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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: 2820269" data-attributes="member: 40239"><p><strong>Chapter 10: Goblins & Mushrooms</strong></p><p></p><p>We reached the border of Goldfire Glen by the middle of the next day. The final hours of the trip went by in silence. When we arrived the main cobblestone street was alive with activity. White robed Canaan priests were hoisting gold and silver laced flags up roof top poles that looked as if they had not been used in decades. Young, gray-garbed disciples were hastily polishing each pole, cleaning away years of weathering. </p><p></p><p>A gloriously stitched golden Canaan Cross gleamed in the center of each ivory flag. We soon learned that word had spread about the impending arrival of the delegation from Soliel. Instead of attempting to squelch or limit the rumors, Father Nimitz had wisely chosen to embrace the growing excitement and make ready the village for the historic event. </p><p></p><p>Scents of fresh baked bread, incense, sausages and beer mixed delightfully and heavily in the air, but yoked as we were with our mission, we had not the time to indulge in any of the town’s giddiness. Not that everyone was overjoyed with the news. I could see the fear which clouded the faces of most of the Green worshipping farmers who trod the busy streets. They knew they would have to make their true devotions discreet under the oppressive glares of the Inquisitors who were about to invade their home. I tried to bestow a compassionate smile when I spotted that look of dread, but it was of little avail, as being a Priest of Canaan myself, my paltry attempt at comforting them, I am sure, only exacerbated their worry. </p><p></p><p>Lilian and I left Gabriel and Hu Li to gather Aesendal from the Feisty Fox and retrieve Talon from his Master and look in on Shale’s recovery. Lilian and I were to go to the Church of Canaan and request horses to speed our journey. As Lilian was a designated Champion in service of Goldfire Glen, such a request could not be denied. </p><p></p><p>As the stableman saddled up our mounts, Father Nimitz bound toward us. It was the first time I met this jovial, well fed man. His round, perpetually smiling face glowed from within. He greeted Lilian with a warm hug, then turned to me.</p><p></p><p>“So, this is Evora Faro.” He said, shaking my hand. “The Lady Evenshire has told me much about you.”</p><p></p><p>“There isn’t much to say.” I said.</p><p></p><p>“Nonsense!” He answered with a laugh and hardy, stinging slap on my shoulder. At that moment his eyes met the saddles being tightened on our conscripted horses. He turned to Lilian. </p><p></p><p>“You have just returned!” He bellowed. “How can you be leaving so soon? The delegation will be here any day now!” </p><p></p><p>“We have urgent business in the Wildlands.” Lilian said evenly. “Two men suffer from an enigmatic toxin they ingested there and…” she hesitated and looked toward me. I nodded, signaling her that it was best she continued. “We have reason to believe a fiend, a servant of the Adversary, is wreaking havoc somewhere in the midst of the Wildlands.”</p><p></p><p>“By Canaan!” gasped Nimitz. “What sort of fiend?” </p><p></p><p>“An imp.” I answered for her. “A familiar of a long dead Diabolist. It had been entombed near the corpse of its master for nearly a century, only to be freed from its bindings by what we do not know.” </p><p></p><p>Both Father Nimitz and the stableman stared horrified at me for a long, silent moment. Lilian broke the tension.</p><p></p><p>“So, you see, our mission is both urgent and dire.” She said. “We are to track down and slay this menace before it is too late.” </p><p></p><p>Father Nimitz nodded and a moment later gave us a hasty blessing. He left us, his terrified, worried look never fully vanishing from his face. The stableman quickly finished securing the saddles to our procured horses and was off with little more than a curt nod.</p><p></p><p>We had six. One horse for each of us. My donkey was to be stabled, being that he would only slow us down, and we needed to move with all swiftness. Lilian and I tethered the horses together and led them to the Feisty Fox. Aesendal was waiting for us. He was dressed for traveling. He donned a gray cloak that hung over a loose shirt and pants tucked into shin high boots. His hands were sheathed in thick leather gloves. His eyes were somehow brighter than I recalled them, and at certain angles, looked almost reptilian. I decided that fatigue was causing my mind to play tricks on me.</p><p></p><p>The young sorcerer told us that Gabriel had gone off to retrieve Talon. </p><p></p><p>“We should purchase our provisions while he’s away.” Aesendal said. Lilian and I agreed. She was also anxious to have others meet the strange Shuuthian who had purchased the shop from Tanner. </p><p></p><p>Lilian led Aesendal and I to the shop. It was filled with the usual accoutrements associated with long travel and adventuring types. Lanterns, oil, ropes, poles, rolled up blankets, waterskins, torches and bags of dried meats and cheeses. A door on the far end creaked open as we entered. A tall, gaunt, ebony skinned man dressed in a richly colored shirt and plain, dark pants appeared behind the wooden counter near the rear of the store. He scowled at us.