Even before Kareena had finished describing the visitor to Randelstead, Terrastal knew with a dull certainty who it would be. ‘Auric Traskarsson’ he breathed, a cold stone forming in the pit of his stomach. The runes that formed his inner essence flared, some in contradictory ways. On the one hand, Terrastal felt it was likely that Auric was here to kill him and his friends; the last time he’d seen Auric, he’d been hanging above the gates of the Lunar Stone-Tower Fort, and his group bore direct responsibility for this. Yet, on the other hand, he felt a sense of obligation to Auric, perhaps even guilt, although Terrastal would never describe it in those words. Auric’s rabid hatred of the Lunars was very much in harmony with how his feelings had developed over the past few months, and Terrastal felt he owed Auric something, some form of recompense, for the pain he’d endured.
Sandene looked on with some puzzlement. Terrastal was clearly shaken by Kareena’s description of the stranger awaiting them in the guest lodge, as were all of those she now called battle-comrades. Seeing her quizzical look, Yrsa tersely related what had happened before she joined them. Hearing this, Sandene was not much clearer as to what was going on. She was most surprised that Terrastal could ever have acted in the interest of the Lunars, as his hatred seemed so deep. As ever, complexity outside of that required by worship of the Goddess bored and frustrated her, so she decided to leave it to the others to decide what to do. Anyone who threatened her comrades was by default her enemy, so she’d happily strike their visitor down if necessary and take the consequences.
Bofrost and Randel regarded each other warily, not so much for what Auric might do as for how their more choleric companions may respond. They knew that Auric would have been offered the traditional Orlanthi hospitality rites of bread, water and salt and, as such, would be unlikely to risk the ire of the gods by threatening his hosts. They hoped that Terrastal would observe this stricture, as he was Orlanthi, but were less sure of Sandene’s more violent tendencies being held in check. With a deep breath, the two heroes followed their companions into the guest lodge…
Inside, Auric sat at the far end of the long, low guest lodge. A small fire smoldered in the central fire pit, smoke lazily rising to the thatched roof, and a rich resin scent filled the room from the burning wood. A number of small oil lamps hung along the wall, casting a dim, flickering light across the scene. Auric himself appeared relaxed; even in this dim light he could be seen sporting a clean rag tied across his eyes. Perhaps he was still sightless, and they could deceive him once more? But as he leaned forward into the light, it was plain that the material was of the very thinnest, and his eyes could be seen glittering beneath. As he reached up to remove the cloth, he began to speak. ‘I see from your faces that my appearance thus doesn’t surprise you. This tells me two things: that you know who I am, and that you are not surprised to see me wearing a blindfold. Further, it tells me that you are indeed those I encountered in the Starfire Ridges and delivered me into the hands of the Lunars’. With some satisfaction, Auric settled back into the shadows and awaited their response. Sandene noted that although his sword hung nearby, it was not in easy reach; she would be upon him before he could unsheathe his blade if needed. Randel noted that Auric seemed to be pleased with himself, and not just for identifying his betrayers; there was something more that he was yet hiding and he whispered as much to Bofrost.
As was often the case, Terrastal spoke first. To the surprise of all, he struck a conciliatory tone, fully accepting his previous actions and asking for Auric’s pardon. To Sandene’s satisfaction he did this with pride, not begging but standing as one warrior to another, recognising a fault as one that could be corrected. Bofrost noted that Auric’s sense of satisfaction grew, as though he had expected this. When he spoke next, it was not in a friendly manner but as one who was proposing a mutually-beneficial trade. ‘I see you’ve had a change of heart since our first meeting. I thought I recognised your voices when we met in the Wilds at the Black Spear camp, but I wasn’t sure until we met here today. If you’d begged like curs, I would have left here and ordered my warband to burn your stead to the ground. And that may still happen.’ Noting the fire flash in Sandene’s eyes, Auric went on. ‘Yet you all have the souls of true Orlanthi, and I can see you wish to make amends. I have a proposal for Orlanthi ears only’ he said, glancing meaningfully at the short Axe Maiden. At this, all of the companions protested: Sandene had proved herself a stalwart companion, was bound to them by oaths of blood and friendship and as such could hear anything Auric had to say. Satisfied by the strength of their protests, Auric laid out his offer. As all knew, the Lunars had established two slave farms in the Nymie Valley, one quite close to Clearwine. Indeed, they had spied one of these camps in the distance when they first set out to the Broken Tower at the turn of the year. However, Auric and the Hidden Gale had learned that the Lunars and their Orlanthi allies were turning thralls into slaves, and even enslaving their own tribesmen on the slightest legal pretext. The Lunars were building a great temple to the south-east, and needed large numbers of slaves to keep the work going. To this end, slaves were being collected at the slave farms and then shipped off by river to the south when there were enough to fill one or two barges. At any time, each slave farm could have up to a hundred slaves waiting for transport into a life of misery and death. Therefore, the Hidden Gale planned to strike at the slave farm nearest to Clearwine on the next Windsday, slaughter the guards and free the slaves; those who wished could return home and those who wished to join the resistance would be welcomed.
