\u201cI think I see them. Alright everyone! Let\u2019s get ready for tonight! Lyonette? Begin Plan A. Numbtongue? How are the windows coming?\u201d<\/p>\n
Erin Solstice stood on the hill outside her inn, shielding herself from the pouring rain with a cloak. It didn\u2019t really help; she was already quite wet from being outside and the cloak just made water run down her arms. Still, it beat being pelted by the rain. Erin stared across the darkening waters. Evening had just begun around Liscor and the sky, never light to begin with, was starting to darken.<\/p>\n
She could still easily pick out the boats sailing towards Liscor on the water, though. The returning adventurers illuminated the way with [Light] spells, magical torches, and waterproof lanterns. They seemed in relatively good spirits. Erin didn\u2019t see less of them, so she assumed everyone was alright.<\/p>\n
\u201cLooks like everyone\u2019s okay!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about the Horns? The Halfseekers? The Silver Swords? Uh, Gemhammer and the Pride of Kelia?\u201d<\/p>\n
Lyonette peeked out the inn\u2019s door. Erin shaded her eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026I can\u2019t tell the difference between the Gnolls, but I think I see Gemhammer! Yeah, Earlia\u2019s got that huge warhammer. And the Silver Swords are bright and shiny! Hm. There\u2019s Moore. That wasn\u2019t hard. And the Horns\u2026aha! They\u2019re in the back with Griffon Hunt!\u201d<\/p>\n
Erin heard a loud sigh of relief and echoed it. The Horns of Hammerad looked unhurt at a distance, although they seemed to be arguing loudly with someone in the boat that Griffon Hunt was sharing with a few Drakes. Probably Revi. Erin turned her head.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, I bet they\u2019ll be starving! Lyonette, let\u2019s get some food prepped!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat should I heat up?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUh\u2014the stuffed pasta? I just made it so I want to see how it\u2019s received. What did I call it again?\u201d<\/p>\n
Drassi popped her head out behind Lyonette.<\/p>\n
\u201cManicotti. I think. How do you not remember your own dish, Erin?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a lot on my mind! Right. Manicotti. That\u2019s Italian, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Drake gave Erin a blank look.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know that nation. Do they make good pasta?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo they make\u2014yes! And I seasoned the stuffing! It\u2019s this delicious cheese filling with herbs and a tiny <\/em>bit of spice in some of them. I call it Gambler\u2019s Manicotti! You bite the wrong one and your mouth explodes!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFrom a tiny bit of spice?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, a tiny bit of super hot<\/em> spices. I marked the plates that have the spice, don\u2019t worry. I want to see if anyone takes the dare. I bet Jelaqua\u2019ll try it.\u201d<\/p>\n Drassi grinned and pulled her head back into the inn. Erin stared past her at the five Hobs industriously banging on the windows outside her inn. They were installing the shutters she\u2019d helped make in preparation for tonight. Erin waved at Numbtongue who hadn\u2019t replied to her.<\/p>\n \u201cHey Numbtongue! How\u2019s it going?\u201d<\/p>\n The Hob looked up. He spat out a nail into his palm, and pointed. Erin sighed. For a Goblin who could speak as well as any Human, Numbtongue had an incredible amount of disdain for actual conversation. He was telling her to look and see for herself. Erin saw that all but one shutter was fixed into place.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, good job! Come in as soon as you finish! I\u2019ll have warm towels and dinner\u2014early!\u201d<\/p>\n She saw the Hobgoblins brighten at that. They picked up the pace. Erin\u2019s decision for an early dinner wasn\u2019t just incentive\u2014like Liscor, she was getting ready for tonight, when the Raskghar would surely attack again. Erin saw Headscratcher pound a nail into the inn\u2019s wall and then wave at a little Goblin awkwardly hammering to his left. Pebblesnatch looked up, gabbled a word, and then visibly brightened. She stared at Erin hungrily until Headscratcher made her continue hammering nails.<\/p>\n It was very strange to Erin how relaxed Pebblesnatch was about nearly having been executed a few hours earlier. But after the Redfang Goblins had explained their change of heart, the Cave Goblin had willingly begun to follow their orders. They kept a close eye on her, but she seemed content to help them out with their tasks. Erin had two theories on why that was.<\/p>\n \u201cNumbtongue explained it to me. Actually, I had to bribe him and tell him I\u2019d buy a new guitar since the old one\u2019s broken, but he told me in the end. Hobs are natural leaders. Pebblesnatch will obey the Redfangs because they\u2019re Hobs, probably more willingly than she would that jerk Raskghar Chieftain.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMhm?\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette was busy setting tables. Erin nodded, watching Mrsha scurry out of the kitchen with a stack of plates balanced precariously on her head.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right. And I bet Pebblesnatch enjoys hammering nails in the rain a lot more than nearly dying in the dungeon. That\u2019s the theory anyways.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHmm. Right.\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette replied absently. Erin sighed. The [Barmaid] was too focused on her work. And to be fair, she was<\/em> setting a dozen tables for what would hopefully be a crowd of adventurers while making sure Mrsha didn\u2019t drop anything and trying to get Apista not to walk all over the plates at the same time. Drassi appeared with a load of silverware and grinned at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you\u2019re not worried about her running off or stabbing you in the tail, Erin?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin brightened. You could count on Drassi to ask questions.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat a good question, Drassi! No I\u2019m not. Because\u2026Pebblesnatch is going to be sleeping in Badarrow\u2019s room. Actually, she\u2019ll be locked inside and one of the Hobs will watch her. They\u2019ll be up all night, obviously.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight. Say, on that note, are you sure the inn will be safe? I\u2019m going back to Liscor before it gets dark, right? Or am I staying here? I was telling Ishkr that I might be safer here<\/em>, but, I uh, don\u2019t know. Do you?\u201d<\/p>\n Drassi shifted nervously as she placed silverware next to the plates. Her tail was curled up, though she tried to keep her voice confident. Erin frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got the windows on the ground floor all set and the shutters are in place. I thought it\u2019d be harder, but apparently adding onto the inn doesn\u2019t trigger the [Reinforced Structure] Skill. Bird\u2019s got a bar on the door so he\u2019ll be able to run inside if there\u2019s trouble, and Badarrow will be right up there with him. And the Horns and the Halfseekers will be in the inn tonight. We should be good. With that said, I still think Liscor\u2019ll be safer, but if you want to stay, you can, Drassi.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake hesitated and chewed her lip lightly.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, that\u2019s okay. I was just curious. And I should probably get back\u2014the Watch has ordered a curfew just past dark for anyone without ten levels in a combat class.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGot it. Oh, and by the way, you and Ishkr need to eat before night time. I\u2019ll bet there won\u2019t be any restaurants or taverns open in Liscor, so make sure to get a meal!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight, boss!\u201d<\/p>\n Drassi smiled and saluted Erin. The young woman grinned and turned her head. She could hear distant shouting. It sounded like the adventurers were in high spirits!<\/p>\n \u201cAwesome. Lyonette, make sure Mrsha eats early too. And yourself! I\u2019ll see if I can get some of the adventurers to eat here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGot it, Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin hurried out of the inn, putting on her best smile. Maybe she should wave a plate of food so everyone could see she had some? She stopped when she saw the Hobs. They\u2019d finished with the shutters and were waiting with Pebblesnatch just outside the inn. They hadn\u2019t come in yet because they were watching the adventurers on the water. A giant rocky shell had burst out of the water and two huge pincers were menacing a team of Drakes who were shouting as the other adventurers tried to help them.<\/p>\n \u201cOh no! Rock Crabs!\u201d<\/p>\n Not just one. Another Rock Crab burst out of the water and capsized a boat. The adventurers shouted in panic as one of the Gnolls was dragged down into the water. The hapless Gnoll might have been torn apart, but five of the [Mages] on the boats threw spells at once and Erin saw several other adventurers including Halrac loose arrows.<\/p>\n The Rock Crab that had seized the Gnoll virtually exploded<\/em> as a bolt of lightning blew chunks out of its shell, then a hail of bright red missiles and a sickle of grey-green light cut their way in. An enchanted arrow sent Rock Crab bits flying everywhere and the second Rock Crab retreated as a Drake in armor leapt onto its body and proceeded to wail on it with a huge hammer.<\/p>\n Still, the aquatic skirmish wasn\u2019t over. More Rock Crabs surfaced, and a pair of black tendrils ensnared one boat. The fish were either agitated or very hungry and the adventurers shouted as they tried to fight the aquatic monsters and not slip into the water. The Goblins cackled with laughter as they watched.<\/p>\n Erin tried not to smile and failed. There was something funny about this battle. She didn\u2019t feel like anyone was in danger, not with all the Gold-rank teams around. At last, the Rock Crabs were fleeing and the Lurkersnatch Fish was floating belly-up, its black tentacles severed and dark red blood staining the water.<\/p>\n \u201cEw. I hear the bounty on those things is pretty good. Can\u2019t speak for the taste, though. Hey, do you think I can get them to haul it over? Probably not. The fish are already eating it.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin waved at the adventurers as the Goblins trooped into the inn, electing to eat upstairs rather than face the adventurers. Erin began shouting as the boats began heading towards the walls of Liscor where ladders were already being thrown down.<\/p>\n \u201cHey! You want food? We have food! Hot food! Ready to eat! And we have a magic door! You don\u2019t have to climb up to Liscor! Just come on over and walk through!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n It might have been that last comment that brought over a small flotilla of boats to the inn. The tired adventurers swarmed up the wet hilltop, nodding at Erin. She smiled at the Drakes and Gnolls and the rare other species. She kept up a running dialogue as she ushered them in. Another stroke of genius had seen her investing in fresh towels, and soon there was a stack of muddy, wet towels piled up and a bunch of much happier, drier adventurers.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, how are you doing? How\u2019d the Scale Salad do? Find any treasure? Nasty cut! You should probably pour a healing potion on that. Hey, you. Want a bite? Ask about our Gambler\u2019s Manicotti! That\u2019s pasta. With cheese!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin saw a familiar face as the adventurers passed by her.<\/p>\n \u201cBevussa, right?\u201d<\/p>\n The Garuda looked up. She was wet, but smiling.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right. And you\u2019re\u2026Erin?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYep! Want something to eat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019d love to. All this dungeon exploring has me ravenous. Too bad it wasn\u2019t much action, at least on our end.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n Apparently not. As more adventurers walked through, Erin got a chance to talk to a few teams not immediately stuffing their faces. The dungeon had been quiet\u2014unnaturally so. Aside from sporadic encounters with monsters, most teams had been mapping and finding traps. The fact that they\u2019d already lost three adventurers made Erin\u2019s heart sink, though.<\/p>\n \u201cIt happens. Especially with a dungeon this large and so many of us going in. The trap was a good one and the Crypt Lords encounter was just bad luck. Gekla Raiders got caught right up against a trap. They couldn\u2019t run and they were too far away for another group to get to before they lost two of their own.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s horrible.\u201d<\/p>\n Bevussa shrugged and flicked some water from her feathers.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s adventuring. It\u2019s all a risk. Speaking of which, why is this called Gambler\u2019s Manicotti?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOoh, well if you\u2019re in a sporting mood\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Erin grinned wickedly. Her spice-filled trap Manicotti had already claimed two Drakes and a Gnoll, who were frantically drinking while the other adventurers laughed at them. It was harmless fun, and that was what the tired adventurers needed most.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The last groups to arrive at Liscor and The Wandering Inn were the Horns of Hammerad and Griffon Hunt. By the time the Horns of Hammerad reached the inn, it was well into evening. It had taken a while for them to get back. Mostly because of Ksmvr. Hauling him up through the water had been a challenge and a half, and the traumatized Antinium couldn\u2019t stop screaming.<\/p>\n \u201cAaaaah! Aaaaah! Aaaaa\u2014<\/em>oh. We are not on the water any longer. That is good. Was I an asset to the team?\u201d<\/p>\n The instant Ksmvr got onto dry land he was better. Ceria, Yvlon, and Pisces glared at him and the other adventurers unplugged their ears. The half-Elf opened her mouth and raised a finger, then decided against it.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s just tie the boats up. Halrac, Revi, Typhenous, do you want to eat in the inn?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe might as well since we\u2019re here. We can finish our discussion there. So long as Ksmvr doesn\u2019t scream my ears off.\u201d<\/p>\n Revi grumbled as she sewed her ears back onto the side of her head. Ceria stared as Typhenous took over the needle. She knew other species had odd characteristics\u2014she\u2019d hung around Jelaqua long enough to know that\u2014but this was weird even by Selphid standards. The Stitch-Girl grinned at Ceria.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you wish you could do that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can do that. It\u2019s just that my ears don\u2019t work when I try it.\u201d<\/p>\n That made Revi laugh. Griffon Hunt followed the Horns up the hill. The two teams were fairly amiable towards each other. The understanding they\u2019d developed in the dungeon carried on outside, and soon they were sitting in the inn, warm and dry, with a hot plate of pasta in front of them. Ceria poked at her plate.