As the sun rises to the zenith, Chief Rhodophylax and six of his largest warriors reappear. They are in full regalia, with jewelry made of shells and bones and feathered crowns of many colors. They take up the poles they had brought earlier and reestablish the circle of honor within sight of the Javan Queen. A young Malarat shaman emerges from the trees and steps into the center of the circle. He invokes the blessing of Semuanya, the god of all lizardfolk, and then retires. Chief Rhodophylax, flanked by his warriors, opens his arms wide in greetings to Ragnbjorn, Fingol, and Gar. By this gesture they are invited to step into the circle. From the ship, Master Ailil and the other delegates look on sulkily.

Chief Rhodophylax, speaking in Draconic, addresses Ragnbjorn, “Welcome Sir Ragnbjorn. It is good to see you again. I am glad we had a chance to fight the Amedi together yesterday. When you first came with your King Skotti and his army, we stepped aside. But since that time the Amedi have been more troublesome to us. We do not blame you for this because they had been troublesome even before you came. It was inevitable that they would become more so. I am glad we finally have been able to fight them together. As I told you yesterday, we had been tracking them for some time and then found them waiting in ambush after destroying Cypress Hill. So we waited until they went back into the river.” He chuckles at this and says, “When they went after you we knew our chance had arrived. There are unfortunately more of them to deal with, but that was their main force in this area. Now you wanted me to meet these two?” He indicates Gar and Fingol.

Ragnbjorn is the next to speak, “Greetings to you as well. I too am glad that we have been able to fight together against the Amedi scourge. I am pleased to introduce to you my son, Fingol. He is also a member of the King’s Rangers. He had not yet passed his trials when I first came through here. Since then, he has become as fine a ranger as I would hope. He has spent the last few months traveling through the marshes. Unfortunately, I think there have been some misunderstandings and he was fired upon by Malarat warriors. He reported these troubles to the Prince-Governor in Westkeep and was asked by Prince Prospero to be his envoy to you, to see if we could find a way to preserve peace between our peoples. I was asked to guide him here and act as translator if he should need it. Fortunately, he has learned quite a bit over the last few days and, though a bit rough, I believe his Draconian is passable and he can now speak for himself.

“This is Father Gar. He is a priest in the service of Obad-Hai and came as an emissary of the Great Druidess of the Sheldomar Valley to the Prince-Governor. The Prince also asked him to come with us and speak to you.”

Chief Rhodophlyax says, “I am pleased to meet you all. Yes, there have been some… misunderstandings of late.” He looks over to the delegates on the boat. “Though I suspect the trouble is not with those from Keoland but with those who have always given us trouble, no matter whom their rulers may be.” He turns back to Fingol. “Please accept my apologies for the actions of some of our more overzealous warriors.”

Chief Rhodophylax snaps his fingers and one of the warriors comes forward with three sets of necklaces made of alligator teeth. The Chief says, “Please accept these as tokens of our friendship. Any of those who follow me will know not to attack those who wear these. Also, please feel free to call me Chief Rahk,” he says this last with a toothy grin, one that would cause most humans to step back a few paces if it were not accompanied by the Chief’s friendly tone and kind words.

Gar bows his head deep. “Thank you, Chief Rahk. It’s beautiful. I will wear it always,” as he puts it over his head to hang upon his neck.

After that, other lizardfolk emerge from the forest bearing jars and bowls. All in the circle of honor are served fermented fruit juices, and delicacies made of the bounty of the swamp. After sufficient time has passed engaging in pleasantries they return to the business at hand.

Chief Rahk turns to Gar and asks, “So Father Gar, we have great respect for Obad-Hai and the Great Druidess. Perhaps you should tell me your message first, so I may keep it in mind as I hear what Sir Fingol has to say.”

With palms together, Gar spits and stutters his gratitude in broken Draconic, “Thank you Chief Rahk for swim fast when heard from friend Lord Heslex we hunt but not hunt you. And thank you saving us from Amedi.

“The Big Druidess of Flan dreams of something not natural and long hidden in your marshes. She believes somehow connected with you, honorable lizardfolk, for you appear in her dreams. She sees you leave your homes, by force or choice she not know. In your wake, she sees a great flood come down River Javan sweep away all living beings, a flood that engulfs the world. Though she cannot see them in her dream, she feels dead things in that flood, or things that should stay dead. They want destroy all life, all harmony, all balance.

“She also hear reports from our people that the humans of Westkeep go deeper into marshes to find food and be clashing with the lizardfolk. She fear if war between Westkeep and lizardfolk, you go away and disaster she see will occur even sooner.

“The Shalm come to me in visions recently too. He want our peoples make common cause to make harmony in marshes, to avert disaster.”

Gar notices Chief Rahk tense up ever so slightly as he spoke of the lizardfolk leaving their homes and of a flood coming down the Javan River filled with dead things. It is as though he recognized exactly what Gar was speaking of but did not want to betray the knowledge.

Chief Rahk nods, “I thank you for your words Father Gar. Now Sir Fingol, as the envoy of your Prince-Governor, what do you have to say to me?”

Fingol gives a slight bow, “Prince Prospero seeks to keep the friendship of the Malarat. He has not forgotten when the Malarat stepped aside, allowing his force to move through the Marsh. His appreciation and regard has not waned.

“He seeks also safety and peace for you and your people. He has heard Father Gar’s messages and taken heed. He knows that if your people fall, his will feel the hammer stroke next.

“Therefore, he seeks to look past any misunderstandings, as do I. And if you have had misunderstandings with people in the past, it is perhaps because they do not understand how important your friendship can be. I thank you and your warriors for their decisive action in the fight with the Amedi. I pray that it has opened eyes.”

Chief Rahk nods towards Master Ailil and the fishermen delegates. “There are some people whose eyes will never open. They are incorrigible slanderers of my people and others. I will only deal with you if you can promise to deal with them. But there are other things I believe we must discuss first. There is the matter of the Amedi, especially those who use the skeletal war paint.”

Fingol tries hard not to look at Master Ailil, but he nods his head at Chief Rahk’s accusation. At the mention of, “I will only deal with you if you can promise to deal with them,” Fingol gives a strong affirmative nod. That is of course, why he is here.

Ragnbjorn says, “Father Gar, didn’t you say that they were called Deathwalkers in one of your dreams. I think we should refer to them as such from now on to differentiate them from the other Amedi warriors. These Deathwalkers seem to be something new. The other Amedi were always commanded by Scarlet Brotherhood agents, but these don’t seem to be connected with them at all.”

Gar bobs his head up and down while they speak of the Deathwalkers, in silent agreement.

Chief Rahk says, “Yes, we have had no problems hunting down or driving away the other Amedi who fled Westkeep when your forces took it. Nor have we had problems with any of the bands of hobgoblins and orcs who deserted the Scarlet Brotherhood cause over the years and tried to find refuge in the marshes. They are all but gone now. Over the past few weeks however these Deathwalkers as you call them have been coming down the Hool River, attacking trading posts and villages. They are especially drawn to certain ruins scattered throughout the marshes. This is what has made many of my warriors especially touchy. The other reason is the entangling of all the bayous by the fishermen of Westkeep.” Chief Rahk snorts and then says, “I’d almost suggest we allow the Deathwalkers to take care of the fishermen… but they are a direct threat to my people and so we will not step aside and let them have their way.”

Ragnbjorn says, “Yes, about that. Before we discuss what to do about the Deathwalkers or the fishermen, there is a little matter I need to have dealt with. The girl Adelina, or Newt as she is called, believes her parents may still be alive. Her home is a half a day’s walk away from Cypress Hill. I know that is in the direction of your village, which is a three days walk away. In the company of four of my men, I wish to allow her to return to her home and see if her parents have returned there or if there are any clues as to what may have become of them. Will they be able to do this without danger?”

It is hard to read Chief Rahk’s reptilian features, but he ponders this with what seems a grave look. Finally he says, “There may be more Deathwalkers out there. I cannot guarantee their safety, though I think we destroyed their main force in this area. We will give all of your men necklaces such as I gave you. That will protect them from my folk, and I will also send word out as well. However, they should go no farther in the direction of our village to the north. Not even those who wear the necklaces are free to do that now.”

As Chief Rahk speaks, both Ragnbjorn and Gar realize that there is much that he is not saying. That in fact, the Deathwalkers may have attacked or even razed the home village of the Malarat tribe already but Chief Rahk does not wish to admit this to them.

Gar bows his head with emotive respect, “Thank you Chief Rahk. I do hope your village is safe. Has it been taken by the Deathwalkers and the fears of the Great Druidess already come to pass?” Gar’s concern for the lizardfolk is heartfelt.

Fingol looks concerned at this idea.

Chief Rahk turns a bit huffy and says, “No one takes anything from us!” Then he becomes a bit more subdued again. “But yes, the Deathwalkers have already attacked our village. We are rebuilding it now. That is why we were waiting for the chance to destroy them.”

Ragnbjorn asks, “Chief Rahk, perhaps you could spare a guide or perhaps even one of your shamans to go with Sir Indranil and the others who are taking this girl Newt back to her home.”

Chief Rahk replies sadly, “I have no shamans to spare at this time, but I could perhaps spare a guide. That would be best. Such a guide could keep them from straying too near our village if they should have to follow a trail away from this girl’s home.”

“Thank you Chief Rahk,” replies Gar. “You mentioned earlier that the Deathwalkers are attracted to certain ruins in the marshes. Last night the Shalm sent me a dream of a long lost city built into cliff walls where the Deathwalkers now live. Do you know where that might be?”

“Yes! Chief Rahk,” adds Fingol “the city he describes would be in unusual territory for the marsh. The cliffs he describes would be 300′ high, with waterfalls spilling down.”

Chief Rahk responds, “I have never seen anything like that around here. All I know is that there are ruins scattered throughout the marshes. Some of the mounds out in the marshes are actually covered ruins. There is one site that I know of where the Deathwalkers have a shrine. It is a three days march from here. After they attacked our village we traced them back to it and I led an assault on it. But we were beaten back. The power of their god is strong indeed.” He looks to Gar, “But maybe now that you are here we can prevail. Join us Father Gar. Now that their main force has been beaten we can lead a force there composed of you Keolanders and my warriors and with the power of Obad-Hai on our side we can clear these Deathwalkers from the marshes. Perhaps we can force some of these Deathwalkers to tell us where they come from. Or perhaps the shrine itself will provide a clue.”

Fingol says nothing as he’s not been addressed and he is not in charge of the men. He looks to his father eagerly, as if begging him to agree.

Gar grunts while touching Obad-Hai and spits a fire dart off to one side, his head bobbing up and down in animated agreement. “Yes sir! The Shalm and I would be happy to follow you into battle, Chief!” Looking towards his comrades he asks, “Milords?”

Ragnbjorn looks to Fingol and grins seeing Fingol’s expectant look. “Fingol, the military are here to provide security and in any other way assist in bringing about a peaceful solution to the tension between the Malarat tribe of lizardfolk and the people of Westkeep. It’s your call if you think that helping Chief Rahk clear out a death cult will help interspecies relations and restore peace and balance to the Hool Marshes.” He gives Gar a wink as he says the last part.

Gar smiles wide and looks over at Fingol, knowing what he will say.

“I can think of no better way to show our good will than to stand with our friends,” Fingol replies happily.

“The Shalm has been urging us in dreams to root out the disease taking hold in the swamp. I am sure this is what he meant,” grunts Gar in Draconic.

Chief Rahk says, “It is settled then. We shall march together on these Deathwalkers and destroy their shrine to cleanse our homeland. We have much planning and preparation to do. But first, you said that you are going to send your people out to find this girl’s parents. I will send one of our warriors, Ourocalchax to your boat as your guide. You may call him Oro. He will have with him five more necklaces as tokens of our trust and friendship for your men providing they are men you trust.”

Ragnbjorn responds, “They are indeed, though one of them is a woman actually, in addition to the girl Newt. My second-in-command, Sir Indranil, is one of those going with them. He is a half-elven member of the King’s Rangers and I would trust him with my life, as I would his brother Sir Lorindel who is also going with them. The other two are members of Captain Bodwyn’s Guard, a half-elven sorcerer named Aramek, and a young woman named Rain. They have proven their courage and loyalty repeatedly.”

Chief Rahk grunts his approval. “We will feast here together tonight then. I will send young Oro to meet this girl and her escorts. May they find all they hunt for.”

On the boat before getting his own gear, Indranil looks in on Newt, Aramek, and Rain and says, “Change in plan good people, please prepare yourselves for seven days in the field. Aramek please make sure the captain prepares enough provisions for us for seven days. We will all share the load between us in our packs. Rain, please make sure Adelina is well prepared for the journey.”

“Will do, Sir Indranil!” Aramek replies. “I’ll grab my things here and go talk to the captain right now.” 

“Seven days?” Rain asks Indranil. “That is a big change. Where are we going?”

Indranil responds, “Sir Ragnbjorn has given us the task to try and follow the trail of Adelina’s parents if we do not find them at home. We must be prepared if Adelina is able to point us in a direction. If so, we will send Sir Lorindel back to camp to get the rest of the party. We can’t afford to lose any time!”

“Will do, thanks Sir Indranil.” Rain turns to complete the check of her equipment.

Aramek takes his own gear and heads up on deck to let Captain Olnut know how many days worth of provisions they will need.

Indranil goes to collect his own gear, weapons, armor and pack, and then heads back to the riverbank to await his party.

Newt asks, “Rain, Sir Ragnbjorn said I should use Dale’s armor, and I should get a dagger and longspear. Can you help me get those things?” Newt shoulders her pack of other gear.

Just then, Sgt. Apone and Dale come in bearing Dale’s old armor, a spear and a dagger. Sergeant Apone begins outfitting Newt.

Once the leather armor is adjusted for her height and weight and they have all moved back to the riverbank to perform drills it becomes obvious to Rain and the Marinus brothers that the leather armor is about all Newt can handle. Newt looks (and feels) very small, even on the safe end of the shortsword, and more so holding the spear. While Newt is serviceably competent with the dagger and spear, she is hopeless with the sword which is too heavy for her. Finally it is time for some practice bouts.

“Since I’m a ranged attacker and constantly in motion,” says Lorindel, “it’s probably not going to be practical for Newt to practice her offensive skills against me. Perhaps someone else should go first,” he suggests.

“When she’s ready to work on defense though, I’ll give it a shot,” continues Lorindel as he cracks a slight grin.

Newt looks very apprehensive about the proposed bout. “Um… is this, strictly speaking, really necessary? Can we fit in some ranged practice, too? Or better yet, instead of?”

Rain smiles, steps up to Newt gently and says, “Don’t worry Newt, let’s give this a try first” and hands her a practice dagger. Then Rain takes a practice dagger herself and stands ten feet from Newt and says, “Whenever you are ready.”

Newt flips the dagger so she holds the tip, and then flings it, spinning, at Rain’s chest. Unfortunately for Newt it flies past Rain’s ear.

Rain takes advantage of Newt’s having disarmed herself to move in and land a solid blow with her practice dagger on Newt’s leather protected gut. “Ow!” Newt yelps involuntarily.

Newt quickly backpedals and scoops up the practice spear lying behind her and amazingly is able to thrust it at Rain before Rain can follow up on her last attack. Now it is Rain who is struck in the left foot as she fails to leap back in time. Rain swiftly counterattacks and lands a ringing blow on Newt’s helmet.

Rain then seizes the initiative and lands another resounding blow on Newt’s helmet. To Newt’s considerable credit she is unfazed by blows that would have downed anyone else in the squadron including Rain and she fights on, coming within a half-inch of poking Rain in the left leg again with the padded tip of her spear.

Rain almost stumbles and has to scramble to get out of the way as Newt continues to come at her with the spear.

Finally Rain counterattacks but her blow glances aside from Newt’s armor. Newt cracks Rain on the head with the butt of her spear and forces Rain to back off.

Then with the swiftness and cunning she is known for Rain slips back in under Newt’s guard and raps her painfully on the right wrist, causing Newt to drop her spear with a yelp. The fight is over, but Newt proved herself to be far from the pushover that Rain had been expecting. Both girls are breathing hard.

Rain offers Newt a handshake to her non-injured hand. “Nice moves Newt. I especially liked the opening knife throw. Just a thought though: next time you should be sure you have a backup weapon before you throw yours away. Very well done though.”

“Thanks,” Newt replies. “The throw was a calculated risk. I figured it was my best chance to get you. And besides, the spear was nearby. You’re a lot quicker than most fish, though.”

