The first part of my plan was falling into place.  I had been able to heal all three of our guards and send them into a fitful sleep, using techniques I remembered from my time at the Temple.  I quietly locked them in the makeshift cell we had spent the better part of the night in.  I wanted to discuss the rest of my plan with Grizzlegar and Pax, away from Malador, Sirak, and Jerro.  While the other three were sorting through their personal effects I quietly pulled the gnome and the cleric aside.

 

“I think our best bet would be to go back and try to talk to the ranger.  He’s looking for adventurers to go on some kind of mission; anything to get us off this island.”  I whispered.

 

“But he’s with those Yellow Cloak goons.  He’s evil.”  Protested Pax.

 

“Yes but he lives by a code; like Leore.”

 

“You sure about that bub?”

 

“Well I’m hoping.  I healed the guards, in case their friends of his. And he’s wearing a Sea Captain’s badge, so I thought I might appeal to him as one mariner to another.”

 

“That’s asking a lot after how Jerro acted.”  Said Grizzlegar.  “I doubt this ranger’s going to want to have anything to do with us.”

 

“Yes I know.”  I said.  “That’s why we’re going to have to come up with something to deal with Jerro.  Did you prepare a sleep spell today?”

 

“Yes I did but I already used it on one of the guards.”  Said Pax.

 

“Hey guys!”  We all turned around startled.  The wizard was standing right behind us.  “We think we just heard a noise outside.”  Jerro indicated Malador and Sirak, who were standing at the window..

 

“I think I can just make out two shadows.”  Said Malador.

 

“Looks like a man and a woman.”  Put in the goblin.

 

I didn’t have time to feel relieved over the fact that Jerro hadn’t seemed to have overheard our conversation.  Grizzlegar was pointing me in the direction of the side window where I might have a better vantage point.  I was shocked to see that it was the ranger outside and he was with another figure who did indeed seem to be a woman but her face was covered by her hood.  Then I heard her voice and knew who she was.

 

“I told you that I wouldn’t go with you unless we at least tried to rescue my friend.”  It was Menolly!

 

“I hope you know how far I’m already sticking out my neck for you.”  The ranger was saying.  “There’s no way the Yellow Cloaks could ignore the barrage of insults that wizard was hurling at Lloth.”

 

“And that’s why I have to try to get Gerard and his friends off the island before they end up sacrifices to the Spider Queen.”

 

“I can’t believe I’m helping you.”

 

“Menolly?”

 

She came up to the window.  “Gerard?  You’re free?”

 

“Just barely.  What are you doing here?”

 

“I’m on a requisition mission for my father.  But my sloop was blown here by the storm.  I was lucky.  It looked much worse on the South side of the island.”

 

“Tell me about it.  The ship we were on was cracked in two.”

 

“Sorry to interrupt this little reunion, but is this a rescue or what?”  Grizzlegar wanted to know.

 

A few minutes later we were all standing outside in the alley.

 

“So how do you propose to get us off the island little lady?”  And Pax gave the gnome a healthy cuff to the back of his head.

 

“My sloop isn’t big enough for all of us but Jarsif.”  And she indicated the ranger.  “Has agreed to let us use his boat.”

 

“I never said that.”  Protested the ranger.  “And if you think I’m taking this wizard anywhere…”

 

“I’m certainly not scared of your Spider Queen.”  Postured Jerro.  “I’ll have you know that we just killed three vampires and we freed another one from a sarcophagus she had been trapped in for hundreds of years.  I would say that that qualifies us to fight a mere insect.”

 

For some reason that none of us understood, (with the possible exception of Menolly; something in her eyes as we traded looks told me this) Jarsif’s demeanor completely changed in an instant.

 

“Well, what are we waiting for let’s go people!  My ship is this way!”  He took off and we had a hard time keeping up with him as he almost ran to the docks. 

 

Suddenly, he stopped short and threw up his hand to slow our momentum, then pointed in the direction of  four burly men who were standing guard in front of the gangplank of what must have been his vessel.  They hadn’t seen us yet.

