ringing he ast o ife

It was later that afternoon, the guild was empty but for Trimus and his companions. Drink were being sipped, fruit was being eaten and Grabthroat had had been banished to the veranda to smoke his foul pipe. Outside birds were diving into to the lake behind the guild and bobbing up with sleek silver fish in their bills.
"Well Gieve, when do you plan on returning to Darokin."
"Soon enough Ako. The rainy season will be on us in a few weeks and I'd like to make the crossing before the storms hit."
"I agree, last time we came across it took me a couple of days to get my sea legs, and it was as flat as a mill pond." Said Ako.
Suddenly Gieve was out of his chair hand outstretched to quell the chatter around the table. "Did anyone hear that?" he inquired.
Stunned the others sat still as Gieve moved towards the door that led to the entrance hall of the guild. When they recovered their senses they followed Gieve through the door to see him talking to a young Makai acolyte from the People's Temple.
"…. How could they. From the People's Temple of all places!" panted the cleric.
"Now start again, and slower Marrim." Said Gieve patiently, then turning to the others as they skidded into view. "What kept you?"
Marrim, having recovered his breath and most of his composure told his tale to his attentive audience. "The Sacred Golden Chalice has been stolen. It was on the altar for the service when a man rushed up and stole it, stole it right from under our noses. We tried to follow him but he got away. I came here to ask for help."
"He'll never be able to sell it in the Isles." Mused Ako "He'll head for the mainland."
"The tide won't be turning for an hour or two. Let's grab our stuff and check the docks." Barked Gieve. "We'll need to split up, there are lots of vessels in the harbour."
"And what did this thief look like?" asked Trimus casually.
"Short, thin with black hair cropped very short. From the mainland by his colouring. Oh yes. He had a moustache and a goatee beard."
"Great! OK down to the docks. Meet up at the Harbour Master's office when you've checked your area. Trimus, go down to the South Quay. Marrim, you and I will go to the Old Harbour to see what's happening there. Darkhawk, Ako North Quay. Grabthroat West Harbour. Lets go!" Calm and assured Gieve spat out the orders and no one dared question him.

The harbours and quays of Ierendi were alive with bustle, noise and colour. Bales of cotton and silk, sacks of grain and ingots of iron and bronze along with lengths of seasoned timber were being unloaded in the West Harbour. In the Old Port, fish of varying colours and sizes were landed still flapping in their baskets of woven leaves and cane. Crabs and crayfish were chased by small boys as the escaped form their cages. The buyers and sellers filled the air with their strident calls in a patois all of their own. At South Quay small chests of pearls and polished coral, joined cases of exotic perfumes and spices being lifted gently aboard another ship. To Trimus and the others all this excitement and vibrant action meant only chaos, confusion and frustration as they fought their way through the crowds. When they arrived back at the Harbour Master's office hot and bothered all shrugged their shoulders and shook their heads.
"No luck then?" asked Gieve as Ako arrived, the last of the group.
"No. The Swordfish is just in from the Shires but isn't leaving for a few days." Replied the cleric.
Gieve turned to the ticket desk behind which sat a young Makai. "Excuse me sir, can you tell me if a young man with dark air, moustache and a goatee bought a ticket here today?"
"Why should I tell you?" replied the functionary in an arrogant tone, "It's none of your business."
Gieve reached over the desk and grabbed the man by his pale blue cotton tunic dragging him over the desk to within inches of his face and spat. "I am making it my business. Did someone buy a ticket or not?"
"Er, yes," gurgled the ticket seller. "Put me down and I will have a look at the ledger."
Gieve dropped him quickly suddenly aware that his actions were beginning to draw attention from the harbour side crowds.
"Yes. We sold a ticket on the Grey Gull to Fletcher Island." He looked up at the chalkboard beside the door and gulped. "It left about 5 minutes ago."
"By the Gods! I'll have your skin for this." Shouted Marrim, the Cleric's face quite red. "Does any other boat sail that way today?"
"Yes. The Night Star sails from South Quay very shortly. Would you like to buy a ticket?"
"Yes. Six. Now" shouted Gieve grabbing the scraps of paper from the hand of the quivering Makai and scattering a few coppers onto the desk. The ticket seller started to complain that this wouldn't be enough then thought better of it.

Sprinting through the crowds, skidding round corners and ignoring the calls of hawkers and peddlers they arrived at South Quay before the Night Star weighed anchor. The Night Star, a sleek modern vessel, was just about to weigh anchor when the party arrived. Captain Yarras waved them aboard irritably. "We have very little room, many bird watchers bound for Fletcher Island. You will have to sleep on deck." He turned to his crew. "Weigh anchor, unfurl the sails."
Feeling the boat surge beneath his feet Ako immediately made his way to the rail and said goodbye to his lunch.

