by A. C Carter
She looked at the Goblin Warlock down in the middle of the room. She judged the distance from where she was. She could make it from here.
The Dialogue Scroll updated with her choice.
Dialogue Scroll
-
Sneak back and tell the group
x
Interrupt the ritual
Arilee carefully drew her bow from around her shoulder and knocked an arrow. This was her one chance to take out the Goblin Warlock and stop the ritual all at once. Arilee took aim. Took a breath. And slowly exhaled.
She loosed.
The arrow soared over the heads of the Goblins flying towards the Goblin Warlock. It looked up just in time to see Arilee far above. It smiled.
When the arrow was just about to reach the inner circle of Goblins, the air around the middle circle shimmered, and the arrow bounced off something. Then exploded in flames. For a brief second, Arilee saw a shimmering dome revealed surrounding the Goblin Warlock and Maleth.
The room went silent. The drumming and chanting stopped. No one moved.
Then Maleth raised his voice so that Arilee could hear.
“I was wondering when you would show up, Half-Elf.” Then he addressed the Goblins and loudly shouted. “Get her!” his voice echoing off the cave walls.
Arilee didn’t wait for the Goblin Horde to move. She leapt down from her position on the ledge to the ground. The Goblins began to yell and snarl.
Arilee quickly turned and ran down the passage towards the waiting group.
Finales Have Fireworks
Chapter 24
Arilee waved her arm forward trying to signal the group to start running.
“Run!” she yelled as she ran past them, heading towards the path up the cliff.
The group saw the horde of Goblins following Arilee out of the passage and quickly turned to followed her.
“What happened?!” said Chip, hurrying behind Arilee.
Arilee looked over her shoulder as she ran, “I think I made them angry!”
“What happened to no fighting?!”
Slicks ran past Chips who was going too slow for his liking up the slippery pathway. He looked over his shoulder and said, “I think we should prepare for lotssss of fighting now.”
The group scurried their way to the top of the cliff and back to the bridge they crossed. Arilee waited for the rest to get on before her.
“I got an idea, you guys go first!”
Arilee pulled the Oil Potion that the Scout Marshall had given her and started pouring out little droplets behind her as she ran down the bridge. The black oily substance began to spread on its own until it covered the bridge.
Arilee then pulled an arrow from her quiver and whispered the words to enchant it with fire.
When she reached the end of the bridge, she turned and looked at the dozen or so Goblins who had already made it on the bridge, slipping in the oil. She knocked the arrow and fired it towards the middle of the bridge.
The oil burst into flames when the arrow landed on the bridge, and spread quickly.
“That should give us some time.” She said to the rest of the group.
The Goblins panicked and started running. Arilee saw one Goblin slip and fall into the chasm below. The ropes holding the bridge up began to wither, and then with a snap, the bridge fell. Most of the Goblins fell with it.
The five goblins didn't fall drew their swords and spears.
Level 3 hovered above their heads.
Arilee looked at the group, and they nodded in unison. Arilee drew three arrows and knocked her bow with all of them. Slicks readied his shield.
But before he could charge, four arrows rained down from high up across the chasm and sunk into the ground near their feet. Attached to the arrows were thick bands of taut rope reaching back across the chasm.
Zipping noises echoed across the cavern as Arilee’s eyes followed the rope to see a string of Goblins ziplining in.
“This isn’t worth it, we need to get out of here.” said Arilee.
“Agreeeed.” said Slicks, lowering his shield.
The group turned and ran towards the passage.
Arilee loosed three arrows, each hitting a mark, before she turned and followed the group up the passage.
“Don’t stop until we’re out!” she shouted from behind.
The drums beat loudly behind them as the group ran up the winding passage back up to level 2.
Arilee’s legs were beginning to feel tired and her breathing becoming heavier. As they turned the next bend, Chip slipped and fell on the wet slippery cave floor.
Arilee was able to help him up, but was starting to tire as well.
“Sorry, my body is failing me all of a sudden. My legs barely want to move.” said Chip.
“I know same here, I think it’s the potion wearing off. We’re almost out, we just need to keep moving. We can lose them in the forest.”
But as the group reached level 2, there was another few dozen Goblins coming down the hall towards their position.
“Oh no. What do we do?” said Leela, looking to Arilee with hope.
Arilee looked down the hall at the Goblins, and then to the passage where she could hear the Goblins coming up behind them. Then she looked behind them to the large empty room where the sleeping mats were.
“Come on, back this way. There has to be a way out.”
Arilee lead the group as far into the room as they could, searching for any sort of passage along the back wall. But there was none. The group was cornered.
“It lookssss like thissss is it.” said Slicks, brandishing his sword and shield while watching Goblins flood into the room around them.
Arilee scanned the room, but there was no way out. She checked the Scout Marshall’s oil potion but she had used it all up on the bridge.
“I guess we try to take as many out as we can, huh guys?” said Chip, forcing a laugh.
It only took a minute until the entire room was filled. The Goblins yipped and snarled, shaking their swords and spears at the group. But they didn't charge.
