A Chronicle of Ice, Luck and Honour - updated 19th December
- Thread starter Spider_Jerusalem
- Start date
Spider_Jerusalem
Explorer
Cheers Funeris. Thanks for the praise... I'm having to mentally checkpoint myself so that I don't post up too much.Funeris said:You never fail to amaze....and leave us wanting more!
Great update(s).
Hi Palskane! Welcome aboard. Thanks for dropping in... and you've hit the nail on the head with the ideas thing. I spent a couple of years before the campaign started just jotting down odd bits here and there. This chronicle is the campaign that I DMed, where everything came together really well. It's great to see that you have enjoyed it thus far. I can't wait to see what you guys make of the events/situations/horrifically-modified-monsters that are starting to roll the heroes way.Palskane said:
Anyway. Next update should be tomorrow. If not, then monday.
Spider J
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Spider_Jerusalem
Explorer
"Where are we?"
"Milo!"...
"Milo!...
"MILO!"
Vaerana raised her hand, her open palm hovered in the air as she motioned to Thalin. The mage stood tall in the cold mountain winds, then nodded and shouted the halfling’s name again. The harsh wind carried most of the shout away, but Milo’s eyes suddenly snapped open none the less. Vaerana did not see this and brought her hand downwards in a high arc, but Milo used this to thrust her sideways, pinning her in the foot deep snow, his boot-dagger at her throat.
“D-Don’t hit me a-again,” Milo chattered, his shuddering blue lips undermining what threat he might have meant.
Vaerana laughed carelessly, though she quickly remembered the scenes they had left behind in the village some three days ago. She shrugged the halfling off and stood up, brushing the snow away from her cloak, which was still the ragged red material that Milo remembered. Thalin hurried forwards to pick his companion up, though Milo pushed his hand away and struggled to his feet on his own accord. Mikka stood just behind Thalin and craned for a better view, though knew better than to say anything right now.
“Where are we?” Milo winced, as a sharp wind slated past. All about was the white blanket of thick snow, and the beleaguered faces of the village folk. He remembered little, only flashing images of the ettin’s attack, and an old woman in red seeming so sad. But everything was hazy, as if blinded by something.
“We’re on our way to Ilinvur. We have to travel through the Galena pass first though, we should reach there by night fall, if things go our way,” answered Thalin, his face creased with concern.
“Y-You just had some sort of seizure, that’s w-why we’re here, in the snow,” said Vaerana, her lips quivering from the cold as she spoke. The surrounding villagers, who numbered only twenty one, nodded in agreement as Vaerana continued, “we’ve been carrying you for three days, ever since we found you outside the village.”
Milo slowly stood up; his hair was matted with snow. The circle of townsfolk stepped backwards involuntarily, as if scared of him. They looked at him with equal measures of fear and hatred, though the halfling did not know that yet.
“Why do they step away from…” Milo asked, but his voice failed as his head rushed with pain and he crumpled to his knees. Thalin, Vaerana and Mikka dashed forwards to support the halfing, their strong grips carrying him back towards the sheltered cave.
Torious pressed the tips of his fingers into his forehead as he tried to concentrate, though nothing would help.
“He was my ward. Like my child. He needed to be protected from someone. You don’t have to understand it, just…” explained Errilinth calmly, her hard features softened by the firelight in the cave.
The few villagers who had not chased after the writhing halfling watched in silence as the priest stalked across the cave again, a pandemonium of shadows on the far wall mimicking the Aasimar’s dramatic movements. Torious halted suddenly, and the village children gasped in suspense.
“Old woman…” began Torious.
“Errilinth,” she corrected, her heavy red robes drawn close about her. A village maid giggled into her hand.
“Errilinth,” stated Torious, a sideways glare hushing the maid into silence before he continued, “you say that you and the child…”
“Merrick.”
“Yes, Merrick. You say that you and he travelled from Cormyr, which was where you met. Correct?”
Errilinth mused this over for a moment, “Yes.”
“So you are originally from Cormyr. Correct?”
“Yes.”
“But you have a Dalelands accent," Torious paused, timing his delivery, "if I am not mistaken.”
Torious turned away from the fire and the woman, his hands held triumphantly behind his back as he waited for her answer.
