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The Saga of Lucius Victorium Gnaeus (A pogre storyhour) Episode Fifteen
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<blockquote data-quote="pogre" data-source="post: 7165768" data-attributes="member: 6588"><p><strong>Episode Eleven</strong></p><p></p><p>The Saga of Lucius Victorium Gnaeus</p><p></p><p>Episode Eleven</p><p></p><p>The XV’s Legion’s officers lay dead at our collective feet, but it was clear the struggle had taken quite a toll on my comrades. Naturally, blessed by the enduring spirit of Kord, I was fine. We all realized that the alarm had been raised and we needed to make haste in finding the prisoners. Thock rushed down the stairs, I followed with the rest trailing us. </p><p></p><p>When Thock reached the lower floor a crossbow bolt sailed past him. The Half-orc roared and charged after the shooter. Faithless and Shen pushed past me to lend their support to Thock. I made my way down more cautiously and could see the halls were filling with legionnaires. Perceiving this threat, I moved over and cast a healing prayer on Faithless and then did the same for Shen.</p><p></p><p>The legionnaires were streaming out of their respective barracks on both sides of us. Thock closed a door to try to cut off one side. Edgy ducked out of a dark corner and shot a bolt through one of the legionnaire’s throat, killing him instantly.</p><p></p><p>Thock’s blood rage was at full tide and he charged down the hall at the legionnaires. At that moment, I could see real fear in the guards’ eyes. There were at least a dozen of them, but they were mostly in night shirts armored only with shields and carrying gladii. They were still disoriented and trying to understand what was happening. In this state, they faced a hulking barbarian charging them! Their fear was well-founded as Thock eviscerated the first soldier in line with his long sword.</p><p></p><p>A pesky archer kept peppering our flank and so I cast <em>Kord’s Spiritual Hammer</em> and commenced attacking. My blows were glancing, but forced the archer back. </p><p></p><p>Meanwhile, Thock was a whirlwind of steel, blood, and death! The legionnaires were making a concerted effort to drag the barbarian to the ground. The mighty half-orc shook off their attempts with dismissive ease and continued his maelstrom of destruction.</p><p></p><p>I killed one of the legionnaires with <em>Kord’s Bolt</em> and rushed down the hall to aid Thock. As I reached the melee there were only two soldiers standing, the man between Thock and I threw down his scutum and gladius and surrendered. Thock slayed the remaining guard. An eerie silence fell in the halls. Thock stood triumphant, ankle deep in the gore of the fallen.</p><p></p><p>“Who are you people? What are you doing here?” the captured soldier whimpered. </p><p></p><p>“Be silent. Turn around and hold still,” I ordered. I affixed a noose around the soldier’s neck and down around his wrists. The arrangement guaranteed if the soldier struggled to escape he would be rewarded with a choke.</p><p></p><p>“I expected more from someone of the noble class,” the soldier complained.</p><p></p><p>“You're just showing your ignorance of Rel Astra politics,” I retorted. “Now you will lead us to the stairs descending to the dungeon.” I handed the rope ‘leash’ over to Thock who took it with a menacing grin. </p><p></p><p>*****</p><p></p><p>The captured legionnaire led us through a dining area, a kitchen, and through a back hallway to a spiral staircase descending. Single file we made our way down to the dungeon. The lower level was lined with large cells and we could see well over 100 prisoners held within. When the prisoners saw us they began begging to be released. The pitiful cacophony was unnerving and very unbecoming. </p><p></p><p>It was agreed that we would split up and search for the Kenku, Feral. Thock stationed himself near the top of the stairs to watch for reinforcements, while I guarded the base of the stairs. Suddenly, a door we had not noticed in the prison complex, flew open and a group of Legion XV’s Centurions rushed out to the attack. I bellowed an alarm and Thock rushed down the stairs and launched an attack. He had released our captured legionnaire, and I have no doubt the coward ran off to hide.