</p><p></p><p>“May I help you?” He said. His voice was touched with a bulky but musical accent. I had never met anyone from Shuuth, and was momentarily shaken by both his appearance and the alien sound of his voice. </p><p></p><p>“We seek provisions.” Aesendal answered, taking long strides to get closer to the man. I noticed the Shuuthian recoil subtly at the sorcerer’s approach. Lilian and I followed Aesendal. </p><p></p><p>“Of course.” The shopkeeper said. “I have everything that you need.”</p><p></p><p>“We need a week’s worth of rations and at least ten torches.” Lilian said, moving in front of Aesendel. Her eyes studied the new shopkeeper with great earnestness. </p><p></p><p>“Very well.” Said the man. “That will be fifty gold pieces.” </p><p></p><p>Lilian and I raised an eyebrow. Aesendal leaned forward. </p><p></p><p>“That’s impossible!” Aesendal retorted. “All told, it should not be more than ten!” </p><p></p><p>“But that is my price.” The Shuuthian said, his voice cracking with indignity. “If you can find someone else in this village with the same provisions for less, I suggest you go to them. But alas…” He added with an oily grin. “There are no other shops here which specialize in the products you need. I suppose you have little choice. If you do not like it, there is the door. I am a busy man and have no time to deal with your foolishness!”</p><p></p><p>We decided the higher priority were the torches. If all else failed, we could hunt for our food. Even so, the man charged us twenty gold for ten wooden sticks topped with treated cloth. Aesendal stormed out as I lagged behind with Lilian to pay. </p><p></p><p>We both nodded to the man respectfully, only to be answered with another scowl. </p><p></p><p>We left, catching up with a crimson faced Aesendal. Rounding the corner to our right, I spotted Talon, Hu Li and Gabriel. They instantly saw us standing outside the shop and a moment later we were all together.</p><p></p><p>“The man is evil.” Lilian said in a hushed tone. “He was trying to hide it. His aura was muted somehow, but I could still sense it.”</p><p></p><p>“How do you know that?” Gabriel asked. </p><p></p><p>“As a Champion of Canaan, I have the power to sense the presence of true malevolence, to <em>detect evil</em>, if you will. It is a subtle gift, but a very potent and indispensable one. I could feel the man’s traces of evil, of that I have no doubt.” </p><p></p><p>“What do we do about it?” Gritted Aesendal, his hands balled up into fists.</p><p></p><p>“Are there laws in the village that pertain to price gouging?” I asked. Lilian shook her head. </p><p></p><p>“Not any I know of.” She said. </p><p></p><p>“I don’t like this.” Aesendal said. </p><p></p><p>“Neither do I.” Gabriel added. </p><p></p><p>“We should have the guard lock him up.” The sorcerer continued. “Find out why he’s here and what he wants.” </p><p></p><p>“He is here to make money.” Hu Li snorted. “He wants to make a living. And that is all. He may be rude and overpriced, but that does not make him a villain. We cannot dally here any longer. A ranger and a druid are dying. A true fiend is loose upon the land and it is our duty to stop it!”</p><p></p><p>“But what if the arrival of this… foreigner… is connected to everything else that’s been happening?” Asked Aesendal. </p><p></p><p>“We find that out from Veshra.” Lilian said. “Hu Li is right. We need to find the imp and the antidote for Shale and Jazzad first. When we return, we’ll find out more about this new shopkeeper.”</p><p></p><p>An hour later, we were miles away from Goldfire Glen. Lilian led the way. We were riding at top speed. Chill winds battered us from the east, as we made our way north and west, back toward Farmer Jed’s, back toward the haunted Granite Bridge, and back into the Wildlands. By nightfall, we were already there. Our steeds were exhausted and in the last hour or so of the day, they began to revolt, slowing down, trying to buck us off our saddles, stopping by a puddle of water for a drink, or a clump of grass for a bite. </p><p></p><p>Well enough into the Wildlands, we all agreed it was time to make camp. </p><p></p><p>Talon had informed us that both Shale and Jazzad, while not improving, had at least stabilized. They were both being kept sedated by their watchers in order to slow the progression of the mysterious contaminant. Shale was being looked over by Talon’s Master; Menion, the Herbalist, was caring for Jazzad. </p><p></p><p>After what felt like only an hour’s rest, the sun crept over the Eastern horizon behind us. After Lilian and I finished our morning prayers, Aesendal completed his arcane rituals, Hu Li dispensed of his studies and Talon and Gabriel concluded their meditations and exercises, we all silently climbed into our saddles and rapidly rode west.