Errilinth paused for a moment, her sharp eyes watching the villagers with interest, their innocent faces hooked on every word of the debate. She winked at a clutch of small children who giggled and whispered between each other as Errilinth withdrew her pale hands from her red robe and began to curl a small arcane rune in the air.
“Have you no answer, woman?” Torious pressed.
“Not quite yet…” Errilinth answered with a sly grin as she completed the hand movements. She then pointed at the shadow of Torious against the cave wall. The children followed her long, gnarled finger, and then began to squeal with laughter as the shadow of a rabbit shyly poked its flat head out from Torious’ own shadow.
Torious, too wrapped up in the questions he would ask next, ignored the child’s laughter and didn't notice as a small flurry of woodland animals began to depart from his shadow and assume poses along the cave wall. The remainder of the villagers began to laugh along with the children, their situation suddenly forgotten in the midst of Errilinth’s playful shadow puppetry.
But the laughter died abruptly as Vaerana, Mikka and Thalin crashed into the cave entrance holding Milo, followed by a flow of villagers who quickly darted towards the shadowed, gloomy rear of the cave.
“Put the damned fire out!” hissed Mikka, his small feet stamping at the fringe of the roaring fire. Thalin spun around and the flames died with a wave of his hand, the light trickling out of the cave and into the steady white silence outside. Torious and Errilinth turned in concern to their companions, their debate cast aside as they both saw the obvious fear on the villagers faces that now crept through the cave as word of mouth spread about. Frightened whispers filled the dark.
A young child clutched desperately about Mikka’s leg as a shower of dirt rained from the cave ceiling, accompanied by a dull thoom thoom thoom that began to reach the tiefling's ears. The child buried his face into his doublet with fear. Mikka shushed him and held him close, his fingers ran through the child’s hair repeatedly, though more to calm his own nerves than to comfort the child.
“What is it?” asked Torious, his eyes searching the faces of the shivering villagers for an answer as another shower of dirt settled to the floor. The deep, heavy thoom thoom grew louder, many of the children began to cry, but were quickly held by their parents or friends, rough hands clamped over their mouths.
Thalin pressed himself against the shadowy cave wall and clutched onto Erifeci hard, his knuckles shining white as the whole cave began to shake.
He looked across at Torious with a face worn haggard with fear and exhaustion, “Frost giants”.
"Milo!"...
"Milo!...
"MILO!"
- - - - - - - - - -
Vaerana raised her hand, her open palm hovered in the air as she motioned to Thalin. The mage stood tall in the cold mountain winds, then nodded and shouted the halfling’s name again. The harsh wind carried most of the shout away, but Milo’s eyes suddenly snapped open none the less. Vaerana did not see this and brought her hand downwards in a high arc, but Milo used this to thrust her sideways, pinning her in the foot deep snow, his boot-dagger at her throat.
“D-Don’t hit me a-again,” Milo chattered, his shuddering blue lips undermining what threat he might have meant.
Vaerana laughed carelessly, though she quickly remembered the scenes they had left behind in the village some three days ago. She shrugged the halfling off and stood up, brushing the snow away from her cloak, which was still the ragged red material that Milo remembered. Thalin hurried forwards to pick his companion up, though Milo pushed his hand away and struggled to his feet on his own accord. Mikka stood just behind Thalin and craned for a better view, though knew better than to say anything right now.
“Where are we?” Milo winced, as a sharp wind slated past. All about was the white blanket of thick snow, and the beleaguered faces of the village folk. He remembered little, only flashing images of the ettin’s attack, and an old woman in red seeming so sad. But everything was hazy, as if blinded by something.
“We’re on our way to Ilinvur. We have to travel through the Galena pass first though, we should reach there by night fall, if things go our way,” answered Thalin, his face creased with concern.
“Y-You just had some sort of seizure, that’s w-why we’re here, in the snow,” said Vaerana, her lips quivering from the cold as she spoke. The surrounding villagers, who numbered only twenty one, nodded in agreement as Vaerana continued, “we’ve been carrying you for three days, ever since we found you outside the village.”
Milo slowly stood up; his hair was matted with snow. The circle of townsfolk stepped backwards involuntarily, as if scared of him. They looked at him with equal measures of fear and hatred, though the halfling did not know that yet.