The heroes regarded each other. Terrastal grasped this opportunity whole-heartedly, as a way to hurt the Lunars whilst fulfilling his obligation to Auric. Sandene and Yrsa were more neutral in their stance; Yrsa in particular didn’t relish the idea of another battle. Bofrost and Randel were more far-sighted, seeing how the blame could be lain at the door of the Colymar as the closest tribe. Auric grinned at this for the first time. ‘We’ve done this before, have no fear. We’ll make sure the blame lands far away from you and yours and sow dissension amongst the Lunar-lovers and traitors, have no fear. Besides, you have the favour of Orlanth himself, undertaking the Marriage Contest as you are.’ Rising to his feet, he went on. ‘I see you need to confer, and I have others to see before we sack the slave farm, so I will return in two days for your decision.’ As he took up his sword and left, he glanced sternly over his shoulder. ‘Make sure you choose wisely’.
The companions’ discussions carried on far into the night as the matter was weighed, but in the end the decision was made; the slave farm must be destroyed and the slaves freed. Yet it was clear that the spirit of Eurmal the Trickster must be invoked and their actions be hidden, lest the Clan be drawn into the matter. To this end, the companions set out for Clearwine to beg the Clan Circle’s permission to leave for Boldhome to retrieve the Red Hands of Hofstaring, and they would act as if this was their plan in all things. Yet they would take a small detour on their way to Boldhome and help in the liberation of the slaves. Yrsa contented herself with the fact that they weren’t really lying, just leaving some things out that the Clan would be happier not knowing. Not really lying at all…
So it was that the heroes found themselves standing amongst the massed ranks of the Hidden Gale, well out of earshot of the slave farm and hidden by night’s cloak. The Gale had taken a slave wagon and dealt with the Lunar Tarshite guards; sticky patches of blood still marked the wagon’s woodwork, defying any attempt to clean it completely with straw. Yrsa tried not to look too closely, and carefully sat far to the side. Randel and Bofrost stood in the back of the wagon, their weapons hidden at their feet. Although cured of the results of the wraith’s touch received on the Enjossi lands, Bofrost still felt weak and exposed in the wagon. Neither he nor Randel needed any encouragement to look thoroughly unhappy, as might a real slave in their position. Terrastal sat next to Yrsa, excitement building in his chest. He’d spied a group of bound and gagged Orlanthi being guarded by unspeaking Hidden Gale warriors, and had asked Auric regarding their purpose. Grinning unpleasantly, Auric revealed that these would be the cloak that hid the Gale’s hand in this attack. They were captured Malani tribesmen who’d be killed and left in the ruins of the slave farm with swords in their hands. The Malani were known to be Lunar lapdogs, and their apparent role in the attack would sow distrust between them and the Lunars. Seeing Terrastal’s doubtful expression, Auric slapped him on the shoulder. ‘Don’t worry; if you’d refused my offer, it would have been you and your friends kneeling there instead of them. Be happy in your choice, my friend!’
