Outsiders: Insidious Takeover

 Chapter 5: Nushaba

     Magnus moves over to the downed bodyguard, but can tell instantly that he is gone.

     He says to Jassal, "Friend, we will take the body of this brave man with us to be buried when possible." Jassal replies, "Yes, he served me well in his short tenure and would have lasted longer if not for that traitorous scum!" As he finishes he mouth twists and his voice becomes bitter as he spits on the corpse of the man who threw the chairs.

     Gwydeon checks the pouches and is rewarded by the glint of a few silver. While wiping his sword clean on the uniforms of his dead opponents, Gwydeon asks the woman, who is nearly through the door, "Could you shoot that way to knock out the gems from the uniform? It would be nice if we get into a fight again?" She looks at him strangely, "Why would I want to shoot those cheap gems? What do you think this is a carnival game?"

     Jassal helps bind the wounds of his largest body guard and the one with the green scarf uses the scarf to clean a little blood off of some wounds, but refuses any other help.

     Magnus with some help from the largest bodyguard lifts the body of their deceased companion and follows the woman into the back room. Once in the hallway, they immediately turn left and start climbing narrow stairs. At the head of the stairs they find a girl opening the door and shove the serving girl back in. The serving girl screams for a second, then the woman follows her in. Her voice floats back to you, "Oh stop screaming there is no one here."

     When they enter the room, they see two large beds, the fireplace, a couple of chests and a long table in the rather spacious room. On the table are various scrolls each rolled and held closed by a red ribbon. "Milady, " Magnus begins, "my dearest thanks for your help with the soldiers. "I am known as Magnus Kane, with me are Gwydeon and ...this brave merchant band. Please what may we call you?"

     She turns from inspecting the room and looks critically at Magnus finally she turns back to the room and says, "I have many names, but call me Nushaba."

     Magnus suggests, "It would be quicker if we split up into pairs or singularly to search the rooms. We should be looking for anything written such as maps and orders even if they can't be read. Also anything out of the ordinary like the gold rings, gems anything that can be taken, but be wary for traps. I imagine that any traps will be of a mundane nature because of the gem's power, so have a care."

     Magnus sets the corpse down and Jassal and the man with the green scarf check the other rooms. Gwydeon and the largest bodyguard pair off as well.

     While examining one of the scrolls Nushaba says, "Yea, whatever, but I want to see everything you find." She does a double take and touches the gem hanging from her neck. "What do you mean powers!" She turns round on Magnus a rather strange look in her eyes, "What kind of powers does this thing have and how do I use them!"

     Gwydeon walks in the door, angry. He says to Magnus, "We found nothing in the other rooms." He turns to the lady and in a superior and angry tone demands, "Hey lady tell us about you! What brings you here and if you don't know about magic and gems why do you get so stuck up when I asked a simple question about if you can shatter the gems with your arrows?!"

     "You know that the gems are protective against all magic." He continues, "They dispel it so if you can shatter the gems with a projectile we can use our spells on them; see me and my friend Magnus know a bit of this and that ... that could be useful in disposing of these soldiers. But we cannot use it because the gems protect them from all magical assault so only mundane weapons can hurt them."

     In a bitter voice she says, "My husband was killed in a senseless bar fight! The solider stood up and attacked my unarmed husband with a sword and killed him." Grief tinges her voice now, which begins to show tones of hysteria, "I will hunt and kill everyone of those bastards. From the lowest solider to the mightiest commander, they will all DIE!!!"

     At this point Jassal and the bodyguard enter the room. Taking one look around he says, "We'll be downstairs watching for trouble." The two quickly back out of the room.

     Gwydeon says, "I don't know about you my friends, but I had a long day how about if we find a nice quiet stable and we go take a rest taking turns guarding. I think we all need it." Yawning loudly he heads back downstairs grumbling about people ignorant of magic.

     Once down stairs, in the main room conspicuous by the absence of dead bodies and several few patrons. He asks once again if anyone has seen his friends. One of the serving girls shyly comes up to him and says, "Sir, none of the girls has seen anyone fitting those description come in at all tonight, maybe later perhaps..."

