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Story Hour
Milo Windby's Collected Story Hour
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<blockquote data-quote="Milo Windby" data-source="post: 1678" data-attributes="member: 202"><p><strong>Keep of the Borderlands -part five (session two)</strong></p><p></p><p>Keep of the Borderlands -part five (session two)</p><p>--------------------------------------- </p><p></p><p><em>"This time you guys go first,"</em> Milo said as he held his hand to one of his wounds. <em>"I don't feel all that good."</em></p><p></p><p>The four of them started down the southern passage, moving as quietly as possible. Considering one of them was a dwarf in a breastplate, it wasn't too quiet. Brigit and Jeremiah led the way with Mazi and Milo a short pace behind. They were all battle ready, with weapons drawn. No way they were going to be taken by surprise. If there were any goblins left, they were making themselves scarce. The party met no resistance as they explored the passages out of the room. Eventually they came to a large cavern stacked to the ceiling with boxes and barrels, large sacks lay strewn about. Milo's jaw dropped. </p><p></p><p><em>"What I wouldn't give for a couple of packhorses right now,"</em> he said. <em>"Imagine how much in goods there is here!"</em></p><p></p><p><em>"Beer, beer, beer. Ain't there any good dwarven ale in these barrels?"</em> Brigit could be heard to say while looking over the stacked barrels in one corner. </p><p></p><p>Mazi just shook her head at the two of them while Jeremiah headed over to where Brigit was running her hands over some smaller casks of alcohol. <em>"Beer?"</em> was the only word he uttered.</p><p></p><p>They had found what became of the caravan. The caravan's goods at least, still no sign of the drivers and the leader or his wife. Milo turned to his companions and began to discuss how they would search the room for the more valuable goods to haul back to the keep. As the four of them considered the finer points of a nice orderly search they heard a small rumbling. A piece of the wall they were facing opened outward and four equally surprised hobgoblins stood before them. </p><p></p><p><em>"Get em guys!"</em> Milo shouted as Brigit and Mazi surged forward to engage the startled monsters. </p><p></p><p>Brigit reached them first, her short legs propelling her forward with her ax raised high. Her attack barely missed the leading hobgoblin's shoulder, bringing a smile from its lips and a curse from hers. The hobgoblin attempted to return the favor but missed its mark as well, that time the smile was Brigit's as she avoided next blow from the other creature. The two remaining beasts had no more luck than their allies did when they swung wildly at the nimble elf, Mazi. She easily dodged their blows with a mocking grace. Unfortunately She failed to connect with her longsword as well. Milo stood back and fired his crossbow at one of the ugly brutes, pegging him square in the shoulder. The beast grunted as it was pushed back a bit, but continued to press its attack. Behind Brigit and Mazi, still wounded from the previous battle, Jeremiah made a surprisingly wise decision and drew his bow rather than joining the sword fight. </p><p></p><p>Brigit completed another fruitless arc with her waraxe, again barely missing her target. The two hobgoblins arrayed against her grinned again as they attacked. Both swords bounced harmlessly off her shield and a grim smile reappeared on her face. Mazi spun her sword through the air, dazzling her opponent before running it through. She danced away from the falling body as she withdrew her weapon from its body. Meanwhile Milo had reloaded his light crossbow and thunked another arrow into the same hobgoblin he hit before. This time he pierced a vital organ and was rewarded with the sight of another fallen enemy. He crowed victory as he reloaded his crossbow, preparing for another strike. Next to him Jeremiah knocked his first arrow to the bow and let it fly. The close melee made it hard to find a mark and his arrow flew wide. </p><p></p><p>By that time Brigit had grown frustrated with her inability to slay one of these goblinoid creatures. She let loose a warcry and nearly hacked one of the two remaining hobgoblins nearly in twain. Its lone companion realized its plight a moment too late. It attempted to strike Brigit before turning to flee, the beast's sword bouncing off her armor. It never had a chance to turn around before Mazi's longsword came down in a diagonal slice, cutting its body open from shoulder to hip. </p><p></p><p><em>"Well, that wasn't so bad,"</em> said Milo as he lowered his crossbow. <em>"Goblins, hobgoblins, ogres, whatever! Let em come, we can take em!"</em> This time all three of his companions shook their head at the diminutive halfling.</p><p></p><p><em>"What?"</em> Milo said loudly, <em>"I'm serious!"</em> He paused as he seemed to think about things a little longer. <em>"Then again, Jeremiah and I probably couldn't take much more punishment."</em></p><p></p><p><em>"Why don't we block this door off and find out what's in the other room we saw on the way over here?"</em> Mazi suggested.