The group made their way into the castle cautiously, knowing that they were heading into truly dangerous territory. As they stood in the main hallway, though, they were surprised to find that there were no more guards there to face them. There was only a ruined hallway, once lavishly decorated with a fine carpet, tapestries and carefully carved statues and columns, but now everything had been eaten away by time and its current orc residents. Farrln glanced up the hallway, noticing the great oak door in the distance and two doors on the corridor leading left and right.
“Where should we begin our investigation?”
“We should probably peek past the door or down the hallways before we pick a path,” Elathan replied.
The others gave a nod and crept along toward the two archways, Rel and Kayla each taking a cursory glance around ear corner. It wasn't their eyes, but a quiet sound from Tasha and a growl from Bramble that alerted them to nearby danger. Rel tensed and let his hands fall to the hilts of his weapons.
“Something is near.”
“Orcs,” said the sorcerer, giving his cat familiar a pet to soothe her. Farrln looked to him as he drew his own weapons.
“Can you tell how many?”
“And which direction?” Gaylia added, pulling out her bow.
“Bramble is scenting left,” the drow replied, pointing to his companion. Kayla frowned and glanced down the other corridor.
“It might be best to go right, then, if we don't know how many to expect.”
“But we may be able to capture a guide if we go left,” the prince rebutted, which drew a few nods from the rest of the group.
“Good point,” Kayla conceded with a small sigh. Gaylia gave her a small reassuring nod and brought her bow closer to herself.
“Let's do it, then.”
Rel nodded and made a series of quick gestures at Bramble, who then quickly trotted off down the left-hand hallway. Soon, the group heard the tale-tell sound of a startled orc and brought their weapons to the ready to subdue the creature quickly. Rel managed to catch the orc about the neck and began to put a hold on it, but suddenly, two more orcs appeared in the right hallway, their attention drawn by the noise of the struggle. The rest of the group reacted quickly, Farrln rushing with unnatural speed to deliver a killing strike to one of the unfortunate orcs. Gaylia followed up, sending multiple arrows flying at once with deadly precision to dispatch the other. Kayla and Elathan stood ready to accept more of beasts but none came. The group came together again but found that in the scuffle, Rel had slain the one they had already captured, knowing that it wouldn't be of any help after seeing its kin killed.
“Well, so much for that idea,” Kayla said with a sigh as she replaced her warhammer. She and Elathan dragged the bodies through the hall and stowed them behind statues, so as not to alert any more sentries to their presence should they come up behind. Rel began searching the corridor again, feeling something a bit more amiss about the area. Sure enough, he found a wire laid not so far from the doorway at the far end of the hall and began working to undo the trap.
“We haven't decided if we're actually going that way or not,” Elathan said with a clear frown.
“If we're forced back here and made to fight, it would be better not to have this in the way. Unless you don't care for the feet you have.” The sorcerer narrowed his eyes at the drow.
“I do,” he said dryly. “I just hope no one notices the wire is missing.”
“Never mind that,” Kayla said, standing between the two. “Left, right, or straight?”
“Two enemies came from the right,” said Farrln. “There may be more in that direction.”
The group soon reasoned that the left hall would be the better option in the end and started off that way, moving carefully. They eventually came to a wide area with a spiraling staircase and another hallway off to the right. Everyone's attention, though, was focused on a lone kobold in a corner, who was apparently oblivious to their presence.
“That may serve as a guide,” Gaylia remarked quietly.
“Maybe,” said Farrln as he considered the options, “but it is by a doorway. There may be more enemies behind whatever is behind it.”
“Shall we just attempt to sneak past it, then, since you do not wish to have another fight?” Rel whispered, turning a curious look on the prince.
“I have no trouble fighting,” he replied with a slight bristle. “But it wouldn't do to attract more attention than we can handle. Let us wait a moment and see if anything comes from the doorway.”