<\/p>\n \u201cErin, did you have<\/em> to make eating a game?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, but it sells better if I do. Don\u2019t worry! This plate of manicotti\u2019s safe. Or is it?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Innkeeper] waggled her eyebrows. Revi glared at her plate.<\/p>\n \u201cI swear, if I eat a hot\u2026whatever this is, I\u2019m taking my tongue out and throwing it at Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry. None of these plates have spicy manicotti. I checked.\u201d<\/p>\n Drassi moved past the table and gave the others a reassuring smile. Revi didn\u2019t look convinced.<\/p>\n \u201cShe could just be saying that.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cDrassi doesn\u2019t ever lie, Revi. It\u2019s actually the one amazing thing about her. That, and her ability to talk for nine hours straight without taking a breath.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n The Stitch-Girl stared at the Drake [Barmaid] who was indeed chattering as she made her way around the tables. Revi took a bite of her pasta and her eyebrows shot up.<\/p>\n \u201cHm.\u201d<\/p>\n In a few moments she was eating rapidly. Reminded of their empty bellies, the other adventurers set to with gusto. Only after they\u2019d consumed their first plate did they rejoin the ranks of the social adventurers and start conversing with the other tables and each other.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m telling you, that dungeon wasn\u2019t nearly as populated as I thought it would be. Our team ran into a small nest of Dropclaw Bats, a handful of zombies\u2026what you\u2019d expect of a small-time dungeon. Where\u2019s all the monsters we\u2019ve heard about? Cleared out because they heard we were coming?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHiding? Maybe they\u2019re organized.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow would they be? If there\u2019s a bunch of Face-Eater Moths or Ghouls or what have you, there\u2019s no way that group would work with another group of monsters. Maybe the Raskghar scared them off.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight. Scared an entire dungeon of monsters?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cApparently there are thousands\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAllegedly. A Goblin said that. And I<\/em> say\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShame about Gekla Raiders. It\u2019s not like they were Bronze-rank. They got to Silver a year ago. I saw their team leader after the fight. Just devastated.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI hate Crypt Lords. What is it with undead getting nastier with age? At least the Flamewardens got there in time to save the rest. You know, I heard the first expedition that went into Liscor\u2019s dungeon got wiped out? Over forty adventurers, most of \u2018em Silver-rank. Taken out by undead.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat, all<\/em> of them?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cApparently there were, like, six survivors\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n It was very hard for Ceria to continue happily eating after hearing that. She wondered if she should turn around and address the team of adventurers. But what would be the point? It wasn\u2019t like they were that wrong. And she didn\u2019t want to give them a blow-by-blow of what had happened either. So she turned her attention forwards. For once, Ceria was thankful that Revi was engaged in another argument with her team.<\/p>\n \u201cThis isn\u2019t criticism! Okay, it is, but it\u2019s well-intentioned. Halrac and Typhenous agree with me. Your team\u2019s biggest flaw is your fighting style. You fight like Silver-ranks when you should be thinking of advancing to the next level.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI thought we did fine. We handled ourselves when a bunch of Children attacked us. And we\u2019ve fought other monsters well.\u201d<\/p>\n Yvlon looked peeved as she stabbed a fried Yellat on her plate. Ceria thought part of the woman\u2019s annoyance was guilt\u2014she\u2019d said the same thing this morning about the Raskghar. But it was never easy hearing criticism from another team. Revi sighed and looked imploringly at Typhenous, who cleared his throat after taking a sip from his mug.<\/p>\n \u201cRevi lacks delicacy, Miss Byres. But she is correct. As adventuring teams go, your team is good. Excellent for a Silver-rank team, given your magical artifacts. But Gold-rank teams stand on another level.\u201d<\/p>\n Revi nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll give Ylawes\u2019 team this\u2014they can fight like Gold-ranks. Even if they\u2019re about as smart as rocks when it comes to dungeon diving, they can fight the monsters your group can\u2019t. And that\u2019s all because they\u2019re better on an individual level than you all are. Teamwork isn\u2019t actually your weakest point.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI fail to comprehend. Fellow Adventurer Revi, will you give us an example of this difference?\u201d<\/p>\n Ksmvr tilted his head left and right, his mandibles closed and drooping to indicate his displeasure. Revi looked at Halrac. At last, the [Scout] looked up. He\u2019d been patting something under the table. And feeding it scraps from his plate. Mrsha popped her head up, smiling happily. Halrac\u2019s expression defied anyone to make a comment. He spoke curtly.<\/p>\n \u201cLook at Ylawes versus Yvlon. Both have enchanted armor. Both have the same kind of class. Ylawes is better. He has shield techniques like [Shield of Valor] that can hold off a huge monster or an entire line of enemies. He has close-combat Skills like the one he slew the giant Face-Eater Moth with. Yvlon might have a few, but they don\u2019t change a battle like Ylawes can. The same goes for the others.\u201d<\/p>\n Revi nodded. She pointed at Jelaqua, who was dumping milk into Moore\u2019s mouth. The poor half-Giant had gotten a spicy manicotti and he did not do well with hot food, apparently.<\/p>\n \u201cJelaqua\u2019s another example. She doesn\u2019t use her Skills as much, but she could probably fight as well as Ksmvr and<\/em> Yvlon put together. I\u2019ve seen her with her flails\u2014the Halfseekers only need her on the front lines to keep their enemies busy. With the Heartflame Armor she\u2019s practically immortal. Plus she\u2019s a Selphid.\u201d<\/p>\n Typhenous and Halrac nodded in agreement. The Horns exchanged an unhappy glance. Pisces blew out his cheeks in exasperation.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you saying that the difference between our teams comes down to levels alone? I happen to be quite high-level. I don\u2019t feel as though I lag behind a Gold-rank adventurer that far.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo?\u201d<\/p>\n Revi cast an appraising eye over Pisces. She shrugged as she tugged at an errant thread on her arm.<\/p>\n \u201cYou might be high-level, Pisces. But you don\u2019t fight as well as you could if that\u2019s the case. You use weak undead, you fight with a rapier and Tier 2 and Tier 3 spells\u2014really well, but still\u2014and you don\u2019t have a game-changing spell like Typhenous. Look at Falene. She can throw three times as many spells as you can. They\u2019re not high-level, but she\u2019s an expert at filling the air with magic. And that\u2019s because she has a style. You don\u2019t. You\u2019re just good at a lot of things. And that\u2019s great for Silver-rank. But Gold-ranks are experts in their field.\u201d<\/p>\n The table went silent. Pisces bit his lips but didn\u2019t reply, surprisingly. Typhenous glanced around.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe we\u2019ve belabored the point long enough, Revi. This is just our advice. Please don\u2019t take it as condemnation.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, we won\u2019t. And we really appreciate your team helping us out. Really. Your team works a lot like I\u2019d hope our group will.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria looked around the table. Griffon Hunt looked pleased. Revi blushed a bit.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, we used to work better when Ulrien\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She trailed off, and then went on.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026When he was alive. Our formation\u2019s actually a lot weaker since we depended on Ulrien to fight on the front. My summons could support him, but even now they lack the offensive power he had. So it was<\/em> reassuring to meet a team that had good melee fighters. And that had an actual brain in their heads. If you wanted to team up again, we might be willing to do another dive in the dungeon together.\u201d<\/p>\n The Horns looked at each other in surprise. They looked at Halrac for confirmation and the [Scout] nodded. Ceria felt a little bubble of elation form in her chest. Griffon Hunt wanted to work with them? She felt a rush of pride, and then concern.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about the Halfseekers? Won\u2019t they be upset?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFunny enough\u2014you won\u2019t believe this, but I think they\u2019d be happy to go into the dungeon with the Silver Swords.\u201d<\/p>\n Revi grimaced and pointed. Jelaqua was laughing and elbowing Ylawes in the stomach. Moore was talking with Falene and not rolling his eyes like Ceria or Pisces did every five seconds, and Seborn and Dawil were chatting over a drink. The adventurers looked at each other.<\/p>\n \u201cHuh.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey really hit it off?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey do act the same, I guess. And the Halfseekers don\u2019t insist on silence.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMoore\u2019s probably the only one who could tolerate Falene for more than twenty minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHah!\u201d<\/p>\n It was settled, then. Ceria reached over and shook Halrac\u2019s hand, agreeing to work together tomorrow. And just as soon as she\u2019d done that, she found herself walking over with Halrac to a table filled with adventurer team leaders. The Flamewarden\u2019s Captain, who was named Keldrass, had called a meeting. He braced himself on the table, speaking in short bursts so he didn\u2019t accidentally immolate everyone in front of him. Apparently he couldn\u2019t control his flame as well as some other Oldblood Drakes.<\/p>\n \u201cThe dungeon was quiet today. But that means we got a lot of ground covered. Our initial fortifications are complete. Some have suggested making a formal outpost or securing a better route into the dungeon, but Wall Lord Ilvriss insists we push in further. Tomorrow we\u2019ll be searching hard for the Raskghar\u2019s lair. Any objections?\u201d<\/p>\n The other team leaders shook their heads. They began to pool information, and Ceria heard a few tidbits she hadn\u2019t gotten from the gossip before.<\/p>\n \u201cThe treasure chest that the Belfast Hunters found\u2014the cursed one\u2014was brought back on the boat. Don\u2019t worry about the Captain\u2014he\u2019s resting in Liscor with a bit of gold lodged in the side of his face, but he\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n There were a few sniggers around the table. The Drake grinned a bit and then went on.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, well, he\u2019ll be able to afford a healer. The gold and jewels in the chest are higher-quality than our gold coins. We didn\u2019t do a perfect test, but Earlia of Gemhammer claims that they\u2019re purer than the metal we make our coins with.\u201d<\/p>\n He looked at Earlia. The woman grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right. Our gold coins aren\u2019t pure gold, you see. We use an alloy. But the gold that was in the chest? I\u2019ll bet it\u2019s as close to twenty-four karat as I\u2019ve ever seen. That chest was probably worth twice as much as we thought!\u201d<\/p>\n The adventurers murmured. Ceria felt a jump in her chest. Envy and excitement. Another adventurer, a Gnoll, spoke up.<\/p>\n \u201cWe ran into an unusual occurrence as well. We encountered a masked adventurer who warned us away from a trap. She fought with us against a pair of giant maggots and then left when the retreat was signaled.\u201d<\/p>\n The other adventurers had heard of the masked adventurer. A Drake exclaimed.<\/p>\n \u201cYou too? She appeared in front of us while we were exploring. We tried to communicate, but when we said we were fine she left.\u201d<\/p>\n Keldrass frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cSee if you can convince her to return next time. Or at least ask her name and rank. An unknown adventurer wandering about in the dungeon is a danger, not least to herself. Anyone else?\u201d<\/p>\n There was nothing. Keldrass nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThen it\u2019s time to go. Watch Captain Zevara\u2019s asked my team and several others to be ready tonight. There\u2019s about twenty minutes before it\u2019s dark. Any team requested to man the walls, now is the time to move.\u201d<\/p>\n The adventurers broke up. Ceria saw team leaders rousing their groups and heading towards the door to Liscor. It was surprising how organized they were\u2014and how willing they were to follow Keldrass\u2019 orders. Erin, who\u2019d been visibly eavesdropping, expressed the same sentiment.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s the difference between Human adventurers and teams who live in Drake cities. We have a chain of command. And we\u2019re obligated to listen to Watch Captains.\u201d<\/p>\n Bevussa sighed as she drained her mug and then fished around for coins in her pouch. She handed them to Erin and smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cYour inn will be alright?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think so. We\u2019re sending everyone through. Hey Drassi! Ishkr! Want leftovers?<\/em> And the Horns and the Halfseekers are staying.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t worry, then. Until tomorrow, Miss Solstice. We\u2019ll come back to eat that horrible Scale Salad you\u2019ve got.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou think that\u2019s bad? Try the soup!\u201d<\/p>\n The Garuda smiled and left. Erin looked around her suddenly deserted inn. Then she eyed the closed windows.<\/p>\n \u201cNight\u2019s coming soon. Ceria, what\u2019s your plan?\u201d<\/p>\n A small knot of anxiety twisted in Ceria\u2019s stomach. She glanced at the Halfseekers for reassurance.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we\u2019ll stay downstairs. We won\u2019t sleep until we know it\u2019s safe. We\u2019ll get some sleep in the morning before the dungeon dive.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDungeon diving by day, guarding by night. That\u2019s not a lot of time to rest! But it\u2019s probably a good idea for this night at least. The Hobs will be downstairs too. I\u2019m going to warn Bird.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin nodded and dashed upstairs. Ceria looked around. The convivial mood that had been filling the inn had evaporated. Now the adventurers looked serious. As four of the Redfang Goblins came downstairs, Ceria saw they were all armed.<\/p>\n \u201cIf the Raskghar come, we\u2019ll handle them. Stay behind us, Horns. Jelaqua will have the door. She\u2019s got the armor.