</p><p></p><p>Two full days passed unmolested by boar or goblin. As the sun set, casting wide orange and yellow sheets across the landscape, we arrived at the edge of the great rift below which housed Vorhees’s tomb, the swamp and the goblin village. </p><p></p><p>Leaving our horses tied to a rock at the cliff’s edge, we gathered enough rope to climb down the dark tunnel we traversed a week before. A few hours later, led by Aesendal’s light that glowed around his raised, gloved hand, we were once again in the thick of the marsh lands. The sun had completely set and the black sky was sprinkled with twinkling stars like sugar crystals floating on thick, Shuuthian coffee. </p><p></p><p>We had little time to take in the splendor of our surroundings, however, as Lilian pushed us toward the dried out ravine, at the bottom of which awaited the goblin village. During our brisk, tiring ride back into the Wildlands we had concluded that the goblin village was the first place to look for both a cure for Shale and Jazzad and to find clues as to the whereabouts of Veshra.</p><p></p><p>When we arrived at the edge of the ravine, I could smell rancid smoke choking the air. Thick, black rivers of smoke rose above the edge of the ravine, barely visible in the dark night. A sickening, mad war chant broke through the night’s silence. </p><p></p><p>“They’re preparing for something…” Whispered Gabriel. “We should end this now.” </p><p></p><p>“One moment.” Lilian crawled to the edge and looked over. A few moments later she returned to us, her face void of color. “Veshra is there, somewhere, I am sure of it. Goblins do not exude the kind of evil I felt, no matter how frenzied they may be.”</p><p></p><p>“How many are there?” Asked Talon.</p><p></p><p>“A dozen or so.” Answered Lilian. “Surrounding what appears to be a shaman. He has a large black spider on his shoulder.” </p><p></p><p>“Talon!” spat Hu Li. “You are our master tactician. How do you suggest we tackle this menace?”</p><p></p><p>All eyes floated toward Hu Li. Quiet as he had been, his shrill voice suddenly splitting our conference startled me. His assertion that Talon was our tactician only confused me. Spanning the faces of the others I immediately surmised that I was not alone in my confusion. </p><p></p><p>Talon opened his mouth to speak, but Lilian took control of the moment. </p><p></p><p>“Hu Li and Aesendal will go to the far west of the village.” She said. “Once there, Hu Li, you will summon your celestial dog while Aesendal, you prestidigitate a distracting light show. The interruption will confound them. The shaman will most likely order his minions to investigate, leaving him open for an assault. Myself, Talon, Gabriel and Evora will deal with the shaman and what is left of his guards. My hope is once we fell their leader, the rest will scatter and whatever wickedness they are intending will be thwarted.” </p><p></p><p>“And if they do not scatter, my fair lady?” Hissed Hu Li. </p><p></p><p>“Then we deal with them. As best we can.” Impatiently spat Aesendal, clearly weary of the wizard’s cowardice. </p><p></p><p>The two arcanists ventured off. The rest of us crept as close to the edge of the village as shadows and terrain allowed. The air was thick with smoke and it took a great effort to fight down my reflex to cough. Mercifully, Aesendal and Hu Li did not disappoint. On the far end of the village, two tall torches exploded into dazzling sparks and <em>pyrotechnic</em> explosions that lit the night sky like lightning. The goblins shouted in terror. As Lilian predicted, the shaman pointed his twisted wooden staff toward the disturbance and most of the goblins that had been dancing around him tore off to investigate. </p><p></p><p>From our standpoint we could hear Hu Li’s conjured hound barking. Battle had begun. </p><p></p><p>“Now!” Shouted Lilian. Talon and Gabriel, swift of foot and free from bulky armor, were first to pounce on the shaman’s thinned protection. Bones cracked as the two monks took hold of what was left of the goblins, clearing a path toward the shaman for Lilian and me. </p><p></p><p>The black spider on the shaman’s shoulder stood on its four hind legs and batted its four front legs at us in defiance. The shaman spoke ancient, draconic words while waving his hand two and fro in front of his face. Two black, smoky spheres sprung from his fingers, striking Lilian in the chest. </p><p></p><p>She stumbled back, but did not fall. I lunged past her and came upon the shaman, striking down with my mace, but missing his small frame entirely as he leapt aside. My mace managed only to dig a small hole in the dirt. </p><p></p><p>The spider . . . giggled. </p><p></p><p>Lilian jumped between me and the shaman, slashing with her blade. She caught only air. </p><p></p><p>Gabriel and Talon dispatched the last of the goblins that remained to protect their master. </p><p></p><p>“They’re coming back!” Shouted Gabriel pointing to the west, toward the wall of goblins that had been sent away to investigate Aesendal’s trickery. </p><p></p><p>Two simultaneous voices rang out in chorus.