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<blockquote data-quote="Rerun" data-source="post: 6028033" data-attributes="member: 6700532"><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">Thanks for the praise. The reason my story has such poor punctuation is purely due to ignorance on my part. If I knew how to use it better... well I'll try.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">I stood in ranks behind lieutenant Komwill in the temple hall as the Stormbirds awaited the arrival of our employer and commander. In front of us all mage Illpuller nervously puttered and fiddled with the twenty foot circle drawn in the dirt, never looking more up jumped from his previous status as apprentice. The circle had what looked to me a very sparse number of runes, enclosing a carefully drawn symbol of a white open hand holding a single gold coin, the symbol of the Elementium Trading Corporation.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">The sigil should focus their teleportation… teleportation spells said Illpuller. It should be any time now. </span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">The mage looked up nervously at captain Montion, the acting commander. Montion was dressed in his parade finery, inscrolled green leather armor with gold trimmings, the diving Stormbird in black on his chest. Patience master mage, your work looks fine, anything could be causing the delay, said the captain.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">To my left Kugo fidgeted slightly. He was forced to wear the company issue black leather breastplate over a brown woolen tunic like all the scouts instead of his tribal hides. There were few enough of us scouts standing on parade, only nine of our original twenty had survived, whereas the phalanxes had lost only a few men permanently. I had thought that sneaking about instead of holding the line in heavy armor would keep us alive, but things hadn’t worked out that way when the battle happened nearly a week ago.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">To to my right I could see Trang standing serene while gazing ahead at the circle. I knew it had to be something an act, in private Trang had made her concern for the elven prisoners we had “rescued.” She felt obligated to see their safe return to the Saldorith wood elves, but the officers were using them as bargaining chips with the wood elven force outside the complex walls. I hoped for all involved our employers and Lady Ranger Seldas could come to a compromise regarding access to the portal at the far end of the temple hall. </span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">Further thoughts were interrupted as five figures slowly materialized on top of the etched palm and coin sigil. My eyes went at once to the large form of the Lord Captain Salamis with his yellow silk vest and body that dissolved into clouds at the waist. He smiled a wide grin and loudly proclaimed that he had returned. With him were four other men, whom I later learned were our employer, his scribe, and two of the mages part of the Incanters Triad.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">The five figures hurried out of the circle as Captain Montion offered his greetings. Behind them there was another shimmering in the air and three more arrived. This time it was another robed mage, an ogre with metal plates and wires bolted into his skull, and a lizard man I was surprised to recognize. It was Jorin Raindrop, a skilled monk from the Order of the Way. I knew from my time at the monastery he had occasionally found employment as a bodyguard and bounty hunter.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">As pleasantries were exchanged between the officers and new arrivals my thoughts turned to my comrades’ orders from lieutenant Komwill to gather intelligence on our employer’s purposes. Renewing my acquaintance with Raindrop was looking like the place to start. </span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">A wrinkled old man, who I learned was our employer Trader Cadium Lock, and Lord Salamis listened intently as the captain described the last few days. Trader Lock insisted on viewing the pit, or portal, or whatever it was, at once and the group of mages and officers moved to the back of the temple pausing only to dismiss the troops.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">As we mingle outside the temple at ease, I notice Jorin Raindrop, the metal plated ogre, and a bald, red robed mage make their way to one of the unoccupied trunk and vine “buildings.” Making eye contact with Kugo and Trang, I nodded toward the three and took off after them. I glimpsed through the entryway the mage sorting his way through the ogre’s enormous backpack but was stopped outside by Jorin.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">Wild little Morin, he said. Are these your new friends? An orc, and elf and a human talk to a lizard man; it sounds like the beginning of a joke</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">Jorin was dressed the way I’d seen him a hundred times before: wearing nothing but a grey cotton robe with a pair of sai through the belt. Hello Raindrop, I said. The orc is Kugo, a great shaman, and the elf is Trang, a drunk. They are my squad mates. You’re employed as a bodyguard again?</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">Yes. And you’re employed at all. So strange to see the street rat growing up.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">Why do the mages need your protection, asked Trang, that monstrosity of an ogre looks like it is all the muscle one could need.