Sandene looked ahead into the night. Whilst the others had been in Clearwine, she’d scouted ahead to see what lay ahead of them. The slave farm was well-built, with high walls and alert guards. Their part in the plan was to trick their way through the gate and hold it whilst the rebels charged across the open ground. Once inside, they would overpower the guards and free the slaves. The fact that the guards were from Lunar Tarsh gave her a grim satisfaction. She could use her own native Tarshite to fool the guards, and once inside wreak havoc amongst those she considered traitors and turncoats. She gripped her axe more firmly as the prospect of righteous bloodshed filled her mind…
Eventually, the signal was given and the cart began to move towards the slavers’ fort. On each side, the heroes were aware of large numbers of rebels moving forward silently. They were evidently well-prepared, as not a clink of armour or murmured voice was heard; they may have been fanatics, but they knew their business. As the wagon drew closer to its target, the rebels suddenly stopped as one at an unheard signal, just outside a long bowshot from the fortress walls, and the cart continued on alone.
As it moved forward, the hulking mass of the fort became outlined in dim torchlight that grew gradually brighter as they came closer. Soon, they could see the figures of patrolling guards atop the wooden palisade. Sandene could see they were appearing to pay attention, but her bandit instincts showed her the tell-tale signs of inattention and complacency. Her spirits began to rise as she saw that their plan might work. Abruptly, the wagon arrived at the heavy wooden gate, and a gap-toothed face appeared over the wall, demanding they identify themselves in a harshly-accented speech, unfamiliar speech. Without hesitation, Sandene called back that they were bringing in more slaves, and that they’d been held up by rumours of rebels nearby. Nervously, the slaver asked if they were nearby, to which Sandene responded with a stream of foul language, indicating that she didn’t want to hang around here and find out!
After a brief pause, the gate swung open and the cart rumbled forward. Inside the walls could be seen a number of tents clumped together, with a smaller number of more orderly tents and a larger marquee sited further on from which flew a Lunar sigil. Beyond that could be seen the slave pens, from where a thin wail could be heard until a heavy thump silenced it, most likely permanently. Yrsa used her innate empathy with herd animals to bring the oxen to a halt just inside the gate, blocking it from shutting too. Seeing this, a group of swearing Tarshites moved forward to push the cart aside. Abruptly, one of the mercenaries fell back with a cry, Terrastal’s broadsword buried in his neck. After a brief pause, all hell broke loose as the slavers realised they had been tricked. Yrsa leapt down from her perch on the wagon and went to work with her spear, Sandene moving up alongside her to give her support. Terrastal wrenched his blade from the neck of the slaver and began to lay about him with glee, a battle song praising Orlanth bubbling unbidden from his lips. From the back of the cart, Bofrost peppered the advancing Tarshites with sling stones, forcing them to lock shields or be left cursing on the ground with crushed arms or broken ribs. Randel summoned the power of his god and set light to the heavy wooden plank used to bar the gate. As the flames licked higher, he lit one of his arrows and sent it arcing high into the air, the signal for the rebels to attack. Silently, he prayed they would come in time to relieve them, but also he dreaded their arrival: what if the rebels proved false and attacked them also? How could they hope to survive?
Although the battle to hold the gate seemed interminable, it was over in just a few minutes. The heroes had dispatched all of the Tarshites that came near, and Randel and Bofrost could see that the slaves had overpowered their tormentors and broken out of their enclosures, resulting in many of the slavers turning to flee. The larger tent towards the middle of the fort proved to be home to a group of well-trained and superbly-equipped Lunar hoplites commanded by a young captain. As the small number of hoplites formed up to advance to the gate, Randel had delayed them by befuddling the mind of the captain; by the time the hoplites had reached them, the battle was all but over. As the hoplites began to trade blows with the companions, a crackling blue light could be seen descending from the sky accompanied by the dull rumble of thunder. With crazed, cackling laughter, Auric flew down having been raised up by the power of Orlanth. As he did so, lighting arced from his outstretched hand and connected with a hapless Lunar, broiling him alive in his heavy bronze armour as he fell to the ground screaming. As he did so, the remainder of the rebels reached the gate and the hoplites fell back to form a defensive circle around their captain. Cackling once more, Auric felled another hoplite as before, and the Orlanthi fell upon the remainder, slaughtering them without mercy. All around, the Tarshite slavers were being put to the sword, and free slaves were settling scores with howls of anger. All around, torches could be seen moving here and there in the darkness as the fleeing slavers were hunted down to a man.
