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Tirlanolir/D'nemy's Tales of Turgos: The Heroes of Goldfire Glen (UPDATE 7/26)
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<blockquote data-quote="Canaan" data-source="post: 2820245" data-attributes="member: 40239"><p><strong>Chapter 5: The Boar King</strong></p><p></p><p>I awoke the following morning to the sounds of Hu Li mumbling incoherently over an opened book. I was tempted to peer over his shoulder, but I wished not to be rude, and the sun was just peeking over the Eastern Horizon and it was the traditional time for me to Commune with my Lord and Life. I found an appropriately secluded spot a few paces from the camp and performed my morning prayers. By the time the sun had cleared the horizon and shone its full glory over the vast plains, Canaan’s Grace was once again granted to me for the day. </p><p></p><p>Hu Li’s irritated, shrill voice tripped over the air as I returned to the camp. </p><p></p><p>“And I reiterate…” he huffed “tracking down these creatures will earn us nothing but our deaths. Their tracks will lead us nowhere else but to their lair where hundreds will be laying in wait. It’s the same as trying to stomp a roach with a rock, only to release one hundred other roaches that were hiding under said rock.”</p><p></p><p>When I returned to the campsite, I saw that Hu Li was pacing about, his arms flailing as if swatting away gnats. </p><p></p><p>The rest of the travelers had rolled up their blankets and slid their backpacks over their shoulders. Their eyes looked in every direction but the one where Hu Li paced. Talon sighed. The sound stopped Hu Li in his tracks. In fact, everyone else turned their head toward the monk.</p><p></p><p>“We have already been through all this.” He quietly announced, giving away no hint of emotion. “We track the goblins. We believe that their presence in the Wildlands is linked with both the rabid boars and the missing Jazzad.”</p><p></p><p>“Jazzad?!” shrieked Hu Li. “I keep forgetting! That’s right! We’re tracking down some lost ranger that none of us neither know nor have even ever seen! All based on the ramblings of a perpetually smashed weed peddler!”</p><p></p><p>“We are keeping a promise.” Lilian said. </p><p></p><p>“You may leave at any time.” Gabriel added. </p><p></p><p>“Bah!” Hu Li said after a short silence, flinging his hands up in utter exasperation. He bent down and grabbed up his backpack. He stopped when he spotted me at the edge of the camp. He shot up, then took a few steps toward me, a pale, crooked finger bent toward me. </p><p></p><p>“What say you, Priest?” I could feel all eyes on me. “Do we track down the goblins in sketchy hope they will lead us to our goal, or do we continue our search by circumventing their stomping grounds and avoiding more raids?” </p><p></p><p>“We have already decided…” Aesendal began, taking a step closer to me. “Leave Evora alone.” </p><p></p><p>“NO!” shrilled Hu Li. “I want to hear his counsel! Tell us, oh Disciple of Canaan. Which way shall we go?” </p><p></p><p>I looked toward the others. They averted my glances. Only Hu Li held my gaze. I considered the argument for a short time.</p><p></p><p>“If a Ranger is lost where he is most at home,” I began “Then it is clear that some harm has befallen him. If these goblins and boars are acting out of accordance to their natures, we must believe that the disappearance of the Ranger Jazzad is connected to what has been happening. We have little choice. Until some new evidence compels us to amend this, we must track the goblins.”</p><p></p><p>“Fine.” Said Hu Li. He was silent for the remainder of the morning.</p><p></p><p>Shale led us in following the goblin footprints. “I am no Ranger” he would say when the evidence of their passing grew scarce. “But I am doing what I can.” </p><p></p><p>Late in the day, we had come to a standstill. Shale scoured the ground, bent over, pushing the tall grass aside, checking every blade with extreme diligence. At last he stood and scratched his head.