Indranil nudges Lorindel and smiles saying, “Oh ho! A trickster in our midst! Well brother she has already mastered the first rule of combat: do the unexpected! I think she has the making of a fine warrior with the proper training.”

“Indeed, Indranil,” agrees Lorindel. “I am truly surprised and impressed.”

Newt overhears Sir Indranil and, with a wince, responds, “Do all warriors hurt this much after just practicing? Every time?”

Indranil lets out a long and hearty laugh, “Dear girl you have no idea! You will hurt in places you never knew you had! You did well though and you should be proud.”

Rain adds, “Sir Indranil speaks true, you got the drop on me a couple of times. Use speed to your advantage, but always carry an extra dagger,” she says with a wink.

“Thank you, milord.” Newt cringes a bit, thinking of all the places that hurt now, and wondered just what other places Sir Indranil meant. She didn’t look forward to finding out.

“And thank you, Rain. I’ll keep your advice just as soon as I acquire a second dagger.”

Indranil says, “Okay. We have time for one more bout then we have to leave. Adelina, let’s see if you can get the better of me.”

Newt gently massages her right wrist and moves to collect the practice dagger and tucks it in her belt. “Yes milord.” This time she starts with the padded spear.

Sergeant Apone comes over with a much longer padded spear and says, “Newt, you might want to try this. With the longspear you can keep any foes well away from you, though you’ll have to be careful if they slip inside your guard.”

“Thank you, Sgt. Apone. I’ll try to keep them at the business end.” Newt accepts the longer spear and tests its balance.

Without armor, Indranil takes up his longsword and heavy shield.

Indranil allows Newt to attack first. After she gets used to the weight and balance of the longspear, she manages to score a hit on Indranil’s right foot. Indranil counterattacks, slipping inside her guard and cracking her on the right thigh with his practice sword.

Newt backs off quickly and again tries to stab Indranil, but she has moved too far back.

Cautiously she advances on Indranil but still he is able to keep his shield in the way of her spearpoint. Indranil moves in on her again and she almost stumbles as she gives ground, leaving herself open to another blow by Indranil, this time a stinging blow on her ribs that she feels through her leather cuirass.

Indranil almost trips as she sweeps her spear down forcing him to jump over it. She backs off but is unable to land a blow.

Moving in on Indranil again she manages to connect with a hard blow to his helmet. Indranil counterattacks immediately, agilely slipping in under her guard again, but she too is agile and is able to dodge his blow.

Indranil persists and stays Newt’s guard, landing another blow to her ribs. Newt finally succeeds in backing off and is able to poke Indranil in the left arm.

Indranil swiftly moves inside her guard once more and lands a blow to Newt’s left foot as she gives ground. But she is able to land another blow to Indranil’s helmet.

Once more Indranil slips past her guard and lands a painful crack to her left knuckles. Newt drops the spear and the second bout is over.

“Ow! Mmgh!” Newt takes a few breaths to calm herself as she rubs both bruised hands. Muttering to herself, she says, “Now both hands hurt. At least there’s a kind of balance there.”

Gritting her teeth against the pain (which seems to come from all over), she addresses Indranil, “Thank you for the lesson, milord. Given a choice, I’d rather shoot you – I mean, an enemy!” she amends quickly, “than get close like that. Ooh, my ribs!”

Indranil responds, “Fair Adelina, you did very well! You will make a fine warrior with practice. I dare say I have a few more bruises myself!”

“Lorindel, please have everyone head over and pick a canoe that can hold us all and wait for me there. I am taking Adelina off to see Father Gar for a bit of healing before we leave and to get final direction from Sir Ragnbjorn. We should be back within a quarter of an hour.”

Rain asks, “Sir Indranil, mind if I join you? I have something I would like to tell Sir Ragnbjorn before we leave.”

Aramek asks, “Mind if I tag along?”

Sergeant Apone says wryly, “Oh yes, by all means the members of my squad should be pestering the commander of this mission while he is in the middle of delicate negotiations with the chieftain of a hostile tribe of non-humans who could kill us all if he thinks we’re looking at him funny.” He turns to Indranil, “But I’ll leave it up to you sir, you’re in charge.”

Rain responds reluctantly, “Yes of course you are right Sgt. I had not noticed that he was already in negotiations. My information for Sir Ragnbjorn can wait till we return.” She then grabs her pack and bow and heads to shore as ordered by Sir Indranil.

Indranil looks over and sees Ragnbjorn, Fingol, and Gar deep in the middle of negotiations with Chief Rahk. He looks back to the scouting party and says, “Well it would be unseemly to disturb them now. Adelina, you, Rain and I will have to live with our bruises from the practice bout. No major injuries, just a bit of discomfort. All things considered it will help you remember your lessons all the better. Consider this your second combat lesson: a warrior’s life is full of constant aches and pains.

“Rain and Aramek whatever you wanted to say to Sir Ragnbjorn will have to wait until we get back, or if it is related to our purposes here then best say to me now. Do you have something to say?”

“Yes milord” says Newt, a bit glumly. Picking up her pack, spear, etc., Newt moves to help with the canoe.

Thinking back as she goes, Newt chuckles a bit, as if enjoying a private joke. Those close might hear her speak, very quietly mimicking the Sergeant’s, ” ‘But I’ll leave it up to you sir, you’re in charge.’ Heh heh. That was good.”

“Sir Indranil,” Aramek says with a serious tone to his voice. “I realize that I am young and new to Westkeep, and that many here may consider me just a lowly guardsman; but I am responsible for our safety to the best of my abilities. I just want to make sure that I know what’s going on. Through no one’s fault I have been somewhat in the dark about our plans and I just want to make sure I don’t miss any important information from any unintentional oversight, since all our lives may, at some point, depend on my abilities. I honestly don’t mean any disrespect to you, Sir Indranil, or any other members of our group. And please forgive me if I am speaking out of turn.” At this rather long speech, Aramek blushes profusely.

Indranil looks at Aramek, cocks his heads and then looks over at Sergeant Apone with a raised eye brow, “Rain, do you wish to add something?”

Rain chuckles at the situation knowing full well how Aramek feels. Then sobering and looking Indranil in the eyes she says in a low voice, “Only that I overheard the fishmongers talking earlier today. They only seem to care about their ability to fish in what they would consider their territory and it is likely that Ailill would rather negotiations with the lizardfolk fail. I am sure that Sir Ragnbjorn knows this, but I would appreciate you informing him before we leave. Besides that, I agree and stand by Master Aramek’s request… sir.”

Starday Noon, Fireseek 8, 591 Common Year

After dinner, held on the riverbank, Ragnbjorn gathers Fingol, Gar, the Marinus brothers, and Sergeant Apone aside. “Gentlemen, a few things have been decided, a few things need to be told, and one thing at least needs to be done. First of all, I want to make it clear to all of you that Fingol is in charge of the diplomatic side of this mission. The Prince put him in charge and none of us should gainsay that. Father Gar is beholden to neither side, but is here as a neutral intermediary that both sides, hopefully, will respect. I am in charge of military matters and security, but Sir Indranil is to be my second in command, with Lorindel after him. This is so that Fingol can concentrate on diplomatic matters, but also because the Marinus brothers do have seniority by at least a couple of years. Now, Father Gar, please share your vision and your dream.”

Gar steps forward and relates his vision from the previous day and his dream during the night. “Obad-High clearly told me in vision and dream that we must help the lizardfolk and they will help us. Furthermore, that Newt knows where we must go. She is to lead us to an ancient ruined city where her parents have been taken by the Deathwalkers, the worshippers of Thanatos. The city is patrolled by them and there are also beast-men lurking there as well. After dreaming of this city, I awoke.”

Ragnbjorn then says, “Father Gar has informed me that he is able to create a Zone of Truth, a circle wherein all those inside must speak truthfully. This spell will only last three minutes. I propose that we question this Newt or Adelina. She appears to be an innocent victim in all this, but we must be certain. After Noch I don’t feel like taking chances anymore. In addition, if Father Gar’s dreams are true, she is perhaps a key figure in all this. She can perhaps lead us to the source of this Thanatos cult. We should also help her rescue her parents if they can be rescued. Of course I wonder what possible use the Deathwalkers could have for a fisherman and his wife. Perhaps they are to be used for some kind of sacrifice. If that is the case, what kind of power would such a sacrifice arouse? Anyway, I say we let Father Gar cast this spell and have Sir Indranil question her. If her answers are satisfactory we should see if we can fit her with Dale’s old armor once it’s fixed up and adjusted. Then give her a spear and a dagger to go with the sword Rain has already given to her, though gods know that she’s more likely to hurt herself with a weapon like that than anyone else right now. She doesn’t even look strong enough to wield it with any effect. But I suppose if she is the one who can lead us to this city and the Deathwalkers then the time to train and build her strength is now. But if she refuses this test or her answers reveal that she is not be trusted, then needless to say we must get that sword away from her and keep her under a close watch. Are we agreed?”

“I agree,” Fingol responds with a nod.

Lorindel gives an affirmative nod.

Indranil bows low to Sir Ragnbjorn and says, “I will do as you entrust sir. It is an important commission you have laid upon me. Please allow me 15 minutes to meditate and collect myself to focus my mind and ask Her Lady for guidance.” Indranil then goes down below decks to meditate.

Fingol scratches his nose to hide the look of, ‘Oh, get over yourself already’ that washes over his face.

Looking up, Fingol interjects, “Father and Sir Indranil, if I may suggest something. The girl seems eager to please. Perhaps it is not necessary to use this spell. Let’s ask her to simply tell her tale. I expect she will be forthcoming. In the course of the telling, we may learn better what information to ask about while we use the spell to learn more or verify what she says. It’s certain that three minutes is a very short time. If she were an agent of evil, she could evade the effect of the magic with one dissembling answer. We should know just what we need to ask before the spell is cast.”

Ragnbjorn says, “That sounds like a good idea. Learn what we can without the use of magic, and get a sense of her that way. Then we can use the magic to make sure of the truth of her tale.”

Indranil, “If she wants to lie she is going to lie and asking her any questions won’t tell us a thing, so using the spell is our only assurance. I appreciate the sentiment behind this, but perhaps the alternative is to ask her permission to undergo the spell and if she agrees we can take her good intent and simply ask the questions without the magical compulsion. If she disagrees then we know she is an enemy and we should just put her under the spell.”

Ragnbjorn nods, “Yes, there is sense in that too. Here is what I propose. We should bring her over here and ask her to tell her story from the beginning without any compulsion. Then we should ask her if she will submit to specific questions within the Zone of Truth. If she readily agrees we will simply ask the questions, but if we get a sense she is lying or being evasive we will use the spell. However, if she will not agree to submit to the spell, we cannot force her to answer. I will not permit her to be coerced. But in such a case, until she submits, she will be confined below deck and guarded. Can we agree on this?”

Fingol says, “I agree, and apologize for any delay or confusion.” 

Ragnbjorn says, “Not at all. You are right that we should learn what we can without magic first, for that will take longer than the three minutes Father Gar can give us. And if the questions can be asked with her agreement and honestly answered, then we may not need to resort to magical compulsions. Okay Sir Indranil, go off and reflect and prepare your questions. Fingol, please go bring Newt here.”  

Fingol nods and trots off looking for Newt. 

After 15 minutes Indranil appears above deck and approaches the group again. With a bow he states, “I am ready to begin. This spell is a great intrusion upon someone’s free will and should not be taken lightly. I pray Adelina, if an innocent, will forgive us for such compulsive tactics.”

While Ragnbjorn’s conference is going on, Rain smiles at Aramek and says, “Hey Aramek, I’m gonna go make some practice swords to teach Newt to fight a bit. Wanna come with? We haven’t had a much of a chance to talk lately.”

Aramek smiles and says, “You bet! I’d rather help you with Newt than stand around wondering what sort of vacation plans lord Ragnbjorn and the others are planning for us.” And with that he heads off with Rain.

Rain openly chuckles “Heh yah, I hate not being involved in the game plan though. I am not a big blind follower of others machinations.”

Rain and Aramek head off to make four suitable weapons from bamboo river reeds near the river, being careful not to stray too far from the area. After cutting down four suitable practice weapons, they head back to the boat.

After dinner, Xalakae watches the conference from a distance. S/he is curious, but knows s/he doesn’t belong there and isn’t ready to risk getting in range to “listen in.” Instead, s/he busies herself learning the layout of the keelboat and watching the crew.

Fingol comes over to Newt saying, “Hello young lady! My father and his friends have been discussing your story. I think he would like to hear the details of how you came to live here, and how you survived the attack. Would you mind telling your story to us?”

“Coming milord,” Newt replies to Sir Fingol. She follows him to the council.

When indicated, she steps forward. She curtsies in greeting with a polite, “Milords.” They can all see that, cleaned up and dressed in proper clothes, she is a pretty young girl with wavy black hair and dark eyes who will most likely grow up to be a beautiful young woman.

“Thank you for joining us Adelina, or Newt if you’d prefer,” begins Ragnbjorn. “Now that things have calmed down a bit, could you please tell us about yourself and what happened to you, your family, and Cypress Hill.”

“Well, my family lives a bit away from the trading post, Cypress Hill. We make our living fishing for crab, shrimp, and sometimes other things, and selling them at the trading post. We were there to buy supplies, not to sell a catch, when we heard the screaming start.” Newt closes her eyes sadly, recalling the scene and collecting herself. ”We saw the attackers down the path. It looked like they were killing everyone! Mother grabbed me and pulled me in the other direction. Father came, too, and we ran toward the creek that runs into the river. The screams and fighting kept getting louder, and I could see smoke from the burning buildings.” Tears come to her eyes and Newt’s voice chokes up.

“My parents put me under the overturned boat with the big hole in it. It wasn’t that big, and they couldn’t fit under with me.” Newt fights back near-full sobs as she goes on. ”They told me they love me, and that I had to wait there and keep quiet until they came back for me. Then they ran off.”

Newt takes a few deep breaths before providing more of the story. ”I waited, like they said and kept in the dark part under the boat. I could see out a bit, and saw some of the people killed by the painted attackers. They had tanned skin, and painted skeletal patterns on themselves. After a while, the screaming stopped. I crouched farther into the shadow. All I could hear was the sound of burning buildings.”

Newt pauses briefly. ”When nothing happened, I didn’t know what to do. I stayed there all night, wondering if the painted men would find me. I waited all day, and my legs cramped up. When it was fully dark, I snuck out. There was nothing left. It was all burned to the ground. Nothing moved except some crows, and everyone was dead. There was a terrible stench in the air.

“I didn’t stay out long. It didn’t feel safe. The next day, around dusk, I went out again, looking for food or water. There was nothing at all. They must have taken it, or burned it with the rest of the trading post.

“On the third day, I crept out early. Since I’d seen nobody, I thought it was safe enough to look for food in the daylight. When I saw the boat coming, I didn’t know who was on it, and I was too far from my hiding place so I hid in the reeds. I came out when I saw Father Gar and was sure you weren’t the attackers come back.” With a final sniff, Newt looks from eye to eye around the circle, and then finishes with another curtsy and bow of her head, “And that’s all, milords.”

Indranil looks at Adelina with a mixture of sadness and respect and says, “Adelina you are brave beyond your years. Understand that as long as you remain with us you will be safe as long as I breathe.”

Turning to Ragnbjorn he says, “Sir Ragnbjorn perhaps we might ask her now if she will submit to our questions?”

Ragnbjorn nods and says, “Indeed, now is the time. Adelina, Sir Indranil has some specific questions to ask you on behalf of us all to make sure that you are not a threat to us. Will you agree to answer them honestly?”

Gar nods toward Ragnbjorn and wipes a tear out of his eye. “Milord, if I may?”

“Yes, milord, of course. What are your questions?”

Inside, Xalakae goes cold. What could they possibly ask that s/he hadn’t already told? Could they possibly suspect?

Outwardly, Newt presented a simple face, recovering from the harsh memory of the attack.

Gar then adds, “Milady Newt, I believe you completely. I suspect we all do. However, would you kindly consent to be questioned about your story while under a truth spell cast by me? You will be completely safe. I promise. As Sir Ragnbjorn said, my friend Sir Indranil here would like to ask you some questions. Will that be ok?”

“Um, I’ve never been under such a spell before, but, yes. That will be okay, Father Gar.” Xalakae just can’t see a way out of consenting without giving them cause for suspicion.

“Before we begin that, I would like to ask Adelina something.” Fingol interjects, “Besides, the more we know before that spell the better it will be.” Turning to Newt he says, “Adelina, do you think your parents might still be Okay, somehow? And if you were to go look for them, which way would you go?”

