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[papa_laz]

Chapter 3 – Into the Void

“Luckily for all of us I managed to take a look at that useless captains map during the journey” says Lucia. “I don't think we're that far away from the bay.” Dalgrieve and the Bagman are still sitting on the sand, staring silently into the seething ocean, and Lucia is visibly irritated by their nonchalance. She decides to send Carlo the owl to scout the area. The three of them watch as the owl flies high into the air and eventually vanishes from sight. “I'm hungry” says the Bagman. “Any of you lizards got any food?” “I suppose we can go find some when the owl gets back” replies Lucia, knowing full well that she will be expected to do all the work.

They wait for about fifteen minutes before Carlo returns and perches on Lucia's shoulder. “Well, what did you see my feathered friend?” asks Lucia, using her unusual ability to communicate with animals. “I saw plenty” replies the bird, “but I'm a little peckish.” “I'll give you some food little one, but first tell me where the settlement is.” The owl looks indignant. “I know you don't have any food.” “Well, one of them will be dead soon” says Lucia, gesturing towards her two comrades, “and then we can both eat.” Carlo glances towards the uthuk cleric and the firenewt druid. “They look a bit tough.” Lucia sighs loudly in frustration. “Look, just tell me where we are and then I'll find you some food on the way.” Carlo at last seems satisfied with this deal and reveals the location of the slavers outpost to Lucia, who quickly passes the information on to Dalgrieve and the Bagman.

“Ten miles north” mutters the cleric. “That could take half a day.” “Well lets get moving then” says Lucia. “But first I want my gold back” she adds. The Bagman takes a large pouch form out of his sack and hands it to Lucia, but as he does so he attempts to skim a few coins from the top of the bag without her noticing, fails miserably, and manages to tip the contents onto the sand. Lucia gives him a death stare, before snatching the empty pouch from his hands and bending over to collect the coins. As she does this the Bagman once again rifles through his sack, then realises he has left his own money on the sunken boat. At that same moment he also realises he has lot his boots in the swell. He scowls, then kicks the sand with his bare feet.

The three mercenaries continue south along the beach, but after several minutes they decide to move inland and begin to search for food amongst the wasteland scrub. An hour of foraging yields several handfuls of berries and an assortment of dead rodents which they devour quickly. They continue along the beach for several hours until they notice a plume of black smoke billowing upwards in the distance. After an hour of uneventful travel they reach a small secluded cove which stands out due to the torches suspended on large metal poles that have been placed along the beach every 100 feet, presumably to act as beacons to passing ships. A well worn trail that slopes up a rocky embankment leading inland is clearly visible, and the mercenaries decide this is the obvious route to take.

They notice that the coolness of the beach is slowly fading, and as they move further inland the familiar sweltering heat of the Ilk washes over them. After following the ascending path for some minutes the mercenaries find themselves standing on a ridge overlooking a village several hundred yards to the east. The source of the smoke is now visible, and appears to be a large bonfire burning in between several stone buildings.

“Smells like death” mutters Lucia, who grits her teeth, then leads the party over the ridge and down towards the village.