</p><p></p><p>One of the centurions was a female with a long bow and she was particularly skilled with her weapon. Unable to physically close the distance to her, I cast <em>Kord’s Spiritual Hammer</em> to attack her. I physically attacked one of the nearer centurions. Edgy began picking the locks of nearby cells and letting prisoners out. I heard him yell, “You must help us!”</p><p></p><p>This clarion call from my feline friend was responded to with the prisoners running away as fast as they could. In spite of this turn of events, Edgy continued to work on picking the locks of other cell doors.</p><p></p><p>Meanwhile, one of the centurions near the archer managed to knock Faithless down. </p><p></p><p>Some of the prisoners began flinging feces at the archer, which distracted her enough to make her aim less deadly. The centurion who knocked Faithless down was killed by the combined might of Shen’s spellwork and Thock’s mighty sword. The other centurion soon fell and it was now just the archer. </p><p></p><p>Realizing the odds had quickly turned against her, she threw down her bow and surrendered. I have no doubt that she surrendered largely thanks to the might of <em>Kord’s Spiritual Hammer</em>!</p><p></p><p>I rushed over to Faithless and quickly administered some healing. She revived quickly. She had only been knocked out and was in no mortal danger, We found some keys on the centurions and began freeing the prisoners. It was at this point someone noticed Edgy was missing. I said a quick prayer to Kord - it was not answered as the Tabaxi showed up shortly with the Kenku. Edgy reported there was a particularly dangerous looking Dark Elf in some special cells in an adjacent chamber. </p><p></p><p>The archer introduced herself to us as Antonia. She warned us that the Dark Elf was a wizard and could not be trusted. We quickly agreed the Dark Elf had to die. Thock went into the special cells area and returned with a blooded blade. “It is done,” Thock announced.</p><p></p><p><strong>A swift end is sometimes the greatest blessing.</strong></p><p></p><p>******</p><p></p><p>“Lucius! Lucius Gnaeus,” one of the prisoners called out to me.</p><p></p><p>I scanned the crowd of prisoners on the dock. We had moved all of the prisoners out of the fortress and gathered them on the dock to wait for Molly to bring the airship to load up. Finally, I saw an older prisoner waving at me. I did not recognize him.</p><p></p><p>“It’s me, Tabulus,” the prisoner cried out.</p><p></p><p>“Tabulus? Oh, Tabulus! How long has it been?” I now recognized Tabulus, the one time Censor of Rel Astra. I actually knew almost to the day how long it had been - four years and five months. I distinctly recalled him being dragged through the city’s main thoroughfare in chains to the death ship. Senators, garbed in their sacred vestments, were chanting ‘shame, shame, shame’ as he struggled with his manacles and chains. When I asked my father what terrible crime Tabulus had committed he only laughed and said he was guilty of picking the wrong side of an argument.</p><p></p><p>“Lucius, my young friend, we must help each other,” Tabulus said.</p><p></p><p>“I am helping you. I am freeing you,” I replied.</p><p></p><p>“But, you are taking us into the grip of the Unseen Hands. At best, my friend, they will only ransom me back to my enemies. I would suffer less if I stayed in this gods-forbidden place.”</p><p></p><p>“We will talk, Tabulus. I promise.”</p><p></p><p>“I still have some connections. I can help your family.”</p><p></p><p>“Get aboard Tabulus.”</p><p></p><p>“He says they are taking us into the control of the Unseen Hands. We will be ransomed or worse,” another prisoner called out. “Why should we go like sheep to the slaughter?”</p><p></p><p>“Stay or come, it does not matter to us,” Thock bellowed.</p><p></p><p>There was a distinct murmur of mutiny being whispered amongst the prisoners.</p><p></p><p>“There are some men here who would like to serve with you,” the archer Antonia whispered to me.</p><p></p><p>“Prisoners?” I asked.</p><p></p><p>“No, Legionnaires,” she replied. “The XVth was already shamed. This disaster, no offense, will lead to a much worse assignment. We are dead to the city.”</p><p></p><p>“Antonia are you interested in joining us and helping crew our ship?” I asked.