Gar’s eyes dart back and forth between the two, watching for reactions.

Throughout the exchange, Lorindel’s gaze remains squarely on Newt as he carefully studies her expressions and mannerisms.

“If it pleases you, milord, I looked all around the trading post and I did not find them. Because of that, I hold out hope that they are still among the living, ‘though it is slim hope indeed. If I were to seek them out, I would go back to our home. It is some walk from the settlement. It was probably not noticed by the attackers. If my parents returned to look for me and I wasn’t there – at the trading post, I mean – they’d be likely to go to our home next as go anywhere else. Oh!” Newt exclaims with a mixture of hope and sorrow, “They may be found there if they don’t think me dead.”

After Newt’s response, Gar stands up and says, “Let us all pray to the gods that this dear heart’s parents can somehow remain safe. Shall I cast our circle of truth now?” Gar looks from Adelina to Fingol to Indranil.

Indranil looks over at Gar and Ragnbjorn and says, “Sir Ragnbjorn and
Father Gar, I believe she has been truthful and honest with us so far, and
her willingness to submit to your spell shows good faith and intention. I
believe we can ask her the questions unaided by magic.”

Ragnbjorn nods and says simply, “Proceed, Sir Indranil.”

Gar silently nods his agreement.

On their way back from making bamboo practice swords, Rain and Aramek see that Newt is being questioned by Ragnbjorn and the others in a clearing. Rain stops to watch from the edge of the clearing, for about a moment and then somberly says, “Let’s go,” and heads back to the boat where she climbs to the top of the deckhouse, sits and plays her flute, the somber notes of mourning reflecting her feelings for what Newt has gone thru these past days.

As Xalakae steps forward to answer the questions, s/he concentrates on being Newt, and answering only as Newt would. S/he is Newt, s/he tells heirmself. She focuses on Newt’s memories, not knowing if these people have some ability like heir own and not wanting them to see Xalakae’s thoughts.

Newt awaits the first question from Indranil.

“Is your name Adelina?”

“Yes, milord.”

“Other than Newt, what other names do you have?”

“None, milord. My parents always just called me Newt, unless I was in trouble. Then they called me Adelina.”

 “Are you another being, deity, or demon disguised as Adelina?”

“Another being, milord? What do you mean? No, I am just Adelina.”

“Do you serve good or evil?”

“I do believe we should all help others for good whenever we can, ‘though I have not sworn to any deity or power, milord.” Newt continues, with a firm expression, “I do not serve evil, and never will!”

“Are you sworn to anyone, any sect, or any society?”

“Milord, I have sworn to no-one. I am a free person, within my obligations to the realm and my loyalty is otherwise to my family.”

“Are you on a quest or mission?”

“No, milords, unless you count finding my parents. If you would have me, I would be happy to serve you while I may.”

As anyone would be, Newt is somewhat uncomfortable being questioned like this. She hadn’t expected it, and the questions are so suspicious! She tries to be as forthcoming and innocent as possible, fearing that they may misconstrue her responses even those she can answer honestly.

“Do you mean anyone in this expedition party harm or ill will?”

Shocked at the possibility and openly showing it, Newt responds “No, milords! No! I am most grateful to you and your men for the kind and generous aid they have rendered unto me! How could I repay such kindness with ill deeds?” Newt is inwardly offended that they even might think such things of her.

“Who are your parents?”

“My parents are Ulmar and Saeva, though it feels strange to me to call them by their grown-up names.” She quickly adds, “…milords,” not wanting to be disrespectful.

“Are they more than simple fisherman?

“Well, milords, father and mother both had many skills and could read and write,” Newt adds, smiling proudly. “They taught me to read and write, too, and some numbers! I’m certain father could find work in any city, and my parents had talked of moving us to a city when I was old enough.”

“Have they ever been more than simple fisherman?”

“No, milords, ‘though I think they did other things to earn a living before I was born.”

“Do you have any idea what they might have done before?”

“I don’t know, milord” Newt says, somewhat abashedly. “They didn’t talk too much about it, and I didn’t attend. They have only been fishermen by trade in my life.”

“Why does the Thanatos cult want your parents?”

Confused, Newt responds, “What? What is the Thantos cult, milords? What do you mean ‘they’?” Stammering a bit in confusion, Newt continues, “What do you mean, milords? How could this cult want my parents? We have nothing to do with any cult. My family has never had any dealings with cults.”

“Well then, do you know where the Thanatos cult might be found?”

A bit afraid now, and not liking the questions that seem to be trying to cast guilt on her although she was innocent, “Please, milords, I know not of this cult!” Newt tears up a bit again – feeling almost betrayed that they don’t seem to trust her.

“Are you aware of any traps or ambushes along the way that will do us harm?”

“Along what way, milord?” Newt is trying mostly successfully to hold back a full cry now. She may be brave in some circumstances, but doesn’t like being mistrusted by her new comrades, ”To my home there are none. To this cult you speak of, I cannot say.”

“Do you possess hidden upon you or within you any talisman of magical power?”

“No, milords, I have no such talisman. We are but fisher folk, and not rich enough for things of that sort.” In order to throw off any mind readers, Newt thinks of any jewelry her mother, Saeva, had, and wonders if any of it was more than it had seemed.

Gar senses that Newt is not so sure in her last response. She even seems for a moment to be trying to recall if in fact her family had possessed such a thing.

Fingol is looking at Newt with real sympathy. He glances over at Sir Indranil occasionally, watching for the end. Geez, thinks Fingol, I thought my question was pretty mean! Well, had to be asked, I guess.

Indranil takes a deep breath and looks warmly at Adelina, blinks his eyes a few times and dips his head then looks away. After a moment, he turns to the others and says, “I pushed her hard, and to her limit I think. I do not sense any evil or deception in her answers. I think what we have been told and see with our own eyes is the truth of it. I would feel comfortable with her joining our expedition.”

Indranil turns back to Adelina and bows low to her and softly says, “Good Adelina, please forgive me for being so direct and firm with you, we have been under great threat these last weeks from attacks of Scarlet Brotherhood assassins, traitors, rioters, undead ghouls and Amedi warriors, so we have to be sure of anyone who is to quest with us. You handled yourself well. I pray your forgiveness.”

Fingol follows with, “For which we all pray. Please understand nothing was asked needlessly.” Fingol goes over to Newt and offers her some water and a cloth to wipe her face.

Indranil thinks to himself, We learned nothing to help guide or inform our quest.  All I did was scare and offend her. She is an amazing person and quite strong and resourceful for her age. Well at least she does not seem to be of evil intent and a danger to us. Perhaps I can make it up to her by tutoring her and giving her weapons training.

Accepting the cloth and straightening up, Newt replies, “Milord, I am sure you have just reasons for your questions, and it is not my place to inquire of them. Please, though, only overlook my tears. I will try to be stronger.”

Fingol stands, moves behind her and looks at Sir Ragnbjorn and then down at Adelina as if to say, ‘And what do we have to say to her?’

Picking up on his son’s implication Ragnbjorn says, “Fair Adelina, or Newt if you prefer. Please accept our apologies if we seemed to doubt you. You are welcome among us, and we will do all we can to help you in this trying time.”

Watching the scene play out, Gar finally speaks up, “Sir Ragnbjorn, can you please send for Aramek?”

Ragnbjorn looks to Sergeant Apone and says, “Yes, please bring Guardsman Aramek over.”

“Yes sir!” Sergeant Apone hurries off to get the young sorcerer.

Turning to Newt, Gar asks, “Milady Adelina, I noticed during your answers that you are not sure if you have a magical talisman upon you, or even if your family had such an item in your home. You don’t think so, but you are not sure. By chance, did either parent give you some trinket that they asked you to wear all the time to keep you safe with their love?”

“Yes, Father. They gave me this amulet just before they left and told me to keep it safe.” Newt shows them her shiny, but plain, bronze amulet.

Sergeant Apone finds Aramek on the boat listening to Rain playing her flute. “Aramek, you’re needed in the clearing.”

“I’ll be right over.” Then he yells up to Rain, “Hey, Rain, the sergeant says I’m needed over in the clearing. I’ll see you later.”

Rain stops playing and forces a smile “Okay, yah… see ya later”, then drops it immediately after he turns and leaves. What… the… fuck…? I’m still just a chopped liver grunt? she thinks to herself, Half share my ass! If this crap keeps up I would be better off joining with Fergus.

Rain does not like being left out of the leaders group, this and whatever the hell they were doing to Newt to make her cry. It has left Rain in a very sour mood. She tries to cool herself down by playing her flute again but then stops abruptly and says to nobody in particular, “Fuck it! This is bullshit,” and moves down to the hold to attempt to catch up on sleep.

Down in the hold, Rain hears Crabby and Fishbate talking. No one else is around at the moment. In his usual loudmouthed way Fishbate is saying, “Master Ailill seems none too pleased. He was sure that nothing would come of this attempt to negotiate.”

Crabbby responds, “We…we…well, it looks like the talks will go on a…a…a…at least. A…a…all Master Ailill’s b…b…brooding won’t change things.”

Fishbate shrugs and says, “Eh, what can we do? I just want to be left alone to fish in peace. Hopefully this Sir Fingol and Father Gar will be able to talk some sense to the snake-skins.”

When Aramek finally joins the others in the clearing, Ragnbjorn says, “Ah good. Guardsman Aramek, would you please cast your detect magic spell so that we can see if by chance Adelina has any items of magical power, particular that bronze amulet?”

Aramek looks surprised, “Adelina?”

Ragnbjorn says, “Yes, Adelina is Newt’s actual given name. Adelina, I believe you have already met Aramek, our squad’s sorcerer.”

Newt hands Aramek the amulet. Aramek intones, “Rivelighu!” and for several moments stands still with his hand raised in concentration towards the amulet that he now holds in his other hand. When he is done he announces, “Yes. The amulet does register the faint presence of magic.” He hands it back to her.

Xalakae, as Newt, holds the amulet up and looks at it with slight wonder. Indeed, all acting aside, s/he wonders to heirself if there is more to the amulet than they told hierm.

Indranil asks, ”Guardsman Aramek, can you discern what kind of magic the amulet is imbued with, or what it might be used for?”

Aramek shrugs and says, “Sorry, I can’t discern what school of magic it is right now.”

Indranil muses, “I wonder if this amulet had anything to do with the Amedi attack? Could they have been looking for it?”

Gar seems thoughtful for a moment and then says, “It only has a faint aura and so I am going to presume that it only gives some minor protection to the wearer. I doubt it is powerful enough to attract the Amedi. Thank you, Adelina, for sharing. May the gods keep you safe and bestow upon you a long life, my dear.”

Indranil says, “Father Gar, is it not unusual for a common fisherman to give his daughter a magic amulet for protection? I wonder who they really are?”

Gar hums, “Yes, indeed… yes, indeed…”

Aramek turns to Gar and says, “I guess there’s a lot I don’t know, being on the boat. You say Newt – I mean – Adelina’s parents are still alive? Are there others who may also be prisoners of the Amedi? Can anyone bring me up to date on what the situation is? And I think Rain would like to know as well.”

Gar raises his eyebrows with a twinkle in his eye, “My, you are a curious guardsman. But yes, we do believe that Adelina’s parents may be alive. Obad-Hai has spoken to me twice since we met Newt yesterday. Somehow, someway, it would seem that this wisp of a girl is going to lead us to some long forgotten city in the jungle, though I dare say she is clueless right now as to the path.” Gar smiles big and winks at Newt. “All will be revealed in good time, I have complete faith.”

Newt gasps loudly! ”My parents… are alive!” She smiles brightly with this renewed hope. ”Oh, Father, thank you! Only tell me how I can help find the place you seek! I shall do as required.” Newt bounces on her heels, clearly even more eager now to help in Sir Ragnbjorn’s work.

Gar smiles broadly. “So says my god, dear girl, but it difficult to say for how long. Time is of the essence. Just listen to your still inner voice and follow the breadcrumbs of your childhood memories. There we shall find what we seek.”

Turning to Ragnbjorn and Fingol, Indranil says, “Sir Ragnbjorn and Sir Fingol, we have made contact with the lizardfolk and established good communications with them. What is next? I am eager to begin the pursuit of the Amedi to find their cult’s headquarters and see if we can rescue Adelina’s parents!”

“As am I.” Fingol replies. ”If this matter is all that held us back than I think it is time to start out. We may not have solved the mysteries around Newt, but I think we have uncovered all that we will today.”

“I agree, Brother,” says Lorindel. ”Better to go on the offensive, rather than wait for Amedi to further move against us.”

Before Fingol’s father has a chance to respond, Gar says, “I have yet to convey greetings to Chief Rahk on behalf of the Great Druidess, and I do believe there are still some negotiations that need to happen between the various factions currently in the boat and those on the shore. For the sake of balance and harmony in the marshes, we must successfully complete the tasks at hand before setting off on the next. Sir Ragnbjorn, what is our agenda for today?”

Finally Ragnbjorn breaks in, saying, “Father Gar is exactly right. There are negotiations that must proceed. That is our main mission here. Chief Rahk is supposed to meet us here at noon. He wishes to speak to Father Gar, Fingol, and myself, but not yet the other delegates. I strongly suspect he has bigger concerns than fishing rights, and they probably have to do with the Amedi or Deathwalkers as Father Gar called them.

“Fortunately, there are enough of us here to look into these other matters as well. Here is what I believe we should do. Sergeant Apone, why don’t you get Newt here outfitted in Dale’s armor and see that she’s given a dagger and a spear to defend herself with. Then I’d like Sir Indranil and Sir Lorindel, as well as Guardsman Aramek and Guardswoman Rain to accompany Newt back to her home. They can perhaps do some drills and weapons training with her before they leave to assess her skills – or lack thereof. Sir Indranil, you’ll be in charge of this expedition. Take one of the enemy canoes back over to Cypress Hill and then walk from there. See if her parents are there but watch out for ambushes or any sign of these Deathwalkers. If her parents are there, then let them know they are welcome to come back to Westkeep with us. It may not be safe to stay out here any longer. Not that it was ever safe out here to begin with. If they are not there, then you, Guardsman Aramek, use your magic to see if you can find anything else of significance there, magical or otherwise. If you should be attacked, get out of there and rendezvous back here. If you leave in the early afternoon you should be able to get there by this evening if Newt’s home is a long walk away from Cypress Hill. So I’ll expect you back by tomorrow.

“Father Gar, Fingol, let’s wait here together for Chief Rahk to show up, and see what he has on his mind.”

“Is there anything else anyone would like to suggest? If not, let’s get to it.”

Gar replies, “Excellent suggestion, milord. May the gods watch over us all.”

Indranil looks at Ragnbjorn and says, “Yes sir.”

Indranil turns to Apone and says, “Sergeant Apone, after you have outfitted Adelina please get her a backpack and help her prepare for the journey, plan for two days there and back. When you have finished getting her ready bring her back here.”

Then he turns to Aramek and says, “Guardsman Aramek please go and tell Guardsman Rain that she is required for this scouting mission and the two of you prepare for a two day journey in the wild. Also ask the captain to prepare two days of field rations for us. Once you and Rain have packed and secured our provisions meet Sir Lorindel and I back here for weapons practice with Adelina.

“Everyone, be back within half an hour, I want a short practice round for Adelina’s benefit then we shove off shortly after noon.”

Indranil turns to Lorindel, “Brother, wait here a moment, I wish to ask Sir Ragnbjorn a question.” 

Aramek immediately heads back to Rain to tell her what’s happening.

Newt sets off with the others to get the pack Rain gave her and get ready for the day’s activities.

Once back at the boat, Aramek shakes Rain awake and says, “Rain, let’s go! We’ve got half an hour to assemble for a two day trip. We’re taking Newt to see whether we can locate her parents. Father Gar believes they may be alive and back at their home. Get ready. Quickly – and let’s be on our way!”

Rain had just dozed off and jumps up out of her hammock. Wiping the
tired out of her eyes she responds, “Mmmm… Yah… Yah OK. Hey, where is
their home at? And who is going?”

Newt and Aramek then fill Rain in, while Rain swiftly gets her armaments and pack ready.

After Sgt. Apone, Aramek and Newt have left, Indranil asks Sir Ragnbjorn, “Do we not want to try and pick up the trail of her parents if they are not there? If Adelina ‘gets a strong premonition’ of which way to go, what do you want us to do?”

Gar butts in, “Make good mental notes and come back to get us before you go anywhere else. You will need my healing powers more than once before you find them. Don’t you agree, milord?”