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">Jorin turned to Trang and slowly blinked his inner lid. But it does not think so well, he said. I don’t know what Charles has done to the creature but I think those bolts and wires go right into its brain and bones. It is good for carrying things and breaking things, but not so good at spotting sneaky types.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">And you are, Trang said with a smile. </span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">Careful, I say, Raindrop likes to brag.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">The lizardman nods. Especially when so conscientiously invited. I can spot a black mouse at night. I can hear a moth flap its wings. At the Order’s monastery, I once stayed up two nights guarding the larder from every insect, armed only with a needle. Nothing made it past me.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">Who are you talking to, an annoyed voice asked from inside the building. Your breaking my concentration with your chatter, get rid of these people Jorin.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">Trang stepped up into the doorway. Sir, we have been ordered to assist you in any way possible she lied smoothly. How can I help? The mage, Charles I remembered, scowled and seemed about to start yelling before catching a good look at the beautiful elf in the doorway. Help, yes… you stay, there’s only room for one other person in here. The rest of you, off with you. Return to your officer.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">Kugo and I left Trang to discover what she could and walked back to the temple. Outside was a crowd surrounding Lord Captain Salimis. He was standing behind a chest the size of a pony which he dramatically flung open just as we arrived. Inside it was filled with gems and gold. Cheers rang out, and I let my voice join them. The sight of all that money in front of me worked wonders on my memory of what risks it took to get it.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">Lord Salimis stood at the center of his soldiers with a great smile. He dipped two large hands into the chest and let the riches flow out from between his fingers. Tonight, he boomed. Tonight we all get paid! </span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">Kugo punched me in the arm, Trang and our mission forgotten. Look at all that, he said. Even with our single share we’ll be richer than dogs. I remember fighting over a half cooked rat just a year ago.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">I laughed. As a runt in Hartpolis I ran all day delivering messages for three copper, I said, then lost two to a thug who heard the coins clink in my pocket. I kept the third by swallowing it.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">We spoke of old times for a while, I of the streets of Hartpolis, Kugo of someplace he called War Camp Rust.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">A sharp pitched whistle pulled us out of our reminiscing. It was Lieutenant Komwill. Come over here you two, he said, and bring the third one.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">We told him where Trang was and what she was up to. Good, Komwill said. That’s a good start. Our employer, that shriveled up Trader Lock, has to be telling the mages more than he’s telling us. Don’t think this mission is necessarily over just because the Lord is putting on his little show. He still wants the dark on why the Elementium Traders are paying all this money. Especially with the elves so against it. I’ve sent the other scouts to look in on Dissus and Horacio, the other two Incanter mages, but you two and I got our eyes focused on Trader Lock. </span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">The Lord Commander is going to magic up a feast tonight and Cadium Lock will be there sitting beside him. He’s sharing the Lord Commander’s tent, and that’s when we’ll go through his things. But there’s a problem. That crow your friend Trang has been trying to shoot, well, to start with the little worm pecker can talk. It also…</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">The lieutenant broke off as a member of Anvil came running up. Sir, he said, it’s the elves. Captain Montion wants all officers at the gate right away. Komwill cursed. Morin, Kugo, he said, meet me at my tent before the feast, bring Trang. </span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">The lieutenant hustled off. Maybe we can help Trang I suggest.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">Jorin Raindrop was squatting outside the mage Charles’s building talking to a slightly anxious Trang. I don’t like how that thing was looking at me, she was saying. </span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">Rotkin looked at you? He’s never paid me more attention than a rock. I’d be careful Trang, when Rotkin focuses on something he often soon smashes it.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">Whatever is left of an ogre in that thing is vicious. Why can’t Charles be a normal mage and make a golem she said in a low voice.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">Hello again Morin, Kugo, said Raindrop without turning in our direction. I think mage Charles is done with using your friend.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">You missed the show elf, said Kugo. The Lord Captain unveiled our payment in front of the company. Looks like we’ll be done here soon. How long are you on contract for Raindrop?</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">Until the job is done, replied the lizardman. I think… Raindrop stopped speaking for a moment. Remember how I said I can see a black mouse at night?