</p><p></p><p>“Yes, particularly if it means I don’t have to die at the feet of the Unseen Hands,” she replied. We quickly worked out shares arrangement and just like that, I had enlisted the aid of our former enemy.</p><p></p><p>The six legionnaires came forward. Many of the prisoners hissed and spat at the men. “Do you trust them Antonia?” I asked.</p><p></p><p>“They will serve you as long as you treat them fairly,” she replied.</p><p></p><p>“They’re behavior is a reflection on you from here out,” I warned her.</p><p></p><p>“That’s fair,” Antonia replied.</p><p></p><p>There was a minor ruckus down by the area where Edgy was collecting weapons. I could see a few of the men were agitating the other prisoners. I needed to act quickly to quell this mutiny! I stepped up on a box on the deck and began to give a speech about heroism, gratefulness, the divine will of Kord, and…</p><p></p><p>PSSSST - THUMP!</p><p></p><p>An arrow sailed past me and lodged directly in the eye of one of the prisoners. The man staggered back clutching at the shaft and fell back, dead before he hit the deck. Antonia stepped up with her bow, “That’s what Markus gets for running his mouth! Now who else has some wise ideas about revolution!”</p><p></p><p>The ship fell entirely quiet, save for the squawking voice of the Kenku behind us saying the word revolution over and over. “I thought I was making headway,” I muttered to Antonia and the rest of the group.</p><p></p><p>“Sorry Lucius, she was a lot more effective and saved a lot of time and air,” Faithless answered.</p><p></p><p>I thought about objecting, but in my heart, I knew Faithless was right.</p><p></p><p><strong>Kord favors deeds over words.</strong></p><p></p><p>*****</p><p></p><p>Following a short trip we came to the island we had agreed to bring the prisoners to and the halfling Grab was there to greet us.</p><p></p><p>“Well done!” Grab called out. “Did you get Feral?”</p><p></p><p>“Free as a bird!” the Kenku called out from behind Faithless. In a relationship I found mystifying, Faithless had befriended Feral.</p><p></p><p>“Excellent!” Grab laughed. “We have a special room set aside for you Feral.”</p><p></p><p>“What kind of special room?” Faithless asked in a demanding tone.</p><p></p><p>“A place where she can do the required work. Don’t worry, we will take good care of her,” Grab promised.</p><p></p><p>“I want to hold your hand,” Feral replied.</p><p></p><p>Faithless took the Kenku’s hand and led her down the gangplank and they went off to check out Feral’s quarters.</p><p></p><p>“Feral told Faithless she should only take a day or two,” Shen said.</p><p></p><p>Grab laughed heartily at this suggestion. “She’s the best at what she does, but there is no way she will finish in under five days. Feral is not exactly a focused worker.”</p><p></p><p>The prisoners continued parading down the gangplank. When Tabulus passed me, he raised an eyebrow toward me and I returned a nod to him.</p><p></p><p>I approached Grab. “What are you going to do with that old man?” I asked motioning toward Tabulus.</p><p></p><p>“Do you know who that is?” Grab asked.</p><p></p><p>“He’s an old family friend,” I replied.</p><p></p><p>“I see. Well, I’m afraid he is set to be ransomed,” Grab replied.</p><p></p><p>“How much would it take for me to take him with me?” I asked.</p><p></p><p>“As a favor to a new friend, I could release him to you for 5,000 gold,” Grab replied.</p><p></p><p>I whistled lowly. “I’m afraid that’s more lucre than I can manage.”</p><p></p><p>“We might make another arrangement,” Grab suggested.</p><p></p><p>My heart plummeted, performing another deed for the Unseen Hands did not appeal to me in the least. “What are you thinking?” I asked.</p><p></p><p>“Easy job - just a bit smuggling,” Grab said. “An airship could make a valuable delivery quickly.”</p><p></p><p>“That may be a problem,” I replied. “What kind of goods or is that ‘a need to know’ topic?”</p><p></p><p>“Weapons and healing potions for rebels in the Bone Forest.”</p><p></p><p>My heart soared. Supplying rebels was something I could get behind. I was not sure how far the Bone Forest was, but I certainly did not object to the mission. “I need to consult with my comrades, but I think we might reach an accord.”</p><p></p><p>*****</p><p></p><p>“Why do you care about this old man?” Shen asked.