</p><p></p><p>“They are gone.” Shale said, perplexed. </p><p></p><p>“No.” Snapped Hu Li. “You have lost them. Which is just as well. This was a fool’s errand. I suggest, no, I demand we give up this folly and attempt… ” </p><p></p><p>Gabriel growled. “Enough, Jordan.”</p><p></p><p>“That is the Acolyte Hu Li!!!” </p><p></p><p>Talon calmly approached Shale. </p><p></p><p>“If I may suggest...” He began. “Does not the Green grant you the power to converse with natural beasts?”</p><p></p><p>Shale put his hand to his forehead and sighed. “Of course! I’m such a fool!” </p><p></p><p>Moments later a small blue and yellow feathered bird was fluttering in front of Shale. The grass around him seemed to catch the rays of the low hanging sun, causing each and every blade to shine brilliantly. </p><p></p><p>The two shared chirps for a few moments, and then the bird turned and fluttered away. </p><p></p><p>“She has seen the goblins. She knows where they are.” Shale said to the rest of us. </p><p></p><p>“And we’re going the other way, yes?” Hu Li asked.</p><p></p><p>He was dutifully ignored. </p><p></p><p>Shale took off running after the small bird. Lilian and Gabriel were right behind him. Aesendal and Shale strode side by side. Hu Li stomped incredulously a few paces in front of me. I struggled to keep up, pulling my encumbered, fatigued donkey with as much firmness and compassion as I could. </p><p></p><p>I realized around this time that I had failed to give my poor beast of burden a name. I made myself a promise to rectify that by the day’s end. Unfortunately for my donkey, the bizarre events of the remainder of the day would force me to delay that promise. </p><p></p><p>The little bird led us to a cave at the top of a vast canyon that split the landscape for such a length it could not be measured by a mere glance.</p><p></p><p>The cave’s narrow opening yawned up from an otherwise nondescript grassy mound. Had it not been for the bird excitingly hovering over it, we would have never taken notice. Once Shale had led us to the opening, the bird immediately flew away. The canyon was alive with rich, echoing sounds of life; bird caws, splashes and even a few roars. </p><p></p><p>Hu Li pushed his way past Shale and stood atop the mound. He looked straight down. “The cliffs are sheer and over one hundred feet to the floor. Much of the floor is broken with marsh land. There’s also a strange rock formation jetting out at the far end on the canyon. Hm.” He turned back to us. “Who here can climb?” </p><p></p><p>No one answered. </p><p></p><p>“Just as I thought!” He remained up top the mound, his already tall, narrow, bone white frame back lit by the setting sun. His face was featureless and blackened by deep shadows that fell over his head. </p><p></p><p>“Lilian, you know I am not one to judge, nor do I wish to cause any fraying of morale in what is already a tense situation.” Hu Li’s usually high pitched squeal was deadened, lowered, darkened. </p><p></p><p>“But you have led us to nothing. We are stopped here and can go no further. Jazzad is dead. He is fodder for the Eyeless Hollow Ones. We must accept this and return to Goldfire Glen immediately. We will inform Menion and have a swift but appropriately emotional funeral for the fallen Ranger. We have already lost Boots to this madness! I demand we turn around and return to civilization immediately!” </p><p></p><p>“We could climb down the cave opening.” Said Lilian, who had listened patiently to everything Hu Li spewed, but, clearly, refused to bestow any real credence to his words. </p><p></p><p>“Do we have rope?” Asked Talon, moving over to her. </p><p></p><p>The two peered down the hole. </p><p></p><p>“It’s quite dark.” Said Lilian.</p><p></p><p>I took the wound up hemp rope off of the saddle of my donkey and headed over to the cave opening. I could feel Hu Li’s eyes following me disapprovingly. </p><p></p><p>“Fine!” he spat. “Fine! If we all wish to die, then so be it! Just remember that I warned you all!” </p><p></p><p>I handed the rope to Lilian. “I was told it was fifty feet in length when I purchased it. But, I must admit, I have little skill with tying knots.” I told her. </p><p></p><p>The rope was quickly yanked out of her hands by Gabriel who had suddenly sprung up beside her. He and Talon went to work, securing one end of the rope to a rock near the edge of the cliff. Finished, Gabriel moved back to his sister. Aesendal stepped forward, a lit torch in his hand. He turned to me.