</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">Yes, I said.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">Now I see three squirrels all in a line heading toward one of the buildings fifty yards off. Very suspicious.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">We looked at each other and then looked for the squirrels. It was as Raindrop said, three squirrels were following each other, trotting toward the building where the elven prisoners were being kept. </span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">Come on Raindrop, we have to stop whatever is going down, I said.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">Raindrop blinked slowly. Whatever sorcery is at work has nothing to do with guarding my employer in the room behind me. You are on your own Morin.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">Fine. The three of us ran toward the building housing the elves. Inside we saw the five prisoners chained to the wall, two squirrels staring at us, and one standing on the chain’s lock. One of the squirrels watching us began to squeak as if speaking. The squeaking turned to a droning and the squirrel shifted into a slender elf in a brown tunic. The sound of the elf’s vocalizations filled my head. I tried to speak but couldn’t. Then Kugo punched me.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">Damnit! I yelled.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">Magic! He yelled back. Get your sword out! </span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">One of the remaining squirrels hopped toward Kugo as he talked to me and abruptly a dagger was sticking from between Kugo’s ribs and there was a second elf in the room. Trang had her weapon out but didn’t attack; instead she said something in a rapid stream of elvish. That got a contemptuous sounding response from the caster and words “orc loving traitor” from the other in common. I drew my rapier and lunged at the elf who stabbed Kugo, surprising myself by running him through. He slid off my sword and onto the ground.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">The spell caster screamed, held out her hands, and a jet of fire spread forth burning all of us. Not good enough Kugo snarled through blistering skin. He swung his mace into the elf’s gut staggering her. Trang, with a grimace on her face, clubbed the elf over the head with the pommel of her sword.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="color: white"><span style="font-size: 15px">That left the squirrel sitting on the lock, starring at us with round little eyes. Surrender said Trang. Don’t make us kill you. The squirrel’s form shifted into another brown clothed elf holding a pair of lock picks. Mercy, he pleaded.</span></span></span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Rerun, post: 6028033, member: 6700532"] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]Thanks for the praise. The reason my story has such poor punctuation is purely due to ignorance on my part. If I knew how to use it better... well I'll try.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][SIZE=4][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]I stood in ranks behind lieutenant Komwill in the temple hall as the Stormbirds awaited the arrival of our employer and commander. In front of us all mage Illpuller nervously puttered and fiddled with the twenty foot circle drawn in the dirt, never looking more up jumped from his previous status as apprentice. The circle had what looked to me a very sparse number of runes, enclosing a carefully drawn symbol of a white open hand holding a single gold coin, the symbol of the Elementium Trading Corporation.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]The sigil should focus their teleportation… teleportation spells said Illpuller. It should be any time now. [/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]The mage looked up nervously at captain Montion, the acting commander. Montion was dressed in his parade finery, inscrolled green leather armor with gold trimmings, the diving Stormbird in black on his chest. Patience master mage, your work looks fine, anything could be causing the delay, said the captain.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]To my left Kugo fidgeted slightly. He was forced to wear the company issue black leather breastplate over a brown woolen tunic like all the scouts instead of his tribal hides. There were few enough of us scouts standing on parade, only nine of our original twenty had survived, whereas the phalanxes had lost only a few men permanently. I had thought that sneaking about instead of holding the line in heavy armor would keep us alive, but things hadn’t worked out that way when the battle happened nearly a week ago.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]To to my right I could see Trang standing serene while gazing ahead at the circle. I knew it had to be something an act, in private Trang had made her concern for the elven prisoners we had “rescued.” She felt obligated to see their safe return to the Saldorith wood elves, but the officers were using them as bargaining chips with the wood elven force outside the complex walls. I hoped for all involved our employers and Lady Ranger Seldas could come to a compromise regarding access to the portal at the far end of the temple hall. [/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]Further thoughts were interrupted as five figures slowly materialized on top of the etched palm and coin sigil. My eyes went at once to the large form of the Lord Captain Salamis with his yellow silk vest and body that dissolved into clouds at the waist. He smiled a wide grin and loudly proclaimed that he had returned. With him were four other men, whom I later learned were our employer, his scribe, and two of the mages part of the Incanters Triad.