</p><p></p><p>“Well, to be honest, I don’t a great deal. He does have my sympathy though. I understand what it is to be on the wrong side of Rel Astra politics. He could also be helpful to my family,” I replied.</p><p></p><p>“That hardly seems enough to be worth our effort,” Faithless observed.</p><p></p><p>“I agree, but the rebels probably would be interested in more than weapons and healing potions. I think we could sell them wine,” I said. I didn’t mention the very idea of supplying righteous rebels struggling against oppression was the most tempting part of the bargain to me. </p><p></p><p>“Wine?” Thock queried.</p><p></p><p>“I happen to know where there is a stash of barrels left from my family’s vinery.”</p><p></p><p>“We need to make sure Molly and Filbert are alright with this,” Edgy said. “I should go ask her.”</p><p></p><p>“I agree we need to consult with them, but you are the last person who should approach Molly,” I replied.</p><p></p><p>“I have been extremely nice to her,” Edgy pouted.</p><p></p><p>“Approach me concerning what?” Molly asked. She had appeared on the deck behind us.</p><p></p><p>“What would you think of smuggling weapons, healing potions, and wine to rebels in the Bone Forest?” I asked.</p><p></p><p>“Hmmm, that’s a three week trip,” Molly mused. “We would have to re-arrange the stowage to accommodate the weapons, the barrels could go to the rear, and…”</p><p></p><p>“So you have no objection to a smuggling run then?” </p><p></p><p>“No, of course not,” Molly answered. It was clear to me she was still making mental calculations to figure out the stowage of the goods.</p><p></p><p>I left the gnome in her thoughts and rushed to tell Grab we had a deal. He agreed to allow me to take Tabulus with us and leave Marco behind to deliver the forged documents to Fabrece. We took the ship to my wine stash and with all of the goods loaded, set off for the Bone Forest.</p><p></p><p>*****</p><p></p><p>“Two of the new recruits have sailing experience and are already good. The rest are making solid progress,” Edgy reported. The new recruits Edgy was referring to were the legionnaires that had joined us. His marine experience, albeit much of it as a slave, was proving valuable.</p><p></p><p>Shen chimed in, “Molly seems pleased with our progress. She even had time to explain some particularities about the gems that power the ship. Apparently, the gems are actually all shards from one large gem. That great gem held a cloud giant city aloft. The cloud giants were defeated by the gods and the city fell…”</p><p></p><p>Shen was interrupted by a call from the sailor in the crow’s nest.</p><p></p><p>“What did he say?” I asked. His voice had been muted by the wind.</p><p></p><p>Edgy turned toward me, wide-eyed, and said, “He spotted an approaching airship!”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="pogre, post: 7165768, member: 6588"] [b]Episode Eleven[/b] The Saga of Lucius Victorium Gnaeus Episode Eleven The XV’s Legion’s officers lay dead at our collective feet, but it was clear the struggle had taken quite a toll on my comrades. Naturally, blessed by the enduring spirit of Kord, I was fine. We all realized that the alarm had been raised and we needed to make haste in finding the prisoners. Thock rushed down the stairs, I followed with the rest trailing us. When Thock reached the lower floor a crossbow bolt sailed past him. The Half-orc roared and charged after the shooter. Faithless and Shen pushed past me to lend their support to Thock. I made my way down more cautiously and could see the halls were filling with legionnaires. Perceiving this threat, I moved over and cast a healing prayer on Faithless and then did the same for Shen. The legionnaires were streaming out of their respective barracks on both sides of us. Thock closed a door to try to cut off one side. Edgy ducked out of a dark corner and shot a bolt through one of the legionnaire’s throat, killing him instantly. Thock’s blood rage was at full tide and he charged down the hall at the legionnaires. At that moment, I could see real fear in the guards’ eyes. There were at least a dozen of them, but they were mostly in night shirts armored only with shields and carrying gladii. They were still disoriented and trying to understand what