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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Tom Cashel" data-source="post: 395422" data-attributes="member: 321">The DOOR from EVERYWHERE, part 6Lucius Foxhound: The Nexus of Power, a play by Lucius Foxfound.Narrator: It was Dalabrac, brave Dalabrac, who went back the orcs’ lair, hidden from sight by magics.  There he found the children and returned with the happy news.  Quietly and carefully, we snuck into the fortress and brought the children out.  I thought our job was done, but brave, courageous Dalabrac was not ready to quit. Dalabrac Bramblefoot: I must go back for the other prisoners!  It is the right thing to do!Narrator: Yes, inside that halfling frame stands a dragon-sized heart of gold.  So Dalabrac went back by himself and brought the human and elven prisoners to safety despite the orcs’ feeble attempts to stop him.Narrator: We gave the grateful prisoners what supplies we could spare and sent them to return to their homes.Dalabrac Bramblefoot: A Fireside TaleDeep slow notes now, building the suspense around the campfire.  Dalabrac’s halfling audience leans closer as he speaks.We found some poles with hooks at the end under the tree amidst its roots.  Even with a spell of strength there was no way for us to lower the cage and pull it to shore–another plan would be needed.  I flew to the bars of the cage and examined the door.  It had no lock, just a simple spike wedged into the frame to keep the door closed.  From my magic bag I extracted a spike and hammer from my climbing kit and knocked the wedge loose. Then I fastened some of my fine silk rope to the cage’s bars and planted the other end in the ground to hold the cage steady.  I did this to the remaining cages as well.Meanwhile the tall-folk were helping the children down; then they moved on to the humans.  I reached the last cage.  In it was an elf of sorts.  He was bloody and delirious.  I could not wake him. I flew back to the ground.The humans were happy to be out, and I told them to lie low while we took the children out.  I would be back for them.  We flew the children out, and Artemus and Lucius stayed behind with them, their enchantment wearing off.  I flew back for the others.I don’t know why I did.  Maybe I just didn’t like to see people in cages.  With a few potions of invisibility in my bag and a spell of strength upon me I had little difficulty pulling the humans one by one over the wall of the valley into the forest beyond.  Time did not permit me to take them back to the shelter.  One by one I took them.  Finally I lifted the last over the ridge, only to remember the elf.  I told them to hide in the bushes.  They agreed.I made my way back into the camp, fearful that my protective shell of invisibility would end before the job was done.  When I reached the cage the elf was still unresponsive.  I called to him quietly but he did not stir.  When I reached to touch him he came awake, slugging me in the jaw.  Impulsively I struck back.Clang! His lute falls silent with a final discord.I realized my folly as the spell dissipated with my attack.  On the ground two orcs cried out as I became visible.  How could I not have seen them!  Something flashed in the night as one orc cut the line holding the cage aloft. The cage plummeted into the lake.  Thick brackish water surrounded me.  With a surge of strength I grabbed the elf, my wings flapped furiously, and I was in the air, out of the cage, and over the cliff before they could raise an alarm!The lute resumes, this time with a stirring melody of bittersweet success.Back with the other captives I set the elf down.  He did not stir.  I feared I had killed him with my blow.  Quickly I rummaged through my bag and pulled out a few potions of healing and with care trickled them down the elf’s throat.  After he had regained consciousness I led them back to the shelter.Artemus and Lucius were happy to see me, and proud that I had succeeded.  From the bodies of Van and Kaemris we retrieved a few weapons to arm the prisoners.  I gave them some food I had, and we let them go.  I have not seen one of them gain.  Though occasionally when I am in a tavern in Cormyr, and after I have had a few drinks, people must buy me more, because I never spend more than one gold but I always get drunker in Cormyr than anywhere else.The lute falls silent, and the aged Hin stretches.  One of the younger halflings hands him a drink, which he gratefully accepts.</blockquote>

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