</p><p></p><p><em>"Alright, I guess we can pile up some of this stuff in front of the door. Some of those crates are pretty heavy, it should keep whoever else from that side of the door out."</em> Milo said.</p><p></p><p><em> don't think they might break through then?"</em> replied Brigit. Milo couldn't be sure, but there might have been a hopeful tone to her voice.</p><p></p><p><em>"With the amount of goods we can pile in front of that thing, they'd have to be pretty dang big to push through."</em> Answered Milo.</p><p></p><p><em>"Ach, I guess so."</em> Brigit sounded disappointed.</p><p></p><p>The four of them set about the room, finding the heaviest things they could carry to stack in the way of the swing-out wall. Brigit could be seen shoving a huge box of pewter pots and dishes, Jeremiah strained at heaving a crate of horseshoes and pot metal. Mazi rolled a few barrels of fish and beer to stack on top of the boxes and crates Brigit and Jer hauled over. Milo did his best, hauling a couple of casks of wine to place neatly on top of the pile. </p><p></p><p><em>"There,"</em> he said, wiping off his hands. <em>"That should keep em out,"</em> he finished with satisfaction. </p><p></p><p>They filed out of the room as Mazi and Brigit once again took point. Back in the warrens they decided to head west. One dead end and another non-trapped door later they made their way into a medium sized, well-furnished room. There was actually a bed here, along with a chair and a table. Hmmm, thought Milo, single bed and nice furniture, this has got to be the leader's room. After expressing this theory Milo went into search mode. He looked all over the room, finding a bag full of copper, silver, and gold. Eagerly opening another bag they discovered, Milo's senses were assaulted by a foul stench. Inside was a half eaten, moldy piece of cheese. </p><p></p><p><em>"Ugh, no thanks,"</em> he said, moving on to look under the bed. </p><p></p><p>He struck gold there, or rather silver, as he pulled a beautifully crafted silver cup from under the unkempt bed. Just looking at it he could tell it would be worth right around another ninety gold pieces. His eyes glinted with something more than the reflection of silver. In the chair Brigit found a secret drawer under the cushion. She called Milo over to check it for any traps or locks. After looking over the hidden space carefully he declared that it was just a normal secret compartment and it could be opened without worry. Inside was a richly woven tapestry, gold and silver thread interwoven throughout material. Milo glanced once at it and declared it practically worthless. Before Brigit tossed it away Jeremiah broke his usual silence and asked to see. Exhibiting an amazing eye for detail, especially for one such as he, Jer pointed out the gold and silver filaments in the cloth. He finished by saying it had to be worth at least another hundred gold. </p><p></p><p><em>"Worth more than the cup? Not likely,"</em> Milo scoffed, <em>"you can hang onto it if you like, I'm not hauling it out of here."</em> He was never all that interested in wall hangings or the like. </p><p></p><p>They determined that all of value had been found and trooped out of the goblin leader's room. Besides the secret door they had blocked, this end of the cavern had been completely investigated. The four of them decided to find out what was at the other end of the long passage. They passed the cavern entrance where they vanquished the ogre days ago and continued up the diagonal passage towards the Southeast. After one dead-end branch they came to a widening of the passage that ended in another room. All they found here was a barrel of spears, 3 score or so, Milo guessed. Jeremiah grabbed one of them, figuring it might come in handy. They decided to leave the rest on move on. </p><p></p><p>Another passage branched out from the opposite end of the room. It began to lead up a sloping ramp. After a corner and more upwards climbing they spied a closed door. The party conferred about the wisdom of continuing on past the door. With Milo still bleeding through the crude bandages he patched together with rags and Jeremiah feeling just about as bad, they all decided to head back to the keep for a well deserved rest. The caves weren't going anywhere after all. </p><p></p><p>Milo and his friends trooped out of the caverns in good spirits. They saw no more goblins or hobgoblins on their way and they were feeling pretty confident, despite the wounds they were dealt. They had come out on top this foray and not one of them was lost to the goblinoid buggers. The four made their way back to the crest of the hill they camped at the night before. Mazi volunteered to take first watch, then Brigit, Jeremiah, and finally Milo. They went this night without a fire, still aware that more creatures may venture from the caves and realizing that the top of a hill is not the best place to light a fire when you're trying to be inconspicuous. </p><p></p><p>The night fell and Milo drifted off to sleep. He slept deeper than usual that night, so deep his normally edgy reflexes relaxed and he started to dream: </p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Your eyes have been closed for what seems to be only a moment when you feel surrounded by a bright light. A portly