was happening. In this state, they faced a hulking barbarian charging them! Their fear was well-founded as Thock eviscerated the first soldier in line with his long sword. A pesky archer kept peppering our flank and so I cast [i]Kord’s Spiritual Hammer[/i] and commenced attacking. My blows were glancing, but forced the archer back. Meanwhile, Thock was a whirlwind of steel, blood, and death! The legionnaires were making a concerted effort to drag the barbarian to the ground. The mighty half-orc shook off their attempts with dismissive ease and continued his maelstrom of destruction. I killed one of the legionnaires with [i]Kord’s Bolt[/i] and rushed down the hall to aid Thock. As I reached the melee there were only two soldiers standing, the man between Thock and I threw down his scutum and gladius and surrendered. Thock slayed the remaining guard. An eerie silence fell in the halls. Thock stood triumphant, ankle deep in the gore of the fallen. “Who are you people? What are you doing here?” the captured soldier whimpered. “Be silent. Turn around and hold still,” I ordered. I affixed a noose around the soldier’s neck and down around his wrists. The arrangement guaranteed if the soldier struggled to escape he would be rewarded with a choke. “I expected more from someone of the noble class,” the soldier complained. “You're just showing your ignorance of Rel Astra politics,” I retorted. “Now you will lead us to the stairs descending to the dungeon.” I handed the rope ‘leash’ over to Thock who took it with a menacing grin. ***** The captured legionnaire led us through a dining area, a kitchen, and through a back hallway to a spiral staircase descending. Single file we made our way down to the dungeon. The lower level was lined with large cells and we could see well over 100 prisoners held within. When the prisoners saw us they began begging to be released. The pitiful cacophony was unnerving and very unbecoming. It was agreed that we would split up and search for the Kenku, Feral. Thock stationed himself near the top of the stairs to watch for reinforcements, while I guarded the base of the stairs. Suddenly, a door we had not noticed in the prison complex, flew open and a group of Legion XV’s Centurions rushed out to the attack. I bellowed an alarm and Thock rushed down the stairs and launched an attack. He had released our captured legionnaire, and I have no doubt the coward ran off to hide. One of the centurions was a female with a long bow and she was particularly skilled with her weapon. Unable to physically close the distance to her, I cast [i]Kord’s Spiritual Hammer[/i] to attack her. I physically attacked one of the nearer centurions. Edgy began picking the locks of nearby cells and letting prisoners out. I heard him yell, “You must help us!” This clarion call from my feline friend was responded to with the prisoners running away as fast as they could. In spite of this turn of events, Edgy continued to work on picking the locks of other cell doors. Meanwhile, one of the centurions near the archer managed to knock Faithless down. Some of the prisoners began flinging feces at the archer, which distracted her enough to make her aim less deadly. The centurion who knocked Faithless down was killed by the combined might of Shen’s spellwork and Thock’s mighty sword. The other centurion soon fell and it was now just the archer. Realizing the odds had quickly turned against her, she threw down her bow and surrendered. I have no doubt that she surrendered largely thanks to the might of [i]Kord’s Spiritual Hammer[/i]! I rushed over to Faithless and quickly administered some healing. She revived quickly. She had only been knocked out and was in no mortal danger, We found some keys on the centurions and began freeing the prisoners. It was at this point someone noticed Edgy was missing. I said a quick prayer to Kord - it was not answered as the Tabaxi showed up shortly with the Kenku. Edgy reported there was a particularly dangerous looking Dark Elf in some special cells in an adjacent chamber. The archer introduced herself to us as Antonia. She warned us that the Dark Elf was a wizard and could not be trusted. We quickly agreed the Dark Elf had to die. Thock went into the special cells area and returned with a blooded blade. “It is done,” Thock announced. [b]A swift end is sometimes the greatest blessing.