The
Quest
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The
Quest
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Chapter 2: The Dead Lands
The man in question looks quite delighted and with a sweeping bow he says, “My name is Lavan Novalis, call me Nova for short, and I knew about the treasure from this map that I have managed to obtain a while ago. An aging adventurer found a really good place to hide his treasure and stored all of his new acquisitions there for years, but for some reason never got back around to coming to use any of his wealth. And now he isn’t able to get them so now it’s our turn to take advantage of his generosity. That’s why I said it was an easy job. We just need to get in there and the treasure is all ours.”
Lars looks at Novalis skeptically. "Now, Nova, are you sure this adventurer isn't going to object to our helping ourselves?"
Nova nods, “Without a doubt, like I said he can’t do it now and really doesn’t need it. He’s set up with a whole inn back in Telor. Money is the least of his problems now. I’m telling you it’s on the level.” He practically beams confidence and trustworthiness.
"So Nova, if there is all this treasure there for the easy takings, how did you manage to get hold of the map and why hasn't someone already been there and taken it. Have you had a scout around to see what the place is like, confirmed the lack of dangers?" The sandy haired elf turn to look at the party at large, "Since we are doing introductions, my name is Simoneous Illamatis."
Nova’s smile gets that much larger, “Welcome on board Simoneous. And in answer to your question a few years ago there was a bad infestation of monsters in the area, but they have long since been dealt with. And since then no one has been back to settle this far south of the valley. People are afraid the monsters are going to come back despite confirmation by two separate groups that the monsters are long gone.”
“So where is this mythical map and how far away is the treasure?” Chatham says, “If I’m going to sign on to this impromptu foolishness then there had better be some real goal.”
The guide laughs at them, “Gone. Let me tell you something here boy. Those gatherers aren’t gone. They’re a cagey lot let me tell you, I’ve seen them before. I’ve fought ’em before. They like to hunt fools like you. Hunt you down like dogs, but they won’t kill you. No they capture you and take you back so that you wish you were dead. But one day you’ll see and it will be your last.”
Nova goes wide eyed at the guides tale before quickly recovering and shooting back, “So when was the last time you saw one? Not recently I bet.”
The guide glares at him and shrugs and turns his back before muttering, “Probably little more than a year ago, maybe two.”
“Ha! See I told you so.” Nova croons, “I know what I’m talking about. And those same monsters chased away any other big monsters so it’s smooth traveling gentlemen. Come on and join us, we could use a rangers skill.”
***************
“I’d rather gut myself,” He mutters, “than head south of here.”
Nova grimaces, “No need to be so dramatic.”
Lars continues to look severe for a moment, and then breaks out in a wide grin and guffaws. "I was just pulling your leg, Nova! If this fellow is going to leave his belongings lying around the wilderness, then he certainly doesn't have any right to complain if someone else picks them up. Count me in."
Nova turns to look at the other escort who seems to be paying more attention to the forest than anything else, but at the moment there doesn’t seem to be anything out there. “Well?”
After a long moment, the escort says, “Sounds like a good enough adventure! I’m going with this Nova fellow and if it turns to be a trap, escape is not always that tough. I could use the experience also. Name's Crovic.”
Lars rolls back his sleeve to expose the cut on his arm to the air. He holds up his arm and touches the fingers of his other hand to the symbol hanging around his neck. "Arilus, Lord of the Great and Generous Mind, please send your quickening breath to heal your servant!"
As he speaks a gentle breeze blows through the woods, just enough to stir the leaves in the trees. It vanishes in the next instant. The wound on the priests arm shimmers for a moment then closes, vanishing as if it never existed.
He looks over at the guide with a crooked smile. "What do you say, man? It can't really be as bad as all that can it? Come with us! Think about it: a chance to make more in a few weeks than you could make in as many years. And if it turns out to be too dangerous, why we can all just light out of there, quick as the wind!"
The old man snorts, “You go on your fools errand, but just remember there won’t be anyone to come drag your corpses home!”
Nova sighs, “Well I guess we have a good enough group here. Like I said, this should be an easy adventure. I have the map. I know the safeguards he put in place. We just need to get there and carry out as much as we desire. Then once I have my fortune, maybe I’ll do the same thing when I’m an old man.” He smiles brightly.