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n Seborn was checking one of Erin\u2019s windows. Ceria nodded and drifted over to Pisces.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, you can make Bone Horrors, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have been adjusting my designs. Should I animate one?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe hold off. We\u2019ve got enough bodies as it is. But have it ready just in case, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces nodded. He sat down at a table and stretched his legs out. Ceria thought that was too casual, but then she realized they might be waiting for a long time and did the same. Erin soon came back downstairs.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright. Bird\u2019s secure and Badarrow\u2019s up there too. He\u2019ll make Bird run if it\u2019s dangerous. Now. Lyonette? Is Mrsha fed? Are you fed? Is Apista fed?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re all good, Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman was combing Mrsha\u2019s fur with a brush. The Gnoll was sitting in her lap, looking around anxiously. She knew what was happening and she didn\u2019t like it. She hugged Lyonette\u2019s stomach. Erin hesitated. She went over to the magical door and changed the destination. She opened the door and Ceria saw Octavia\u2019s shop appear.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay. I think now\u2019s the time. Hey, Mrsha?\u201d<\/p>\n She came over and bent down with a big, fake smile. The Gnoll looked up, instantly suspicious. Erin smiled and pointed to the door.<\/p>\n \u201cHow would you like to sleep at Auntie Octavia\u2019s for tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette stood up with Mrsha in her arms. The Gnoll looked at Erin in alarm, and then instantly began to howl. She fought wildly to stay, struggling with both Erin and Lyonette.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just for tonight, Mrsha! Just in case! We\u2019ll be fine!\u201d<\/p>\n Nothing Erin said convinced the Gnoll. She was afraid. Not just of staying at Octavia\u2019s\u2014she clung to Erin until she was pried free. Then she began crying. She was afraid. Afraid to leave Erin behind. Afraid she\u2019d never see Erin again.<\/p>\n When Lyonette finally dragged her through the door, Mrsha\u2019s loud crying was the last thing Erin heard. She closed the door and looked around. The adventurers and Goblins looked away hastily. Erin took a deep breath.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay. It was just in case. We\u2019ll be fine. Okay.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou could go through too, you know. You should.\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua looked at Erin. The [Innkeeper] shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd abandon my inn? What if my [Reinforced Structure] Skill doesn\u2019t work if I\u2019m not here? And I can use my aura skill. I will<\/em> use it this time! I won\u2019t run away. I have a responsibility to stay here. Plus, I can always run with everyone else if it gets really bad.\u201d<\/p>\n The Selphid met Erin\u2019s determined eyes, then nodded. Silently, the adventurers, Goblins, and Erin settled down. They talked occasionally, making jokes, commenting on some trivial detail or other, but the words grew fewer and fewer. They were waiting. And night fell as the rain continued falling over Liscor.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Watch Captain Zevara strode down the battlements of Liscor\u2019s walls, taking care not to slip. It wasn\u2019t that hard\u2014Liscor\u2019s architects had factored in the danger of slipping in the rain, and carved small grooves into the stonework that added friction to the slick stone. Still, Zevara placed her feet with care. Every eye was on her and she had no intention of making a fool of herself in front of her men. Or the adventurers. Or Wing Commander Embria.<\/p>\n Part of what made a Watch Captain was their reputation. Zevara had fought tooth-and-tail to get to her post and she was determined not to lose it. She raised her voice and shouted as she passed a group of her soldiers.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Raskghar are coming with the night! I want every Drake and Gnoll alert! Watch the waters! We won\u2019t let a single one of those hulking bastards up the walls! We\u2019ve got Embria\u2019s [Soldiers] on the walls and the City Watch has every inch of the walls lit up. Adventurers are waiting on standby and Olesm\u2019s prepped every defensive spell. We\u2019ll be ready! Check your posts! Report any suspicious behavior at once! Do you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Watch Captain!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The [Guardsmen] and [Guardswomen] shouted as they passed. They stood a bit taller as Zevara walked down the line. It wasn\u2019t a Skill. Zevara wished she had a Skill, but she hadn\u2019t gotten a good one yet. No, this was just good leadership. She walked the entirety of the walls, repeating her speech at least a dozen times, and then walked back towards the walls that had been assailed last time.<\/p>\n The eastern wall was practically glowing with light. The City Watch stood with their backs to bright [Light] spells\u2014the advanced version known as [Illumination] which allowed the [Mages] who\u2019d cast it to change the angle and intensity of the light. Thus, the light shone from the battlements at the Watch\u2019s backs, blinding anyone who might be trying to scale up the walls while the Watch maintained their night-vision for the most part.<\/p>\n \u201cAre we ready?\u201d<\/p>\n Zevara strode up to Olesm, who was nervously staring into the water. He had his Ring of Sight equipped. She saw him twist the ring on his finger and blink furiously before looking at her.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re ready, Watch Captain. The Antinium are on patrol in the streets, Embria\u2019s soldiers are in position, we have a few adventurers with spells and bows on the walls\u2014oh, and I saw a group of Antinium break off and enter Erin\u2019s inn.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm nodded. He looked around and hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cSome of the Antinium were Workers. With bows. They were trying to hide it, but my Ring of Sight\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He gestured to the enchanted ring. Zevara\u2019s head snapped over to the inn. She stared at the boarded up windows, eyes narrowed.<\/p>\n \u201cPut that on your report to me later. The Walled Cities will want to know.\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm nodded. Zevara thought about finding Klbkch and asking him about the Workers, but she decided not to. She\u2019d have all the time later. She stood on the walls, staring into the waters as the rain fell with everyone else. She could not see the moon rising, but she knew it was there, behind the rainclouds. And sure enough, with the moon came the first contact with the Raskghar.<\/p>\n \u201cContact!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n It was a Gold-rank adventurer who spotted the first Raskghar. Halrac drew and loosed an arrow before the others could turn to look. The Raskghar jerked<\/em> as an arrow struck it in the chest. It floated upwards and only then did it become visible, a small, bobbing form amid the dark waters. The [Mages] shone more light into the waters and more shouts sprang up along the walls. Not just from the east side either.<\/p>\n \u201cRaskghar to the north!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOn the western side too! Goblins as well!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHold your fire!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Zevara bellowed as the Watch began loosing arrows at the Raskghar who immediately dived. She shouted again and heard her words relayed.<\/p>\n \u201cHold your fire! Let our high-level [Archers] pick them off! Mages! I want those of you with the best aim to hit the Raskghar when they come up for air! Everyone else\u2014spot the Raskghar in the water and relay the targets!\u201d<\/p>\n The shouting on the walls subsided slightly. Now Zevara heard tense voices calling out targets, and the sounds of [Archers] and [Mages] doing their work. Below, the Raskghar found themselves literal sitting ducks. They tried to dive deep into the waters, but the need for air and the monsters below drove them upwards to the waiting adventurers on the walls. Over a dozen bodies were floating in the water before Zevara sensed the Raskghar retreating. But it wasn\u2019t over. Olesm\u2019s sharp voice made Zevara look around.<\/p>\n \u201cWatch Captain! The inn!\u201d<\/p>\n He pointed. Zevara looked and cursed. The Wandering Inn was under attack! On the far side of the hill a large group had surfaced. They\u2019d been hidden by the inn. Now Zevara saw small forms scuttling up the side of the hill, disappearing behind the inn\u2019s walls. She cursed.<\/p>\n \u201cHow many are over there? It looks like at least sixty Goblins and ten Raskghar! Archers! Get over there and start shooting every Goblin you can see!\u201d<\/p>\n She saw adventurers and guardsmen running down the walls. The inn was under siege. Little Goblins swarmed around the windows, trying to open the locked shutters. They gave up and began climbing the walls until the two figures on the guard tower, Bird and Badarrow, began shooting them and the Raskghar off. Then it was the doors.<\/p>\n A pair of Raskghar smashed into the inn. They roared<\/em> for half a second and then the sound cut off. The rest of the Raskghar and Goblins charged in after them. There was a brief pause in which Zevara waited with bated breath, and then the Goblins ran out, screaming. A Raskghar made it to the door before a spike of ice burst from his chest and he tumbled to the ground. A loud voice thundered from the inn.<\/p>\n \u201cBegone, jerks!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The rest of the Goblins exploded from the door of the inn as if they\u2019d been hurled out by a catapult. More of the Raskghar tried to flee, but only one got out the doorway and Halrac\u2019s arrow took him in the throat. Zevara blinked. She turned to Olesm.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you think they ran into in there?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAt a guess? Two adventuring teams, a unit of Painted Soldiers and Workers, Hobgoblins, and Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n Zevara stared down at the inn.<\/p>\n \u201cThat would do it.\u201d<\/p>\n Then she frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cWait. What\u2019s happening there?\u201d<\/p>\n Someone was leaving the inn. The fleeing Cave Goblins were pursued by a group of four Hobs. The Redfang Warriors! They charged into the Cave Goblins and began kicking, punching, and laying about with a sword. The flat<\/em> of a sword. Zevara stared down incredulously.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are they doing? Our archers are shooting at Goblins!<\/em> Hold! Hold your fire!\u201d<\/p>\n She shouted at the Watch who stopped trying to hit the fleeing Goblins. One person kept shooting, though. Halrac\u2019s arrow took a Cave Goblin through the eye and another through the chest. He ignored the Hobs as he loosed arrows.<\/p>\n \u201cPerfect aim.\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm whistled. Zevara frowned. The Hobs were taking the Cave Goblins apart. No surprise there. But they seemed to be shielding<\/em> the Goblins as well! One was waving a sword and shouting something at the walls. She couldn\u2019t hear his voice well, but it sounded like he was trying to say \u2018stop\u2019 to Halrac. But the Gold-rank adventurer kept firing, hitting the Cave Goblins with each shot.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n On the hill outside the inn, Shorthilt, Headscratcher, Rabbiteater, and Numbtongue fought. As Zevara had noticed, they fought with fists and feet and in Shorthilt\u2019s case, the flat of his blade. The Cave Goblins were armed with crude daggers and clubs. There were dozens of them and fleeing though they might be, they outnumbered the Hobs several times over.<\/p>\n It still wasn\u2019t a fair fight. Headscratcher punched a Cave Goblin as the little Goblin rushed at him, then kicked another Goblin in the chest. He whirled, caught a Goblin by the arm as it tried to stab him in the back of the knee, and hurled her screaming into the air. Rabbiteater smacked two Goblins together and then tossed them back towards the inn. An arrow flashed by his head and pierced a Goblin\u2019s skull. Rabbiteater whirled, saw the dead Cave Goblin falling and looked up.<\/p>\n The hail of arrows had stopped, but someone on the walls was still firing! Their aim was incredible\u2014they hit every Goblin they were aiming at. And the Cave Goblins were dying. Numbtongue shouted up at the walls in frustration.<\/p>\n \u201cStop! Stop shooting!\u201d<\/p>\n It was no use. Another arrow sped downwards and took a Goblin in the heart. Shorthilt snarled. He lifted his sword, narrowing his eyes as he saw the archer on the walls\u2014Halrac\u2014take aim again.<\/p>\n Legends were told of sword masters so skilled that they could deflect or cut arrows in flight. Shorthilt\u2019s arm rose as Halrac shot at a Goblin running past the Hob. His arm shot out\u2014<\/p>\n And he blocked the arrow with his arm. The impact made Shorthilt\u2019s arm shake with the impact, but the arrow was buried in his arm rather than the Goblin\u2019s head. He grunted as the little Cave Goblin shrieked and ran. Headscratcher chased after it. He tackled the Goblin and looked up. Another arrow took another Goblin through the face.<\/p>\n \u201cStop!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n And then another arrow flew. Not from the walls of Liscor, but from the roof of Erin\u2019s inn. Badarrow took aim at Halrac and loosed an arrow.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIncoming!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Zevara instantly ducked with everyone on the walls. An arrow snapped on the battlements just below Halrac and he leaned back. He snarled and drew an arrow. Olesm exclaimed in disbelief.<\/p>\n \u201cThat Hob is shooting at us!\u201d<\/p>\n Badarrow was aiming up at Halrac. The Gold-rank adventurer took aim at another Cave Goblin and another arrow shattered on the battlements right next to Halrac\u2019s face. A warning shot. Halrac turned. He shifted his aim and loosed an arrow. His arrow thunked<\/em> into the wood right next to Badarrow\u2019s right ear. The Goblin and Human stared at each other as they drew an arrow. And then another arrow flew upwards.<\/p>\n This one came from Bird. It shot straight towards Halrac\u2019s chest. The [Scout] saw it coming and ducked behind a battlement. The arrow curved<\/em> as it followed him. Zevara\u2019s mouth opened as she saw the arrow flying towards Halrac\u2019s chest. The [Scout]\u2019s eyes widened. His hand shot up and he snatched the arrow out of the air.<\/p>\n \u201c[Arrow Grab]!\u201d<\/p>\n The tip of the arrow was less than an inch from his chest. Halrac stared at it as the other guardsmen and adventurers stared at him in awe. He stared down at the inn. His hand tightened and the arrow snapped<\/em>. He threw it to the ground and snarled.<\/p>\n \u201cGoblins!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n For a second Zevara thought he\u2019d resume shooting, but he turned and stalked back down the walls. Zevara watched him go. She stared back down at the inn.