No point in being subtle, let's take some Dhorns down with us as we break through to the western district.
That's Tald's tavern, now, to find that secret entrance...
Ha. Too easy.
With a rasping sound, the back wall of the fireplace gives way, revealing a black corridor behind it. Thick layers of dust cover the ground. It doesn't look like this passage has been used recently.
What's that smell?
Bat dung, I would say.
I see. Or, actually, I don't. Phew, that stinks!
Stop complaining, the smell isn't that bad. And most caverns that are below the earth are dark, Milady bard.
You don't say? How about I put my boot in your dark, stinky cavern?
Hehehe.
Tsk.
LP Comment: I don't get it. The urgency of the situation demands that these guys start acting serious, like...Nathan and Co. are probably being tortured and you're complaining the secret passage smells of shit? Hello?
Proceeding deeper into the caverns, we encounter noxious fumes. We need to speed things up a bit.
A pack of bats greet us as we rush through to the end of the passage. They went hostile immediately.
I climb up the ladder until I reach a think, stony lid above me, which easily gives way. Emerging into the open, I find myself in a tight, rectangular, earthen pit of sorts, about five feet wide and deep. Thin rain drops are falling down on me in a steady beat. I take a deep breath and start climbing out.
Birdie, could you move your ass a little so I can get out of here, too?
Vico, still standing on the ladder, slaps my bottom!
Hey, ouch!
That's better.
He joins me in the pit, taking in the surroundings.
Asshole.
He returns a mean smile.
Okay, let's get out of here before we drown.
Are we far enough from the city walls?
We should be safe, yes.
The grass on the pit's rim is somewhat slippery from all the rain, but with the help of a couple of gnarly roots that are close by, we manage to climb out of the pit without too much trouble.
Ah, it's good to be out in the countryside again.
Speak for yourself.
Pia brushes some dirt off her clothes.
A grave. Go figure.
Vico points down into the pit. A weathered sarcophagus covers most of the bottom.
Looks pretty old.
At least nobody would suspect that there's this tunnel below it.
Whatever. The road should only be a few hundred feet to the east from here. We'll follow it to the north, into the King's Forest. Let's be off.
We travel a short distance in the rain, making sure we're not spotted by the Dhorn at the walls.
I think I'm wet to the bone. Oh...Ah..Ahchoo!
The rain's not any different from Betancuria.
So true. I hope we'll reach the trees soon so we have a little shelter, at least. Perhaps we can stop at a tavern or inn when we're a bit farther away from the city?
LP Comment: Urgency. HELLO? Fucking Airhead.
Not yet. We don't have time to fool around with serving wenches.
That's not what I meant.
I think Sir Vico is right, for a change. We've only just started our venture into the King's Forest, after all.
Pia glances at Anden.
You and Vico agreeing on something? May the Gods save us.
Indeed.
I let out a slight smile. This traveling companions may have some jagged personalities, but they're quite capable, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
I've truly missed your humor, Pia darling.
We move closer to the forest.
We need to follow the road to the north and east of here, M'lady. It will lead us deeper into the King's Forest.
Okay, thank you, Anden.
They should find a new name for the forest now. Perhaps Aisha's Bush. Sparse as that may be.
LP Comment: I look forward to killing you..
Go die.
Not everyone's got a jungle like you, Vico.
Vico smirks. Anden shakes his head in disgust.
I will start looking out for Dhorn tracks once we've entered the forest.
We follow the road for several hours. The light rain that started when we left the gray walls of Betancuria behind soon turns into a steady downpour, making the road all muddy and slushy. Only once do we encounter someone, a lone merchant sitting on a plain wagon led by two donkeys, slowly making his way south, stoically ignoring the seeping wet from above, his hat drawn deeply into his face. Although the trees provide at least some sort of shelter from the rain, it doesn't take long until my clothes are soaked wet, and all dirty.
Ah, the joys of traveling. How I've missed this.
Pia pulls her clothes tightly about herself.
This stupid rain must stop sometime, mustn't it?
I hope it does.
We should reach a roadhouse soon, if my memory serves me right.
I pray it does.
Indeed. Not long later, I spot two buildings alongside the road ahead of me. The bigger house has two stories and seems to be a tavern or an inn, though its shutters are closed. The smaller building could be a barn, perhaps.
This is the Sleeping Troll Inn, M'lady. It is often used as a roadhouse by people traveling to and from Betancuria. I've made acmp once or twice at the Troll, too.
I just hope they're still open.
For a ranger, you spend a lot of time in taverns and inns.
I said I was here once or twice, Mlady bard.
They all say that.
Didn't you claim you only ever did it once or twice before when I picked you up, Pia darling
LP Comment: What? Pia x Vico slashfic? Holy sheet!
