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Chapter 17 - Village in Trouble


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#1 Guest_Clovis_*

Posted 14 May 2005 - 10:17 AM

Several days later, the adventurers at last reached the outskirts of the Umar Hills. It had been an uneventful journey, but a tiring one. Theodoric stretched inside his plate mail. What I wouldn’t trade for a pair of mage’s bracers about now he thought, his tired spine making all manner of exquisite popping noises as he arched his back.

“How far is it to that village you mentioned, Jaheira?”

“It is in this area just to the southeast” she replied. “We could probably be there within a hour, perhaps two.”

“We have further to go?” Aerie said unhappily.

“Just a little further, Aerie” Theodoric said. “Once we reach the village – what was it called again, Jaheira?”

“Imnesvale.”

“Right. Once we reach Imnesvale, we’ll be able to rest a bit and pick up fresh supplies before we start hunting for Valygar.”


*

A short time later the adventurers crested a gently sloping hill and could see the village of Imnesvale less than a quarter mile away. The wind brought the comforting smells of cooking fires and the sounds of daily business being conducted.

“At last” Aerie said. “I so need a bath.”

“There are more important things to attend to than your vanity, child” Jaheira growled tiredly. “We have much to do before we can relax.”

Aerie said nothing but sighed heavily.


As they approached the village, the adventurers could see a large group of villagers assembled in the center of town. For a moment, it was reminiscent of the ghostly scene that had played itself out by the accursed bridge several days earlier. But these were flesh and blood villagers, and they seemed to have no more ill an intent than yelling at the harried looking elder addressing them.


“When is this going to be solved, Minister?”

“Why haven’t the adventurers returned yet?”

“I’ll bet they’ve run off with our gold! That’s what’s happened!”


“Please, PLEASE!” cried the rotund man addressing them. “Please. The adventurers have not run off with our money. Their leader told me that it would take some time to determine the cause of the problem. It has only been a few days…”

Boos and jeers drowned out the rest of the man’s words. Frustrated, he threw his hands up in the air and hurried off to his hut.


“It would seem all is not well in this village” Yoshimo observed.

“I think that’s a fair statement, Yoshimo” Theodoric answered dryly. “Maybe we should look into this.”

Aerie wilted at the thought of undertaking another adventurer after just reaching the village. Fortunately for her she was in the back of the party, and no one saw her expression.

“It might have something to do with our search for Valygar” Jaheira suggested. “Though we are not usually so fortunate to have our quests merge so neatly.”

“Well, it certainly won’t hurt to ask” Theodoric said. “But let’s get ourselves settled first. That looks like an inn over there. Let’s see about getting a room and some supplies. Maybe the owner can tell us what has everyone so upset.”

Oh, praise Baervan! Aerie mouthed silently.


*

The inn had no rooms to spare but the kindhearted innkeeper agreed to let them stay in the hayloft above the stables behind the inn for a couple of days without charge.

“Normally I have a room or three free” he said apologetically, serving them a pitcher of ale in the crowded common room. “But with the attacks, all the outlying farms have been abandoned. So, I gots five, six, sometimes seven people in a room. And more sleeping on the floor in here” he added, with a sweeping gesture.

“What’s been attacking you?” asked Theodoric. “Are you being threatened by bandits?”

“Haw! If only it were so easy” the innkeeper said. “Something evil is behind this, I tell ya. And it ain’t bandits.”

“Oh no, now you’ve done it” moaned a young kitchen scull, his arms loaded down with blankets for the latest round of villagers. “Hope you folks are ready for another one of Wilbert’s stories.”

“Watch yer tongue, Brannick!” the innkeeper yelled. “Or ye’ll be back to scrubbing out stew pots!” The young boy promptly shut his mouth and began distributing blankets.

Theodoric tactfully ignored the innkeeper’s exchange with his help and asked Wilbert exactly what he thought was going on in the village.

“I tell you, it’s Umar” the innkeep whispered hoarsely, kissing the symbol of Ilmater that hung around his neck. “Ilmater deliver us, I just know it’s the witch!”

“Who is Umar?” Theodoric asked. “I assume these hills were named for her?” The innkeep looked at him strangely.

“I guess you ain’t from around here, then. Yeah, the hills were named after Umar. She was a witch. A terrible, cruel witch that terrorized the people ‘round these parts hundreds of years ago.”

“Hundreds of years? Surely she is dead, then” Theodoric said.

“Her kind don’t die so easy, stranger.” The innkeep fumbled his holy symbol nervously. “Legend has it she swore upon her deathbed she would return to these parts, and rule again.”


“I see” Theodoric said. He wanted to dismiss the innkeep’s tale as superstition. But after what they’d seen at the bridge, he knew such a thing was quite possible. “The man speaking to the villagers earlier. Who was he? He said something about hiring adventurers?”

“Hah, you mean Minister Lloyd?” Wilbert said derisively. “That old sot. He’s been lost in his drink since this all started. Well, more than he normally is. Yeah, he hired an adventuring troupe, some group outta Trademeet. A pair of halflings and a couple of half-elves. Plus a shifty lookin’ mage.”

“How long ago did they leave?”

“Hah, let me see. Mmm…it’s been close to five days now. Folks been thinkin’ that they ran off with the village’s gold. But I don’t think so. Their leader, the halfling lass, she seemed a straight arrow, like you. Unless that mage was leadin’ them. I don’t know about that one…”

“Do you know where they headed?”

“Nah, they spoke with the Minister before they left. I’d tell ya to go talk to him, but he’s probably into his third cup by now. Best you try him in the morning.”

“Ah, well, that sounds reasonable” Theodoric replied. “Before we turn in, is there anywhere we can get some supplies?”