[/b] ****** “Lucius! Lucius Gnaeus,” one of the prisoners called out to me. I scanned the crowd of prisoners on the dock. We had moved all of the prisoners out of the fortress and gathered them on the dock to wait for Molly to bring the airship to load up. Finally, I saw an older prisoner waving at me. I did not recognize him. “It’s me, Tabulus,” the prisoner cried out. “Tabulus? Oh, Tabulus! How long has it been?” I now recognized Tabulus, the one time Censor of Rel Astra. I actually knew almost to the day how long it had been - four years and five months. I distinctly recalled him being dragged through the city’s main thoroughfare in chains to the death ship. Senators, garbed in their sacred vestments, were chanting ‘shame, shame, shame’ as he struggled with his manacles and chains. When I asked my father what terrible crime Tabulus had committed he only laughed and said he was guilty of picking the wrong side of an argument. “Lucius, my young friend, we must help each other,” Tabulus said. “I am helping you. I am freeing you,” I replied. “But, you are taking us into the grip of the Unseen Hands. At best, my friend, they will only ransom me back to my enemies. I would suffer less if I stayed in this gods-forbidden place.” “We will talk, Tabulus. I promise.” “I still have some connections. I can help your family.” “Get aboard Tabulus.” “He says they are taking us into the control of the Unseen Hands. We will be ransomed or worse,” another prisoner called out. “Why should we go like sheep to the slaughter?” “Stay or come, it does not matter to us,” Thock bellowed. There was a distinct murmur of mutiny being whispered amongst the prisoners. “There are some men here who would like to serve with you,” the archer Antonia whispered to me. “Prisoners?” I asked. “No, Legionnaires,” she replied. “The XVth was already shamed. This disaster, no offense, will lead to a much worse assignment. We are dead to the city.” “Antonia are you interested in joining us and helping crew our ship?” I asked. “Yes, particularly if it means I don’t have to die at the feet of the Unseen Hands,” she replied. We quickly worked out shares arrangement and just like that, I had enlisted the aid of our former enemy. The six legionnaires came forward. Many of the prisoners hissed and spat at the men. “Do you trust them Antonia?” I asked. “They will serve you as long as you treat them fairly,” she replied. “They’re behavior is a reflection on you from here out,” I warned her. “That’s fair,” Antonia replied. There was a minor ruckus down by the area where Edgy was collecting weapons. I could see a few of the men were agitating the other prisoners. I needed to act quickly to quell this mutiny! I stepped up on a box on the deck and began to give a speech about heroism, gratefulness, the divine will of Kord, and… PSSSST - THUMP! An arrow sailed past me and lodged directly in the eye of one of the prisoners. The man staggered back clutching at the shaft and fell back, dead before he hit the deck. Antonia stepped up with her bow, “That’s what Markus gets for running his mouth! Now who else has some wise ideas about revolution!” The ship fell entirely quiet, save for the squawking voice of the Kenku behind us saying the word revolution over and over. “I thought I was making headway,” I muttered to Antonia and the rest of the group. “Sorry Lucius, she was a lot more effective and saved a lot of time and air,” Faithless answered. I thought about objecting, but in my heart, I knew Faithless was right. [b]Kord favors deeds over words.[/b] ***** Following a short trip we came to the island we had agreed to bring the prisoners to and the halfling Grab was there to greet us. “Well done!” Grab called out. “Did you get Feral?” “Free as a bird!” the Kenku called out from behind Faithless. In a relationship I found mystifying, Faithless had befriended Feral. “Excellent!” Grab laughed. “We have a special room set aside for you Feral.” “What kind of special room?” Faithless asked in a demanding tone. “A place where she can do the required work. Don’t worry, we will take good care of her,” Grab promised. “I want to hold your hand,” Feral replied. Faithless took the Kenku’s hand and led her down the gangplank and they went off to check out