“Good afternoon, welcome to the Post. How may I be of service?”
“I need a message sent to Darthill Keep. Is that possible here?” asked Varnoth.
“Of course it is. How fast depends on what bird is chosen. If you were to choose this Dark Eagle, it would be delivered in two hours. They are extremely fast. It would probably be there in one and a half hours if it weren’t for the mountains. It has been more windy than usual up that way.”
“They are birds. How do they know where they are going?” asked Varnoth.
“You are right! They are birds! They have been trained for a very long time. However, magic plays a large role as well. We can’t reveal all of our secrets, or we would go out of business, now wouldn’t we?” the old man let out a big belly laugh and winked and the panther.
Varnoth decided to quit pushing the subject and get down to business.
“How much for a message sent by the Dark Eagle?”
“It is the most expensive option. It will cost you 15 gold.”
Varnoth reached into his pouch and placed the coin on the desk and nodded at the clerk.
“Splendid, did you bring your letter, or do you need to do it now,” asked the clerk.
“Unfortunately, I did not. I would like to do it now,” replied Varnoth.
“Please have a seat over here, and I will bring you paper and a quill.”
Varnoth sat down at an old oak desk and waited patiently as the old man went to retrieve the supplies needed. After a couple of moments, the clerk sat down a piece of creamy white parchment, quill, and inkwell on the table in front of him.
“Please take your time and bring me the letter when you are done. We still have time to get this sent today,” said the man.
Varnoth inked the quill and placed it on the paper and began to write the letter.
William Marth,
The refugees are on the way to Darthill, they left several hours ago. However, I am not with them. It is a long story, but I was imprisoned by the garrison for an entire day. I am out now, and I will be headed back shortly. I made a new friend on my journey to Drangar. His name is John the Son of Ray. Don’t be alarmed by his appearance, he is a very large orc. He is leading the caravan back to Darthill. The caravan’s journey should be rather quick. They were given six horses and three large wagons by generous townsfolk here. I plan to be on my way very soon. I don’t want to overstay my welcome here.
Varnoth
Varnoth took the letter to the clerk along with the quill and inkwell.
“Splendid, let’s get this message out right now,” said the clerk.
The clerk rolled the parchment up into a very tight roll. He placed it into a leather tube with a strap that attached to the bird. He opened a cage door for the Dark Eagle, and the bird perched on the man’s arm. After the man attached the letter to the bird, he whispered in the bird's ear. He threw his arm up quickly, and the eagle launched out of a hole in the roof.
“That’s all there is to it my friend. I thank you for your business,” the clerk said with a smile and wink.
“Wonderful, listen, is it possible to acquire one of these Dark Eagles?” asked Varnoth, “It would be invaluable to our community at Darthill.”
“Yes, it is possible. However, it is expensive. These eagles are rare. Then you have to train and enchant a Dark Eagle when you have acquired one. None of my birds are for sale. Your best bet is to travel to Finnmork. The Post there should be able to direct you. The majority of Post birds are enchanted and trained in Finnmork.”
“Thanks again for your help. I will travel to Finnmork very soon and see about acquiring an eagle,” replied Varnoth.
You have received a new quest!
Your desire for a Dark Eagle will lead you to the town of Finnmork. Go to the Post there and learn how to acquire the majestic beast!
Reward: 500 experience points!
CHAPTER 16
Varnoth left Drangar with a smile on his face. He couldn’t wait to get back to Darthill and see the joy and happiness of the refugees as they saw their friends and family again. Varnoth even began to jog in order to cut down on the time of the return trip. In the distance, he could see the village of Colkirk. He was thirsty and planned to stop and drink a pint of ale. He hoped they would offer him a place to sleep for the night. However, sleeping in a gnome bed wasn’t going to work. He would happily settle for a pile of hay in a quiet barn. He was even excited to see the little people once again. They were so appreciative of John and his help. They went over the top of course, but their joyful personalities were a bright spot in Albattara. As Varnoth entered the town, he felt terrible energy. In the town center, he saw what looked like Dormatos the Priest in the center of a group of gnomes praying. As he approached, he could see many of the gnomes sobbing...something terrible had happened.
“Dormatos, what’s going on?”
Dormatos and the others were startled, and they turned to look at Varnoth.
“Thank the gods. It is good to see you, my friend! We need your help!” Dormatos pleaded.
The other gnomes surrounded Varnoth, and they were begging as well.
“Listen, I am happy to help you, but I need to know what is going on?”
“The goblins counter attacked and killed two men guarding the pasture, and they kidnapped Hobnick. We tried to help, but we are farmers, not warriors! We need you and your green friend to rescue Hobnick! Please help us!” cried Dormatos.
“John is not coming. I sent him home already. I am happy to help you. I can’t help but feel responsible for bringing this strife upon you.”
“You are not responsible. They were stealing from us, and you stopped them. Somebody give me a weapon, and I will go with you, my friend!” yelled Dormatos.
“No, you need to stay here with everyone and take care of things here. You would slow me down anyway.”
“Thank you, my friend. Their camp is due north through the forest. Please, Varnoth, Hobnick is very important to us, and we love him very much. I don’t know what we will do if he is killed,” Dormatos pleaded with tears spilling out of his eyes.