</p><p></p><p>“Sorry, Evora. I got it from your donkey. I figured we needed it.” I only shrugged and stepped aside as he moved up to the cave opening. He winked at Lilian and dropped the torch down the opening. We jostled for position to get a good view of the show. </p><p></p><p>The torch struck a landing some thirty feet down and bounced out of sight. It’s glow lit the jagged landing enough for us to see. Lilian nodded and turned to Gabriel. </p><p></p><p>“You stay up here and keep the rope taut. Be ready to pull.” She said, then turned to Talon. “You go down first. Stay close to the rope and if there is danger, let us know and we’ll pull you up.” Then, looking at me, she added, “Evora, I’m sorry, but your donkey will have to stay up here.”</p><p></p><p>“Canaan will watch and protect him.” I said.</p><p></p><p>Talon grabbed hold of the rope and began his climb down. </p><p></p><p>Within a few minutes we were all down in the cave. Talon had assured us that there was no immediate danger and Lilian hastened us on. Hu Li protested as one after another we all scaled down to the landing. </p><p></p><p>“This is madness!” he repeated. “Jazzad is dead! And soon we’ll all be!” </p><p></p><p>No one listened. </p><p></p><p>Beyond the landing, a stony corridor declined slightly into darkness. The original torch was stuck about half way down. Aesendal sprang forward and grabbed it. He and Hu Li spoke a few quick arcane words. A sparkling, translucent field of mage armor floated around each of them. </p><p></p><p>We crept along through the darkness, Lilian leading us, her blade thrust forward. Aesendal was just behind her. Next was Gabriel, then myself, Shale, Hu Li and finally Talon. </p><p></p><p>The floor of the cave was covered with a soft, pungent slime. Hu Li chirped with excitement. </p><p></p><p>“Bat guano! And in such abundance! Had I access to the evocations of the Third Valence, I would be able to conjure up endless exploding balls of fire!” </p><p></p><p>Suddenly, drops of shadow began to rain down over us. It struck Aesendal’s torch and the light was immediately snuffed out. Lilian froze. </p><p></p><p>“There is evil here.” She said. </p><p></p><p>Aesendal muttered “<em>Lumos</em>!” But the darkness only grew.</p><p></p><p>Fear seized me. I prayed to Canaan to grant me sanctuary. He heard my cry, for I felt dark, fleshy tendrils reaching out, trying to grab me, but they passed by me and I remained unharmed.</p><p></p><p>Hu Li screamed. “This is most unpleasant!” </p><p></p><p>I heard him fall to the floor. </p><p></p><p>There were shouts and Lilian let loose a battle cry. </p><p></p><p>A moment later, a ball of light emanated from Aesendal’s palm and the cavern was flooded with light. Hu Li lay unconscious on the floor along side a fleshy, black, tendriled horror. </p><p></p><p>“A darkmantle.” Sighed Shale. “Hu Li is paralyzed and will be for some time.” </p><p></p><p>I hurried over to Hu Li. He was still alive, but was fading fast. His breathing was labored and erratic. I called upon Canaan’s Grace and placed my hands upon Hu Li. He remained unconscious, but his breathing relaxed and normalized.</p><p></p><p>Talon and Gabriel lifted his tall frame and we all made haste down the cave. The ground became damp with muddied, moss clogged water. </p><p></p><p>The last dying rays of the day’s sun poured through an opening up ahead. We emerged in a thick, wet, mass of grass far taller than even Hu Li. </p><p></p><p>Before I knew it, all sense of direction was lost to me. I called out for help. Soon all of us were yelling for each other. </p><p></p><p>Lilian cried out. “Everyone stop moving! Just keep calling out.” </p><p></p><p>I obeyed. </p><p></p><p>The grass rustled behind me. I turned and hands grabbed me. I was pulled into the grass by Gabriel. He let me go and yelled. </p><p></p><p>“Lilian! We’re over here! I