     Gwydeon sees Jassal and his bodyguards sitting around a table in a corner and joins them. The serving girl brings a tankard over, never looking at their faces and leaves quickly.

     Jassal says, "What the hell did I walk in to? I was there only a moment, but I was sure you three were going to be at each other's neck any second. I for one don't meddle in the affairs of magi, except when they're protecting my caravans, but then it's business."

     Nushaba and Magnus come down stairs arms full. She is carrying a large sack and he has a pair of swords. Magnus hands over the pair of swords to Gwydeon and asks for someone to help get the dead compatriot. The man with the green scarf gets up and follows Magnus back upstairs, while Nushaba waits downstairs. A few moments later they return downstairs and Magnus says, "I suggest that we carry him between our shoulder to look less suspicious. Jassal would you please carry this sack for me. Nushaba I do hope that there is a temple or appropriate holy place on the way or near to your dwelling, if we could make a quick detour it would be appreciated."

     Nushaba hands the sack over to Jassal who hefts it over his shoulder and says, "Now what kind of excitement are you cooking up for us this evening?"

     Nushaba puts a finger to her lips and says, "Follow me." Gwydeon and the other bodyguard get up and follow her back to the kitchens. Once in the kitchens, Nushaba walks up to a wall where a rack of cooking utensils are stored and moves a little panel. Taking a peek into the hole revealed, she stares a moment then says, "I pretended to be a serving girl here waiting for my chance at revenge. I learned this place's secrets, including this one." Giving the rack a good push, the wall rotates outward and beyond lies and empty alleyway. "Quickly now." she steps through and waits until everyone is out. Jassal gestures to the mouth of the alley and the burly bodyguard trots over and hiding in the shadows looks around.

     Nushaba gives the door a push and it closes again.

     Magnus says, "I am sorry for the loss or your man Jassal, I do not know how well you knew him but his death was not in vain. We will stop these invaders."

     Jassal gives a gruff laugh and says, "Should we survive this, bards will sing our tale for generations to come. I'll make sure of that." He looks uncomfortable for a moment and says, "Is it wise to carry these cursed gems with us? Being fearful of everyone in a place where you should be safe, gets on your nerves after awhile. How they can stand it I'll never know."

     Magnus pulls his hood over his head and he and the bodyguard with the green scarf pickup their dead companion between them and drag him like a drunken friend.

     Once they get the all clear sign and head out, Nushaba leads them through the streets. For the first several minutes they run into several groups of uniformed soldiers who run through the streets, but they pay the group little attention.

     As they near the western part of town, a deep rumbling voice calls our from t he darkness, "Nushaba, I should have know you'd have something to do with the trouble those strangers are having."

     Jassal and his men reach for their weapons. From out of the shadows comes a huge figure, his form hidden by a hooded cloak. When the figure nears them several shiver as they realize that the person before them can only be an ogre. "I really wish you would get rid of that gem, Nushaba. There is something…evil about it."

     Nushaba laughs and says, "Yes there is, and tonight I found out what. But we can deal with that later. These men helped me gain a small measure of revenge tonight and I'm going to help them, because they are important to these soldiers somehow. We must get to safety first and drop off the body at the Harmony temple."

     The figure nods and silently joins the group as they move through the streets.

     The further on they get the fewer soldiers they find. And the few they do see, take one look at the huge figure and quickly continue on their way. When they get to the Harmony temple, a large white building in the shape of a dome with a giant rose above the entrance, no one has seen the soldiers for quite sometime. As they near the building the world around them seems go strange for a moment, then there is the sound of shattering of glass and Jassal curses, as the bag holding the red gems explodes, as does the gemstone around Nushaba's neck. The bag holding the bag holding the clothes with the golden gems seems to move for a moment then the world returns to normal.

     A man come out from the temple wearing white robes he moves towards them.

     "Agents of chaos, why have you have you come here this night?"