Feral’s quarters. “Feral told Faithless she should only take a day or two,” Shen said. Grab laughed heartily at this suggestion. “She’s the best at what she does, but there is no way she will finish in under five days. Feral is not exactly a focused worker.” The prisoners continued parading down the gangplank. When Tabulus passed me, he raised an eyebrow toward me and I returned a nod to him. I approached Grab. “What are you going to do with that old man?” I asked motioning toward Tabulus. “Do you know who that is?” Grab asked. “He’s an old family friend,” I replied. “I see. Well, I’m afraid he is set to be ransomed,” Grab replied. “How much would it take for me to take him with me?” I asked. “As a favor to a new friend, I could release him to you for 5,000 gold,” Grab replied. I whistled lowly. “I’m afraid that’s more lucre than I can manage.” “We might make another arrangement,” Grab suggested. My heart plummeted, performing another deed for the Unseen Hands did not appeal to me in the least. “What are you thinking?” I asked. “Easy job - just a bit smuggling,” Grab said. “An airship could make a valuable delivery quickly.” “That may be a problem,” I replied. “What kind of goods or is that ‘a need to know’ topic?” “Weapons and healing potions for rebels in the Bone Forest.” My heart soared. Supplying rebels was something I could get behind. I was not sure how far the Bone Forest was, but I certainly did not object to the mission. “I need to consult with my comrades, but I think we might reach an accord.” ***** “Why do you care about this old man?” Shen asked. “Well, to be honest, I don’t a great deal. He does have my sympathy though. I understand what it is to be on the wrong side of Rel Astra politics. He could also be helpful to my family,” I replied. “That hardly seems enough to be worth our effort,” Faithless observed. “I agree, but the rebels probably would be interested in more than weapons and healing potions. I think we could sell them wine,” I said. I didn’t mention the very idea of supplying righteous rebels struggling against oppression was the most tempting part of the bargain to me. “Wine?” Thock queried. “I happen to know where there is a stash of barrels left from my family’s vinery.” “We need to make sure Molly and Filbert are alright with this,” Edgy said. “I should go ask her.” “I agree we need to consult with them, but you are the last person who should approach Molly,” I replied. “I have been extremely nice to her,” Edgy pouted. “Approach me concerning what?” Molly asked. She had appeared on the deck behind us. “What would you think of smuggling weapons, healing potions, and wine to rebels in the Bone Forest?” I asked. “Hmmm, that’s a three week trip,” Molly mused. “We would have to re-arrange the stowage to accommodate the weapons, the barrels could go to the rear, and…” “So you have no objection to a smuggling run then?” “No, of course not,” Molly answered. It was clear to me she was still making mental calculations to figure out the stowage of the goods. I left the gnome in her thoughts and rushed to tell Grab we had a deal. He agreed to allow me to take Tabulus with us and leave Marco behind to deliver the forged documents to Fabrece. We took the ship to my wine stash and with all of the goods loaded, set off for the Bone Forest. ***** “Two of the new recruits have sailing experience and are already good. The rest are making solid progress,” Edgy reported. The new recruits Edgy was referring to were the legionnaires that had joined us. His marine experience, albeit much of it as a slave, was proving valuable. Shen chimed in, “Molly seems pleased with our progress. She even had time to explain some particularities about the gems that power the ship. Apparently, the gems are actually all shards from one large gem. That great gem held a cloud giant city aloft. The cloud giants were defeated by the gods and the city fell…” Shen was interrupted by a call from the sailor in the crow’s nest. “What did he say?” I asked. His voice had been muted by the wind. Edgy turned toward me, wide-eyed, and said, “He spotted an approaching airship!” [/QUOTE]
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The Saga of Lucius Victorium Gnaeus (A pogre storyhour) Episode Fifteen
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