laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

Now packed up, the group rode westward along the highway which joined the rest of the Frontier to their usual home of Carbost. Mostly clouded, the sun dimly highlighted the bright orange, red and yellow leaves that surrounded them, painting a beautiful picture that Adgertesse’ was trying to take some solace in. She hadn’t been this impatient before and it was wearing on her emotionally. Hopefully she would be able to sleep soon.
After six days of travel, they reached the grass covered, stone lined hill that surrounded the small town whose gate was cut into the eastern side and lay open to the mounted group as they rode in. Justyn called this town home and was now clear to enter without being molested by the magistrate, his charges cleared some years back. War had a way of erasing past sins sometimes. People watched and passed by as they soon entered the quietening marketplace as the sun fell low on the western horizon. Torchlight picked out the quiet homes and newly finished chapel to their right which had been destroyed to it’s foundation several years ago. Also rising over the rooftops stood the baron’s modest keep which protected the small farming hamlet as they dismounted and moved towards the tavern’s door.

“Take the horses around to the stables,” Lericanin directed to Nicolas who held his reins. “We’ll get lodging for the night.”

“Yes, sir,” the dutiful answer as Justyn, Kevin, Arthur and Alandria followed suit as Tess pulled up her hood, concealing her white hair and grey skin from most prying eyes once they entered the boisterous inn, now lively with music and revelry. Not surprising as the establishment was the only entertainment for the local farmers and workers who had no family to go home to. War had taken it’s toll on everyone and didn’t seem to wish an end to its assault.
Not minding the diversion, she carried her gear upstairs as Lericanin led towards the long hallway full of doors and handed each of the core group a key.

“You mind sleeping with Alandria,” he asked as she received the metal object. “They don’t have many rooms left right now.”

“No,” she shook her head. “That’s fine.”

“Alright,” he continued on as Lita followed him into his room and she smiled knowing the young thief was infatuated with the knight and had been for some time.

After a quick meal, she headed up to bed which was comfortable enough, she thought. Clearing her mind of concerns, she soon fell asleep.

Crowing of roosters awoke the nightblade to the warmth of Alandria who quietly slept beside her. Knowing it wasn’t her usual bedmate, she allowed the memories of Kailee’s red hair spilling across the pillow beside her to entertain her mind for a moment. Soon, she determined. Soon. She missed her friend.
Quietly, she rose and pulled the blanket over her sleeping companion and moved out of the bed. Cool, the air reminded her of the time of year and how drafty this building was as she quickly dressed. Padding across the wooden floor, she grabbed her weapon belt and strapped it on, then pulled on her cloak, then walked out into the hallway and closed the door. Turning towards the stairway, her eyes caught sight of Nicolas who stood.

“What are you doing out here,” she asked, nearing him.

“Sir Lericanin wanted me to get them some breakfast but,” he hesitated as he glanced to the door. “They’re busy.”

She nodded. “Ah. Take that tray back down to the table and sit with me then.”

“But, he wished their breakfast.”

“If he gets hungry, he’ll come down and get it,” she grinned and motioned to the tray. Reluctantly, he picked it up and followed her back down into the dining room as the innkeeper rose and quietly stared at the dark elf in their midst. His hands wrung nervously as he approached. “Good morning,” she greeted.

“Ma’am. What can we get you?”

“Whatever you’re serving for breakfast, we’ll take two,” she informed, then started eating from the tray now resting on the table between them, Nicolas’ eyes going wide. “This’ll be cold by the time they’re done.”

“Yes, ma’am,” the squire replied as the proprietor headed into the kitchen.

* * *
Once everyone was finished with breakfast, they headed out into the cloudy day as merchants set up their carts for sales, patrols continued their rounds and women drew from the central fountain.

“People to the north of town mentioned having a bear problem,” Allaster informed. “Perhaps you ladies wouldn’t mind helping out while we tend to the chapel today.”

“Sure,” Selyria shrugged. “Why not. Give us a chance to meet some of the farmers while we’re out today.” She turned to the female part of the group, a number which had steadily increased as the years went on. “What do you think?”

Tess smiled. “Get another chance to work out some frustrations, poor bear. I almost feel sorry for him.”

“You’ll have to do this without me,” Marian informed. “Sceva and I are going to help here in town, unless you think you’ll need my sword.”

Tess eyed two mages, a ranger, a thief and herself as Selyria grinned. “I think we can handle it but, if you hear us screaming, come to our aid.”

“I’ll be there in a flash,” the marshal of Elminoir chuckled.