have Evora, Hu Li and Talon!” </p><p></p><p>After several minutes of yelling out to each other, we were all together, but the grass still walled us in on all sides. Water was seeping through my boots. The sun set. Night closed in and we stood there staring at each other, at a loss. </p><p></p><p>“We can’t make camp here.” Said Lilian. “It’s too wet.” </p><p></p><p>“What was that?” Shale asked. </p><p></p><p>We all got very quiet. </p><p></p><p>“I heard it, too.” Said Aesendal. “Sounds like a dog barking.” </p><p></p><p>That’s when I heard it. A dog’s urgent barks, and they were coming closer. We heard splashes and a second later, a beautiful, yellow furred hound broke through the grass walls. It wagged its tail and disappeared back into the overgrowth. </p><p></p><p>Without a word, we all followed. Talon and Gabriel carried Hu Li. </p><p></p><p>The moist ground finally began to give way to dry ground. </p><p></p><p>Exhausted, spent, and feeling a little foolhardy, we all collapsed into a hasty camp. The dog kept watch over us the entire night. </p><p></p><p>The following morning, immediately after my morning prayers, I called upon Canaan’s healing grace for Hu Li. This time, his eyes fluttered open. He looked at me, began to smile, but then sighed and frowned.</p><p></p><p>“Damn. It’s you.” He said. </p><p></p><p>The dog began to bark incessantly, urgently. </p><p></p><p>“What is that horrible noise?” Hu Li asked, holding his head. “What happened to me?” </p><p></p><p>There was no time to explain. Gabriel pulled the wizard to his feet and we were off, chasing after the hound, who would often stop and look back to us, making sure we were still following.</p><p></p><p>The dog finally stopped at a short mound. We all came to a sudden halt. I grabbed hold of my mace and Lilian unsheathed her sword. </p><p></p><p>There on the mound was a naked, mud caked man, wearing the severed, hollowed out head of a boar over his face. </p><p></p><p>The dog bounded up next to him. The man reached out a hand and the dog licked it, excitedly. </p><p></p><p>“I am the Boar King!” The man shouted. </p><p></p><p>Lilian stepped forward. “We are looking for a Ranger, Jazzad. Do you know of him?”</p><p></p><p>“I am the Boar King!” The man repeated. </p><p></p><p>“I am the Acolyte, Hu Li!” Hu Li shouted back.</p><p></p><p>The man became agitated. He began to dance around.</p><p></p><p>“I am the Boar King!” The man repeated. </p><p></p><p>“I am the Acolyte, Hu Li!”</p><p></p><p>“I am the Boar King!”</p><p></p><p>“I am the Acolyte, Hu Li!”</p><p></p><p>“I am the Boar King!” </p><p></p><p>“I am the Acolyte, Hu Li!” </p><p></p><p>“I am the Boar King!” </p><p></p><p>“I am the Acolyte, Hu Li!” </p><p></p><p>“I am the Boar King!” </p><p></p><p>“Enough of this!” Hu Li said. “<em>Domiere</em>!” </p><p></p><p>The wild man stopped his dance and fell onto his face, fast asleep.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Canaan, post: 2820245, member: 40239"] [b]Chapter 5: The Boar King[/b] I awoke the following morning to the sounds of Hu Li mumbling incoherently over an opened book. I was tempted to peer over his shoulder, but I wished not to be rude, and the sun was just peeking over the Eastern Horizon and it was the traditional time for me to Commune with my Lord and Life. I found an appropriately secluded spot a few paces from the camp and performed my morning prayers. By the time the sun had cleared the horizon and shone its full glory over the vast plains, Canaan’s Grace was once again granted to me for the day. Hu Li’s irritated, shrill voice tripped over the air as I returned to the camp. “And I reiterate…” he huffed “tracking down these creatures will earn us nothing but our deaths. Their tracks will lead us nowhere else but to their lair where hundreds will be laying in wait. It’s the same as trying to stomp a roach with a rock, only to release one hundred other roaches that were hiding under said rock.” When I returned to the campsite, I saw that Hu Li was pacing about, his arms flailing as if swatting away gnats. The rest of the travelers had rolled up their blankets and slid their