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Chapter Four: Enlightenment and the Daughters of Summertime

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Somewhat disappointed, Luna lets out a sigh. "It would have been good to know what we are going after, but it is hardly a requirement. Alright everyone! We watch for friendlies out there; so no going nuts with firing arrows (or spells) until we know our targets. That goes just as much for me as it does for anyone else. The two potions of Bull's Strength have been doled out, but hopefully we won't be needing them. If we do run into a nasty fight, don't hesitate to take them. Any advantage we can muster to end this fight quickly will be in our best interest, especially since our healer," she motions over at Bria, "has used up many of her healing spells on the wounded already. I want all of us to come back from this trip in one piece. Any questions? If not, we must get going before its too late and all we are doing is collecting up bodies of the fallen."

Cantrips: Read Magic, Ray of Frost, Mage Hand, Detect Magic


Level 1: Burning Hands x2, Shocking Grasp


Level 2:


Level 3: Fireball


Level 4:


Force Missile x8


Mage Armor active - 3 hours left
 
Meanwhile Wolf drops his old bow by the steps of the main wagon and then proceeds to detach the cloak & hood of his traveler's outfit, store it, and put on the new cloak taken from the spoils. He double checks everything to make sure his gear is ok and then walks in front of Luna and the others but behind their guide Vardadraug.


"I hope I'm not the only one with leftover healing potions." he says. "Here is what I propose. Otiorin and I will travel right behind Vardadraug with everyone else hanging back. Not too far, but not too close either. A hundred feet perhaps. Our targets could have sentries out and the less people there are to detect, the better." The ranger glances at Powerpaw. "We'll be able to scout more safely that way. As soon as we spot them we'll draft a plan of attack based on the circumstances."
 
Bren nods to Luna. "At least we know they're female, eh? That's something." He listens as Wolf outlines the scouting proposal. "Makes sense to me. If there are sentries, maybe you could determine how far apart they are, to see if we can sneak between them, or if we'll need to take them out - quietly - on our way in?" He looks to Luna to see what she thinks of his suggestion. "Both ways have merits - if we sneak between, we'll have to keep an eye out behind us when the main action starts. On the other hand, we'd have to be very quick - and quiet - to take out the sentries before they can get an alert out."
 
"With luck, there won't be any sentries, but just in case there is, a surprise attack to take them out sounds good to me. That way, we won't have anyone coming up from behind us when the fur starts to fly. Mmmm. Since we ran into minotaurs before, it would not surprise me to encounter a bull of the breed, whatever the technical term is for a leader of the herd."
 
Shakes his head and goes back to work, realizing that some of his group members might have some screw looses in there mind thing. But since they are his friends he'll trust them to tell him what he needs to know. "LUNA!" Waits for a response.
 
She turns to look over at the smith. "Yes? What is it?"
 
Vardadraug's tail wags rapidly as he stands straight and looks deep into the forest, eager to run. When Bronze asks, the little wolf pup looks directly at him, his tongue lolling. All nearby, especially Bronze, feel a male, noble voice enter their mind (unless they choose to block it). Worry not for your friend's sanity, Bronze, sayeth the wolf. It is my gift she is responding to - the very gift that allows me to communicate with you. Then he looks ahead and barks in anticipation. The way ahead remains clear and I will know more once we reach our destination. He turns once more to Luna. Give the word, Wanderer-Alpha, and my feet fly.





Not far away, Travis's Trainers wave and nod at your team. "Fortune be with you and not with your foes!" Travis calls, perhaps this being a well-used exclamation of his.


"Yesh!" Schermitt the Hermit adds. "Schow them whoshe bosh!" Beside him, your dwarven trainer points and laughs yet again at the old, and now annoyed, wizard. "Hey!" The wizard replies to your young group. "Ever she jusht how high a dwarf can jump?"


"No, no, no!" The dwarf backs away, his hands raised in surrender, but Schermitt's smile only widens.


"Kala kor!" A bright red beam of flame shoots out, curves behind the dwarf, and tags him squarely on his armored buttocks. "Yow!"


"Apologize!" Schermitt chuckles.


"For continuing a joke older than most of these adventurers?"


"Apologize!"


"Oh..." The dwarf suddenly looks down-trodden, for a dwarf to give an apology is never a shallow thing. Yet, with strength of purpose, he summons up the will, looks at all of you, winks, then looks at his fellow teammate and replies...


"Upon my honor... I'm.... I'm.... SCHORRRRYYYYY!! Ha ha ha ha!"


