18

Dealmaker in Red

Heaviness permeated Aviana’s mind, a throbbing sensation pounding against her skull. What happened? Where am? The last thing she remembered what getting hit by that bugbear. Was the battle over? She was still alive so the others must have fended off the ambush.

Aviana tried to move, only to find it difficult. She could feel her surrounding, sort of. She lay on a hard, cold surface. Her finger twitched, sliding over the smooth area. Is that… metal? Wherever she was, the temperature wasn’t ideal. Leaving the Karma Wilds’ warm climate was never easy for her, but this, it was like she lay on ice.

She needed to wake up—needed to know why she was still alive.

Aviana struggled against her mind, willing the throbbing pain away and her eyes to open. The pain didn’t cease, but in time, her senses came back to her. A damp smell wafted into her nose, and water trickled nearby, the sound echoing. Heavy breathing of people surrounded her, though she wasn’t sure how close they were. A cold breeze blew over her. A rancid stench crossed her senses, making her skin crawl. Something wasn’t right.

Her eyes fluttered open, her eyes meeting at metal surface she lay on, just as she guessed. Her gold ring with the emerald set gem and dragon head accents glowed in a pale red light, one only the wearer could see. Her brothers had given it to her for her twentieth birthday. The enchantment glowed when she was in trouble. And the other rings connected to it would alert their wearers as well of her state.

It had glowed each time she’d gone into combat, but because she’d been able to handle the situation, she never worried. This was different. The ring alerted her when they’d been on the road, though she told Gimor she sensed a shift in nature, which wasn’t exactly wrong. That had happened too.

Aviana moved, her body stiff and protesting. Bright yellow eyes and toothy maw met her moving gaze. Aviana gasped and her hand flew out in reflex, slipping through the bars in front of her and grasping the face of the goblin. Electrical energy surged through her. The goblin gurgled, twitched, and then went limp, falling from her grasp onto the ground. It didn’t move.

“Well, that’s one way to deal with the pests,” a familiar gruff voice said.

Aviana looked around, taking in her situation. She sat in a metal cage against the wall of a cave, large stalactites hanging from the ceiling all around, as if to scare her. Temperance, Orsik, Galinndan, and Draeon, all resided in their own cages nearby. Draeon appeared the worse off, not only looking battered to hell, but his cage left that large dracarthian little room to do any moving. A reservoir pool overflowed with water from some sort of source beyond the walls, the excess water flowing out into a river leading out of the alcove they were trapped in. Asher and Gimor were nowhere to be seen.

“What happened?” Aviana asked, her voice hoarse.

“We were taken captive, what else?” Draeon snapped. “Not that you’d know since you and your sister are so pathetic the enemy took you two out without issue.”

Aviana rested her forehead in her hand, the throbbing intensifying for a moment, cutting off a harsh rebuttal to defend herself. It was all coming back to her. She’d done what she could, but the sheer overwhelming number of goblins and then her careless misstep that the bugbear…

“Oh, shut up, you stupid over grown dragon-wanabie lizard,” Temperance said. She lay on her back starting up at her cage. “You were captured too, so it’s not like you’re any better than us.”

“I at least dealt with more of these pests and held out—”

“That’s enough,” Galinndan ordered. The strength of his voice made Aviana wince in pain. “This bickering does us no good.”

Temperance let out a humph and Draeon snorted with contempt.

“Where are Gimor and Asher?” Aviana asked.

“We nae be sure, lass,” Orsik said. “Only Draeon wis awake when they put us in these cages.”

“They dragged Gimor and Asher one way, and us another,” Draeon relayed. “That was some time ago.”

Aviana chewed her lip. She had limited experience with these types of creatures. A few goblin tribes lived in the Karma Wilds, but they didn’t cause much trouble. Bugbears, they had long moved out or died off, unable to compete in the unique environment. What she did know, the five of them shouldn’t be alive. They were no more than a source of food for these creatures, and they didn’t keep their prey alive for later consumption. That knowledge was the only reason she wasn’t going to wait around and hope her father or brothers showed up to help them out of this mess. She knew they’d be in a panic figuring out how to find her and help, given the length of time she’d been captured, but it’d take them too long to find her at this rate.

Her eyes darted about, noting they’d been stripped of all their weapons. “Do we have anything on us?”

“No, they took everything!” Temperance complained. “They even took my pouch with my lock picks in it so I can’t get us out!”

