A meandering route led them to a natural cavern, marked on the map as a haven, on day two. Day three started uneventfully. Yet the mood changed when Shin and Sally returned from an advanced scouting run midmorning.
“There is something out there,” said Shin, motioning to the northeast. “More than one creature. Sally caught scent of something ‘out of the ordinary.’ ”
“A pity ya haven’t trained her ta talk,” said Gnebnik. He turned to Lady Isylnoir. “Yer last signal was in this direction, right?”
“My reading this morning showed auras of moderate strength to the northeast and south,” said Lady Isylnoir. “But I did not anticipate either of them being this close. Unless it were a creature or creatures moving our direction.”
“Neither of you can tell exactly what it is?” said Lee.
“I do not believe it is a single large creature,” said Shin. “It could be another party of adventurers.”
“What about, um… brigands?” said Sam.
“Unlikely,” said Shin. “Brigands tend to stick to cities. We’re way off any beaten path in a rather dangerous area.”
“I don’t like gettin’ in a fight I can avoid,” said Gnebnik. “But I don’ think we’ll be able to avoid this, unless we go back an’ approach from a different direction. Better ta find out what it is on our terms.”
“Adventurer’s hail?” said Shin.
“Aye. An’ the rest of you be ready ta flee or fight once we see what we’re up against.”
Shin and Sally crept forward, disappearing behind the moss-covered trunk of a four-hundred-foot-tall evergreen tree after about a hundred paces.
A faint series of whistles sounded in the distance.
Lee leaned toward Gnebnik. “That’s a very good bird call. Is that the signal? A specific call?”
“Any ol’ call will do. The thing is the pattern.”
“It’s prime numbers,” said Sam. “Very clever.”
Another pair of whistles followed.
“It appears that it is indeed another party,” said Lady Isylnoir.
The group joined Shin, who was in partial cover behind the shattered stump of a recently-fallen evergreen. “Another hundred and fifty paces that way,” he whispered, motioning with his hand. “They countered correctly.”
“Why are we whispering, then?” said Lee. “Do we suspect an ambush.”
“Nay,” said Gnebnik. “But ther’s more out here than us an’ them. No use makin’ a ruckus.”
Another set of bird calls emanated from the forest ahead, with Shin responding in kind. A rider approached, flanked by a pair of armored warriors on foot.
“Him,” grumbled Gnebnik. “Lady Isylnoir, I assume you’ll be wantin’ ta handle the exchange.”
She nodded, riding the remaining forty paces flanked by Lee and Gnebnik.
The approaching rider was the epitome of a knight: clad in filigreed armor, fine cloth cloak, elaborate sword and scabbard. He was mounted atop a chestnut war horse over twenty hands high. With the exception of Lady Isylnoir’s mount, it was the most impressive horse Lee had ever seen. He removed a helm, revealing a strikingly handsome face with distinctively elven ears.
The remainder of his party, a dozen strong, emerged from the woods, though staying forty paces behind.
Lady Isylnoir raised a gloved hand to her brow. “Greetings. Master Teodrun, correct?”
The elf nodded and saluted.
“I am Lady Isylnoir, imperial liaison to Hazelhearth.”
“My lady.”
“We have received intelligence indicating a band of ogres may be operating in this area. We are on a scouting quest to determine what threat they pose to the area’s settlements and infrastructure. May I presume you are engaged in a quest as well?”
“Woodsmen from Irondale have gone missing.”
“Surely such a quest is unworthy of your talents, and such a large party.”
“True. But the city is short on firewood. The group was obliged to push far deeper into the forest than usual. As we were on a skirmishing patrol anyway, commissioned by the empire to eliminate any wild predators class four or higher, north of Irondale, we felt it was acceptable to investigate. Irondale is a valuable supply hub after all.”
“Great!” blurted Lee. “I’m sure ogres rate higher than class four. We’ll let you know when we find ’em.”
Lady Isylnoir shot Lee an icy glare. Which, since it was her most common glare, Lee had developed an immunity to.
“Our party has not encountered any class four or higher predators,” she said.