From then on, all you hear is, "Kala kor!" followed by, "YOW!" "Kala kor!" "OOOOH!" "Kala kor!" "Mommy!"


Travis and the rest of his team cover their faces and wave to you. "See what we have to put up with? We won't be here upon your return, so fare you well!"
 
Otiorin could not hide his smile at his instructor's response to his Dwarven comrade.


"I think the time is nigh, fellow Wanderers. Our task is set, our path at hand and our guide is eager for the off. We have a plan of action, though the Fates might seek to alter that as They are want to do. But we are nothing if not adaptable and flexible when the need demands. Shall we away, lest we rouse the anger of the Elder Skaagenrackner?"


He turned and looked out toward the direction Vardadraug was eagerly running circles to. His equipment was set, Moonlit Edge and his mortal shortsword strapped to his left hip, his shortbow strapped over his shoulder, hung from his quiver. His small crossbow was hung from the front of his belt alongside it's quarrel case and the horn seized from the slain Bloodland Minotaurs was hung at his right side. With a smile and a wave to the Trainers and his friends in the Wanderer's Wagon, the Half-Elf strode forth, ready for whatever his band would encounter.
 
"Apparently Luna needs to give the order..." Wolf says, feigning malcontent, "I'm ready to move. Let's stick to the suggested plan, then. Otiorin we're in front on scouting duty." He looks sharp at the half-elf.
 
With a laugh, Luna nods. "Yes, let us be on our way. No need for Wolf to get upset, is there? The sooner we get finished, the sooner I will have a chance to try out that new chess board on some unwary victim."
 
Bren chuckles at Wolf's comment. "Leader's prerogative, that." He waves to Travis and his party. "Be you well, friends! Maybe sometime we'll all be in one place long enough to buy each other drinks and tell over old stories." He adjusts his pack so that it sits properly, settles his battleaxe in its place on his belt, and nods to Luna. "Onward, then! I'm no expert, but I'll be up for a game or two on our return, if you like."
 
"Broooonze!" Bria calls. "What were you going to ask Luna? Please be quick because we're off again? Do you want us to pick you up anything? Oh dear. Now I sound like we're going shopping instead of rescuing..."
 
Clasps Luna's hand with a firm smith's handshake. "Be careful, and stay safe. For our friend, he just told me why you were talking to air." Hands over a pouch of fresh meat from his stores.


Looks over at the pup, and winks "Keep an eye on them, they are crazy, and never tell me anything but they're ok."
 
"Thank you for the well-wishes, Bronze. I fully plan on having all of us return in one piece with the rescued girls in tow. Time to go, everyone. We're burning daylight." True to her word, the fire mage motions at the wolfling pup. "Lead on."
 


  • Anyone want a little travel-through-the-woods mood music? =)


    [media]
    [/media]

    "In Fortune's Hand" by Clannad


    Tell me what you please


    this place is a squeeze


    your guess is as good as mine


    sell me other dreams, oh! the


    summer's here


    you know we're going down the line


    you know we're going down the line


    taking all the pieces in the situation


    hoping we can work it out


    with fate on your side, luck and some


    pride


    you are on the right line


    it'll be a sure sign


    in fortune's hand


    where do we stand?


    in fortune's hand


    there isn't a noble or a humble


    person


    who isn't up or down a while


    throw caution in the wind


    leave your cares behind


    you know we're going down the line


    you know we're going down the line


    tell me what you please


    this place is a squeeze


    your guess is as good as mine


    sell me other dreams, oh! the


    summer's here


    you know we're going down the line


    you know we're going down the line


    in fortune's hand


    where do we stand?


    in fortune's hand


    Leonard Wolf sez,

    The ranger glances at Powerpaw. "We'll be able to scout more safely that way. As soon as we spot them we'll draft a plan of attack based on the circumstances."
    Click to expand...

    Powerpaw replies happily,     "Tactics! Strategies! Oh boy!"


    Luna sez,

    "Lead on."
    Click to expand...

    The words are hardly out of Luna's mouth when     that little wolf goes from standing still to nearly full-sprint in the sudden manner only hyper little puppies can achieve.


    Follow me!





    Vardadraug bounds into the forest once again. His little feet zip and zoom under brush and over stones, sometimes to disappear completely in nature's bountiful shroud, only to reappear a moment later with an expression that encourages each of you to keep up. Never have you seen feet so little move so fast.