<\/p>\n \u201cIs that Antinium insane?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Far below, Bird lowered his bow. He clicked his mandibles together.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was a good shot. We were shooting at Mister Halrac, yes, Badarrow? I shot him better than you.\u201d<\/p>\n He looked over at Badarrow. The Hob was staring at him with his mouth open. Bird nodded a few times. Then he stared up at the walls and hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Why were we shooting at Mister Halrac?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Erin only heard about the archery duel and Bird\u2019s nearly fatal shot after the fighting was over. In truth, the fighting had been over the instant the Raskghar had come through the door and been torn to shreds by the adventurers and Goblins. The rest was just mopping up. Headscratcher and the other Redfangs came in, dragging unconscious or dazed Goblins and the adventurers resumed peeking out the windows. Arrows and spells kept flying from Liscor\u2019s walls, hitting any Raskghar they saw.<\/p>\n In truth, after the first hour of excitement the night was quite boring. The Raskghar and Goblins kept trying to get close to Liscor, but only in small groups and never successfully. By the time midnight had passed into the half-light of just before dawn, Erin was exhausted from the tension but relieved no one had been hurt. Except for the Goblins. Only then did she head up to the roof and get the story of what had happened with Halrac. Then she flipped out.<\/p>\n There was nothing Erin could do while Liscor was on high alert. So she stayed in the tower, trying not to shout at Bird who was humming, oblivious to what had happened. Badarrow wisely got out of her way, although Erin knew why he\u2019d decided to act. A score of dead Goblins were lying on the grass, each hit with a single arrow.<\/p>\n As dawn broke, the Raskghar fled for good. Erin saw the few dark shapes that had kept out of bow range swimming back towards the submerged dungeon rift. Her eyes narrowed as she stared at the distant shapes disappearing back into the water.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was way<\/em> too easy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat was?\u201d<\/p>\n Bird looked at Erin. She met his innocent gaze and bit her tongue.<\/p>\n \u201cCome downstairs, Bird.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n He followed her downstairs. Erin stared around the inn. The dead Raskghar had been dumped outside. There was blood on the floor, but little else. The adventurers were yawning, clearly exhausted from lack of sleep.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re leaving?\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua looked at Erin. The [Innkeeper] nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cGet some sleep. The Hobs will stay up. You\u2019re going back into the dungeon, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAt midmorning. Or something like that. Yeah, time for bed.\u201d<\/p>\n The Halfseekers and Horns trooped up the stairs, swaying silently as they went to their rooms. Erin looked around. The Redfang Goblins stared at her. They were standing guard next to a pile of battered Cave Goblins. Pebblesnatch was staring wide-eyed at the comatose Goblins. Erin nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think you can control them? Get them where you need them to go? I\u2019m not letting Mrsha and Lyonette back into the inn until they\u2019re gone.\u201d<\/p>\n The Hobs nodded. Erin hesitated, and then pointed.<\/p>\n \u201cBird. Sit there. Right there. Don\u2019t go anywhere. Pawn?\u201d<\/p>\n She waved at the Antinium standing at the back of the inn. Pawn looked up. He and the other Antinium were sitting together. They hadn\u2019t done much after the first round of fighting, but it had been reassuring to have them here.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Erin?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going into Liscor. It should be safe. I\u2019ll be back soon. Can you stay until then?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat is perfectly fine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The night\u2019s attack had been too easy. Too small in scale. That was Erin\u2019s conclusion, though her brain was so addled with exhaustion that she couldn\u2019t really think of anything else. But she knew what she knew. The Raskghar had attacked\u2026but for a race of what should have been super-intelligent reverse werewolves, that had been a bad attack. It was probably a ruse of some kind.<\/p>\n Watch Captain Zevara was of the same opinion. Erin could hear her wearily addressing her men as dawn broke. Erin climbed the walls and heard Zevara shouting before she reached her.<\/p>\n \u201cThose Raskghar knew we were ready. They\u2019ll be back tomorrow night. And this time they\u2019ll probably try something a lot bigger. Get as much sleep as you can today! We\u2019re all on the night shift tomorrow!\u201d<\/p>\n A stream of weary Gnolls and Drakes came down the steps. They blinked at Erin as she walked up past them, but everyone was too tired to ask silly questions. They were all dead on their feet. Erin bet that the city would be slumbering well into morning. Heck, she\u2019d probably sleep until noon!<\/em> But she had another task before she could rest.<\/p>\n \u201cPsst, Zevara.\u201d<\/p>\n The Watch Captain looked up as Erin sidled over to her. She glanced around.<\/p>\n \u201cThe walls are off-limits to civilians, Human. We are under curfew.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh. Oops.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin hesitated. Zevara eyed her and sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cSpeak.\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman nodded. She took a deep breath.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got Goblins.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI noticed. One of your people shot arrows at<\/em> my men.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat was Bird and Badarrow. Sorry about that. But we\u2019ve got more Goblins. For, y\u2019know, intelligence?\u201d<\/p>\n Zevara stared at Erin. The young woman hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, and because I didn\u2019t want to kill them. I\u2019ll keep them in the basement, okay? And the Redfang\u2014I mean, Headscratcher and the others will find a place for them sometime tomorrow. I mean, today. Soon.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake paused. She seemed to be wavering between shouting and resignation. Exhaustion and her sore throat won. She glared at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t stop you. But your inn is a possible threat. We\u2019ll be watching both entrances to your inn. If one of those Goblins takes so much as a step into Liscor, they\u2019ll be dead. The Hobs\u2014we\u2019re watching them too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks for caring.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin made a face. She hadn\u2019t expected anything more of Zevara. Actually, she\u2019d expected a lot less. She supposed she should be grateful, actually. Another Watch Captain might have tried to kill the Goblins outright. She turned.<\/p>\n \u201cI need to speak to Halrac. Is he up here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDown the wall over there. He\u2019s not in a good mood.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think he would be. Thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin walked off. Zevara called after her.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy are<\/em> you doing this, Erin? To make friends with the Goblins? They tried to kill you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Redfang Warriors didn\u2019t. They saved my life.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Innkeeper] turned. Zevara shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd that means you\u2019ll try to save all the Goblins? They\u2019re enemy combatants.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey don\u2019t need to be. The Raskghar are using them like slaves.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat doesn\u2019t change the fact that they\u2019re attacking Liscor. I\u2019m not arguing with you. I\u2019m too tired. But here\u2019s something you should know. There was a battle at Dwarfhalls Rest. A mountain far north of here. Apparently the Humans, led by that Lord Tyrion Veltras, finally made a move against the Goblins. Both the Great Chieftain and the Goblin Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally? What happened?\u201d<\/p>\n Zevara shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cApparently, a huge army of Humans is in pursuit of the Goblin Lord\u2019s forces. They\u2019ve even hired Ellia Arcsinger, the Kingslayer, to slay the Goblin Lord. It\u2019ll be public knowledge in a few hours. But the Goblins are on the run and by all accounts, Veltras has an army that outnumbers them.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin whistled. Zevara glanced at her.<\/p>\n \u201cThat doesn\u2019t bother you?\u201d<\/p>\n She received a blank look in reply. Erin shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a big, bad army of Goblins up north. Got it. What does that have to do with the Goblins here? Goblins are not alike.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not how Liscor\u2019s citizens see it.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cWell they won\u2019t see the Goblins, then. Any of them.\u201d<\/p>\n With that, she turned and marched away. Zevara stared at her and frowned at Erin\u2019s inn, visible from the walls.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat does that<\/em> mean?\u201d<\/p>\n Zevara didn\u2019t know. But she had a bad feeling that it would mean trouble down the road. She watched Erin walk down the battlements to the [Scout] sitting in the rain.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Halrac had unstrung his bow and stowed it away in his bag of holding. He was not in the mood for conversation, though. The piercing glare that he gave Erin as she walked towards him made her want to turn around. But she walked up to him determinedly. Erin didn\u2019t beat around the bush.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to apologize. For Bird, I mean.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t have to apologize for anything.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Scout] growled. He was watching the waters, though most of the Watch and all of the adventurers had gone. Erin bit her lip.<\/p>\n \u201cI know. But I should explain.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExplain what?<\/em> The Antinium nearly shot me through the chest.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know! Don\u2019t you think I\u2019m upset! I can\u2019t believe he did that! But\u2014I can believe it too.\u201d<\/p>\n Halrac glanced at Erin. She scrubbed her hands through her hair.<\/p>\n \u201cHow can I explain this? Halrac\u2014I\u2019m not making excuses for Bird. What he did was so bad! But he\u2019s\u2026well, he\u2019s like a child. He doesn\u2019t understand some things.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLike shooting people?\u201d<\/p>\n The older man\u2019s look told Erin he was losing patience fast. Erin shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he didn\u2019t expect the arrow to hurt you. Halrac, you\u2019ve met Bird. You know he\u2019s different. He saw Badarrow shooting at you and thought he should do the same. Only, he didn\u2019t understand that Badarrow was shooting warning shots.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo he took his shot. I survived. What do you want me to do?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome with me. So Bird can apologize. And before that, so you and I can explain what he did wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n Halrac\u2019s shoulders tensed. Erin took a quick breath.<\/p>\n \u201cHe doesn\u2019t think he did anything bad, Halrac. He has to know. Just come with me. Please? Bird likes you. He admires you! That\u2019s why he has to know just what he did.\u201d<\/p>\n For a few minutes the [Scout] just sat there. Then, at last, he got up. Expressionlessly he nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin hurried down the battlements. Halrac followed after her. The two didn\u2019t speak until they were heading down the stairs. At last, Halrac spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you going to explain what the Goblins were doing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHeadscratcher and the others? They were trying to save the Cave Goblins. Badarrow\u2014he was trying to get you to stop killing the Goblins. Did you not realize that was what he was\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m an adventurer. That\u2019s my job. I\u2019ve seen what Goblins can do.\u201d<\/p>\n Halrac spoke flatly. Erin looked back at him.<\/p>\n \u201cI get that. But, see, Halrac, these Goblins are slaves to the Raskghar\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoesn\u2019t matter. They attacked the inn. They\u2019ll do it again if ordered.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t trust Goblins. I know you do. I can\u2019t stop you, so I don\u2019t try. I\u2019ll eat at your inn, but I won\u2019t trust those Hobs with my back. And I don\u2019t think it\u2019s safe for you to have them under your roof, either. That\u2019s what I believe, but I know you won\u2019t change your mind. So I don\u2019t waste my breath.\u201d<\/p>\n Halrac folded his arms. Erin stared at him and raindrops pattered off her head. The [Scout] stared at her. Erin was the one who looked away.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not going to agree on this, are we?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. So let\u2019s drop it. Where\u2019s Bird?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cInside. Let me speak first. Please.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin opened the door to her inn. Bird looked up happily.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Erin! Mister Halrac! Is this who I am supposed to meet? Hello, Mister Halrac. You caught my arrow!\u201d<\/p>\n Halrac\u2019s glare could have peeled paint. Erin took a few deep breaths as she walked over.<\/p>\n \u201cBird, that\u2019s why we\u2019re here. We need to talk about what you did. You shot an arrow at Halrac.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. I did. Because Badarrow was shooting at him. But I shot better.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBadarrow wasn\u2019t trying to hit<\/em> Halrac, Bird! And even if he was, that doesn\u2019t excuse what you did!\u201d<\/p>\n The Antinium paused. For the first time his raised mandibles lowered slightly and he looked less happy.<\/p>\n \u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou shot an arrow right at Halrac\u2019s chest, Bird. You would have killed him.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin spoke slowly, trying to convey this to Bird. The Worker looked confused. He hunched his shoulders and looked at Halrac.<\/p>\n \u201cBut he is Mister Halrac. A Gold-rank adventurer. He wouldn\u2019t die.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin and Halrac exchanged a glance. Bird looked at both of them.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Would he?