“We did come across an abandoned encampment that we suspect to have been ogres,” said Teodrun. “It was two days ago. We can mark the approximate location on a map, should you wish it.”
“It would appear we do not share a common goal. However, it might be prudent to make camp together this evening.”
“I would agree. It never hurts to share watch.”
The rest of the two parties joined them, exchanging salutations and names. Most of which Lee would managed to forget or mispronounce by the day’s end.
The two parties exchanged intelligence on the various beasts they had encountered or seen signs of, finally setting camp midafternoon. Teodrun was the only member of his group with a mount, and his party seemed to travel lighter than that of Gnebnik.
They assembled tents and set fire rings. Gnebnik and Lee shared a tent, as did Shin and Sam. Lady Isylnoir had her own tent, which was considerably larger than any of the others, though Teodrun’s may have come close. It was hexagonal in profile, and in contrast to the waist-high pup tents of the others, was tall enough to stand up in.
“So this is your tent,” said Lee.
Lady Isylnoir returned one of her practiced emotionless stares.
“Do you mind if I have a look?”
“You wish to see the inside of my tent?” Her voice managed to combine the subtleties of skepticism, disbelief, and suspicion with just a hint of incredulousness.
“I was just curious. It’s so much fancier than any I’ve ever seen before. I wanted to see if it were magic. Bigger on the inside than the outside. Or something like that.”
“It is an ordinary imperial tent from the corps of battlemages.” Lady Isylnoir tightened the last guyline. “And if I were to wish for any magical attributes, it would be self-assembly.”
“You seemed to be able to put it together pretty quickly,” said Lee. “No longer than any of the rest of us took.”
“I had to learn during my last campaign. Most porters were pressed into combat roles.”
“Oh.”
Lady Isylnoir stared at Lee. She furrowed her brow.
He gazed back expectantly.
She crossed her arms in front of her chest.
He smiled and nodded.
“Oh, fine. You may have a look. But don’t touch anything.”
“Yes, Ma’am!”
The party started their fire just prior to dusk, with Shin immediately starting the evening’s porridge and brewing a pot of herbal tea. The other party may have been strangers, but the bustle of so many additional adventurers took the edge off an ominous setting.
Teodrun nodded at Lady Isylnoir and sat next to her at one of the two fire rings.
“It surprises me that a battlemage would not have a larger party.”
“This was a last-minute assignment. I was regrettably not supplied with the appropriate support or resources.”
“So it would appear.” Teodrun glanced at the group, assessing each in quick succession. “Hazelhearth cannot offer you better than a dwarf, a grave robber, and a pair of neophytes?”
“It is inappropriate to speak ill of an imperial officer’s retinue, Master Teodrun.”
“No offense was meant, my lady, I simply meant that when my own quest is complete, I could offer the services of some of the adventurers in this party. Better-pedigreed adventurers more suitable to escort a battlemage.”
Lady Isylnoir nodded. “I appreciat
e your offer, Master Teodrun. I shall take it into consideration.”
The last streaks of violet faded with the twilight as Teodrun departed.
Lee finally broke a long silence. “So you’re used to having porters set up your tent for you?”
“Part of the standard imperial organization. Porters, cooks, servants, a dozen other functions. They allowed the battlemages to maintain peak efficiency. At level three we receive a personal assistant. At higher levels, more than one. Although the way things are going, I have my doubts.”
“Things going badly?”
“I do not wish to speak ill of the empire’s current situation.”
“Just trying to make conversation,” said Lee.
Lady Isylnoir stood. “I need to take the nightly reading on my magolabe.”
Lee looked across the fire at Shin. “That graverobber thing bothering you? Don’t let it get to you. People like that haven’t had to get their hands dirty.”
Shin sighed. “Teodrun is no idle gentleman. He wouldn’t be in his position if he were. But thank you.”
Chapter 20
Lady Isylnoir addressed Teodrun at his campfire with a subtle nod. “May I assume you do not have the benefit of a party member skilled in arcane detection?”
“We started the quest with two spellcasters. Regrettably one fell in battle. The remaining mage is the more skilled of the two, and quite good at offensive spellcasting, however.”