    The Wanderers burst into action, this time with formation and planning in mind and Bria, as a result, seems to appear more relaxed already. Vardadraug leads you all on a merry little chase over logs, between tall trees, across rushing streams, and over earth unknown to most who walk on two legs. There are no clear walkways or easy-to-follow trails here. No signs to direct you. Just the beautiful, secret land of creatures free and wild. The golden sun beams through the thick leafy canopy with beams of soft light as you march, skip, tromp, or tread lightly, each as you will. Only Leonard Wolf matches Vardadraug's vigorous pace and he does so in the unobtrusive, silent manner that only masters of the wild know.


    In fact, none of you see the tracks that should belong to Vardadraug or Ranger Wolf. These two seem to move along this pathless wild like ghosts in the night. Leonard's movements especially appear incredibly-improved since his first chase after Vardadraug; his stride through the woodlands now rivals the little wolf's own, a fact that Vardadraug seems proud of. And Pecker? High above your party, he makes no sound as he climbs and dances with the wind above you. Sparkle simply hangs on to Luna and watches your back with a tenacious gleam in her reptilian eyes.


    Those of you who trust in your hearing and are with the main group come to notice the rustling and clinking of Powerpaw's chain armor and many weapons. But not so Brendoran, whose armor seems as quiet as Luna's own robes, and despite his muscled girth, his feet as sure as any woodsman's.


    As you leave the first checkpoint of the Road of Kings far behind, the rangers in your team notice the complete absence of animal activity. No tracks, no droppings, no telling of broken branches or movement beside your own. The elven-blooded rogue among you also sees no sign of travelers, welcome or otherwise.


    After almost an hour at this pace, Vardadraug finally pauses. His little puppy lungs are panting. Though, like most wolves, he is far from exhausted, for the treks of wolves are legendary (especially among wolf puppies - just ask them). All those Wanderers wearing Boots of Striding and Springing are sweating and quite warmed-up, but are not winded thanks to the enchantment of that highly-desired footwear. In fact, the only one among you who is not benefiting from this beloved gear is the only one in your team who seems not to need it - Ranger Wolf.


    Vardadraug, Otiorin, and Wolf quietly explore a thick copse of oak trees. Vardadraug, his tail wagging, silently beckons you both over to little view between two trees and that is when you notice it - This copse of trees overlooks a green clearing about thirty feet below you. The clearing is a 40-foot radius circle of grass, stones, and crushed flowers, but is devoid of trees and thick shrubbery. It shares its space with a large mass of rock dominated by the mouth of a yawning cave. The dark cave opening is about 15 feet high, 35 feet wide, covered with moss and vines (there seems to be a lot of that in this part of the woods). Your scouting team is in an excellent spying position, about 80 feet from the mouth of the cave.

    1786937858.jpg



    (Image credit: www.emirates247.com)


    At the mouth of the cave, you suddenly hear signs of life as a pair of gruff-looking, muscle-bound Bloodland Minotaurs suddenly sprout up with large-sized longbows. Among you, at first, there is a sudden feeling of having been discovered, until you notice that their hard eyes are not looking at you, but up into the sky.


    One points. "Shoot that bird! Shoot that bird!"


    Both quickly raise their bows and let fly. Their arrows soar at a target above you and out of your line of sight. A moment later, you hear the lively and outraged squawking of a bird. Or, as Wolf certainly knows, a trained hunting falcon.


    "Awww, isn't that a hoof in the ass? Missed 'em!"


    "That would have been a fiiiine snack."


    "Come back here, birdie! I have more for you!"


    His cooler-headed brethren raises a hand of warning and looks about. "Save your arrows. You never know."


    "Right."


    This pair are protected with well-used, red and black, hide armor and sporting sharp-looking large-sized long swords and metal, square-shaped shields. The sunlight illuminates their cruel features as they relax and keep vigilant watch, their fingers ever near their bows.
 
Luna motions for everyone to gather close so she can whisper without being heard by the guards. "We have three options that I can see. Try to lure them away, but that could make them sound an alarm. Next, we can see if or fighters can sneak up close enough to hit them by surprise and take them out. Or, we can just go for broke and I can throw a fireball into the mouth of the cave and let the blast engulf them both. That won't kill them, but they will be well cooked for the fighters to finish off. The downside to that is our element of surprise will be gone. it comes down to our fighters; can you take them out fast enough to keep them from sounding an alarm?"

Cantrips: Read Magic, Ray of Frost, Mage Hand, Detect Magic


Level 1: Burning Hands x2, Shocking Grasp


Level 2:


Level 3: Fireball


Level 4:


Force Missile x8


Mage Armor active - 2 hours left
 
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Powerpaw scratches his head, "I tink dat depends on well dey defend demselves against yer Fiery-ball. But won't dey hear dat explosion in da cave?"


