he izard's ave

Trimus could hardly sleep for excitement that night. What new, powerful spells may such a tome contain? Would he be able to read them? Would he be able to cast them? He fell into a fitful sleep full of dreams of power and glory until just before dawn he was awoken by a series of crashes and bangs from down the corridor. He and Grabthroat were out of their beds in a trice and in the corridor where they were quickly joined by Ako, Aril and Darkhawk.
"It's coming from Rintrah's room." said Grabthroat. "It sounds like he is in some sort of trouble. I'm going in to help." With that the dwarf ran down the corridor, axe in hand. He opened Rintrah's door to be confronted by a bewildering sight. The wizard appeared to be fighting thin air. Rintrah would swing his sword then duck to evade an invisible blow. The dwarf walked into the room assuming Rintrah was just practising. The mage momentarily distracted appeared to be caught a solid blow across the shoulder and skidded across the room.
"Damn foolish dwarf. Be gone!" he shouted waving his hands in front of the dwarf's eyes. Suddenly Grabthroat found himself back in the corridor outside of Rintrah's chamber while the sounds of combat continued inside. Ako and the others looked askance at the sudden reappearance of their friend.
"What's happening?" asked Ako.
"He's fighting some sort of invisible creature." replied the dwarf. "Either that or he's gone mad! Either way he didn't seem to welcome my help."
Just as Grabthroat finished speaking there was a load whooshing sound followed by a high pitched scream then silence. Moments later the door was flung open and a bruised and tousled Rintrah stepped out into the corridor.
"You nearly cost me my life and your own you foolish dwarf." he shouted his face mere inches from the abashed dwarf. "If I had needed help I would have called for it." He was very angry and Grabthroat hung his head in shame as he mumbled his apologies.
"I know you meant well, but somethings are just too powerful for the likes of you to deal with. One of these days your bravery will get you into trouble. I need some rest. We'll talk about this in the morning." He re-entered his chamber and locked the door. Just then Otig came up the stairs.
"What was all that about? I was about to call the watch. Who was making all that noise?"
"Rintrah had an unwelcome visitor but I thinks he's gone now." replied Trimus calmly.
"Hmm. I will have to have a word with him. He knows I don't like visitors after hours. Bloody magicians. No offence Mr D'Alberon sir." Otig slowly turned and went back down the stairs and the others returned to their rooms.

Just after dawn the following day, Trimus woke, centred himself and memorised the spells he would need to study the magic tome he took from Skarrag's Tower. Grabthroat sat on the end of his bead quietly polishing his axe as Trimus removed the thick oilskin wrapping. The material cracked and creaked as he unwrapped it but the book inside was undamaged by the passage of time. Thick, ornately tooled leather covers sandwiched several creamy parchment pages.
The first few pages were disappointing, they were spells Trimus already knew but this was what he had expected. On the third page he found what he was looking for, 'A spell to detect magic' he copied it carefully into his own spellbook. The next page was even more exciting, 'A spell to unlock locked doors' and again Trimus copied the spell faithfully into his book. As he turned the page once more the grimoire seemed to come alive in his hands. The pages tore loose from their bindings and formed themselves into vicious looking paper birds. Trimus was stunned for a moment as they darted at his face, their razor sharp edges cutting nasty gashes on his arm and cheek. Grabthroat swung his axe hitting one of them which fluttered to the floor in a shower of papery fragments. Drawing his dagger Trimus also attacked the birds until within a few moments all that was left of Skarrag's spellbook were a few scraps of parchment and an empty leather book cover. Trimus looked down at the wreckage and sighed, "All those spells, lost forever."

Breakfast was a subdued and hurried affair with Trimus too preoccupied with earlier events to do more that pick as his food while aril was too excited to eat.
"I've got the directions from Otig, Punavia is about half a day's travel from here, first south through the forest then over the river until we meet a trail eastwards. He warned me of bandit groups in the area so what Rintrah said may be true. Stop playing with your food Trimus we need to be going." The forest south of Ierendi City is well known for its wildlife. Birds with bright coloured plumage chattered noisily amongst the trees. small monkeys swung and clambered through the canopy causing leaves and twigs to fall onto the party. Occasionally they would through rotten fruit as well then swing away squawking and cackling. Small delicate rodents chattered from their lairs as the party passed staying out of sight. The bridge over the river appeared old but well maintained and the party crossed it and within minutes they emerged from the forest onto a wider east-west track that lead through scrub into the hills.

