GoCorral

Another odd entry here. I’d left off yesterday in the middle of the paragraph. I’ve included the first half of that paragraph in today’s post. I’m only counting the new section for the word count of today’s post though.

Chapter 4 – Meeting in Shalerton (Continued)

Forgeus pushed his spectacles up on his nose and prepared to continue where Gallana had left off. “The monsters are humanoids. They possess two arms, two legs, a torso, and a head, just like all of us.” Forgeus snorted as if he’d made a joke. When the crowd didn’t react he cleared his throat and continued, “They use swords made from a solid form of quicksilver. They don’t wear physical armor, but they do have some fort of magical armor similar to my own.” Forgeus knocked his chest. The fist did not impact his breast, but stopped an inch in front of his body. The motion made a hollow sound as if a drum was struck.

Forgeus continued, “They also have some form of mental control. Some witnesses reported seeing their family members frozen in place. We believe these victims had their minds attacked by magic, preventing them from resisting their own capture.”

Gallana took over, “Before we attack, I will be casting a protection spell that we hope will prevent this same paralysis from affecting all of us.”

Forgeus nodded and address the crowd again, “These attacks are sudden and all over Cimmeria. We are not the only group sent from Phoenix to help the affected locations. Whatever the origin of these monsters, more information is always useful. Keep your eyes open and report back anything you see. We don’t know what will be useful information for us.”

Forgeus cleared his throat and turned to Gallana. She nodded and turned to the audience, “We really cannot emphasize this enough. Information is the strongest weapon we have against a new enemy. Anything you discover, no matter how small, could be the piece of a larger puzzle that uncovers some weakness or behavior in these monsters that is the key to defeating them.”

Forgeus turned back to the crowd. “Thank you, Gallana,” he said. “As for the location of the monsters, the villagers told us that the victims were taken to the northeast. Our scouts investigated in that direction and they found a base in the hills. The creatures created some sort of structure. The structure is large and located in a valley between the hills. The scouts said it is made out of metal, but with many windows and doors for entry. With many entries it is likely indefensible, but they do have many hostages. We will attempt to negotiate before storming the building. Our priority is the hostages’ lives. They are our honor in this fight, not gold. Slaying the monsters is our glory.”

Godrick shouted, “We were told there was a reward!”

Forgeus answered, “Yes, the villagers have gathered five silver talents for the return of their loved ones. A rich reward that will be split among all who participate in their rescue.”

The sun gleamed off Godrick’s head as he looked around at the crowd of adventurers. “Five talents? Split? That’s nothing!”

Alyssa shouted, “And what if we kill more of these monsters than the others? Do we get more of the reward?”

Gallana answered, “The reward will be split equally, but the spoils from the battle are yours. Remember each of these creatures is armed with a silver sword.”

Murmurs of appreciative greed echoed through the crowd.

Galandir stepped forward to speak, “How do we know these are monsters? You said they were shaped like other mortals.”

Forgeus sighed and looked at Galandir. “They are shaped like us. Pair of legs. Pair of arms. A head with eyes, ears, and mouth. But they don’t speak. In all the reports across Cimmeria. None of them mention the creatures speaking. To each other, to their victims, to anyone. Not a word. If they were feeling beings, they would speak.”

Galandir asked, “But you said we would attempt to negotiate?”

“And we will,” said Forgeus, “but I only said attempt. I have no illusions that we will succeed. These creatures have some goal. They did not kidnap dozens of people for no reason. If we discover that reason we can rescue the people of Shalerton without risking life and limb.”

Godrick muttered to himself, “Without killing them we don’t get those swords…”

Gallana projected to the crowd, “We will leave in one hour’s time. The base in the northeastern hills is about a day’s travel away. We’ll travel for the rest of the day and camp for one night. After that we’ll arrive early in the morning tomorrow.”

Forgeus and Gallana walked into the Pot of Comfort signaling the meeting was over. The different groups in the crowd murmured to each other.

Galandir clutched his fists close to his chest. Tomorrow he would fight his first monster!

Chapter 5 – Into Danger

Blendegad walked alongside Tereman as they approached the base. The journey had been uneventful after leaving Shalerton. Tereman seemed secure in the leadership of Forgeus and Gallana. Blendegad wasn’t so confident.

To Blendegad, Forgeus’s and Gallana’s leadership was contrasted by their ignorance. They knew almost nothing about their enemy. Silver swords and paralysis, but how did they move? How did they fight?