You have received a new quest!
Misfortune has fallen on the gnome town of Colkirk! Gnomes have been killed, and Hobnick has been kidnapped and taken to the goblin camp. You must travel to the camp and free Hobnick!
Reward: Unknown
Varnoth gave a quick nod and exploded in a sprint toward the woods. The goblins were going to feel the pain of his newly upgraded obsidian daggers. The sun slowly set behind the mountains. It was a perfect representation of the future of this goblin camp. He hoped and prayed that Hobnick was alive. The more he thought about him, the faster he went. The wind whirled through his fur and bugs bounced off his face as he slalomed through the trees.
Varnoth began to see the glow of a campfire in the distance. Varnoth slowed his pace the closer he got to the camp. Eventually, he slowed to a crouch walk. Then he launched up a tree to get a better view of the camp. There were ten huts scattered about and three campfires blazing. His stomach suddenly dropped to his feet as he saw Hobnick tied by his hands and feet to a long branch. He hung naked in a semicircle under the branch. Two goblins and another more giant goblin that looked to be the leader of the clan walked up to Hobnick. He wasn’t close enough to get a look at the goblin’s levels. He would need to get closer. However, he stood frozen, wondering what their plans were for Hobnick. The chieftain began slapping Hobnick with some sort of whip. He screamed in pain from the strikes. The whip made a cracking sound that pierced the night. The screams brought out more goblins to watch. The goblins just pointed and laughed at the pain the gnome was experiencing.
The chieftain picked up something that looked like a small pitchfork. He began stabbing Hobnick over and over on different parts of his body. The little gnome screamed in agony from each stab. The pitchfork didn’t appear to be going deep into his flesh. He would guess probably an inch of penetration. Varnoth leaped from tree to tree until he got as c
lose as he could get. He was forty yards from Hobnick. Fifteen goblins were surrounding him.
The chieftain picked up a pail of orange liquid and began to pour it all over Hobnick’s body. He concentrated on the places he had poked with the pitchfork.
What the hell is that?
Whatever he poured, added even more to the little gnome’s agony. The larger goblins grabbed each end of the branch. They lifted Hobnick and began to walk. Blood and the liquid dripped onto the ground with each step. The mob followed the gnome and the chieftain to their location. Varnoth dropped down to the earth and began to maneuver through the huts in stealth. The mob was taking him to something that looked like a box. They laid Hobnick on top still attached to the branch. The chieftain picked up a torch and inserted it into a hole under the top of the box. The bottom began to glow. A chill went down Varnoth’s spine when he realized what he was looking at. The goblins are cooking him alive on a stove.
Varnoth had to act quickly. It wouldn’t take long for the stove to heat up and start cooking the gnome. Varnoth went to the closest campfire to his location. He found three unlit torches leaning against the hut. He stuck all three in the campfire and ignited them. Varnoth lit three huts on fire. It didn’t take long for the huts to become fully blanketed in flames. All the goblins began to smell the smoke that filled the night sky. They heard the crackling and pops of the fire consuming their huts. The goblins turned and screamed as they saw the engulfed huts. The mob of goblins ran toward the huts in disbelief and confusion.
Varnoth activated Stealth Shade and headed toward the oven where the gnome laid. Hobnick had begun to roast alive. Varnoth heard the screams and smelled the flesh as it began to cook. Luckily, none of the goblins stayed at the stove. Varnoth inactivated Stealth Shade and took a dagger out and sliced the ropes holding him on the branch. Varnoth burned his fur as he picked up Hobnick from the stove. Hobnick’s skin on his flank was stuck to the stovetop, and it ripped off the gnome when Varnoth lifted him. The panther’s stomach churned, and he felt like he was going to vomit. Varnoth ran off into the night with the little gnome on his broad shoulder. The smell of cooked flesh was sickening and heartbreaking all at once. After getting some distance between them and the camp, Varnoth retrieved a healing potion and poured it into the gnome’s mouth. He gulped it down, but it would not be enough to heal him fully. He needed the gnome priest Dormatos. Varnoth began running again as fast as safety allowed him. His lungs were starved for air, and his muscles burned from the exertion. Varnoth knew that the goblins would be coming soon. He would get Hobnick to safety in the village and make a stand against the onslaught.
Where was John when he needed him?
CHAPTER 17
You have completed a quest!
You have traveled the goblin camp deep in the forest and rescued Hobnick! However, the entire goblin clan is in pursuit and will arrive in Colkirk at any moment!
You have received 950 experience points!
You have received 200 Gold!
The door to the village church burst open as Varnoth entered with the battered gnome. Dormatos was in prayer at the altar and almost fell flat on his face as Varnoth startled him with his entrance.
“Thank the gods! Hobnick!” yelled Dormatos.
“I gave him a vial of healing potion, but he needs more help. This little guy has been through more than you can possibly imagine!”
“Please bring him to the altar, quickly!” exclaimed Dormatos.
As Varnoth placed Hobnick on the altar, Varnoth said, “We have larger problems, the goblins are headed this way. I am going to do what I can. There are approximately fifteen headed in this direction.”