\u201d<\/p>\n They nodded. Bird paused. He seemed to grapple with this. If Badarrow hadn\u2019t been shooting at Halrac\u2026and he had\u2026and Halrac would<\/em> have died if he\u2019d been shot\u2026Bird looked up suddenly in alarm.<\/p>\n \u201cDid I do bad?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes!\u201d<\/p>\n The Antinium began to shake. He looked at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cHow bad did I do? Very bad? Very <\/em>bad?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin\u2019s heart twisted. But she kept a stern face.<\/p>\n \u201cVery<\/em> bad, Bird. As bad as bad can be. I brought Halrac here so you can apologize. He might not forgive you. That\u2019s how bad it was.\u201d<\/p>\n Bird looked at Halrac, stricken. He wavered, looked around wildly. Erin held her breath. Then Bird curled up. He wrapped his four arms around his body and he began to rock back and forth.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I\u2019m sorry. I\u2019m sorry. I\u2019m sorry. I\u2019m sorry. I\u2019m sorry. I\u2019m sorry. I\u2019m sorry. I\u2019m sorry. I\u2019m sorry. I\u2019m sorry. I\u2019m sorry\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBird? Bird!\u201d<\/p>\n The Antinium didn\u2019t respond. He seemed petrified and kept babbling the same words over and over. Erin went to stop him, but Halrac caught her hand.<\/p>\n \u201cLet me.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin hesitated, then drew back. She took a few steps away as Bird kept rocking back and forth and took several breaths. Someone put a hand on her shoulder and she turned.<\/p>\n \u201cPawn!\u201d<\/p>\n The Antinium had been watching the entire thing. Pawn stared at Bird. And then he spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cI have known Bird as long as I have been alive. I understand that he is\u2026different. Even for an Individual. What Bird does not understand is why some things are not permissible and why other things are. Would it be appropriate for me to apologize with Bird?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin stared back at Bird and Halrac. The [Scout] had stopped Bird from rocking. His expression didn\u2019t change much, but he spoke quietly to Bird and the Antinium looked up desperately. Erin sensed a flicker of what might have been pity cross Halrac\u2019s face. Or sadness.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Pawn. I think Halrac understands. You should get your Soldiers and Workers back. Thanks so much for the help.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe will be back tomorrow night.\u201d<\/p>\n The Antinium nodded to her. He stared at Bird, then motioned to Yellow Splatters. The Soldier broke off from staring at Bird and the other Antinium followed Erin out the door. She wished she could have talked with Pawn, but she was too tired to think, really. The Raskghar\u2026Erin frowned. They were gone. Yep. Which meant\u2026she glanced around. The Goblins were gone too. As were the Redfangs. Plan A was working. Or was it Plan B? Plan G?<\/p>\n Her mind was fuzzy. When had she last slept? Probably nearly 24 hours ago. She\u2019d been up all day getting ready for tonight, and then up all night. And now it was nearly morning again. Erin stumbled towards the magic door and set it to Celum.<\/p>\n \u201cIs anyone awake?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cErin?\u201d<\/p>\n A shape moved into view. Erin jumped as Lyonette appeared, pale-faced, a sword in hand. Octavia poked her head out with a pot for a helmet and two potions in her hands. Both relaxed when they saw Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cIs it safe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think so. The Raskghar are gone and it\u2019s nearly morning. You can come back now. How\u2019s it over there?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBad! I barely got a wink of sleep! I should charge you for staying the night!\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia rubbed at her bloodshot eyes. She plucked one out and stared at it. Erin looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cMrsha?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe fell asleep after she threw a tantrum. I think she\u2019s\u2014oh. She\u2019s up.\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette grimaced. A flurry of paws and fur exploded from behind her and barreled into Erin\u2019s midriff. Erin went oof<\/em> and sat down as Mrsha climbed all over her, licking her face and hugging her.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s okay, Mrsha! The bad Raskghar are gone. We\u2019re all fine. We\u2019re all fine.\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette walked into the inn as Octavia, yawning, shut the door, muttering about sleep deductibles. The [Barmaid] stared at the floor and the blood and blanched a bit.<\/p>\n \u201cFighting?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey barely got through the front door. The Redfangs captured a lot of Goblins\u2014they\u2019ll be gone most of the day. If they even return by night.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPlan G?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPlan G. We\u2019ll have to make a takeout meal for them. Uh\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Erin tried to get up and nearly fell over. She felt like she was drunk, but without any of the buzz of alcohol. She looked around. Halrac was walking towards her.<\/p>\n \u201cHalrac. Did you\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI spoke to Bird. I think I understand.\u201d<\/p>\n Halrac looked past Erin. He hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve met people like that. Adventurers, even. I didn\u2019t realize Antinium had the same problem.\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman slowly shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cNot a problem. Just different. Just\u2026him. He still did a bad thing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n Halrac looked as if he were about to say something more, but he decided not to.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to rest. I\u2019ll return later today. The adventurers will rally at the dungeon at midday.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll see you then. Halrac? Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Scout] nodded, and left. Erin looked around. Bird was sitting in his chair. He\u2019d stopped rocking, but he was staring down at his legs and he was still curled up. The pose was nearly exactly identical to the one Pawn had made. Erin saw Mrsha pad over to him, looking curious. She patted Bird\u2019s leg with one paw as Apista buzzed away from Bird, still afraid of the Antinium. Mrsha patted Bird and then waved a paw at him. The Worker spoke without looking up.<\/p>\n \u201cGo away. I am worthless.\u201d<\/p>\n Mrsha stood up on two legs and waved her paws. Bird turned, refusing to look at her. He faced towards the fireplace, which was now full of dull embers.<\/p>\n \u201cLeave me. I am not-Bird. I am bad-Bird.\u201d<\/p>\n Unfortunately for him, Mrsha refused to go. She walked around to face Bird. He instantly turned away.<\/p>\n \u201cMm.\u201d<\/p>\n She padded around his other side. Bird swiveled, making the same unhappy noise.<\/p>\n \u201cMm.\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette and Erin stared at the Worker and Mrsha. Erin sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to make Bird go to sleep. He\u2019s tired and really upset now that he knows what he did wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Princess] nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we\u2019re all tired\u2026uh, what did Bird do wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n And then Erin had to explain the confusing story all over again. Lyonette clapped her hands to her mouth and then stared at Bird with sympathy and anxiety. Lyonette lowered her voice.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s\u2026I don\u2019t know what to say! He shot at Halrac? And he didn\u2019t realize\u2014do you think he\u2019s getting worse, Erin? I mean, not worse, but he seems more Bird-ish now. Than he was before, I mean.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin nodded slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that\u2019s because Bird\u2019s happier here. He\u2019s always been this way I\u2019ll bet. But he can be more free here than in the Hive. And that\u2019s not a bad thing. Usually. Pawn told me that Bird used to make mistakes before he became Individual.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGot it. Well, if he knows not to shoot at people\u2026I\u2019ll take over. You and Bird get some sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n As soon as she said that, Erin realized how tired she was. She yawned.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay. I\u2019ll\u2026get a few hours. Gotta have breakfast soon. But I\u2019ll\u2026short nap.\u201d<\/p>\n She staggered away, urging Bird up and making her way into her soft, warm bed in the kitchen. Then she realized Lyonette would be walking around her and decided to sleep in Lyonette\u2019s room. After a while, a small Gnoll opened the door and stole Erin\u2019s blankets. But she was warm, so Erin slept peacefully.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Night passed into day. The sun rose, and the rain let up a bit, so that a light rain fell while the sky lightened. For once, the inhabitants of Liscor could have done without the daylight. They shut their curtains and cursed the daylight\u2014those of them that weren\u2019t still out cold from sheer exhaustion.<\/p>\n Liscor had survived the second night of Raskghar. It had worn everyone out\u2014even people who weren\u2019t standing guard. The city was practically abandoned until around seven hours had passed since dawn, and after that people moved about grudgingly, yawning widely. The battlements were crewed by a smaller force of [Guardsmen], all of whom looked like they resented each second they stood at their posts.<\/p>\n When Erin woke up, she felt like she could have used another ten hours of sleep. But there was noise downstairs, so she got up, had a weird moment where she wondered where the hell she was, and then realized she was in Lyonette\u2019s room. Erin headed towards the door and stopped. A giant bee was fanning itself on the door.<\/p>\n A giant insect was never pleasant to see, much less right upon waking. Apista had one benefit in that she was cuter than a cockroach, but Erin still gingerly shooed her away before opening the door and heading downstairs. And then it was work as usual. With a few twists.<\/p>\n \u201cBig late breakfast, small lunch. We\u2019re going into the dungeon and the last thing we need is to be crapping in corners. It\u2019s really disgusting. Plus, it attracts monsters.\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua\u2019s first comment of the day earned her a slap on the back of the head from Moore.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t be foul. We\u2019re eating.\u201d<\/p>\n The light blow from the half-Giant sent Jelaqua\u2019s head smacking into her plate of eggs. Erin blinked at the adventurers. Both teams were already up, although Pisces was drooling into his bowl and Ceria had to prop her head up with her arm as she ate.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re going into the dungeon at midday?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s the plan.\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua levered herself up and wiped egg from her face. Then she ate it.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re pushing in hard against the Raskghar. Strike while we have daylight, and all that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBe careful. I\u2019m going to try and fortify my inn a little more. You haven\u2019t seen the Redfangs, have you, Lyonette?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Barmaid] paused as she rounded the tables with some butter and fresh bread.<\/p>\n \u201cRabbiteater came back an hour ago. Swam back, rather. He\u2019s fishing outside. You want to see him?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin nodded. She opened the door.<\/p>\n \u201cHey Rabbiteater! Let\u2019s talk!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The Goblin looked up. He was indeed fishing for food, but his idea of fishing was sticking an arm in the water and wiggling it about until a fish came for him and then grabbing it. He\u2019d already caught two of the flat fishes. Erin shuddered as he offered them to her.<\/p>\n \u201cNo thank you. I don\u2019t cook with those fishes. I have a bad history.\u201d<\/p>\n Disappointed, Rabbiteater lowered the fish. Erin relented a bit.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, put them in the kitchen and I\u2019ll see what I can do. I can always wear gloves or something.\u201d<\/p>\n The Hob brightened and went into the kitchen. Erin motioned him to one side. None of the other Redfangs had returned since last night and the Cave Goblins they\u2019d captured were gone too. She could sense the eyes of the adventurers on her. Erin lowered her voice.<\/p>\n \u201cSo? How\u2019d it go? Was the place good like you thought?\u201d<\/p>\n Rabbiteater nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd they didn\u2019t give you any trouble?\u201d<\/p>\n The Hob shrugged. He mimed thumping a few heads together. Erin winced.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay. But you\u2019re good? You sure?\u201d<\/p>\n He nodded. Erin wavered. She wished she could ask him for details.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, I know I asked for one of you to come back and give me a status update, but wouldn\u2019t it have made more sense to send Numbtongue<\/em> to tell me what\u2019s what?\u201d<\/p>\n Rabbiteater shrugged apologetically. His expression made it clear that Numbtongue had been his first pick too, but the Hob had probably refused. He made a scowly face and then mimed shutting his lips tightly. Erin laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s true. Numbtongue would probably say about as much as you. Say, for a Goblin who hates talking so much, why is he called Numbtongue anyways? Wouldn\u2019t\u2026Closedmouth be more appropriate? Or Notongue?\u201d<\/p>\n Rabbiteater shook his head. He bent and patted the air at about waist height, then mimed talking rapidly. He pulled out his tongue and bit it gently. Erin frowned, then grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cWait, when he was a child he talked so much he bit his tongue and couldn\u2019t speak? That\u2019s hilarious!\u201d<\/p>\n Rabbiteater nodded, smiling hugely. The adventurers stared at Erin. Ceria closed her mouth full of food, swallowed, then spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cErin, how are you getting all of this?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? Oh.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin turned. She shrugged, much like the Goblins did as a catchall expression.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not hard, actually. Goblins don\u2019t really need to speak most of the time. It\u2019s all body language.\u201d<\/p>\n Rabbiteater nodded. He mimed swimming through the air and then patted his belly. Erin nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cRight, we\u2019ve got food. You can take some back. Uh\u2014it\u2019ll be a lot. Should we do the special thing? No, wait, you don\u2019t have any wood over there, do you? Okay, I guess we\u2019ll just give you a boat or something. Are you sure it\u2019s safe to go alone? Right, you have a magic cloak. But there\u2019s a lot of water and I don\u2019t think you can drown a Rock Crab. But then, what do I know?