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]The five figures hurried out of the circle as Captain Montion offered his greetings. Behind them there was another shimmering in the air and three more arrived. This time it was another robed mage, an ogre with metal plates and wires bolted into his skull, and a lizard man I was surprised to recognize. It was Jorin Raindrop, a skilled monk from the Order of the Way. I knew from my time at the monastery he had occasionally found employment as a bodyguard and bounty hunter.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]As pleasantries were exchanged between the officers and new arrivals my thoughts turned to my comrades’ orders from lieutenant Komwill to gather intelligence on our employer’s purposes. Renewing my acquaintance with Raindrop was looking like the place to start. [/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]A wrinkled old man, who I learned was our employer Trader Cadium Lock, and Lord Salamis listened intently as the captain described the last few days. Trader Lock insisted on viewing the pit, or portal, or whatever it was, at once and the group of mages and officers moved to the back of the temple pausing only to dismiss the troops.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]As we mingle outside the temple at ease, I notice Jorin Raindrop, the metal plated ogre, and a bald, red robed mage make their way to one of the unoccupied trunk and vine “buildings.” Making eye contact with Kugo and Trang, I nodded toward the three and took off after them. I glimpsed through the entryway the mage sorting his way through the ogre’s enormous backpack but was stopped outside by Jorin.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]Wild little Morin, he said. Are these your new friends? An orc, and elf and a human talk to a lizard man; it sounds like the beginning of a joke[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]Jorin was dressed the way I’d seen him a hundred times before: wearing nothing but a grey cotton robe with a pair of sai through the belt. Hello Raindrop, I said. The orc is Kugo, a great shaman, and the elf is Trang, a drunk. They are my squad mates. You’re employed as a bodyguard again?[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]Yes. And you’re employed at all. So strange to see the street rat growing up.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]Why do the mages need your protection, asked Trang, that monstrosity of an ogre looks like it is all the muscle one could need.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]Jorin turned to Trang and slowly blinked his inner lid. But it does not think so well, he said. I don’t know what Charles has done to the creature but I think those bolts and wires go right into its brain and bones. It is good for carrying things and breaking things, but not so good at spotting sneaky types.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]And you are, Trang said with a smile. [/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]Careful, I say, Raindrop likes to brag.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]The lizardman nods. Especially when so conscientiously invited. I can spot a black mouse at night. I can hear a moth flap its wings. At the Order’s monastery, I once stayed up two nights guarding the larder from every insect, armed only with a needle. Nothing made it past me.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]Who are you talking to, an annoyed voice asked from inside the building. Your breaking my concentration with your chatter, get rid of these people Jorin.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]Trang stepped up into the doorway. Sir, we have been ordered to assist you in any way possible she lied smoothly. How can I help? The mage, Charles I remembered, scowled and seemed about to start yelling before catching a good look at the beautiful elf in the doorway. Help, yes… you stay, there’s only room for one other person in here. The rest of you, off with you. Return to your officer.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]Kugo and I left Trang to discover what she could and walked back to the temple. Outside was a crowd surrounding Lord Captain Salimis. He was standing behind a chest the size of a pony which he dramatically flung open just as we arrived. Inside it was filled with gems and gold. Cheers rang out, and I let my voice join them. The sight of all that money in front of me worked wonders on my memory of what risks it took to get it.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]Lord Salimis stood at the center of his soldiers with a great smile. He dipped two large hands into the chest and let the riches flow out from between his fingers. Tonight, he boomed. Tonight we all get paid! [/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]Kugo punched me in the arm, Trang and our mission forgotten. Look at all that, he said. Even with our single share we’ll be richer than dogs. I remember fighting over a half cooked rat just a year ago.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]I laughed. As a runt in Hartpolis I ran all day delivering messages for three copper, I said, then lost two to a thug who heard the coins clink in my pocket. I kept the third by swallowing it.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]We spoke of old times for a while, I of the streets of Hartpolis, Kugo of someplace he called War Camp Rust.