halfling appears before you, smile on his face, glowing radiantly. "My boy, I have been watching you and you have something that I like. Spunk. So I have decided to take you under my wing." A serious look overcomes his face. He reaches over and touches you on the forehead with his finger, "You now have My Mark...I have chosen you to be My hands in this matter...do not fail Me. Have faith and courage and you shall succeed. Beware the Evil, it shall attempt to enslave you My boy." The light fades and the halfling disappears. </strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p>Milo awoke with a start. He realized that it was morning now, somehow one of his friends on watch fell asleep as well. <em>"So much for elves not having to sleep,"</em> he joked to Mazi. She had fallen asleep as soon as the rest of the group drifted off. <em>"You know, I had the weirdest dream."</em></p><p></p><p><em>"So did I!"</em> said Mazi.</p><p></p><p><em>"Was there a halfling in yours?"</em> Milo asked, half jokingly, half hopefully. He didn't recognize the halfling in his dream, though he was obviously important, even holy. He felt uplifted, bolstered in spirit. It was as if a part of him that had been dormant, sleeping, had awakened. He remembered many of his father's teachings, they came flooding back to him in a staggering burst. He also realized that he could remember things that he never even knew. Divine spells, their somatic and verbal components leaping to mind. He felt stronger in body as well as in spirit. </p><p></p><p><em>"No,"</em> replied Mazi, looking at him funny. <em>"No halflings."</em> She muttered something about <em>"darn trees"</em> under her breath though. Odd, another mystery for Milo to figure out. There seemed to be a lot of those cropping up lately.</p><p></p><p><em>"I dreamt too,"</em> Brigit said, she seemed a little shaky. <em>"Don't think I wanna talk about it."</em></p><p></p><p><em>"Do I have a mark on my forehead?"</em> Milo asked Brigit as he held up the hair above his brow.</p><p></p><p><em>"No, ya don't. Yer actin strange, Milo."</em> she responded.</p><p></p><p>Milo masked his surprise over the newfound knowledge and strength by changing the subject. <em>"And you, our savage friend, did you have any dreams last night?"</em> he said as he turned to Jeremiah.</p><p></p><p><em>"Yes, I dreamt that I fought a giant ogre and killed him with my sword, then I fought a man with a bull's head-"</em> Jeremiah started.</p><p></p><p><em>"Ah! A minotaur."</em> Milo said sagely.</p><p></p><p>Jeremiah glanced at him for a moment after the interruption. He continued, <em>"but I didn't beat him, I woke up first."</em></p><p></p><p><em>"Very strange goings on here. Do either of you want to talk about your dreams?"</em> Milo asked Brigit and Mazi.</p><p></p><p><em>"Nah."</em> said Brigit, still looking a little shaken.</p><p></p><p><em>"No, I don't."</em> answered Mazi.</p><p></p><p><em>"Well, I feel different. I think that's all I'll say about mine right now. I have some things to figure out. Shall we head out to the Keep then?"</em> he asked while gathering up his bedroll.</p><p> </p><p>The four broke camp in relative silence. Each of them reflected on what they dreamt the night before. Milo was in a good mood though, and he tried to cheer up the rest of the group as best he could. They struck out about an hour after dawn and made it back to the keep by evening. Again they noticed the lack of people on the roads, no other travelers, no caravans, no brigands or bandits. Not even the animals of the woods crossed their path. </p><p></p><p>They met the guard and were let in without a challenge, they were recognized from their last return trip. Their first destination was the church and the priest's quarters. An acolyte ushered them in almost immediately. The priest stood to meet them, a grave expression on his face.</p><p></p><p><em>"Welcome adventurers. I have news."</em> he started in a low, strained voice. <em>"This disease that has plagued our Keep is beyond my powers to abolish. I have sent word to the duke of our plight, but it is unlikely that help will arrive in time."</em> He shook his head sadly. <em>"The people are dying, and I must ask for your aid. Last night I had a vision-"</em></p><p></p><p><em>"You too?"</em> Milo interrupted with a startled glance to his compatriots.</p><p></p><p><em>"I know not of what dreams you may have had. In my vision I beheld a cup, crusted with blood. It was a thing of great evil. It was revealed to me as the source of this plague. You, halfling, filled the cup with blessed water. You, dwarf, destroyed the cup with a bright hammer. This vision must come to pass or the people of this Keep are doomed. Will you help us?"</em></p><p></p><p>The four of them spoke briefly, coming to a unanimous decision quickly. <em>"We will aid you in this. What is it we should do, where is this cup?"</em> Milo spoke for the others.</p><p></p><p><em>"The cup is in the caves you have already visited. Take this scroll, halfling, it contains on it a blessing that you must confer upon the cup after it is filled with holy water."</em> the old priest said as he handed a rolled parchment to Milo. <em>"A warning though, do not touch the cup, it is evil and will corrupt you completely. You must not touch the cup."