backpacks over their shoulders. Their eyes looked in every direction but the one where Hu Li paced. Talon sighed. The sound stopped Hu Li in his tracks. In fact, everyone else turned their head toward the monk. “We have already been through all this.” He quietly announced, giving away no hint of emotion. “We track the goblins. We believe that their presence in the Wildlands is linked with both the rabid boars and the missing Jazzad.” “Jazzad?!” shrieked Hu Li. “I keep forgetting! That’s right! We’re tracking down some lost ranger that none of us neither know nor have even ever seen! All based on the ramblings of a perpetually smashed weed peddler!” “We are keeping a promise.” Lilian said. “You may leave at any time.” Gabriel added. “Bah!” Hu Li said after a short silence, flinging his hands up in utter exasperation. He bent down and grabbed up his backpack. He stopped when he spotted me at the edge of the camp. He shot up, then took a few steps toward me, a pale, crooked finger bent toward me. “What say you, Priest?” I could feel all eyes on me. “Do we track down the goblins in sketchy hope they will lead us to our goal, or do we continue our search by circumventing their stomping grounds and avoiding more raids?” “We have already decided…” Aesendal began, taking a step closer to me. “Leave Evora alone.” “NO!” shrilled Hu Li. “I want to hear his counsel! Tell us, oh Disciple of Canaan. Which way shall we go?” I looked toward the others. They averted my glances. Only Hu Li held my gaze. I considered the argument for a short time. “If a Ranger is lost where he is most at home,” I began “Then it is clear that some harm has befallen him. If these goblins and boars are acting out of accordance to their natures, we must believe that the disappearance of the Ranger Jazzad is connected to what has been happening. We have little choice. Until some new evidence compels us to amend this, we must track the goblins.” “Fine.” Said Hu Li. He was silent for the remainder of the morning. Shale led us in following the goblin footprints. “I am no Ranger” he would say when the evidence of their passing grew scarce. “But I am doing what I can.” Late in the day, we had come to a standstill. Shale scoured the ground, bent over, pushing the tall grass aside, checking every blade with extreme diligence. At last he stood and scratched his head. “They are gone.” Shale said, perplexed. “No.” Snapped Hu Li. “You have lost them. Which is just as well. This was a fool’s errand. I suggest, no, I demand we give up this folly and attempt… ” Gabriel growled. “Enough, Jordan.” “That is the Acolyte Hu Li!!!” Talon calmly approached Shale. “If I may suggest...” He began. “Does not the Green grant you the power to converse with natural beasts?” Shale put his hand to his forehead and sighed. “Of course! I’m such a fool!” Moments later a small blue and yellow feathered bird was fluttering in front of Shale. The grass around him seemed to catch the rays of the low hanging sun, causing each and every blade to shine brilliantly. The two shared chirps for a few moments, and then the bird turned and fluttered away. “She has seen the goblins. She knows where they are.” Shale said to the rest of us. “And we’re going the other way, yes?” Hu Li asked. He was dutifully ignored. Shale took off running after the small bird. Lilian and Gabriel were right behind him. Aesendal and Shale strode side by side. Hu Li stomped incredulously a few paces in front of me. I struggled to keep up, pulling my encumbered, fatigued donkey with as much firmness and compassion as I could. I realized around this time that I had failed to give my poor beast of burden a name. I made myself a promise to rectify that by the day’s end. Unfortunately for my donkey, the bizarre events of the remainder of the day would force me to delay that promise. The little bird led us to a cave at the top of a vast canyon that split the landscape for such a length it could not be measured by a mere glance. The cave’s narrow opening yawned up from an otherwise nondescript grassy mound. Had it not been for the bird excitingly hovering over it, we would have never