\u201d<\/p>\n Rabbiteater frowned. He thought about it, and then agreed to come back with someone else. He left the inn as Erin looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, I\u2019m gonna make a trip into Celum. I don\u2019t think most people in Liscor are awake. Lyonette? I leave the inn to you. Let\u2019s get ready for a lunch rush.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGot it! Don\u2019t worry about us over here. Drassi and two of her friends are coming in. Uh\u2014Welfa and Imissi, I think.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAwesome. I\u2019ll be back soon!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin smiled. She opened the door and paused. She frowned for a second and looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cHuh. Guess my ears are ringing.\u201d<\/p>\n Then she closed the door and stepped into Celum. It must have been her ears indeed, because the ringing stopped moments after that.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Erin missed the lunch rush of the adventurers. They\u2019d come and gone earlier than Halrac had told her, so all she got back to was Lyonette and the Drake [Barmaids] cleaning up a whole host of dishes. And Mrsha playing leapfrog with Apista. It was adorable. The Gnoll would leap over Apista, then the bee would buzz over her head and land on the floor.<\/p>\n Since the only limiter was Mrsha\u2019s jumping ability, the game carried them over tables and chairs until Lyonette caught Mrsha and told her that she had to either help or not jump around all the fragile dishes. Erin dragged in her purchases, swearing and grunting with the effort. Lyonette nearly dropped the stack of dirty dishes she was holding.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are those?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Erin grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cBear traps! I told you they existed! And without springs, too! Hold on\u2014keep Mrsha clear! I\u2019m going to set them up outside. Uh, we might have to keep her from playing out there in the near future.\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette stared at the bear traps. Erin had bought three\u2014the only three in stock, actually. To her great surprise the [Blacksmith] not only had known what she was talking about, but had directed her to the Adventurer\u2019s Guild, who apparently sold the things to adventurers hunting large game.<\/p>\n \u201cCan you open the door?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin rubbed at one ear as she dragged the bear traps to the door. Lyonette nodded. She opened the door and blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cOh. It looks like Rabbiteater\u2019s back. With\u2026Numbtongue?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked. The Hob was indeed back! And he\u2019d brought Numbtongue to haul the food via boat. She waved at him as the two Hobs came up to the inn. They stared at the bear traps.<\/p>\n \u201cSee! I told you they existed! Bear traps! I can believe Lyonette never heard about them, but I thought you were an expert on survival stuff!\u201d<\/p>\n Rabbiteater frowned. He peered at the bear traps, touched the steel jaws carefully, and then straightened and shrugged at Erin. He held his hands up and indicated that they were quite small compared to what he expected. Then he gave the traps a dismissive flick of his hand.<\/p>\n \u201cHey! What do you mean, \u2018small\u2019? These things are dangerous!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin wasn\u2019t sure if she was outraged on behalf of bears or bear traps. Rabbiteater smirked. Both he and Erin looked at Numbtongue. The Hob sighed, but explained.<\/p>\n \u201cThose traps don\u2019t work on Gargoyles. Or Eater Goats. Or monsters from the\u2026Human name. What is it? High Passes. Bear traps useless there. Maybe useful on Carn Wolves. Probably will just make them madder.\u201d<\/p>\n Frowning, Erin rubbed at her ear again. The distant ringing was back, and louder.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? Gargoyles? You have\u2026they\u2019re not friendly, are they? And Eater Goats? But the bear trap would totally work on them!\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cIf an Eater Goat gets caught, it will bite off its own leg. Or be eaten by other goats. Doesn\u2019t work.\u201d<\/p>\n The Hob seemed to relish the way Erin\u2019s face fell. Numbtongue smirked until Rabbiteater elbowed him in the stomach. Erin shook her head, muttering.<\/p>\n \u201cAw. Why do you have to tell me stuff like that? Now I\u2019m going to think about that\u2014hey, I\u2019ve only got three of these. I was thinking of putting them in the grass near the water. You know, if the Raskghar try to sneak up again? Think that\u2019ll work?\u201d<\/p>\n The Hobs nodded. For all they\u2019d pooh-poohed the bear traps they were all too willing to bury them in sod and dirt. Erin carefully memorized the spots where the traps were buried.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you go stepping on these, now. I\u2019ll warn Lyonette and the others to draw water only from the front of the inn. And Mrsha can\u2019t play outside now. Not that she could with the fish and Raskghar anyways. Okay, you\u2019re here for the food, right?\u201d<\/p>\n The Hobgoblins nodded. They followed Erin into the inn and soon emerged with packs of food which they began loading into the boat. Dried meat, some flour, a few flasks of oil and water\u2014it didn\u2019t need to be too much. Erin helped them, but she kept pausing to rub her ears. The fifth time she did it, Rabbiteater frowned and pointed at her ear. He mimed shaking water out. Erin shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not that. There\u2019s nothing in there. I just keep hearing\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n She paused suddenly. A worried frown crossed her face. Erin looked around, then lowered her voice.<\/p>\n \u201cHey\u2014you have [Dangersense], right, Rabbiteater? Is it going off for you right now?\u201d<\/p>\n The Hob immediately straightened and looked around. He frowned and put a hand to his head. He waited, but at last shook his head definitively. Erin exhaled.<\/p>\n \u201cMust just be my imagination.\u201d<\/p>\n Still, now that she\u2019d thought of it, the distant ringing sounded a lot like a warning. But Rabbiteater could hear nothing. That was curious. The Hob looked concerned. He pointed back at the inn and mimed sitting. Erin smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, that\u2019s fine. The others must be starving. Get the food to them. But maybe come back? If three of you can handle the Cave Goblins\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Rabbiteater paused and then nodded. He walked over to Numbtongue, poked the Goblin, and jabbered quickly in their tongue. Numbtongue looked up sharply and nodded. Within moments their boat was skimming across the water as both Hobs rowed hard. They headed west, further away from Liscor. Erin watched them go and then turned.<\/p>\n \u201cRight. He couldn\u2019t hear anything. Which means we\u2019re probably safe. Probably. But if we\u2019re not\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She chewed her lip and looked around. There was nothing to see. Just grey skies, rain, and the occasional ripple in the water from a larger fish. Liscor looked fine. But now that Erin had thought of it, she felt like she was being watched. Or was that her imagination?<\/p>\n There was nothing in sight from Bird\u2019s watch tower. Nothing. Erin looked, but the few hills poking out of the water were wet and muddy but otherwise unchanged. The waters were fine. She would have asked Bird to look for more details, but the Antinium was in his room. He\u2019d really been crushed by his mistake\u2014or rather, realizing his mistake. Erin wanted to talk to him, but she couldn\u2019t shake the uneasy feeling.<\/p>\n The ringing persisted in her head. But why? Erin had talked to Rabbiteater and he\u2019d felt nothing. Was it just something in her head? A mistake? Something that only affected her? Or\u2014was it something only she\u2019d noticed?<\/p>\n Was her mind trying to tell her something? What had Erin picked up on? The young woman stared around. The sky was clouded over, but it was definitely day. The Raskghar were probably waiting for nightfall. What did that leave?<\/p>\n Rock Crabs? Lurkersnatch Fish? The\u2026Goblins? Surely not. The Goblins were far away and the fish weren\u2019t a real danger to her inn. Not with the magical walls and Liscor being so near by. Was it the adventurers her [Dangersense] was warning her about? Were Ceria and the others in trouble?<\/p>\n No. [Dangersense] didn\u2019t work like that. Erin tried to remember how it had felt in times before. She frowned and then had a small idea.<\/p>\n \u201cLyonette?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Princess] came over with a cleaning cloth in hand. She frowned when Erin told her of what she was feeling but she didn\u2019t dismiss the possibility that only Erin was being warned. She frowned as she put a hand to her head.<\/p>\n \u201cI was taught about [Dangersense] once. By my tutor. I didn\u2019t listen too much\u2014and I don\u2019t have it. But I was told that not all threats get detected.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin\u2019s gaze sharpened.<\/p>\n \u201cReally.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes\u2026it\u2019s fuzzy. Hold on. I think\u2026ambushes get detected sometimes, but the higher-level the enemy or the more stealthy the monster, the less likely it is your [Dangersense] will warn you ahead of time. Sometimes it only goes off right as the attack happens. But high-level [Scouts] have great [Dangersense]. Or upgraded versions of the Skill. Sometimes it goes off for everyone, like when something disastrous happens.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLike opening Liscor\u2019s dungeon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExactly. But usually I think it depends on what you\u2019re able to notice. Like\u2014if you couldn\u2019t detect the trap no matter what, the [Dangersense] won\u2019t go off. Does that make sense?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cToo much. Thanks, Lyonette.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Princess] nodded, looking slightly worried. She glanced around.<\/p>\n \u201cShould I take Mrsha to Celum?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin wavered.<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2026she\u2019ll fight too hard and we\u2019re doing that tonight anyways. But why don\u2019t you lock the doors? I\u2019m going back up to Bird\u2019s tower.\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette nodded. Erin went back up the stairs. This time her heart was beating faster. She stared around. But she was no eagle-eyed Halrac. What could she have spotted that he couldn\u2019t? Erin stared around. Then she stared up at the sky.<\/p>\n \u201cNo Raskghar. Not until tonight. Jerks\u2019ll probably try to sneak up on us. Good thing we have [Light] spells. Otherwise they\u2019d be impossible to see with all the clouds and rain.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin\u2019s mind twinged a bit. Clouds. Rain. There was something there. She paused and re-examined her thoughts. Clouds and rain. The Raskghar would come back tonight. Why was that odd?<\/p>\n \u201cBecause\u2026there\u2019s no full moon. Or rather, we can\u2019t see it. Doesn\u2019t matter, I guess. The moon\u2019s still up there. Both of them.\u201d<\/p>\n Two moons. Erin frowned up at the sky. Well, obviously they won\u2019t be visible now. But the lunar cycle was underway. Stupid double moons that both waxed and waned at the same time. That was probably why the Raskghar got to be reverse werewolves for six days each month.<\/p>\n \u201cFor six days each month. And they\u2019re werewolves. Totally. Even though werewolves don\u2019t exist in this world. Apparently. But the Raskghar get powers. Even if the moons\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Erin trailed off. Even if the moons weren\u2019t visible. She glanced up at the sky. Right. Even if the moons weren\u2019t visible the Raskghar would be out tonight. Why did that phrase make the alarm in her head ring louder and louder? She stared at the sky for several long minutes.<\/p>\n \u201cShame that I can\u2019t see the moons. I could check on them or something with a telescope. If I had one. Are there telescopes in this world? It has to be possible. I bet there\u2019s a spell that does the exact same thing so no one invented a telescope. Can I get someone to make one for me? Or would Ryoka call that another bad technology to create? Hold on\u2026I bet that if I went to Celum<\/em> or Pallass I\u2019d be able to see the moons at night! Duh!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin slapped her forehead. Then she had another thought.<\/p>\n \u201cOlesm has that Ring of Sight! I could borrow it, right? Then I could check on the moons. And anything else.\u201d<\/p>\n She hurried downstairs. The [Princess] looked up anxiously. Erin tried to smile reassuringly, but the ringing in her mind made her voice slightly more rushed than usual.<\/p>\n \u201cLyonette? I\u2019m going to Liscor to borrow Olesm\u2019s ring.\u201d<\/p>\n Mrsha had been playing with her ball. She noticed Erin\u2019s tone of voice and looked up. She whined anxiously. Erin smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing\u2019s wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n That was the wrong thing to say. Lyonette went over to reassure Mrsha as Erin headed for the door. Drassi had caught the mood. She and her friends hovered around Erin anxiously.<\/p>\n \u201cDid I hear you right, Erin? Are you looking for Olesm? We can help you search if you need to find him quick. I know where he lives and Welfa and Imissi can check the Watch\u2019s barracks and the city hall.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin turned, relieved.<\/p>\n \u201cWould you? I\u2019ll run up to the battlements. Meet me\u2026meet me by the barracks if you find him, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n The three Drakes nodded. All four females ran into the rain. Erin charged up the battlements. She didn\u2019t know why she was running. Only, she felt an increasing sense of urgency. She scaled the walls and surprised the Gnoll on duty. He blinked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cWall\u2019s off limits to civilians right now, Miss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know! Where\u2019s Olesm? I need to speak with him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think he\u2019s in his office. In the city hall.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin cursed and ran down the steps. She wondered if Imissi had already gotten Olesm and then ran towards the city hall anyways. Both Imissi and Drassi met Erin. Olesm was following them.<\/p>\n \u201cI found Olesm heading back to his apartment!\u201d<\/p>\n Drassi panted. Olesm looked from her to Erin. His look of annoyance faded into concern.<\/p>\n \u201cErin? What\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNothing!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin shouted the word. She couldn\u2019t help it. Now the alarm in her head was ringing loudly. Erin pointed at Olesm.<\/p>\n \u201cI need your ring!