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]A sharp pitched whistle pulled us out of our reminiscing. It was Lieutenant Komwill. Come over here you two, he said, and bring the third one.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]We told him where Trang was and what she was up to. Good, Komwill said. That’s a good start. Our employer, that shriveled up Trader Lock, has to be telling the mages more than he’s telling us. Don’t think this mission is necessarily over just because the Lord is putting on his little show. He still wants the dark on why the Elementium Traders are paying all this money. Especially with the elves so against it. I’ve sent the other scouts to look in on Dissus and Horacio, the other two Incanter mages, but you two and I got our eyes focused on Trader Lock. [/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]The Lord Commander is going to magic up a feast tonight and Cadium Lock will be there sitting beside him. He’s sharing the Lord Commander’s tent, and that’s when we’ll go through his things. But there’s a problem. That crow your friend Trang has been trying to shoot, well, to start with the little worm pecker can talk. It also…[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]The lieutenant broke off as a member of Anvil came running up. Sir, he said, it’s the elves. Captain Montion wants all officers at the gate right away. Komwill cursed. Morin, Kugo, he said, meet me at my tent before the feast, bring Trang. [/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]The lieutenant hustled off. Maybe we can help Trang I suggest.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]Jorin Raindrop was squatting outside the mage Charles’s building talking to a slightly anxious Trang. I don’t like how that thing was looking at me, she was saying. [/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]Rotkin looked at you? He’s never paid me more attention than a rock. I’d be careful Trang, when Rotkin focuses on something he often soon smashes it.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]Whatever is left of an ogre in that thing is vicious. Why can’t Charles be a normal mage and make a golem she said in a low voice.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]Hello again Morin, Kugo, said Raindrop without turning in our direction. I think mage Charles is done with using your friend.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]You missed the show elf, said Kugo. The Lord Captain unveiled our payment in front of the company. Looks like we’ll be done here soon. How long are you on contract for Raindrop?[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]Until the job is done, replied the lizardman. I think… Raindrop stopped speaking for a moment. Remember how I said I can see a black mouse at night?[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]Yes, I said.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]Now I see three squirrels all in a line heading toward one of the buildings fifty yards off. Very suspicious.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]We looked at each other and then looked for the squirrels. It was as Raindrop said, three squirrels were following each other, trotting toward the building where the elven prisoners were being kept. [/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]Come on Raindrop, we have to stop whatever is going down, I said.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]Raindrop blinked slowly. Whatever sorcery is at work has nothing to do with guarding my employer in the room behind me. You are on your own Morin.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]Fine. The three of us ran toward the building housing the elves. Inside we saw the five prisoners chained to the wall, two squirrels staring at us, and one standing on the chain’s lock. One of the squirrels watching us began to squeak as if speaking. The squeaking turned to a droning and the squirrel shifted into a slender elf in a brown tunic. The sound of the elf’s vocalizations filled my head. I tried to speak but couldn’t. Then Kugo punched me.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]Damnit! I yelled.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]Magic! He yelled back. Get your sword out! [/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]One of the remaining squirrels hopped toward Kugo as he talked to me and abruptly a dagger was sticking from between Kugo’s ribs and there was a second elf in the room. Trang had her weapon out but didn’t attack; instead she said something in a rapid stream of elvish. That got a contemptuous sounding response from the caster and words “orc loving traitor” from the other in common. I drew my rapier and lunged at the elf who stabbed Kugo, surprising myself by running him through. He slid off my sword and onto the ground.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]The spell caster screamed, held out her hands, and a jet of fire spread forth burning all of us. Not good enough Kugo snarled through blistering skin. He swung his mace into the elf’s gut staggering her. Trang, with a grimace on her face, clubbed the elf over the head with the pommel of her sword.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][COLOR=white][SIZE=4]That left the squirrel sitting on the lock, starring at us with round little eyes. Surrender said Trang. Don’t make us kill you. The squirrel’s form shifted into another brown clothed elf holding a pair of lock picks. Mercy, he pleaded.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [/QUOTE]
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