</em></p><p></p><p><em>"Got it, don't touch the cup. Okay, no cup touching here, understood."</em> Milo answered, a little excited at the role he was to play in this new quest.</p><p></p><p><em>"Now you, brave dwarf, you must destroy the cup with the blessed hammer of my dreams. Even now I have the Keep's blacksmith crafting the hammer. It will be for this one purpose only and we will invoke the gods' blessing upon it when it is completed."</em> He said to Brigit. <em>"Now, I have good news. You will not be alone in this quest. Two of our men-at-arms will aid you."</em> He called to his acolyte and spoke to him briefly. The young robed man rushed from the room and returned shortly, followed by two armored men. <em>"This is Maruf,"</em> the priest said as he pointed to a swarthy man in a blue surcoat. <em>"And this is Thorgrim,"</em> he finished as he pointed to the other, more fair skinned warrior in chain.</p><p></p><p>After greetings were exchanged Milo asked the two fighters, <em>"That's great, but we found that the last two hired hands we brought with us were pretty inexperienced in melee. Have you two seen battle?"</em></p><p></p><p>Maruf answered by pulling a longsword and a dagger from their sheaths and dazzling them all with a graceful display in the cramped office.</p><p></p><p><em>"Aye, he can swing a sword."</em> Brigit said as she ducked instinctively. Her breastplate and shield might protect her well in active combat but she wasn't too keen on the swords swinging near her in this packed office. <em>"I'm willin ta bet ya can fight too, no need ta whip yer weapons out too."</em> she mentioned to Thorgrim. He just smiled.</p><p></p><p><em>"Well, friends, it will be another day before the hammer is completed and it grows late. Please return to the inn and come here in the morning. We will impart to you the hammer and any other help we can give."</em> the priest said as he dismissed the party. </p><p></p><p>They headed off to the inn above the tavern, had a light dinner and retired for the evening. The next morning found the four adventurers with their two new members at the front of the chapel. The priest came outside to the morning light to greet the group. <em>"Well met, friends. We are about to start the ceremony to bless the hammer."</em> He said. <em>"We also blessed these vials with healing spells, there is enough for each of you to carry two,"</em> he stated as he handed eight potions to the group, each of them stowing two into their packs. <em>"They will strengthen you when you are wounded. Now I must return and begin the rites."</em></p><p></p><p><em>"Um, excuse me,"</em> Milo started before the priest could turn to enter the chapel. <em>"I'd like to spend some time in your library. I have some-ER-religious questions that I'd like to have answered."</em></p><p></p><p><em>"You are welcome to any knowledge we have to impart."</em> the priest answered kindly, <em>"I'm afraid our library is rather limited. You are welcome to any aid my acolytes and scribe can give you."</em> </p><p></p><p>Milo spent the day poring over the few books the priest had in his library, searching for any mention of the halfling from his dream. Neither the books nor the scribe could aid him though. Even the priest admitted he was unfamiliar with the figure after he emerged from the room where the rite was being held. He requested that Milo fetch his friends, the hammer was ready. </p><p></p><p>When the others arrived he presented Brigit with a glowing hammer. It was of normal size and shape for a carpenter's hammer but it was metal from haft to head. The smooth surface glowed with a warm light. Brigit smiled as she picked up the hammer from the priest's open hands. </p><p></p><p><em>"Remember, you must not touch the cups. First fill it with the holy water you have, bless the cup Milo, and then destroy it with the hammer, Brigit."</em> he said as he made a religious sign with his hands. <em>"Now I bid you farewell, please do not fail us." </em></p><p></p><p>It was afternoon when the six set out for the caves once again. Milo found on the way that Jeremiah was indeed right about the tapestry, they managed to sell it for nine hundred gold! Live and learn, he thought, maybe there is something to tapestries and wall hangings. The silver cup did garner the group ninety more gold. Mazi had exchanged the gold for platinum and the four of them split the earnings on the way to the caves. They left a few platinum and gold in a 'party fund' for unforeseen expenses and the like. </p><p></p><p>The group made good time and arrived at their campsite as dusk deepened into dark. All six of the party members took a turn at watch, none slept past their allotted time, and no one dreamed anything out of the ordinary. </p><p></p><p>The next morning Milo felt refreshed. He said a short mental prayer to powers that be. <em>"I don't know who you are, but you've awakened something in me. Whatever it is has already changed my life. I hope you know what you're doing, because I sure don't. Anyway, keep my friends safe and allow me to aid them as I can. Well, um, what do you want, I'm new to this holy thing. Oh, and don't let our new companions die this time, please?"