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy ring?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes! I need to see the moon!\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm looked at Erin as if she were insane.<\/p>\n \u201cBut it\u2019s not dark outside yet, Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know that! But I need it for something! The moon\u2019ll be out tonight! I just need to see it! Or\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin froze. Her head snapped up. She stared at the dark sky. Clouds. No moon. The Raskghar were still werewolves when they couldn\u2019t see the moon.<\/p>\n They were intelligent even when the moon was out of sight.<\/em> Suddenly, Erin\u2019s mouth was in her chest. She turned and opened and shut her mouth. Olesm stared at her.<\/p>\n \u201cErin? What\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n The words didn\u2019t come out for a second. Erin was transfixed in horror. Then she grabbed Olesm.<\/p>\n \u201cSound the alarm! Get everyone to the walls! Get the adventurers out of the dungeon! Now! It\u2019s a trap!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? What?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Erin didn\u2019t answer. She turned and ran for the battlements. She heard Olesm shout after her and then the Drake was pounding after her down the street. Erin ran with the speed of panic. Somehow she found enough breath to scream\u2014something. A family of Drakes on the street stared at her wide-eyed and backed away. Erin didn\u2019t care. She ran up the steps two at a time and gasped at the Gnoll [Guardsman] she\u2019d met.<\/p>\n \u201cSound the alarm!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n He stared at her. Olesm, panting, caught Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cErin, what is it!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re going to be attacked! Right now! The Raskghar are still smart! It\u2019s still the full moon!\u201d<\/p>\n Both the Drake and Gnoll stared at Erin uncomprehendingly. She nearly screamed in her effort to explain. She pointed up.<\/p>\n \u201cThe moon is still up there! It\u2019s still a full moon! It\u2019s the lunar cycle! Time! The moon doesn\u2019t have to be visible! It\u2019s still the right time of the month!\u201d<\/p>\n Still they didn\u2019t understand. But Erin\u2019s [Dangersense] was blaring now. Something only she could detect. No, it was something only she could understand. Only someone from Earth understood that the moon was always<\/em> in the sky, always orbiting. It just wasn\u2019t always visible.<\/em> And if it was the orbit, the position of the moon that mattered and not whether it was visible\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t understand. We can\u2019t see a thing. And it\u2019s early evening, Erin!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHaven\u2019t you ever seen the moon on a clear day?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm froze. He stared up at the sky and then whirled. The Gnoll looked at him, wide-eyed. Olesm put his hand to his earhole and then shouted.<\/p>\n \u201cSound the alarm!\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll grabbed the horn at his belt. He raised it and blew a long, piercing note. For a second the wailing sound filled the air with shock. And then another horn blew. Someone began to ring a bell. Erin turned. She stared out into the waters. No one had been checking for the Raskghar. There had been guardsmen on the wall, but they\u2019d been exhausted. Why would the Raskghar attack during the day, after all? She saw nothing at first. But as the bell began to ring, the waters stirred. A shape moved on one of the hilltops. The Raskghar stood up, exposing itself on the far side of the hill. It pointed to the walls and roared a word. Erin saw a group of Raskghar stand up. They\u2019d hidden themselves behind the hills, right where Liscor\u2019s defenders couldn\u2019t see them. Olesm swore.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry, they\u2019re too far away! We\u2019ll get them\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n These Raskghar were different. They weren\u2019t armored in fur and carrying primitive weapons. One of them was wearing shining plate mail. Another held a staff. It pointed it at the walls. Erin heard a shriek in her mind.<\/p>\n \u201cDuck!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n She grabbed Olesm and the Gnoll and knocked them to the ground. She heard a scream<\/em> as something ripped through the air and then a hammer of wind knocked every guardsman on the wall flat. Erin felt as though her chest was compressed. She lay on the ground, gasping, and then heard shouting.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re coming up! Ancestors,<\/em> they\u2019ve got grappling hooks!\u201d<\/p>\n The Raskghar were swimming to the walls. Another blast of air knocked everyone down, and then the Raskghar were throwing hooks upwards. The water was so high that they could reach the walls. Erin saw a hook land, and then a grinning face pull itself up.<\/p>\n The Raskghar grabbed the Gnoll guardsman as he shakily got to his feet. The Gnoll tried to stab him with a spear, but the huge Raskghar pulled him over the wall. The Gnoll screamed and splashed into the water. Erin saw the Raskghar turn to her. His armor shone brightly. He had an enchanted axe in his hands. She backed up\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cDown!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin heard the voice and threw herself down. She felt a flash of heat on her back and then heard a triumphant howl. When she looked up, a shimmering wall had encased the Raskghar and his armor. Zevara spat more fire as Olesm dragged himself up and pulled Erin back.<\/p>\n \u201cPush them back off the walls!\u201d<\/p>\n The Watch Captain roared. The armored Raskghar slashed at her, but she dodged back. More Raskghar followed him. The Raskghar roared triumphantly, but too soon. Erin heard pounding feet and then someone launched himself.<\/p>\n \u201c[Relc Kick]!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Relc slammed into the Raskghar and struck him in the helmet with the butt of his spear. The Raskghar stumbled back. Another Drake with red scales charged past Relc. Embria whirled her spear and a Raskghar climbing up fell, howling, his left hand a stump.<\/p>\n \u201cPush them back!\u201d<\/p>\n Drakes and Gnolls were suddenly charging up the walls. The Raskghar found themselves being thrown back, cut down. The Raskghar in armor snarled and jumped off the side of the battlements into the water. They\u2019d been too slow.<\/p>\n Forewarned by Erin, the Watch and Embria\u2019s soldiers cut them off before they could launch another sneak attack and secure the wall. Erin felt another blast of air nearly throw her to the ground again, but the Raskghar with the staff was only trying to keep the archers from harrying the fleeing Raskghar.<\/p>\n \u201cWe got them! Alert the adventurers! They\u2019ve got Raskghar coming down behind them!\u201d<\/p>\n Zevara shouted at one of the Drakes. Olesm hauled Erin up.<\/p>\n \u201cYou okay?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think so. I think\u2014wait. Oh no.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked around. Only now that the walls were safe did she have another thought. Erin grabbed Olesm.<\/p>\n \u201cThe inn! There\u2019s no one there but Lyonette and Mrsha!\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm paled. Zevara whirled. She roared.<\/p>\n \u201cGet to the inn!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n She ran after Olesm with a squad of guardsmen at her back. But even Olesm wasn\u2019t able to keep up with Erin who sprinted for the door to her inn. But by the time she got there it was too late.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cLyonette? Lyonette!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman was lying on the ground. Her head was bleeding. Erin rushed over to her. Lyonette sat up groggily. Her sword was bloody. Her wrist was broken.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2014Erin?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLyonette! Are you okay?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fine. Fine.\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman\u2019s eyes didn\u2019t quite focus on Erin. She stared around dizzily. Erin heard Zevara shouting orders to search and secure the inn. All of her attention was focused on Lyonette.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened? Where\u2019s Mrsha?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Princess] blinked without looking at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fine. They broke through the door. I\u2019m sorry, Erin. They weren\u2019t after me. They were looking for something. They ignored me. Broke my wrist.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked around. The common room was trashed. Chairs were upended, a table thrown over\u2014the Raskghar had come in fast. She saw a small shape struggling to move. Apista was lying on the ground, two of her legs mangled. But there was no one else.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s Mrsha, Lyonette? <\/em>Where\u2019s Bird?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMrsha? She\u2019s\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette looked around stupidly. Then her gaze focused.<\/p>\n \u201cMrsha? Mrsha!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n She screamed the word. Bird came down the stairs, looking confused. But no matter how much Lyonette screamed, Mrsha didn\u2019t appear. She was gone. Erin shouted her name, running around the inn, throwing the basement trap door open, shifting the magic door to Celum and Pallass. Then she heard the shout of pain from outside and ran for the door, ignoring Zevara\u2019s warning to wait.<\/p>\n Mrsha was not outside. The ground was muddied, and there was no Gnoll\u2014or Raskghar in sight. But someone was out there. Erin saw a Cave Goblin lying on the ground near the water. He was screaming and clawing at a pair of metal jaws fastened to his left leg.<\/p>\n The Cave Goblin was screaming, his leg caught in one of the bear traps. He twisted as Erin approached, fingers scrabbling on the bloody metal. She stared at him, feeling sick. Then she grabbed him. He screamed and tried to bite. Erin head butted him and the Goblin went limp.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere did they go? Where did they go?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The Goblin shook as Erin seized him. She raised a fist and he flinched. Erin hesitated, and then lowered her fist. Then she looked down at the bear trap. Her mind was numb, but she made it work. Mechanically, Erin spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cGot to get that off your feet. Bone\u2019s probably broken. Up to the inn with you. You\u2019re going to answer all my questions there.\u201d<\/p>\n The Goblin had been maddened with pain. He shrank and screamed as Erin grabbed the jaws of the bear trap. But the Human hauled the jaws open. The Cave Goblin jumped back as soon as his leg was clear. He turned to flee into the water, but too slowly.<\/p>\n Erin grabbed the Goblin and he twisted up to stare at her. He met her eyes and stared into her burning gaze. He tried to run again and screamed for different reasons than pain. He grabbed a dagger from his belt and slashed at her. A fist flying at his face was the last thing he saw for a while.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cLooks quiet, don\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria wished the Drake team would stop talking. It had been bad luck that Griffon Hunt and the Horns had taken the same route as a Drake team. But the first few twists and turns in the dungeon had been marked, so they had to share the corridor with a team of chatty Silver-rank Drakes before they could split up.<\/p>\n After working with Griffon Hunt for one day, Ceria already realized how stupid it was to talk in a dungeon where noise travelled so much further. She glared at the Drake, but he was undeterred.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re the Horns, right? We\u2019re the Tail of Xil. Silver-rank, like your team. This is our first dungeon dive. I hear your team\u2019s been challenging this dungeon from the start, is that right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe have experience. And we prefer to work silently. You never know what might happen.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria grated out the words. The Drake laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, that\u2019s what all the Gold-ranks say. But even they chat sometimes! And we\u2019re safe here, remember? We have these maps\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He flourished the copy of the map from the first day\u2019s expedition in his claws. It was a twisting maze of tunnels, but it did show clearly what areas had been explored and how many places there were left to check.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014and we\u2019re in known territory. What\u2019s the harm in chatting?\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria clamped her mouth shut. The Drake sighed. He turned to his partner, a female Drake with pinkish scales.<\/p>\n \u201cHumans. I thought it was all tall tales about them, but they\u2019re just as rude as they say, you know?\u201d<\/p>\n His companion glared at the talkative Drake.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a half-Elf, thick wit.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA half-Elf? But she looks like a regular Human! I mean, sort-of.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re an idiot, Fess.\u201d<\/p>\n Fess the Drake glowered. He strode ahead of his companions, stalking further down the corridor. Ceria wanted to call him back, but they were in safe territory and he was truly annoying. She could hear Fess talking loudly ahead of them as he stomped forwards.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just trying to be social! It\u2019s not like I asked for our team to be assigned to a dungeon! I hate enclosed spaces, but we have to follow orders!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShut up, Fess!\u201d<\/p>\n The leader of the Tail of Xil\u2019s team shouted at Fess as he strolled along with a pike propped on his shoulder. Fess turned unhappily.<\/p>\n \u201cI just\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake took another step forwards and exploded<\/em>. His body bulged and then overinflated like a burst flask. Ceria saw a red fountain, and felt something strike her in the face. She looked down and saw a chunk of scales and flesh fall from her cheek. The adventuring teams, the Tail of Xil, the Horns of Hammerad, and Griffon Hunt all froze.<\/p>\n \u201cFess?\u201d<\/p>\n The pink-scaled Drake stared at the spot where Fess had been, stunned. The team leader made a choking sound. He stared at the innocuous spot on the ground.<\/p>\n \u201cA trap? But how? We checked all the corridors!\u201d<\/p>\n He took a step forwards, but Halrac thrust him out of the way.<\/p>\n \u201cStand back!\u201d<\/p>\n The [Scout] knelt, ignoring the gore staining the ground. He peered at the ground, then straightened. When he turned to the adventurers his gaze was sharp. And worried.<\/p>\n \u201cSomeone\u2019s erased the markings for the trap. There\u2019s paint residue, but it\u2019s been scraped clean.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSabotage? Who?