by Galen Wolf
Ammunition 24
Charge Bonus 4
Defense Bonus 15
Morale 50
Turns to Train 1
Two of these were the refurbished units from Pennred, the third was a unit newly raised at Woodheart.
Only one regiment of the Pennred skirmishers remained, but these were being brought back to full strength.
1 x Ranger Skirmishers “2nd Battalion Pennred”
Experience **
Strength 100
Melee Attack 24
Missile Attack 0
Charge Bonus 5
Defense Bonus 32
Morale 60
Turns to Train 1
We had the remains of two units originally from Woodheart plus two more.
4 x Elite Ranger Spearmen Woodheart Greenjackets"
Strength 120
Experience 2 x ****, 2 x 0*
Melee Attack 30
Missile Attack 0
Charge Bonus 8
Defense Bonus 38
Morale 70
Turns to Train 1
In addition
1 x Ranger Wolf Companions
Strength 100
Experience 0*
Melee Attack 48
Missile Attack 0
Defense Bonus 12
Charge Bonus 22
Morale 60
Turns to Train 1
Fast
Special Attack: Causes Fear in nearby enemy reducing morale by 50%
1 x Tree-kin—ents
Strength 20
Experience 0*
Melee Attack 60
Missile Attack 0
Defense Bonus 40
Charge Bonus 30
Morale: 65
Turns to Train 2
Large
Special Attack Forest Frenzy: Double attack bonus for 30 seconds
2 x Eagle Companions
Strength 30
Experience 0*
Melee Attack 35
Missile Attack 0
Defense Bonus 20
Charge Bonus 25
Turns to Train 1
Fast
Airborne
Ahn had done us proud. He'd spent everything in the ranger kitty. This was all we had. If we lost this, we'd lost everything.
In addition, if Ixion was as good as his word we could count on:
4 x Centaur Lancers
Strength 100
Experience ***
Melee Attack 25
Charge Bonus 25
Defense Bonus 15
Morale 75
Fast
Light
4 x Centaur Horse Archers
Strength 120
Experience ***
Melee Attack 10
Charge Bonus 10
Missile Attack 20
Missile Range 130
Defense Bonus 14
Morale 60
Fast
Light
23
Harald and Birog
I was with Ahn in Woodheart watching the troops train. It was evening, and we were still waiting for the unit of Tree Kin to emerge from the barracks. They took the longest of all our units to raise. So far, Ahn had ordered the raising of the Wolf unit as well as Eagles and now the Tree Kin. This was in addition to the humanoid ranger troops we had already raised. The plan was that once all our troops were ready they would march under my command west through the forests to rendezvous with the centaurs.
We decided Ahn would stay back in Woodheart with the unit of militia. We would do everything we could to convince the Horrabians that our main forces were stationed at Woodheart and remained there. Astral Bob had not been able to place his Doppelgangers before he was captured.
There was a slight problem with the eagles. As Ahn noted there were raptor patrols over the Old Forest now and I didn't wish to engage them and give the game away. My plan therefore was to fly the eagles away to the south over the sea south of Vinab and come around west out of the range of any Horrabian reconnaissance.
We were standing there watching the spearmen drill when the dove appeared. It dropped its letter at my feet. I was a little mystified who might be sending me a personal message, but I bent down and broke the red wax seal with my thumb. The envelope was crisp under my fingers.
I scanned to the signature at the bottom. "It's from Astral Bob."
Ahn came close. "What does he say?"
I read further. "He's been captured by the Horrabians..."
Ahn sighed. "We knew that. Where is he now? I thought he'd logged off and got back to Vinab."
I read the letter rapidly and recounted the contents to Ahn. "He says they have him in a room; he believes it's the Warlocks’ Guild. They're trying to get him to reveal information about Vinab's intent and any ranger troop movements he knows about."
"Why doesn't he quit?"