</em> Milo felt a little silly, he hadn't prayed since he left home, and then they were the memorized prayers of his father's. </p><p></p><p>Well, he thought, it can't hurt, right? </p><p></p><p>With that the adventurers headed the rest of the way to the caves, pausing at the mouth near the ogre's den to group. <em>"Once more into the warrens, right guys?"</em> Milo said as he readied his crossbow and headed in, taking the scouting position again. </p><p></p><p>Brigit and Jeremiah followed with Mazi close behind. Maruf and Thorgrim brought up the rear, keeping their guards up.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Milo Windby, post: 1678, member: 202"] [b]Keep of the Borderlands -part five (session two)[/b] Keep of the Borderlands -part five (session two) --------------------------------------- [I]"This time you guys go first,"[/I] Milo said as he held his hand to one of his wounds. [I]"I don't feel all that good."[/I] The four of them started down the southern passage, moving as quietly as possible. Considering one of them was a dwarf in a breastplate, it wasn't too quiet. Brigit and Jeremiah led the way with Mazi and Milo a short pace behind. They were all battle ready, with weapons drawn. No way they were going to be taken by surprise. If there were any goblins left, they were making themselves scarce. The party met no resistance as they explored the passages out of the room. Eventually they came to a large cavern stacked to the ceiling with boxes and barrels, large sacks lay strewn about. Milo's jaw dropped. [I]"What I wouldn't give for a couple of packhorses right now,"[/I] he said. [I]"Imagine how much in goods there is here!"[/I] [I]"Beer, beer, beer. Ain't there any good dwarven ale in these barrels?"[/I] Brigit could be heard to say while looking over the stacked barrels in one corner. Mazi just shook her head at the two of them while Jeremiah headed over to where Brigit was running her hands over some smaller casks of alcohol. [I]"Beer?"[/I] was the only word he uttered. They had found what became of the caravan. The caravan's goods at least, still no sign of the drivers and the leader or his wife. Milo turned to his companions and began to discuss how they would search the room for the more valuable goods to haul back to the keep. As the four of them considered the finer points of a nice orderly search they heard a small rumbling. A piece of the wall they were facing opened outward and four equally surprised hobgoblins stood before them. [I]"Get em guys!"[/I] Milo shouted as Brigit and Mazi surged forward to engage the startled monsters. Brigit reached them first, her short legs propelling her forward with her ax raised high. Her attack barely missed the leading hobgoblin's shoulder, bringing a smile from its lips and a curse from hers. The hobgoblin attempted to return the favor but missed its mark as well, that time the smile was Brigit's as she avoided next blow from the other creature. The two remaining beasts had no more luck than their allies did when they swung wildly at the nimble elf, Mazi. She easily dodged their blows with a mocking grace. Unfortunately She failed to connect with her longsword as well. Milo stood back and fired his crossbow at one of the ugly brutes, pegging him square in the shoulder. The beast grunted as it was pushed back a bit, but continued to press its attack. Behind Brigit and Mazi, still wounded from the previous battle, Jeremiah made a surprisingly wise decision and drew his bow rather than joining the sword fight. Brigit completed another fruitless arc with her waraxe, again barely missing her target. The two hobgoblins arrayed against her grinned again as they attacked. Both swords bounced harmlessly off her shield and a grim smile reappeared on her face. Mazi spun her sword through the air, dazzling her opponent before running it through. She danced away from the falling body as she withdrew her weapon from its body. Meanwhile Milo had reloaded his light crossbow and thunked another arrow into the same hobgoblin he hit before. This time he pierced a vital organ and was rewarded with the sight of another fallen enemy. He crowed victory as he reloaded his crossbow, preparing for another strike. Next to him Jeremiah knocked his first arrow to the bow and let it fly. The close melee made it hard to find a mark and his arrow flew wide. By that time Brigit had grown frustrated with her inability to slay one of these goblinoid creatures. She let loose a warcry and nearly hacked one of the two remaining hobgoblins nearly in twain. Its lone companion realized its plight a moment too late. It attempted to strike Brigit before turning to flee, the beast's sword bouncing off her armor. It never had a chance to turn around before Mazi's longsword came down in a diagonal slice, cutting its body open from shoulder to hip. [I]"Well, that wasn't so bad,"[/I] said Milo as he lowered his crossbow. [I]"Goblins, hobgoblins, ogres, whatever! Let em come, we can take em!"[/I] This time all three of his companions shook their head at the diminutive halfling. [I]"What?"[/I] Milo said loudly, [I]"I'm serious!"[/I] He paused as he seemed to think about things a little longer. [I]"Then again, Jeremiah and I probably couldn't take much more punishment."