The others agreed and took positions to ensure they were hidden from view. They watched the door for a short while before three orcs came out from the room, chatting in what seemed like a genial manner. They brought the kobold into the conversation before long as the group continued to watch them.
“There appears to only be the four of them,” Farrln said quietly.
“Shall we take them?” Rel asked from his dark hiding spot than nearly took him in completely. The prince shook his head as he glanced at the scene again.
“Elathan. Do you have a spell that can kill them all quickly?”
“I can hit two at once,” the sorcerer replied. “Be ready to take out the rest.”
“Good enough. Do it.”
Elathan gave a nod and waggled his fingers, shooting two fiery rays at two of the group. The orcs that were hurt suddenly burst into flame, screeching horribly and began to run around and flail wildly, a pair of full-bodied torches. The remaining orc and kobold looked on at their dying companions, both horrified and entranced by their sudden transformation into flaming bodies. The kobold didn't notice Rel close on him and only knew he had been hit when the drow's rapier went through its belly. The orc did, however, and raised its rusty falchion to attempt to attack the intruder, but was cut down in short order by two quick arrows from Gaylia's bow. The drow turned a smile on her.
“Your arrows are becoming vital.” The elf blinked in response, caught off guard by the compliment. She nodded and offered a small thanks, glancing at him once before he disappeared into the room to check if there were more enemies. As she went to Farrln to ask about the next move, though, she found him staring at the still burning corpses of the two orcs. He stood there silently for a few moments, and something seemed to pass across his face, but he shook his head, snapping himself out of his trance, and replaced his weapons on his sword belt.
“We need to keep moving,” he muttered. “There are other rooms.”
Rel, having found the room clear, hid the corpses near the door inside and the rest of the group moved on down the hallway to investigate the rest of the hall. They soon came to another door, this one a bit more ornate than the last. Rel went up to it and studied it for a moment, then made to put his ear to the wood in an attempt to listen for sounds beyond. However, the drow was sent flying backward, caught in the chest by a powerful stroke of lightning. He landed hard on his back and nearly flipped back into the wall, then gasped as he tried to regain his lost breath. Kayla was over to him in a moment, kneeling beside him with a concerned look etched on her fae.
“Are ye all right, then?”
“I've been better.”
The cleric frowned and started her healing magic and the drow was soon back to rights, getting to his feet with an annoyed look on his face as he regarded the trapped door. Farrln picked up a small pebble and lobbed it lazily at the door, and it too was hit by the magical lightning, skipping away toward the wall from the force of the blow.
“That's pretty shocking,” Audria quppied. The others gave her dry looks and she merely shrugged with a wry grin.
“Something really doesn't want anyone in there,” Farrln said as he studied the door along with Elathan. Rel strode over to the door with a clear purpose in mind, despite Kayla's attempt to stop him. The sorcerer regarded him with a frown and stepped away. The drow studied the door again, this time much more carefully, and nodded after a few minutes, declaring he knew how to handle it. Elathan only scoffed in response.
“Then take it down already,” he said with clear disbelief and derisiveness. Rel turned a slight glance on him and a silent conversation went on between the two for a moment, the drow tired of the elf's constant jibes and Elathan not caring in the least. Rel shook his head eventually and went to work on the door, though Farrln noticed the anger in his movements.
“The trap is gone,” he said after a time. “But there is another lock on the door. A magical one that I cannot break.”
Elathan quickly cast a minor dweomer and saw that Rel was right: an arcane lock had been cast under the magical trap. He told the others about the magic and Gaylia seemed to consider the information heavily.
“A trap and a lock? I'd say that's worth seeing what's behind it.”
“Agreed,” said Kayla and she moved up to the door, gently prodding people aside and casted a spell of her own to dissipate the magic. The arcane lock broke under her spell and the door opened a crack, finally giving the group access. The dwarf pushed the door open and revealed an ample treasury behind it. Jewels, artifacts, coin, weapons and tomes lined the walls, some stored under cases, others set carefully in small chests.
