The little hamlet of Killburth nestled in the north valley in the kingdom of Sarisol, along the Thronakil mountain chain. With the Chillgail woods just to the south and lake Benerath to the west; it was a quiet and peaceful community with a moderately thriving economy; due to the traffic of adventurers. There were a variety of races which mingling with little tension between them. The Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Gnomes, Centaurs; and other races considered to be good races had no trouble at all maintaining good standing in the town, it was the races with a history of being brutal and/ or evil that were not accepted. Races such as the Drow Elves, or Orcs.
Orcs especially had a rough go, as they were considered to be the most brutish and barbaric of races. Not that all were that way, it was simply the common perception, so those who went against the norm and did try and live peacefully in town, could only find work as laborers, or body guards; if one was feeling the risk of an Orc protecting them were preferable to what ever other danger might befall them.
Currently the town was home to only one such Orc: or rather half Orc; Norick, by name, worked in a stable in the lower end of town. And although the nobles and higher born held on to the prejudice of not letting an Orc tend their horses. Travelers and adventurers however found his stable reasonably priced and more importantly inn adjacent.
Norick was an orphan, and wasn't at all what you would call a typical Orc, being that he was also half human raised in a human town, he wasn't as prone to unprovoked violence; in fact no one in town could recall a time when he actually did get violently angry. Which was part of the reason some would ridicule him; he didn't fight back when confronted, a fact that made him an out cast with full Orcs. Another thing that was odd about Norick was that he loved to carve things out of wood and stone when ever he had free time; odd because Orcs were not known to be an artistic race.
Many but not all treated him poorly and if fact the way he was looked on ranged from indifference to repulsion and all points in between. There were however a few in town who were accepting; his boss Calidor for example, who had Norick spending most of his days mucking out the stalls, brushing, re-shoeing, and feeding the horses, still managed to show him more kindness and respect than most. Partially; Norick figured, because Calidor was an orphan as well, but also because he had known Norick's mother and was a close friend to her.
Then there was Lo Banara, a lovely half Elf girl who worked in the herbalists shop. She would always offer a kind word or smile when ever they would pass each other, and she even on occasion brought him some home made goodies, to lift his spirits. This did not sit well with some, especially a minor lord by the name of Reginald Weatherby who was the most obnoxious and arrogant man in town. He was what most in the town considered a fop, he never left his estate without being dressed in the finest adornments and smelling of expensive fragrances from far away lands. Any time he would see Lo talking to Norick he would scowl and make some rude comment aimed at embarrassing him.
One beautiful spring afternoon, when Norick was having a rare slow day. Lo was running an errand and found Norick sitting on the bench outside the stable with his feet up on a log and carving something out of a piece of wood; which was an odd sight to most, as orc weren't know to be artistic. She watched him for a moment until he noticed her.
"Oh greetings Lo." He smiled awkwardly. "Didn't notice you there. What can this humble orc do for you today?" He smiled.
"You're not just an orc Nor." She smiled back. "I was just taking a break, and thought I'd see how things were going here. I didn't mean to interrupt what you're doing. What are you doing?" She asked inquisitively.
"Oh, uh.. Just doing a bit of wood carving. We're slow so I have to pass the time somehow." He smiled awkwardly as he attempted to conceal the carving.
"What is it? Can I see?"
"Well, uh.. it's not finished just yet." She smiled and he reluctantly showed her the partially finished sculpture.
"Ooo.. is that a wolf? I love wolves."
"Yes, I know." He had know about her fascination with wolves since they were kids. "It was meant to be a surprise for your birthday."
"I can still act surprised if you like." She teased.
"Not necessary, as long as you like it."
"Of course I will." She smiled.
"So what mischief are you into today? If I might be so bold." He asked smiling.
"Mischief? Me?" She said in a mock offended tone. "I'm a pillar of this community." She laughed.
Lo Banara was a strong woman with a good head on her shoulders; a fact that most forgot because of her beauty. Norick however had always talked to her as if she knew more than he did, because for the most part she probably did.
"Well then, I beg your pardon, M'lady." He bowed deep causing both to laugh.
As they talked, Lord Reginald was walking by and saw the two friends talking. Reginald had been trying to court Lo for years, but she was a good judge of character and knew he was only interested because he saw her as some prize to be won. As far as she was concerned, nothing he did or said would make him the type of man she would EVER marry, but that didn't stop him from being jealous.
As he watched the woman he wanted, talking to that cretin half orc his face got bright red with jealousy.
"How dare that brute talk to her. We shall see about this." He thought as he promptly called over his body guard, a large man; who many speculated might have some giant in his ancestry.
"Grunal." The seven foot red haired man looked up from the fruit stall and proceeded to his masters side.
"Yes my Lord? How can I be of service?" He said flatly. It was clear to anyone; other than Reginald, that he had no real respect for his employer, but he was being paid very well for his services so he did as he was told without complaint.
"I want you to take that freak half Orc someplace and teach him his station. While I have a few words with the Lady Lo."
"Meaning?"
"Oh for the sake of the gods!!!! Take him somewhere no one will see, and give him a sever beating, and make sure he knows he's not to associate with the girl!" Grunal had nothing personally against the half Orc, but an order was an order so he nodded. "It's a good thing you are so good with violence, because a great thinker you are not!" Grunal rolled his eyes once his back was to Reginald; not wanting to insult his Lord, by pointing out that he was in fact educated in not only history, wilderness lore, and even a bit of herbalism, but several other disciplines as well; he merely did what he was told and approached the two friends.
"Excuse me Norick, I was wondering if you could help me out with something." Norick looked up at the man with a hint of suspicion; he knew who Grunal worked for and he wasn't a fan.
"What can I do for you?" He said politely, though he wasn't sure he wanted to find out.
"My horse threw a shoe out side of town, and rather than riding him back, I tied him to the willow, by the old ruins and came to see if you could fix it."
"What were you doing out there? Surely his exalted lordship wouldn't be caught dead that far from his comfortable estate." Norick replied.
"No it was one of those rare days off. I went there on my own for some quiet contemplation. Will you help me or not?"