[/I] [I]"Why don't we block this door off and find out what's in the other room we saw on the way over here?"[/I] Mazi suggested. [I]"Alright, I guess we can pile up some of this stuff in front of the door. Some of those crates are pretty heavy, it should keep whoever else from that side of the door out."[/I] Milo said. [I] don't think they might break through then?"[/I] replied Brigit. Milo couldn't be sure, but there might have been a hopeful tone to her voice. [I]"With the amount of goods we can pile in front of that thing, they'd have to be pretty dang big to push through."[/I] Answered Milo. [I]"Ach, I guess so."[/I] Brigit sounded disappointed. The four of them set about the room, finding the heaviest things they could carry to stack in the way of the swing-out wall. Brigit could be seen shoving a huge box of pewter pots and dishes, Jeremiah strained at heaving a crate of horseshoes and pot metal. Mazi rolled a few barrels of fish and beer to stack on top of the boxes and crates Brigit and Jer hauled over. Milo did his best, hauling a couple of casks of wine to place neatly on top of the pile. [I]"There,"[/I] he said, wiping off his hands. [I]"That should keep em out,"[/I] he finished with satisfaction. They filed out of the room as Mazi and Brigit once again took point. Back in the warrens they decided to head west. One dead end and another non-trapped door later they made their way into a medium sized, well-furnished room. There was actually a bed here, along with a chair and a table. Hmmm, thought Milo, single bed and nice furniture, this has got to be the leader's room. After expressing this theory Milo went into search mode. He looked all over the room, finding a bag full of copper, silver, and gold. Eagerly opening another bag they discovered, Milo's senses were assaulted by a foul stench. Inside was a half eaten, moldy piece of cheese. [I]"Ugh, no thanks,"[/I] he said, moving on to look under the bed. He struck gold there, or rather silver, as he pulled a beautifully crafted silver cup from under the unkempt bed. Just looking at it he could tell it would be worth right around another ninety gold pieces. His eyes glinted with something more than the reflection of silver. In the chair Brigit found a secret drawer under the cushion. She called Milo over to check it for any traps or locks. After looking over the hidden space carefully he declared that it was just a normal secret compartment and it could be opened without worry. Inside was a richly woven tapestry, gold and silver thread interwoven throughout material. Milo glanced once at it and declared it practically worthless. Before Brigit tossed it away Jeremiah broke his usual silence and asked to see. Exhibiting an amazing eye for detail, especially for one such as he, Jer pointed out the gold and silver filaments in the cloth. He finished by saying it had to be worth at least another hundred gold. [I]"Worth more than the cup? Not likely,"[/I] Milo scoffed, [I]"you can hang onto it if you like, I'm not hauling it out of here."[/I] He was never all that interested in wall hangings or the like. They determined that all of value had been found and trooped out of the goblin leader's room. Besides the secret door they had blocked, this end of the cavern had been completely investigated. The four of them decided to find out what was at the other end of the long passage. They passed the cavern entrance where they vanquished the ogre days ago and continued up the diagonal passage towards the Southeast. After one dead-end branch they came to a widening of the passage that ended in another room. All they found here was a barrel of spears, 3 score or so, Milo guessed. Jeremiah grabbed one of them, figuring it might come in handy. They decided to leave the rest on move on. Another passage branched out from the opposite end of the room. It began to lead up a sloping ramp. After a corner and more upwards climbing they spied a closed door. The party conferred about the wisdom of continuing on past the door. With Milo still bleeding through the crude bandages he patched together with rags and Jeremiah feeling just about as bad, they all decided to head back to the keep for a well deserved rest. The caves weren't going anywhere after all. Milo and his friends trooped out of the caverns in good spirits. They saw no more goblins or hobgoblins on their way and they were feeling pretty confident, despite the wounds they were dealt. They had come out on top this foray and not one of them was lost to the goblinoid buggers. The four made their way back to the crest of the hill they camped at the night before. Mazi volunteered to take first watch, then Brigit, Jeremiah, and finally Milo. They went this night without a fire, still aware that more creatures may venture from the caves and realizing that the top of a hill is not the best place to light a fire when you're trying to be inconspicuous. The night fell and Milo drifted off to sleep. He slept deeper than usual that night, so deep his normally edgy reflexes relaxed and he started to dream: [B] Your eyes have been closed for what seems to be only a moment when you feel surrounded by a bright light. A portly halfling appears before you, smile on his face, glowing radiantly. "My boy, I have been watching you and you have something that I like. Spunk. So I have decided to take you under my wing." A serious look overcomes his face. He reaches over and touches you on the forehead with his finger, "You now have My Mark...I have chosen you to be My hands in this matter...do not fail Me. Have faith and courage and you shall succeed. Beware the Evil, it shall attempt to enslave you My boy." The light fades and the halfling disappears. [/B] Milo awoke with a start. He realized that it was morning now, somehow one of his friends on watch fell asleep as well. [I]"So much for elves not having to sleep,"[/I] he joked to Mazi. She had fallen asleep as soon as the rest of the group drifted off. [I]"You know, I had the weirdest dream."