Turn 12 -- Enter the Trolls

Hearing the shrill call of the whistle, Ortho hands the reigns of his mules to Ras. "Ras, you an' Jak take charge o' the mules an' bring 'em along. We're gonna need 'em an' yer elected. Besides, there's no way ta sneak behind them trolls an' ye can't face up to 'em. You bring the mules. Ah got ta get back." Not waiting for Ras to protest or confirm, Ortho turns and jogs back up the tunnel. "Good thing Ah gave Snag tha' whistle," he mutters softly to himself.

Ras mumbles softly to himself as he watches Ortho disappear down the tunnel, "It just ain't fair. Why do us halflings have to be so dang short! No one thinks I can do anythin' against anythin' bigger than a Pixie. I did take care of a lizardman! When those ugly Trolls get outta that IIIIICCCCCCEEEEE (he shivers intensely). I have a little surprise for them." Jak nods softly as he watches Ras and walks along beside the halfling. Ras ties the ropes of the mules to his belt and begins working on his surprise. Taking several feet of rope from one of the mules, he cuts it into twenty foot sections, tying a spare horseshoe to the end of each of the sections. He ties the other ends of the ropes to the mules.

Finishing with one rope per mule, he then pulls forth a torch from a pouch at his side and begins to slowly whittle a few small darts. A broad smile crosses the halfling's face as he slowly goes about his work, he and Jak leading the mules back up the tunnel toward Ras' companions.

After running several yards up the passage, Ortho turns around a bend and comes to a halt. Knowing that he cannot be seen by Ras now, he takes a deep breath and speaks a word of power. Instantly, the old-looking, worn-out black cloak on his back changes shape becoming instead a pair of large, bat-like wings. Ortho smiles and squeels with delight as he slowly begins to rise as he flaps the wings. The going is a bit rough at first and the passageway is just barely large enough to accomodate the twenty foot wide wingspan of the dwarf, but he is soon quickly flying down the tunnel. As he shoots through the tunnel, Ortho pats the metal case at his side, "Might need ye."

******

Just as Greezelet and the Trolls burst through the wall of ice, Talimar invokes a word of power and points to the oncoming beasts. Releasing the power contained within his body, a large sinewy web springs forth from the index finger of the elf as he points toward the Trolls. The web quickly expands to cover the passageway before the companions and the oncoming Trolls. The shaman, Greezelet, and two other of the Trolls are trapped in the sticky substance of the web as it expands across the passageway while the remaining three Trolls continue on toward the waiting companions. The grey elf slumps to the tunnel floor as the energy of his casting leaves his body. Talimar fights unconsciousness as pain erupts across his forehead.

With Talimar's incantation complete, Beleg steps forward to engage the first of the Trolls to step around the web. He avoids the deadly claws and bite of the vile creature as he waits for an opening for Troll's Bane to bite. Finally, the opportunity arrives and Beleg strikes, his deadly sword crashing down to open a vicious blow to the chest of the Troll before him. The beast howls in rage at the searing pain from Troll's Bane as the smoke and stench of the wound rises.

Druckner steps forward to bring his axe to attack the raging Troll before Beleg, but the engaged beast avoids the blow of the dwarf as the second Troll to avoid the web moves toward Beleg. The Paladin's shield absorbs the powerful blows of the creatures claws but the Troll grasps the protective shield and uses it to pull closer and bite Beleg deeply on the right shoulder of the young warrior. Dain watches the deadly struggle of his companions and the Trolls with awe as he grasps the ash rod of his wand and waits for an opportunity to use it's powers.

The last Troll that managed to avoid the entrapment of the web steps forward to strike at Snagger. The dwarf is unable to avoid the first claw-strike to his chest but the second sails high and to Snagger's luck, the creature stumbles on a loose rock on the tunnel floor. The Badger takes the opportunity afforded him by the Troll's stumble and buries his axe deep into the back of the beast. A broad smile erupts across the face of Snagger as he feels the blade bury deep into the flesh of the beast, the dark blood of the Troll oozing from the wound.