“I would have wished to confirm my readings with that of another mage,” said Lady Isylnoir. “However, as I am unable to do so, I must inform you that a significant aura draws near.”
“Can you apprise me of more specifics.” Teodrun straightened the position of his breastplate.
“Regrettably, I cannot. I observed a pair of moderately strong auras this morning, the one in this direction I assumed was your party. However my most recent reading indicates that my earlier assessment may have been erroneous.”
“Auralocation has its limitations, I suppose. Nevertheless, your advance warning is welcome. I shall send a ranger to determine specifics.”
“Two scouts would be quicker.”
“My own ranger will not be pleased to work with that grave robber, yet I fear it is unavoidable.”
Lady Isylnoir nodded, returned to the others, indicating the direction of her reading to Shin, who mounted and headed out.
Yet a scant five minutes later, Shin and Sally would return.
“That was quick,” said Gnebnik. “Ya forget somethin?”
Shin leapt off, immediately placing a hand under Sally’s scaly muzzle whilst stroking the top of her head with the other. “Easy girl, easy. I won’t let anything happen to you.” Sally’s movements were less fluid than usual, her reptilian eyes wide, tail twitchy.
“That ain’t good,” said Gnebnik. “What was it?”
“Basilisk,” said Shin. He turned to Sam and Lee, barking, “Get over here. Lee, take her reins. Keep a hand on her at all times, look her in the eyes and talk to her. Keep your voice low and calm. We have ten minutes at best, and I have to coordinate with the other party.” Shin darted off, leaving Lee the reins of a very nervous ospherant.
“Basilisk,” said Sam. “Big. Reptilian. Eight legs. There was something about turning people to stone with a gaze, but I assumed it was an exaggeration and stopped reading. Some of the descriptions in that bestiary tome seem more designed to frighten children than provide useful information.”
“I read the entire entry on that one,” said Lee. “And the most pertinent part at the moment is that they’re one of the natural predators of an ospherant.”
“No wonder Sally’s nervous.”
Shin returned a minute later. “It would seem they do not wish my assistance. And Sally is considered a liability as well.”
Gnebnik slapped Shin on the shoulder. “Yer skill with a crossbow can’t be denied. But get Sally and the rest of the mounts to the far end of camp. They’re too vulnerable. You’ll be on foot this time, ol’ friend.”
Gnebnik joined Lady Isylnoir, who was coordinating with Teodrun’s party, while Sam and Lee led the horses to the far side of camp. The mounts snorted and bucked as they secured them to a tree alongside Sally, who had calmed but a little.
A series of trills sounded at the opposite end of the clearing.
“The other party’s ranger is sounding off the creature’s approach,” said Shin. “It would appear that I am unable to perform any duties effectively.”
“Load armor piercing bolts,” said Gnebnik. He turned to Lee. “Yer now the linchpin of our party.”
“I’m ready to… what?”
The trills from Teodrun’s ranger sounded again, shorter this time.
“We live or die as a team now. Lady Isylnoir and Shin have the strongest attacks, but they need both hands free ta fight effectively. Equip yer tower shield. Sam and I will too, but you’re strongest, and carry the biggest shield. You are our strongest defense.”
“Right.”
Shin shook his head. His tail drooped, nearly dragging the ground. He handed them each a fist-sized cloth bag. “I am unaccustomed to taking such a defensive roll, but at least I can offer you this. If you come in contact with the creature’s saliva, apply this grit without delay.”
“If we have its saliva on us, isn’t it too late for first aid?” said Lee.
“A basilisk is no joke,” said Gnebnik.
“It spits an unpleasant concoction of fluids,” said Shin. “None of which you wish to come in contact with.”
“Like the gastropoid?”
“Nuthin’ like the gastropoid,” said Gnebnik.
“This is the ground husk of a prickly walnut,” said Shin. “It will at least prevent your flesh from being dissolved.”
“At least?” said Sam.
“They can spew a variety of fluids. Causing paralysis, predigestion, even a quick-setting resin to hold prey in place. That’s where the legend about petrification comes from.”