During the afternoon and early evening they made good progress seemingly gaining on the larger Grey Gull which formed a focus of interest on the horizon. When the sun had set all bar Grabthroat found somewhere to sleep. The dwarf remained seeing the faint glow from torches onboard their prey long against the cold backdrop of night

. Early the following day the Night Star gently docked a few feet from the Grey Gull in Vlaad, the main port of Fletcher Island. Far smaller than Ierendi City, the port was still vibrant and busy. The smell of grilling fish filled the air and the many harbour side taverns looked very welcoming after their long and stressful journey.
"Darkhawk. You and the others get yourselves something to eat. I'll visit the Grey Gull and see where our friend went to." Ordered Gieve. "I'll come with you." Said Trimus.
"Me too." Added Marrim.

Though reluctant to give any information the captain of the Grey Gull finally admitted to seeing the fugitive walk towards the eastern end of the harbour. Gieve, Trimus and Marrim ran back to the Golden Lamprey where Darkhawk was halfway through a plate of grilled sardines.
"Quickly. We know where he went. We'll eat later." Shouted Gieve from the doorway.
Looking wistfully at his breakfast Darkhawk joined the others in the street and they moved quickly towards the east end of the harbour and the market place beyond. Leaving the dockside behind they followed a narrow street uphill past the chandlers and fish market to a shop lined square bright with the cotton awnings of market stalls. Suddenly Marrim shouted and pointed towards a well dressed man on horseback talking to a man that fitted Marrim's description of the thief. Hearing Marrim's shout the thief span around and seeing a group of armed adventures running in his direction swore and ran off into the early morning crowds. The rider cracked his whip and turned his horse to gallop in the opposite direction scattering market stalls and pedestrians in his path.
"After him!" shouted the Makai cleric above the tumult. Trimus muttered a few words and flung a magic missile at the thief's back. A brief burst of green fire burst on the victim who stumbled to the floor and the surrounding market keepers screamed with fear. The fugitive scrambled to his feet and sped off with Trimus and the others hot on his heels. The mage's spell had a rather unwelcome side effect. On turning a corner they saw their way was blocked by a group of guardsmen.
"Quick, down here." Spat Marrim launching himself down a narrow alley smelling of tanning leather and stale fish. They were soon back on a major thoroughfare and about 100 yards behind the thief.
"We're not gaining on him" gasped the dwarf, "Do something Trimus."
The thief suddenly ducked under an awning and appeared to be haggling with a shopkeeper.
"Quick this is our chance" urged Gieve.
"No it isn't" said Trimus "That stall sells carpets, magic carpets."
"Oh futtucks!" swore Grabthroat as the thief jumped on one of the ornate rugs and took off. Gieve ran headlong into the shopkeeper, thrust a large pouch of coins into his hand and leapt onto a carpet and indicated that the others should do the same. Within minutes the whole party were clinging desperately to the carpets as they flew low over the market place towards the countryside.
"He's getting away from us Gieve" shouted Ako against the wind.
"Yeah! But there is only one of him on his carpet" replied Gieve, "Trimus! Is there anything you can do to slow him down?"
Trimus leaned over towards Gieve to hear what he was saying but in doing so the carpet banked sharply and nearly collided with Gieve and Ako's and only the strong arm of Grabthroat kept him from falling off.
"I'll take that as a no" muttered Gieve under his breath.

They continued to fly away from the city across the verdant jungle towards a partly ruined stone building.
"What's that ahead?" asked Ako to Gieve.
"Looks like some sort of building, a temple perhaps?" replied Gieve.
"Big building! It's almost twice as high as the trees, do you think he's going to go there."
"Hmm. No he's flown past it. I think he's heading for that clearing beyond."
Gieve was correct, the carpet bearing the thief suddenly dipped down amongst the trees followed a few moments later by the carpets of Trimus and the others. The clearing appeared to be natural and contained one or two fallen tree trunks now being colonised by insects and fungi. Leading east from the clearing was a trail beside which stood a sign.
"Big Game Hunting" read Trimus out loud, "Tigers, lions or .. Good grief! What's that!"
Bursting through the jungle was a huge scaly quadruped with a tall spiny sail on its back it's small head, with a mouth full of needle sharp teeth, moved from side to side sniffing the air.
"Oh futtucks!" yelled Grabthroat fumbling for his axe. Gieve reached into his pouch and threw a playing card at the beast. To everyone's amazement the card transformed into three bolts of magical energy that hit the creature between the eyes causing it to yelp with pain. Trimus followed this up with a magic missile of his own which scorched a hole through the beast's thick hide. Suddenly a figure in midnight blue armour stepped forward and attacked the beast with black, claweed gauntlets. Following the strangers bold move Grabthroat and Ako charged into the fray. The beast's large size made it slow and clumsy allowing its attackers to strike without much fear of being caught by its fearsome mouth. Once or twice Grabthroat had to avoid being trodden on by one of the huge, tree trunk like feet but his swift reactions saved him.
"Where's Darkhawk" cried Gieve as he slashed at the behemoth's leathery throat.
"I don't know" replied Ako breathlessly smashing his hammer into the beast's eye.
"Look out!" cried Trimus "It's falling." As he spoke the beast dropped to its knees and then over on his side a gale of fetid air escaping from its lungs. With his hands on his knees, breathing heavily Gieve looked around the party until his eyes came to rest on the strange fighter, clad entirely in midnight blue steel.
"Who are you?" he gasped, "And where is our friend Darkhawk. Did the beast take him?"
"No. I am Darkhawk." Came a voice surprisingly familiar from behind the closed helm "I am Darkhawk."