The attack came as they rounded a sharp bend on the trail. Six bandits in worn leather armour sprang out from the scrub and attacked the party from all sides. They were no match for Darkhawk's sword, Grabthroat's axe or Aril's rapier especially once Aril recognised that the bandit's leader was flourishing his brother's sword!
"Keep one alive!" Aril shouted. "We have to know where their base is."
"Ako reversed his hammer and stunned the nearest bandit just as Darkhawk ran another through with his sword.
"Tie him up - tightly." grimaced Aril as Ako bandaged his gashed arm. "Now bring him round."
Trimus poured water from a flask over the unconscious footpad then stooped and slapped him hard on both cheeks.
"That's enough Trimus, I think he's coming round." mummered Ako.
"You ..... you escaped. How ...." stammered the bandit.
"No. I'm not who you think I am. But where might I have escaped from?"
"You were held by the wizard."
"Wizard. Which wizard? Where is he?"
"Azaxyr. In the hills sir. We have a hide out there. He pays us well for bringing him stuff and prisoners like yourself sir."
"What does he do with them?"
"I don't know. But once they go into his cave we never see 'em come out again. Some of us says that he eats them."
"Take us there. And no tricks. We may feel inclined to spare you." drawled Aril threateningly.

The bandit led them through the scrub and over a few low hills by well hidden trails until they arrived at a low ridge overlooking an enclosed valley. Clustered together at the eastern end were five crude shacks while on the slope above at the head of a steep stair was a dark cave.
"That's the wizard's cave" whispered the bandit. "Do you want to get closer."
Aril nodded and the felon led the party down a narrow defile lined with brambles and creepers until they emerged near to the huts. At that moment one of the doors opened and a rough looking man emerged.
"Darrack!" shouted Aril's captive and dived sideways squirming out of Ako's grasp before running awkwardly towards the huts as the other figure ducked back inside and yelled something unintelligible. Grabthroat drew his crossbow and felled the fleeing bandit while Ako, Aril and Darkhawk converged on the huts. Darrack and three other bandits emerged from a hut and attacked fiercely but they were no match for Aril's skill and Darkhawk's strength and soon the valley was quiet.
"It's getting dark." said Ako. "Let's check the other huts before sundown then camp here. I don't fancy taking on this wizard in the dark."
"But Fedrin...." began Aril.
"We won't be able to help him if we are tired and can't see where we are going." replied Ako sternly.
They posted watches and searched the huts. The bandits seemed to be doing quite well for themselves as they found several thousand galeva and sana in a battered wooden chest mixed up with assorted chains, necklaces and broaches. On a shelf was a small box containing a jade egg alongside which were a healing potion and one labelled 'Bug Repellent'.
"A useful haul." said Darkhawk.
"Yes." agreed Trimus. "We should try to act as if we were the bandits so Azaxyr suspects nothing has happened."
"Agreed." said the others.
So that night the party lit fires and sat around them till late then retired to the huts hoping that these seemingly normal actions would match those of the bandits.