Personal belongings too? To take such specific items, was usual. Goblinoids enjoyed shiny items. It wasn’t an unlikely assumption they’d take the metal weapons for themselves. But they were even smart enough to take Aviana’s staff and Temperance’s lock picks, which she carefully hid in a non-descript pouch on her person. Bugbears and even hobgoblins were capable of some higher thinking than the average goblin, but those things should have been of little concern for them.

Aviana’s eyes scanned the area again. “What else is here with these goblinoids?”

Draeon chuckled. “Wow, you’re actually able to think and be useful potentially. I’m surprised.”

Aviana’s lip curled. “Watch your tongue you wingless dragon-kin, or I’ll rip it out.”

He pressed his snout against the bars, his teeth bared. “Careful who you insult, soft flesh.”

“Enough ye two,” Orsik said, his voice far calmer than Galinndan’s earlier. “This ain’t helpin’ us. Tae answer ye question, lass, apparently these goblinoids be workin’ wi’ humans. They wear red an’ black armor an’ have strange red paint on their faces.”

“They’re also calling the shots,” Galinndan added. “They’ve come by a few times to bark out orders and heckle us. Orsik and I ran into a few with similar painted faces when we first met a month or so ago. They’d besieged a new settlement. I don’t know who they are though.”

Humans? That explained the missing piece to the puzzle. The question was, who were these mysterious band of humans, and what did they want with travelers like them that required them to alive?

“Don’t waste your time thinking,” Draeon said. “We’re stuck in here.”

Temperance stuck her tongue out. “No we’re not, stupid-head. Now that Avi is awake, we can get out.”

Draeon snorted. “Right.”

Orsik’s eyes lit up. “Tha lass can turn intae animals. That be what the wee one meant.”

Temperance’s nose scrunched. “I’m not little, but yes.”

“You couldn’t turn into one,” Draeon sneered. “And I didn’t miss your little mutter about needing better connection with nature. So, why should I believe the busty one can make a better attempt? She’s proving to only be good at over thinking and distracting men with the way she dresses.”

“Your attitude is really getting on my nerves,” Galinndan said. “We get it. Your pride was wounded. We all took that hit. Now stop moping and let them explain themselves.”

Aviana gave Galinndan an appreciative glance. He was annoying in ways, but he knew when to be serious, she’d give him that. “The reason Temperance can’t change her shape is due to her inexperience.”

“I did it once before,” Temperance grumbled. “I don’t know why I can’t do it again.”

Aviana ignored her sister’s little outburst and continued. “I’ve got decades of experience over her. I don’t even need any sort of focus to heighten my connection to nature for the ability to work.”

“Then get to it,” Draeon snipped. “I’d like to not be cramped in this tiny prison, thanks.”

Aviana sighed and leaned against the bars. “And that shows how little you know about this ability.”

Orsik leaned closer. “Can ye explain tae us, lass? I dinnae think anyone here knows besides ye two.”

She nodded. “Shapeshifting in the form the two of us can is complicated. We have to communicate to an animal spirit and take it into our body. This gives us their physical form while retaining our mental awareness.”

Galinndan leaned closer as well, intrigued. “So, is that why, when you were harmed as a wolf and came out of that shape, you appeared unharmed?”

Aviana nodded again. “That’s right. The animal we take the shape of acts as a second skin or a type of armor. Once it absorbs too much, it refuses to help us and leaves, putting us back in our natural state.”

“And why can’t you take on a form now?” Draeon asked. “You’re wasting time.”

“Because I have a splitting headache,” Aviana snarled. “Taking a spirit into the body is taxing and requires a lot of mental prowess. It’s why I use the ability sparingly in a skirmish, because it’s far more taxing to hold onto the spirit in such a situation.”

Orsik reached under his chainmaille and revealed his amulet had managed to remain on him. “Lass, see if ye can reach me. I could ease that headache.”

The gap between them looked to be too much, but Aviana figured it couldn’t hurt. She reached for him, but several inches gapped their fingers.

“Avi, do you think that goblin has something useful on him?” Temperance asked. She’d rolled over on her belly now, watching everything with interest.

“Good question.” She’d forgotten all about the creature. Aviana crawled back over to where she’d left the goblin and rummage through the dead body.

“Hey, how did you kill it?” Galinndan asked. “Can you cast spells right now too?”

“That’s complicated.” She couldn’t let them know about what she was. Had Temperance asked, and they’d been alone, she’d have used it as an opportunity to tell her sister the truth about them, without her mother getting in the way finally. But that answer was not for the ears of these people around her.