Pia makes a kissy face at Vico.
Or was that not counting the horses on your farm?
Bite me.
Uhm...In any case, it would be prudent if we approach the inn carefully. It's entirely possible that the Dhorn we are after have decided to stop over at the inn, too.
We'll be careful, yes.
Fine with me.
Though I don't see any horses. Hm...
The inn's door opens with a loud creak, but there's no noise from within. No warmth of the fireplace, or the smell of cooking. There's nary a soul.
The inside of the inn looks deserted. Everything's a mess, and a thick layer of dust covers everything.
Empty.
Guess we can count ourselves lucky that this place hasn't attracted a goblin tribe or anything.
Vico looks about.
I don't think this place has seen a living being during the last couple of months.
They've probably abandoned the inn when the Dhorn invaded Betancuria.
So we rest outside, in the forest?
LP Comment: :Facepalm:
I've had enough of that rain, thanks. Let's check out the other rooms, maybe there's a dry bed somewhere.
Yes, let's.
But have your weapons ready.
The second floor is as deathly quiet as the first. Only the occasional sound of the water leaking from the ceiling breaks the silence.
I guess it's too much to ask for a dry bed out here.
Vico eyes the holes in the ceiling.
Too bad there's nobody here you could complain to.
I'd never complain, Pia darling. I'd just burn down the house, slay the innkeeper and screw his daughter. If she's comely.
Pia rolls her eyes. I ignore his comment and investigate each room, looking for a clean bed.
Unlike the rest of the inn, this room seems to be in good shape. The floor and the bed are dry and clean, just as if everything had been prepared for us.
This looks good. Let's stay here.
Fine with me.
I put my belongings on the floor, wondering how this place must have been before the Dhorn came. And what happened to the innkeeper. The Sleeping Troll is a strange name for an inn. I've never heard of trolls roaming in my father's kingdom. They're supposed to live in the wilds, and while the King's Forest might be vast and sparsely populated it certainly still belongs to the civilized lands.
LP Comment: At this point, I was expecting a Troll ambush in the middle of night...or something. The lack of meaningful encounters so far has been rather shit to be honest. I can't stand the Biowarian party banters much longer.
I feel Vico's hand on my bottom.
LP Comment: Fuck.
Birdie? Are you dreaming?
Take your hand away.
And if I don't.
I make a slapping motion towards his face. He swiftly ducks his head, avoiding my hand.
LP Comment; At least give me an AC check, goddamit!
Tsk tsk tsk. Is that what a nice young lady should do? Slapping people? Be glad that I'm too tired to spank you.
Anden clears his throat.
Perhaps it would be better if we leave the room to the ladies. We should just sleep outside, in the corridor.
LP Comment: Male Chauvinist Pig.
You know, ranger, sharing your bed with women is the reason why most guys bear with them at all. But if the idea of birdie's ass rubbing against you bothers you too much, fine. Make yourself comfortable on the floor.
Anden gives Vico an incredulous look.
I for one like the idea of you guys sleeping outside.
I eye the bed warily. Sigh, what are we even talking about? It's just a resting place. For fuck's sake...
Too bad I didn't ask you.
Vico sits down on the bed and pulls off his boots. Pia sighs.
Seriously, I'm just fucking tired and want to get some rest. If you want to sleep on the floor, fine. If you want to sleep on the bed, fine, too. There's more than enough space. Just fucking make up your mind.
Well, okay...But no touching, no groping, no fondling, okay?
LP Comment: What is this I don't even.
I said I'm tired.
Pia nods reluctantly, then takes off her shoes and lies down on the bed, as far away from Vico as possible. I sigh and make myself comfortable on the floor.
Night everyone.
I do not respond. Ouch. My back's going to kill me tomorrow.
LP Comment: My quest momentum is gone at this point.
Morning comes..
Asshole.
Hey, you, get up!
Vico pulls away my blanket.
Stay away from me.
A little sleepy-headed, eh?
He swiftly pulls my clothes aside, baring my bottom, and his hand lands on my buttocks with a loud, but fortunately not too hard smack!
Hey! Asshole!
It's still dim outside. You really could've allowed us one or two more hours of sleep.
It's dim outside because it's raining again, Pia dear.
Ah, great...
She yawns and stretches.
What's today's plan, anyway?
We'll follow the road until we find that Dhorn hunting lodge.
And then?
We'll improvise. Now get ready.
No arguments from me. Follow the road, then.
Hours later...
Hm. Looks like the Dhorn have settled into this castle, or whatever that structure down there is.
I know this place! There's an ancient hunting lodge on the island several hundred feet to the east. I even visited it once, though that must have been ten years ago or so, when I was still a little girl. I believe my father gave the castle to one of his generals as a present. I tell the party what I know about the castle.