“Ahem,” from Ragnbjorn. “When it comes to the military side of things, I welcome your advice Father Gar, but I believe Sir Indranil was asking me and I will determine what needs to be done. Now, as it happens, we don’t want to lose any trails in the time it would take to come back here. I will see if Chief Rahk can perhaps send one of his adepts with you to provide divine healing if needed. Aramek also has Noch’s potions, and two of those are for curing wounds. You are free to use those for the mission. If you do need to follow a trail, either of Newt’s parents or of the enemy to see where they are, then send Lorindel back here to let me know. If you find a concentration of the enemy too big to deal with, you should disengage as quickly as possible and rendezvous back here. Use the standard shoot-and-scoot procedure. In this case you may want to take more rations with you. No more than seven day’s worth. I know I don’t need to tell you that it’s best to travel light.”

“Oh, one last thing Sir Indranil. Normally I would say that if Newt’s parents are there and are reunited with their daughter they would be free to stay or go elsewhere if they did not wish to come with us. In this case however, I would prefer to err on the side of caution. Take them into protective custody if you have to. They are not to be abused, but they cannot be left free to wander the marshes in these circumstances – especially not if Father Gar’s dreams point to them as somehow important factors in all of this.”

“Understood sir. It shall be done!” Indranil replies.

“Lorindel, let’s get our gear. Meet back here in 25 minutes.” With that he sprints off to the boat.

On the stern, Gar says, “Well boys and girls, it looks like we are going to party hardy when we get back to the keep! And sleep a little easier tonight as well”

Looking around the group, he sees that Dale looks completely healed, although Ragnbjorn’s arm still looks sore. Fingering his little Green Man, Gar closes his eyes and utters a melodic “Om.”

Ragnbjorn’s wound seems to be all but healed after that, only a dark bruise remains. Gar chants “Om” once more and even that disappears.

“Thanks Father Gar. I am ready to face the day,” says Ragnbjorn graciously.

“I really need to go meditate. Chat with you all later.” Gar then turns on his heels and heads up to the roof to settle in a comfortable spot looking toward the shore.

Seating himself on the shore side of the boat, Gar follows his breath in and out a few times to center himself before his begins his contemplations of the five elements. First he contemplates earth, noticing the circle of honor they erected yesterday on the shore. Water is next, feeling the boat gently rock beneath them all and the blood flowing from Noch’s wounds. The dawn air is still a little cool, although fire is beginning to light the sky. Finally, Gar contemplates the interconnectedness of all life, that which animates and touches all. Thinking of Newt he reflects on how it is truly amazing that such a young lady could be the key to everything: the lizardfolk, the Amedi and their death god Nerull, the city hidden in the jungle. Gar can feel a tug in his heart and mind, pulling him forward, ever onward, one clue at a time. As Gar finishes his meditation, his head swims as he feels a rush of healing energies unlike anything he’s experienced before.

Ragnbjorn finds Rain and Aramek and says, “It occurred to me that Aramek also contributed to Noch’s defeat. Also, those potions should be brought along with us. Let me see them.”

After Rain produces them Ragnbjorn says, “Well, it’s clear to me that these two are healing potions,” he says pointing to the two with “Cure” and “Cure+” on the seals. He opens the stopper on the one with “Dark” written on it and takes in a whiff of it. “Just what I thought, this is a darkvision potion. I have used them before.” He looks at the last one that says, “Pass” and also opens it and sniffs it. I am going to guess that this is a potion for passing without a trace. We rangers have some experience with that kind of magic. I think it might be best to let Aramek keep these on his person in case we need them. He is the alchemist here after all. Here you go. Oh, and take the Banelar Essence as well.”

At the Banelar Essence, Aramek raises his right eyebrow then says, “Thank you, my lord. I shall keep them safe but available. That Banelar should be very effective should we need to knock anyone out.”

Ragnbjorn turns to Rain, “Now Rain, you have the safekeeping of Noch’s tools and his money. I’d like you to keep those on your person at all times as well. In fact, let me see one of those platinum pieces.”

Ragnbjorn takes one and after scrutinizing it says, “Yes, that’s what I thought. You see? This is a platinum highlord. I doubt anyone on this boat has ever seen a platinum piece before. However, these highlords were coined by the Sea Princes before their fall. This means that Noch was most likely paid off for his mission to kill me in Westkeep and not back in Keoland. I will keep this one for a while but will return it later. I want to discuss this with the others. Keep this quiet you two. Rain, keep those with you and show them to no one unless I say it’s okay.”

Rain replies, “Yes my Lord, I will keep them safe.” She pauses then smiles slightly and says, “Thanks,” but finishes the thought in her own head, Thanks for trusting me, and showing to the others that you trust me.

She turns to reorder it all. The belt pouch of coins she hides inside of her shirt and armor. Noch’s tools are placed inside of her own pack. She then puts her old shortsword, bedroll and standard equipment in Noch’s pack and goes to find Newt.

Ragnbjorn next finds Sergeant Apone and says, “I am going ashore. I wish to commune with Ehlonna now that the sun is up. Please take Noch’s body ashore and have your troops prepare a pyre, but do not burn it until I tell you.”

Shamed by all this devotion, Fingol remembers that he should bless the day’s road.  

”May I join you ashore, father, to observe my own devotions?”  Fingol asks.

“That would be very nice son,” Ragnbjorn responds warmly.

Ragnbjorn and Fingol then climb down from the boat and wade over to the riverbank to pray and contemplate each in their own way – but together.

Seeing that Ragnbjorn and Fingol are on the riverbank praying, Indranil says, “Let’s go join Ragnbjorn and Fingol with morning meditations, I can use it.”

After the three rangers are done with their meditations, Fingol turns to his father and says, “I’m really glad we had this chance to see one another, I…  well, I’m just really glad.”

“So am I, son. So am I,” Ragnbjorn replies.

With the danger seemingly past, Newt goes out on deck again. This time she doesn’t bother anyone, but merely dangles her feet over the edge. Xalakae gazes at the water, considering how fast things moved on this boat. S/he looks around from time to time, half-heartedly picking up stray surface thoughts.

Hiers own thoughts were troubled and ranged all over the spectrum of topics. Where are my parents? How will I find them? How long can I stay with these people if I don’t find my parents? It was good of them to try to keep me safe, but also frustrating! I will just have to wait to prove myself. Tiring of such heavy thoughts, Xalakae hopes nobody will ask her too many questions and loses herself in the interaction of the light with the water.

Fingol takes all the arrows out of the quiver to inspect and count them but finds nothing unusual about them. After that, he tries to salvage what he can of the arrows pulled from Noch and then finds more spare ammunition in the hold. He tries to fill the quiver to capacity, but cannot find the limit of its capacity. Any arrows over 20 seem to vanish into an extra space, but are retrievable. As he suspected, it is a Quiver of Holding, a magical quiver that can hold hundreds of arrows.

Fingol walks over to Lorindel, “This quiver seems to hold more arrows than typical. The magic of the thing seems to make them disappear, but they can be taken out again when needed. You seem to be the best archer of us. I think perhaps you should carry this. We all rely on your skill, and would be the worse off if you ran out of arrows. Of course if you fear it cursed, I’ll continue to carry it until we know better.”

“I will make good use of this,” accepts Lorindel.

Rain sits next to Newt, puts the pack she had prepared and the sword down and dangles her legs as well. “Good morning Newt, how did you sleep?”

Still looking over the side Newt replies, “Well enough, while it lasted. Did you get enough rest?” Newt turns, briefly, and eyes the pack and sword before turning back to the river.

Rain replies, also looking into the water. “Yah, I slept ok… I’ll sleep better tonight I’m sure.”

“What will Lord Ragnbjorn do now? He hasn’t made his treaty so quickly, has he? And where will the boat go when he’s done?”

Rain ignores the pack for now and continues, “I’m not sure what he will
do. He is still talking things over with the lizardfolk I assume.”

“What were you looking for? When you searched his body, that is. He couldn’t have been cold yet. Doesn’t that seem, well… weird, taking his things like that?”

While sitting with Guardsman Rain, Xalakae searches the waters below for the minds of fish or other simple creatures. Maybe I can catch something tasty for breakfast.

Rain replies to Newt’s question, “Information… I was looking for information. Initially I just wanted to get his weapons away in case he got back up. Noch seemed like a good enough guy. I liked him at least. Too bad he wasn’t who he appeared to be.”

Rain notices Newt looking into the waters but not seeming to be able to find what she seeks. Rain asks, “What are you looking for?”

“Everyone has been so nice to me, and they make sure to keep me safe. But that means I have to be in the hold all the time. I don’t like being indoors so much, so I thought if I did some fishing they’d let me stay on deck. I was wondering if there is something to fish with. I thought of the spears below, but they’re not really made for fishing, ya know?”

Rain smiles at Newt’s innocence. “Yah, I know.”

“Can you excuse me for a second?” Newt steps away from Rain for a few minutes. She goes down into the hold and comes back up holding something. She returns to Rain after a quick circuit around the deckhouse, carrying a fishing pole and some related gear.

Sitting down with Rain again, Newt starts baiting the hook with a practiced hand. ”There” she says, clearly in better spirits as she casts her line. “Now I’ve got a good reason to be up here. Do you fish, milady?”

Rain responds to Newt’s question on fishing, “I did… a long time ago.” She pauses, visiting old dusty memories, then continues, “You don’t need to call me by any titles. Just Rain is fine.”

Rain offers the pack and sword she brought and says, “So this pack and sword are for you. In it you will find a bedroll and standard equipment. If you have never used one before, you may want to practice a bit with the sword. I’ll show ya if you want.”

“Thanks!” shrieked Newt, gleefully. She drops her fishing pole, opens the bag and rifles through its contents. When finished, she leaps at Rain and gives her a big, grateful hug. ”Thank you so much! You won’t get in trouble for teaching me, will you?”

Rain is caught by surprise at Newt’s reaction but then warmly hugs back. Rain is reminded of a similar scene just the other day back in Westkeep and smiles. ”No, I don’t think anybody will mind me teaching you to defend yourself. Just be careful with this, it is a deadly weapon. We can get started a little later today after breakfast.”

Fingol walks over to Rain and Newt at a leisurely pace. He stops and says, “I see the newest member of our gang is sharing in some of the spoils. Are you going to teach her to use that sword?”

Rain replies cheerfully, “Yah, after breakfast. Wanna help?”

Fingol replies with pleasant surprise, “Oh, I thought you were going to keep our friend’s company all to yourself! I’d be happy to help if I can. Although, you have the advantage to me in sword work, as I recall.”

“Oh, thank you, sir!” Newt says to Fingol. Turning to Rain, “Oh, what a fine day! I only hope it stays slow enough that we’re not interrupted. Everything has been happening so fast!”

 Notwithstanding the attempt on Sir Ragnbjorn’s life, Newt is very pleased with the turns the day had taken. With such happy thoughts, Xalakae turns hiers attention back to fishing, hoping to catch a particularly good fish for breakfast.

From time to time s/he looks around to see what the others were doing, but is happy to keep up a general conversation with Rain. Rain seems friendly enough, but avoids answering questions about her past. That made Xalakae all the more curious and s/he debated internally whether or not to try scanning Rain more deeply. In the end, s/he decided that if s/he was ever to be friends with Rain s/he shouldn’t pry. Xalakae’s parents would probably have counseled otherwise, but they weren’t here, and not knowing would make it less likely for Xalakae to let slip anything that would give hierm away.

Rekindling the conversation, Newt recalls to Rain, “We used to look for will-o-wisps in the marsh. Me and the other kids, that is. Sometimes we’d find coins someone must have lost to them. Once, Anderil got zapped by one! It chased him half the way home!

Rain chuckles at her story then says to both Newt and Fingol, “Tell you what, after dinner I’ll go make us some practice swords. Then the three of us can go through some basic moves, sound good?”

“It sounds like a good plan,” Fingol says as he starts to walk to the deckhouse, “except for the will-o-wisps. I’d like to stay away from those if we can. Well, I’m going to study the charts a while. Let me know when you are ready to start.”

Without turning, Fingol utters a little rhyme, “Through misdeed or mischance, caring words may fail to dance.” 

As Fingol walks away, Newt comments quietly to Rain, “Sir Fingol seems nice, now that things have calmed a bit.”  Securing her fishing pole, she turns to the sword. Drawing it, she holds it in the early light and hefts it, testing its weight. She is very careful with it.

When Gar finishes his morning meditation, Rain approaches and whispers to him, “Hey, just to let you know, Ragnbjorn has asked me to keep Noch’s coins on me at all times. I wanted somebody else to know.”

“Oh good, I was worried about them down there,” whispered Gar.

Then changing the subject she says, “So I guess we were right about Noch after all. Too bad, he seemed like a good enough guy.”

“Yeah, it seems like the two of us were the most perceptive in our group as well,” Gar adds.

Rain continues to whisper, but gets a grin on her face as she says, “I agree… see if they would just let us judge and convict those who we deem suspect this journey would be much safer. So let’s talk about Fin…” she ends with an even wider mocking evil grin.

Gar chuckles, “Sure, what do you have in mind? And that’s Sir Fin to you, milady.”

Rain sobers a bit at Gar’s comment and says, “Yah, I should be a bit more careful about that. I just hate that titles should define and divide us. Our deeds should be enough to define due respect.”

Gar nods in agreement. “I too have gotten in trouble more than once in that regard, milady, even by the Lady Sedara. It seems like the titles milord and milady are the most egalitarian in this society. It shows respect for each person regardless of caste or title. You might try it.” Gar smiles broadly.

Rain replies “Thanks Gar. I may give that a try… maybe.”

Gar later approaches Ragnbjorn, who is still exercising on the riverbank, bows slightly and says, “I had another dream last night that I need to share with you, milord.”

Ragnbjorn nods and says, “Well then by all means tell me about it Father Gar. You’re dreams and visions seem to be keeping us on track so far.”

Gar then recounts his dream in detail to Ragnbjorn who responds, “Deathwalkers huh? So that is what they are called. The Amedi who fled Westkeep must have found this city and have revived the cult of Thanatos. If this dream is true we must find this city, and it sounds like this Adelina or Newt is the one who might be able to take us there. So she was, or perhaps I should say, is to be a member of the Guard? It makes sense. We do have a spare suit of leather armor now, and weapons enough on the boat. We can give her a spear and dagger if nothing else. But how can we trust her? I know she seems to be nothing but a slip of a girl, but then Noch seemed to be a loyal soldier who had in fact defended the Prince with his life only a few nights ago.”

“Oh, milord, I have the Zone of Truth spell available. I had hoped it would be of help in the negotiations. So, if you think at some point it would be helpful, just ask,” smiles Gar.

“Ah, indeed. Let us ask this Newt if she will submit to answering some questions within the Zone of Truth. If she is what she appears to be, an innocent girl who lost her parents in a raid, then all is well. We can also ask her if she knows of this city. Then we can induct her, at least temporarily into the Guard and Sgt. Apone and his troops can train her. That will keep her out of trouble and enable her to defend herself if we need to take her with us so she can lead us to this city. However, if she has something to hide and balks at this, then we will have to reconsider. How does that sound to you Father Gar? We can question her after dinner.”

Starday Predawn, Fireseek 8, 591 Common Year

All is still and calm just before sunrise. Indranil and Frost are on the bow, Ragnbjorn and Ferro are on the deckhouse, and Noch and Dale are on the stern. The northern winds continue to blow steadily, but the two moons continue to shine down through the clouds. On the riverbank the four everburning torches have been covered so as not to attract any unwanted attention. Suddenly, a javelin hurtles through the air and strikes Ragnbjorn. He grunts in pain, struck in the right elbow.

Noch yells, “It came from over here!” and hurls himself to the starboard side of the boat. Cursing under his breath Noch swiftly fires an arrow in that direction. A splash is heard from the dark waters, as if something were diving back into the waters.

Dale also fires off the starboard side, but then says, “Nothing. It got away again.”

Nothing more is seen or heard. Ragnbjorn however, finds that his wound is more severe than he thought, as blood from his severed artery forms a growing pool upon the deck.

Ferro cries, “Get Father Gar! We need a healer immediately!”

Indranil yells as loud as he can, “Fire! Foe! Awake! Awake! Father Gar to the roof!” At the same time he sprints towards the deckhouse, leaps up to catch the upper edge of it, and clambers up onto the roof next to Rangnbjorn.

Indranil looks back down to the deck and yells to Frost, “Awaken Father Gar and get him up here now!”