The innkeeper dipped his head. “Yup, them three over there are the town’s merchants. Ain’t much left, though. With all the people here, their stock has been bought up pretty quick. They been good about keeping the prices fair, though.”

*

The merchants hadn’t had much in the way of food or drink left, but the elven merchant had sold them a detailed map of the Umar Hills for a reasonable price. Jaheira agreed to pray for food creation spells before going to sleep. Their business done for the day, they retired to the hayloft behind the inn.

“Ooh, it smells here” Aerie complained, wrinkling her nose.

“I admit it’s not very nice” Theodoric said. “But at least we are indoors, sort of. I feel better having a roof over our heads, especially when there is trouble about.”


“What is the watch order for tonight?” Jaheira asked.

“I think we can skip it tonight, Jaheira. Wilbert said the attacks have all been outside of the main town, so we should be safe here. But just to be sure…” Theodoric pulled the hayloft ladder up and laid it against the wall.

“Just make sure none of you go sleepwalking” Yoshimo grinned.

*

The night was cool but not unpleasant and sleep came quickly for the weary adventurers. Except for Theodoric. He had not slept well since the incident at the bridge. Since he had had the dream.

It was like I was in that cage again. It was so real, worse even than the Bhaal dreams I used to have. Bhaal. Damn my ‘father’ and his infernal taint!

“You are not sleeping” Jaheira said softly.

Theodoric looked over in the darkness. He could only see Jaheira’s silhouette, though he knew full well she could see him with her infravision. He thought about putting his enchanted helmet back on, but decided that would make for a rather odd conversation.

“And neither are you” Theodoric said back. How long has she been staring at me? “Aren’t you tired? It’s not much of a night for stargazing.”

“Of course I am tired” Jaheira said. “But no more so than you. I am…concerned about you.”

“I am fine, Jaheira. You worry needlessly.”

“And you do not lie very well” she said, sliding over to him. “You are not alright now, and you were certainly not alright when we discovered the bridge.”

Theodoric exhaled noisily. “Jaheira…”

“It is important for me to know if you are alright” she said. The way she phrased it made Theodoric raise an eyebrow, but he let it pass.

“I will be okay, Jaheira” he said. “Honestly. There are things troubling me right now, but…I need some time to think on them.”

“I will press you no farther, then. You will let me know if I can help?”

“Of course, Jaheira. You have earned my trust, and you will continue to have it, without reservation.”

In the darkness Theodoric could not see the pained look on Jaheira’s face.

*

In the morning they breakfasted on the last of their iron rations. Jaheira cast her spells and presented each of them with a handful of large purple berries.

“This is what we are going to be eating?” Yoshimo asked. “What do we do at lunchtime?”

“They’re magical, Yoshimo” Theodoric chuckled. “Each one will feed you for a day.”

“Well, I suppose I should be grateful for a lighter pack” the thief said mischievously. “Not to mention all the time we’ll save at dinner.”

“That’s the spirit” Theodoric grinned.


*

The Minister’s home was just across the way from the hayloft and after a quick grooming, the adventurers presented themselves before him.

“So you’re ah, adventurers?” the Minister said, rubbing at his temples and bleary eyes.

“We are, Minister Lloyd” replied Theodoric. “I have heard something of the troubles of this town. I was wondering if you could explain it for us?”

“Of course, of course” Lloyd said, easing back in his chair. “Several weeks ago, we began experiencing attacks. Just a few minor incidents at first – a chicken stolen, a pet dog or cat killed, that sort of thing. But recently, the attacks have gotten worse. People have gone missing, and the attacks are getting closer and closer to the village itself.”

“Any idea about who or what is behind these attacks? I have heard tales of the witch Umar?”

“Feh! You’ve been talking to Wilbert, haven’t you?” the Minister said with scorn, regretting the volume of his voice. “No, Umar has not come back. I believe it is the work of Madulf.”

“Who is Madulf?”

“An ogre, the leader of a band of deserters from the Sythsillian Army. They arrived here some months ago. I wanted to drive them out, but Merella – our village ranger – said she’d spoken with them and assured me they were no threat.”

“You have a ranger here?” Minsc interrupted. “What does she say?”


“I wish I knew, large one” Lloyd said. “She disappeared not long after the attacks started. She went to investigate and we haven’t seen her since.”


“And that’s why you hired the adventurers?” Theodoric supplied.

“Yes, that’s when we hired Mazzy Fentan’s group out of Trademeet. The villagers had their doubts, but Mazzy comes well recommended. They say she is something of a halfling paladin.”

A halfling paladin? I have never heard of such a thing! Theodoric thought. Then again, how many paladins were fathered by the Lord of Murder…


“The adventurers are overdue” Lloyd continued. “Mazzy said that she would return within three days. It has been nearly five. I am worried that they may have run afoul of Madulf.”


“We are in this region on another matter, Minister” Theodoric said. “But my friends and I would be willing to aid you if we can.”


“You would? Wonderful!” Lloyd said, wincing at the sound of his own voice again. “Only…we would not be able to pay you. Our resources are meager, and we gave what little we had to help outfit Mazzy Fentan’s group.”

“No payment is needed, Minister. My friends and I are at your disposal.” Yoshimo chewed his lip in chagrin at the paladin’s pro bono offer.

“Well, this is a pleasant surprise” Minister Lloyd said. ‘I would suggest you start with Merella’s cabin, to the southwest corner of the village. Mazzy said the clues she needed were there.”

“Very well, Minister. We shall return when we can.”

Lloyd watched the adventurers depart, then poured himself a cup of wine. Hair of the dog, Lloyd old bean. Hair of the dog.




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