“Why do they step away from…” Milo asked, but his voice failed as his head rushed with pain and he crumpled to his knees. Thalin, Vaerana and Mikka dashed forwards to support the halfing, their strong grips carrying him back towards the sheltered cave.
- - - - - - - - - -
Torious pressed the tips of his fingers into his forehead as he tried to concentrate, though nothing would help.
“He was my ward. Like my child. He needed to be protected from someone. You don’t have to understand it, just…” explained Errilinth calmly, her hard features softened by the firelight in the cave.
The few villagers who had not chased after the writhing halfling watched in silence as the priest stalked across the cave again, a pandemonium of shadows on the far wall mimicking the Aasimar’s dramatic movements. Torious halted suddenly, and the village children gasped in suspense.
“Old woman…” began Torious.
“Errilinth,” she corrected, her heavy red robes drawn close about her. A village maid giggled into her hand.
“Errilinth,” stated Torious, a sideways glare hushing the maid into silence before he continued, “you say that you and the child…”
“Merrick.”
“Yes, Merrick. You say that you and he travelled from Cormyr, which was where you met. Correct?”
Errilinth mused this over for a moment, “Yes.”
“So you are originally from Cormyr. Correct?”
“Yes.”
“But you have a Dalelands accent," Torious paused, timing his delivery, "if I am not mistaken.”
Torious turned away from the fire and the woman, his hands held triumphantly behind his back as he waited for her answer.
Errilinth paused for a moment, her sharp eyes watching the villagers with interest, their innocent faces hooked on every word of the debate. She winked at a clutch of small children who giggled and whispered between each other as Errilinth withdrew her pale hands from her red robe and began to curl a small arcane rune in the air.
“Have you no answer, woman?” Torious pressed.
“Not quite yet…” Errilinth answered with a sly grin as she completed the hand movements. She then pointed at the shadow of Torious against the cave wall. The children followed her long, gnarled finger, and then began to squeal with laughter as the shadow of a rabbit shyly poked its flat head out from Torious’ own shadow.
Torious, too wrapped up in the questions he would ask next, ignored the child’s laughter and didn't notice as a small flurry of woodland animals began to depart from his shadow and assume poses along the cave wall. The remainder of the villagers began to laugh along with the children, their situation suddenly forgotten in the midst of Errilinth’s playful shadow puppetry.
But the laughter died abruptly as Vaerana, Mikka and Thalin crashed into the cave entrance holding Milo, followed by a flow of villagers who quickly darted towards the shadowed, gloomy rear of the cave.
“Put the damned fire out!” hissed Mikka, his small feet stamping at the fringe of the roaring fire. Thalin spun around and the flames died with a wave of his hand, the light trickling out of the cave and into the steady white silence outside. Torious and Errilinth turned in concern to their companions, their debate cast aside as they both saw the obvious fear on the villagers faces that now crept through the cave as word of mouth spread about. Frightened whispers filled the dark.
A young child clutched desperately about Mikka’s leg as a shower of dirt rained from the cave ceiling, accompanied by a dull thoom thoom thoom that began to reach the tiefling's ears. The child buried his face into his doublet with fear. Mikka shushed him and held him close, his fingers ran through the child’s hair repeatedly, though more to calm his own nerves than to comfort the child.
“What is it?” asked Torious, his eyes searching the faces of the shivering villagers for an answer as another shower of dirt settled to the floor. The deep, heavy thoom thoom grew louder, many of the children began to cry, but were quickly held by their parents or friends, rough hands clamped over their mouths.
Thalin pressed himself against the shadowy cave wall and clutched onto Erifeci hard, his knuckles shining white as the whole cave began to shake.
He looked across at Torious with a face worn haggard with fear and exhaustion, “Frost giants”.
freedoms_edge
First Post
Next line of Dialogue :-
Torious spun, his face showing all too clearly the dread he felt inside
"Ah crap......."
Torious spun, his face showing all too clearly the dread he felt inside
"Ah crap......."
Hairy Minotaur
Explorer
Oh my gosh, It's going to be 4 days since an update?!
Hopefully that means the next update will have extra squishiness, the kind that comes from getting a beat down at the hands of a frost giant.
Hopefully that means the next update will have extra squishiness, the kind that comes from getting a beat down at the hands of a frost giant.
genshou
First Post
Excellent read so far. I've hardly gotten started, but I already like it.