"It all happened suddenly. That amulet we found on the body of that warrior that died in the fight with the wizard. Well it started to get warm, very warm! I grabbed it to take it off and suddenly 'pow' there I was in this suit or armour! I'm sure there is more to it than just a suit of armour, but I don't know how to use them yet."
"How long do you stay like that?" asked the dwarf rapping his knuckles on Darkhawk's chest.
"As long as I like I think, but I sense I can only change into this once per day."
"We had better get moving" said Gieve, "Anyone hurt?" Grabthroat nodded and Ako came over and cast a minor healing spell on the dwarfs gashed thigh. Gieve started to poke around at the edge of the clearing until he found the tracks of the fleeing thief and the party set off at a brisk pace. Darkhawk and Grabthroat at the front were under instructions to keep an eye out for any more of the giant lizards. So intent were they on watching the jungle to either side of the trail that they marched straight into a patch of bog. In their heavy armour they would have sunk without a trace if it wasn't for Give's quick reactions. He threw a length of rope which Darkhawk deftly caught and started to pull himself in to the side. Gieve repeated the action and soon a damp and very smelly dwarf joined the fighter whose armour still gleamed despite his immersion back on dry land.
"This is a dangerous place!" cursed the dwarf, wringing his beard dry. "I'll be glad to see the back of it." He soon got his wish as the trail widened out a few hundred paces past the bog into a broad clearing which led down a gentle slope to a broad expanse of still blue water. The soft grass showed tracks leading down towards the water and the party followed.
"We should be able to see him if we get to the shoreline" said Darkhawk jogging down the slope. "Yes there … aragh!". Darkhawk's words were cut off by a huge head on a long sinuous neck which plucked the armoured figure of off the grass and dragged him beneath the surface of the water with only rings of slowly spreading ripples lo mark his passing.
"Don't go down there!" shouted Gieve hoarsely as Trimus and the others started to rush towards the shore. "There's nothing we can do for him now. Let's cut through the jungle and see if we can catch up with the thief. He has a lot of answering to do."
Stunned both by Darkhawk's death and Give's cold reaction to it, the other mutely followed Gieve. With Gieve alongside of Grabthroat they made slow but steady progress through the thick undergrowth. The occasional patches of bog still caused problems with Trimus having to pull Gieve out of one patch of stinking mire with his staff. They eventually reached the shore of the lake but this time stayed well clear of the edge and kept a watchful eye out for any beasts. So intent were they on watching the surface of the water that they missed the silent approach of a huge leathery winged creature that seemed to soar in from nowhere and seize Ako in its huge bill. To stunned to react at first the others just stared in disbelief until Grabthroat wound and fired a crossbow bolt at the retreating avian monster but it fell well short.
"We must find cover." Said Gieve retreating once more into the jungle. Trimus, Marrim and Grabthroat were not far behind him. Not close enough however.
By the time the others reached the shelter of the trees all that was left of Gieve was his hand slowly sinking into another of the treacherous pools of mire.
"This is getting serious." Muttered Grabthroat.
"Let's head back to the carpets, they're our only hope." Replied Trimus.
"What about the chalice?" whined Marrim fearfully.
"If we get back to the carpets we can fly over the lake and try to pick up the thief's trail again."
The cleric nodded his head and they started back the way they had come at a stiff pace managing to avoid the swamps that had so dogged their outward journey. Their trials were not over however because as they entered the clearing in which they had left the sail-backed dinosaur they found another larger beast tearing at it's remains with vicious long teeth. This huge lizard easily forty foot tall with a hide like dragon skin sensed the parties approach and instantly snatched the young Makai cleric from the ground swallowing him whole. Trimus and Grabthroat broke off in different directions but the dwarf's short legs were not quite quick enough and before he had gone more than twenty strides he too had been swallowed by the beast.

Trimus kept running. He could here the snapping of branches and the drumming of the dinosaurs feet over the pounding of his heart. Roots and creepers seemed to snake out and grab at his legs while branches struck out his face but still he kept on running. It seemed for a time that he was drawing away from but then he smelt the hot fetid breath just behind him and he knew he was just deluding himself. Just as he thought his heart would burst the ground opened up before and beneath him and the mage fell headlong into a pit filled with sharp wooden spikes and darkness claimed him…

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