“What are they waiting for?” said Leela.
“I guess we’ll have to charge them,” said Slicks.
But then the Goblin noises quieted, and a path began to form through them, revealing Maleth and the Goblin Warlock walking towards them.
Leela gasped, whispering under her breath. “It’s a Dark Elf.”
“My Masters will be very pleased that I have caught you already.” said Maleth.
“What’ssss so sssspecial about us?” asked Slicks.
“Not you. Her.” responded Maleth, looking at Arilee.
“Me?” asked Arilee.
“Oh, she doesn’t know. The Light really picked a poor champion this time. You lost so easily, so early. Your parents would be so disappointed if they knew.”
“What? Who are you?”
“It doesn’t really matter anymore.” Maleth raised his voice. “You can have her friends. Just save me the Half-Elf.”
The Goblins roared and cheered. They charged.
Arilee drew her daggers and braced herself. Slicks readied his shield.
But then a loud, thunderous boom echoed throughout the cave. The cavern shook. A deep voice bounced around the cave walls. Arilee thought it almost sounded like chanting. Goblin all around her stumbled and fell.
Maleth turned and waved his hand causing a bubble to grow around him. The rocks rattled and the shaking threw Arilee to her feet.
Then following the boom, a blinding streak of light burst into the room. Like a large bolt of lighting, its sparks chain-leaping from Goblin to Goblin, frying their green bodies before moving to the next target. Arilee could feel the heat filling the air. Green smoking husks filled the ground.
Maleth stood unharmed, and stared at the charred corpse of the Goblin Warlock. He looked at Arilee.
“Very well, a minor inconvenience. ” He waved his arm, causing a shimmering circle of light with dark smoke for a border to a
ppear.
"Until next time." Maleth stepped into the circle of light, and disappeared.
Arilee looked around confused at the chaos and bodies. Her vision swam with exhaustion.
Then, her ears perked up at the sounds of dozens of boots marching down the cave. The group readied themselves again, but to their surprise, a tide of the Overlord’s soldiers surged into the room.
"Finally." said Slicks. "Reinforcements."
He sat with his back against the cave and closed his eyes. "That potion wore off jussssst in time."
Arilee kept her blades up, unsure of what was about to happen.
The soldiers continued to flood into the room until it was filled and then readied into a formation.
Then the soldiers opened up and a pathway formed down the middle. Standing on the other-side was Commander Bjorn and the Scout Marshall, trailed by a dozen men in wizard robes.
“Ho! You made it! I knew you would,” said the Commander as he walked towards them, his arms open wide and his smile big.
He stopped at the Goblin Warlock’s body and pried something from its hands. “And this must be the Grimoire! You all did fine work today. Fine work indeed. The bait worked perfectly.”
Arilee, more confused, trying to think through the fog, asked, “The bait?”
The Scout Marshall answered this time, running his hand over his neck and looking nervous, “Well, you see,”
But Chip cut him off, “You used us as bait?”
The Commander patted the Grimoire and tucked it into his satchel. He turned and waved, before walking away. “I’ll let the Scout Marshall explain this one to you. I’ll be needed elsewhere.”
The group watched the Commander walk away before turning back to the Scout Marshall.
“Bait?!” said Leela.
Arilee's vision swam again as she was forced to sit down. "Scout Marshall, I hope you didn't..."
But Arilee couldn't keep her eyes open any longer. Exhaustion overcame her. The energy potion from earlier had finally wore off.
Arilee laid back and closed her eyes.
Festival of Fire
Chapter 25
Arilee awoke with a jolt to the sound of drums. Drums and shouts. She opened her eyes and sat up, panicked. She was in a tent, unsure of where she was. Outside, she could see the glow of fires through tent flaps.
She quickly equipped the clothes next to her, but couldn’t find her daggers. She exited the tent, her body was tense but ready.
But Arilee was not ready for what she saw. Confusion washed over her. She quickly considered sneaking back into her tent, maybe she hadn’t been seen yet..
But no. It was too late. They saw her.
“Ho there! Arilee! You’re awake! Come dance around the fire with us! Everyone is celebrating the victory!” said Chip, who was prancing around the fire to the beat of a drum. He was holding a mug in one hand and a turkey leg in the other.
Slicks sat cross-legged on the ground near him, also with a leg of meat in one hand and a mug in the other. His tail wrapped around behind him. Arilee saw it was keeping beat on a small drum.
Next to Slicks, Leela smiled and waved her own turkey leg at Arilee, her mouth full with a bite.
Arilee rubbed her eyes, trying to wipe the sleep away. When she opened them, the entire military camp glowed with small fires surrounded by groups of soldiers celebrating. In the middle of camp was a larger bonfire being prepared.
Arilee smiled and waved at the group, relieved to see everyone was safe. She found a spot next to Leela on the ground and joined the group.
“Has everyone been up awhile? How long did I sleep?” asked Arilee.