Seems I'm not the only one who chose to ignore WotC's advice and start a campaign in early winter! I'm interested in seeing where that leads your story; as for why I made the choice to begin my campaign on the 19th of Deepwinter, 1372 DR... you will see. Oh, yes... ![:]](http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/devious.png "Devious :]")
Bulette meat? I was hoping I would see at least four bulette warbands in here after all the ruckus that you raised in my SH about the matter.
But, it sounds tasty! 
Seems I'm not the only one who chose to ignore WotC's advice and start a campaign in early winter!
I'm interested in seeing where that leads your story; as for why I made the choice to begin my campaign on the 19th of Deepwinter, 1372 DR... you will see. Oh, yes... Bulette meat? I was hoping I would see at least four bulette warbands in here after all the ruckus that you raised in my SH about the matter.
But, it sounds tasty!
Spider_Jerusalem
Explorer
Hello hello.
Hairy Minotaur, you are quite right. 4 days without an update is a filthy work ethic. Let me remedy this right now (well, in about 10 minutes, when I final-draft-check-thingy the update).
Yeah, break the rules every chance you get. Winter was necessary because it had to mirror Robar's fiery plans coming to fruition with the coming of spring/summer, played on the background of Thalin and last but certainly not least I could describe blood splatters in the snow to my hearts content.
Oh, and the history is changed slightly (I'm not strict on sticking to published timelines - so don't be suprised if something odd suddenly leaps out).
Well, there is a Bulette a touch later on - great combat actually - lots of Attacks of Opportunity and hit and submerge tactics going on. Lovely. But you'll have to hang on to your helm for now. I really don't know why I bang on about Bulettes in your thread - it just developed in that direction, and who am I to resist inspiration?
Anyway. Look at me rant on.
Here's the update...
Spider J
Hairy Minotaur, you are quite right. 4 days without an update is a filthy work ethic. Let me remedy this right now (well, in about 10 minutes, when I final-draft-check-thingy the update).
Well, yes, it should have, and almost nearly did. Torious's player immediately shouted "I charge the giants so the villagers can flee", which left the rest of us (myself included... I hadn't forseen such a "bold" approach was even on the cards. Ah well, the other players managed to turn Torious to their point of view. But Torious kept that deathwish all the way to the end of the Chronicle. Fool of a Took.
Understatement.
Hey Ashy. Good to have you back around - sorry to here about ENworld blockage. That sucks. Good to hear you're still enjoying (and remember to pick me up on any dumbass description).
Thankyou genshou. I'm a big fan of your story hour too (go read it guys - well worth your time) - let me know how you think all of this pans out when you catch up!
Yeah, break the rules every chance you get. Winter was necessary because it had to mirror Robar's fiery plans coming to fruition with the coming of spring/summer, played on the background of Thalin and last but certainly not least I could describe blood splatters in the snow to my hearts content.
Oh, and the history is changed slightly (I'm not strict on sticking to published timelines - so don't be suprised if something odd suddenly leaps out).
Well, there is a Bulette a touch later on - great combat actually - lots of Attacks of Opportunity and hit and submerge tactics going on. Lovely. But you'll have to hang on to your helm for now. I really don't know why I bang on about Bulettes in your thread - it just developed in that direction, and who am I to resist inspiration?
Anyway. Look at me rant on.
Here's the update...
Spider J
Spider_Jerusalem
Explorer
“I’m sorry my friends, I have led you astray”
The thunder of the frost giants filled the cave. Deep, wide rivers of sound rushed past the cowered figures that crouched cold and silent in the shadows. A stretching whine from the domed ceiling heralded the birth of a thick crack that struck like lightning across the ragged stone.
Commands were called and prayers intoned, but the sound melted each voice into the terrifying cacophany.
A child-sized slab of rock thudded heavily onto the smoking remains of the fire, sending a curtain of dust pouring to the floor below. The young villagers screamed then, their guardians unable to keep the fear from escaping, though the roar from above drowned the wails out.
Thalin stood shakily in front of the villagers, his whole body vibrating as he shouted and motioned to the back of the cave. Mikka grasped the arm of the child holding onto his leg and ran towards the cave rear, his other arm waving for the other children to follow. They did so in a flurry of shrieks and whimpers, dragging anyone near them with them as dust continued to fall.