“Gods!” screamed Dormatos as he ran to a long rope in the foyer. He yanked on it with all his might, and the church bell began to ring. He gave it two more pulls with as much strength as the little gnome could muster, and he ran back to Hobnick on the altar. He retrieved a large health potion from his pouch and poured it in his mouth. The liquid in it had an unusual sparkle to it. Varnoth was sure it was different than what he had used before. Within moments, the townsfolk began walking in the door. Their look of confusion turned to surprise when they saw Hobnick. They ran over and surrounded him with a mix of happiness and concern.
“Everyone, we are in danger. The goblins are on their way. Varnoth said that he believes there will be around fifteen attackers. The church here is the best place for women and children to hide. I will take them to the crypt below and lock the iron door. All men need to grab anything they can use as a weapon and defend them. Go now!”
Terror painted the faces of the women as they began to gather their children and head toward the crypt.
“Dormatos, you and two other men need to stay and protect the women and children if any break through our defenses. They can’t be left unattended,” Varnoth said as he looked out the window toward the forest, “We must go now!”
Dormatos gave a hesitant nod as he gathered two of the older gnomes and directed them down below.
“May the gods be with thee and keep all of you safe!” prayed Dormatos.
Varnoth sprinted out of the church and turned toward the scrambling gnomes as they picked up anything they could use as a weapon. A few had swords, but the majority had shovels and pitchforks. Varnoth knew they were terrified, but he admired their willingness to fight.
“I need you four with the swords to stay with me,” he pointed at the gnomes and motioned for them to approach, “We are going to go out there and draw them into the town center. This should cause a bottleneck as they advance down this corridor. The rest of you need to hide in the wheat over that way. When they enter through here, I want everyone to run at them from behind them. I understand that you folks are farmers. I get that, but you are warriors today,” said Varnoth.
The gnomes raised their weapons and screamed the best battle cry the little gnomes could produce. From what Varnoth could tell, there were around twenty gnomes headed to the tall wheat. It would be an excellent place to conceal them and give them a favorable position to attack. Varnoth hoped this conflict would end with no gnome casualties, but logic suggested otherwise. Varnoth desired to get several of the goblins jammed up in the narrow corridor to the town center. He wanted to take advantage of his Black Rain attack. The skill did have a thirty-minute cool-down, so he would need to make the dark cloud rest over as many goblins as he could get under it. The big problem here would be avoiding any damage to gnomes when the daggers begin to drop. Varnoth gnashed his teeth, angry that he didn’t mention this to the hiding gnomes before when he had the chance. He wasn’t a leader on the battlefield; he was a rogue that hid in the trees biding time until he saw an attack opening. This was not in his wheelhouse.
A few minutes later, Varnoth could hear a lot of movement in the forest. He saw no glow from a torchlight, so he presumed they were trying to be as stealthy as a bunch of wobbly, fat goblins could be in this situation.
“Ok, my friends, I want you to walk out toward them. I think it will spook them a bit if they see me walk out there. I don’t think they will take the bait. When they see you, they will not be intimidated and charge to attack. No offense,” said the shadow panther.
The gnomes gave a quick nod, and they marched out just like Varnoth told them to do. As they made their way out there, the goblins came through the trees. The goblins in front paused to scan the area. They saw the gnome bait. Varnoth could see shivering from two of the gnomes as they watched the invaders. He hated to put the little guys in this position, but this was a numbers game, plain and simple. Varnoth versus fifteen goblins head to head wouldn’t pan out well for the shadow panther. Varnoth could hear unintelligible words come from one of the goblins in front. Then he saw them point and scream a goblin war cry. They all began to charge toward the gnomes. Varnoth did a quick scan of the woods to see if any other goblins were coming out in different areas, but he only saw the ones charging toward the gnomes. As the last couple of goblins exited the forest, Varno
th caught sight of the chieftain. He was not running behind the others. He was walking with a bit more caution.
The gnomes stood firm with their weapons in attack position. They wanted the goblins to commit to this attack before retreating to Varnoth entirely. Once they were satisfied, the gnomes turned to run back to Varnoth’s position. Gnomes were not fast creatures. They were much slower than the goblins were. Varnoth was very concerned that the gnomes decided to retreat too late. Suddenly the smaller gnome taking up the rear of the retreaters tripped and fell face first. His sword flew out of his hands. The male gnome wasn’t able to get up before the goblins were on top of him. Two of the goblins hacked viciously at the fallen gnome with their swords as the others ran around them after the others. Varnoth felt sick to his stomach watching the little gnome get cut to pieces. The gnomes that were running in front of them were so committed to their retreat that they hadn’t noticed their fallen friend in the rear. The mob had entered into the bottleneck like Varnoth had envisioned. The gnomes turned and stood behind Varnoth in the courtyard. They could see the other gnomes charging from behind them as he had instructed. The goblin mob had not even noticed. Varnoth had decided Black Rain would be too risky in this situation with the charging gnomes. Blade Shield was going to be the attack he would choose. The shadow panther activated the spell of affliction and poison-laced his daggers. His daggers would inflict poison damage along with physical damage for 30 seconds.
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