“By the gods,” Rel said with wide eyes.
“We're rich!” Elathan shot a look at the fighter.
“We're not here for treasure, but the figure out what is going on.”
“Where in the world did they get this, though?” Kayla wondered aloud. “The orcs outside barely had any coin on them at all.”
“Elathan is right,” Farrln said in a tone that drew everyone's attention away from the goods. “We shouldn't be concerned about this right now.” The others turned a brief frown on him and turned back at the treasure and their thoughts.
“Perhaps this castle wasn't theirs originally,” Rel mused. “Look around. It looks like it was abandoned until just recently.”
“Who would go off and just leave this behind, though?”
“Maybe they were forced to leave,” Audria said with a shrug. The prince, obviously agitated they were still on the subject, folded his arms moodily and stood a bit straighter.
“Most likely, but we need to stay focused. We can come back to this later.” The fighter looked at the prince as though her heart would break. She started to open her mouth to protest, but Kayla caught her by the arm and lead her out of the room, Audria whimpering with every step. The others followed suit and they were soon back on the right path, heading up the spiral staircase. As they crept along the passages, they found the second floor was a near mirror to the first and soon came to a large foyer, though not one without danger. A large statue began to move toward them, swinging an axe in a wide arc like a metronome. Gaylia quickly drew her bow and began to fire on the construct but found them to be completely ineffective. Rel moved quickly, though, ducking under a swipe and spinning around behind. He drew his dagger and jammed the blade in one of the leg joints and hopped back, hoping the thing wouldn't turn on him. His guess proved correct, however, and the blade jammed some of the movement mechanisms, causing it to grind to a halt. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when it finally stood still, though Rel wore a deep frown on his face.
“I liked that dagger.”
“I like not getting hit by an axe better,” Kayla quipped.
“Point.”
“I wonder if it's safe to continue.”
“Well, since this statue looks exactly like the one over there, we probably shouldn't walk in front of it,” Farrln reasoned, turning to the large door now behind them. “Though that only leaves...”
“This castle is so much fun,” Rel said dryly.
“Fine, let's see what's in it.” Farrln nodded at Gaylia's thought and turned a glance on Rel.
“Since you appear to have so much luck with doors, Reldaerqel...”
“...right.”
Elathan did well to hide a smirk as the drow went over to check the door, but Farrln began to ponder something deeply and eventually caught Kaylia's notice.
“What is it?”
“There don't seem to be many enemies about, does there. For a stronghold, I mean.” The dwarf shrugged.
“They've been out raiding places. Perhaps they're out on one or something like that.”
“Maybe. You did say that Silvershore is in dire straits. Perhaps I'm thinking too much.”
“Well, that's what I heard and they did attack the site,” the cleric sad, giving the prince a pat. “We used magic to get here, which would explain why we got here faster than they did, if they're returning.”
“Who's to say they don't have a portal of their own?” Everyone turned to look at Elathan, who only gave a non-plussied shrug in response.
“Orc shamans having access to that sort of powerful magic?” Farrln asked incredulously. “I shudder to think of the potential.”
“Not the orcs,” the sorcerer replied, shaking his head. “That Horendithas fellow who seems to be leading them. He has plenty of power.”
“That's true. I don't like this, suddenly.”
“Neither do I, but we've come to far to just cut and run now.”
At that, Rel opened the door just a crack, having found no signs of traps, and started to peer inside.
“Oh, come in. I want to see who's been making all the racket.”
Everyone in the group stopped dead at the sound of the deep, rough voice that was obviously coming from inside the room. They all looked to one another and drew their weapons, sensing whatever was inside wasn't likely to greet them in a friendly manner. Rel pushed the door open completely when Farrln gave him and nod and they looked inside the small throne room to see a large worg laying dominantly on the worn seat at the back of the room, too far smaller worgs on either side of it.
“What in the...”
