Back to page 4
-----Slowly and carefully, the young Gorian leads the others to the far end of the field. The darkness of the cloudy night seems almost oppressive and close. Once they exit the brush, about a half mile away from Ku, the visibility of the countryside is horrible. With the far glare of fire light from Kulendra being the only light source, it is nigh impossible to make out landforms in the dark. The breeze that continues to blow is the only thing that seems to remind them that this is not just some nightmare.
-----At this point they move south until they meet the trail road, not far from the river. Jyan then quietly mounts up on his horse. The young mage looks around as if waiting without provoking the others.
-----Sol then silently coaxes the others into position and after they are mounted, nods to everyone to begin. The horses move forward at a steady walking pace so as not to lose the three ‘goblin’ guard that escort them. All eyes seem to be on the distant fires around the village gate.
-----Lovan at one point raises his hammer toward the sky and mutters something in an angry tone. The darkness overhead continues unbroken and silent.
-----Soon they find themselves within thirty yards of the gate. Apparently, at this time, they must have been spotted as low cruel shouts are heard. A flurry of shadows is seen as hobgoblin soldiers rush with weapons in hand toward the gate. They quickly form a line across the road at the gate taking defensive stances. There appear to be twelve in number and they remain quiet until the horses reach within thirty feet.
-----As Sol pulls Thunder to a halt, the stallion snorts and stamps one hoof on the road almost as if in defiance. The horse then proudly raises his head as if to look down his nose at the humanoids.
-----“OO’ GOEZ THERE?” a hobgoblin soldier growls through his fanged mouth.
-----He has spent the last couple of minutes formulating a plan, and though it had obvious risks, the potential it had outweighed the danger. Now it was time to get the ball rolling.
-----Sol nudges Thunder forward another couple of steps. He then gives the impatient growl of someone important held up by trivial matters, and his face sneers cruelly under his imposing horned helm. Sol knew he would have few problems acting bad tempered with what surrounded him. In reply to the challenge, the warrior intones in a slow, harsh voice, "Commander Ulthang... and what remains of my troop." The Gorian voice rises briefly, in a sharp crack of anger, "We were hit by bandits not two miles from these gates, soldier! What measures have been taken in response to this rabble?"
-----The Stormbringer visibly forces himself to control his emotions, and his tone lowers once more, but there is still a dangerous, hardened edge as 'Commander Ulthang' speaks again, "However, that is not why I am here. My losses are acceptable as long as my mission succeeds. I bring orders... orders for Chief Morosh's ears alone. Lord Sintor was specific that no other... factions... present in this town know of my presence for now." Sol's eyes darken, as they focus on the hobgoblin in charge, full of knowing and authority.
-----For a moment, the guards are silent and a few look across uncertainly at their fellow soldiers. The party cannot see the exact expressions on their faces as their forms are silhouetted by the fires. It can only be guessed what impression the appearance of the disguised adventurers in full illumination is making. Then a low growl arises from the one who spoke.
-----“Bandits!” the hobgoblin says, “Aye, we ‘ave seen battl’ wi’ them!” He pauses as if studying the ‘Commander’ further.
-----“You wait here,” the hobgoblin snarls. “We send word t’ Morosh you are ‘ere!”
-----“Did you not hear the Commander?” a calm voice tinged with anger says behind Sol. Jyan then moves his horse forward. A strange expression holds the young mage’s face as he stares threateningly at the line of hobgoblins. “His orders are from Lord Sintor and for Morosh ONLY!” he continues in a dark menacing voice. “That means that he is to speak directly with him, not through some lower guard . . . and his orders will not wait! You will provide us with an escort so we may proceed directly to your chief with little delay as possible and no attention brought to us.”
-----The hobgoblins stare at Jyan for a few moments and some of them actually take a step back. Noting the pause, Jyan says, “Know this, I am Jyan, War Mage of the Black Bog! If you do not comply I will strike you deaf so that your subchiefs can see you for the useless rabble that you are. Once you are determined useless in battle I am sure your leaders will place you in the field for the carrion birds to feast on. Shall I set my curse on you now?”
-----More of the guards look from side to side as the one that spoke glares at Jyan. “Very well,” Jyan says as he frees his hands from his robes and pulls something small from a pouch at his waist. Just as the hobgoblin snarls and pulls his weapon up, Jyan waves his hand past his own ear and then points at the goblinoid while murmuring something low.
Go to Page 6