The night passed without any signs from the cave that they had been rumbled so soon after noon, led by a very determined Aril D'Tai, the party climbed the steep stair cut into the rock face that led to the cave. Moving as stealthily as they could they entered the cave. Aril, Trimus and Ako on one side, Darkhawk and Grabthroat on the other. They had barely entered however before Trimus yelled out. A bolt of power had struck him on his left arm. Darkhawk drew his sword as Azaxyr stepped from the shadows and cast another spell. The burly fighter froze in mid stride, his face a rictus of frustration.
"Strike NOW!" shouted, Aril a note of panic in his voice the taste of fear rising in his throat.
The young wizard chuckled and cast another spell as the part approached. Grabthroat, the target, lowered his axe and looked around the cave a little confused. Seeing his chance amongst the confusion Azaxyr stuffed an assortment of scrolls into a bag and dashed down the steps out of the cave. Trimus drew back his arm and threw a dagger. It curved through the air, flipping end over end glinting in the ruddy rays of the early morning sun. "Yes!" exulted Trimus as the blade buried itself deep in the fleeing mage's back causing him to stumble momentarily. "Now to see if my theory is correct." He concentrated hard, pointing his right index finger, on which was a plain gold band, at Azaxyr. The fleeing wizard screamed in agony as the blade twisted and dug deeper. Azaxyr reached over his shoulder and wrenched the blade free, turned and shook his fist at Trimus, then ran off down the valley.
"Nicely done friend." said Aril clapping Trimus on the back. "How did you do that?"
"Remember that ring I found in Lord Varel's mansion? It had some runes on the inside. They suggested that it was a ring of telekinesis. He was at the extreme range of control so I couldn't move it much but I think I hurt him!. How is everyone?"
"Grabthroat's just returning to normal. Being charmed is becoming a habit for our little friend. Darkhawk is fine, just a little annoyed he couldn't do anything - I've told him it wasn't his fault but you know him., he doesn't really understand magic."
"Aril" called Ako "Didn't you say that one of your brother's friends was called Garrick?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Because I've just found his pack." Ako pulled a worn leather backpack from beneath the wizards palette. "There are several more where this came from."
Aril was on his knees in a trice helping Ako retrieve the bags and packs.
"Ako?" called Trimus. "How many packs have you found?"
"Eight" the cleric replied.
"It's probably just a coincidence but there is a cage on this table with eight white mice in it."
"Are you suggesting ... " began Aril.
"Yes. I think the wizard may have turned your brother and his friends into mice."
"Can you return them to normal Trimus?"
"I was afraid you were going to ask that. No I can't. But we know someone who can."
"Rintrah!" shouted Aril "Let's go."
"Aren't you interested in what's in this chest?" questioned Grabthroat.
"I suppose they can wait a few more moments. Let me see the lock. Hmm. No traps that I can see. Nice simple mechanism." There was a satisfying click and Aril gingerly lifted the lid and looked inside.
"Disappointing. Just a pouch." He undid the lacing and poured the contents into his palm. "Very nice, quartz, turquoise, jasper, garnet, topaz ad a very fine pearl. Wait. What's this stitched into the lining?" He picked open the seam and out fell a ring decorated with stylised flames. "Do you recognise this Trimus?"
"I think so. It looks like a ring of fire resistance."
"Ah ha!" exclaimed the thief, "This chest has a false bottom." He lifted the panel and dragged out a hefty sack which gave off the satisfying solid clunk of a large number of coins. "Must be about a thousand gold pieces in there. " he said withdrawing his head from the sack. "There are also two potion bottles. Do you want to try them Trimus? Well if we push on we can get these mice to Rintrah to see if you are right Trimus."
Trimus tested the potions as they returned to the city. One a foul smelling yellow liquid he deduced was a potion of plant control while the other a savoury green concoction was a potion of giant strength. The former he tucked in his pouch the other he gave to Ako.

Rintrah quickly dispelled the magic that had transformed Aril's brother and friends into rodents. Apart from a strange taste for cheese, and a bump on Grarrick's head where he had scampered under a bed while Rintrah was casting his spell, all were unharmed by their ordeal.
Aril was delighted to see his brother Feddrin restored to health once more both wore matching grins as they caught up with each others news. Feddrin found it difficult to explain what it was like to be a mouse. After a while and a couple of bottles of Otig's best wine the two brothers stopped talking, exausted by the tidle wave of emotions that had swept over them.
"Thank you Rintrah" said Aril his arm around his brother's shoulders. "And also to you my friends. If you are ever in Darokin do drop in."
"You're leaving?" inquired Darkhawk, "But there are so many things we were going to do."
"I know, but my brother's marriage is only a week away and I have to make sure he gets there or I have to marry her!"
"Why don't you join the Adventurer's Guild?" suggested Siskin. "People are always looking for help from members of the Guild."
"Thanks for the suggestion, we'll do that." Said Ako. "Goodbye Aril. Thanks for all the help and advice. I hope we meet up again one day."
"Me too good cleric."
"With that Aril, Garrick and Siskin took up their packs and headed for the docks, The Pride Of The Shires was leaving on the evening tide and they intended to be on it.

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