[/I] [I]"So did I!"[/I] said Mazi. [I]"Was there a halfling in yours?"[/I] Milo asked, half jokingly, half hopefully. He didn't recognize the halfling in his dream, though he was obviously important, even holy. He felt uplifted, bolstered in spirit. It was as if a part of him that had been dormant, sleeping, had awakened. He remembered many of his father's teachings, they came flooding back to him in a staggering burst. He also realized that he could remember things that he never even knew. Divine spells, their somatic and verbal components leaping to mind. He felt stronger in body as well as in spirit. [I]"No,"[/I] replied Mazi, looking at him funny. [I]"No halflings."[/I] She muttered something about [I]"darn trees"[/I] under her breath though. Odd, another mystery for Milo to figure out. There seemed to be a lot of those cropping up lately. [I]"I dreamt too,"[/I] Brigit said, she seemed a little shaky. [I]"Don't think I wanna talk about it."[/I] [I]"Do I have a mark on my forehead?"[/I] Milo asked Brigit as he held up the hair above his brow. [I]"No, ya don't. Yer actin strange, Milo."[/I] she responded. Milo masked his surprise over the newfound knowledge and strength by changing the subject. [I]"And you, our savage friend, did you have any dreams last night?"[/I] he said as he turned to Jeremiah. [I]"Yes, I dreamt that I fought a giant ogre and killed him with my sword, then I fought a man with a bull's head-"[/I] Jeremiah started. [I]"Ah! A minotaur."[/I] Milo said sagely. Jeremiah glanced at him for a moment after the interruption. He continued, [I]"but I didn't beat him, I woke up first."[/I] [I]"Very strange goings on here. Do either of you want to talk about your dreams?"[/I] Milo asked Brigit and Mazi. [I]"Nah."[/I] said Brigit, still looking a little shaken. [I]"No, I don't."[/I] answered Mazi. [I]"Well, I feel different. I think that's all I'll say about mine right now. I have some things to figure out. Shall we head out to the Keep then?"[/I] he asked while gathering up his bedroll. The four broke camp in relative silence. Each of them reflected on what they dreamt the night before. Milo was in a good mood though, and he tried to cheer up the rest of the group as best he could. They struck out about an hour after dawn and made it back to the keep by evening. Again they noticed the lack of people on the roads, no other travelers, no caravans, no brigands or bandits. Not even the animals of the woods crossed their path. They met the guard and were let in without a challenge, they were recognized from their last return trip. Their first destination was the church and the priest's quarters. An acolyte ushered them in almost immediately. The priest stood to meet them, a grave expression on his face. [I]"Welcome adventurers. I have news."[/I] he started in a low, strained voice. [I]"This disease that has plagued our Keep is beyond my powers to abolish. I have sent word to the duke of our plight, but it is unlikely that help will arrive in time."[/I] He shook his head sadly. [I]"The people are dying, and I must ask for your aid. Last night I had a vision-"[/I] [I]"You too?"[/I] Milo interrupted with a startled glance to his compatriots. [I]"I know not of what dreams you may have had. In my vision I beheld a cup, crusted with blood. It was a thing of great evil. It was revealed to me as the source of this plague. You, halfling, filled the cup with blessed water. You, dwarf, destroyed the cup with a bright hammer. This vision must come to pass or the people of this Keep are doomed. Will you help us?"[/I] The four of them spoke briefly, coming to a unanimous decision quickly. [I]"We will aid you in this. What is it we should do, where is this cup?"[/I] Milo spoke for the others. [I]"The cup is in the caves you have already visited. Take this scroll, halfling, it contains on it a blessing that you must confer upon the cup after it is filled with holy water."[/I] the old priest said as he handed a rolled parchment to Milo. [I]"A warning though, do not touch the cup, it is evil and will corrupt you completely. You must not touch the cup."[/I] [I]"Got it, don't touch the cup. Okay, no cup touching here, understood."[/I] Milo answered, a little excited at the role he was to play in this new quest. [I]"Now you, brave dwarf, you must destroy the cup with the blessed hammer of my dreams. Even now I have the Keep's blacksmith crafting the hammer. It will be for this one purpose only and we will invoke the gods' blessing upon it when it is completed."