On the way here he ran through a million different scenarios in his mind. His weapons were his sturdy sword, his knife, his draining power, his transfixation gaze, and using his own life force to fuel powerful acts. Blendegad would use his gaze first to weaken the enemy. The draining power was a backup. His killing strokes would come from his sword. His dagger and consuming his own life force would be last resorts.

Blendegad was sure Tereman had the same thoughts running through his mind. They’d discussed what each of their strengths and magical abilities were. Tereman could heal with his magic, causing wounds to close and removing poison from the body. Tereman’s power came from Zeus while Blendegad’s came from his red dragon blood and the Dark Mother Hecate.

Blendegad’s mother had told him to keep the source of his powers a secret. The Draconic Hegemony was only a few decades ago. There were people out there that would judge them for being descended from dragons. The sins of their ancestors would be passed on to them along with their power. As for Hecate, the people of Cimmeria had a complicated relationship with her. Hecate was a Titan, the enemy of the Olympians. She hadn’t fought on either side during the Titanomachy.

Regardless, Blendegad didn’t trust Tereman enough to confide these things to him. The man was fine, but you never know what will cause a stranger to recoil with disgust. Blendegad told him that his magic powers came from Hera. A good pair then, Zeus and Hera.

People at the front of the group started to slow as they crested the next hill. They had arrived. Blendegad and Tereman walked swiftly to reach the ridge. They came alongside the tall bald man that had spoken up during the meeting by the Pot of Comfort. All of the adventurers looked down into the valley below.

The structure was nestled in the bottom of the valley. It was a cobalt blue color and shaped somewhat like a spindle shell on its side. The structure had many dark holes and bumps across its surface. The size was difficult to estimate accurately from a distance. Blendegad’s best guess was that the structure was enormous. The size of a palace or castle. There was no one around the outside of the structure.

Blendegad wondered out loud, “Where are the people?”

Gallana shouted, “Alright! Everyone gather up! I’ll cast a blessing to shield our minds from their influence.”

The band of adventurers gathered around Gallana and bowed their heads. She began casting her spell. Her hands moved in slow circles. She chanted, “Hear us, O Demeter. If ever we have honored you, grant our minds a shield against evil. We offer you this silver.” As she chanted she pulled powdered silver from a pocket. She scattered the silver as her hands continued tracing small circles in the air.

The air around the adventuring band glowed white for a second and then snapped back to normal. Blendegad felt his chest below the leather armor. He didn’t feel stronger, but he did feel more secure. Like when his mother put a warm blanket around his shoulders or brought him a piece of tasty cheese.

Forgeus announced to the group, “We’ll all head down now. Once we get close, wait a few podes back. Gallana and I will go forward to negotiate. When or if the negotiations break down, we’ll return to the group and we can go in swords swinging.” He turned on his heel towards the valley and swung his arm in a circle to point at the structure. “Letttttt’s Go.”

As they walked into the valley Blendegad experienced the familiar feeling of ants crawling in his undershirt. The anticipation before combat. Tereman asked Blendegad, “Are you ready?”

“Born ready. You?”

“Nervous. I wish I owned a shield.”

“Hmm. Never learned to use one,” said Blendegad.

“Bit late in the game to learn now,” said Tereman.

Forgeus and Gallana told the assembled would-be heroes to stop when they got close to the structure. The two of them split from the group. They walked to the structure holding their arms out, palms up, as a signal of peaceful intentions. When they came within twenty feet of the massive structure they stopped and lowered their arms.

Forgeus spoke first, “We come in peace to negotiate for the release of the villagers you captured. My name is Forgeus Redgrain from the city of Phoenix. I am a master of the Wizards Guild there.”

Gallana said, “I am Gallana Greenspear from the city of Phoenix. I am a priestess of Demeter and a master of the Clerics Guild in Phoenix.”

They paused for a moment. With no reply from the cobalt structure, Forgeus demanded, “Send forth someone to negotiate with us in good faith.”

One of the creatures emerged from a hole at the base. It was a gaunt humanoid with orange skin. The skin was covered in black spots like a cheetah. The creature was barefoot. A white tunic covered its form with a green shawl atop the tunic. The creature had four digits on each hand and foot instead of five. Its arms flowed as it walked in an odd way that Blendegad couldn’t quite understand. The creature’s face lacked a nose, but a nasal cavity was still present. Pointed ears like an elf framed the side of the face. Thin cinnabar lips sat below a pair of pure black eyes. The creature had a knot of brown hair tied in a ponytail behind it. Crystals were suspended around the creature’s head in a rotating ring.

“You have no place here,” the creature said with a sickeningly hollow voice. “Leave.”