Interesting. So it looks like we've found our hunting lodge.
But I don't remember so much about the inner castle.
Anden stands on his tiptoes and peers at the lake.
Far too many Dhorn, if you ask me.
We're going to change that.
I'd bet my last gold coin that Nathan and the others can be found inside that castle.
Getting in won't be easy. As I said, the main complex is on an island. What we see down there is the gatehouse. There's only a narrow bridge leading across to the island, with a drawbridge on the far side.
There's no other way? Are you sure?
At least none I know.
Damn.
He kicks a rock in frustration.
Okay, let's search the shore. And don't let the guards on top of that gatehouse see you.
LP Comment: More railroading. Gotta love it.
Minutes of searching later...
Looks like this rowboat has been here for ages. The bottom's completely rotted away. And the rest doesn't look much more stable, either.
A boat without bottom. Just what we need.
That boat truly has seen better days...But, the island with the castle is not too far away from here. A skillful swimmer might be able to reach it, perhaps.
Hm. And how would you get the rest of us over?
Anden shrugs. Vico looks at the rest of us.
Who here knows how to swim, anyway?
Pia shakes her head.
Uh...
Great. So that's not going to work.
Well, I do know how to swim. They taught me when I was little.
LP Comment: Sigh.
You, birdie?
I think I might be able to swim across to that island. It's not that far.
We've got no idea how deep the water is.
It doesn't matter how deep it is when you swim.
Pia chuckles.
Very funny. And even if you reach the island, don't tell me you'll just walk up the walls.
I'll improvise. Perhaps I'll find a spot where I can climb up.
And if not you'll end up as fish food.
Hardly.
Alas, I have no better idea at the moment.
Then let's try this.
Okay, but all you'll do is explore. You got it? Try to find a way to get the rest of us over.
If we're lucky, I'll find us a boat or something.
Here goes..
I quickly take off my clothes then walk over to the shore and dip my toes into the water. Brrr! Chilly! Anden blushes slightly and is careful not to look at me.
Now I'm beginning to like your plan, birdie.
Vico smirks, his eyes fixed on my bottom. I ignore him.
Please be careful!
And you as well!
Hm the water's rather deep right away. No walking in slowly. Taking a deep breath, I plunge into the lake. For a moment my head submerges under the water. I open my eyes, but the water is all murky, making it impossible to see the ground or any plants or fishes in the lake, so I quickly resurface.
Still alive, birdie?
I splash some water at him.
Hey!
He quickly backs off.
There are quite a lot of fishes in the water.
Don't distract our little mermaid with your dirty jokes, ranger.
Huh?
Okay, as I said, be careful, okay? And come back as soon as you've found a way in!
I don't respond and make my way to the island. I move slowly so I don't make too many ripples in the water. As I approach the island, I notice a couple of guards with bows on the walls. I do my best to keep a safe distance from them, so it takes me a while until I find a spot that looks safe enough to swim ashore. Carefully, I climb out of the water and up on the island.
Gotta find a way up..hmm..those vegetation might help. Thick, green weeds are growing from cracks in the stony wall. I think I might be able to climb it up, to the window above me. Thought it's admitted quite a stretch. I take a deep breath and start making my way up. It's not difficult to find holes between the stones where I can put my hands and feet, but many of the stones are loose. This wall has seen better days, to be sure. Trying to be as quiet as possible, I keep on climbing. Sweat runs from my brow, into my eyes, and I swab it away with my upper arm. I'm almost there now, the windowsill is almost in reach!
Uh, I better not fall now. This is rather high.
LP Comment: No skills checks...I guess.
Ack! The stone I'm clinging to suddenly slips out from its bed! I tumble backwards, my hands only grasping air.
LP Comment: FUUUUUUUUUUU-
I land with a crack, and there's only darkness.....
Ugh..where am I? My weapons are missing! Damn! Everything else is there, except for my weapons! No time to waste, let's break out!
A nearby weapon rack provides me with a simple dagger.
Shit, it's the Dhorn. They must've found me when I fell unconscious after falling from the walls. I don't like the odds, I sneak past them to the upper floor.
Upstairs, I found a locked door and begin to pick it...when suddenly...
I feel a sharp, pointy object pointing into my back.
Okay, hands up, and hold it right there.
I reluctantly put my hands up, turning my head slightly so I can steal a quick glance at the speaker behind me. Oh damn! A Dhorn!
Open the door and walk into the room. And no hasty movements.
I'm brought to stand before a group of Dhorn. Nobles, judging by their attire.
Hey, wait. They look- I know these! The one with the blond hair is Simon! The young noble Jacia sent me to kill. I thought I killed him!
Surprised to see us, little coo?
Oh, fuck.