     Nushaba explains that they wish to leave the body of the dead bodyguard here for burial. She also eventually has to explain how he died and the gemstones, before the man says, "Then you are fighting the agents of chaos who are trying to destroy us. We will take care of the man." As if some signal were passed. Two more people come out of the temple, a young man and woman who take charge of the body. When Jassal and Magnus try to pay for the service, the man waves them off and says, "He has already paid the ultimate price. Now his spirit can rest and be returned to Tara as his reward. Please take those gems of chaos away from temple grounds."

     The three of them return to the temple and Nushaba looks down at the shards of her shattered gemstone. For a moment it looks as if she may cry, before her face hardens and she turns and heads wordlessly into the night. They follow her to a section of town that is fairly wealthy. She leads them into a rather large

     Once inside a servant appears... at least he's dressed in servants clothing. But to their surprise... the servant is also an ogre. "Ah, Lady of the Point, I see you have had a productive evening and have brought guests."

     "Sabik, these guest will be staying here for now." Turning to the rest of the group, "Sabik will show you to your rooms." Stretching her lean body, she says, "I think I'll have a bath before turning in. I'll see you for breakfast in the morning."

     Sabik says, "This way gentle sires." He leads them through several large rooms where the furniture is definitely made for ogres, up two flights of stairs to a large pair of rooms. Magnus notices that during the trip, the distance he keeps between himself and the group is the range of the gem's power.

     Each of the two rooms has a pair of large ogre sized beds and table with a fireplace in the corner. Jassal and the bodyguards take one room, Gwydeon and Magnus take the other.

     Magnus takes the bag with the rings and clothing and places it on a table. Opening the box, near the gems, he notices an immediate change. The effects of the gemstones are canceled. He also borrows the swords he gave to Gwydeon and places them on the table as well.

     Magnus asks for the Detect Magic scroll that they copied from and reads the rune from it. As the rune disappears from the page, the entire table lights up as the gems on the uniforms, and the rings all begin to glow as does Magnus's figurine, Gwydeon's knife, his armbands, the wand on his side and a telltale glow appears from Magnus backpack.

     The objects auras are:

Golden gems	Grayish with streaks of black (strong intesity aura)
Rings	Whitish with streaks of Yellow (strong intensity aura)
Figurine;	Light Blue (weak intensity aura)
Knife	Brown (weak intensity aura)
Armbands	Multicolored (medium intensity aura)

     After studying the glow from each of the objects, Magnus sighs unable to determine what kind of magic is placed on each object.

     Gwydeon and Magnus stare at the glowing items, both at a loss to explain the colors of the auras of any of the objects. Gwydeon explains that he knows his knife was magic, but not what kind of magic is on it. He also mentions again about the spell locked into the armbands.

     He then move over to the two swords, checking them and finding that the two swords are of excellent craftsmanship, light strong and well balanced. Choosing one of the two he removes Hylands sword from its scabbard and replaces it with one of his own. "It's not really much use memorizing spells here in the land of non-magic users since those gems and my magic would not do much. Rest would be a lot better." Giving a tired yawn, he sits on a bet and begins cleaning his weapons.

     Magnus begins pouring over the scrolls. Taking an inkpot and quill out from his backpack he makes a mark on one of the scrolls. At one point he gives a start as he opens up a scroll.

     After cleaning his weapons Gwydeon calls for a servant and Sabik comes. Gwydeon asks for a practice board for throwing knives and a bath. Sabik considers for a moment then disappears. Several minutes later he reappears with a large wooden board four feet by three feet with a few deep scratch marks in it. Gwydeon spends the next several minute practicing his knife throwing on the board.

     Magnus studies his spells and begins to scribe a few as Sabik returns informing Gwydeon that his bath is ready.

     The next morning Sabik wakes everyone up, informing them that breakfast will be served shortly. Down at the breakfast table they find Jassal and the other two bodyguards, already waiting while two human servants (one of whom looks a lot like Sabik) put incredible amounts food on the table. The burly bodyguard looks up and says, "Good now if our hostess will kindly show up we can eat."

     "Did someone mention me?" A beautiful woman with shoulder length shiny black hair, dancing brown eyes and a brilliant smile, moves into the room. She is wearing a light green dress with a design embroidered in golden yarn. Proceeding her is a pleasant scent that one can't quite identify.

