Chapter 15: Lightning Strikes!
The Second of Solentide, D.Y. 500
-----Garrison leads the two women up the steps as Dilton follows quietly behind them. As they climb the stairs, the woman casts one arm up to shield her eyes from the daylight. Jeilin and the two men find that even though it is cloudy, their eyes smart from being in the dark underground chambers.
-----As they near the top, Garrison bids everyone to pause as he raises his head above the ground level to survey the scenery. After a few moments, he lets them emerge from the worn stairs. For the moment, they take refuge in the ruins of the guard post.
-----The woman still clutches her book and leans against Garrison who steadies her. She keeps her eyes closed, but says in a more controlled tone, “Thank you so much, my friends. I don’t know how much longer I could have held out against those evil goblinoids.”
-----Jeilin finds a spot for Garrison to help the woman sit down. "Hmm, so were the goblins planning something? Can you tell us what happened here?"
-----While she speaks, she studies the book but does not comment on it yet.
-----“I do not know,” the woman says with a tired voice. “I was exploring the ruins of this village when they attacked me and took me into the dark.”
-----“How many of the goblins were there?” Garrison asked with a tense tone to his voice.
-----“I only saw a few of them,” the woman replied. “I would guess no more than six.”
-----"Oh, are you a scholar?" the priestess asks with interest, seemingly oblivious to the fact that the explorer traveled alone unarmed. "In fact, we're also in this region to explore some ruins." She looks at Garrison, then quickly adds, "or at least I am. Are you from the village nearby or going elsewhere?"
-----“I am originally from Hearthorn,” the woman says, with her eyes narrowed against the light. “I came to Ravenhold a few months ago to study the arts of illusion. When the armies of Ravenhold began to move, I looked to escape north before I could be captured or worst by the orcs or goblins. From day to day, I would hide where I could, occasionally looking in ruins for anything left behind that I could find useful.”
-----With a sigh, the woman continued, “So it was that as I approached the ruins nearby, goblins stole out of the field below and captured me.”
-----At that moment, everyone is aware that Sol and Lovan have emerged from the stairs and are walking their way.
-----The grimace which the Gorian wears as he enters the light of day fades upon sighting the group. The polite smile he puts on as he moves to stand next to Garrison seems only slightly forced, and he relaxes further as he offers to the mage, “Lady, we can see ye back t’th’ nearby village soon. They are prepared to weather out Ravenhold’s coming woes fer as long as they can. Before we talk about that further, we need t’check th’ village above fer anymore o’ th’ goblin-kin.”
-----Sol glances to the hunter at his side as he tells the man, “Garrison, come forward wi’ me again, an th’ rest o’ ye trail a dozen yards behind.” Obviously with much on his mind, the Stormbringer turns and begins to head towards the ruined village without waiting for replies.
-----“What did you find in the coffers, Sol?” Jeilin asks, somewhat hesitantly.
-----Sol turns to face the questioner, shrugging, “Nothing o’ consequence, at least as far as I saw it. Coin. . . silver an’ copper.”
-----“But no,” the priestess replies, her eyes lighting up. “If these coins aren’t recent, they might tell us much about the ruins around this area. I must collect some samples. Excuse me,” she hurriedly gets up and runs down the stairs in a rare burst of energy, her voice echoing from the dark below. “I shall be back quick!”
-----Lips quirking slightly in amusement, Sol changes his orders slightly, "Follow us when she gets back." Sol looks at Garrison and jerks his head uphill, and continues towards the village himself.
-----Before Sol left, the woman nodded appreciatively, squinting with her eyes still smarting from the daylight.
-----“MiLady!” Dilton croaks suddenly seeing the priestess run off. He then scrambles and heads after her, moving down the stairs.
-----“Keep your guard up and see no harm comes to her!” Garrison says to Lovan while pointing at the woman they freed.
-----“What?” Lovan says as if coming from a sudden stupor and his tone rising to anger. “I am expected to watch over . . . another mage?”
-----“Just do it until Jeilin returns,” Garrison says back to him and as he races after Sol.
-----Lovan remains silent fuming.