"Yes of course." he stated reservedly, not really believing his story. "give me a minute to get my tools and show me the way. Sorry Lo, duty calls."
"It's alright, I should be getting back to the shop anyway. See you later." She waved to him and nodded to Grunal.
A few minutes later the were heading to the town gates. And Lo was back in the Herbalist shop shelving herbs. Reginald walked in and with no one else about he made his way to her. She could smell his bath soap on him and new before he spoke who was behind her; undoubtedly leering at her shapely bottom. She turned with a polite smile; determined to find out what he wanted and get him out as quickly as possible; as he made her skin crawl.
"Greetings Lord Weatherby. How may I be of service?"
"Well that is a loaded question isn't it? Ha ha ha ha ha..." He was trying to be flirty, but it came out in a slightly girlish giggle.
"Well it is a shop and it is my job to help paying customers, so what may I get you?"
"Well how about a box of chamomile,…and an explanation as to why you were stooping to conversing with the half Ork?"
"If you want the tea, I can help you out. As for the explanation, well I can show you out!"
"How dare you!"
"You are a Lord and own much of the town, however you DO NOT own me! I can be friends with whomever I wish. If you have a problem with that, well then you can simply keep it to yourself!" Reginald was red faced, he had never been spoken to that way before.
"You have made a great mistake. You are going to be mine."
"I am no ones, least of all yours." She shot back.
" If you think that brute can be anything but a disgusting violent, monster, then you are in for a very rude awakening!"
"Seems to me, you have more hate in your heart than he does. So who is the real monster?" He turned even more red faced and stormed out.
Norick and Grunal were a mile out of the town, nearing the woods with Norick in the lead. It was nearly dusk, with about another half an hour walk ahead of them to the tree his horse was supposedly tied to. Slowly Grunal pulled a club out of his belt, and raised it above his head. As he swung the club at the back of Norick's head he said quietly.
"I'm sorry." And just as Norick was about to turn around the club made contact, knocking him out cold. Two hours later, Norick awoke tied to a large oak tree, with a throbbing headache and a gash on his forehead. Grunal was sitting by a fire with a pot of coffee brewing.
"What??..Oh, right you hit me." He stated groggily.
"Good you're awake, I didn't know how long you'd be out. When I hit people they tend to stay un-conscious for quite a bit longer."
"So glad I could surprise you." He scowled.
"Really very sorry, I know you don't deserve this, but orders are orders."
"Let me guess, Lord Reginald had a thorn in his breeches about something I did?"
"That's about the gist of it yes."
"What exactly has gotten the prissy little gits bloomers in a bunch this time." He asked sarcastically.
"I think you can probably guess."
"Lo?" He asked even though he knew the answer.
"Apparently he saw you two together."
"For Paylor's sake! We were just talking!" He said defensively. "And anyway what business is it of his?"
"Well he is a lord." Norick shrugged, and sighed.
"And, what? That gives him the right to run everyone's lives?"
"I don't think he's interested in running everyone's lives. Just the girls."
"He can't be that delusional! Can he?"
"Seems like you're kind of delusional yourself."
"What's that mean?"
"Do you really think you have a future with her?"
"We're just friends!" He stated defensively. Grunal shook his head.
"Is that right?"
"Yeah. That is right!"
"You convince yourself of that yet?" Norick didn't respond.
"So what now? Are you going to beat me until I agree to stop being friends with her? Because if that's the case you can just….." Grunal put up his hand.
"Look I don't really want to hurt you, mostly because it would prove nothing, and I have nothing against you but, I do have to earn a living. So in order to avoid any more unpleasantness, you may want to consider this. If you want to keep Reginald off your back part ways with her."
"Part ways?"
"Yes, you could make up some story to tell her, about why you and she can't be friends; be sure to be rude, and exceptionally stern, that way she'll not want to remain friends any way."
"And what if I don't? Reginald has no say in who she can and can not be friends with regardless of his social position." Grunal stood up and took out his knife. He walked over to Norick menacingly, crouched down and stated simply as he cut the rope.
"It's probably best that you do, he IS a lord." He said sharply. "And, can make things unpleasant for you." Norick scowled. "Look I know this isn't your fault, you didn't ask to be born different in a town full of stuck up elitists: one in particular, but it is what fate has given you. Besides, would you really want to subject Lo to the same treatment you receive?" Norick started to respond, but stopped himself. "You know I'm right. Accept it, and move on; away from Lo, or you and she can continue to be tormented by those who think they're better than you, and lest you forget, people lose reason to violence when they see anything they don't approve of.
"I'm used to it." He said solemnly.
"But she is not. Since you are not a violent man, how will you protect her?" He looked sincere and somewhat apologetic, but still his words hit the mark, especially as they pertained to Lo. As Norick got up and turned to leave with his head sunken, he paused and asked.
"And what about you, what do you believe?"
"I have killed my share of orcs in the Great Horde Wars, and believe me I enjoyed killing those beasts! So what do you think?"
"Well, I'm still breathing." Grunal said nothing as Norick left him there sipping a newly poured cup of coffee.
Lo was locking up the shop, as Norick finally made his way back to the stable. He saw her, and tried to duck into an alley before she turned around, but it was too late, she saw him out of the corner of her eye. She turned and waved, he looked down at the ground as if he saw something interesting. She smiled and didn't notice until she had gotten to him, that he was bruised and cut.
"What in Paylors name, happened?"
"It's nothing. I'm fine." He waved her away. She could see that he was anything but fine. "Norick Del Basnir! You look at me and tell me what happened." She said sternly. He looked up, a little startled at first then he remembered the conversation he had had with Grunal, and though he would have to live with the ridicule for his entire life, he wouldn't let that be her fate as well. Then he looked determined. He stood up to his full height; which was nearly as tall as Grunal, and a good foot taller than her, and said louder and more forceful than he'd intended.
"It is none of your concern, so just go home!" He said sternly. She looked shocked that he would talk to her; or anyone for that matter, that way.
"What is wrong with you?"
"Nothing!"
"It's not nothing! You're cross, and I want to know why!"