As the bound Malani were bought into the fort and given swords that they may die in honourable combat before being left where they fell to turn the Lunar gaze away from the Colymar, the Lunar office was brought forward, his head hanging down. As he drew near, for the second time the companions were brought face to face with someone from their past; the young officer was none other than Vanthorion, whom they’d saved from the rebels so many weeks ago. Looking up, he caught Terrastal’s eye and recognition and hope flared. ‘Terrastal, my friend! Save me, as you did before!’. This time, Terrastal turned away as Vanthorion was dragged away by howling rebels. To no avail, Bofrost and Randel called that he would fetch a high ransom, but the rebels’ blood was up and only death would serve. By the time that they were ready to leave the burning fort, the rebels had hoisted Vanthorion high with a great cheer. Looking over their shoulders, they saw that the young officer had been crucified and his eyes put out, whilst the flying Auric orbited him like some hellish, glowing star.
As the heroes headed away from the fort, they came upon a group of freed slaves, too weak to fight or to flee. Seeing their piteous state, the companions took a great risk; loading them onto the slave wagon, they took the now-free Orlanthi back to Randelstead so that they could be fed and healed before they decided what lay ahead for them. As they filed through the gate of their stead, Kareena saw immediately what must be done. Their visitors were hustled out of sight, and the cart broken up and burnt. The metal of the cage was given over to their redsmith, Piku Gastapakis, who ran his forge as hot as the hells to melt it down in short order. Soon, anything to suggest any slave presence had been disposed of. Kareena only took a moment to squeeze each of their arms for their soft-heartedness, and then to slap each of them for the same reason; one day, such an act may bring down disaster on all of them, but hopefully not today.
As Yelm rose high in the sky, the companions set out once more, this time with Boldhome firmly in their sights. As they’d been delayed by the attack, after some cajoling from Terrastal the company set out across country, avoiding Boldhome but striking out through the lands of the Konthasos and the Enjossi. Although they were received with honour by Orendal of the Konthasos, the Enjossi were much more fulsome in their welcome. They were particularly welcomed by Frieda, who was full of stories of the miraculous catches of fish since the breaking of the curse. As they laid out their plans, Frieda warned them of the Lunar sympathies and slave-taking habits of the tribal lands along their path. She begged them to be careful on their journey, and offered the services of two wily boatmen to speed their passage to Boldhome by river.
With Frieda’s warning ringing in his ears, Bofrost rose early the next morning and meditated upon their path, bringing his Air rune forth and communing with the winds. As the others arose, he passed on what he had learnt of what lay ahead, and as a result they made good progress. For her part, Sandene ranged ahead and used what skills she had honed as a bandit to maintain a careful lookout for potential enemies. However, despite her efforts, the company was spotted by some distant fishermen. Randel likewise called on his knowledge of local customs to judge the best times to travel, when good Orlanthi would be otherwise engaged. But again, luck was against them; the local clans had evidently been corrupted by Lunar ways, and they were out of kilter with usual Orlanthi habits. As a result, they were again spotted and a messenger on horseback was seen galloping away to report their passing.
The Enjossi fishermen were now becoming nervous, and insisted they could pass no further due to the huge rocks barring the river ahead. Quick as lightning, Terrastal bounded up the rocks, peering here and there as he did so. To the fishermen’s amazement, he found a portage they were unaware of and led them to new waters boiling with fish. Conscious of the unwanted attention their passing was causing, Sandene once more drew on her bandit knowledge and expertly brushed away their tracks to confound any pursuit. Eventually, to their great relief, the city of Boldhome began to hove into view but one further obstacle lay in their way. Off to their left was a makeshift town, full of Lunar soldiers and buzzing with those going about the business of keeping the city and its Lunar overlords supplied with grain. Faced with the prospect of going around this settlement and adding days to their journey, not to mention risking encounters with Lunars, Bofrost again settled down and called on his god to grant him clear vision. As he did so, he became aware of a fold in the land ahead where they could pass without notice, so long as they were careful.
And so it was that the companions came to Boldhome at last, intent on retrieving the Red Hands of Hofstaring and starting the Marriage Contest of Orlanth and Ernalda in earnest!
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