His smile turns to a look of consternation a moment later as Simoneous turns to Nova, "Are you saying that this ‘adventurer' is still alive and running an inn? Count me out I do not steal other peoples money."
Exasperation plain in his voice he says, “But, but, it’s not stealing. Honest! It’s on the level. Besides, if I had stolen the map wouldn’t he have sent someone after me. I mean I would! But there isn’t anyone chasing us. I’ve been at that commune for three days so it’s not like I was in any hurry to get out.”
Nova sighs again and says, “Well at the very least if you don’t trust me then you could come along to make sure I’m on the level and if not then you can turn me in. I figure you’d want to see some of the magic items in the treasure, plus if you could like use some of that magic to make things lighter we could get more stuff out.”
“In any case, you need to decide now. We will need to head south of here for a couple of days until we come to a ravine.”
The second escort rolls his eyes and says, “Fools. If you’re going to go elsewhere then my job is done and I’m going to head back to the commune. If any of you are smart you’ll keep heading north.”
He turns and starts heading back.
***************
Lars looks seriously at Simoneous. "I understand your concern, my friend, and your objection is certainly a valid one. But, as Nova here points out, you protect no one's rights by staying uninvolved. Come along with us and when we are done, I will help you find this old fellow and make sure he has given up his claim. If he has not, well, we will have done him a favor by collecting his goods for him!"
As he speaks, he takes out his water skin and carefully rinses the bloodstain from the sleeve of his white robe.
Simoneous is thoughtful for a moment, "Well for one thing you still have not said *why* the owner can't be going back for it and where you got the map in the first place. Answer me that and I will come along with you. If only to keep an eye on you and make sure you are one the level."
Nova perks up a bit, “Oh that’s easy. If he tried to go on this trip now at his age, he would have already died just trying to get this far. Trust me when I say he is weeell past the age of adventuring.” He frowns for a moment, “I don’t think he’d be able to survive more than a night or two outside the comfort of a nice village for that matter. It’s pretty rough out here from what I can tell. And the old man gave me the map. It’s not like he needs the cash. He’s set I tell you. I nice comfy inn, steady money until he dies then...” he shrugs, “maybe I’ll buy it and do the same thing. But first I want to experience a little adventure. With preferably as little danger as possible.”
Chatham watches the escort go and says, “Okay I’m fine with it. If it’s on the level we get a share of treasure, if he’s a criminal we tie him up and collect the reward on his scrawny little hide. No offense.”
Nova winces again, “Hey I’m not that small.”
Crovic wishes the retreating escort good luck and gets a wave and some kind of noise in return.
With that settled Nova pulls out a map and looks at it he aligns himself up with the path to the commune and the sun finally points south east of their location. “That way!” And turns and heads off into the forest whistling a tune...badly.
They head through the forest with Chatham taking the point and cutting through some of the underbrush under the direction of Nova with Simoneous following then Lars with Crovic bringing up the rear. The day passes quickly and that evening they make camp. It is then that they first notice something is wrong. With all of them quiet, the only sound for miles is that of the crackling of the fire. There seem to be no birds calling in the distance, no wolves howling at the moon, no insect chirping. If it weren’t for the healthy trees the place would seem almost dead.
Lars finds a spot away from the flames to pray.
Chatham looks around and says, “It’s too quiet...or is it just me?”
Nova shrugs, rolls up and goes to sleep.
***************
Lars asks if anyone has needle and thread, indicating his ripped robe. Unfortunately no one has any.
Simoneous says, "Too damn unnatural. Well, I had better study. Back soon." He pulls out small thick book, leans up against a tree. He takes a brief look at the tree behind him and sets the book down. Then he begins hacking pieces of the bark off.
Lars says, "It is quiet, isn't it? No carts, no vegetable sellers, no city watch bawling about what hour it is all the time. Still, that's how it's supposed to be out in the wilderness, isn't it? Takes some getting used to."
The Lars looks up and says, "Are we doing five watches? I'd like the first, if that is all right. I tend to wake before dawn to commune with the winds, and this will give me some chance at uninterrupted sleep."
Crovic decides to take watch duty and stay awake. He finds a comfortable spot near a tree and puts an arrow in his bow. With the arrow nocked and ready to fire he cautiously watches the surrounding area for.