Meanwhile, Vardadraug peers about the lush wood for a few moments and then he watches the cave intently as if trying to jog a memory. His thoughts can be heard by all of the Wanderers. We have come this far south in Ember's Wood... These streams flow from Lake Shimmer where the Shimmerfolk catch their endless supply of fish... And this cave... Was this not a Druidic burial ground? Why would such evil choose to come to such holy ground?





The Wolf of Ancient Winters turns to Luna with a serious gaze. There is one certainty, Luna - the three girls are inside that cave... beyond these foul-hearted Bloodlanders.
 
Luna nods at Powerpaw. "Unless those in the cave are deaf and blind, they will most certainly know if I use a Fireball spell. I consider that to be the last option to use. Instead, we should try to either lure the two guards away and take them out at a distance, or try sneaking up on them and killing them here before they can raise an alarm. The more I think about it, the more I like the thought of trying to lure the guards away to a ambush site of our choosing. Someplace nearby, but far enough away to keep from being heard by those still in the cave. Can our rangers scout about and see if there is a spot that would serve our purposes? We can then have someone poke their head up and give the guards a reason to take our bait. Perhaps a well placed crossbow bolt in the chest of one, then run away to where the rest of the Wanderers are waiting to jump them. Does anyone have a reason why that idea won't work, other than a worst-case event of them sounding an alarm before chasing off after our bait?"
 
Otiorin looked at the others with a smile, "I could try and lure them away."


He reached to his belt and raised the horn.


"I remember that we were all going hell for leather trying to stop that one Minotaur from sounding this horn. What would these two do if they saw me, thought I were a scout and that I was about to signal my allies. I could get their attention, then withdraw into the trees, horn in hand. At the very worst, they would only send one of their number after me, but that would still halve the numbers we are facing."
 
"We just need to find our ambush spot, then, and figure out what route you will take to come to it, so we don't shoot you full of arrows by accident. Something close enough that we can use it, but remote enough that we can launch our ambush without worry of revealing ourselves. I will try my luck with the crossbow and save my remaining spells, but once melee is joined, I'll have to hold fire or risk hitting our own people. Lets do this."
 
Bren nods to Luna and Otiorin. "I like the idea of luring them off, and Otiorin seems to have a likely plan for it. Wolf, shall you and I scout a suitable ambush site? With climbable trees, perhaps, that ranged attackers can be up in, so as to aim over Otiorin's head as he returns to us, while we melee types lurk in hiding to either side of his proposed path. Mages, you might want to cast any lasting spells now, while you have time to prepare."
 
Luna looks grim. "Unfortunately, I have very few spells ready to go. Luckily, my Mage Armor spell is still in effect, but other than that, I have a handful of Force Missiles, a couple of Burning Hands, and a Fireball lined up, including a few scrolls that I hope to save. I will be running empty on my magic if we get into a protracted fight. But, I have faith in the team that we will succeed. Um, just remember that any ambush site needs to be Luna friendly. I'm not good at climbing trees."

Cantrips: Read Magic, Ray of Frost, Mage Hand, Detect Magic


Level 1: Burning Hands x2, Shocking Grasp


Level 2:


Level 3: Fireball


Level 4:


Force Missile x8


Mage Armor active - 2 hours left
 
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"Wait." Wolf says before the others can carry out their makeshift plan. "There is no cover between the treeline and the cave and it's a fair distance, so I agree that the guards must be distracted, but - there might be a better way than to go poking someone's head out. I've still some whistling arrows in my pack. I could shoot a few to create a distraction practically anywhere and from a safe distance at that. It could be enough to get one of the two to go inspect it and that's..."


The ranger kept looking from one member of the fellowship to the other as he spoke. In the moment when he suddenly interrupted himself, he came to rest on one. His eyes widened in realization as he stared at him and reflexively said his name.


"Vardadraug."


Carefully and with a growing smirk Wolf says: "Those minotaurs seem hungry. I think you'd make a fine snack for them."
 
At first, Luna is horrified that Wolf would suggest that they use the little pup to distract the minotaurs. Then, she starts to remember just how fast the little guy is. Still a bit dubious about that idea, she says, "Are you sure? I know that Vardadraug is fast, but . . . hmmmm. As much as I hate to think it, you may be on to something. We have seen the minotaurs try to shoot down Pecker for a snack, so seeing a wolf pup wouldn't set them to sound an alarm, but to come after him." Turning her attention to Vardadraug, she asks him, "It is up to you, though. Are you willing to give this a try?"
 
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