Just as Greezelet and another Troll manage to tear through the web, their awesome size and strength allowing them to quickly break the bonds, Kre takes the torch from Dain and tosses it onto the webbing which quickly erupts in flame. The last remaining Troll cries out in pain as the flames lick at its exposed flesh.

Sorely wounded and fatigued, Garth decides to bring his battle to the Trolls from where he stands. Taking hold of his crescent moon, he cries out a prayer to Selune, "Oh Selune! Help me now to strike down our enemies. Let your light smite these evil creatures, spawn of darkness that knows not your light!"

With a wave of his hands, nothing seems to happen. Another flourish, and still nothing appears in his hand. Soon, a moonlit halo graces the head of the queen Troll. With a snarl, the queen Troll's head bobbles, almost in time to some of Garth's dramatic sweeping of his arm.

Looking as like a mime, Garth appears to be lost in a world of his own. Eventually, Greezelet's right head bob's particularly violently. From behind her head can be seen a silvery hammer the color of a full moon on a clear night. The hammer sweeps in time to Garth's frantic gestures. Though not likely to deal a mortal blow, the side of Greezelet's right head quickly begins to resemble a bowl of lumpy walnuts.

*********

The voices are gutteral and chaotic. Gnore spins wildly in search of their source but he finds nothing. Reaching for his sword, he graps wildly at an empty scabbard. His eyes glare into the darkness surrounding him as the dwarf finally realizes that the grand feasting hall of Valholl has abandoned him. Fear starts to grip Gnore at the center of his soul. Tell-tale signs of movement within the blackness taunt the dwarf in his failure to understand the futility of his presence here. Gnore calls out to the shadows for identification but no reply is given. The shades shift in size and motion with an almost dizzying effect while anger replaces fear deep inside Gnore.

********

Pulling his axe blade free of the Troll before him, Snagger continues his assault on the now vulnerable beast. A quick strike of the axe finds a home as the second also strikes true opening a deep gash into the abdomen of the creature. Dark blood flowing freely now, the Troll falls to the ground dead at the feet of Snagger.

The seared Troll from the smoldering web steps forward to engage Snagger, striking the dwarf across his exposed face, blood streaming from the wound left by the beast's claws. Greezelet also steps forward finally to engage Beleg. The Paladin again manages to avoid the deadly claws of Troll but one manages to sneak through, opening a gash under the warrior's arm where his plate mail doesn't protect him. Beleg grimaces from the pain of the Troll's claws but his warrior instincts force him to ignore the pain. Turning to face the shaman, Troll's Bane swings around wickedly, striking twice into the body of Greezelet. Smoke rises from the cauterized wounds as Beleg acknowledges the blows, "Take that ye spawn of Hell!"

Druckner and the Troll before him continue their attacks on each other, the dwarf gaining some of the luck of Snagger as the Troll before him misses once with a claw and then stumbles as well. Druckner is quick to swing his axe but his first strike misses the stumbling beast before Druck can recover and solidly strike the creature.

Now engaged with three of the vicious creatures, Beleg tries to avoid a series of blows from the last Troll to step forward. The creature proves too much as it manages to land glancing blows from both of its claws. As the battle rages, Garth continues his assault to the right head of Greezelet with his silvery spiritual hammer as Dain and Kre see to the struggling Talimar.

******

A blur of motion slashes deep across Gnore's abdomen. The pain threatens to relieve Gnore of consciousness as the dwarven warrior sways with uncertain balance. Another strike followed by a similar three and Gnore drops to his knees clutching at the many wounds inflicted upon him by an unknown enemy. Gnore cries out in defiance but no sound is heard. Another slash across his back and Gnore falls prone, the bitter taste of death sweet upon his lips. Yet life still burns bright within his chest and he will not give up this easily. All enemies are vulnerable to defeat and Gnore is far from conquered. The pain in his clenched jaw temporarily pales the agony of his wounds as the dwarf summons the last of his strength to rise and meet his destroyer with a defiant glare. Moments stretch into an eternity until Gnore manages to find stable footing despite the nausea and disorientation he suffers. The shares are gone but the darkness remains.