     The burly bodyguard swallows hard and stumbles over his words, "Ah, uh M-m-my apologies, lady....I-It was- I was...forgive my impertinence."

     The woman smiles and laughs and says, "My what a change comes over men when they've had a good night sleep." She moves close to the table and takes a seat at the head. It is only then that they realize the woman in front of them is none other than Nushaba.

     After a breakfast filled with polite conversation, during which the names of Jassal's two bodyguards is revealed. The one with the green scarf goes by Demic and the burly bodyguard will only give the name Strongarm. Nushaba says "I will be quite busy today, I've have been neglecting my duties recently and have to visit several people. Please make yourselves at home and I will see you tonight, try not to do anything overly interesting without me."

     Magnus pulls out a bag containing rings and hands over a ring to everyone saying, "I believe that these rings will counter the effects of the gems and allow for spellcasting."

     After Nushaba is gone Jassal and Gwydeon take off to visit the armorer.

***************

Chapter 6: A day on the prowl

     Gwydeon makes his way to the armored fist and as he enters he sees no one at first. But then a familiar face appears from behind a pile of metal and says, "Hello Welcome to the Armored Fist!" He pauses as he sees the group, "I'm sorry your armor won't be ready until tomorrow. Is there some kind of emergency? You're not here to cancel your order I hope?"

     After assuring him that Gwydeon is not canceling his order and mentioning that he wants his armor to be special, the man gets a shrewd look on his face and says, "Ah, well I'm not really sure of whatcha mean sir."

     After some haggling, and 4 electrum pieces later he says, "Come on by tomorrow night before dusk and your special armor will be ready for you."

     With that Gwydeon take his leave and walks around. Today the soldiers are practically filling the streets moving back and forth running searching. Each time they show up the people give them plenty of room and as they pass on the streets; Gwydeon notices that he doesn't feel that change that comes over people when the gems are nearby.

     As they are walking Gwydeon says to Jassal, "I wonder if we could go back to the church and tell the priest that I know Tasha and that we fight the agents of chaos and ask if they could do something to my sword which gives power over the gems... like it would be attracted to the gems for a more direct hit or something hmmm...."

     Jassal responds, "I don't know too much about the Universal Harmony church, I'm a follower of the Elemental Lords myself. Who is this Tasha? Is she a high ranking member of the church?"

     They hear a couple of soldiers yelling at a pottery merchant, "We know you were there last night! I saw you at the Wandering Minstrel! Tell us what happened or I'll make sure you join the orcs on the wall." The pottery merchant says boldly, "Pah, sure go tell it to an orc who cares. Just because you got friends here doesn't give you the right to be rude and rough people up. Keep bossing people around and the townspeople are going to get sick of you and ship the lot of you back to the isolated petty village you came from."

     "Perhaps now is not a good time to be on the street for us." Jassal mutters.

     Gwydeon motions to Jassal and the two move off to the side away from the commotion. Slipping onto a side street the pair make their way back to the upper west side of town where Nushaba lives. The number of soldiers in uniform are many and they seem to be everywhere searching, asking questions of shopkeepers with an almost frantic haste. They over hear several arguments as the soldiers try to find information about what happened at the Ogre's Eye Inn and also at the Wandering Minstrel.

     The two make good time and the number of soldiers drops as they near their goal, but as they turn down one street a few moments later the sounds of running feet catch their attention as six soldiers come running from behind them down the street. In front of them a doorway explodes as five men run along chasing and pounding on two soldiers. People look out their doorways in shock at the fight. But as the six soldiers come running up they quickly close their doors in fright. The soldiers run past Gwydeon and Jassal and draw swords attacking the men pounding on the two soldiers, who begin running in fear. The two soldiers regain their swords and all eight men begin chasing the original five men down the street.

     Gwydeon whispers to Jassal his plan, "We might be able to demolish the soldiers if we run after them. We can surprise the soldiers from the back and if the magic works I can pull a trick or two." Jassal readily agrees and the pair charge after the soldiers.