"Look I am an orc surly is in my blood!
"I do not believe that for one moment!"
"Believe this then! You are an ELF, I am an ORC! We CAN NOT be friends? So go find someone else to pity!
"What are you talking about?"
"LEAVE ME ALONE!" He could see she was on the verge of tears, but he had to strengthen his resolve and not let his pain show.
"Fine, if you are too much of a coward to be friends, then I WILL!" She yelled as she turned and stormed off towards her home crying as she went.
Norick hated doing that to her, for the first time he felt like the brute people like Reginald always thought him to be. Never before had he intentionally hurt anyone, or anything and this is why. He felt a sense of loss of something that had been amazing, something that he new he would never get back. "Why? Why did I let Reginald's goon get into my head? She didn't deserve that!" He thought. "She'll never forgive me. Of course neither can I." He knew he wasn't going to feel good about this anytime soon, so to dull the pain, he went to the tavern to lose himself in barrel of the strongest stuff they had.
Lo was crying so hard she had not realized her wrong turn until she was in a darkened alley in a part of the town she'd never been before. She looked around through tear soaked eyes and tried to get her bearings. She made another turn down an alley in the direction she thought might lead her to more familiar surroundings, but he came to a dead end. As she turned around she came face to hidden face with a cloaked man. The cloak bore the colors black, red and green, and an emblem she had never seen before.
"Oh! Hello, I seem to have gotten turned around, could you tell me how to get back to the center of town?" The man said nothing, but he raised his head, and she could only see a pair of eyes glowing red eyes, as bright as molten lava. He reached for her as she screamed a green mist arose from his hands causing her to she quickly drift off to a deep sleep. The man picked her up and carried her across the alley to a hidden entrance to an underground catacombs.
The next morning, Norick awoke at the bar, his head pounding even more than when Grunal had hit him. Ben the barman looked at him and chuckled.
"You know we tried to wake you all night, but after the second barrel, we knew it was pointless. I take it you weren't celebrating then."
"No, not celebrating. Got anything for a dragon sized hangover?"
"Nope, but the Herbalist should be opening soon, I'm sure Lo, or Gareck would be able to give you something to help with that."
"Right, thank for the advice Ben." He slowly got up, and walked out the door, heading up the street to the shop, he dreaded. He really hoped she wasn't in that early, but with the way his luck had been, she was probably waiting with a giant mace to finish the job, Reginald's thug started. To his surprise the shop wasn't open yet. He looked in the window to see if either of the shop keepers were inside maybe setting something up, but there was no one around.
"That's odd." He thought to himself. He looked around, hoping to see Gareck, or even Lo, coming down the street, just running late, but there was little activity at six in the morning. He decided to walk up the street to Garecks home and see what was going on. As he approached he saw Gareck talking with one of the town guards.
"What do you mean low priority?" He demanded. "She's a citizen of this town isn't she? YOU ARE THE LAW aren't you??"
"Look Gareck, I know you're concerned, but she's a young vibrant woman. I'm sure she just met some nice bloke and spent the night..." He didn't get a chance to finish the sentence, before Gareck punched him in the nose. "ALRIGHT! That's it. You can spend some time in the holding cell. until you calm the Hell down!" He grabbed the old man by the arm and started dragging him to the jail. Norick stepped up.
"Hey, wait a minute! What's going on?"
"This doesn't concern you stable hand. Move along."
"Wait, please just tell me what's happened? Is it Lo?" Gareck's eyes said it all. "Where is she?"
"I don't know, I went by her home to walk her to work like every morning, but she wasn't there, and it didn't look like she'd been there all night."
"Alright, that's enough, you're coming with me." The guard tried to pull him along again, but Norick spoke up again.
"Look, he's obviously upset Lo is like a daughter to him. Would you react any differently if it were someone you cared about? If he apologizes, would you let him off with a warning?" The guard looked at Norick side ways: he obviously never seen an Orc being so reasonable; half or not.
"Fine, but if you feel the need to start swinging again, I won't go so easy on you."
"Yes... Thank you, and I'm sorry." The guard let him go and went back to his patrol. "Thank you, but Lo is still missing."
"Don't worry, I'll start asking around, you just go to your shop in case she does show up. We will find her!" Norick's tone left no room for doubt in the old man's mind that he would see her again.
The first stop was the last place he had seen her; and unfortunately made her cry. He asked everyone he could remember seeing in the pub, but no one recalled seeing her. So he walked up the cobbled road, towards her house; the same way she would have probably gone last night asking everyone along the way. The only one who said he thought he saw her had been fall down drunk as he made is way up the street, so Norick wasn't sure he was very reliable, but he followed the direction he was told.
As he passed house after house and alley after alley he felt as if he were being watched from all over, he realized he had come to a part of the town, that had been designated the unofficial location of the thieves and assassin's guilds; though no one who wished to remain breathing spoke of it around the authorities. He couldn't imagine why she would stay so far from her normal route. As he turned the corner of a building he was sure used to be a church of some kind, he was met by a group of four men, all wearing dark leather and all sporting a bandolier of knives. The first one to speak, was a lanky fellow, in his fifties, with long gray hair, and a short well kept goatee.
"What business does the town's only half Orc have here?"
"I'm looking for someone. She's... Well she's not someone you would normally see in this part of town."
"And why not? What's wrong with our part of town." He sneered as his companions jeered."
"Nothing, it's just this part of town has a certain reputation, that keeps outsiders away."
"Oh, here that boys we have a reputation here." They all laughed heartily. "I think it's close to time you get back to your non-reputation having part of town."
"I'm not leaving until I find out weather or not she's been here."
"Well then you'll not be leaving lad." The four of them pulled out crossbows that Norick hadn't even noticed and pointed them at him.
"Wait, there's no reason for that."
"Here that boys, I guess the rumors are true; this here is the worlds only yellow Orc!" They all chortled loudly, then took aim again. Just then all four of them lowered their crossbows and started to back away. Confused he looked behind him. There was Grunal standing behind him looking mincingly. The group took off and were out of sight before Norick could turn back around.
"What are you doing here?"