He removes his belt and ties a cloth tourniquet above Sir Ragnbjorn’s bleeding elbow and manages to slow the bleeding to a trickle. He lays Rangbjorn down and elevates his arm while covering him with his cloak. He checks to make sure that Ragnbjorn has no other injuries.

Ragnbjorn pulls out a small vial from a utility pocket on his shirt with his left hand and uncorks it with his teeth. He swallows it and the bleeding stops completely, though the wound is still open and raw.

Ragnbjorn pulls out another vial and consumes it as well.

Frost ducks into the deckhouse and practically throws himself down the stairs into the hold yelling, “Attack, attack! Man down! Cleric, we need a cleric up on deck!”

Up on deck Dale continues to search the river for rogue lizardfolk. He turns to Noch saying, “I don’t see any…” He then sees that Noch is approaching him with a lizardfolk javlin and backs away just as Noch thrusts into the space where he had just been standing.

“You motherless goat-sucking whoreson of a traitor!” yells Dale as he drops his bow, whips out his shortsword, and stabs Noch in the belly. Unfortunately, though it penetrates Noch’s leather armor, it is a shallow wound.

Ferro, hearing the sound of fighting, takes up her bow and runs back to the stern. Seeing Noch and Dale locked in combat, she pauses, uncertain of what to do.

Indranil yells down to Noch and Dale, ”Cease your fighting and stand to guard us and do your jobs. Don’t make me come down there.”

Already awake, Newt is at full alert and jumps out of her hammock and heads topside with the others. As she does so she reaches out with her mind, seeking others’ minds starting with Indranil’s, then Dale, then anyone near Dale and tries to find out what is going on. As she runs up to the deck, she looks quickly for a knife, club, or other handy weapon, just in case. Sgt. Apone pulls her aside saying, “Where are you going? Get below deck girl!”

“But I want to help!” Newt pleaded, half crying in frustration, to the Sergeant. 

Lorindel grabs his bow and quiver and heads topside. He sees that Dale is down and Noch has his sword out and is reaching for a lizardfolk javelin. His bow ready he yells, “Noch, stand down!”

Rain jumps up from her hammock and immediately a name comes to her lips in a whisper, “Noch!” With her right hand she grabs her masterwork dagger from under her pillow, where she places it when she sleeps, and also her other daggers. With her left hand she draws her shortsword. She follows right on Lorindel’s heels but moves to the opposite side of the doorway.

Rain notes the blood dripping from Noch’s blade. “Whatcha doin’ Noch?” she asks.

Fingol grabs his longsword and buckler, then runs topside. He heads to the bow and sees that no one is there. Yelling, “Father!” he races back through the deckhouse to the other side in order to head up the ladder to the top of the deckhouse.

Gar bolts upright at the alarm. As he jumps out of bed and runs to the roof he says a little prayer for protection because he didn’t bother to put anything on. He heads up the stairs leading to the roof of the deckhouse as Lorindel and Rain cover Noch. Frost also comes out and takes up a position between Noch and the deckhouse.

Snoop quickly slips into Arameks jacket as Aramek invokes his Mage Armor, “Sorch-Kiraso!” He grabs his light crossbow, and heads up on deck behind Gar.

Ragnbjorn drinks a third potion that causes his wound to close completely. He gets to his feet saying, “I am going to finish this. Stay back Sir Indranil.”

Ragnbjorn takes up his bow and nocks an arrow and walks over to the edge of the deckhouse next to Ferro to look down on the stern. “Noch! There’s no use pretending anymore. The jig is up. Who do you work for? Surrender and tell us what you know, and I am sure the Prince will be merciful. I know you will probably not accept this offer, but I make it in good faith. Otherwise, we will put you down.”

Noch looks around him. Ragnbjorn, Ferro, and Indranil have him in their sights from the top of the deckhouse. On the stern, Lorindel, Rain, Fingol, and Frost block his way. Gar and Aramek have reached the top of the deckhouse and already Gar is sending out a wave of healing power, further healing Ragnbjorn and even Dale begins to stir where he lies at Noch’s feet.

Noch bows his head, shakes the blood off of his sword and sheathes it, but then he quickly throws the javelin into his right hand and hurls it at Ragnbjorn yelling, “Nerull take you all!” At the same time, Ragnbjorn, Indranil, Fingol, Lorindel, Frost, and Ferro fire their arrows, Rain hurls her knife, and Aramek fires a magic missile at him.

Noch’s javelin rebounds a few inches away from Ragnbjorn’s chest, where a bluish field of energy flares up. Rain’s hurled dagger bounces off Noch’s leather cuirass, Frost and Fingol’s arrows miss; but Aramek’s magic missile strikes him right in the chest, and four other arrows pierce him in the right foot, left leg, neck, and forehead. Noch crumples lifeless to the deck.

Dale climbs to his feet and backs away as quickly as he can. “That bastard tried to kill me with one of those javelins! He… he stabbed me! This is the second time today I’ve almost died!” Dale wails. 

Rain moves over to Noch, picking up her dagger on the way. She stoops down to be sure he is dead and disarms him of his weapons.

Gar looks down, satisfied with Noch as a dead porcupine.

The sun finally begins to rise over the horizon as Ragnbjorn comes down and everyone moves aside. There is a fierce look in his eyes. “Rain, step away and put his sword down. He’s gone.”

Rain immediately stops her search, having already placed Noch’s sword down on the deck opposite herself. She stands back at Ragnbjorn’s order.

Ragnbjorn looks back to Gar and Aramek atop the deckhouse. “Can either of you detect magic?” he asks.

Aramek immediately replies to Ragnbjorn’s question. “Yes, my lord. He immediately intones, “Rivelighu!” He then senses the presence of magic on Noch.

Fingering his little Green Man, Gar calls upon Obad-Hai to reveal the presence of any poisons. Still standing atop the deckhouse, Gar senses that there is some within Noch’s tabard.

Indranil clears his throat politely, “Father Gar, could you please see to Sir Ragnbjorn? He took a grievous wound and while he has been drinking some strange potion I suspect he may require your aid sooner rather than later. Perhaps you two could move to the bow away from this devil so as not to resurrect him by accident?”

Rain stifles a slight chuckle at Indranil’s comment.

Lorindel says nothing as he walks back towards the deckhouse, shaking his head in disgust.

Gar responds to Indranil’s chiding, “Yes, Sir Indranil, I agree, and Dale probably needs some more healing as well, but first things first. Milord, there is poison inside Noch’s tabard – likely in a hidden pocket on the inside. It is Banelar Essence, a poison distilled from the venom of the Banelar. They are evil dark purple nagas infamous for their use of black magic.”

Aramek vocalizes, “Hmm,” as he begins to get a sense of magical forces around Noch’s body. Then, “Uh-huh” as he figures out what he’s sensing.

“My lord,” Aramek says as he turns to Ragnbjorn. “I detect seven magical auras, the strongest one of only moderate strength. His leather armor and long bow both have a faint magical aura and his quiver has a moderate emanation, but I can’t pin down the particular school. However, within his tabard I detect four faint auras, at least one is transmutational and at least one conjurational. More precise than that, I cannot be. Would anyone care to check?”

Ragnbjorn replies, “Aramek, I’m a ranger, not a magic-user. Your schools of arcane classification don’t tell me anything about what we might find. Still, I thank you for letting us know what to look out for.”

Ragnbjorn turns to Rain, “Would you like to do the honors Rain? See what he’s got in his pockets, but do it carefully.”

Rain nods her head slightly in affirmation to Ragnbjorn. She kneels down next to Noch’s body and resumes her methodical search, laying everything found out on the deck next to the short sword.

“Please be careful around the poison, Rain,” chimes in Gar as he comes down the ladder to the main group to get a better look at what she finds. His curiosity is killing him.

Rain lays aside Noch’s two daggers, one of which was the masterwork dagger given by the Prince just a few days before for exemplary service. She then finds five vials in a pocket sown inside Noch’s tabard. Each has a raised seal so that someone thumbing the seal will know what it is. The first one is clearly marked “poison.” The second has the word “Pass” impressed on the seal, this is the one identified as belonging to the transmutation school of magic by Aramek. The third has the word “Cure” impressed upon it, this is the one Aramek identified as belonging to the conjuration school. The fourth has the word “Cure +” impressed on the seal. The fifth has the word “Dark” impressed on the seal. When Rain takes up the quiver, there are 13 arrows in it. It doesn’t otherwise seem very remarkable, though the quiver itself registers as having a moderately powerful magical aura to Aramek. Rain finds that Noch’s belt pouch contains 20 Keoland silver hawks.

Sergeant Apone drops Noch’s pack down beside the corpse. “You better check this out as well,” he says.

Aramek doesn’t detect anything magical emanating from the pack. When Rain goes through it she finds – in addition to the standard bedroll and other gear everyone else has – a camouflage cloak suitable for the marshes, a set of picklocks and other related tools of excellent quality, 116 Keoland gold eagles, and 100 platinum highlords such as were made by the Sea Princes before their fall. This last brings gasps of awe from all the guardsmen who see them.

Ragnbjorn lets out a low whistle. “Alright everyone, you all see what is here and how much. Everyone will get equal shares as per the standard arrangement when we get back to Westkeep. All the gear, including magic items, will be sold or redeemed by the Prince. The proceeds will be added to the monetary treasure. I will take two shares as the military leader of this expedition. Fingol, Father Gar, and the Marinus brothers will each get one and a half shares. Sergeant Apone will get one share. The rest of the squad will each get a half share. Since Noch was our man and we had to put him down, this will not be shared with the crew of the Javan Queen or the delegates. Sorry Captain.”

“Quite alright,” replies Captain Olnut who had come out of the deckhouse along with his First Mate to stand beside Ragnbjorn and was still waiting to find out what all the commotion aboard his ship was all about.

Ragnbjorn anticipated the Captain’s query, “One of our own turned against us. We took care of him. I think that’s all you need to know. Your boat is safe now.”

Captain Olnut nods, “Much obliged Sir Ragnbjorn, much obliged.”

“Now, for the time being we will put some of this to good use until they can be sold or redeemed. The rest will be kept safe. Dale, since you seem to need it, why don’t you put on Noch’s armor? I suspect it will give you better protection than what you’re wearing now with all the arrow and sword holes in it. Sir Indranil – that was an excellent shot to the head. I suspect it may have been the killing blow. Would you like to take up Noch’s longbow, since it seems to be magical? Ferro, go ahead and take that masterwork dagger, since you got a hit on him. Frost, you got a chance to fire a shot, you go ahead and take his other dagger. Someone tell Sir Lorindel that he can have the cloak for a while if he wishes. I believe he went into the deckhouse. Fingol, I worry about that quiver, but would you mind taking it for now? Use it if you wish, maybe you’ll find out what it does, but be careful. We have no idea if any of these contain cursed magic. Finally, Rain, I would like you to take responsibility for the rest of Noch’s gear and his silver, gold, and platinum. I guess that makes you the squad treasurer for the moment. How would that suit you?”

Gar raised his eyebrows at her assignment, but stifles any comment.

Rain chuckles at Ragnbjorn for making her the treasurer, then quickly sobers and says sincerely, “Sure thing Sir, I’ll keep track of it.”

She puts her hand on Noch’s shoulder and says quietly with sad emotion where only those directly around her can hear, “Goodbye friend Noch. Regardless of the outcome it was a pleasure to serve with who I believed you to be. I now take what was yours and thank you for the gifts. Rest well my friend.”

Rain takes Noch’s pack and begins filling it with the rest of the gear, taking care in its packing. She then takes it down to her hammock and sets it next to her own pack for safekeeping. She then surreptitiously checks that she is not being watched and then switches her shortsword with Noch’s, checking it further as she does. She notes that Noch’s shortsword seems to have a much better balance than her own. It is at least of masterwork quality though it does not look special otherwise. She then moves Noch’s belt pouch with all its coins into her own pack, making sure that it is well hidden. Finally, she moves the vials marked “cure” and “cure +” to her own belt pouch.

Indranil goes off to find Lorindel in the deckhouse with a troubled look expression on his face. “Dear brother, how are you?” Indranil asks.

Newt, so eager to get on deck just a short moment ago, sees the brothers begin a conversation of a troubling nature to at least one of them. Newt quietly pretends to busy herself with tidying while trying to listen in.

“I find this traitorous business distasteful; but I am more disappointed with myself,” Lorindel replies. “I saw Noch as a bit of a loner and tried to befriend him. I can’t believe I misread those signs so miserably. You needn’t trouble yourself on my account, Indranil. Once I’ve had a moment to collect myself, I’ll be fine.”

Indranil responds, “Trouble myself? Nay brother we are family. But what I really wanted to tell you was that last night during a dream I was visited by Ehlenestra herself!”

Indranil takes a moment and observes all the hustle and bustle in the deckhouse. “Brother, let’s not discuss this here. I will tell you more in private. Let’s go find Ragnbjorn.”

Later that day when twilight surrenders to the thickening black of night, Rain tries to catch some sleep before her midnight shift. Events of the day replay in her mind making it impossible for her to sleep. An hour or so before her shift she gives up and climbs up on top of the deckhouse and dangles her feet over the side and plays her flute softly into the night.

As she plays, her mind wanders into a typical discussion with herself. Now why were you so candid with Newt before about your old life? I think being on the road again away from Westkeep is stirring up old memories, my friend, she thinks to herself.

Best not to dwell – not like it really matters that much anyways. You have killed several men now, your father was just the first – the first in a long line of fuckers who deserved it. Momentarily the calm, even tones of her flute give way to short, harsh expressions mimicking the thrusting gestures of a knife, so betraying her thoughts.

After dinner Indranil excuses himself and goes below deck for his evening meditation. He finds it impossible, however, to slip into a meditative state to relax. His body remains tense and his mind active, endlessly replaying various interactions and battles from the last four days. Was it only four days since I arrived in Westkeep’ he asks himself?

He finally gives up and goes to his hammock to lie down and try to get some sleep. He has the last watch and it would come soon enough. He lay there listening to the wind in the rigging and the lapping of the river water against the hull. Whispers and footsteps overlay these natural rhythms with a constant murmur of activity. He feels oppressed and oddly disconnected from his surroundings and body. It is like he is slightly out of phase with the flow around him: here but not here. It is disturbing. His mind returns to a constant question: Was he elf or human? Which world did he fit into? Neither was the answer and he felt despondent.

As Indranil’s body falls deeper and deeper towards sleep, his mind remains awake. He begins to notice that everything around has faded and lost substance – first going grey then going entirely black. He begins to feel a growing anxiety. Wake up! His body refuses. Am I dreaming? Unable to move or awaken, he begins to feel a sense of foreboding as though he is being watched by a great evil. Something is approaching! Now he grows terrified!

Just as he desperately tries to awake and scream to warn his fellow travelers the evil pressure he felt approaching recedes and the darkness begins to lighten. He finds his body relaxing and his mind clear and calm. He is able to look around and finds himself in an open glade of verdant grasses and colorful wild flowers. A cheerfully babbling brook is on his left and gorgeous golden leaved malorn trees are on his right. He takes a deep breath and it fills his soul with peace and gladness. The smells are sweet and fragrant.

From behind he hears his name called, “Indranil Marinus.”

He turns and sees the goddess Ehlenestra herself seated before him on a pure white unicorn. She is wearing a rich green and gold gown that looks like the very grasses and wildflowers themselves have grown a gown just for her. Her striking violet eyes transfix him and hold him immobile. She dismounts and whispers to her unicorn and it lies down on the grass and regally watches over them. She walks over to Indranil and places her hand upon his head and says, “Good Indranil, keeper of my faith, be at peace with yourself; you are of neither realm – elven or human – but of both and beyond. Am I too not of both worlds? Humans call me Ehlenna. Elves call me Ehlenestra. Dear Indranil, do you see me diminished in any way? You and your half-elf brethren represent the future of both races. Do not make war on yourself. I need you in this coming fight against Karaan and his minions who seek to oppress the good people of this world.”

Indranil feels utterly at peace and right within himself and the world.

He says, “My Goddess Ehlenestra, I give you my solemn pledge of faith and effort, that I will serve you until my dying breath to protect your domain and offer sanctuary to all those who follow you and the Good.”

Ehlenestra smiles upon Indranil and says, “I accept your pledge of faith and in return I vow to protect you and yours so long as you are faithful.” She then bends over him and kisses him upon his head. ”Sleep now and be at peace.” With that Indranil slips into a deep and peaceful slumber until awakened for his watch.