</p><p></p><p>“<em>DOMIERE</em>!” They uttered, and half of the goblins tumbled to the ground, in a deep sleep. Aesendal sprang from the shadows of the end of the village, hastily closing in behind the remaining goblins. His frame was sheathed in a faint, shimmering glow. His mouth hung open, taking in a deep breath. </p><p></p><p>Gabriel and Talon leapt on the shaman, but failed to make any contact with him, protected as he was in his own transparent, glimmering patina. </p><p></p><p>A stream of acid erupted from Aesendal’s maw, showering the wall of goblins. They fell to the ground screaming as their flesh was eaten away. </p><p></p><p>I took a step back from the battle and prayed to Canaan to <em>bless</em> us in this face of our tribulation. Canaan answered. A lightness emitted from me, raining down on my allies, tightening their focus and renewing their spirit. </p><p></p><p>The spider turned to me and hissed something at the shaman. Although I could not understand the words, the tongue was unmistakably that of the dark, taboo language of the devils of Hell. </p><p></p><p>“Veshra…” I whispered. The spider froze, looking straight at me with its six tiny eyes. I attest to this day that at that moment, the spider somehow managed to smile at me. </p><p></p><p>The shaman turned toward me, ignoring all others and began muttering. His hands dripped colorful, crackling streams of sand. He raised them and I was instantly enveloped by a <em>color spray</em>. I tried to fight off the paralyzing sensation that took hold of me, but ultimately failed. All turned white. The last thing I remember was Lilian’s horrified face watching as I crumpled to the ground. </p><p></p><p>When I awoke I was seized with pain. Lilian knelt next me, her hands on my chest, pouring in warm waves of Canaan’s grace. I was conscious, but overcome with stinging agony. I tried to move, but Lilian pressed upon my shoulder. </p><p></p><p>“Wait a moment.” She said. “You have been bitten by a centipede the size of my forearm. The poison will pass, or so Talon believes, in a moment. If it were not for Hu Li, I do not think you would have survived. </p><p></p><p>A shadow fell over me. I looked up and saw Hu Li grinning smugly over me. </p><p></p><p>“That’s right, Priest.” He said. “I saved you! Glory be to me! The Acolyte Hu Li and to the Eyeless Hollow Ones who darken my path!” </p><p></p><p>“Is he awake?” I heard Gabriel’s voice somewhere nearby. It was heavy with pain. </p><p></p><p>“I am.” I said, forcing myself through my own pain to stand. Lilian tried to protest, but I ignored her. She quickly gave up and helped me to my feet. </p><p></p><p>As I healed my battered companions, they told me what had happened:</p><p></p><p>The Shaman had great power. He summoned waves of cat-sized centipedes, whose finger length pinchers bit straight through armor, injecting a burning toxin deep under the flesh. As I lay there, a few of these massive vermin took turns feasting on bits of me. Between the band of goblins and the centipedes, my companions, save Hu Li, were overwhelmed and could not get close enough to the Shaman and the beast that clung to his shoulder. Hu Li skulked in the shadows, avoiding the battle. </p><p></p><p>“Not out of cowardice!” He interjected. “Where some of you use brute strength, I use cunning! And it worked!” </p><p></p><p>The Shaman moved to my bleeding, comatose body, brandishing a long knife, ready to slash my throat and end my life. Hu Li flung two <em>magic missiles</em> at the Shaman, catching him dead in the face. Burnt through by the mystic blow, the Shaman fell back, dead. </p><p></p><p>When Lilian ran up to the corpse, the spider hissed, assuming a <em>gaseous form</em>, and vanished in a cloud of brown mist. </p><p></p><p>* * *</p><p></p><p>Lilian’s prediction proved to be accurate. Upon seeing their leader slain, the few remaining goblins fled into the night. </p><p></p><p>Aesendal and Gabriel wanted to hunt them down to the last one, but the rest of us convinced them otherwise. Talon and Hu Li immediately began searching the abandoned squat huts. </p><p></p><p>Laughter filled my head. It was childlike, but ancient, timeless and cruel, like a young girl who had done something horribly wrong and was glad for it. I scanned the others and could see that they, too, had heard the laughter. </p><p></p><p>“Hurry, now! Hurry!” She cackled. “Your friends are dying! Your town is crumbling! Why waste time with goblins and mushrooms when all you love and cherish lies crushed and bleeding in the streets? Heroes are you? More like idiots! Clumsy and blind! Hurry now! Hurry!” </p><p></p><p>Veshra’s laughter died away. </p><p></p><p>Talon emerged from one of the larger tents. He held a sack in his clinched hand. He glided over to Lilian who was clutching at her chest where the shaman’s magic missiles had struck her. I moved to her, praying for Canaan’s grace and healed the wounds.</p><p></p><p>“We have to leave now!” She said. No one argued. As we hurried back to the cliff where our horses awaited, Talon held out the bag, opening the top of it.