be stupid enough to wander in here."
I grin internally. "No, but judging by your reaction, I'm guessing you're the thief I've heard so much about?"
The girl takes on what I think she believes is a noble expression. "Oh? Doth my reputation preceedeth me?" Her expression returns to the 1 she had when we found her. "I prefer the term covert entrepreneur. Thief is so pedestrian and abrasive."
As the girls behind me snicker I smile. "Forgive me. Does the covert entrepreneur have a name?"
The girl straightens up from a slouch. "The name's Romilda Vane. And between the two of us, I'd take it as a kindness if you didn't turn me over to the guards. Those guys have no sense of humor."
Ginny Frowns. "You are a year behind Luna and I. How did you end up here?"
Romilda shrugs. "No idea. One minute I was finishing up my Transfiguration homework, and the next thing I knew I found myself in these caverns. I've been trying to collect enough gold to maybe pay my way out of the city so I could try and find my way back home."
I smile at Romilda. "Nobody's turning anybody over to the guards."
Romilda smiles widely. "You're a saint - has anyone ever told you that? Let me make it up to you. I know these caves. Tell me why you're down here, and maybe I can help you. Or you can wander around like a lost puppy - your choice."
I nod in agreement. "I'm trying to find out how the goblins are getting in, and stop them."
Romilda's grin looks just like the 1 I guessed my father had just before a prank. "This must be your lucky day. It just so happens that I know the location of a trapdoor that leads to the tunnels the goblins use to access the mines. So, do we do business, or do you roam around until a goblin hunting party smacks the pretty off you?"
I roll my eyes. "When you put it that way, I guess I don't have a choice."
Romilda lights up with a smile. "Let's get going, then. The trapdoor's practically invisible, so you'll need me to show it to you. I'll just grab a few of my things, and we'll be off. Just don't expect me to do anything heroic, alright?"
I think my eyes are going to hurt with all the rolling their doing lately. "I wouldn't dream of it."
As Romilda heads for the tavern in Farhaven Ginny, Luna, and I exit her campsite to the north and turn west. Upon reaching the wall we turn south. At the next wall, we turn west. At the corner, we turn north. At the next corner, we turn west. Next, we reach a wall and turn south. After reaching the next corner we turn east. A few steps later we turn south. Just a few steps later we turn east. Later we reach a wall and turn south for a few steps before turning west. Soon after that we reach another wall and turn south. Upon reaching another wall we turn west. After reaching a pit we turn south . After entering what my map labels as "Secondary Mine Shaft" we turn west. After a few steps, we turn south. After reaching a wall next to a pit we turn east. After a small amount of steps, we turn south. This allows us to exit the mine shaft. Reaching a wall we turn west. Reaching our next corner we turn south for a short time before turning east. Reaching a wall we turn south and spot what must have been the barracks for the miners at 1 time.
Exploring the barracks we find some sleeping quarters. Spotting a small desk I search it and find a note. Reading it I blanch.
"My darling, if I don't survive, I hope this letter reaches you someday, so you can know that your Wilhelm's final thoughts were of you. The goblins have overrun the secondary ore vein and mine shaft. A few of us have barricaded ourselves in the barracks, but we can't hold out for long. When we drove back the last raid, I saw a party of the foul things carrying off two of the miners; they were still alive. But I'd rather die with a blade in my hand than face a long life in a goblin prison. Wait - I hear something. I think the goblins"
As I put the note away words flash over my head. "A new quest, Reunited, has been added. I've found a tragic note written by one of the miners. I should hang onto it, in case I ever meet the person it was intended for."
Exploring the rest of the barracks we find the equipment room. Making our way through it we exit the barracks to the north and when we reach the wall turn west. While walking we come across a vein of gemstones. "After looting it of its 3 gems we continue walking. Making our way as far north as we can we come across an underground lake. As we cross it we hear a roar and a pair of "Hydra" rise out of the water to attack us.
Even with 2 Hydra to deal with using my "Fire Blast" and Ginny's "Icy Strike" both enemies soon fell. Ginny looks unnerved at what we found here. "I never dreamed something like that was living in the mines."
I put a hand on her shoulder. "Let's keep moving before any more unpleasant surprises."
– Separator –
An: and that's where we will leave off this time. I could have left it when Romilda joined the party, but I wanted the girls for the upcoming fight so I decided not to switch my party members.
I know Romilda Vane is only seen in 1 of the 7 original novels. I needed a character to take the place of the thief who joins your party at this point in the game. Unfortunately, there are only 2 confirmed thieves in Potter canon, and no I am not counting "The Cursed Child" as canon. The only thieves confirmed in the first 7 novels are "Tom Riddle Jr" and "Mundungus Fletcher". Since I wanted to keep everyone in the party female, neither of these would work. I once read a fanfic where it is said Romilda is a Gypsy,", and Gypsies are sometimes said to be thieves. So I chose Romilda to be the last member of the party.
Next chapter the party locates the trapdoor in the mines, and they start collecting the gold Madeline asked for.
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.