Dariel swooped to the back of the cave, his frightened calls joining with the cries of the children. Isplit was crouched next to the owl, gauging whether there was time enough for just one last biscuit.
Torious watched as the townsfolk were herded to the rear of the cave and away from the widening cracks. With a sickening realisation, Torious knew if the ceiling was to collapse, then they would all be trapped. As the villagers moved, a large slab broke loose with a grating screech. Reacting almost immediately, the aasimar dove forwards and smashed into the falling slab with his shield. Torious heaved under the weight of the slab and crunched to the floor, pushing the heavy rock just enough to avoid the cowering villager beneath it.
Torious rocked backwards in pain. A scythe of agony burrowed up through his shield hand and the aasimar involuntarily flared his scars in a burst of blinding light.
Thalin turned away from the villagers as the scar-light faded, his face drawn and haggard with defeat as another shower of dusted ice billowed over him, “I’m sorry my friends, I have led you astray”
Vaerana pushed the last of the townsfolk into the recesses of the cave, where Errilinth stroked the children’s heads and spoke soothing words to them, which seemed to calm them almost immediately.
Vaerana pointed an accusing finger at Thalin as another rumble of footsteps shook overhead, “Don’t you dare! This is not over yet.”
Torious stood slowly up to his full height, his left arm knitting back into place with a ripple of muscle and a wet crunch. Snarling through the pain as his fingers began to flex again, he looked over the assembled men, women, halflings and thieves before him.
“We do not die here Thalin. None of us do. Tyr’s justice does not fell the worthy”
Thalin whirled in a rage at the aasimar, “Listen to yourself you idiot child! WHERE IS YOUR DAMNED GOD NOW?!”
As Thalin’s words died away another jagged crack raced across the dome of the cave. The villager’s screams echoed off the walls as the weight of the ice above them began to give way with an ominous grinding. Thalin, Torious and Vaerana all turned in confusion as the voices of Milo and Mikka, now stood directly under the creaking ice, were mirroring each others arcane gestures with intense concentration, their fingers slicing through the air and words chanted in unison. Thalin’s brow furrowed as he raced to decipher the incantations.
With a shout of the exertion, Milo and Mikka ended the summoning with an opportune high-five. Arcane power pulsed through the cave as small chunks of ice slowed in mid air and slotted neatly back into the ceiling of the cave. The sorcerous duo’s face exploded in triumph as they guided their invisible helpers over the ceiling, but they both knew it would not last long.
With a final thrash of thunder, the footsteps above them began to recede. But the damage had branched too wide and the spells were already spread too thin.
The cracks on the ceiling spidered out suddenly and a heart-stopping shudder lowered the ceiling an arms length.
"Fly you fools!” cried Milo.
The thunder of the frost giants filled the cave. Deep, wide rivers of sound rushed past the cowered figures that crouched cold and silent in the shadows. A stretching whine from the domed ceiling heralded the birth of a thick crack that struck like lightning across the ragged stone.
Commands were called and prayers intoned, but the sound melted each voice into the terrifying cacophany.
A child-sized slab of rock thudded heavily onto the smoking remains of the fire, sending a curtain of dust pouring to the floor below. The young villagers screamed then, their guardians unable to keep the fear from escaping, though the roar from above drowned the wails out.
Thalin stood shakily in front of the villagers, his whole body vibrating as he shouted and motioned to the back of the cave. Mikka grasped the arm of the child holding onto his leg and ran towards the cave rear, his other arm waving for the other children to follow. They did so in a flurry of shrieks and whimpers, dragging anyone near them with them as dust continued to fall.
Dariel swooped to the back of the cave, his frightened calls joining with the cries of the children. Isplit was crouched next to the owl, gauging whether there was time enough for just one last biscuit.
Torious watched as the townsfolk were herded to the rear of the cave and away from the widening cracks. With a sickening realisation, Torious knew if the ceiling was to collapse, then they would all be trapped. As the villagers moved, a large slab broke loose with a grating screech. Reacting almost immediately, the aasimar dove forwards and smashed into the falling slab with his shield. Torious heaved under the weight of the slab and crunched to the floor, pushing the heavy rock just enough to avoid the cowering villager beneath it.