Aviana found loose shiny buttons and two gold coins, but nothing of use yet. Then, something fell out of a pocket and clanked on the ground. She abandoned the body and lifted the long golden object.

“What is it, Avi?” Temperance asked, her face now pressed against the bars.

“A letter opener.” Aviana turned it in her hands. It wasn’t all that long, a few inches at most, but it may work. “Orsik, can this be used to connect us.”

“Aye, if ye can reach me wi’ it.”

Aviana stuck her hand through the bars, the letter opener barely held in her fingertips to give her as much reach as possible. Orsik pressed himself hard against his cage and reached with his small arms. His fingers grazed the tip, making Aviana’s heart skip. They almost had it.

They pressed and pushed their bodies to the limit of its reach, until Orsik’s finger made long enough contact with the letter opener for energy to leap from his fingertips over to Aviana.

In an instant her weariness ebbed and her headache disappeared. She relaxed and smiled wide. “That’s much better, thank you, Orsik.”

He slumped against the cage. She knew that posture. He’d used too much energy today. “Aye, before ye say anythin’, that wis tha last big one in me. I dinnae think I can cast many more spells today.”

“Great,” Draeon grumbled. “Better no waste it half-elf.”

She shot him a glare. “Just tell me where they walked off with our things.”

Draeon did his best to point toward a tunnel to their left. Aviana closed her eyes to concentrate, searching out the right animal form to take. It needed to be something inconspicuous but useful for carrying one or two things. An ethereal squeak crossed her ears. That’ll work.

Aviana called on the spirit offering itself, and before everyone’s eyes she shifted down into a rat. Everything loomed over her now, but Aviana wasn’t new to taking small animal forms. Rats were always a lot of fun. Most were afraid of them, but Aviana knew how smart and playful the curious creatures were.

She curried through the bars of her cage and down the tunnel, careful of any movement in the dimly lit cave system. She made note of how often torches were placed. Just enough for humans to see well enough. Goblinoids had good vision in the dark, so it only made sense the humans put them in.

Several feet down the tunnel opened up into a large cavernous opening. In the middle, a bonfire roared and a large half-orc with gray-ish pale skin clad in red and black armor and red face paint conversed with a bugbear wearing spiky armor. In the bugbear’s hand he carried a spiked club. And at his feet snoozed a large wolf. At least it’s not a dire wolf. Based on how the bugbear dressed, Aviana guessed him to be the chief of these goblinoids. She’d have to tell the others about him when she returned.

Aviana spotted a mound of goods at the far end of the cave, behind the two individuals. That must be our stolen goods. She hopped along the side of the wall toward a mound of good, keeping her ear open on the bugbear and half-orc. They appeared to be arguing.

“I don’t care what you want, Blerk,” the half-orc said. “The master wants more than just that one dwarf. We’re taking the other one plus the dracarthian. And the tall elf. She’s worth ransom money with the jewelry she wears.”

It didn’t take much for Aviana to know who he was referring to. But who was this master? And why did he want dwarves and dracarthians?

“You have dwarf,” the bugbear said. “You not take more of our food.”

The half-orc’s eyes narrowed. “You can keep the ones the master doesn’t need. These other ones are perfect for his plans. And unless you want to make him angry and destroy what is left of the pitiful cluster you still call a clan, then you’ll listen to what I say.

The bugbear frowned, not liking his options. Aviana hoped they’d continue to argue while she did this.

She reached the pile of goods and searched for anything that remotely looked like theirs. It didn’t take long for her to find the void satchel, haphazardly discarded like a useless empty bag. Lucky for her, these goblinoids didn’t understand the bag’s worth, so even if the bandits were looking for valuable items, they wouldn’t know to hand it over.

But, at the same time, Temperance’s lock picks weren’t in that bag. She continued to search.

Aviana located her staff, and all of Temperance’s daggers, plus some, but not the other missing weapons. It’s going to be difficult fighting our way out, if we can’t use more than spells between a few people.

Her searching stopped when she had the urge to look out at the arguing pair. This Blerk did not want to give up what he claimed to be food, but this half-orc didn’t care. Looking made her aware why she couldn’t find the weapons she sought.

Strapped to the back of the bugbear was Draeon’s glaive. She recognized the red ribbons she’d notice on it the first day they met. Aviana wasn’t sure of its significance, but that mattered little as it helped her with identification.