"Apparently saving your life. How about you?"
"I didn't need you I had everything well in hand."
"It looked like it." He was amused. "So why are you here?"
"Lo is missing. I'm trying to find her."
"I thought we talked about this. You were to stop...."
"I DID!!!" He almost shouted. "That's probably why she's missing."
"I don't follow."
"She was hurt and crying when she left, so she never made it home. And it's my fault. I have to find her." Grunal sighed.
"No, it's not; at least it's not all your fault. Reginald ordered me to make you do it, so he's partially to blame."
"Even still I did, even if I thought it was the right thing… It was wrong. I have to try and find her."
"It seems you're braver than people think. So why do you think she'd be here?"
"Someone saw her come this way. I thought if I could find someone else who saw something I would be that much closer." Grunal shook his head.
"Well no one in this part of town is going to tell you anything, at least not for free. Why don't you go back to the magistrates office and tell him you need a couple of men to help with the search."
"Gareck already tried telling one of the town guards, he wouldn't listen. Why would the magistrate?"
"Just tell him I sent you. He'll probably think it's for Lord Reginald, if not remind him that he owes me for the Bugbear. Once you have the guards meet me back here. I'll try and find out what I can."
"Why are you helping me?"
"Like I said. You don't deserve to be treated the way you do. Maybe it's time you started to believe that too." Norick looked confused, but he didn't say anything. He just hurried off to the magistrate.
As he ran through the streets, he passed his boss Mr. Calidor. Calidor stopped him.
"Whoa, whoa, slow down there boy! Where've you been? We got some horses needing tending."
"I'm sorry Mr. Calidor, Lo is missing, I'm trying to find her, I have a lead, but I have to get the magistrate to okay a few guards to help with the search."
"Oh, my good gods! Is there anything I can do?"
"No it's fine, but I have to go."
"Alright, I'll take care of the horses, you go get help. Just stop by the stable before you head back to where ever your lead is. I have something to give you."
"Uh.... Okay, be back shortly."
He finally reached the magistrates office, there was a young man wearing clerics robes. frantically trying to get the magistrate to listen to him.
"I'm telling you, something happened to her. She's only thirteen, she's barely reached woman hood. She wouldn't have left the orphanage without telling someone; and I found this. wedged in between the foot of her bed and a loose floor board, she must have pulled it off the cloak of her abductor."
"Wait, you're missing someone too? Who?" The cleric turned around, and saw who was speaking. Norick could see he was a cleric of the god Paylor.
"A young woman in our charge, Millie. Her entire family was killed, by a band of hill giants on there way here. She helps around the temple where she's needed, but this morning she was no where to be found."
"My friend Lo is missing as well. That can't be a coincidence. Magistrate, we need a few men to help with the search." The magistrate shook his head.
"As I tried to explain to father..."
"Brother." The cleric corrected.
"Fine Brother... Seralough here, we simply do not have the man power to look for a wayward girl."
"What about two missing girls?" Norick more insisted than asked.
"I'm afraid not."
"Alright I guess I'll have to go back and tell Grunal you refused to help." He turned to go.
"Wait! What?? What's Grunal have to do with it?"
"Oh, he's the one that told me to come and see you about getting some men for the search."
"Uh... On the other hand maybe I was a little rash in denying such obviously noble requests... " He shuffled some papers. "Ah yes I see, there are three men coming on that I had not accounted for when I first checked... I'm sure they'll be happy to help." The magistrate wrote a letter and put his seal on it. "Take this to the barracks you'll get some help there."
Once they had the document, Norick and Brother Seralough were quickly on there way.
"Any idea who would kidnap both my friend and your ward?" Norick asked.
"Well not for ransom, our order isn't a wealthy one, we take just enough in donation to keep the temple running. That is the law of Paylor. What about your friend?"
"It may have been she was convenient. I regret the last time we spoke was not a good conversation, so she may have wandered where she shouldn't have."
"Meaning?"
"When we parted ways last night, she left crying. I think it may be partially my fault, if she has indeed been taken."
"The fact that you are so diligently searching for her will surely make up for your mistake."
"If we find her in time; maybe."
"Have faith, Paylor has a plan, I believe we were meant to meet; and will find who we seek."
"I hope you're right, but I don't put much faith in any of the Gods."
"I won't hold that against you."
"Yeah you'd be one of the few who have no problem with me." Brother Seralough patted him on the back.
"Ha ha!! Not to worry my new friend, the one constant is that things tend to change."
After their visit to the barracks, where they picked up the three "volunteers." Roderick, Danei, and Feilador by name. They hurried towards the shady part of town, making a stop at the stable along the way.
Inside Norick found his old mentor and friend standing at the counter. There was a large wooden box in front of him.
"Ah, there you are. I was beginning to get worried you'd forgotten."
"No I haven't, but I am in a hurry. What is it you need of me?" The old man indicated the box.
"This was left in my care, for you until you had need of it. It belonged to your grandfather, on your mother's side of course." Norick looked confused.
"Why would he leave that for me? He never even met me before he died."
"Well, it was meant for your mothers eldest son; which is you."
"What is it?" He asked approaching the counter.
"Open it and find out. I think you'll like it; you may certainly be needing it." Norick reached out and flipped the lid, his eyes widened as he stood there staring at a massive battle ax with intricate runes on the blade.
"What... is this?" he asked unsure."
"This is Shadowsbane; Created long ago, and used in the southern wars by your grandfather. I carried him through many battles."
"I have never handled a weapon like this in my life. What am I supposed to do with it?"
"Pick it up." Calidor exclaimed simply. He did as instructed and the instant he held the amazing weapon he felt a surge of energy, as if he was meant to wield it. He instinctively new it was capable of great deeds. He swung it with little effort and it obliterated a near by stool. "It has powerful good magic, capable of rendering asunder evil beings."
"I can feel that. Why would you think I'd need it to find Lo?"
"Well a young man, on a quest needs a good weapon, and this is yours." Norick didn't know what to say, so he gathered up the back harness placed the blade in it and nodded to his mentor. As he turned and headed towards the door. Calidor simply whispered. "Good luck." And Norick was gone.