Torious rocked backwards in pain. A scythe of agony burrowed up through his shield hand and the aasimar involuntarily flared his scars in a burst of blinding light.
Thalin turned away from the villagers as the scar-light faded, his face drawn and haggard with defeat as another shower of dusted ice billowed over him, “I’m sorry my friends, I have led you astray”
Vaerana pushed the last of the townsfolk into the recesses of the cave, where Errilinth stroked the children’s heads and spoke soothing words to them, which seemed to calm them almost immediately.
Vaerana pointed an accusing finger at Thalin as another rumble of footsteps shook overhead, “Don’t you dare! This is not over yet.”
Torious stood slowly up to his full height, his left arm knitting back into place with a ripple of muscle and a wet crunch. Snarling through the pain as his fingers began to flex again, he looked over the assembled men, women, halflings and thieves before him.
“We do not die here Thalin. None of us do. Tyr’s justice does not fell the worthy”
Thalin whirled in a rage at the aasimar, “Listen to yourself you idiot child! WHERE IS YOUR DAMNED GOD NOW?!”
As Thalin’s words died away another jagged crack raced across the dome of the cave. The villager’s screams echoed off the walls as the weight of the ice above them began to give way with an ominous grinding. Thalin, Torious and Vaerana all turned in confusion as the voices of Milo and Mikka, now stood directly under the creaking ice, were mirroring each others arcane gestures with intense concentration, their fingers slicing through the air and words chanted in unison. Thalin’s brow furrowed as he raced to decipher the incantations.
With a shout of the exertion, Milo and Mikka ended the summoning with an opportune high-five. Arcane power pulsed through the cave as small chunks of ice slowed in mid air and slotted neatly back into the ceiling of the cave. The sorcerous duo’s face exploded in triumph as they guided their invisible helpers over the ceiling, but they both knew it would not last long.
With a final thrash of thunder, the footsteps above them began to recede. But the damage had branched too wide and the spells were already spread too thin.
The cracks on the ceiling spidered out suddenly and a heart-stopping shudder lowered the ceiling an arms length.
"Fly you fools!” cried Milo.
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Spider_Jerusalem
Explorer
"Where did you get that staff?”
Vaerana and Torious were already ahead of their companions as they pulled the villagers to their feet and herded them towards the entrance. Thalin dashed out into the grey night of the blizzard. Holding Erifeci aloft, Thalin cried “Eci!” and drove the crystal end into the knee-deep snow. For a moment nothing happened, then with a pulse of energy that popped Thalin’s ears, a perfect circle of snow melted in an instant and flowed towards the edges of the spell, where it quickly re-froze. The mage left the staff and helped move who he could out of harms way.
The villagers stumbled into the sanctuary, the darkness of the blizzard that whirled around them transforming into a light rain as it entered the bubble. The ceiling gave way as Milo vaulted the last few feet to safety. The adventurers watched the rush of ice surround them and flow over the magical dome in a thunderous tunnel.
Before he had time to breath a sigh of relief, Thalin felt a bony hand clutch at his arm, and turning to look at the aged face of Errilinth. He managed a weak smile as she carefully placed Erifeci back into his hands. The burnt man’s warning of You cannot trust that woman in red melted into Thalin’s thoughts and he fought to gather his wits about him.
“Where did you get that staff?” asked Errilinth.
“It was passed on to me” answered Thalin.
“I understand,” Errilinth smiled thinly, “truly I do”
"Then you won't touch the staff again," commanded Thalin.
"Oh no," laughed Errilinth, "the staff will not answer to me anyway"
"Wait. You know of this staff?" asked Thalin, holding Erifeci between them.
"A great many things. But you must understand that right now we are like hunted mice in a meadow," whispered Errilinth, "certain words could give our position away surer than if we had lit a pyre."
"What do you mean mice in a meadow?"
"We are watched, that is all."
"So be it. We must talk further of this, and soon. My quest to Tilverton hangs on the last words of a dying mage and nothing more. I need to know more of what it is I must do."
"Soon Thalin, soon."
Errilinth forced a dry laugh, and turned back to the children of the village. Thalin watched as the old woman pointed out the way they would next be travelling to the children, informing them of the wonderful views they would get when they crossed through the next pass. Wondering whether this woman was a threat at all, he turned back to the remainder of the villagers and was surprised to see them looking at him, their eyes expectant. He knew what he had to do.