</p><p></p><p>The inside was stuffed with bluish green mushrooms. </p><p></p><p>“I believe we have found the cure for what ails Jazzad and Shale.” He said.</p><p></p><p>“Good.” Said Lilian. </p><p></p><p>“If there is anything left of them to cure.” Mewed Hu Li. </p><p></p><p>Although no one answered, I admit I secretly agreed with him. If Veshra was speaking the truth, then Goldfire Glen and all its innocent inhabitants were in great danger and our dalliance into the Wildlands may have not only been in vain, but may have sealed their doom. </p><p></p><p>“There is still time, my lady.” Said Talon calmly. “All is far from lost. The Green will provide. Have faith.” </p><p></p><p>I wanted to believe him.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Canaan, post: 2820269, member: 40239"] [b]Chapter 10: Goblins & Mushrooms[/b] We reached the border of Goldfire Glen by the middle of the next day. The final hours of the trip went by in silence. When we arrived the main cobblestone street was alive with activity. White robed Canaan priests were hoisting gold and silver laced flags up roof top poles that looked as if they had not been used in decades. Young, gray-garbed disciples were hastily polishing each pole, cleaning away years of weathering. A gloriously stitched golden Canaan Cross gleamed in the center of each ivory flag. We soon learned that word had spread about the impending arrival of the delegation from Soliel. Instead of attempting to squelch or limit the rumors, Father Nimitz had wisely chosen to embrace the growing excitement and make ready the village for the historic event. Scents of fresh baked bread, incense, sausages and beer mixed delightfully and heavily in the air, but yoked as we were with our mission, we had not the time to indulge in any of the town’s giddiness. Not that everyone was overjoyed with the news. I could see the fear which clouded the faces of most of the Green worshipping farmers who trod the busy streets. They knew they would have to make their true devotions discreet under the oppressive glares of the Inquisitors who were about to invade their home. I tried to bestow a compassionate smile when I spotted that look of dread, but it was of little avail, as being a Priest of Canaan myself, my paltry attempt at comforting them, I am sure, only exacerbated their worry. Lilian and I left Gabriel and Hu Li to gather Aesendal from the Feisty Fox and retrieve Talon from his Master and look in on Shale’s recovery. Lilian and I were to go to the Church of Canaan and request horses to speed our journey. As Lilian was a designated Champion in service of Goldfire Glen, such a request could not be denied. As the stableman saddled up our mounts, Father Nimitz bound toward us. It was the first time I met this jovial, well fed man. His round, perpetually smiling face glowed from within. He greeted Lilian with a warm hug, then turned to me. “So, this is Evora Faro.” He said, shaking my hand. “The Lady Evenshire has told me much about you.” “There isn’t much to say.” I said. “Nonsense!” He answered with a laugh and hardy, stinging slap on my shoulder. At that moment his eyes met the saddles being tightened on our conscripted horses. He turned to Lilian. “You have just returned!” He bellowed. “How can you be leaving so soon? The delegation will be here any day now!” “We have urgent business in the Wildlands.” Lilian said evenly. “Two men suffer from an enigmatic toxin they ingested there and…” she hesitated and looked toward me. I nodded, signaling her that it was best she continued. “We have reason to believe a fiend, a servant of the Adversary, is wreaking havoc somewhere in the midst of the Wildlands.” “By Canaan!” gasped Nimitz. “What sort of fiend?” “An imp.” I answered for her. “A familiar of a long dead Diabolist. It had been entombed near the corpse of its master for nearly a century, only to be freed from its bindings by what we do not know.” Both Father Nimitz and the stableman stared horrified at me for a long, silent moment. Lilian broke the tension. “So, you see, our mission is both urgent and dire.” She said. “We are to track down and slay this menace before it is too late.” Father Nimitz nodded and a moment later gave us a hasty blessing. He left us, his terrified, worried look never fully vanishing from his face. The stableman quickly finished securing the saddles to our procured horses and was off with little more than a curt nod. We had six. One horse for each of us. My donkey was to be stabled, being that he would only slow us down, and we needed to move with all swiftness. Lilian and I tethered the horses together and led them to the Feisty Fox. Aesendal was waiting for us. He was dressed for traveling. He donned a gray cloak that hung over a loose shirt and pants tucked into shin high boots. His hands were sheathed in thick leather gloves. His eyes were somehow brighter than I recalled them, and at certain angles, looked almost reptilian. I decided that fatigue was causing my mind to play tricks on me. The young sorcerer told us that Gabriel had gone off to retrieve Talon. “We should purchase our provisions while he’s away.” Aesendal said. Lilian