A half an hour later, Norick and company got back to where he'd left Grunal to find him waiting.
"Took you long enough!" Norick rolled his eyes.
"Any word on Lo?"
"In fact there is, but you're not going to like it." Norick just shook his head and said with a sigh.
"Where is she?"
"From the information I have gathered, she has been taken to into the catacombs by a cloaked figure, baring the mark of Triaxithock." Seralough looked both shocked and dismayed.
"Oh dear!" The cleric exclaimed.
"What? Who is Triaxithock?" Norick asked impatiently.
"He is a very powerful demon. He does have followers called The Shadow Dancers. If your friend is... umm.. Untouched. Is she, uh pure?" He asked trying to be delicate.
"Well, uh.. I don't know! She and I have never...."
"That'll make Reginald happy, but it doesn't bode well for the girls." Grunal replied.
"I don't care if Reginald is happy or not!" Norick looked at Grunal and said flatly. Then he turned to the cleric and asked. "What are they going to do to her?"
"Well there is a ritual that can bring Triaxithock wholly and completely into this world. It starts with sacrificing three virginal girls, and impregnating a forth by anointing her with the blood of the first three as the high priest of Triaxithock (imbued with the spirit of the demon) uh...rapes her."
"WHAT!!! We have to find her, NOW!"
"I will help however I can, but I am still an apprentice cleric."
"Well then follow me. The entrance is this way."
Up until this point the three guards had just been watching and listening finding this an odd situation, however when they heard there was a demon involved they had some reservations.
"Hold on a second, we didn't sign up to fight a demon; we were just told to help you find some lost girls!" Roderick; the first of the guards spoke out.
"So? The girls need our help." Norick stated firmly.
"Sorry, but that's not our problem; them demon worshiping types are dangerous." Feilador interjected.
"Oh and I'm not?" Grunal asked.
"Well.. Uh sure, you're intimidating but as you're not evil, we're still not going! Came Danei's reply. Norick had let things bottle up inside him his entire life, all the abuse and shunning he'd suffered from the towns people coupled with his concern for Lo had come to a boil. He stood in front of the three guards and looked at each of them as he spoke.
"You three can either come with us and help us, or I swear by Paylor I will deliver upon you pain like you have never experienced!" His tone was deceptively calm, and that made it all the more bone chilling.
"Uh... Ok, I get the point. We'll help." Roderick said sheepishly. None of the company had ever known the Orc to be so intense.
"Y..yeah." is all Danei could say.
"N.. n, no problem." Came Feilador's reply. Even Grunal looked at him with a bit more respect.
"Now that, that is settled: shall we?" Grunal said with a smirk.
The group headed down into the tunnels beneath the city unsure of what they were going to find. As they moved deeper into the unknown. As they reached the bottom of the winding staircase leading to the tunnels they got the impression that a thousand sets of eyes were watching them. The darkness was dense and seemed to be pushing in on them making it difficult to move or breath. The torches they had; although were made things a bit better, did not throw as much light as they would have liked.
"Brother Seralough, there wouldn't happen to be anything you could do about this unrelenting dark is there?" Grunal asked slightly impatiently.
"Well, I could cast an orb of light, I'm not sure it'll be powerful enough though. This darkness is the work of magic. Most likely that of Triaxithocks high priest."
"Anything would help I'm sure." commented Feilador. "I can barely see five feet.
"Very well." He began his incantation. "Luminous e penttry, Paylor se ti co, Me ontro di calputos an trudialion." With the completion of his spell a small orb of light grew out of the darkness, and it proceeded to grow until it was the size of a large pumpkin and threw light twenty feet in all directions as it hovered over head.
"Brilliant! Now if we just new which way to go." Danei mused.
"Don't worry about it. I can find three day old tracks over hard ground. With all dust and grim from the past few centuries of neglect, it should be no problem." He replied.
"Just out of curiosity, how long will you glob last brother?" Danei inquired.
"It should last twelve hours."
"With any luck we'll find them before that, but let's hurry all the same."
The men walked around for what seemed like hours, never getting over the feeling they were being watched. Finally they came to a section of hall way with a series of five doors along it. Four of them Iron on either side, and the fifth a large stone door at the end. Each of the for side doors had a large padlock on it, and a sliding door eye level, most likely for observing what ever was inside.
"Think we should check these out? I mean aren't there supposed to be four girls total?" Asked Feilador cautiously.
"Might be a good idea, but be careful. It's been my experience that doors in places like these have safe guards against unwanted visitors." Grunal stated.
Roderick decided to go for the door closest on the right, while Danei and Feilador went to the farthest Danei on the left and Feilador on the right, leaving the closest on the left and the big door at the end for Norick and Grunal.
"Shall we?" Grunal indicated the door.
"I'm no expert, but shouldn't we check them together. I mean splitting up seems kind of stupid, you never know what's behind these doors."
As if to illustrate his point Roderick let out a scream. The rest of the group turned around to find him being mauled by a minotaur. The large bull/man had him gored with his horns and was shaking the guard savagely around until he came flying off and landed with a hard thud. As he lay there groaning and bleeding, Grunal, Norick, Danei, and Feilador went at the beast with their weapons.
The first to score a strike was Grunal with a mighty swing of his sword, he gashed the side of the monster. The minotaur howled in rage and pain as he swung his giant club wide and missed Grunal, but made solid contact with Norick. Norick went flying back, and slammed hard against the wall. While the beast was distracted by the sight, Danei thrust the tip of his halberd under the monsters rib cage. It howled again in anger as it brought the large club down on Danei's head. Danei fell to the floor with a sickening crunch, as the last bit of life twitched out of him.
Feilador screamed. "NOOOOOO!!!" as he plunged his spear into the minotaur's back, pushing the tip through the other side. The minotaur fell to it's knees gasping for air but still trying to fight the intruders. Finally with one mighty swing of his sword, Grunal severed its head.
Feilador keeled over the body of his dead friend, as Grunal glared at the fallen beast. Although the battle lasted only a few minutes the men were all shaken and out of breath. Slowly, Norick regained his senses and got to his feet.