I felt sick. "He says he's tried. They have him in the Warlocks’ Guild and they are killing him and resurrecting him with scrolls. He can't leave as a ghost because they have an Anchor rune on the floor. He says they also have a Cross rune. So, whenever he logs off, and logs back on, he comes back again and he's still bound in the room with Elrick, Attila, and Loki."
"That bunch of bastards." Ahn spat. His anger almost overcame him. He looked desperate. "What can we do?"
"I'm guessing that the way into the Warlocks’ Guild is heavily trapped and runed. If a high-level runesmith made the runes—and they have plenty of those in Horrabia—then even if we get in we won't be able to remove them and we could get stuck there ourselves."
Ahn said, "You could ask Achilles if he's willing to help us to do the traps and unravel the runes."
I nodded. "Achilles will help. I haven't seen him for a while. I think he's been keeping his profile low because like Astral Bob and Parzifal he's ashamed of Vinab's inaction. I can get a message to him via Elfhair."
Ahn sighed. "But Achilles won't be able to remove the runes if they've been put in place by a high-level runesmith. So that doesn't leave us any further on. It looks like Astral Bob is stuck there." As he thought of his friend's plight, Ahn's face grew dark.
I had a sudden thought. "What about Harald Runestorm?"
Ahn gave a grim laugh. "You think Harald would help us—the Rangers’ Guild? Or Vinab come to that..."
"You know Harald hates Attila?"
"I'm not surprised. There was a rumor years ago before Attila left that he and Harald had fallen out. To be honest, I paid little attention—I wasn't really interested in the internal politics of Horrabia."
"No, Harald hates Attila and Loki. He told me when I went to buy the runes from him."
Ahn shook his head. "I still don't think this will be enough. I agree with you that Harald would be the ideal person to remove those runes, and I fully believe when you say he hates the Horrabians for kicking him out of the city, but I still don't think he'll help us."
Then I smiled.
He looked bewildered. "What on earth is there to smile about?"
"I'm just going to go to the Silver Glades. I have a plan."
I swung to the Silver Glades using the forest vines. When I finished my rapid swing, Ixion and Rohan were around the campfire with Birog.
Ixion looked up. "Barcud, I hadn't expected to see you back so soon. How goes the troop rostering?"
Rohan added, "But it's always a pleasure to see you my friend."
I wasn't looking at them I was looking at Birog. I said, "Did you hear the Horrabians captured Astral Bob?"
The blood drained from her face. She put a hand to her mouth. "Oh no. I'm guessing they'll torture him." She was a sweet gentle soul and I could see the thought of his torture affected her deeply.
I tried not to describe his predicament as vividly as I imagined it myself. "I think they already have. But Astral Bob's made of stern stuff. The problem is that he's in a locked room that is heavily runed and we can't get him out dead or alive."
Birog frowned. "That's terrible. Awful. What can we do to help?"
/>
Rohan said, "Whatever we can do, we will."
"I wondered whether you could help me, Birog."
A look of puzzlement came on Birog's face. "Me, personally? I know nothing about runes..."
I laughed. "No, but a friend of yours does."
"A friend of mine? Oh, you must mean..." She was about to name some character she was friendly with from Vinab or even Salonika but I interrupted her.
"I mean Harald Runestorm. He's probably the only one who can remove those runes from the floor and release Astral Bob's ghost."
Birog looked bewildered. "Harald and I did have a little meeting – he even made me tea – but I'm not sure that Harald would do anything for me. Honestly, Barcud."
I said, "I met Harald recently. And I assure you as sure as night follows day Harald loves you Birog."
Rohan darted a questioning look at Birog.
Her expression hardened. "Well the feeling is not reciprocated."
I cocked my head. "Do you think you could just play act that it was?"
Rohan said, "That's not ethical."
I sighed. "Neither was burning down Avalon or giving Pennred to the goblin King. I think we have to abandon our ethics for a while." I hoped my tone wasn't too sharp. I didn't want to offend Rohan. He might not agree with me but I saw he was pondering my words.
