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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 3540874" data-attributes="member: 143">Glad you're enjoying the action and intrigue, RR. I aim to please. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /> * * * * * Chapter 172HERZORD’S BARGAINThe meeting room was compact and crowded, with a large table in the middle of the room, and several cots pushed up against the far wall.  A strong smell of unwashed bodies hung in the air.  The place had seen combat recently, it seemed; a tapestry that had once hung from one wall now dangled limp, deeply gashed by sword strokes.  “Some wraiths decided to make an unannounced visit,” Herzord said, as they noted the damage. “It is impressive that you were able to hold off the enemy force,” Talen said.  “We’ve tangled with the cult a few times already, and they have hit us with quite a few surprises.”The hobgoblin gestured for them to file in around the table.  Maps that they recognized as showing the tunnels of Grezneck were scattered across its surface.  Behind them, a pair of hobgoblin guards took up position unobtrusively near the door, and three goblins, including Filcher, moved quietly to an unoccupied corner.  “Yes, I have heard of your exploits against the dark temples,” Herzord said.  “I had warned the leaders of Grezneck about Tribitz’s treachery, but they would not listen.  It is fortunate that we were not all blind to the threat posed by the cult of the Demon.”“You had forewarning of the attack?” Baraka asked. “I was not told directly,” the hobgoblin admitted.  “But I had eyes, and ears, and a warrior’s instinct.  Perhaps you understand?” he added, nodding to Dar. “It is likely that the goblins preferred to listen to one of their own, instead of a half-breed,” Varo said.  Anger flashed in Herzord’s eyes, but after a moment, he nodded.  “You speak the truth, priest of Dagos.  Now the goblins pay for their choice.  The human clerics have dragged the goblins of the city off in chains, to serve their dark master as unliving slaves.  Already we have battled those who once were our brothers, but now they are just empty shells, weapons to use against us.”“Weapons can be broken,” Dar said.“Yes, warrior, but each one we break leaves us weaker.  And the human clerics can call upon terrible magic, summoning great beasts and terrible spider demons, against which even our strongest warriors cannot stand.”Allera stepped forward.  “Their plans threaten all lands, not just the citizens of Grezneck,” the healer said.  “That is why we are here.”Herzord nodded.  “You have great power and magic, and we know the tunnels of Rappan Athuk well.  We fight against a common enemy.  If we become allies, then the cult will be at a disadvantage.” Allera glanced at Talen, who nodded.  “We seek the third temple of Orcus, to destroy it as we did the first two.”Herzord did not seem surprised.  “It will be difficult.  There is a way to the temple through the slave pits, but powerful human priests, trolls, and other guardians lie along that path.”“Great, more clerics,” Dar said.  “How many of those bastards does the cult have?”“There are many who have been swayed by the power offered by the Demon,” Herzord said.“Can you help us get to the slave pits?” Talen asked. Herzord leaned over the map.  He picked up a dagger that was lying on the table, and pointed to a complex of tunnels and chambers on the opposite side of the city from the entrance and the market cavern.  “The way lies in this part of the city, which is the province of the priests of the Demon.  You will first need to deal with Tribitz, and his followers.”“Filcher mentioned this Tribitz,” Shay said.  “I take it he’s a powerful cleric?”“Indeed.  He commanded the stone colossus, and a powerful spider-demon that slew many warriors.  He has been utterly corrupted by his service to the Demon, and eagerly betrayed his own people to the cult.”“Sounds like a guy that needs a few feet of steel shoved into his gut,” Dar commented.“Let us say that we agree to assist you,” Talen said.  “What help can we count on from you and your forces?”“My first responsibility is to the hundreds of survivors of Grezneck,” the hobgoblin said.  “But I will send with you a cadre of my own elite guards, a team of scouts, and the one goblin that has seen the interior of the third temple and lived.”The eyes of everyone in the room turned on Filcher.  The goblin swallowed, and looked decidedly uncomfortable. “And you will have a secure base of operations where you can rest and restore your strength, no small boon in a place such as Rappan Athuk.  Well, human soldier?” Herzord said, looking up at Talen. The knight nodded.  “Agreed.”</blockquote>

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