"What in Paylor's name was that?" Norick asked as he moved to the fallen body.
"Minotaur!" Said Grunal flatly. "Though what it was doing here is beyond me. They're not fond of underground dungeon type places."
"WHO CARES what it was doing here. It killed Danei!" Feilador snapped. Norick reached out to console him.
"I'm sorry…"
"Don't!" he demanded. "What kind of orc doesn't know how to fight? WHAT GOOD ARE YOU??" Norick was taken aback.
"Calm down!" Brother Seralough interjected. As he and a now healed Roderick joined them. "It's not his fault. It was bad luck he got knocked back before he could act. It could have happened to any one."
"Is there anything you can do?" Roderick asked quietly. "I mean you healed me."
"You were merely wounded; grievous as it was you still had life. I'm afraid this man is gone. All I can do now is pray to Paylor for his safe passage to the after life. I'm sorry."
"A lot of good that will do him now." He replied coldly.
"We must move. Cover him and let us be off." Grunal stated firmly. "Who ever put that beast here must be dangerous, so be on your guard."
The remanding members of the group bowed their heads for a moment, then gathered up their things.
"So should we check the other doors then?" Asked Feilador, I mean there could be more like that, or there could be innocent people.
"Perhaps we should." Interjected brother Seralough. "If there are innocent people inside, we must help them." The others stood saying nothing, until Grunal spoke.
"If none of you will be the first to act then I will. Norick you will open the door to the next room, while Roderick, Feilador stand on the other side with their weapons drawn. I will stand in front ready to take the first attack.
"And what of me?" Asked Brother Seralough.
"You will be ready with any spells you have that might help either by healing or defending." Replied Grunal.
"Right."
They approached the door cautiously and took their positions. Norick listened at the door as he grabbed the handle. He nodded to Grunal and pulled. The door didn't budge on his first pull, so he pulled again with all his strength breaking the lock. The door swung open and would have slammed against the wall if he hadn't still had a hold of the handle. They all looked surprised; including Norick. He let the door go and looked inside. They saw at the back of the room a skeleton chained to the wall.
"Nothing in there let's try the next." Grunal ordered.
They did the same for the next door and the next with no more surprises. Finally they came to the stone door at the end of the hall. A large stone door with strange writings on it, and no obvious way to open it.
"Now what?" Asked Roderick. " Can anyone read.. What ever that is?"
"Well I can try. As a cleric I am required to know many different languages." He looked at the ruins on the door and after a few minutes he looked up. "It's what I was afraid of. This is the language of the underworld; demon language." he clarified. "From what I can tell the door requires some sort of demonstration of fealty to the demon Triaxithock."
"How?" Feilador asked.
"We have to give it blood. Um.. From a dead man." They look over at the body of their fallen companion.
"NO!" Feilador protested. "You will not be desecrating his remains.
"There is no other way forward, so we have to less the young women taken meet the same fate as your friend." Stated Grunal flatly. Both of the town guards, reluctantly nodded their compliance.
"So who's going to… Uh, get the blood?" Norick asked. Both Feilador and Roderick looked at him. "Why me?"
"Because it's your doing that we're all down here, and our friend is dead." Feilador answered sternly.
"Well it wasn't really his fault your friend.." Brother Seralough tried to interject, but Norick cut him off.
"It's alright brother, he's not entirely wrong. Fine I'll do it, but how much do I need?"
"Um… Not much. Just touch the blood to your hand and then press it here." He indicated a hand impression on the door.
"Right." Norick walked sullenly over to the fallen body and knelt down. He paused as he looked at the man who only fifteen minutes ago was alive and well. The man had a future and probably loved ones, and now because of him he breathed, laughed and lived no more.
"I'm so, so, sorry. I know you can't hear me, but I never meant for this to happen. On my honor your death won't be in vain, and you will be remembered." He whispered as he touched the mans wound. He then got up and slowly walked over to the door. The other four men watched as he placed his hand on the door and waited. The door moaned as it slowly raised; dust blew at them along with the stale smell of that came with an enclosed tomb. The group paused for a moment coughing out the dust that came on the slight breeze from the opening door.
On the other side was another corridor. This one had mortem shelves lining it, with lit braziers running along either side adding to the eeriness of the hall way. As they past each shelf the could see decayed bodies of the long dead inhabiting them.
"Is it just me or does anyone else find it a little to convenient that the braziers are lit?" Brother Seralough asked rhetorically.
"Given the surprise we had in the last room, I should think they know we're coming. So keep alert, you never know what kind of traps magic using types will have waiting for us." Grunal replied.
No sooner did the words leave his mouth then his predictions seemed to come true. The heard from all around them the rattling of bones, shuffling of the dead rising. The decayed corpses began to rise and surround them.
"Tell me you've fought the undead before." the cleric stated with a bit of a tremble in his voice." Grunal smiled.
"They're just skeletons. How hard could they be?"
But even his eyes widened when he saw the magically animated dead. They weren't just skeletons moving slowly, they had a dark fire surrounding them, giving them armor and weapons, and a decidedly evil feel.
"Um, brother if you have any anti evil magic now would be a good time to use it." Norick stated as he brought his ax to bare on the closest foe cutting it down before it could swing it's weapon.
"Huh that didn't seem to hard." Feilador stated as he swung his weapon at the one nearest him; to little affect. "What the hell??" The skeleton swung at him narrowly missing his face.
"Magic weapons!" Grunal shouted as he swung his sword hitting his, but doing little damage.
"Ooo… I can actually do that!" the cleric stated. "Hold them off as best you can until I can cast the spell."
The cleric looked through a small book he carried desperately searching for the right spell, as the men swung their weapons blocking the attacks as best they could with Norick being the only one making any kind of a dent in them. "Ah GOT IT!" he stated with excitement. "Serioum Tak Estrom bel tor me caldoorex!" with the conclusion of his spell the previously mundane weapons were glowing. Roderick made the first hit causing a huge gash in the skeleton driving him back and toppling over.
"Nicely done brother!" Roderick exclaimed.