Xalakae pretends to sleep until those around hierm are snoring. For the first watch of the night s/he loses herself in the trance like reverie that is all hiers kind requires by way of sleep. Then s/he touches their minds, suspecting they would be less likely to notice while asleep. In the dark s/he listens to their thoughts, sifting the madness of dreams from things that may matter in waking hours. S/he avoids Noch, both mentally and proximately.

Vaskez falls asleep soon after coming back into the hold after her watch. Xalakae tries to enter her thoughts, but is immediately locked out. Vaskez stirs a bit in her hammock but does not awaken. Xalakae moves on to one of the other guardsmen, Dale. Dale sees himself sitting in the midst of a great treasure, but the coins heaped around him are falling away like sand in an hourglass. Then the seat becomes a great chariot and he riding forth in a great victory parade, but the wheels get bogged down in the muddy streets of Westkeep. He leaves the chariot and walks off with his friends in the unit and they come to a pool where a beautiful elven woman with stars for a crown hands him a cup of cool clear water. She says, “Here is your reward for all your efforts.” The dream ends as he is awakened for the pre-dawn watch.

As Gar lay falling asleep that night, he ponders the dreams of the Great Druidess and the visions he has been receiving from Obad-Hai. Even now, at this very moment, events are unfolding exactly as they have foretold. He reflects, I must not forget the details! Perhaps when we get back to Westkeep I can find a way to get a blank book, a feather quill and some ink. I’m sure they cost more than the few measly gold pieces in my pockets, but surely Obad Hai will provide….

Gar then slips into a dream of riding in a canoe deep into the marsh. There are several canoes to hold the party. In his canoe rides the girl Newt and Obad-Hai, who is now a powerful oarsman in the prime of his life. “Where exactly are we going, milord and milady?” Gar asks.

Obad-Hai laughs and says, “Why to find this one’s parents of course. They’ve been taken away by worshippers of old Thanatos. They hope to make some use of them, and that would make this bad situation much worse. Fortunately, they do not know of this one, nor that this one knows how to find them. Guard this one well and follow the trail of childhood memory.”

The boat travels on until it comes to an ancient ruined city in a tropical rain forest at the base of 300 foot high cliffs. A waterfall streams down the cliffs from about halfway up. Skeleton painted Amedi savages, patrol the city, but crouching in the shadows Gar glimpses more bestial figures. The landscape darkens as the setting sun disappears behind the cliffs. Gar awakens sometime before dawn to the sound of frantic shouting.

After finishing the first watch, Aramek finds himself bone weary as he heads for his bunk below deck. As he’s falling asleep, he can’t help but think about the strange beginning to their mission and the sudden appearance of first the attack of the Amedi and then their sudden rescue by the lizardfolk. Unconsciously his right hand reaches over to touch his left, where he had been pierced by the arrow, only to find Snoop one step ahead of him nestled against his injured hand. With this sense of security he falls asleep into chaotic dreams of burning buildings and little children running helter-skelter trying to hide from forms dressed all in black with faces painted like the Amedi warriors. He sees himself in the midst of the battle, casting spells that turn fire arrows into flaming flowers and spears into brightly colored jeweled snakes that slither into the river only to turn into gigantic naga that scoop up the warriors and swallow them whole. A beautifully scaled lizardfolk with dragon wings appears hovering above Aramek and hands him Snoop saying, “He will always save you from yourself.” Aramek then wakens to the cries of alarm.

When it comes time for Lorindel to take a rest, he lowers himself into a meditative state. Not the full trance of his elven side, but enough to drift off into pleasant dreams of his youth. Shortly after though, his dreams turn from idyllic forest realms to the chaos of the battlefield. He has returned to his shock troop squad, engaged in a hunt and clear mission that continues until he is awakened by shouting.

That night, Fingol has trouble falling asleep. As he does, he keeps hearing Sgt. Apone’s words, “Your father must be very proud,” repeated over and over.

Finally Fingol sleeps and starts to dream. He remembers one of his earliest “adventures” wherein a town was being threatened by a bear. Fingol trapped the bear, and then taught the people how to dispose of refuse so they wouldn’t draw wild animals to the town. In the dream, he is back in the town. The people are all listening intently but then they wander off. When Fingol turns back to the cage where they had herded the bear he sees that it is no longer a bear. It has changed into his father. His father is saying, “I never meant to be out here so long, should have retired to the country. Maybe it’s not too late for that. Still, I can’t imagine any other kind of life now.” He starts shaking the bars of the cage. As Fingol continues to watch, the bear changes into Indranil and starts roaring at him, “Do you really know what you’re doing? Are you bear enough?! Are you?!” The bear then changes into Gar. Gar is laughing uproariously, but then he stops and says, “Am I really trapped, or is it you?” Fingol then notes that he is also in the cage, and the town has disappeared. He looks around and then sees that the bear has changed again. This time it is Rain playing the same tune composed of short harsh staccato notes that she was playing during his watch earlier. He notices that her hands are bloody. She puts down the flute and sighs. She says, “No matter how long I play it won’t come clean. Time to leave.” She lumbers like a bear over to the door of the cage and then begins picking the lock. Before she can open the cage, the bear changes again into Newt. Newt seems a little surprised and says, “Oh! I’m in here too now!” She lumbers back over to Fingol who has been trying to think of what to do with this bear and embraces him. The dream fades into the oblivion of dreamless sleep until he too awakens to the shouting.

After her midnight shift, Rain drags her tired body into the hammock and falls asleep almost immediately and dreams that she is running down the Javan River, leaping from one crocodile to another as they keep surfacing to support her escape. Noch is following behind her, carrying the lifeless corpse of a young girl in his arms. Rain suddenly jumps from the last crocodile to shore, spins to face Noch and prepares to fight. Noch comes up to her and she notices that the lifeless corpse is Rinya. Anger overwhelms her, “You bastard!” she screams, and she drives her dagger so deep into his chest that her bare knuckles scrape against his now exposed ribs. Noch stares back at her and says in her father’s even voice, “It isn’t me, Rain.” Her dagger and hand still in his chest, she notices he is now her father as he collapses into the muddy riverbank. Rinya’s corpse has transformed into Newt. Rain collapses beside the two corpses and begins to sob loudly.

Rain’s eyes bolt open and as she rapidly sits up in her hammock, immediately fully awake and exclaims, “What the fuck?”

Breathing heavily Xalakae does hiers best to stay calm and silent. First s/he was in a boat with Gar, and then a bear in a cage, and finally a corpse. She had never done that before and found it more unpleasant than s/he would ever have guessed. S/he resolves not to enter into any dreams anymore, not anytime soon anyway. Resting in hiers hammock, Xalakae stares around hierm. Hiers darkvision allowing hierm to see all the stirring dreamers in the darkened hold clearly as s/he ponders their dreams.

Rain, meanwhile, leaves the hold and moves up to the deck needing fresh air. What the fuck was that? She walks about the deck in the pre-dawn hours trying to calm down. She finally settles enough to return to her hammock, and is still awake when Inranil begins shouting the alarm.

The Javan Queen anchors just off the northern bank of the river. Chief Rahk and at least a dozen of his warriors await them. It can be seen that they have brought several of the canoes to shore, including a war canoe.

Before getting out of the Javan Queen, Ragnbjorn calls out to the chief in Draconic, “Chief Rhodophylax, I need to speak with you apart from your men. I will wade ashore over there.” Chief Rahk nods his head in agreement.

Ragnbjorn turns to the Fingol and the Marinus brothers who have gathered around him. He hands Fingol his bow, sword, and morningstar, keeping only the dagger at his side. Fingol takes them with obvious care. “I do not want Chief Rahk to feel threatened. He himself is unarmed, as are the others down there. Not a javelin among them. You keep your bows ready, just in case. I am going to ask him if any of his warriors may have gone renegade.” Ragnbjorn then climbs over the side into the shallow waters.

Rain, still with arrow nocked and bow held at her side with her left hand, watches Ragnbjorn wade to shore while keeping periodic watch on the other lizardmen and still checking up on Noch every now and then.

Gar stands next to Rain to watch Ragnbjorn. Noticing that Rain keeps watching Noch too, he whispers in her direction, “Is Noch one of your relatives too?” as he points with his chin in Noch’s direction.

Newt takes a look at Noch and tries to see any family resemblance. Maybe Gar had been referring to the tabards. She sees that Noch was back on the stern with the other guardsmen, and is the only one soaking wet. She wonders what Noch had been doing to get himself all wet like that, and spends some time watching that group of guardsmen, hoping to figure it out. Newt determines to learn more about all this later. She carefully keeps quiet, not wanting to draw attention to herself while the guardsmen are so intent on the lizardmen. Having heard that the lizardfolk are strong swimmers (scary tales were told to the fisher folks’ children about them), Newt checks the other side of the boat and the waters beyond from time to time, in case anything comes from that direction.

Caught completely off guard by Gar’s question, Rain snorts, attempts to stifle it and only manages to begin coughing on her own quickly inhaled saliva. After some seconds she is able to control herself and then quietly whispers to Gar, “No Gar, not every questionable soul is a relative… and where in the Nine Hells did you learn diplomacy?”

Still watching Ragnbjorn, Gar smiles and says, “I am a believer in the direct approach Lady Rain. I fear Noch is going to turn on us at some crucial juncture. I was hoping you could shed some light on his quirky character. He’s just not right…..” Gar trails off then shrugs his shoulder. “What do you think?”

Rain replies, “I agree… something is not right with him. Neither is his story about being attacked at the back of the boat. He talks a good story, and seems nice enough… but… but something is just not right.”

Gar grunts his agreement.

Meanwhile, Ragnbjorn makes it to the riverbank without mishap. In the light of the moons he confers quietly with Chief Rahk. After a few moments he calls up to the boat in Draconic, “Sir Lorindel, if you could please hurl that javelin over here, we would appreciate it.” Chief Rahk walks over to his warriors and says something to them, and then they all walk off into the trees save one.

Lorindel, as requested hurls the javelin ashore. Chief Rahk and Ragnbjorn both go over to look at it. Ragnbjorn calls back to the ship, “Fingol, please come ashore and bring my weapons with you. We are all friends here.” He waits a moment for Fingol to climb off the boat and wade ashore and then calls again, “Guardsmen Noch, could you please come down here? Chief Rahk is afraid there may be renegades about and he wishes to ask you what happened.”

At this from Ragnbjorn, Aramek raises his right eyebrow, indicating his curiosity at what may follow.

Out of curiosity and a sense of self preservation, Newt/Xalakae risks a scan of Chief Rahk’s thoughts, ready to break it off if he gives any indication of sensing the attempt. In particular, s/he looks for thoughts he may have of betraying them.

S/he finds Chief Rahk to be thinking, Could it have been one of G’ruk’s warriors who tried to kill Sir Ragnbjorn? If so, we must be wary. He may try again. Or he may come after me. Damn G’ruk! Damn the Amedi! Damn this Thanatos they worship! The others may not realize it, but Sir Ragnbjorn and his friends’ arrival is most timely. They may have means of saving us all.

Never looking away from the scene on the shore, Gar says, “I wonder what Chief Rahk is going to do with his one malcontent. Kill him?”

Rain replies, “not sure…” but no longer seems to be paying attention to Gar as she looks back at Noch and lets her mind wander while keeping her eyes on Noch as he crosses over to where Ragnbjorn and the lizardfolk chieftain stand. She is tensed and ready to raise and let fly an arrow immediately if needed.

Sir Ragnbjorn’s request has Xalakae wondering about Noch’s intentions. With Noch distracted (s/he hopes) by Ragnbjorn’s request and the lizardfolk, s/he risks a scan of Noch’s thoughts. If hiers rescuers didn’t fully trust him then s/he wanted to know if there was anything risky in his mind. Surely if there was something for him to hide, he’d be thinking of it and what he was going to tell Sir Ragnbjorn and the lizardman. Noch’s mind, however, shuts Xalakae out as soon as s/he reaches out to it. He was wary indeed. In fact, he even stops in the water on the way to the riverbank, having felt hiers probe but not knowing from where it had come. He pauses to look warily at Ragnbjorn, Chief Rahk, and the remaining lizardman, but then continues on without comment.

In a voice just loud enough for those around him to hear, but not addressing anyone in particular, Gar muses, “Are there any amongst us who trust Noch completely?”

After no voice of support for Noch from his comrades, Gar smirks while still watching the shore. “I think that if Sir Ragnbjorn offered Noch’s life as a peace token, we would all be better off.”

Aramek responds to Gar’s remark with, “That may be but he did acquit himself well in defense of the Prince against the assassins.”

Gar goes, “Hmm… did he now? I have another perspective to add if any care to hear.” Gar looks around him and sees there are more people around than he feels comfortable with, but shrugs it off with a look that says, ‘Ah, to hell with it all.’

Gar says in a small voice hoping only those closest to him could hear, “Did anyone else notice Noch after it was all over? After our formal interrogations, when we were with His Highness the paladins in the room were scanning us all for truthfulness and Noch did his utmost to avoid the gaze of any of them by moving around the back of the room. He is involved with the enemy, somehow, someway, mark my words. Don’t know which side yet though….”

Aramek gets a serious look on his face as he thinks back to the events in the Prince’s chamber, then says softly to Gar, “Father Gar, as I think back on it, I believe you are right. I guess I was still too riled up by the events to notice Noch’s behavior. I too will be curious to see how this plays out.”

Gar steps back for a moment, so as not to be seen from the shore. He takes his weapons off his back. He sets his crossbow down in a safe spot along with his morning star, and checks to make sure his dagger is still stuffed safely up his left sleeve. Noticing the odd looks from some of his friends, Gar shrugs and says, “I think I’ll be called over next. I’d rather not parley loaded with weapons, even if it is okay. Gods know I am more dangerous naked than armed anyway.” Laughing softly, amused with himself, Gar steps back up to the edge of the keel boat to see what may be seen.

Indranil stands alertly on the edge of the keelboat ready to assist as needed. He is careful not to bare his teeth in a human or half-elf type smile; showing of teeth is a threat gesture to the lizardfolk; instead he slightly lowers his head holding his mouth partially open while lightly licking his lips in the lizardfolk equivalent of a smile. He is also careful to move slowly and deliberately as not to agitate them.

Seeing everyone’s attention focused on things away from the boat, Newt creeps quietly onto the deck. She notes that the fresh air is only a slight improvement over the air below decks. Still checking the riverside of the boat occasionally, she makes her way towards the rail closest to shore, trying to keep the lizardfolk chieftain in view and moving to stand behind Father Gar.

Four lizardfolk bearing long poles with everburning torches return to the riverbank. They plant the poles at four corners of a 40’ by 40’ square and then proceed to draw a circle in the center of the square that is roughly 30’ in diameter. Ragnbjorn sticks the javelin into the center of the circle. Then Chief Rahk, the other lizardman who had remained at Chief Rahk’s side, Noch, and Fingol all enter the circle. They confer together for a time in low voices. At the end of it, they all bow to one another, and then Ragnbnorn, Fingol, and Noch return to the keelboat.

Ragnbjorn climbs up atop the deckhouse and says to all, “Within the circle of honor, Chief Rahk has listened to our account of how a lone lizardman warrior got aboard this ship, having pulled Noch into the water, and then made an attempt on my life with this javelin before diving back into the waters. They did not see this attempt, but he believes that we are being truthful. In return, Chief Rahk asks us to believe that neither he nor any of those under his command had anything to do with it. He believes that it was a lone renegade and they will search for him.

“In the meantime, he said that they do not believe there are anymore Amedi warriors in the area. Thanks to our inadvertently luring them all out into the middle of the river they were able to defeat these Amedi who they had been hunting for some time. Lord Heslex, the water naga that Father Gar befriended was instrumental in this, in that he came here ahead of us and found Chief Rahk and told him that we were looking for him in hopes of negotiating a settlement. When the Chief came to Cypress Hill to meet us they found both that it had been razed and that its attackers were still lying in wait for river traffic.

“He also told us that Adelina, or Newt as she pleases, is indeed one of the survivors of Cypress Hill and had no contact with the Amedi other than having to hide from them for some time. That should clear her of any suspicions any of us may have towards her in connection with the ambush.

“Finally, Chief Rahk has asked that we make camp here for the night. His warriors will join ours in making sure that no one comes upon us here during the night. In the morning, he wishes to continue talks with myself, Fingol, and Father Gar. I believe there may be more at stake here than just negotiating fishing rights and territorial limits.

