A week had passed since the council at House Bar-en-Acharn began their plans to explore the ruins of Minas Eriol and Ost Laden. Two days after the council, the company departed Torech Besruth and rode at leisure through the lands of the Shire, riding at dawn and stopping each night, husbanding their strength for the expedition ahead. In this manner, they reached Bree-town in the afternoon on the sixth day out from Falathlorn. Securing lodgings in Bree, they gathered their supplies and any gear that may prove useful.
Several members were noticeably absent by this point. The halfling Lancogard was committed to his watch upon the Shire and investigating further into the troubles of the little land; his companion, the madcap minstrel Applecider, sent word that she would join the company at the Forsaken Inn. The scholars Lainneth and Thinfingon had departed on errantry elsewhere and would not join the expedition; the eager newcomer Finrolas sent word of his delays to the north but would hasten to join the company ahead; and another newcomer, the elf Gilberian, joined the company’s march in Bree, in the hopes of supporting the House as she could.
At Lady Seregrian’s bidding, the company gathered in the common room of the Breeland Hunter’s Lodge, near the South Gate of the town, there to plan out the next leg of the journey. There Seregrían held forth, with Kortheod and Boghadair on one hand, and Iyenue and Gilberian at the other. As she spoke, Iyenue listened carefully as information regarding the world of Men fascinated her.
“In the week since we last met,” Seregrían began, “Anurania and I have been busy in study and lore. We gleaned a few bits of news from the artifacts and curiosities , but little else of note. The Eglain were eager to trade with us for what we salvaged, and they paid us well; well enough, in fact, to defray the cost of the expedition.”
“Your pardon, Your Ladyship,” Gilberian asked, “but explain to me, what again is our expedition’s aim?”
“We are bound for the ruins above Minas Eriol, and the Tower of Ost Laden,” Seregrían explained.
“That is to the east, is it not? Past the so-called Forsaken Inn?” Gilberian said.
Seregrían nodded. “Anurania’s research is convincing as to the location of the Lost Vault. The heights above the valley hold the ruins we seek; and the promise of gain, both in coin and in lore.”
“There’s been talk in the town of fell doings there.” Boghadair said. “Some report seeing a strange green glow at the cliffside at night.”
“These are new tidings, Boghadair,” Seregrían said, “say on.”
Boghadair shrugged, “Not much more to tell than that, I am afraid. Most won’t venture there, and the dwarves are shall we say, less than the most gracious of hosts?”
“Could this green glow be attributed to the unliving?” Iyenue asked.
“It might well be, Iyenue,” Boghadair said, “some fell magic I’ll warrant.”
“Then we must be careful; such magic leaves permanent traces,” Iyenue said.
“I agree,” Seregrían said. “Those who dabble in such enchantments leave stains upon the land, and traces which can be found - which reveal who has left them.”
"Aye, they have been seen,” Boghadair with a feral grin on his face, “and I think it is past time to scrub that corruption out!"
Iyenue grinned, “A chance to test my mettle once more!” Kortheod nodded, pleased at the prospect in his own right.
It was at this moment that Anurania burst into the room, carrying a large pack which she dropped at the nearest table. “Hi everyone. Did I miss much?”
Seregrían looked up at her young apprentice. “Hello, Anurania! We only just started, we were sharing news of the dig.” She pointed the young girl to the chair next to her. “I was about to tell the company what we found on our last journey - and I was going to give full credit to you.”
Anurania smiled as she sat, and said bashfully, "Not all the credit!"
“Enough to make plans upon, be not modest,” Seregrían said. “Anurania’s open eyes made a discovery. It would seem that Boghadair had it right: the ruins have already been plundered. And though much was already removed or spoiled, there was still things of value to learn. It would appear that the alliance between the goblins and the Dourhand Dwarves is tighter than we could have known.”
“Goblins, you say! “Gilberian cried.
“Anurania found a scroll,” Seregrían said, “which turns out to be a contract between the two parties. The two were going to divide the spoils found in the ruins. The goblins would get whatever coin and valuables were found, but the Dourhands would get the books and scrolls.”
“Goblins see little value in such things as lore and records,” Iyenue noted, "Indeed, the dwarves might be the real culprits in this."
“Those Dourhands seem to have little regards for anything moral in their ambitious pursuits,” Gilberian said.
“Seregrían,” Anurania said, “do you remember the strong fort back in the hills with the weird lights and spooky air? Could the Dourhand Dwarves do that?”
“I recall,” Seregrían said, “and Boghadair brings us news of further devilry there. I have not heard of the Dourhands delving into anything of the sort - which can only mean it’s goblin work, or worse. My friends,” she says turning back to the company, “it seems the Dourhands stole a march on us: if they haven’t found the Hidden Vault, at the least they have plundered the ruins, and anything of value to us has been carried off.”
“Isn’t it probably elf-hidden so goblins can’t find it” Anurania said, “or closed with those kinds of doors?”
“Does their continued presence not indicate they may not as yet found the prize?” Boghadair said.
Seregrían considered this. “There are two possible reasons. One, the goblins and their Dwarf-allies may have yet to find the vault, or they are seeking something else and are not concerned with the vault as we are. In either case, we still have a chance. Boghadair, did your tidings mention where in the ruins these oddities are? Because if that’s where the goblins are, then that’s the best place for a payoff of our efforts.”
“I am sorry,” Boghadair said, “but my intelligence is sketchy. We will be going in virtually blind, I fear.”
“Then we must travel to the ruins,” Seregrían said, “not only to search for the hidden door, but also to find and confront the goblins, and whatever else may be there.”
“Excellent! Iyenue cried, “it is good to go and butcher the little creatures!”
”Remind me to stay on your good graces, Iyenue,” Boghadair said with a grin, Iyenue smiling grimly in reply.
“We all shall need to lend a hand in the fighting,” Seregrían said, “until the site is cleared. I shall look for whatever clues may still be found - and Anurania shall guard me. The four of you,” she nodded to the others, “shall be the fist that punches through the goblin ranks.”
Boghadair puffed on his pipe so hard only the glint of his eyes were visible through the smoke. Iyenue nodded, her fingers clenching in anticipation.
“Gilberian, you are new in our company,” Seregrían said, “and I have yet to know where you might best be of service.”
“I could, perhaps, guard the camp instead?” Gilberian said, “I’m afraid I am not the material for a vanguard. But that, or scouting I can do.”
“There might not be a camp to guard,” Seregrían said, “for we are traveling light, with no baggage train; but as a scout? That would be prudent, especially with the nature of the lands we travel.”
“I daresay we can push our mounts a little harder without a train,” Boghadair said.
“How soon shall we be able to march?” Seregrían said. “I myself am already prepared.”
“I think I’m ready,” Anurania said, “lemme go outside and call Hammar to make sure he is too.”
“I am also ready,: Iyenue said, clearly anxious for battle.
“I am nearly ready,” Gilberian said, “but I can ready to ride quickly.”
Seregrían said “What would you need, and how much time to prepare?”
“Gilberian, do not be concerned,” Kortheod said, “we can take up the slack with whatever we can spare.”
“Very good everyone,” Seregrían said, “Make whatever preparations you all need - we shall muster at the skirmish camp outside the South Gate. Look for me there!” And all rose as she did and made ready to depart on the next leg of the quest.
(TO BE CONTINUED...)