With the help of their now magically enhanced weapons the twenty undead quickly turned into ten, then five and with Norick making the final blow sending the skeleton back to it's sleep, the men stood there winded and worn, but with only a few scrapes to show for the battle.
"I can honestly say I did not expect that kind of fight from you orc!" Roderick stated flatly.
"Yes well done." Seralough chimed in.
"Regardless of my feelings towards you, I too must admit you did well." Feilador put in. Norick looked a bit confused and slightly proud.
"You know you are a very confusing orc. You go your whole life without raising your fist, yet at the first sign anything even remotely bad has happened to someone you care about you take up arms and go into unknown danger to protect them."
"Would anyone of you do any different?" He asked sincerely. The men said nothing. "Well then, shall we go. We still have to find Lo, and…Uh.. Millie was it, brother?
"Um, yes that's right. And yes we should go." He replied.
The men continued down the corridor paying attention to every nook and hole they came to; not wanting to be caught off guard again. They were looking so intently to the obvious areas danger could come from, none of them notice the slight shimmer in the floor ahead of them. No sooner did the last man cross an invisible thresh hold causing the entire section of floor they were on disappear. The men fell a for about twelve feet, when they hit the ground with a thud and started to roll down a long slanting corridor. They rolled head over feet, bumping into each other and the walls as they went. Until finally they came to a very abrupt drop into a pit at the bottom. Norick was the first to recover. He looked around and at first could only see black. The slowly his eyes adjusted and he was able to see. Shapes at first then the room they had landed in; as well as his companions became clear as day.
"What the H…" He trailed off. He found himself in a large cave. At the far end about thirty yards away he could see stone steps leading up into what looked like some sort of ancient temple. The other end there was a tunnel leading who knows where. He checked his companions they were all breathing, and Grunal was actually beginning to stir. "You okay?" He asked the mercenary.
"You almost sound as if you care." He joked. "Yeah how about the others?"
"I was just about to check."
"Can I assume you can see in this pitch?"
"Yeah; I guess being a freak has some advantages." He answered as he checked the cleric. Seralough was unconscious, so Norick poured some water on his face. By the time he came to, Grunal had a torch lit. The torch didn't throw light very far, but it was far enough for the rest of the group to see each other.
"So where to now? Asked Reginald.
"If I had to take a guess. I'd say that ominous looking temple would be a safe bet." replied Norick. The torch light was just barely bright enough to see the outline of the temple, but it was enough for the rest of the group to agree. As they got closer to the structure, they could here murmuring coming from inside.
"What.. is.. That?" Feilador asked as they reached the steps.
"Some sort of chanting?" Reginald put in.
"Oh, no… They must be preparing to do the ritual!" exclaimed Seralough.
"WHAT??? We have to get in there now!" Said Norick desperately.
"We don't know how many are in there." Grunal intervened. "If we go rushing in without assessing the situation it could get messy."
"Fine! But we have to go NOW!" The Orc insisted.
The group quickly made their way up the steps and approached the door as quietly as they could. From inside they heard the voices, and although they could make out what the dark clerics were saying the words were foreign to the group. Except for Brother Seralough.
"Look up there." Reginald said pointing to windows along the upper walls on either side. "If we could get up there we could get a look as to what is going on."
"But how do we get up there? It's got to be at least fifty feet.
"Good thing I brought rope then." Grunal answered.
He pulled out the rope and attached a grapple to it and with one mighty swing tossed it up and hooked it to the window seal. "So who wants to do the honors?" He asked. Norick didn't even hesitate. He grabbed the rope and started climbing. After what felt like an hour of climbing; but was in actuality only about ten minutes he got to the top and looked inside the opening.
What he saw made him nearly yell out. Inside there were eighteen shadowy cloaked figures. They were divided into three groups of six, all on their knees praying in what looked like individual pits of hot coals. At the front of the room there were four alters set up; with what looked like two giant shadows standing guard on either side. three of the alters had the kidnapped girls Norick had never seen before, and the fourth was Lo. All the girls were strapped down, and looking scared all that is except for Lo, who looked more defiant and angry than scared.
The high priest emerged from a side room holding a large goblet. and dagger. He placed them on a stand behind the alter, which held Lo. Norick was able to make out what they were saying and he didn't like it.
"You should be honored my dear. My lord Triaxithock has chosen you to be the mother to the new order." The high priest boasted.
"What order? You're raising a demon, and that usually means chaos!" Lo said defiantly.
"Yes, but out of chaos comes order. Not that you'll live to see it." He chortled.
It was all Norick could do not to jump down and try and make his way to her, but he held his position.
"Go to Hell." She spat.
"You have spirit, I suppose your spirit is why my lord chose you to bring about his vessel." he continued without missing a beat.
That was all Norick could bare. Without thinking he jumped to a near by pillar and slid down. Once on the ground he slew the first three shadow men before anyone could react.
"WHAT!!! An Orc?" The high priest exclaimed. He waived his hand and the shadow men all got up simultaneously and looked directly at him. It was only then Norick realized they were no ordinary men. These were some kind of shadow demons. The remaining fifteen produced flaming short swords from out of no where. It was just then the door burst open and the rest of the fellowship came running in.
"You started without us, that's just bad manners Norick." Grunal exclaimed.
"Ah, the intrepid adventurers come to save the young damsels." Said the high priest. "My lord Triaxithock will be happy with the extra sacrifices." He taunted. "But there were more when you set out were there not?" He asked with an evil laugh. "I guess our little surprises got the better of some of you." He taunted further.
"Shut your mouth you evil bastard!" Reginald shouted.
"I can honestly say I'm surprised you made it this far, however you'll not stop my lords ascension. Shadows KILL THEM ALL!"
All fifteen turned towards the group attacking in unison. Norick was first to strike, he cut down the two he hadn't gotten to with two quick and powerful blows. The remaining twelve went three shadows per man. Roderick took a swing with his weapon; enhanced by the clerics magic, making a solid hit on the first, nearly cutting it in half, but the other two made their attacks gashing and slashing Roderick causing great burning cuts to his leg and shoulder.