and I agreed. She was also anxious to have others meet the strange Shuuthian who had purchased the shop from Tanner. Lilian led Aesendal and I to the shop. It was filled with the usual accoutrements associated with long travel and adventuring types. Lanterns, oil, ropes, poles, rolled up blankets, waterskins, torches and bags of dried meats and cheeses. A door on the far end creaked open as we entered. A tall, gaunt, ebony skinned man dressed in a richly colored shirt and plain, dark pants appeared behind the wooden counter near the rear of the store. He scowled at us. “May I help you?” He said. His voice was touched with a bulky but musical accent. I had never met anyone from Shuuth, and was momentarily shaken by both his appearance and the alien sound of his voice. “We seek provisions.” Aesendal answered, taking long strides to get closer to the man. I noticed the Shuuthian recoil subtly at the sorcerer’s approach. Lilian and I followed Aesendal. “Of course.” The shopkeeper said. “I have everything that you need.” “We need a week’s worth of rations and at least ten torches.” Lilian said, moving in front of Aesendel. Her eyes studied the new shopkeeper with great earnestness. “Very well.” Said the man. “That will be fifty gold pieces.” Lilian and I raised an eyebrow. Aesendal leaned forward. “That’s impossible!” Aesendal retorted. “All told, it should not be more than ten!” “But that is my price.” The Shuuthian said, his voice cracking with indignity. “If you can find someone else in this village with the same provisions for less, I suggest you go to them. But alas…” He added with an oily grin. “There are no other shops here which specialize in the products you need. I suppose you have little choice. If you do not like it, there is the door. I am a busy man and have no time to deal with your foolishness!” We decided the higher priority were the torches. If all else failed, we could hunt for our food. Even so, the man charged us twenty gold for ten wooden sticks topped with treated cloth. Aesendal stormed out as I lagged behind with Lilian to pay. We both nodded to the man respectfully, only to be answered with another scowl. We left, catching up with a crimson faced Aesendal. Rounding the corner to our right, I spotted Talon, Hu Li and Gabriel. They instantly saw us standing outside the shop and a moment later we were all together. “The man is evil.” Lilian said in a hushed tone. “He was trying to hide it. His aura was muted somehow, but I could still sense it.” “How do you know that?” Gabriel asked. “As a Champion of Canaan, I have the power to sense the presence of true malevolence, to [I]detect evil[/I], if you will. It is a subtle gift, but a very potent and indispensable one. I could feel the man’s traces of evil, of that I have no doubt.” “What do we do about it?” Gritted Aesendal, his hands balled up into fists. “Are there laws in the village that pertain to price gouging?” I asked. Lilian shook her head. “Not any I know of.” She said. “I don’t like this.” Aesendal said. “Neither do I.” Gabriel added. “We should have the guard lock him up.” The sorcerer continued. “Find out why he’s here and what he wants.” “He is here to make money.” Hu Li snorted. “He wants to make a living. And that is all. He may be rude and overpriced, but that does not make him a villain. We cannot dally here any longer. A ranger and a druid are dying. A true fiend is loose upon the land and it is our duty to stop it!” “But what if the arrival of this… foreigner… is connected to everything else that’s been happening?” Asked Aesendal. “We find that out from Veshra.” Lilian said. “Hu Li is right. We need to find the imp and the antidote for Shale and Jazzad first. When we return, we’ll find out more about this new shopkeeper.” An hour later, we were miles away from Goldfire Glen. Lilian led the way. We were riding at top speed. Chill winds battered us from the east, as we made our way north and west, back toward Farmer Jed’s, back toward the haunted Granite Bridge, and back into the Wildlands. By nightfall, we were already there. Our steeds were exhausted and in the last hour or so of the day, they began to revolt, slowing down, trying to buck us off our saddles, stopping by a puddle of water for a drink, or a clump of grass for a bite. Well enough into the Wildlands, we all agreed it was time to make camp. Talon had informed us that both Shale and Jazzad, while not improving, had at least stabilized. They were both being kept sedated by their watchers in order to slow the progression of the mysterious contaminant. Shale was being looked over by Talon’s Master; Menion, the Herbalist, was caring for Jazzad. After what felt like only an hour’s rest, the sun crept over the Eastern horizon behind us. After Lilian and I finished our morning prayers, Aesendal completed his arcane rituals, Hu Li dispensed of his studies and Talon and Gabriel concluded their meditations and exercises, we all silently climbed into our saddles and rapidly rode west. Two full days passed unmolested by boar or goblin. As the sun set, casting wide orange and yellow