The others mirrored Kayla's sentiments, wondering where the voice could have possible come from. They were even more surprised when the large worg obviously started to laugh at them.
“What a ragtag group of punks. Don't stand in doorways. It's rude.”
“And calling us punks isn't?” Audria said, bristling.
“Ease up, lass,” Kayla muttered to her as she took a few steps into the room proper.
“I call 'em how they are,” the worg replied. “See, you're the ones that broke in here, not the other way around.”
“Aye, that we did. I'm Kayla. Who're ye being? And I let ye know now we're more fer talking than fighting.”
“Garlum Tramplerun,” the worg said as it lifted its large frame from the throne and trotted out with heavy steps toward the lot with its fellows in tow. “I'm the alpha around here. And I bet you'd prefer to talk things out. Sad thing is, I can't let you leave.”
“Why not? Ye don't even know why we're here yet.”
“Oh, I know why you're here. Wondering why all the orcs and kobolds are out and killing, right?”
“Aye, we are wondering that.”
“How do you know this, worg?” said Farrln, adjusting himself into a battle-ready stance. Garlum looked at him with a wicked grin.
“A little birdie told me.”
“What do you mean? Explain.”
“I don't take orders. I give 'em.”
“Would that include ordering them to attack settlements?” The worg laughed at the accusing tone in the cleric's voice.
“Don't look at me. I only order my boys around. You want someone to blame? Look at Yrrona.”
“Can't say I know a Yrrona,” Kayla replied, tilting her head just slightly. “I'm only interested in knowing if you were involved in attacking others.”
“No,” said Garlum with another grin. “But I'm about to be.”
The alpha worg gave a loud bark that echoed off the walls and the two worgs that had been flanking him exploded into motion, gunning straight for the cleric. Farrln moved just as quickly to meet the worg to the left, landing a blow on the thing's flank. He tried to land another, hopefully deadly, strike on the creature, but it twisted out of the way, hopping back and focusing its attention on the prince. It snapped at him, trying to snag a hold, but Farrln moved his blade in a quick parry and scooted out of immediate danger. At least, he thought he'd escaped, but he found himself harried from behind by Garlum, the worg moving quickly to bite at a leg and drag the swordsman down. Only Farrln's unnatural speed saved him from Garlum taking the use of the leg permanently.
As Farrln came out of his skipping escape, the first worg attempted to finish the job its leader had started, but a volley of arrows took it from the side, the precision dropping it mid-charge. Farrln hopped over the body as it tumbled toward him and turned himself to better face the worg leader, but found his opponent staring hard at the ranger. Garlum gave another sharp bark, and the other worg, who had been in a dance with Rel and had managed to cause the drow a bit of damage, suddenly shifted focus and went barreling toward Gaylia with everything it had. It lunged, meaning to grab hold of Gaylia's throat and end the threat quickly, but the ranger brought up an arm and blocked the attack, though she cried out in pain when the beast bit down hard and attempted to drag her to the floor. She held her ground, though, and tried to reach for her shortsword to beat the worg back, but Kayla waded in and took care of the problem for her, delivering a strong strike to the beast's head and forcing it to let go. It erupted in flames soon after, Elathan hitting it with two fiery rays from his hands and it ran a short way from the group before falling over dead from the fires consuming it.
The growl that filled the hall then rivaled thunder as Garlum turned to stare at the sorcerer, outraged at the blow he'd dealt.
“You know, I'm not supposed to hurt you,” he said as he set himself low to the ground, “but I'm thinking a change of plans is gonna be in order.”
Nearly everyone in the room had a curious look come on their face at the worg's strange words, but Farrln and Rel took the chance to attack the worg. Garlum lunged forward, nimbly dodging both assaults, before setting his feet firmly and charging straight for Elathan. The sorcerer didn't have time to put up a proper defense, and the worg bit him savagely, twisting its head and dragging the mage to the ground. Gaylia quickly tried to come to her friend's aid, sending two more arrows streaking toward the alpha, but the worg just shook when they hit, sending the ranger an annoyed glance.