*********

Snagger yells in fury at the surrounding Trolls as he quickly looks from the Shaman Greezelet to Beleg. "Don' ye be neglectin' the rest a dees uglies. Still, ah think that we might wanna be ridda her as quick as possible! De Badger's gonna leave some might big scratches again!" he shouts as he hefts his axe before him.

Across the field, Beleg does his best to protect himself as the three Trolls work feverishly to dispatch of the mighty Paladin. A testament to Beleg's skill, he is able to avoid a vicious series of blows from Greezelet and the Troll to Beleg's right. He narrowly stays beyond the deadly reach of the Troll to his left as he turns Troll's Bane once again loose on Greezelet. The mighty weapon bites deep into the flesh of the shaman Troll. The clan leader cries in pain before she drops to the ground dead at the feet of Beleg.

Seeing the tired and weakening state of Beleg and even Snagger, Druckner decides that it best for the party to start their withdrawal, hopefully catching the beasts off-guard with the death of their leader. "Withdraw!" he bellows as he fights his way back. "Dain, try ta trap one of 'em greenies on our side when ya cast that spell," he manages to call before landing a blow to the Troll before him.

Druckner's words finally sink into Snagger when he sees the much larger Paladin start to retreat and he quickly does the same. Trying to avoid falling prey to the Trolls, he moves back as fast as he can hoping that one of the wizards will be able to do something to stop or at least slow the Trolls.

Handing the waterskin he had been holding for Talimar to Kre, Dain hears the calls of his companions and rises. Holding the ash wand before him, he again invokes the command word to erect the wall of ice in the passageway. But nothing happens! Fear rises like bile in the throat of Dain as he slowly repeats the word of power, trying hard to insure he uses the proper inflections. But again, nothing! Noticing that he felt none of the familiar increase in power in his body, he realizes that the wand has no charges left. "Damn!" he curses as he tosses the worthless stick to the ground.

Sensing that Dain is unable to provide the wall to protect them, the Companions stop their fighting withdrawal and renew their attack on the on-coming Trolls, deciding to make their stand there; for better or for worse. Snagger knocks aside a series of blows from the beast attacking him as he returns the blow in kind, his axe striking the Troll full in it's chest. The breaking of creatures rib cage can be heard as the blade buries deep.

Finally fighting through his exhaustion, Talimar knows that he must rise and help his companions. Using the help of Kre, he stands and draws his sword. With calm determination he steps forward to shore up the defensive line of the Red Feather Company. His blade snaking forth, he strikes quickly at the left leg of one of the Trolls engaged with Beleg. The Troll howls violently at the newcomer.

*******

Laughter, the sound of the earth rumbling, emits from the rear of the dwarf. Slowly turning to face the source, Gnore draws a deep breath in preparation for what he may discover. The ground shakes under an incredible weight as his unseen assailant exposes itself into the light. A massive leg followed by another, a sickly green torso ending in arms of a ridiculous length preceeds a face of twisted evil and wicked intent. Its flesh corrupted with oozing sores, the beast stands as tall as a giant. Hands that end in razor claws easily the height of an Ogre sway back and forth with deadly care. Gnore stands in shock as he barely recognizes the beast to be a Troll, but of an abnormal origin. This is none like any Troll Gnore has seen nor heard of and , for a brief moment, Gnore dispairs that this must be whatever hellish deity his ancient enemy must worsship. The Troll laughs again, the sound reminiscent of dark thunder, then with outstretched arms to either side, the beast bellows with all of its unnatural fury. Gnore winces in pain as the sound assaults not only the dwarf's ears but his spirit as well. Certain defeat threatens to crush Gnore but, within his dwarven heart, he finds the will to fight. Setting himself for the charge, Gnore glares with all the intensity his battered body can muster.

*********

Snagger leaps back from a claw attack and once again his luck proves unbelievable. The attacking Troll overextends itself and stumbles! Grinning broadly, Snagger raises his axe blade high bringing it down once to fall on the right leg of the Troll, severing it mid-thigh. With great speed, the blade rises once again, falling equally fast to behead the Troll. The lifeless body of the beast falls to the feet of the grinning Badger.