Breathing deeply, Thalin looked at every villager in turn, “We can stay here no longer. We must reach lower ground. The town of Ilinvur only lies a few days walk away, we should make shelter by night fall if we do not stop.”
“Thalin,” said Mikka, stepping closer to the mage and placing a hand on his back, “these people need rest. If we travel now we must stop at daybreak”
Thalin sighed heavily and glanced at the tired faces surrounding him. He knew it was true. “We rest at daybreak. Get everyone ready.”
Mikka nodded solemnly, then turned towards the cross-legged Milo and winked, showing him a handful of the mage’s silver pieces.
To be continued in…
Ice, Luck and Honour
Chapter 10: Another Brick in the Wall
The heroes descend into the valley, but their way is blocked by a heavily guarded border-wall. As Thalin pulls out all the stops in his first mage-duel, Torious’ negotiation skills are pushed to the limit, and Milo succumbs again to the thirst of Vampire, will the heroes make it through in one piece?
Vaerana and Torious were already ahead of their companions as they pulled the villagers to their feet and herded them towards the entrance. Thalin dashed out into the grey night of the blizzard. Holding Erifeci aloft, Thalin cried “Eci!” and drove the crystal end into the knee-deep snow. For a moment nothing happened, then with a pulse of energy that popped Thalin’s ears, a perfect circle of snow melted in an instant and flowed towards the edges of the spell, where it quickly re-froze. The mage left the staff and helped move who he could out of harms way.
The villagers stumbled into the sanctuary, the darkness of the blizzard that whirled around them transforming into a light rain as it entered the bubble. The ceiling gave way as Milo vaulted the last few feet to safety. The adventurers watched the rush of ice surround them and flow over the magical dome in a thunderous tunnel.
Before he had time to breath a sigh of relief, Thalin felt a bony hand clutch at his arm, and turning to look at the aged face of Errilinth. He managed a weak smile as she carefully placed Erifeci back into his hands. The burnt man’s warning of You cannot trust that woman in red melted into Thalin’s thoughts and he fought to gather his wits about him.
“Where did you get that staff?” asked Errilinth.
“It was passed on to me” answered Thalin.
“I understand,” Errilinth smiled thinly, “truly I do”
"Then you won't touch the staff again," commanded Thalin.
"Oh no," laughed Errilinth, "the staff will not answer to me anyway"
"Wait. You know of this staff?" asked Thalin, holding Erifeci between them.
"A great many things. But you must understand that right now we are like hunted mice in a meadow," whispered Errilinth, "certain words could give our position away surer than if we had lit a pyre."
"What do you mean mice in a meadow?"
"We are watched, that is all."
"So be it. We must talk further of this, and soon. My quest to Tilverton hangs on the last words of a dying mage and nothing more. I need to know more of what it is I must do."
"Soon Thalin, soon."
Errilinth forced a dry laugh, and turned back to the children of the village. Thalin watched as the old woman pointed out the way they would next be travelling to the children, informing them of the wonderful views they would get when they crossed through the next pass. Wondering whether this woman was a threat at all, he turned back to the remainder of the villagers and was surprised to see them looking at him, their eyes expectant. He knew what he had to do.
Breathing deeply, Thalin looked at every villager in turn, “We can stay here no longer. We must reach lower ground. The town of Ilinvur only lies a few days walk away, we should make shelter by night fall if we do not stop.”
“Thalin,” said Mikka, stepping closer to the mage and placing a hand on his back, “these people need rest. If we travel now we must stop at daybreak”
Thalin sighed heavily and glanced at the tired faces surrounding him. He knew it was true. “We rest at daybreak. Get everyone ready.”
Mikka nodded solemnly, then turned towards the cross-legged Milo and winked, showing him a handful of the mage’s silver pieces.
To be continued in…
Ice, Luck and Honour
Chapter 10: Another Brick in the Wall
The heroes descend into the valley, but their way is blocked by a heavily guarded border-wall. As Thalin pulls out all the stops in his first mage-duel, Torious’ negotiation skills are pushed to the limit, and Milo succumbs again to the thirst of Vampire, will the heroes make it through in one piece?
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