“I also must commend you all for performing admirably during the Amedi ambush. Because of your professionalism and courage under fire we were able to weather the attack without a single casualty. I am honored to serve with warriors such as you. Unfortunately, you may be called upon to exhibit such courage and strength again before this is over. I am sure you will continue to do so with honor and in the highest traditions of the Kingdom of Keoland. Now for tonight, we will keep to the regular watch assignments. That is all.”

Hearing everything Ragnbjorn has to say, Aramek turns to Gar and says, “I don’t know. That renegade warrior seemed intent on specifically killing Sir Ragnbjorn. If all he wanted to do was kill humans, why didn’t he kill Noch, instead of just pulling him into the river? I’m not completely satisfied with the idea that this was just the act of a renegade. What say you, Father Gar?” 

Though directed at Gar, Rain responds, “I agree Aramek. There is still something more here we are not seeing.”

Gar grunts his agreement. “All proceeds exactly according to the dreams of the Great Druidess and my visions from Obad-Hai. There are factions amongst the lizardfolk, just like amongst us humans.”

Turning around with a smile, Gar greets Newt with a bow and then opens his arms wide, “Welcome young Lady Newt to the Javan Queen! What an adventurous day it has been. I fear I forgot to introduce myself properly when we met earlier. I am Father Gar of the Flan. Did you find some food yet? Supper will be soon.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, milord,” replies Newt with a curtsy, a bit uncomfortable to have so many eyes on her. She notices her still-grubby hands and remembers that she hadn’t cleaned up yet. I must look a mess! she thinks.

Pressing on, Newt comes out of the curtsy saying, “Adelina at your service, milord. But everyone just calls me Newt, if it pleases you. And yes, I found some food. Thank you for all your help.” Newt couldn’t help but like this man. ”I hope there is some way I can return the kindness you’ve shown me – all of you,” she adds, with as charming a smile as she can summon up, looking around at the others in turn.

Keen to learn how things work among these people, Newt notes that Sir Ragnbjorn, clearly their leader, valued Father Gar’s opinion and sought it out. She also notes that Lady Rain was one to speak out of turn.

Indranil whispers to Rain, “Perhaps you could show her a bucket and cloth and help her get cleaned up?”

Gar smiles in return. “What a charming young thing. Would you like to get cleaned up, Newt? I’m sure we can find you something clean to wear. I have an extra leather mail shirt with me too, if you would like to wear it for extra protection?”

Rain measures up Gar and Newt with her eyes, imagining poor Newt dragging around totally oversized leather armor. “Thanks Gar, but I think something more my size would be better.” Rain smiles and says to Newt, ”Come on, let’s go get you cleaned up a bit.” Rain leads her over to a secluded place with a stream where Newt can wash up. Rain then pulls out an extra shirt and pants from her pack for Newt to wear.

Once they are alone and she is cleaning up in the stream, Rain continues to keep a careful watch but asks without looking at her new companion, “So Newt, how old are you and what did you do before the attack?”

Newt doesn’t show it, but she is disappointed not to be getting some leather armor. Maybe Rain will loan me some, she thinks hopefully. Anyway, clean clothes of any kind would be nice, and Rain’s will certainly fit better.

To Rain’s question, Newt replies, “I’m fifteen years old. We fished for crabs and shrimp to earn money, but mother and father can do lots of things. Father can work metal, write, do numbers, and tell tales really well. I learned a lot of that stuff from him. Mother sometimes traded with the bargemen and taught me how to use plants for medicine and cooking. They are going to…” Newt pauses a bit, and then continues more quietly. “They were going to move us to a city soon, because they said I’m almost ready. They said it would be better if I finished growing up somewhere besides the bayous.”

Drying off and dressing, she changes the topic. “Thank you for the loan of the clothes. How did you come to be in Sir Ragnbjorn’s service? What did you do before that?” She listens with half her mind, the other half on recent events and her future.

Rain smiles and responds, “I am a member of the Westkeep Guard. Long before that came to be I grew up in a small village similar to you…” Rain’s smile fades immediately as she loses herself in thought. Why in the Nine Hells did I just say that? I have never told anybody about that. What the hells is wrong with you Rain?

After a few seconds she regains control and forces a small smile again to change the subject quickly, “Anyways, yah… I’m a member of the Guard reporting to Sgt. Apone.”

Newt asks, “Do you think I could stay with Sir Ragnbjorn’s men-at-arms for a while? At least until my parents and I find each other.” Her rescuers would be sure to think her parents dead Newt thinks, but she isn’t ready to admit that they would probably be right; but if anyone could have survived, it was her parents. ”I can stand watches to make myself useful, and I can learn just about anything,” she offers hopefully.

“I don’t see why not. Ask Ragnbjorn about that, I’m sure he can find a use for you to earn your keep. Have you been taught to fight?”

“Well, not with weapons, really. I’ve wrestled with the boys some. And I can spear a fish, and even shoot arrows at them – a little. But I haven’t had to learn to fight another person. Until a couple nights ago there had never been a need. Do you think I should learn to fight? Does everyone have to learn sometime?”

Rain smiles at Newt’s innocence and replies, “Yah Newt… I’m afraid that if you are going to be coming with us you might want to learn to fight.”

Newt ponders such a future. She doesn’t like the idea of having to fight a lot. It seems much better to let others do the fighting. Perhaps there are other means I can use to make my way in the world. Then again, maybe I’d better learn at least a little about how to fight. Ugh! It wasn’t supposed to be like this! It just isn’t fair!

Once Rain and Newt have gone off, Lorindel leans close to Ragnbjorn and whispers within earshot of Fingol and Indranil. “With all due respect, sir, this is no place for that young woman,” criticizes Lorindel. “Seems Rain and Father Gar have decided to watch over her, which is fine by me. Personally I think that she should be kept below deck at all times for her own good.”

Ragnbjorn replies, “I agree this is no place for a young woman. I want to send her back to Westkeep as soon as we can. However, it seems that Father Gar had another prophetic vision in which he learned that she may be needed. Fingol heard it also. He delivered it when we were conferring in the deckhouse before the lizardfolk appeared. He had a fainting spell and when he awoke he said that Obad-Hai told him that he had done well and that we would need the help of both the lizardfolk and this girl. Father Gar hasn’t steered us wrong yet, so let’s keep her safe but for the time being we may need to keep her with us.”

Fingol shakes his head, “Perhaps she seems young to you, being half-elven, but at 15 she is old enough to start her own way in this world. In another year she may well be wed. I am more concerned that she is untrained in any martial skills… so far as we know. If we go into danger, she’ll need to be watched. Still, she has survived an ordeal many of her older and apparently stronger relations did not.”

“Hmm,” muses Ragnbjorn, “maybe one of you should take one of the extra longspears and teach her how to defend herself. Get a sense of how capable or incapable she is. If nothing else, she can either join the Guard down the line, or perhaps Lady Sedara has need of another servant at the palace.”

“As you command,” obeys Lorindel.

That night a campfire is made and dinner is held on the riverbank. Newt makes it a point to help with supper, always listening attentively. She goes out of her way to make herself useful by serving the lords in order of rank (as best she can make it out). She even ventures some comments whenever she has something appropriate to add (but nothing that would expose who/what she is). She stays alert for any tidbits that might indicate something she could do beyond playing the part of a servant.

Master Ailil, and the three fishermen delegates come out of the hold for supper, but they all keep to themselves.

Newt is introduced to Captain Olnut, his First Mate Uglash, and the crew of eight Olman tribesmen. They seem friendly enough, or at least friendlier than the fishermen, but they don’t try to mix with the knights or soldiers, or even the fishermen.

At some point during the evening, Fingol sits next to Sgt Apone and says, “As strange a day as this has been, I prefer it to a day in the city. How about you? Are you happy to be free of the worries of patrolling the town and the keep?”

Sgt Apone laughs and says, “Sorry lad, I am a city rat, not a country mouse like you rangers. At least with city patrols I more or less know what to expect.”

“Hrmph, well, to each his own. I still love a night under the stars. How’s your leg, by the by? I know Father Gar healed you, but still… It was a fierce wound.”

“That it was. That it was. But it’s all good now thanks to Father Gar. He didn’t leave a scratch or even a bruise. I can’t say that I’d prefer Father Gar to a good and honest priest of Heironeous, my own patron you understand. Still, for a priest of Obad-Hai he seems like he means us all well. That was some good shooting you did back there. I think you got a couple of hits on those savages. Your father must be mighty proud of you.”

Fingol chuckles a bit, “Father Gar? Yeah, he’s a character. I’ve only been around him, well… less than a week, but it seems I’ve known him for months in a way. I suppose that’s how some people are. Thank for your compliments on my shooting. Well, I get lucky sometimes… The bow is not my preferred weapon, although most in my company seem to favor it.” 

Fingol looks into the fire for a time and then says, “I’m not so sure what my father is proud of. I think he’d prefer I were more diligent, like my brother. For my part, I am proud to be his son. He shows great mettle to open talks with the lizardfolk after that attack. More mettle, I think, than some here are ready to show themselves.”

Sgt. Apone mulls that over for while, and then he says, “He is a brave one, that’s for sure. I remember that he was the one who first negotiated with the lizardfolk so that our army could cross over the marshes without any trouble from them. Maybe one of their warriors just got overzealous. I trust Sir Ragnbjorn, but I’ll be sleeping with one eye open tonight all the same.”

“I’m sure my father is counting us to just that!”

After supper, Fingol walks along the riverbank during his watch, looking up at the stars. He’s actually glad to be out here again, despite the dangers. He glances over at Aramek and thinks on how he envies the elves and half-elves their vision more than their long lives. How many more stars they can see – than his human eyes can! 

He also thinks of Newt. Her presence disturbs him. Not in the way of having to look out for a non-combatant, but it makes him think of all the people he has met and left behind in his patrols and wanderings. Who is going to take responsibility for Newt if we do get her back safely to Westkeep? She is alone in the world. More should be done for her than just taking her to Westkeep, but what? Should she be left with the Heronians? Or made to serve in the keep? Would that be the life she wants? 

As for the lizardfolk, he is not so worried now about the negotiations. It seems we’ve stumbled into the middle of a war – not a trade dispute. War I know a little more about, or at least it is what I have been trained for as one of the King’s Rangers.

Atop the deckhouse, Indranil and Lorindel help Captain Olnut guide the Javan Queen. The light of both the silver moon Luna and the smaller aquamarine Celene shine through the ragged drifting clouds. Since both are more than half full they are able to provide more than enough light for the brothers’ night vision. As they come abreast of the drifting capsized canoes, they see that the bodies of the Amedi are floating in the water around them. Other things are now scrambling atop the canoes. At first the brothers think that they are crocodiles, but then they see that these are far too humanoid. In fact, they are dressed in loincloths and necklaces made of crocodile teeth. The brothers estimate that standing, these creatures would appear to be six feet tall powerfully muscled cross between a human and an iguana, with leathery scales, a short reptilian snout filled with teeth, and a thick tail like that of an alligator. The largest of them, now crouching atop the capsized war canoe, seems to be hailing the boat.

Indranil says to Lorindel, ”Brother! Do you see them? Are these the lizardfolk? Perhaps we should alert Sir Ragnbjorn that we have found them. What do you think?”

The Captain says, “That sounds like a good idea, one you had better go down there and tell Sir Ragnbjorn.”

Lorindel lowers his bow to avoid sending any unintentional hostility, but holds his bow and keeps an arrow loosely nocked.

Indranil springs lightly down from the deck house roof to the deck and then sprints into the deck house saying, “Sir Ragnbjorn! We have found them! The lizardfolk! They are all around us! What should we do?”

Ragnbjorn says, “Well that solves the problem of trying to find them. It looks like they have found us! Let’s go out and see what they want.”

Rain follows Fingol out onto the deck and asks him as they are leaving the deckhouse, “Hey Fin, how do I say ‘Thank you’ in Draconic?”

As Ragnbjorn, Fingol, Gar, and Rain follow Indranil back out onto the bow, where Sgt. Apone is watching the lizardfolk crouched atop the canoes off the port side there is a cry from Noch on the starboard side followed by a splash. Everyone turns to see what it is when a lizardfolk warrior clambers up onto the deck from the starboard side and hurls a javelin right at Ragnbjorn crying in Draconic, “Die you filthy hairless ape!” Fortunately the javelin bounces off, for Ragnbjorn is wearing mithril armor under his tunic. The reptilian warrior whirls around and dives off the boat.

As everyone rushes over, Noch surfaces and he is desperately trying to keep afloat in his leather armor. “Help me! The lizardfolk grabbed me and pulled me over! They’re going to kill us!” His eyes are wide with fear as he looks around the water and the keelboat, still at full sail, pulls away from him leaving him in its wake, but his fear seems to be a bit contrived. There is no sign of the lizardfolk warrior who tried to kill Ragnbjorn. Then at the last possible moment, Noch manages to swim up and catch the side of the Javan Queen.

Rain answers her own question to Fingol, “Never mind,” and crouches down to string her bow in cover.

Aramek puts his light crossbow across his back, readying a magic missile, just in case and follows Gar toward the bow.

Lorindel draws tight his bow, and runs along the deck towards the nearest threat, but it does not seem as though any of the other lizardfolk are attacking. They are craning their heads trying to see what the commotion is aboard the Javan Queen.

Indranil cries, ”By the gods! The lizardfolk must think we are an enemy! Father Gar! Do your stuff!”

Gar throws both hands in the air. “Wait! Please don’t shoot yet!”

Fingol scans the boat to see if anyone else is by themselves and thus vulnerable to being pulled off the boat. Seeing that everyone has moved back from the gunwales, he heads back to help Noch back aboard. Perhaps, thinks Fingol, we’re only safe because the keelboat is too large to rollover like the canoes. But for now, we have to pray for the best.

Rain says to herself, “Wait… did I see Noch and the lizardman together at any point? What the hell is going on?”

At Gar’s request, Lorindel holds. “Give me a reason, Father!” shouts Lorindel. “As far as I can see, they’ve initiated this conflict.” He then calls to Ragnabjorn. “Sir, orders!”

Ragnbjorn shouts from his place at the bow, “Yes, Father Gar is right. Everyone hold their fire. Captain, bring her about and weigh anchor. That’s Chief Rahk and I want to know if that was his man and why we’re being attacked.”

Lorindel complies with the command. He once again lowers his bow, but keeps an arrow loosely nocked.

“You sure about that sir?” the Captain asks.

“Chief Rahk may not know I’m aboard. Let’s give him a chance. Indranil, go down into the hold and bring forth the Banner of Rao. Everyone else, stay ready but keep your weapons down.”

As Indranil runs below deck, Gar looks up at Lorindel and says loud enough to be heard, “We should hold our fire because they just saved us from the Armedi, that’s why.”

Aramek takes note that the lizardfolk in the boats seem unaware of what just happened regarding Sir Ragnbjorn. He wonders to himself, Why aren’t they attacking as well?

Back at the stern, Noch is climbing back aboard with the help of Vaskez and Drake. He is wet but otherwise okay.

Rain readies her bow in normal non-aggressive fashion. She stands next to Ragnbjorn awaiting orders and keeping an eye on Noch. Rain is not really sure, but with all the confusion she is conjuring up images of Noch jumping in the river, shape changing into a lizardman, climbing back aboard and throwing the javelin, then jumping back into the river and changing back to human, then screaming for help and climbing back aboard with some crazy ass story of being dragged down by unseen lizard guys.

Indranil races down to the hold to get the flag. The Banner of Rao is a large white flag embossed with Rao’s heart shaped mask of tranquility. Since Rao is the Flan god of peace, reason, and serenity, his banner has long been used among the nations of the Flanaess as a call for truce and negotiations. When he gets down in the hold, Indranil finds the banner easily enough, but Master Ailil of the Fishmonger’s Guild rushes up to him and asks, “What is going on up there? Are we still under attack?”

Indranil responds, “Master Ailil, we are now safe from the Amedi attack and we have just made contact with the lizardfolk. We have some diplomatic niceties to go through as we establish initial contact with Chief Rahk. Please stay below while we do that.” With that Indranil races back to the deck to hand the flag to Sir Ragnbjorn.

Newt awakens when Indranil came down to fetch the Banner of Rao and overhears his response to Ailil and the fishermen. Impelled by the impatience of youth, a sense that the fishermen were neither friendly nor useful, and a general need for more information about the people she has now found herself with she quickly heads up to the deckhouse. Looking around, she moves to the back of the deckhouse to eavesdrop on those standing at the bow.

Remembering her earlier question, Fingol whispers to Rain, “If you want to say ‘thank you’ to them just say, ‘Hrrm ahk siss.’”