sheets across the landscape, we arrived at the edge of the great rift below which housed Vorhees’s tomb, the swamp and the goblin village. Leaving our horses tied to a rock at the cliff’s edge, we gathered enough rope to climb down the dark tunnel we traversed a week before. A few hours later, led by Aesendal’s light that glowed around his raised, gloved hand, we were once again in the thick of the marsh lands. The sun had completely set and the black sky was sprinkled with twinkling stars like sugar crystals floating on thick, Shuuthian coffee. We had little time to take in the splendor of our surroundings, however, as Lilian pushed us toward the dried out ravine, at the bottom of which awaited the goblin village. During our brisk, tiring ride back into the Wildlands we had concluded that the goblin village was the first place to look for both a cure for Shale and Jazzad and to find clues as to the whereabouts of Veshra. When we arrived at the edge of the ravine, I could smell rancid smoke choking the air. Thick, black rivers of smoke rose above the edge of the ravine, barely visible in the dark night. A sickening, mad war chant broke through the night’s silence. “They’re preparing for something…” Whispered Gabriel. “We should end this now.” “One moment.” Lilian crawled to the edge and looked over. A few moments later she returned to us, her face void of color. “Veshra is there, somewhere, I am sure of it. Goblins do not exude the kind of evil I felt, no matter how frenzied they may be.” “How many are there?” Asked Talon. “A dozen or so.” Answered Lilian. “Surrounding what appears to be a shaman. He has a large black spider on his shoulder.” “Talon!” spat Hu Li. “You are our master tactician. How do you suggest we tackle this menace?” All eyes floated toward Hu Li. Quiet as he had been, his shrill voice suddenly splitting our conference startled me. His assertion that Talon was our tactician only confused me. Spanning the faces of the others I immediately surmised that I was not alone in my confusion. Talon opened his mouth to speak, but Lilian took control of the moment. “Hu Li and Aesendal will go to the far west of the village.” She said. “Once there, Hu Li, you will summon your celestial dog while Aesendal, you prestidigitate a distracting light show. The interruption will confound them. The shaman will most likely order his minions to investigate, leaving him open for an assault. Myself, Talon, Gabriel and Evora will deal with the shaman and what is left of his guards. My hope is once we fell their leader, the rest will scatter and whatever wickedness they are intending will be thwarted.” “And if they do not scatter, my fair lady?” Hissed Hu Li. “Then we deal with them. As best we can.” Impatiently spat Aesendal, clearly weary of the wizard’s cowardice. The two arcanists ventured off. The rest of us crept as close to the edge of the village as shadows and terrain allowed. The air was thick with smoke and it took a great effort to fight down my reflex to cough. Mercifully, Aesendal and Hu Li did not disappoint. On the far end of the village, two tall torches exploded into dazzling sparks and [I]pyrotechnic[/I] explosions that lit the night sky like lightning. The goblins shouted in terror. As Lilian predicted, the shaman pointed his twisted wooden staff toward the disturbance and most of the goblins that had been dancing around him tore off to investigate. From our standpoint we could hear Hu Li’s conjured hound barking. Battle had begun. “Now!” Shouted Lilian. Talon and Gabriel, swift of foot and free from bulky armor, were first to pounce on the shaman’s thinned protection. Bones cracked as the two monks took hold of what was left of the goblins, clearing a path toward the shaman for Lilian and me. The black spider on the shaman’s shoulder stood on its four hind legs and batted its four front legs at us in defiance. The shaman spoke ancient, draconic words while waving his hand two and fro in front of his face. Two black, smoky spheres sprung from his fingers, striking Lilian in the chest. She stumbled back, but did not fall. I lunged past her and came upon the shaman, striking down with my mace, but missing his small frame entirely as he leapt aside. My mace managed only to dig a small hole in the dirt. The spider . . . giggled. Lilian jumped between me and the shaman, slashing with her blade. She caught only air. Gabriel and Talon dispatched the last of the goblins that remained to protect their master. “They’re coming back!” Shouted Gabriel pointing to the west, toward the wall of goblins that had been sent away to investigate Aesendal’s trickery. Two simultaneous voices rang out in chorus. “[I]DOMIERE[/I]!” They uttered, and half of the goblins tumbled to the ground, in a deep sleep. Aesendal sprang from the shadows of the end of the village, hastily closing in behind the remaining goblins. His frame was sheathed in a faint, shimmering glow. His mouth hung open, taking in a deep breath. Gabriel and Talon leapt on the shaman, but failed to make any contact with him, protected as he was in his own transparent, glimmering