     The soldiers have caught one of the men and a short fight ensued where they pummeled him severely. But oddly did not kill him, even though they were all armed with swords. By the time the pair catches up to them, the soldiers are starting out again after the others who have put a good distance between them and the soldiers.

     Gwydeon yells, "Do you need help against the bastard rebels?"

     One of the soldiers, with quite a few bruises on his face, smiles and says, "Yea come on! We'll make them pay!"

     There is a sudden scream as one man tumbles to the ground after having his legs sliced by Jassal. The soldier turns away from Gwydeon and is caught by surprise as Gwydeon attacks him and gives him a non-fatal wound.

     The six other soldiers stop and turn to face the pair. "Betrayal! We came to help you people and this is how you treat us." One rants, "We lost the others, but you two will do nicely."

     Jassal moves over toward Gwydeon as they back up and whispers, "I think now would be a good time to see if that trick of yours works."

     Calmly, putting his swords away, Gwydeon waits for the men. Seeing him disarm, one says, "See he surrenders. You will make a nice example to others who would betray us." The group charges. As they charge, Gwydeon puts his armbands together and from the ring on his finger a golden light shines brightly for a moment. Then the silver armbands seem to change color. Once made of silver, they now seem to be made up of all the colors of the rainbow. That rainbow seems to explode from the bands. His arms and hands disappear in the glow of the rainbow as it fans outward and in front of him nearly blinding all who look at it.

     Of the men who charge three are knocked backwards, one covers his eyes and runs into a building. He falls unconscious. Two try to stop abruptly and end up tumbling along the ground and one stops apparently unaffected by the rainbow but shocked by what he sees. "It's a mage! It might be him! Take off the rings and KILL HIM!"

     The man removes a golden ring from his hand and puts it in a pouch and charges.

     The others, stop trying to pick themselves up and immediately being removing their rings shouting, "Get the rings off and KILL HIM!"

     Jassal says, "Now might be a good time for a tactical retreat."

     The men stop trying to get up and hastily remove their rings. Jassal begins to curse. Gwydeon growls just loud enough to be heard by the merchant, "Run. You know the way around." Jassal nods. "Stay in sight of me like 20' in front. Take the small side streets and alleys."

     Jassal starts backing up, "I know, but I'm not leaving you behind."

     Gwydeon continues, "I will try a few more tricks, take the shortest route to the house."

     Jassal says, "Move it." and puts his sword away as he begins running.

     At this point man still standing has removed his ring and begins running toward the pair. The men on the ground scramble to their feet and also charge. Gwydeon puts his sword away and begins running while fumbling for something.

     Jassal slows down looking at each alleyway he comes to before continuing on. Finally he slows down to allow the Gwydeon to get closer before dodging down an alleyway. Gwydeon tries to put on some speed as the guards get close to him. He turns into the alleyway with three guards straight on his heels. The alley is normally wide, but is most of its space is taken up by large barrels stacked to one side and a wagon further down. Gwydeon realizes that Jassal is no where in sight and the alleyway ends several yards further on.

     As the elf passes the wagon a loud clatter is heard and several screams echo through the night. Reaching the end of the alleyway, the elf turns around to see three of the soldiers buried beneath tumbled barrels A pair of groans echo from beneath the pile. Jassal comes out of the shadows looking rather pale, as if he is suddenly rather sick.

     The fourth soldier shouts, "There ain't no way out and we got you this time." "We know where you are and what you look like and now we are going to kill you."

     He kicks aside a barrel and whips out a water skin and empties it on one of the buried soldiers. "Wake up! we got 'em cornered."

     Jassal drops to the ground and moves behind the wagon. He pushes on a stone, which reveals a trap door underneath the wagon. He says, "Come on." Gwydeon quickly follows and the door shuts above them. Jassal reaches for Gwydeon's arm and starts walking. In the dark gloom he says, "Follow me. When the magic works, we may not be able to kill each other, but that doesn't stop the thieves from robbing everyone blind. I found out about these warrens from a thief I captured. I threatened to drop him off at the nearest ogre village and in exchange for his life he told me about these tunnels. There aren't many of them. In fact most only lead to some thieves secret hiding place or from a particularly wealthy merchants house but there are a few that just connect alleyways and are used for quick escapes.