Leela smiled, “No worries, we all only woke up in the last hour or two. The Goblin Cave was last night, so we all slept through the whole following day! I must admit I am still sore and tired though. I don’t know how Chip has the energy.”
Arilee laughed, “Chip always has the energy it seems.” She looked past Leela at Slicks who seemed unusually upbeat. “How are you feeling Slicks? You seem in good spirits.”
“Ssssore. But good. It feelssss good to win.” said Slicks, as he took another bite of his turkey leg.
Arilee remembered back to the previous night, the Goblins, the lightning streaking through the cave, seeing the Scout Marshall and the Commander.
“You aren’t still mad about being used as bait?” she asked.
“I've used for worssssee, Half-Elf.” replied Slicks. He held up his turkey leg and mug to show Arilee. “Thisssss. Thisss is not so bad. Grab yourself some food and drink! The turkey legs are on the table over there, and the ale is the barrel next to it.”
Arilee nodded, and saw a pile of turkey legs on a blanket just to the side of the fire. The oak barrel next to it had a pile of mugs stacked on top of it. Arilee grabbed one of each. Her belly rumbled as the smell of the smoked turkey drifted towards her nose. She didn’t realize how hungry she was with the sudden surprise of waking up to the excitement.
Arilee sank her teeth into the food and chewed.
“This is pretty good.” Arilee said to Slicks. She gulped some of the ale to help her swallow. She made a scrunched face at the unexpected hoppyness.
She continued her thought. “But I still think I want to ask the Scout Marshall a few questions.”
“If it makesss you feel better, Arilee.” responded Slicks.
Chip was making his way back to their side of the firecircle. He gracefully exited his dance routine, and found a spot on the ground near the group. “I see that face, Arilee! It’s rude to talk about serious business at a party.” Chip smiled. “Tonight is for fun. The soldiers were saying that the big fire is about to be lit soon and the Commander is going to deliver us all a rousing speech. Do you all want to head over soon?”
A dialogue scroll appeared for Arilee:
Dialogue Scroll
-
Go with Chip to the Speech at the large fire
-
Stay back and search for the Scout Marshall
Arilee thought about what she wanted to do. She didn’t really like crowds.
While she thought, Leela spoke up, “Oh that does sound fun. I want to hear the Commander’s speech. We should all go!”
Arilee saw Leela’s smile and couldn’t say no. It was too infectious. Arilee smiled. “Oh alright, lets go to the big fire!”
The dialogue scroll highlighted with her answer.
Dialogue Scroll
x
Go with Chip to the Speech at the large fire
-
Stay back and search for the Scout Marshall
+1 Group relationship with Chip
4/5
+1 Group relationship with Leela
4/5
The group refilled their cups one more time before departing for the main part of camp. They noticed other soldiers already walking over. All of them were laughing and rejoicing. Arilee and the group joined in.
Arilee could overhear the various groups of soldiers talking around them. Some excited about how big the fire was going to be, while others were excited to hear the Commander’s speech. Arilee could hear one group over her left shoulder talking about the storming of the cave.
“Loudest sound I’ve ever heard, I swear it,” she heard a deeper male voice say.
“Don’t I know it, my ears are still ringing. I didn’t know they could cast spells like that.” replied a similarly deep, female voice.
Arilee glanced over her shoulder to see the owners of the voices. She saw tall barbarians, one male and female, and smaller third human man walking with them.
“The lightning was pretty cool though.” slurred a third man, who seemed to have started drinking earlier than the rest. He met Arilee’s eye as he looked ahead. “Hey hey, I think that’s them up there.”
Arilee turned ahead hoping she wasn’t noticed too much.
“The group in front of us? Don’t point that’s rude.” scolded the male barbarian.
“Yeah that’
s definitely them. Go up and ask.”
Arilee heard a bit of jostling, and then a quickening of footsteps behind them.
The deep male voice was closer behind them now. “Hey there,” he cleared his throat, “Excuse me. Are you all the Special Forces group from the Cave Assault?”
“Special Forces?” Arilee mouthed to herself.
Chip, turned and jumped right in, his face reddening from his drinking. “Special Forces? Yeah I guess you could say that’s us.” he said confidently.
“Chip!” said Leela sternly. Chip smiled back impishly.
“I knew you were Special Forces! I didn't believe the new recruit story for a minute." said the smaller man.
"Would you care to share with us the tale of your fight? The whole camp has been talking about you since we found out you survived. Four against hundreds!” said the barbarian man.
“Did you really try to light the whole cave on fire and take them down with you?” asked the woman.
“I wanna hear about the bridge of fire!” said the smaller man.
“Well if you all want to hear a story, than gather around!” started Chip.
Another group nearby overheard and started walking a little closer. . The warriors walked close, drinking from their mugs and listening closely. Chip was gathering a crowd
Chip deepened his voice, “Indeed we are the Special Forces. Specifically chosen by the Commander himself! Freshly returned from our mission deep into the dangerous Goblin Territory. I, Chip the Wizard, will tell you the tale of Slicks Strongtail, Arilee the Elven Eagle, and Leela the Blessed.”