While Lars and Crovic stand watch, Chatham takes a bite of jerky and says. “Wake me after midnight. This place spooks me.” Before he lies down using his pack for a pillow and closes his eyes.”
Simoneous, returns to the fire and pulls out a burned stick and takes the soot from it and mixes it with some water and some flakes of blood left on his arm from his healing wound. The mixture he gets isn’t quite what he’d hoped but it is still serviceable as he, using his tome for a guide begins to draw symbols on the hunks of shaved bark. After several failed attempts he finally has four pieces that he can use. Then he leans up against the side of the three and studies a rune.
The night passes fairly quietly with Chatham relieving Lars and Crovic and Chatham dragging Nova out of a sound sleep for the early morning watch.
Morning finds Nova huddling close to the fire his blanket wrapped around him, muttering about ‘...how the gods must think it a grand joke to wrest him out of such a sound sleep while on such a miserable day.’
After a quick breakfast they begin traveling more on a more southerly route. And as they travel the only sound heard for miles is that of their own feet trampling the underbrush.
It is toward noon when that changes. The group enters a large clearing in the middle of the forest. Scattered about the clearing are what look like small very old fire pits every 10 - 20 paces or so. All around the fire pits bones of different creatures scattered here and there. But in the center of the clearing is a huge cage that seems big enough to hold 100 ogres. The door to the cage is open and barely holding on to a hinge.
Inside the open cage are piles of many animal bones scattered
about.
***************
It is toward noon when that changes. The group enters a large clearing in the middle of the forest. Scattered about the clearing are what look like small very old fire pits every 10 - 20 paces or so. All around the fire pits bones of different creatures scattered here and there. But in the center of the clearing is a huge cage that seems big enough to hold a hundred ogres. The door to the cage is open and barely holding on to a hinge.
Inside the open cage are piles of many animal bones scattered about.
The group looks up at the cage in a mixture of growing horror, awe, and fascination.
Chatham is the first to speak and even then he only whispers, “What in Gaea’s name is that? And what was it used to hold in?"
Nova looks around and checks with his map. “This isn’t anywhere on the map.”
Lars gazes about the clearing in horror. The slaughterhouses outside the city were bad enough, but wholesale killing like this...it was unnatural. He moves slowly through the clearing, watching the ground for clues as to who or what did this.
Crovic scans the area looking at scattered bones, which seem shattered beyond recognition. Though a few intact pieces remain to show that some kind of small creatures met their end here.
Simoneous scans the grounds trying to discern any animal tracks and what he finds are tracks of all different shapes and sizes. Many different animals passed through here at almost the same time almost as if there was a general stampede of every forest creature.
Crovic suggests that they check the inside of the cage and try and figure out what was in it.
Nova frowns at his map and puts it away, “Sure why not. Who knows what might have been held in there. Perhaps a giant creature of some...sort...” His own words hit home and Nova is suddenly nervous and on edge as he looks up at the tall entrance.
Slowly the group moves forward. There is the sound of grinding metal that puts everyone on edge. But it turns out to be Chatham drawing his sword and looking around nervously.
Between him and Simoneous the surrounding area, sky and forest are watched closely.
They pass the remains of several cooking pits long since extinguished. Most of the bones appear to be of forest creatures. There are some of the larger wolf bones mixed in with the smaller creatures and quite a few insect carapaces seem to scattered around.
As they reach the cage itself the bars seem to be placed solidly into the ground with three fingers in spacing between them. The door is made the same way and is held on by a single hinge near the top right of the cage. The animal tracks all seem to be leaving the cage. Scattered around the exit path are small bone fragments. Around the outside of the cage the ground is stained a dark color.
Nova cautiously enters the cage and sees nothing moving. Again inside the cage there are bones littered everywhere. Inside the cage Novas' feet crunch on bones and dried crusty blood. Here dozens of animal skeletons lie, in various conditions. There seems to be at least two or three of many types of forest creature.
Throughout their entire search, the only sound made is the sound of their feet moving across the ground.
Nova touches one pile of bones and jumps back as they whole thing collapses under the slightest touch. The crash of the bones to the ground is the loudest noise anyone has heard in the last day or so and it puts everyone on edge.
They all wait nervously looking around to see if anything reacts to the noise. After a long silence Nova realizes that he has been holding his breath and expels it explosively.
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