“You think those hurt? Don't kid yourself.”
The words spurred the others to action, Audria closing quickly and landing a hard hit with her sword and Kayla attempting to do the same. Garlum turned at the last moment of her strike and made the blow a glancing one, though he didn't follow up, intently focused on the mage lying prone before him. Elathan attempted to get to his feet, but Garlum was there, biting and dragging him back down again. Farrln and Rel capitalized on his distraction, landing deep gouges all on the worg's body, but Garlum kept his berserk gaze on Elathan, even as blood began to dribble from his maw.
“If I go down, I'm taking you with me, mage,” he growled at the sorcerer. Elathan turned his head to look up from his face-down position, a look of hate and rage stamped on his face.
“I'd rather die than ask my friends to allow you to kill them to save my own life,” he spat. The worg gave a crazed smile and bit down hard on Elathan's neck, drawing a gurgled scream from the mage. But then the worg suddenly let go, shaking its head wildly. The others saw, when they looked close, that Tasha had come out of Elathan's hood and latched on to the worg's face with her claws, determined to stop him from killing her master. Gaylia saw the chance and sent her arrows flying for the worg again and hit home, finally laying the beast low. Tasha let go as soon at the worg hit the ground, scampering back to Elathan's side and pawing at him to get up. The others closed on the worg, who was still breathing, weapons ready to put an end to it. Garlum brought glares upon him when he gave a wet laugh.
“You think you won,” he said weakly with a sarcastic grin on his face. “Have fun at your party. I heard it'll be a blast.”
And then he stopped breathing.
Kayla went to heal Elathan, who was petting Tasha soothingly by that time, but Farrln stood stock still, Garlum's dying words echoing in his head.
“The festival,” he said, a minor look of panic coming on his face. “They're planning an attack on Farrlmarr. We have to get back.”
“When is the party again?” Kayla asked, looking up from her work.
“The celebration is supposed to start tonight.” Farrln began to fidget and pace after he replaced his weapons, obviously becoming more agitated by the minute. Audria looked on worriedly.
“So do we look for anything else, or do we go back now?” asked Elathan as he stood and settled Tasha back inside his hood. Farrln looked at him as if he may knock the sorcerer prone again at any given moment.
“My parents and my city are in danger,” he said evenly.
“Aye, we're knowing that, Farrln,” Kayla said as she checked over the worg bodies. “We're only asking if it's prudent to see if we learn anything else here. That's all.” She took a small brooch from Garlum's collar and held it for everyone to see. “What do ye make of it?”
“It's a shielding brooch,” said Rel, kneeling to get a closer look at it. “It absorbs magic missiles.”
“Does it protect against physical attacks, too?”
“Just absorbs the missiles,” the drow replied, shaking his head. “The use is limited, though. Once it absorbs a certain amount, it will break.” Kayla considered the item and eventually gave a shrug, tucking it her pouch. The dwarf looked to the still agitated prince and folded her arms.
“Well, Farrln? What are ye thinking we should do? Look around or head back immediately?”
“We have time until nightfall,” Rel put in. “It's unlikely they will move until then. We may learn more of the plan if we continue our search.”
“Aye, that's what I'm thinking as well.”
“It's up to you, Prince.”
Farrln looked between Kayla and Rel, his emotions and his reasoning playing clearly on his face. He finally seemed to grab hold of himself and gave a steadying sigh.
“We need to know as much as we can so we can help when we return,” he said quietly. “We'll search a little more, then go back.”
The others nodded in agreement, knowing that searching blindly around the city wouldn't be of much help to anyone. They checked themselves over to make sure everyone was okay, then headed back out into the castle proper to find out more about the plot against Farrlmarr.
---
Sorry this took so long. I'll try not to take so long next time.