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Raskghar? We need to tell the other teams at once!\u201d<\/p>\n The adventurers broke out into a nervous babble. Halrac raised a hand and then pointed.<\/p>\n \u201cBack the way we\u2019ve come! Now! Retrace your footsteps!\u201d<\/p>\n The adventurers immediately reversed pace. As they did, they began to hear more shouts and thumps<\/em> from elsewhere in the dungeon. And as if on cue, a long, loud howl<\/em> echoed through the dungeon. Ceria\u2019s skin crawled.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat the hell?\u201d<\/p>\n She broke into a run with the other adventurers. Ceria ran back down another \u2018safe\u2019 corridor and spotted a group of adventurers running towards them. She could hear them shouting.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are Ghouls coming down the corridor! At least sixty of them!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFace-Eater Moths! A giant one\u2019s coming down this way!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re under attack! I just got a [Message] from the other groups! The Raskghar are flooding the tunnels! They\u2019re everywhere!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRetreat! Get back to the rift and start going back up!\u201d<\/p>\n Halrac roared the order above all the other voices. The Drake [Mage] turned desperately to him.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can\u2019t! Liscor says the Raskghar are coming from above, too!\u201d<\/p>\n Revi seized the Drake.<\/p>\n \u201cThat doesn\u2019t matter! We secure our exit or we\u2019ll be surrounded! Back to the rift! Move!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n She and the other adventurers charged back the way they\u2019d come. Now they could hear sounds in every direction. The dungeon was coming alive. And behind them they could hear howls and barking. The Raskghar were closing in. More and more teams flooded back the way they\u2019d come, some injured, some missing teammates. Monsters were hot on their heels. Ceria turned and blasted a giant thing with too many eyes and pincers for a mouth and then formed an [Ice Wall] with another [Mage]. She shouted at Ksmvr and Yvlon to follow as the adventurers made a line of steel that slowly retreated back from the rift. They ran into the Raskghar from above two tunnels from safety.<\/p>\n \u201cAhead of us!<\/em> Raskghar with magic weapons!\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria turned as an adventurer shouted. She stopped firing [Ice Spikes] at the melee of monsters behind her and saw a group of Raskghar charging towards their group. They had burdens on their shoulders\u2014limp or bleeding Gnolls, tied up. They crashed into the Drakes in front as Griffon Hunt shouted for the adventurers to make a wall. Revi\u2019s summons dueled with the Raskghar as Halrac loosed arrows at the Raskghar in front, sending them toppling to the ground. He drew an enchanted arrow and fired.<\/p>\n \u201c[Piercing Shot]!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n His arrow snapped as it struck the Raskghar in the plate armor. The impact made the huge Raskghar pause in his step, but he charged forwards. Halrac rolled out of the way, avoiding a slice from the battleaxe. Ceria saw Yvlon charge the Raskghar. The woman brought her sword down and the Raskghar blocked with a glowing blue shield. He roared as the impact sent him staggering, and then struck Yvlon with his axe. She raised her arm and blocked with her shield. Ceria shouted in horror. The impact\u2014Yvlon\u2019s arm cracked<\/em> and then buckled. It bent\u2014slightly\u2014and the woman fell. The half-Elf stared in disbelief. But the Raskghar kept coming.<\/p>\n It was fleeing! The adventurers were of less concern to the Raskghar, who were trying to escape with their burdens. Typhenous whirled his staff and pointed. A Raskghar carrying a Gnoll screamed as a flurry of magical arrows burst from his chest. Ceria pointed.<\/p>\n \u201cBlock them! Pisces! Form a wall!\u201d<\/p>\n She spun, pointing. Ice sprang up around the Raskghar in the enchanted armor. He snarled as his feet became tangled in the ice but smashed through. He turned to look at Ceria and paused. The Raskghar dropped the Gnoll he was carrying, bent his head, and sniffed.<\/p>\n \u201cCaptain Ceria! Beware!\u201d<\/p>\n Ksmvr charged the Raskghar. It swatted the Antinium aside with a huge metal hand. The Raskghar sniffed and then lunged, incredibly quickly. Ceria tried to dodge, but the impact knocked her flat. She saw the Raskghar bending over her, a huge bestial head inches from hers. It sniffed her again and then lifted her up.<\/p>\n \u201cCeria!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces bellowed. He appeared at the Raskghar\u2019s back and slashed with his rapier. But the Raskghar turned his head and Pisces\u2019 blade missed entering the gaps in his helmet. The [Necromancer] struck the Raskghar\u2019s armpits and sides desperately, looking for gaps in his armor. There were none. The Raskghar turned and ran as its companions streamed past it into the dungeon.<\/p>\n Pisces sped after them. He blinked and reappeared, using [Flash Step] as he harried the Raskghar in armor. But it didn\u2019t slow. And as the other Raskghar and monsters closed in, the [Necromancer] had to retreat. He stumbled back, bleeding as a cut opened up the flesh covering his ribs. Pisces shouted, but it was too late. The Raskghar were gone. And they had taken Ceria with them.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n An hour later, Pisces, Yvlon, and Ksmvr stood in Erin\u2019s inn. They were healed, but many of the adventurers who stood with them had taken wounds that couldn\u2019t be healed with a mere potion. Some had been injured by the traps. Others by the sudden monster attacks. Others were completely fine and had escaped the Raskghar\u2019s ambush unharmed, like the Silver Swords. But no one was smiling.<\/p>\n The scene was familiar. A Goblin was tied to the chair, surrounded by Drakes, Gnolls, Humans\u2026adventurers and people from Liscor. Only this time the mood was murderous.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere are they! Talk!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Of all people it was Moore who was doing the questioning. The half-Giant loomed over the tiny Cave Goblin. His face was twisted with fury. He lifted the Goblin up as the little monster screamed and thrashed. Moore roared.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere did they take them? Where did they go?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The Goblin shrieked. It screamed, turning to the two Hobs standing in the inn. They were surrounded by adventurers who watched their every move with suspicion. Numbtongue shouted up at Moore.<\/p>\n \u201cHe knows nothing! The Chieftain moves their camp every night! So adventurers and monsters don\u2019t find!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe knows where they were!\u201d<\/p>\n Moore shook the Goblin again. The Cave Goblin screamed. Numbtongue listened.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is giving directions! Left, right\u2014long tunnel, up stairs\u2014stop shaking! Neck will break!\u201d<\/p>\n Moore\u2019s hand was white and the chair back creaked and snapped<\/em> in his grip. Slowly, he lowered the Cave Goblin. It panted wildly as the half-Giant dropped him to the floor. Erin, standing behind the Horns, opened and closed her mouth silently. Moore bent.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere is Mrsha? Where is Ceria? Why<\/em> were they taken?\u201d<\/p>\n The Goblin didn\u2019t know what he was saying. But as Rabbiteater translated he instantly gabbled a reply. Numbtongue translated.<\/p>\n \u201cTake Gnolls! Take white Gnoll! Special Gnoll! Chieftain want! Raskghar want! Also take special-smelling\u2026pointy-eared not-Human! Very important! No Goblins or Raskghar kill or Chieftain kills them! They must<\/em> have pointy-eared not-Human!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n The Horns looked at each other, confused. Yvlon\u2019s face was white. Her hands bled as her fingernails dug into her palms. Ksmvr was gripping his shortsword, barely restrained in place. Pisces was less calm. He strode forwards and seized the Goblin.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy Ceria?<\/em> Who is this Chieftain? Why does he want her?\u201d<\/p>\n He shook the Goblin wildly. The little Cave Goblin screamed as Pisces bent. The [Necromancer]\u2019s face changed, turning into a rotting mask. Pisces grew as the illusion magic transformed him. His voice boomed and his body contorted, growing into a fleshy monster of undeath.<\/p>\n \u201cAnswer me, wretch!<\/strong><\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPisces!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin shouted, unable to take it anymore. Pisces ignored her. He kept shaking the Goblin, hitting it, until Dawil and Seborn dragged him off the Goblin. The little creature was sobbing. It shouted a response. Numbtongue listened.<\/p>\n \u201cChieftain ordered. Chieftain ordered! Must obey Chieftain or die! Chieftain will kill!\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces shouted, struggling.<\/p>\n \u201cWho is the Chieftain? Who?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The Goblin screamed an answer.<\/p>\n \u201cOne arm! One arm! Horn Chieftain! Great Chieftain! Not Raskghar! Not Goblin! One arm!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n And then there was silence. Numbtongue looked around, uncomprehendingly. Every eye stared at the Cave Goblin in shock. Then, slowly, the adventurers, the guardsmen of Pallass, Erin, Lyonette\u2026everyone, turned to look at the Horns of Hammerad. Yvlon\u2019s face went white. She stared at the Goblin.<\/p>\n \u201cIt can\u2019t be.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWake up.\u201d<\/p>\n Somewhere in the darkness below, someone slapped Ceria roughly. She came to with a start. She felt a terrible pain in her chest, bruising, maybe a cracked rib. And her head\u2014she groaned, then remembered. Ceria raised her skeletal hand. A hand caught it.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re awake. Good!\u201d<\/p>\n The voice was familiar. But it was odd. Ceria couldn\u2019t place it. The deep, rumbling voice\u2014she looked around wildly.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere? The Raskghar?\u201d<\/p>\n It was dark. There was barely any light in the room. Slowly, Ceria\u2019s eyes adjusted. As it did, the hand that was holding hers slowly released.<\/p>\n \u201cMove slowly. You are injured. It has taken me a long time to find you, Ceria. At last. I\u2019d given you up for dead.\u201d<\/p>\n That voice<\/em>. It was familiar! But Ceria hadn\u2019t heard it in\u2026months. She looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cIt can\u2019t be. Are you\u2014is it\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n A huge figure stood in front of her, barely visible. Ceria squinted up at him. A giant stood in the darkness. Not as tall as Moore, but built of muscle. His body was powerful, humanoid, but not Human. He had short, dark brown fur, and his face was shaped like a cow\u2019s. He had a pair of sharp horns and his hands were larger than any Human man\u2019s.<\/p>\n No. Not hands. Hand. Ceria stared at the figure and squinted. He only had one arm.<\/p>\n One arm<\/em>. Her breath drew in sharply. The figure smiled. He moved and a bit of light shone down. Calruz grinned down at Ceria, his yellowed teeth flashing in the darkness.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve returned to me. My precious teammate. My Horn of Hammerad. At last I have someone to rely on. Someone to help me.\u201d<\/p>\n He stepped back. Ceria stared at Calruz, too shocked for words, for thought. Then, at last, she took in the room behind him. She sat in a massive domed chamber, the roof of which had caved inwards in two parts. She saw many, many<\/em> furry shapes moving about, some sleeping, others eating. And between them scurried a multitude of smaller shapes. Ceria\u2019s breath caught as she identified them.<\/p>\n Raskghar. And Cave Goblins, scurrying around between them. And behind them on the far walls\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cGnolls.\u201d<\/p>\n They were lined up, held captive in crude cages of wood and hide. The Gnolls of Liscor huddled together, staring at the Raskghar in silence. And held captive in a small cage separated from the rest was a white shape.<\/p>\n \u201cMrsha!\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria lunged to her feet. She tried to move, but the hand caught her again. She twisted. Calruz stared down at Ceria.<\/p>\n \u201cHold, Ceria. Those are my prisoners.\u201d<\/p>\n The half-Elf\u2019s jaw worked soundlessly.<\/p>\n \u201cPrisoners? Calruz. Is that you? How are you alive? What are you doing down here? Why are the Raskghar\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Calruz grinned at her. The Minotaur\u2019s eyes focused on Ceria, looking her up and down. He spoke casually.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy, they are my team of course. A new team. A\u2026tribe. I lead them. The Raskghar are my tools to conquer the dungeon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe dungeon?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course! Why do you think we came down here? This dungeon is far larger than I thought. I miscalculated our first expedition. But we haven\u2019t failed. There are thousands of Raskghar. And they have artifacts! I\u2019ve turned them into a fighting force. And they grow stronger on the full moon. And with the Gnolls, they\u2019ll be stronger still. But most importantly, they found you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMe?\u201d<\/p>\n The Minotaur drew closer. Ceria could feel her bones grinding as his grip tightened on her arm. Calruz\u2019 breath was foul and rancid as he peered at her.<\/p>\n \u201cYes. My teammate. You\u2019re here. We can finally finish our job. We\u2019ll conquer this dungeon and emerge as heroes! Heroes<\/em>, Ceria! Imagine it!\u201d<\/p>\n And at last, Ceria understood. She felt the cold dungeon floor beneath her feet, heard the Raskghar growling, saw the Cave Goblins moving about fearfully, and saw the Gnolls watching her. Her and the Minotaur with one arm. But Calruz only had eyes for her. He grinned at Ceria. There was triumph in his eyes. He looked relieved, elated, confident, and he spoke as she remembered. Their fearless leader, ready to charge into the fray. There was only one difference now.<\/p>\n He was completely, utterly insane.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Previous Chapter<\/a> Next Chapter<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u201cI think I see them. Alright everyone! Let\u2019s get ready for tonight! Lyonette? Begin Plan A. Numbtongue? How are the windows coming?\u201d Erin Solstice stood on the hill outside her inn, shielding herself from the pouring rain with a cloak. It didn\u2019t really help; she was already quite wet from being outside and the cloak […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52856846,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"patreon-level":0,"patreon_level":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11693085,349],"tags":[],"twi_volume":[11693134],"twi_collection":[],"class_list":["post-5137","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-volume-5","category-writing"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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