[/I] He said to Brigit. [I]"Now, I have good news. You will not be alone in this quest. Two of our men-at-arms will aid you."[/I] He called to his acolyte and spoke to him briefly. The young robed man rushed from the room and returned shortly, followed by two armored men. [I]"This is Maruf,"[/I] the priest said as he pointed to a swarthy man in a blue surcoat. [I]"And this is Thorgrim,"[/I] he finished as he pointed to the other, more fair skinned warrior in chain. After greetings were exchanged Milo asked the two fighters, [I]"That's great, but we found that the last two hired hands we brought with us were pretty inexperienced in melee. Have you two seen battle?"[/I] Maruf answered by pulling a longsword and a dagger from their sheaths and dazzling them all with a graceful display in the cramped office. [I]"Aye, he can swing a sword."[/I] Brigit said as she ducked instinctively. Her breastplate and shield might protect her well in active combat but she wasn't too keen on the swords swinging near her in this packed office. [I]"I'm willin ta bet ya can fight too, no need ta whip yer weapons out too."[/I] she mentioned to Thorgrim. He just smiled. [I]"Well, friends, it will be another day before the hammer is completed and it grows late. Please return to the inn and come here in the morning. We will impart to you the hammer and any other help we can give."[/I] the priest said as he dismissed the party. They headed off to the inn above the tavern, had a light dinner and retired for the evening. The next morning found the four adventurers with their two new members at the front of the chapel. The priest came outside to the morning light to greet the group. [I]"Well met, friends. We are about to start the ceremony to bless the hammer."[/I] He said. [I]"We also blessed these vials with healing spells, there is enough for each of you to carry two,"[/I] he stated as he handed eight potions to the group, each of them stowing two into their packs. [I]"They will strengthen you when you are wounded. Now I must return and begin the rites."[/I] [I]"Um, excuse me,"[/I] Milo started before the priest could turn to enter the chapel. [I]"I'd like to spend some time in your library. I have some-ER-religious questions that I'd like to have answered."[/I] [I]"You are welcome to any knowledge we have to impart."[/I] the priest answered kindly, [I]"I'm afraid our library is rather limited. You are welcome to any aid my acolytes and scribe can give you."[/I] Milo spent the day poring over the few books the priest had in his library, searching for any mention of the halfling from his dream. Neither the books nor the scribe could aid him though. Even the priest admitted he was unfamiliar with the figure after he emerged from the room where the rite was being held. He requested that Milo fetch his friends, the hammer was ready. When the others arrived he presented Brigit with a glowing hammer. It was of normal size and shape for a carpenter's hammer but it was metal from haft to head. The smooth surface glowed with a warm light. Brigit smiled as she picked up the hammer from the priest's open hands. [I]"Remember, you must not touch the cups. First fill it with the holy water you have, bless the cup Milo, and then destroy it with the hammer, Brigit."[/I] he said as he made a religious sign with his hands. [I]"Now I bid you farewell, please do not fail us." [/I] It was afternoon when the six set out for the caves once again. Milo found on the way that Jeremiah was indeed right about the tapestry, they managed to sell it for nine hundred gold! Live and learn, he thought, maybe there is something to tapestries and wall hangings. The silver cup did garner the group ninety more gold. Mazi had exchanged the gold for platinum and the four of them split the earnings on the way to the caves. They left a few platinum and gold in a 'party fund' for unforeseen expenses and the like. The group made good time and arrived at their campsite as dusk deepened into dark. All six of the party members took a turn at watch, none slept past their allotted time, and no one dreamed anything out of the ordinary. The next morning Milo felt refreshed. He said a short mental prayer to powers that be. [I]"I don't know who you are, but you've awakened something in me. Whatever it is has already changed my life. I hope you know what you're doing, because I sure don't. Anyway, keep my friends safe and allow me to aid them as I can. Well, um, what do you want, I'm new to this holy thing. Oh, and don't let our new companions die this time, please?"[/I] Milo felt a little silly, he hadn't prayed since he left home, and then they were the memorized prayers of his father's. Well, he thought, it can't hurt, right? With that the adventurers headed the rest of the way to the caves, pausing at the mouth near the ogre's den to group. [I]"Once more into the warrens, right guys?"[/I] Milo said as he readied his crossbow and headed in, taking the scouting position again. Brigit and Jeremiah followed with Mazi close behind. Maruf and Thorgrim brought up the rear, keeping their guards up. [/QUOTE]
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Milo Windby's Collected Story Hour
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