taken notice. Once Shale had led us to the opening, the bird immediately flew away. The canyon was alive with rich, echoing sounds of life; bird caws, splashes and even a few roars. Hu Li pushed his way past Shale and stood atop the mound. He looked straight down. “The cliffs are sheer and over one hundred feet to the floor. Much of the floor is broken with marsh land. There’s also a strange rock formation jetting out at the far end on the canyon. Hm.” He turned back to us. “Who here can climb?” No one answered. “Just as I thought!” He remained up top the mound, his already tall, narrow, bone white frame back lit by the setting sun. His face was featureless and blackened by deep shadows that fell over his head. “Lilian, you know I am not one to judge, nor do I wish to cause any fraying of morale in what is already a tense situation.” Hu Li’s usually high pitched squeal was deadened, lowered, darkened. “But you have led us to nothing. We are stopped here and can go no further. Jazzad is dead. He is fodder for the Eyeless Hollow Ones. We must accept this and return to Goldfire Glen immediately. We will inform Menion and have a swift but appropriately emotional funeral for the fallen Ranger. We have already lost Boots to this madness! I demand we turn around and return to civilization immediately!” “We could climb down the cave opening.” Said Lilian, who had listened patiently to everything Hu Li spewed, but, clearly, refused to bestow any real credence to his words. “Do we have rope?” Asked Talon, moving over to her. The two peered down the hole. “It’s quite dark.” Said Lilian. I took the wound up hemp rope off of the saddle of my donkey and headed over to the cave opening. I could feel Hu Li’s eyes following me disapprovingly. “Fine!” he spat. “Fine! If we all wish to die, then so be it! Just remember that I warned you all!” I handed the rope to Lilian. “I was told it was fifty feet in length when I purchased it. But, I must admit, I have little skill with tying knots.” I told her. The rope was quickly yanked out of her hands by Gabriel who had suddenly sprung up beside her. He and Talon went to work, securing one end of the rope to a rock near the edge of the cliff. Finished, Gabriel moved back to his sister. Aesendal stepped forward, a lit torch in his hand. He turned to me. “Sorry, Evora. I got it from your donkey. I figured we needed it.” I only shrugged and stepped aside as he moved up to the cave opening. He winked at Lilian and dropped the torch down the opening. We jostled for position to get a good view of the show. The torch struck a landing some thirty feet down and bounced out of sight. It’s glow lit the jagged landing enough for us to see. Lilian nodded and turned to Gabriel. “You stay up here and keep the rope taut. Be ready to pull.” She said, then turned to Talon. “You go down first. Stay close to the rope and if there is danger, let us know and we’ll pull you up.” Then, looking at me, she added, “Evora, I’m sorry, but your donkey will have to stay up here.” “Canaan will watch and protect him.” I said. Talon grabbed hold of the rope and began his climb down. Within a few minutes we were all down in the cave. Talon had assured us that there was no immediate danger and Lilian hastened us on. Hu Li protested as one after another we all scaled down to the landing. “This is madness!” he repeated. “Jazzad is dead! And soon we’ll all be!” No one listened. Beyond the landing, a stony corridor declined slightly into darkness. The original torch was stuck about half way down. Aesendal sprang forward and grabbed it. He and Hu Li spoke a few quick arcane words. A sparkling, translucent field of mage armor floated around each of them. We crept along through the darkness, Lilian leading us, her blade thrust forward. Aesendal was just behind her. Next was Gabriel, then myself, Shale, Hu Li and finally Talon. The floor of the cave was covered with a soft, pungent slime. Hu Li chirped with excitement. “Bat guano! And in such abundance! Had I access to the evocations of the Third Valence, I would be able to conjure up endless exploding balls of fire!” Suddenly, drops of