They mounted up and headed out through the eastern gate, then turned northward. Dark brown fields bordered the many farms whose rich soil had given the area a great reputation for being able to plant three crops a year. All the locals needed were more hands to help bring in the bounty.
Up into the wooded foothills of the Black Mountains, they rode until Alandria found the tracks of their quarry. Leading them into the thinning undergrowth, they soon came face to face with a large cave opening.

“Alright ladies,” Adgertesse’ began as she walked towards the entrance. “Let’s see if our friend’s home. Selyria and Galena, stay to the rear.”

“No problem,” the younger mage gripped her staff nervously, remembering the last battle she was in prompting Tess to chuckle as Lita and Alandria joined her near the front.

“Ah,” Alandria called out. “Hold on a second.” Tess stopped as the ranger crouched and surveyed the ground, bow in her left hand. “What did they say lived here?”

“A bear,” Selyria reminded. “Why?”

Alandria pointed. “There is a bear alright but, he doesn’t live alone.”

“What are you talking about,” Lita asked as Tess moved over to notice the large footprints also around the claw marks. Too small to be a giant but about the right size for a troll or ogre.

“She’s right,” Adgertesse’ looked back into the dark entrance. “We’ve got trolls or something inside here also.”

“Well,” Selyria straightened. “Let’s clean them out. Trolls are more dangerous than a bear, that’s for sure.” She turned and touched the end of Galena’s staff whose white light now burned with the intensity of a torch.

Moving in, Lita joined Tess as Alandria knocked an arrow and followed while the two mages brought up the rear. Soon, the rough, natural tunnel turned gently to the left ahead but beyond a wide alcove which vainly held the stench of a large occupant whose growl echoed loudly. Throwing her dagger, Lita launched her missile as Alandria fired and Tess readied for the charge that never came. Dropping instantly, the bear’s heavy weight hit the dirt covered ground with a loud crash. Adgertesse’ backed to turn her attention now to the interior of the cave which continued on as heavy footsteps hurriedly approached.

“Here we go,” Tess announced as she readied herself. More missiles fired into the darkness as the vague forms of three trolls rounded the corner. As they came, Selyria fired blue missiles of her own which caught the first attacker square, making him stumble and soon crash into the ground as the second continued on into another volley. Suddenly, behind them the cave illuminated a bright orange and Tess turned to run. “Get out of the cave! Go!”
They all retreated as the trolls continued on only to be engulfed by a fire which sped towards the group who jumped to either side of the cave’s mouth only to be narrowly missed by the belching flame. That was too close but, now the problem of who launched that fireball. Adgertesse’ turned and pushed herself up as Lita and Selyria noticed the smoke pouring from the cave’s roof into the air. Both remaining charred bodies lay inside whose clothes still burned, emanating a nauseating stink. Tess pushed herself up as Lita and Galena joined them.

“Next time they decide that bears are a problem, we should investigate it a bit further,” Lita commented.

“You think,” Selyria grinned. “Whoever else is in there, I can bet they’re not going to go down as easily as that bear.”

“No problem. Follow me,” Tess concentrated as she moved back into the cave, avoiding the large bodies in the middle of the floor and went invisible. Mentally she kept in contact with Selyria as they moved. ‘Just keep coming while I scout ahead. I’ll let you know when trouble arises.’

‘Alright.’

Winding, the cavern soon opened up into a large antechamber which ran north to south and had apparently housed the trolls as they found two more bodies laying in burning heaps. As she moved quietly onward, her senses soon alerted her to danger as she noticed movement ahead and to the left.
‘Someone’s here,’ she informed mentally and prepared her weapons. Firebolts launched from the corner to her right and she ducked, narrowly having her head roasted as she then charged and attacked. Sword and hammer found their marks on the undead female who tried to defend herself while Lita fought with another unseen attacker. As another blue bolt hit the female in the chest, she noticed the familiar maroon and dark brown clothing of the lich from Fletcher’s Point. Angered at their imprisonment, she renewed her attacks fueled by memories of Brittany’s anguish, cutting and pounding the lich until finally downing the mage as Lita ducked allowing Alandria a shot which downed Conley.

Selyria walked up as Tess glowered down at the undead victim. “This isn’t the end of them, you know that.”

“Yeah. We’ll have to notify Lericanin and the others to hopefully be able to find the ones with their organs. I only hope we can get to them in time before these two reconstitute themselves. I don’t want to have to fight them again.”

“I second that,” Lita agreed, nursing her wounds.

After picking through the meager furnishings within another alcove, they returned to town. Adgertesse’ kept her senses open for any hints of nervous movement, riders speeding from the town’s gates or something that would hopefully narrow down their search. Once she arrived at the inn that search quietened as they dismounted and headed inside. Finding the men at a table, they approached as Allaster looked up.

“That bear sure took a while.”

“He wasn’t alone,” Selyria informed. “We have a problem.”