 

“Now what?”  Asked Pax.

 

“I can cast Sleep.”  Said Jerro.  But only on two of them.

 

“Let me try something.”  I said and stumbled out in front of the gangplank, pretending to be drunk.  “Hi Guysh.  Howsh it hangin’ tonite?”

 

To my surprise, Malador and Sirak joined me in taunting the guards.  All three of us took off and I glimpsed one of the men giving chase.  That’s all we needed.  Now Jerro could cast Sleep on two of them and Grizzlegar could easily take out the other one.

 

“You guys get that boat off the island now!”  I yelled back.  “I’ll catch up with you as soon as I can.”

 

“Find my sloop Gerard!”  Menolly cried.  “Look in your pocket!”

 

And that’s the last I saw of her (for a long time anyway).  Something seemed to always pull us apart.  This time it was my boneheaded heroics.  But they paid off.  As soon as we turned the corner, we went in three different directions.  Then we doubled back and were able to surround the guard and take him out.

 

“Nice going Tarmikos.”

 

“Could you please just call me Gerard?!”

 

“Oh all right.  I suppose we can call a truce.”  Conceded Malador.  “We do have at least one thing in common; we both miss Captain Trovebane.  I miss him so much, Listen, I know your lady friend said her sloop was small, but surely it couldn’t fit in your pocket.”

 

“No, but this could.”  Somehow Menolly had slipped a letter in my pocket without me noticing and it had a map to the sloop.  My lady was stealthy and prepared for any contingency.

 

After we safely stowed the guards body, we left Rocky Harbor following the map.  We hugged the coastline, keeping to the shadows, until we came to the extreme Northeast end of the island.  We continued following the coast until we came to what was marked on the map as Haunted Bay.  This was where Menolly said we would find her sloop.  I noticed that she had marked a trail from Haunted Bay to a canyon on the West side of the island.  Had she already been there, or had she planned to go there and something or someone stopped her?  There no way of knowing until I saw her again.

 

 

We found the sloop and were finally able to plot a course off this dreadful island.  Malador and Sirak slept while I somehow steered the boat and read Menolly’s letter at the same time.

 

 

Gerard,

 

If you’re reading this it means we were separated yet again.  You need to not worry about finding me just yet and get back to Thunder Rift as soon as possible.  Brother Shortankard at the Temple of Kord sent me a letter last week.  Revlis has applied as a Paladin candidate.  You need to go to the Temple.  Not to talk him out of it, just to support him in whatever he decides to do.

 

How could I refuse?

 

 

 

From the Journal of Menolly the Magnificent Bard of Melinir

 

 

 

Jarsif found me in the castle.  Luckily I had already found what I was looking for, well part of it anyway, and now I knew where I had to go to find the rest.  It was on the island of  Mantol-Derith and I had to find the drow  Talabrina Duskryn. 

 

“What are you doing here?!” The ranger demanded.

 

“I was blown here in the storm night before last so I decided to spend the night in the castle.” 

 

That was at least partially true.  I had been aiming for the west side of the island and this canyon where the castle was situated.  But the storm had forced me to make land in a small bay on the eastside.  I had spent the entire day yesterday trekking across the middle of the island.  It was a good thing I had a map.

 

“You do realize this castle belonged to a vampire?”

 

I did.

 

“No, I didn’t.”  I told him.

 

“You’re going to have to come with me I’m afraid.”

 

As he led me outside I got the distinct impression that HE was looking for something, or someone.  There was a coach in the courtyard hitched to a four horse rig.  Inside the coach were three men dressed in yellow cloaks with sunburst on the capes.

 

“Is everything prepared for the celebration and ceremony tonight?”  Asked one of the Yellow Cloaks.

 

“Everything for the celebration is ready at The Pixxie and Linx.”  Said the ranger, subserviently.

 

“And who is this morsel?”  Asked another Yellow Cloak.

 

“Menolly of Melinir at your service.  My father is Captain Commander Malek.”  I said with all the charm I could muster.

 

“Sorry, I didn’t mean any offence by that remark.”