A singular trill sounded.
“Go time,” barked Gnebnik.
A pair of fighters from Teodrun’s party heaved extra wood on the campfires.
An irregular crashing sounded just outside camp. The cadence was alien, a stomping of eight stumpy legs.
Saplings at the edge of their vision whipped side to side. Shadows cast from the two blazing campfires swirled and shifted.
“I don’t see it,” said Lee. “It’s got to be close, but I don’t see it.”
“Color-shifting hide,” said Shin. “They are quite well camouflaged, despite their impressive size.”
“Lesson time is over. Lee, you’re on point. Our three shields are what stand between us and a nasty end.”
Lee gripped his shield, squared his stance, gaze directed just over the top of the massive rectangular shield. His right hand instinctively gripped the hilt of his sword.”
“No,” barked Gnebnik. “If that beastie gets close enough fer you ta hit it with yer sword, we’ve already lost. Concentrate on blocking. Active blocking.”
Great, thought Lee. I’m now quite literally a meat shield.
A shrub at the edge of camp was flattened as a reptilian muzzle, shoulders, and front limbs stormed into view.
Its shoulders and front limbs were bulky, like an elephant, yet ending in long claws, its head blunted, blocky, with bulbous jowls like an iguana. It stomped forward, entire body twisting side to side in lizard-like fashion. Pausing short of the first bonfire, it fixed its gaze on Teodrun’s party, the larger of the two.
Shin fired, landing a hit with an armor-piercing bolt just behind its front shoulders, the bolt penetrating halfway to the fletchings.
The basilisk whipped its head to face them, inflated its throat, and hurled a blob of viscous goo with a hacking cough.
Lee shifted his stance, overlapping the edge of his shield with Sam’s, the two of them together deflecting a bucketful of thick, venomous sludge.
A pair of longbow arrows from Teodrun�
�s party pierced the creature’s other flank. Its head and thick neck whipped to the other side, loosing another, much larger blast of sludge. A stocky human fighter nearly as tall as Lee shifted his shield in front of it, but the impact of half a cask’s worth of viscous goo knocked him off his feet.
Shin knelt behind the trio of shields to reload his heavy crossbow.
Lady Isylnoir sidestepped, extended her left arm in front, her right at her waist, elbow back, as if preparing to hurl a ball.
A flash of sparkles darted from her extended fingertips, striking the creature’s torso, glowing blue-white from the impact. She hurled a sphere of arcane light the size of a coconut, which smashed into the exact spot marked by her first strike. The ball seemed to shatter, as if it were made of the finest crystal, and a torrent of electric webbing enveloped the creature.
The basilisk convulsed, stumbled, three of its eight legs buckling completely underneath it. Its head lolled, it bit its own forked tongue, shrieking in anger as it did.
“Nice shot,” said Lee.
Lady Isylnoir nodded as she darted into cover behind him, though this was not visible to Lee.
One of Teodrune’s archers loosed another arrow into the creature’s flank, yet this one ricocheted off its scaly armored hide. Teodrune’s mage stepped from behind the shield wall to unleash a jet of flame from her palm, striking the creature’s neck.
The basilisk bellowed, righted itself, and spun, its husky body twirling at an alarming speed. It whipped its long tail at the shield bearers of Teodrune’s party, striking two and grazing a third. The impact smashed through their armor, the buckling of metal followed by a dull crunching of bone and squishing of flesh as the two warriors were hurled a dozen paces, like a can kicked by an angry child. They landed, tumbling another half dozen paces. One of the pair coughed, the other remained motionless.
“Teodrun’s too far forward,” growled Gnebnik.
Lee’s left forearm stung, as if a burning ember had fallen on it. He glanced at it: a few drops of the basilisk’s venomous sludge from its first attack had dribbled down the back of his shield, eaten its way through leather and cloth, and was burning into his flesh. He grabbed the little sack from Shin, scattering a handful of grit over his forearm. The wound burned, but didn’t deepen.
Hazelhearth Hires Heroes Page 19