"AAARRGHH!!!" He bellowed as he stumbled back hitting a near by pillar.
"RODERICK!" Feilador shouted. He wanted to help his friend but he narrowly avoided his own wounds as he blocked three attacks with his shield before baring down on the head of one of his attackers with his morning star. The Cleric had a glowing mace, which he seemed more adept at wielding than anyone could have suspected. He killed two shadows and blocked the thirds attack with the speed of a seasoned warrior. Grunal seemed to be having a little two much fun with his three. He easily dodged all three attacks and cut the head off one and gutting a second in the same movement. The third didn't last much longer as he then brought his blade up and under it's chin trusting it through the top of its head.
Just as the shadows on Roderick were about to finish the job, one of them split in half by Norick fell to the ground dead, the other turned to attack Norick just as his ax came to bare in its chest.
"Thanks Or.. uh I mean Norick." The half orc just nodded and then turned his attention towards the high priest, who saw what was occurring sent the two giants into the fray, and began chanting.
"Go, free them before he can do the ritual." Seralough yelled to Norick. The half orc didn't hesitate he saw the first giant shadow swing a great flaming club at him and he rolled out of the way, when he got to his feet. He swung his ax at the back of its leg, cutting a huge gash felling it to one knee. It swung the club again but Norick had jumped up bringing the weapon down on its back causing a guttural howl from the shadow beast. The other swung its club, but missed hitting the first in the head knocking it to its back. Norick took the opportunity to take a mighty swing for its gut causing another devastating wound to the creature. Grunal had moved to help Feilador, as the cleric had finished off his, and headed to Roderick to began healing him.
Norick took another swing at the second giant, and caused another mighty wound, but the first one had gotten to its feet, and nailed Norick from behind with a swing of its club. Norick went flying hitting a near by pillar. At first he didn't move, but a surge of strength came to him, and he got up, with a fire in his own eyes. He roared and launched himself at the giants shadows head burying his ax deep within its skull. It fell to the floor with a mighty thud. He retrieved his ax and blocked the attack of the other with it breaking the club in two. The high priest couldn't believe his eyes. There was no way an orc could stop the minions of Triaxithock, his lord would come forth.
Grunal and Feilador finished off their enemies, and were now moving to help Norick. The Giant shadow took another swing and missed Norick, but took out a pillar. The rubble from the ceiling crashed down on its head. Norick saw out of the corner of his eye the high priest bearing down on the first sacrifice, he didn't hesitate he went running towards the alters throwing his ax at the mans chest with all his might. The high priests eyes opened wide just as it made contact simultaneously knocking him back as it embedded deep into his chest. Norick reached the alter just as the man came to a hard thud on the floor. Norick stood over him pulling his ax out of the mans chest.
'This.. is .. impossible." The high priest coughed. Blood pouring out of the wound. "Triaxithock.. can not.. be stopped, by an orc!" His eyes began to dim, and the last thing he heard as he slipped into darkness..
"I'm only half orc."
He turned to the alter Lo was tied to, and cut her lose.
"Are you okay?" He asked tentatively. She didn't say anything she just jumped up and hugged him.
"See?" She whispered in his ear as he held her. "I told you weren't just an orc." He smiled, and had tears in his eyes.
He looked up to see his companions moving slowly towards him with shocked looks on their faces. "What?" he asked, not knowing why they looked so surprised.
"Um, nothing it's just that." The cleric stammered.
"You're glowing a bit my friend." Grunal smiled.
"What??"
"You have the blessing of Paylor." The cleric stated with a bit of aw in his voice.
"What? What are you talking about." He looked down and saw that he was indeed glowing. "What does this mean?"
"It means that Paylor has blessed you. Not to worry my friend, it's a good thing." He was grinning.
"Riiigghht." Norick said unsure. "We should probably get these girls back to their families." He exclaimed.
The cleric untied Millie, while Roderick and Feilador helped the other two girls.
"Thank you Brother Seralough, I thought we were going to die."
"It's all right child, you're safe now. You're all safe now."
The trip back up to the surface seemed to take forever. They only stopped long enough to pick up the body of their fallen comrade. When they reached the town they were greeted by a battalion of town guards led by Reginald. Reginald was berating them apparently trying to get them to go into the catacombs.
"What do you mean you won't go down there you simpering moron? I am a lord and you are bound by law to comply with my orders." He demanded.
"Don't look like there's a need now anyway your lordship." The captain exclaimed. "They've come home themselves."
Reginald looked over at the group emerging from the entrance. He was shocked and annoyed that the orc was not only alive, but holding hands with Lo.
"YOU!! I should have known you had something to do with this. Arrest the orc!" He ordered the guards.
"Arrest me for what? Going into the tunnels and rescuing the kidnapped girls!' He shot back. Reginald was shocked. Norick had never stood up to him before.
"How dare you? You probably abducted those innocent girls to make yourself look the hero."
"What? That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard."
"I can vouch for this man." Roderick put in. "He acted with honor and bravery as we looked for the missing girls."
"As can I." Feilador added.
"Obviously you two are being coerced." Reginald stated flatly. "Grunal, tell these idiot guards what happened so they can put this brute where he belongs."
"Well my lord…" He began. Reginald smiled. "It's just as the guards said. Norick acted with honor; he's a hero."
"WHAT!? Think very hard about this. Your future is at stake!"
"I'm pretty sure my future is fine." He leaned in and whispered in Reginald's ear. "Unless you'd like these nice people to know about your nightly activities. Lord or not, I don't think the good folk will stand by while that's going on." Reginald looked flustered.
"Wha.. I… Oh FINE!!" He stormed off."
"What'd you say to him?" Norick asked.
"It's not important, needless to say though I don' t think you'll have to worry about him getting in your way anymore. So…"
"So what?" Norick looked confused.
"So this!" Lo grabbed him pulled his face to hers and kissed him so intensely, that all he could do when she stopped was stammer and blush.
"Well orc! Still feel like a freak?" Grunal asked as he slapped him on the back.
"Yeah, but I'm alright with that." He smiled.
The End!
(or not.)