I turned back to the druidess. "What do you think about it Birog?"
She stared into the fire.
I continued. "It would really help the war effort. It would really help getting Astral Bob out of their prison. Otherwise they can keep him there until he gives up on the Greenwood completely."
Ixion frowned. "Are they really capable of giving another player that amount of grief?"
"Fully," I said.
"I hate to think of Astral Bob in that predicament," Rohan said.
"But Harald? Really?" Birog shook her head. "He's a monster". Then she smiled, "Funnily enough, when he took the Ring of Empathy by mistake I think I did see some good in him. Whether it was just due to the magical effect or whether the magical effect revealed something deeper down – something redeemable, I don't know..."
"Everyone is redeemable," Rohan said quietly.
"Even Harald Runestorm," I said. I was laying it on thick, but I needed to. I could see her begin to give way.
Birog gave a deep sigh. "Okay, I'll do it," she said. "I'll do it for Astral Bob, who was always a good friend to us, and," she turned to look at Rohan, "because you just reminded me that no one is beyond redemption – even Harald Runestorm."
She stood and dusted herself down." So, you want me to come with you now?"
"I guess so."
Harald Runestorm's tower was a long way to the east, almost as far as Salonika. Even though the Horrabians had claimed the Silver glades and placed their flags there, Ixion told me there had been no recent troop movements. He said, "I think they know we are here and are not wishing to pick a fight with us just yet. Not until they flatten Vinab. I guess then they'll turn to subdue us."
I said, "We won't let you down. If we have any troops to fight, we'll be your allies."
"And when even when our woods are a smoking wasteland, we'll be yours."
I clasped his hand. "It won't come to that. Meet us at the Stone Cross and together we'll throw the Horrabians back." I don't know whether he believed me when I said that, but I did. I had to.
"But now we need to see a cranky runesmith."
Satisfied that it was worth the risk to cross the continent rapidly, I whistled for Aquila and she came tumbling from the sky like a feathery thunderbolt, landing in front of us and blinking at me with her honeyed eyes. Rohan stood and blessed her. She listened to him as if she understood every word he said. Then she turned to preen the feathers at her neck, removed one with her amber beak and presented it to Rohan. He took it and bowed to the eagle.
Birog smiled and climbed on Aquila behind me.
As we were about to take off, Ixion said "We will see you in one day by the Stone Cross."
As we flew into the air, I knew we had one chance to rescue Astral Bob. If it didn't work the first time—if Harald wouldn't help us or we simply ran out of time - then I'd have to get back to the army and complete the march across from Woodheart to meet the centaurs at the Stone Cross.
It took us thirty minutes before we saw Harald's tower jutting into the sky to the north of the slopes of the Emerald Mountains. The foliage of Birnam Wood was in its summer glory and Harald's Tower rose stern and grey in its midst. We landed outside the tower and both dismounted from Aquila. I asked the eagle to remain there and wait for us.
Some gnome workers passed by and looked at us and the eagle with raised eyebrows. They hurried by without speaking.
I pushed open the heavy wooden door and the silver bell tinkled to let Harald know that customers had arrived. I heard his heavy tread descending the stone stairs and as he emerged tall, blond haired and bare-chested, sweating once again from his forging, he saw me and narrowed his eyes. "So, it's you, little ranger boy. What do you want?"
Then he noticed Birog standing beside me. His tone changed instantly. The fierce runesmith became the shy schoolboy. He even stuttered. "Birog, it's really nice to see you." He paused, flushed, and added. "I'm sorry about the cat."
Birog exhaled and shook her head.
I said, "Birog wants to ask you a favor."
He looked puzzled. "A favor?"
I prompted her. She was staring at the ground.
She cleared her throat. Still not meeting his eyes, she said, "Harald, you know my Guildmaster Rohan?"
"That long-haired hippie freak? Sure, I know him. What of it?"
