Parthia – World of The Misplaced Dungeon.

{Timeline: March 2019 – Just after Mary became a minor goddess – MD Ch. 90}

Abriman, paladin of Hel-Arlizzy stumbled down the rickety stairs of the Dancing Bull Inn. He found a stunned looking Sirenna sitting alone at one of the tables near the bar. He headed towards her and dropped into one of the other stools surrounding the table.

The two friends looked at each other in silence and just nodded thanks when the innkeeper’s son deposited their breakfasts in front of them. They ate in silence.

Slowly the rest of the Roving Valkyries trickled in and got their breakfasts. They all looked with curiosity at the two godtouched, hoping they would get an explanation for the stunned looks. Finally Palca ran out of patience, “Right you two, what’s the problem and why are you looking so – stunned?”

Sirenna ran a tongue tip over her lips as she looked at her friend and the acknowledged leader of the Valkyries.

Abriman spoke, “About two weeks ago the Spider Queen was woken by Ocidon’s consort and they fought and defeated Vortexius Blackbeard. The drow are hers again and Blue Lagoon was selected as the balancer.”

Sirenna sighed, “And yesterday in Focaton the Mother of Monsters fought the mad god of the weres for the freedom of a clan of his – victims.”

“And she killed him, and in so doing gained his divinity,” added Abriman.

“So, yesterday a minor god died and a minor goddess came into being,” explained Sirenna. “And I have this need to go and inform Isbetta, though I can’t understand why.”

“That’s a long journey, it’ll take a long time, even if we luck out and find one of the Silver Dolphin ships in the harbour,” complained Palca.

“Maybe not, Hel-Arlizzy suggests we see a catman enchanter in the river market. I got the impression that he has finished whatever task brought him to Barcolton and he is ready to move on. According to Hel-Arlizzy the has a pass to use the hell dungeon.”

“We’ll go and see him after breakfast. It’s worth a try, he might be grateful of a competent escort,” decided Palca.

* * *

Rickie Catman watched his adopted daughter Nel pounce on the little red dot. He twitched the small black cylinder Mother had given him, Nel chased after the dot on the floor. He grinned. This ‘laser pointer’ was a truly fun toy. Even he had to suppress the urge to chase after the dot.

Han watched his little sister fondly. He yawned and headed to the table to get his breakfast. As he passed Rickie he paused just long enough to hug him tightly and receive a scratch behind one ear. “Love you pa,” he murmured before disengaging and heading for the cold roast chicken on the table.

Once they had the shop open Han slipped out and went exploring, as was his custom. And besides, he had goodbyes to say to his friends.

* * *

Abriman followed Palca into the busy river market while surrounded by the other Valkyries. A few questions led them to one of the small shops forming a perimeter for the market. They entered through the open door and found a small room with a small table surrounded by four chairs in one corner, a curtained alcove at the rear and a sturdy scorched looking workbench. A young looking catman with a little curled up leopardgirl in his lap looked up as they entered.

“Good morning, how may I help?”

“We’re looking for a master enchanter named Rickie,” offered Abriman.

“That would be me, but I’m only a Journeyman. Forgive me for not rising but my daughter has only just fallen asleep.”

“Hel-Arlizzy let me know that you are planning to leave soon, and that you might be willing to help us to Copper Town.”

“Old scaly tail, eh? He’s a rather decent sort as gods go. Copper Town? Which Copper Town, I know of at least two and I’m sure there are more.”

“The one in the kingdom of Grey Reaches in Duregar,” clarified Palca.

“I’ve been to Duregar but never to the Kingdom of Grey Reaches. I had been wondering where to go next. Very well, I’ll get Lewis to let you through Mock Turtle with me. So will we want Trasliville, Arsouk or Port Sarr?”

“Arsouk,” stated Palca.

Rickie looked round the shop and stroked his daughter between the ears. “I’ll be ready to leave shortly before noon. Or we can leave tomorrow morning.”

“Before noon,” said Sirenna. Then she looked confused and shot an apologetic glance at Palca.

“Like that, is it Sirenna? Very well we’ll go pack and be back here before noon,” agreed Palca.

* * *

The guard captain at the north gate stopped Rickie with a smile. “So, you’re leaving already, that’s bad news for me. Any chance I could convince you to give me a discount on one of your bug specials?”

Rickie winked, “Maybe? What are you offering?”

“Well, I’ve got twenty-three guilders and fifteen bits. I was going to come ’round next week after our pay day.”

“Since I’m leaving, and you’ve been a friend. Twenty-three guilders it is. Ring or brooch?”

“Ring they’re harder to loose to sticky fingered individuals on the street.”

* * *

Ricky lifted Nel onto his shoulders and walked steadily along the well used northern road. About an hour later they took a branch road heading towards the mountains. They were passed by a couple of groups of adventurers as they went.

“This is the road to the dungeon of Rivak’s Folly, isn’t it?” asked Palca.

Ricky nodded. “Mock Turtle is just off the road before the swamp, Rivak’s Folly is after the swamp. We’ll be there shortly.”

* * *

They emerged from the Arsouk entrance in the early afternoon only to discover that the dilapidated hostel that had stood guard at the entrance of the dungeon was now in ruins. “Wonder what Mother thinks of that,” mused Rickie. “She and Lewis have kept up their side of the treaty and the Guild’s failed to do so.”

Palca looked worried for a moment, “I’ll have a word with Isbetta in Copper Town and see what can be done.”

“That should be fine. We’d better head for Meerkatton. We’ll need horses or camels to get across the damn desert. And no Han, the flying carpet is not ready and probably never will be.”

“Aww!” chorused Nel and Han before dissolving in giggles.

“Flying carpet?” asked Reeva.

“It’s from a tale, a fable,” sighed Rickie.

Meerkatton had grown since Abriman’s last visit. It now boasted a store specialising in the purchase of dungeon loot, a small blacksmith shop attached to a livery stable and a tiny adventurer’s guild office. And then too, the Inn had gained another floor.

The smith, a huge and somewhat hirsute man named Berengar was able to get his hands on nine horses. A little haggling managed to drive their asking price from the cringeworthy to something quite reasonable.

So they set off at dawn the next day, Nel riding with either Rickie or Hal.

* * *

They stood holding their horses while Abriman used his spell to conjure water to water their horses.

Palca and Itzy, their ranger, were conferring on the other side of the dune next to the bodies of the two unfortunate travellers they had stumbled across. The brief glimpse Abriman had had of them suggested that they had dragged themselves away from a fight.

Finally Palca returned to the group looking unhappy. “We’ve got problems. They only died recently and their attackers might well be on their trail. Itzy’s gone to scout out where they came from. Also they are both members of Baron Erzgard’s guard.”

Rickie looked over at Palca. “Please don’t let me stop you from doing your duty Palca. I assure you I can look after myself and the children.”

Palca looked at the Journeyman enchanter dubiously. “Honestly there’s not much we can do beyond reporting this incident. A force capable of taking out a patrol of the guard could well overwhelm us.”

Palca posted two lookouts or sentries and then she and the rest of the valkyries saw to the burying of the victims. Itzy returned as they were finishing with disturbing news.