With Greezelet dead, Garth turns the focus of his attack with the crescent hammer of Selune to one of the Trolls attacking Beleg. The magical blade begins a deep assault to the side of the creatures thick skull. Beleg avoids another series of blows from the other two Trolls before him but in his weakened state, one of the beasts manages to get a blow through his defenses. Blood quickly flows from the Paladin's nose and ears as the claw strikes the side of his head with incredible force. The passage around him goes black as he fights a wave of nausea. His knees fail him and the mighty Paladin falls to the tunnel floor, slowly slipping into unconsciousness.

Seeing his companion fall, Talimar's jaw sets in a firm line as he steps forward to protect Beleg. His blade flashing forth with deadly speed, the grey elf strikes the Troll downing Beleg across its chest before his second strike buries the blade deep into the beast's stomach, skewering the creature on the weapon. With great disgust, Talimar places his boot to the chest of the Troll and kicks its lifeless body free of his blade.

Just as he accomplishes this feat, a very strange sight indeed materializes from the passageway behind the companions. Coming to a crash landing behind them, carried on large black, leathery wings is none other than Ortho! Picking himself up off the tunnel floor, the mysterious wings disappear at the command of the dwarf as they shrink back to appear as the normal cloak on the priest's back. The battle seems to halt for a split second as the dwarf rises and draws his battle axe before him.

"What?! More o' yoo big uglies? Wal, Ah can cure that. Pestkiller!" he yells as he charges the line.

Of the two remaining Trolls, one looks at the mysterious flying dwarf and his axe as well as its dead leader and companions and turns tail to flee. Druckner turns a moment too late to fell the creature as its long legs carry it out of the tunnel and back across the entrance chamber. The last Troll remains but is quickly surrounded by Ortho, Druckner, Snagger and Talimar. Axe and sword blade quickly bite into the flesh of the cornered Troll as the companions destroy with beast with no compassion whatsoever. Snagger lands the deathblow, again severing the head of his enemy.

Ortho looks around him at the carnage in the tunnel, happy that his companions fared so well but saddened that he was not able to take a more active role in the battle. "Kre, light a torch an' burn the pieces as we hack 'em off," he says to the young thief as Snagger, Druckner and Talimar see to destroying the remains of the Trolls before they can regenerate and rise to fight again. A moan from his right and Ortho turns to look at the downed Beleg. Blood flows freely from a wound at the Paladin's temple but his breathing is strong.

Saying a prayer to Moraddin, Ortho invokes the power of his deity to grant him the strength to heal his companion. Releasing the awesome power granted to him, the wound at Beleg's temple slowly begins to close. Within moments, the wound appears to be weeks old and nearly healed instead of freshly dealt. The Paladin opens his eyes to look at the dwarf standing before him. Beleg smiles and nods his thanks to Ortho who simply claps the great Paladin on his shoulder. "What'd I tell ye 'bout keeping yer head down, ya big oaf?!"

"Somebody get that healing potion off of Kersath and put it to good use," bellows Ortho to no one in particular before Beleg can answer him.

********

"Set yerself fer the charge, Gnore!!! Fight the battle within yer mind before ye use yer sword!! Claim this victory in yer mind!"

********

Gnore awakens to the gentle touch of Dain as he lifts the dwarf's head and slowly pours a sweet tasting liquid down his throat. The sweet nectar warms the insides of Gnore and he quickly begins to feel his weariness leave him. Relieved to be back in the world of the waking, he turns to look at the smiling face of Kersath beside him. Across the tunnel, Ortho stands guard with Beleg as Druckner, Snagger and Talimar see to the destruction of what must have been the last of the Trolls.

"How did Ah get 'ere?" asks Gnore of Dain as he notices the tunnel for the first time.

"A tale for another time," smiles Dain to his friend as he offers more of the potion to his companion. "Drink up and relax for now."

As Gnore leans back against his backpack, Ras comes rushing forward through the tunnel, a strange little Gnome at his side and the mules trailing behind him. "Darn it!! Too late," curses Ras as he throws a number of strange ropes with horseshoes tied to their ends to the ground.

"And I had a surprise ready!"