     As they walk in the darkness Gwydeon loses all sense of time and reality. The disembodied voice floats through the darkness. The only sense of solidity is the touch of his hand on his arm.

     "Ooof! I guess we are at the end of the tunnel." His hand drops away and there is movement. "Mmmmm. Ah here it is!" A click and the lighter darkness of a moonlight night shines into the tunnel. Gwydeon see a head poke throughout the opening and look around. "All clear lets go."

     The pair climbs out of the tunnel and out from under another wagon into an alley similar to the one they left. A man suddenly trots around the corner and into the alley. A tall thin seedily looking man with shaved sideburns and a bristly goatee.

     "Evening gents. Remember they didn't see me." He gives them a wide wink and disappears down the tunnel they just left. Jassal tries to give the man a warning but he is gone too soon. As the pair exits from the alleyway. A small mob is moving down the street.

     "Hey you two!", says a burly man "Did you seem a weasly looking thief come this way."

     Jassal says, "No. But, I'll keep a tight watch on me purse strings now that I know ones' about." The man nods and the mob moves one peering into each alleyway as it goes along. Jassal takes a moment to orient himself and then they head back toward the safe house. It has been dark for quite sometime when they finally reach the house. The human sized Sabik greets them at the doorway, "How nice of you to return sirs. A late supper is being prepared. The Lady Nushaba would like to see you after you've eaten."

     Before Magnus and Strongarm head out, Magnus talks to Sabik about getting a change of clothes. Sabik shows him to a room and calls for a Mistress Alnitak. Unfortunately she is not in, so Sabik pokes around until they find what they are looking for. After Magnus gets changed he heads down and both he and Strongarm head out into the streets. They find that the soldiers are out in force today. But they are not detained as the soldiers hurry on their way.

     Following Magnus, Strongarm checks out several taverns and inns around town. But it seems that all the guards are out and active today as there are few in the inns that they visit. A quick check upon the Ogres Eye Inn finds that it is business as usual. That is if no ones notices the soldiers hiding in the corners or the group of soldiers in the alleyway across from it.

     They settle down for a drink and listen to the general buzz of conversations around them. Magnus relaxes as apparently his disguise works and no one recognizes him. Many people are studiously avoiding talking about the soldiers and their strange actions. Magnus has never heard of so many discussions about the weather going on at the same time in his life. Deciding that nothing could be learned here they finish their drinks and head out again.

     After several more Inns much like the Ogre's Eye they find a place called the Fanciful Tale. While it also has the guards all around, the place is almost dead silent. Not because of the guards, but because of the entertainment. The entertainment consists of a man dressed similar to a mage who looks oddly familiar to Magnus. After a few moments, Magnus realizes that the storyteller is that strange mage he met a while ago on that mission for the Warlord. He dredges up the name. Albian. Albian is telling an enchanting story about a couple going by the name Lord and Lady Greyson. The tale keeps the crown, even the soldiers entranced until the very end. As he begins another story, Magnus and Strongarm tear themselves away.

     After checking a few more Inns they day starts to wane and they decide to check out one more inn. Looking either way down the street they find their last target for the evening. A picture of a hydra and a sign declaring it the Hydra's Head Inn hang above the door. The building itself seems odd as it isn't built like other Inns. This one is built more like a fortress and the only windows are on the third floor. As they watch a couple of soldiers head in and the door opens up and sounds of a party can be heard. As they head into the door a rather nervous looking man intercepts them. Dressed very much like an Innkeeper he stops them saying, "S..s..sorry we're closed for this evening."

     Strongarm looks at the man puzzled, "But we just saw two men go in?"

     "I'm s..sorry but I can't let you in. We are closed for business."

     The door opens and a soldier stumbles out. In the brief moments that the door is open they see that the room is fairly crawling with soldiers, but not many are sober."

     "Could you please leave? I don't want any trouble but I can't let you enter."

     Strongarm nods and says, "That's okay friend I see you have your hands full already. Good night."