Newt, who speaks Draconic, knows that this is actually the lizardfolk equivalent to, “I am a slut.” She can’t imagine why one of these people would set another one up like that.

 

Before long, the Javan Queen is brought around to where the war canoe is drifting. The crew is now at the oars in order to keep pace with it. The Banner of Rao now flies from the mast. The lizardman identified by Ragnbjorn as Chief Rahk hails him in Draconic and the two begin to converse. Alone among them, Fingol, Aramek, the Marinus brothers, and the eavesdropping Newt are able to follow the conversation.

 

Gar knows enough Draconic to follow a little, but it is hard to make sense of as he is not familiar with all the quirks and idioms of the reptilian language.

 

“Hail Sir Ragnbjorn!” says Chief Rahk, “It is muddy to see you more sun. I believe we have nest egg, Lord Heslex. He found me and told me of your hunting but not hunting. When I came out here to meet you we found Cypress Hill like spoiled eggs and the Amedi snaking. There was also a chick out of its nest waiting to be eaten, though we were not hungry. Did you scoop it up?”

Ragnbjon says, “Hail and well met Chief Rhodophylax. Our yokey Father Gar,” he indicates Gar, “seems to have rained sunlight upon Lord Heslex. I am glad that he came to you. Your brooding is most certainly appreciated. Oh, and yes, we snapped up the chick. The nest is otherwise empty.”

Chief Rahk nods and says, “The Amedi have recently taken up the worship of some cold bringing one. Our tales say that over a thousand years ago such a one was bowed to. Now it seems he is bowed to once more. The Amedi are now consuming. Our tongues should hiss elsewhere. Can you bring your carven log to the cold side? We will nest there and hiss at each other.”

Ragnbjorn responds, “Yes, that sounds like a deer drinking water. I will tell the Captain.”

 

Newt makes a mental note that Sir Ragnbjorn and Sir Fingol speak Draconic. She wonders who else knows that tongue. Newt gasps quietly on hearing that the lizardfolk had been so close. Hearing herself, she chokes the gasp off and hopes nobody heard her. The lizardfolk saw me! I thought I had done such a good job of hiding! I didn’t even see them at all! It’s a good thing I’m with these others now. It was only dumb luck that I wasn’t killed when I was alone.

 

As Ragnbjorn turns to the Captain, Chief Rahk and the other lizardfolk dive back into the water. Ragnbjorn says, speaking Keolandish again, “Captain Olnut, please take us to the northern bank of the river. We will camp there for the night so that Father Gar, Fingol, and I can speak with Chief Rahk.”

 

Lorindel slips over towards Ragnbjorn and questions, “What about the assault? Will you not demand justice? It’s an outrage,” he whispers.

 

Ragnbjorn answers so that all nearby can hear, “Oh, don’t think I will let that pass by without comment. Still, I have a strong feeling that Chief Rahk knows nothing about it, and it will be the first thing I ask him about. Nor do I plan on letting any of us be put in a vulnerable position until I’m sure of his answers.”

 

Rain steps over to Fingol and asks, “So what did they say?”

 

“Nothing that we hadn’t already known or guessed,” whispers Fingol. “Then arrangements were made for further talks.”

 

Rain whispers back sarcastically, “Nice… but are we not a bit too close to the last engagement to be coming ashore now for a chat with more potential hostiles?”

 

Tired of her questioning, Fingol pulls rank a bit, “Keep focused, guardsman!” he replies in a quick whisper.

 

Rain is visibly surprised at this answer to her benign question and answers, “Uh yah… sorry Fin… er… sir.” She moves away from Fingol, still keeping her eyes mostly on the the lizardfolk but also on Ragnbjorn. 

Newt, peeking from out of the shutters in the deckhouse shrieks in surprise and stares wide-eyed as the Amedi are pulled under. She and her parents had posed as fisher folk for most of her life, so she’s spent a fair amount of time on the river or along its banks but had never seen or heard of anything like this happening.

Rain mutters under her breath, “Holy shit”. She quickly gathers her wits and checks on Aramek and finds that his wounds have been closed by Gar’s will.

Aramek yells to Gar, “Thank you for your help!” and to Rain he says, “Don’t ask me why but I just had a feeling Father Gar’s amicable relationship with the naga might come in handy. Just don’t tell him or I’ll never hear the end of it.”

Fingol looks out over the railing at the capsized canoes drifting by. I wonder what the guardsmen think of Father Gar’s friends now?

Gar also wonders for a moment if the nagas were in fact responsible for this, but then shrugs and heads back to the stern saying,“If anyone here at the bow needs more healing, follow me to the stern.” With that, he sets off at a jog toward the back of the boat.

Indranil lowers his bow, unstrings it, and slips it back into its leather case over his shoulder. He takes a deep breath and rubs his head. ”By The gods! I thought we were lost!”

Indranil looks over the roof to see how Lorindel and Uglash are doing, “Brother, Uglash are you well?”

Uglahs grins back and gives him the thumbs up.

Brother Uglash? Fingol starts, I must have misheard.

Lorindel looks over his mates to make sure everyone is okay, and then heads down with Indranil to the main deck. “Can’t say that was unexpected,” Lorindel says cavalierly. ”The question is,” he continues to Indranil, “was the girl bait or is she with them? I’ll leave that for others to decide.”

Indranil laughs quietly and says to no one in particular, “and they think me paranoid.”

Indranil looks over the Javan Queen and it looks like a porcupine so full of arrows stuck in the wood that he remarks, “I am amazed we are not all dead. The gods smiled upon us this day and lent us their protection. Have they taken an interest in our expedition as well?”

Fingol checks on Sgt. Apone and sees that he has also been healed by Gar.

Fingol turns to Aramek, “How’s your hand? And how did Snoop fare in his first battle?”

“Thanks for asking, Sir Fingol,” Aramek nods in reply. “By the way Snoop was squirming he was doing his best to stay out of the way.” Snoop nips Aramek as a retort to this accusation. “Ouch! I mean he was doing his best to protect me.” Aramek says with a smile and a blush.

Indranil overhears this and asks, “Who is Snoop?”

Snoop pokes his head out from Aramek’s pocket and gives Indranil a toothy grin, as though to say, ‘Watch out!’

Indranil mutters to himself, “Got to watch out for that ferret – so he don’t eat my balls.”

Aramek gives a friendly wink to Rain and then follows after Gar. Snoop, sensing Indranil’s feelings toward him, gives him a ‘and don’t you forget it’ squeak.

Ragnbjorn surveys the ship and the crew. After a moment he says, “I have sent a message to Prince Prospero telling him of the razing of Cypress Hill and of this ambush. I told him that I would send him an update tomorrow. For now, I would like the Marinus brothers to keep watch out here. Guardsman Rain, please check on Newt and take her down into the hold. Try to find a hammock and some water and rations for her. We’ll want to talk to her later. Father Gar, Fingol, I’d like to speak with you both in the deckhouse now that we have a moment. We need to reassess our mission here I think.”

Rain nods and takes Newt down to the hold to where Rain’s hammock is. “You okay? I’m gonna take you down to the hold and a few of us will come down later to talk with you. You will be safe there for now.”

Indranil and Lorindel move back up atop the deckhouse to keep watch as instructed.

Fingol heads into the deckhouse as he is asked.

Since Gar ran ahead of the others, he takes the time to stabilize Dale, Kash, and Frost at the stern. When Aramek, Hex, and Ferro arrive, he centers himself and takes a deep breath in and out and then intones, “Om!” twice to send out the healing positive energies granted him by Obad-Hai. When everyone is healed, Gar follows Fingol into the deckhouse.

Down in the hold, the three fishermen and Master Ailil quickly mob Rain and Newt and begin questioning her anxiously about what is happening above deck.

The first is Master Ailil of the Fishmongers Guild. Ailil is an older man with golden hair turning to grey, light blue eyes, and fair skin. “What is happening up there?” he hisses in his whispery voice.

Eochaid the Shrimper, asks, “Who is this? What happened to her?” Eochaid is dark tan, with light brown hair, and dark brown eyes. He cups his hand to his right ear to catch the answer.

Lugaid, known as Crabby, a tanned man with auburn hair and gray eyes, asks, “Are…are…are we being attacked by the lizardfolk? Is…is…is that who destroyed Cypress Hill?”

Finally, there is the other Lugaid, known as Fishbate, who is also well tanned with dark brown hair and amber eyes. His voice is deep and fills the room, “Have we really escaped? Are we returning to Westkeep? I knew this was a fool’s errand!”

Rain attempts to take immediate control of the situation. “Gentlemen, stand back and I will answer all of you in turn!” Rain then answers over her shoulder while locating an empty hammock next to her own for Newt and leading her there with an arm over Newt’s shoulder, “We were attacked by what appears to have been Amedi warriors who we now assume sacked Cypress Hill. Yes we have escaped and are heading back downriver towards Westkeep. This here is Newt, the only survivor we were able to find. She has been through quite a bit so none of you will bother her right now. Is that understood?” At this last question she turns around to face the four of them with a face that says, ‘I don’t care who you think I am to you, you will obey me!’

The delegates, and particularly Master Ailil, are not impressed however. He glares at Rain and says, “Don’t get snippy with me, young miss. You better remember whom you’re dealing with. Westkeep will starve without the Fishmonger’s Guild, but one less guttersnipe of a recruit will hardly be missed. Come along gentlemen, we will save our questions for Sir Ragnbjorn. No need to waste our time with riffraff.” With that Master Ailil turns and strides away, the three other delegates in tow.

Rain laughs at him as they walk away then says to Newt, “Well that went better than I had hoped for, now they really will leave you alone. Have a seat here and help yourself to some food and water.” Rain indicates the free hammock and where food and water can be found. “I am going to head up for a bit, but some of us will be down to check on you shortly.”

Rain moves up to the deck house seemingly to check back in with Fingol and Ragnbjorn, but really just trying to find out what the next move is.

Up in the deckhouse, Ragnbjorn looks solemnly at Fingol and Gar and then says, “I fear that Sir Indranil is right. If we stay out here and there is another Amedi force like the one we just faced we are doomed. On the other hand, I fear for Chief Rahk and the lizardfolk. If they have not already been wiped out, they soon will be, and that may set in motion the prophecy of the Great Druidess. Also, I don’t know what came to our aid out there; it could be any number of things that are not necessarily friendly to us either. It could be the water nagas, but there would have to have been a number of them to take on all three of those groups. And if there is indeed more than one of them, I don’t want to trust our safety to their moods, even if Lord Heslex seemed to have taken a liking to Father Gar. So what do you say, should we try to hide this boat in one of the bayous and seek out Chief Rahk to see if we can avert this prophecy, or should we head back to Westkeep and when more troops can be spared we can bring a force back up here to clear out any of the Amedi who might remain and then look for the lizardfolk?”

“Milord, if seeking out the lizardfolk is our primary mission,” responds Gar, “then we should make haste into the bayou to find them before all are gone. If we turn back now then all will be for naught. I feel a surge of healing energy deep within me. I will do my utmost to keep everyone alive, Sir Ragnbjorn.”

Fingol jumps in after Father Gar, looking Ragnbjorn in the eye, “Father, the final decision is yours, and I don’t envy you the responsibility. My mind is much like Father Gar’s, however, if we head back to Westkeep now, we will be abandoning the lizardfolk to the Amedi. I don’t know what we can do to save them. I don’t know what saved us. I do know that the prophecies we have been given push us on.” 

After a pause he continues, “Regarding Indranil, I see that he is an excellent soldier. If you prefer him to be second in command, I would gladly give him the post. You know my temperament has never been for command, or military matters. I can represent the Prince without the honor of being your second.”

Ragnbjorn considers this. “I agree, I think we should search for Chief Rahk and the Malarat tribe. I worry though about the Javan Queen, its crew, and the other delegates. They are too vulnerable and will only get in the way. Maybe they should go back. The three of us, the Marinus brothers, and perhaps some of the guardsmen, probably Rain and Aramek at least, should grab some of those empty canoes out there, and make our own way down the bayous and then to the lizardfolk village. My worry, though, is that whatever is in those waters will come after us as well. Oh, and perhaps you are right Fingol. I’ll keep Sir Indranil as my second in command as regards military matters, he is a couple of years senior to you and I don’t want to seem like I’m biased by choosing you, my son, over him. But you make the decisions regarding diplomatic matters as the Prince intended, he only appointed us to be guides and interpreters. As for the latter, your Draconic is coming along very well.”

At the thought of Sir Indranil as second in command, Gar is overwhelmed and begins to feel light-headed. His eyes flutter and then he keels over with a loud thump like a felled tree. For Gar, it seems to him that Obad-Hai catches him and speaks to him.

Rain comes back up into the deckhouse just as Gar falls. Ragnbjorn sees her but says nothing, and Fingol’s attention is on the fallen Gar.

When Gar opens his eyes, he looks up at father and son. Then Gar rubs his head and slowly sits up. “I guess Obad-Hai wanted to add his two gold pieces to the conversation as well.”

Standing up a little shakily, Gar collects his thoughts and then says, “My god just told me, ‘You have done well my child, you have indeed become an even greater vessel of the life giving power that you and your companions will need to survive what is to come. Do not abandon the lizardfolk. They need your aid, just as you needed theirs. Take only the bravest and strongest of you. Bring the girl Newt as well. She knows where you must go next even if she does not realize it, and in the future she may be the key to confounding the forces arrayed against you.’” Gar scratches his head. “Could that have been the lizardfolk who just saved us?”

Fingol thinks back to when Gar had his earlier vision a few days ago, I knew we should’ve hit him again!

“Yes, indeed. I had wondered if it could not also have been the lizardfolk,” Ragnbjorn says thoughtfully. “They are good swimmers and can stay under far longer than humans. It could indeed have been them.”

Down below, Newt heard the thump of Gar falling. Instinctively, she looked upward, although there was no way to see what happened without coming back up into the deckhouse. She decides to leave well enough alone since no more shouting or cries of alarm can be heard. All seems calm up above.

The fishermen had heard it too, and are now muttering among themselves. Newt leaves her place and goes over to them. Perhaps I can get some information from them while my rescuers are busy. They may even have information that those soldiers might be reluctant to pass along.

Approaching them, she asks again, “Why are you here? Don’t the soldiers like you? What’s going on, and why does he,” she indicates Fishbate, “think you’re on a fool’s errand?” She keeps her face genuinely curious, but internally, she smirks and hopes she hasn’t pushed her luck too far.

Ailil looks down his nose at Newt, but then he smiles, and in his whispery voice says, “Well, well, so you do speak. We are here because those fools up there,” he points up to the deck, “think that the snakeskins can be reasoned with, and their ridiculous Prince has ordered us to come out here to find them and negotiate a peace treaty with them. What is needed is to exterminate those savages who are no better than those Amedi scum. As for that, what happened out there? Did we escape those rebellious slaves?”

Newt knows that the humans often refer to the lizardfolk as “snakeskins.” She also recalls what her parents had once told her about the Amedi. They had once been the slaves of the Sea Princes who had ruled these lands. When the Scarlet Brotherhood came, they were freed and recruited as soldiers alongside the Amedi who already filled the Brotherhood’s legions. She senses that Master Ailil is not just opposed to negotiating but would do anything to prevent it.

In answer to Ailil’s question, Newt responds, “Yes, we caught the wind in our sails, and were going to try to go around them, but then I saw all the attackers get pulled under the water. I’ve never seen anything like that before, and I’ve been on the river all my life. What was it?”

The three fishermen and Ailil all look at one another, obviously puzzled and alarmed. Ailil says, “It may be that the water nagas have come to our aid. That Lord Heslex seems to have taken a liking to Father Gar. Perhaps that is it. The naga are hardly to be trusted, and neither is that freakish Flan priest. The naga are undoubtedly saving us – for when they get hungry later.” The other fishermen nod in agreement.

Ailil turns back to Newt, “Now who are you? Did you live in Cypress Hill?”

Newt says, “Not exactly, my parents and I lived a few miles away in a cabin along one of the bayous. We fished and caught crabs and shrimp that we brought to the trading post. We just came into town a couple of days ago when the Amedi attacked and burned the whole place down. My parent’s hid me in a hole and then disappeared.”

Ailil clucks sympathetically, “A sad story indeed, young one,” though she can tell that in his stony heart he could really care less.

Newt follows the conversation among the fishermen and the Guild Master a bit longer, but heavy eyelids got the best of her. She returns to the table and falls asleep there before she finishes her bread.