patina. A stream of acid erupted from Aesendal’s maw, showering the wall of goblins. They fell to the ground screaming as their flesh was eaten away. I took a step back from the battle and prayed to Canaan to [I]bless[/I] us in this face of our tribulation. Canaan answered. A lightness emitted from me, raining down on my allies, tightening their focus and renewing their spirit. The spider turned to me and hissed something at the shaman. Although I could not understand the words, the tongue was unmistakably that of the dark, taboo language of the devils of Hell. “Veshra…” I whispered. The spider froze, looking straight at me with its six tiny eyes. I attest to this day that at that moment, the spider somehow managed to smile at me. The shaman turned toward me, ignoring all others and began muttering. His hands dripped colorful, crackling streams of sand. He raised them and I was instantly enveloped by a [I]color spray[/I]. I tried to fight off the paralyzing sensation that took hold of me, but ultimately failed. All turned white. The last thing I remember was Lilian’s horrified face watching as I crumpled to the ground. When I awoke I was seized with pain. Lilian knelt next me, her hands on my chest, pouring in warm waves of Canaan’s grace. I was conscious, but overcome with stinging agony. I tried to move, but Lilian pressed upon my shoulder. “Wait a moment.” She said. “You have been bitten by a centipede the size of my forearm. The poison will pass, or so Talon believes, in a moment. If it were not for Hu Li, I do not think you would have survived. A shadow fell over me. I looked up and saw Hu Li grinning smugly over me. “That’s right, Priest.” He said. “I saved you! Glory be to me! The Acolyte Hu Li and to the Eyeless Hollow Ones who darken my path!” “Is he awake?” I heard Gabriel’s voice somewhere nearby. It was heavy with pain. “I am.” I said, forcing myself through my own pain to stand. Lilian tried to protest, but I ignored her. She quickly gave up and helped me to my feet. As I healed my battered companions, they told me what had happened: The Shaman had great power. He summoned waves of cat-sized centipedes, whose finger length pinchers bit straight through armor, injecting a burning toxin deep under the flesh. As I lay there, a few of these massive vermin took turns feasting on bits of me. Between the band of goblins and the centipedes, my companions, save Hu Li, were overwhelmed and could not get close enough to the Shaman and the beast that clung to his shoulder. Hu Li skulked in the shadows, avoiding the battle. “Not out of cowardice!” He interjected. “Where some of you use brute strength, I use cunning! And it worked!” The Shaman moved to my bleeding, comatose body, brandishing a long knife, ready to slash my throat and end my life. Hu Li flung two [I]magic missiles[/I] at the Shaman, catching him dead in the face. Burnt through by the mystic blow, the Shaman fell back, dead. When Lilian ran up to the corpse, the spider hissed, assuming a [I]gaseous form[/I], and vanished in a cloud of brown mist. * * * Lilian’s prediction proved to be accurate. Upon seeing their leader slain, the few remaining goblins fled into the night. Aesendal and Gabriel wanted to hunt them down to the last one, but the rest of us convinced them otherwise. Talon and Hu Li immediately began searching the abandoned squat huts. Laughter filled my head. It was childlike, but ancient, timeless and cruel, like a young girl who had done something horribly wrong and was glad for it. I scanned the others and could see that they, too, had heard the laughter. “Hurry, now! Hurry!” She cackled. “Your friends are dying! Your town is crumbling! Why waste time with goblins and mushrooms when all you love and cherish lies crushed and bleeding in the streets? Heroes are you? More like idiots! Clumsy and blind! Hurry now! Hurry!” Veshra’s laughter died away. Talon emerged from one of the larger tents. He held a sack in his clinched hand. He glided over to Lilian who was clutching at her chest where the shaman’s magic missiles had struck her. I moved to her, praying for Canaan’s grace and healed the wounds. “We have to leave now!” She said. No one argued. As we hurried back to the cliff where our horses awaited, Talon held out the bag, opening the top of it. The inside was stuffed with bluish green mushrooms. “I believe we have found the cure for what ails Jazzad and Shale.” He said. “Good.” Said Lilian. “If there is anything left of them to cure.” Mewed Hu Li. Although no one answered, I admit I secretly agreed with him. If Veshra was speaking the truth, then Goldfire Glen and all its innocent inhabitants were in great danger and our dalliance into the Wildlands may have not only been in vain, but may have sealed their doom. “There is still time, my lady.” Said Talon calmly. “All is far from lost. The Green will provide. Have faith.” I wanted to believe him. [/QUOTE]
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Tirlanolir/D'nemy's Tales of Turgos: The Heroes of Goldfire Glen (UPDATE 7/26)
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