     Magnus decides that since the day is done they should head back to Nushaba and consult with the others. On the way back they see the soldiers stopping nearly everyone they come across. They stop Magnus and Strongarm three times on the way back. Comparing their faces to the one on a piece of parchment they have. Magnus gets a good look at the face on the parchment once and realizes the face on it is Gwydeons. He makes a mental note to have a talk with the elf about showing his face around town.

     They make it back to Nushaba's place with few problems, making sure no one is following them. The human sized Sabik greets them at the doorway, "How nice of you to return sirs. A late supper is being prepared. The Lady Nushaba would like to see you after you've eaten."

     Over a late supper, where everyone has managed to catch up with each other, Gwydeon tells of how he and Jassal came across a group of men beating a pair of soldiers. "Armed reinforcements came to help the soldiers, but we managed to trick them and allow then men to escape while escaping ourselves through a tunnel built by thieves."

     Magnus, wearing what looks like a farmer's outfit, and Strongarm relate their experiences as well. He tells of the Hydra Head Inn, which he suspects to be the Headquarters of the soldiers. He also mentions that while wearing the rings, they will be unable to kill and that if there is combat that everyone should give him their rings, so they can fight freely in the influence of the gems.

     After supper, the five men meet in a very large room with odd murals on the walls. One mural depicts a battle scene with a golden man standing above the battle. His face is featureless, but it gives the impression he is passing judgment. Another mural depicts an obvious school scene with students listening raptly to their teacher. Outside a window stands the same golden man looking in at the class. This time he floats cross-legged with a stylized cross floating next to him.

     The door opens and Nushaba walks in wearing a beautiful green silk dress. She looks around taking the group in. She sits in wide plush chair that seems much too large for her, "I hope your excursions were fruitful today." Her hard tone clashing violently with her soft image, "As I explained this morning I have certain duties to perform. So I could not do I as I wished and hunt those bastards down."

     "Tomorrow I will be getting a job as a serving girl at the Hydra's Head Inn. my sources tell me it's another place full of those wretched soldiers. I was also given a name, 'Kelsaran', does that mean anything to you?" After getting blank looks and shaking heads, she continues, "If you do happen to find anything out, tell Sabik and he will get the information to me."

     She relaxes in her chair and her voice softens as her exhaustion shows on her face, "So what do the rest of you plan to do. Not lead them here I hope?" She gives a faint smile.

     Before anyone can say anything, Gwydeon speaks up. Blushing slightly he apologizes for his rude behavior, "I have made a mistake in judging you my lady."

     Nushaba smiles and says, "Of course, we did get off on the wrong foot. Let's start afresh shall we." Gwydeon asks, "I am looking for some friends of mine that are in town, could you send someone to look for them. I am sure they would be very helpful." He describes two men one an elf the other a human. "The elves name is Mordred and the human's name is... well we've only called him the speaker."

     Nushaba nods and says, "Of course, I'll give the descriptions to Nemizar in the morning."

     Magnus looks at Nushaba and says, "My lady, speaking of the Hydra's Head Inn, Strongarm and I have scouted out the establishment and have determined that it is readily defensible to outside attack. It has no windows except on the third story and there are no neighboring buildings near this height. The innkeeper did not allow us entrance and seemed deathly afraid for his life. I believe that this may be their main headquarters in the city and this is the place we should concentrate on. Having a person on the inside would help greatly, for information and an attack." the mage adds, " I would appreciate it if you kept us informed on anything you learn. "

     Her voice level, Nushaba says, "Very few inns have only one way in and out. Unless of course you've come across a truly honest innkeeper. But then if that were so, I doubt if he would allow such murdering scum to occupy his home!" As she speaks her lips twist in disgust and her tone gradually grows more heated. A strange glint appears in her eye giving her momentarily the look of a demoness.

     Jassal coughs politely and says, "My lady, I do not wish to intrude upon your privacy, nor do I wish to seem ungrateful. As you were kind enough to let us take refuge in your home, but I must ask, what exactly do you do for a living? Your home shows great wealth, such as a truly successful merchant would have. But, and forgive me for saying this, you do not strike me as one who makes her living through trade."