shadow began to rain down over us. It struck Aesendal’s torch and the light was immediately snuffed out. Lilian froze. “There is evil here.” She said. Aesendal muttered “[I]Lumos[/I]!” But the darkness only grew. Fear seized me. I prayed to Canaan to grant me sanctuary. He heard my cry, for I felt dark, fleshy tendrils reaching out, trying to grab me, but they passed by me and I remained unharmed. Hu Li screamed. “This is most unpleasant!” I heard him fall to the floor. There were shouts and Lilian let loose a battle cry. A moment later, a ball of light emanated from Aesendal’s palm and the cavern was flooded with light. Hu Li lay unconscious on the floor along side a fleshy, black, tendriled horror. “A darkmantle.” Sighed Shale. “Hu Li is paralyzed and will be for some time.” I hurried over to Hu Li. He was still alive, but was fading fast. His breathing was labored and erratic. I called upon Canaan’s Grace and placed my hands upon Hu Li. He remained unconscious, but his breathing relaxed and normalized. Talon and Gabriel lifted his tall frame and we all made haste down the cave. The ground became damp with muddied, moss clogged water. The last dying rays of the day’s sun poured through an opening up ahead. We emerged in a thick, wet, mass of grass far taller than even Hu Li. Before I knew it, all sense of direction was lost to me. I called out for help. Soon all of us were yelling for each other. Lilian cried out. “Everyone stop moving! Just keep calling out.” I obeyed. The grass rustled behind me. I turned and hands grabbed me. I was pulled into the grass by Gabriel. He let me go and yelled. “Lilian! We’re over here! I have Evora, Hu Li and Talon!” After several minutes of yelling out to each other, we were all together, but the grass still walled us in on all sides. Water was seeping through my boots. The sun set. Night closed in and we stood there staring at each other, at a loss. “We can’t make camp here.” Said Lilian. “It’s too wet.” “What was that?” Shale asked. We all got very quiet. “I heard it, too.” Said Aesendal. “Sounds like a dog barking.” That’s when I heard it. A dog’s urgent barks, and they were coming closer. We heard splashes and a second later, a beautiful, yellow furred hound broke through the grass walls. It wagged its tail and disappeared back into the overgrowth. Without a word, we all followed. Talon and Gabriel carried Hu Li. The moist ground finally began to give way to dry ground. Exhausted, spent, and feeling a little foolhardy, we all collapsed into a hasty camp. The dog kept watch over us the entire night. The following morning, immediately after my morning prayers, I called upon Canaan’s healing grace for Hu Li. This time, his eyes fluttered open. He looked at me, began to smile, but then sighed and frowned. “Damn. It’s you.” He said. The dog began to bark incessantly, urgently. “What is that horrible noise?” Hu Li asked, holding his head. “What happened to me?” There was no time to explain. Gabriel pulled the wizard to his feet and we were off, chasing after the hound, who would often stop and look back to us, making sure we were still following. The dog finally stopped at a short mound. We all came to a sudden halt. I grabbed hold of my mace and Lilian unsheathed her sword. There on the mound was a naked, mud caked man, wearing the severed, hollowed out head of a boar over his face. The dog bounded up next to him. The man reached out a hand and the dog licked it, excitedly. “I am the Boar King!” The man shouted. Lilian stepped forward. “We are looking for a Ranger, Jazzad. Do you know of him?” “I am the Boar King!” The man repeated. “I am the Acolyte, Hu Li!” Hu Li shouted back. The man became agitated. He began to dance around. “I am the Boar King!” The man repeated. “I am the Acolyte, Hu Li!” “I am the Boar King!” “I am the Acolyte, Hu Li!” “I am the Boar King!” “I am the Acolyte, Hu Li!” “I am the Boar King!” “I am the Acolyte, Hu Li!” “I am the Boar King!” “Enough of this!” Hu Li said. “[I]Domiere[/I]!” The wild man stopped his dance and fell onto his face, fast asleep. [/QUOTE]
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