 

“And I didn’t take any.”  I told him.

 

“What was she doing at the castle?”  Asked the Yellow Cloak who hadn’t spoken until now.

 

“I’m on a mission for my father at the request of Burrow Warden Kargien of the Blingdenstone expedition.”  I knew I was taking a gamble.  If they respected my father I was hoping they would give as much respect to his associates.

 

“Yes I’d heard that the gnomes were trying to reclaim the old city.  Hopefully we can establish trade with them if everything goes well.”

 

My gamble had paid off.  Or so it seemed.

 

“And how’s that mission of yours coming Jarsif?”  Asked the first Yellow Cloak.

 

“I’m still waiting for adventurers to sign up.”  Admitted the ranger.

 

“I’ll put the word out for you at the celebration.”

 

“Thank you Sir.”

 

At the inn, Jarsif stuck stubbornly to my side.  Suddenly he grabbed my arm and pushed me into the corner.

 

“Unhand me Sir!”  I protested.

 

“Sorry, I just had to get your attention.”

 

“Well, you have it.”

 

“You need to get off this island as soon as you can.”

 

“Believe me, that was my intention.”

 

“They’ve been cordial to you so far, but they’re still looking for people for the ceremony.”

 

“People?”  I asked.

 

“Sacrifices.”  He whispered.  “To Lloth.”

 

Despite my best efforts, I felt my knees go weak and I sat down in the nearest chair.

 

“You stay right there.  I’ll go to the bar and get you some water.”

 

I couldn’t believe I’d let myself behave like such a green girl.  I noticed for no particular reason that the bard on stage was singing a song I knew very well.  I was about to start singing along when I heard one of the Yellow Cloaks I’d met in the coach saying:

 

“Yes, that ranger at the bar is looking for adventurers, I’m sure he’d take you on.”

 

And then I heard another familiar voice.

 

“I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to check it out.”

 

It was Gerard! 

 

His companion was a female Kordian cleric.  They joined Jarsif at the bar and the cleric was addressing him.  Then an elfin wizard joined them; Jarsif was answering the cleric.  Suddenly the elf yelled Drow!, and stormed out of the inn.   The next thing I knew Gerard and the cleric were also leaving the inn with a gnome of all things.

 

Jarsif came back to the table and handed me a glass of water.

 

“Well, it looks like you’re off the hook.”  He said.

 

“What?”  I asked.

 

“Those characters at the bar just volunteered themselves as the sacrifices the Yellow Cloaks have been looking for.”

 

“No!”  I protested.

 

The music had stopped and now everyone was filing out into the courtyard.

 

“You have to help me save my friend!”

 

“And why would I do that?”

 

“I promise I’ll let you take me anywhere you like just help me save my friend.”

 

I knew this wasn’t very persuasive but for some reason Jarsif took pity on me.

 

“Alright I’ll do it.”

 

I quickly took the map from my pocket and scribbled a note to Gerard on the back, then followed Jarsif out into the courtyard.

 

                                                            *******

 

“Is that a good idea?”  Grizzlegar was saying, (we had made all our introductions in the alley) as we watched one of the men guarding Jarsif’s ship chase after Gerard, Malador and Sirak.

 

“He’ll be alright.  He’s very resourceful.”  I told the gnome.  “Jerro, you said something about casting Sleep?”  I prompted the wizard.  Two of the remaining guards slumped to the gangplank and Grizzlegar and Pax smashed the other one.

 

We ran up the gangplank, Jarsif pulled it in and then cast off. 

 

About thirty minutes later we were far out to sea.  So far I had let Jarsif chart our course. But I had come to the decision that I just couldn’t trust him.  And having just met the rest of the party, I wasn’t sure I could trust them either.  I was going to put them all to sleep, sail to Mantol-Derith, take care of my business there, and then decide what I wanted to do next.

 

I settled into a chair on the deck and started casting sleep.  I slowly looked around as everyone’s eyes began to droop.  And then my gaze fell on Jarsif.  He had a puzzled look on his face.  I realized too late that he was casting sleep on the entire party too.  All of us drifted into a deep sleep including Jarsif and me.