     Nushaba looks at Jassal with an entirely puzzled look on her face. The look vanishes and is replaced by a mysterious smile. "Mayhap I'm just very good servant girl who gets big tips and saves all her money," she says mischievously.

     She laughs quietly and with extreme grace she stands and walks over to a nearby pull cord. A quick tug on the cord and Sabik appears quickly and silently.

     "Yes, Lady", he intones.

     "Dear Sabik, do go and fetch us some Mergez tea please." she smiles at him as she retakes her seat.

     As Sabik leaves she says, "You are right, I am not a merchant. I am the daughter of a well to do family, as was my late husband. Should I never work another day in my life, I shall not want for anything." She smiles mysteriously and says, "And that is all you'll find out about me."

     Turning towards Gwydeon, Magnus begins, "Gwydeon you should start being more careful on the streets. It appears as if the soldiers have a very good likeness of your face and have been hunting for you. Maybe a disguise would be in order. But it seems as if you and Jassal have done well we may possibly be able to call in that favor owed to you by those men. How is it that you were able to find the thieves tunnel of which you spoke?"

     Nushaba says "I hope you took care to make sure you were not followed."

     Jassal assures her that they were not. Turning to Magnus he says, "I knew about the thieves tunnel. I traded for the knowledge. I had caught a thief trying to steal some of my cargo and I threatened to drop him off at the nearest ogre village..."

     Nushaba's eyes narrow and her lips form a line on her face.

     "Er, well the thief decided to bargain for his freedom and told me about the passageways. There aren't very many of them, but I know that if you come across an alley way that has a stack of barrels with four on the bottom and three next and a single one on top, and if there is a wagon filled with hay in the alley the secret passage will be just under the far side of the wagon. Of course if you use a passage, you aren't allowed to tell if you've seen anyone else using the passageway. If the authorities know about them, then it would be too dangerous to use them again."

     Sabik arrives with several mugs of a tea. In the mug is a strange brownish liquid that seems rather thick, but is warm and quite tasty to drink.

     Gwydeon says, "Those men we saved, they could possibly help us organize some kind of resistance, but only if we can find them."

     Nushaba says between sips, "Yes I think, we might be able to find out who those men are. If they survived they should be riding high on their success it shouldn't be too hard to locate them and convince them that they have allies."

     Stifling a yawn with her hand, Nushaba blinks and says, "I think now I must retire, I am going to have a long day ahead of me dealing with the lecherous scum at the Hydra's Head, while trying not to kill them all at first. Hmm.. if we can get reinforcement, we might have a tidy little army to combat their army. Only ours won't be as open or as foolish as theirs is. Too bad all the really good fighters are either taken up as merchant guards or joining that pitiful little war with the orcs."

     She gets up and with the grace and style only a beautiful woman could achieve, she makes a grand exit, without trying at all.

     After a few moments of silence following her exit, Magnus asks "Demic, what did you find out about the this place during your scouting trips."

     Demic still looking at the door where Nushaba made her exit does a does a double take, "Wha.. Oh.. I was wondering when we could get around to that. You all remember how all the furniture and stuff seem to be too big and when we first got here there were plenty of ogres. Well by midday today, there wasn't a single ogre in the entire bloody place. Just up and disappeared. Not only that, on my first scout through a lot of the furniture was huge, but when I got back it was all normal sized. Somebody is using a lot of magic around here and it's starting to make me nervous." He stares suspiciously at his untouched cup of tea. "Anyway this place, furniture aside is huge. I scouted this place from the outside and then the inside. Maybe my poor brain is heading for the last stop but I'm am sure that this place is at least three time larger on the inside than on the outside! Several times I came across two doors that were no more than ten feet apart, but opened up into room that were at least twice that size with that door being the only exit. If I didn't know for sure that she wasn't around when I was checking everything out I say our hostess was dabbling in the magic." He sighs, "Best guess, is she's got a couple of wizards working here, but I haven't seen anyone who could fit the bill. The way this place is set up we could have secret passages all over and you'd never think there was space for 'em. But it'd be there just the same."

     After a while, no new information is gained and everyone heads to their rooms.