Birog said, "Rohan believes that people can change. He believes that there's good in everyone."
"More fool him." Harald spat the words. "Me, I'm a grudge bearer..."
The light spell in the room made his face shine from the sweat. Despite his harsh words, he still stared shyly at Birog.
I interrupted them. He didn't look happy to be interrupted but he let me speak. He stared at me with narrowed eyes as I said, "About grudges." A tense silence filled the showroom, and I continued, "last time we met you were telling me about Attila..."
Harald growled, "That fucking bag of shit."
"Language! There's a lady present." Birog admonished him.
Harald looked to the ground. "Sorry, Birog. It just slipped out. I hate that bastard."
Birog was about to tell him off again when I put my hand on her arm and said, "Harald, how would you like to get revenge on Attila?"
He looked suspicious. "Revenge is sweet," he said. "But it depends who's serving it – does this mean me helping you, ranger boy?"
Harald might be psychopathic, dangerous, and lovesick, but he was pretty shrewd.
I said, "Yes it means helping me. But the real issue is hurting Attila."
"Hurting Attila..." He considered my words.
I continued, "Attila has captured and is torturing a friend of mine," I gestured to Birog "of ours."
He narrowed his eyes. "And who might that be?"
"Astral Bob."
Harald spat. "That astrologer fucker from Vinab? Why should I help that little turd?"
Birog said quietly, "Because I ask you to."
Harald's gaze shifted between me and Birog. He cracked his knuckles. "But I get to kill Attila?"
I said, "Absolutely."
"I'm not sure about kill—" Birog began.
"Well we'll see," I said.
Harald leaned both hands on the shop counter. "So where is your little pal Astral Bob?"
"He's locked up in the Warlocks’ Guild in Horrabia. Do you know it?"
"Know it? I helped build the fucking place."
"It's heavily runed, I believe," I said.
"Yep, but the runes were made by those piss poor farts in Horrabia, so are no match for my skills. I'll be able to roll those beginner efforts up into tiny balls of silver quicker than you can shake a shitty stick at...
"
He was about to make some obscene comparison but Birog snapped, "Harald enough of the cursing and swearing."
Harald sighed. "Okay," he said. "But just for you, though." He gave what I guessed he thought was a winning smile, but it was absolutely hideous. Birog did her best to smile back. Then I gave her a sideways look. She was a better actress than I thought. Then I looked again. I wasn't sure, but she seemed to be warming to Harald.
"So, when do we go?" the runesmith said.
"Like now?" I replied. "I need to call by Vinab and pick up Achilles." Ahn had doved me to let me know Achilles was up for the job.
Harald snorted. "Achilles – that little..."
"Harald, enough!"
I interrupted the lovers' tiff. "Let's go to Vinab. Do you have transport that can fly you there?"
Harald stepped up from behind the counter and tapped his shiny blue boots. "Boots of Flying, buster. Nothing better. Beats those pathetic eagles of yours."
"So, follow us to Vinab?"
"Follow you? I follow no one. I am Harald Runestorm. I think you'll find you'll be following me."
"Whatever."
"But," he added. "I'm enemied to Vinab. They'll attack me on sight if I go there."
"Okay. I can meet you at the Midnight Lake."
He gave another of his hideous grins. "On the eastern shore, I take it—not the Horrabian side. We wouldn't want you to get killed too soon little fella," Harald said.
"Fine, fine."
Birog brushed her dark hair behind her ear. She said, "I'll go with Harald."
I raised an eyebrow. She was really throwing herself into this role. What a girl. But even so... I protested she should come with me, but dismissing my concern, she nodded and said, "It'll be fine. Harald wouldn't harm me."
Harald shook his head vigorously. "I won't harm you Birog. And if anybody tries to lay a finger on you, I'll cut their fucking heads off."
She was about to tell him off again for his violent and intemperate language but I nodded quickly. "Okay that's it then. I'll see you on the eastern shores of the Midnight Lake as soon as I can."