 

I woke to the sound of two voices arguing.

 

“I can’t believe you would bring them here.  Don’t you realize the infirmary is already filled to capacity from the orc attacks?”

 

“What was I supposed to do Jalless?’

 

“I don’t know Briddick, you were just lucky that Henkala let you set up cots outside her magic shop.”

 

I tried to look around without giving away that I was awake.  We appeared to be in a huge cavern.  As far as I could tell the rest of the party was still asleep, lying on cots outside a massive boulder that seemed to serve as some kind of building.  There were several passages that led out of the cavern.

 

A whistle sounded  and Jarsif sat bolt upright.

 

“Mistress?”  He intoned, leapt from his cot, and followed the sound into one of the passages.

 

Leaning on my arm, I could just make out a tall woman in a maroon dress standing at the other end of the passage.  As Jarsif came closer to the woman his form began to change.  He was revealed as an albino bugbear.  He and the woman disappeared from the passage.

 

The commotion had awoken the party.  I turned and looked for the first time at the people who had been arguing.  Both were gnomes.  One was an older gentleman and the other was a woman dressed as a nurse.

 

The older man had come up to Grizzlegar and was saying:

 

“Oh, I’m so glad you’re awake.  You probably don’t remember me, but I remembered you when we both lived in Ketapesh.  That’s why when I found your ship washed up on the beach I had the guides bring all of you through the defensive maze and into the city complex.”

 

Grizzlegar didn’t know what to say.  But as soon as he heard about the bloodied gnome patients, he was raring to cleanse the city of orcs.

 

I still had a few questions.  Like where were we?

 

“Why Blindenstone of course.”  Said Briddick, the older gnome.

 

“On the island of Mantol-Derith?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

So I was right where I had wanted to go all along.  It would seem that this was where Jarsif was headed also.  If we had known that, we could have saved ourselves so much trouble.

 

“Can we go fight orcs now?”  Grizzlegar wanted to know.

 

“Just one other thing.  Who was that tall woman in the passage just now?”  I asked.

 

“Oh, you don’t want to have anything to do with her deary.”  A female gnome of Briddick’s age had stepped into the cavern.  “That’s Talabrina Duskryn.  She’s a dangerous drow sorceress.

 

But that was the very person I was here to see.

 

“Can we go fight orcs now?”  Grizzlegar wanted to know.

 

“Not before I show you around my magic shop.  And forgive me for not introducing myself.  I’m Henkala Shadowsong, proprietor of The Phantasmal Glamors.”

 

Grizzlegar looked nonplused.  But he followed the rest of us into the magic shop.  My eye went straight to the ruby blade on one of the shelves.

 

“How much is that?”

 

At first Henkala didn’t want to sell it to me but at Grizzlegar’s strong urging she let me have it for 100 gp.  Now I had the hilt and the blade of the weapon my father was looking for.  My mission was all but over.

 

“Can we go fight orcs now?”  Grizzlegar wanted to know.

 

How could I say no to the gnome who had helped me procure the ruby blade?  And besides I still had the nagging feeling that I should at least try to talk to Talabrina Duskryn.  Just before we left the left the magic shop Jerro found a journal binder that had just one fragment of the journal in it.  Henkala let him have it for free.

 

As we were finally setting off to fight the orcs, Jalless came up to Pax and asked:

 

“I could help but notice you’re a Kordian cleric.  Could you stay and help me heal the patients in the infirmary?”

 

Pax agreed.

 

Over the next few hours Grizzlegar, Jerro and I fought all manner of creatures including fire beetles, gnome skeletons, stirges, zombies, and a megalomaniacal wight who was protecting the crown Burrow Warden Kargien was looking for (Kargien had proclaimed this to us on a placard posted in the House Center).  Not only that,we had also cleaned the city of 42 orcs and their two leaders plus we found another two fragments of the journal Jerro had picked up in the magic shop.  Not bad for a days work.