On the hip of the bugbear, Galinndan’s flail swung about. Akorith, help us. That was two weapons in the hands of the enemy—weapons of course belonging to the strongest two fighters on her side.

She continued her searching. As it stood, nothing would matter if she couldn’t get the others out before they turned into goblin food—or worse. She had no doubt this half-orc’s master had all kinds of insidious plans up their sleeve.

Aviana’s eyes widened when she spotted a familiar bag belonging to Temperance. She squeezed into the pile farther hoping it was the one she needed to find. It wasn’t. But as luck would have it, the right one was close by.

She froze when her tiny sensitive ears picked up movement near the pile. Something rummaged nearby, too close for comfort. Sure she was a rat, but that didn’t mean something wouldn’t try to grab her or use her for target practice.

“Hey, get away from there,” the half-orc yelled out.

A small being, what Aviana guessed to be a goblin, yelped and ran off. Blerk complained about the half-orc being mean to his goblin servants but the half-orc went back to berating the bugbear. He either has a lot of power over the goblinoid, or likes dangling his life on the edge for kicks.

Aviana nosed her way into the correct bag and found Temperance’s set. She had all kinds of tools that Aviana had limited experience with, but she had a rough idea of which tools her sister would need. Unfortunately, Aviana could only carry one of them at a time so she’d have to be selective.

After some decision making she picked one and crawled out of the pile. Coast was clear, and the half-orc and bugbear continued to argue. Aviana made a break for it and scurried back the others.

No trouble crossed her path until she made it to the alcove with the others. Moving torchlight caught her vision and she slowed. Voices echoed through the chamber.

“Where is the woman?” someone asked.

“We don’t know,” Galinndan said.

“You’d better start talking, small fry, or we’ll make you regret it.”

“I told you the truth,” he said. “Some bugbear came through and had a disagreement with that goblin. He killed it and then took our friend. We haven’t seen her since.”

Aviana peered around the corner to see two pale men in red and black armor standing in front of Galinndan’s cage. One held pointed a sword through the bars at Galinndan’s neck. The two men looked at each other, their eyes clear with worry. “Where did he take her?”

Galinndan pointed down the other tunnel attached to this chamber. “The way you two came. That’s all I can tell you.”

The man sheathed his sword and the two took off. “He’d better have not eaten her. It’ll be our heads.”

Aviana remained where she was until she was sure they’d left, and then rushed into the room right for Temperance’s cage. Draeon noticed her first, and then Temperance. Her sister’s eye lit up and she pulled herself to the bars. Aviana handed over the lock pick for her sister to inspect.

“This one is perfect, Avi,” her sister whispered.

“Yeah, sure, but it’s only one,” Draeon said. “You can’t pick a lock with only one.”

“Yeah, well, she’s rat and can only carry one of these at a time.” Temperance stuck her tongue out at the dracarthian. “And I have something else that will work.”

She held up the letter opener Aviana had found on the goblin. Draeon gave a dubious look, but said nothing as Temperance went to work picking her lock. Aviana spent the time running between both tunnels to make sure no one else came down and surprised them.

Temperance giggled when she broke herself out and proceeded down the line of cages, starting with Orsik.

“Should I be concerned you were able to do that?” Galinndan asked. “Doesn’t seem like a skill an innocent little girl should have.”

Temperance’s eyes narrowed at him. “I’m not little old man.” She fussed with Orsik’s lock more. “And I learned from reading cause I was bored.”

The door clicked open allowing her to move to Galinndan’s cage.

“And how did you get the set of tools?” the old paladin asked.

“From my father.” She turned to where Avi stood guard. “Right, Avi?”

Figuring the coast would be clear for a while, Aviana scampered back to them and came out of her form. “That’s right. Along with all those fun puzzles on your birthday.”

Orsik cocked his head. “He dinnae give them tae ye personally?”

Temperance shook her head and the lock of Galinndan’s cage released. “No. My momma and him had a fight when I was real little. They don’t talk to each other now, and she doesn’t let me see him.” Her mood perked up. “But Avi promised when I pass my test, I get to meet him cause momma can’t say no then.”

A smile came to Aviana. It was one wish of Temperance to know her father and she knew Raileth wanted to have time with her as well. Calypso made such a fuss about her daughter knowing the truth, Aviana didn’t understand. She offered herself to Raileth, so it’s not like her situation was forced on her or anything. Aviana chose to drop the thoughts. The woman only gave her a headache.

Orsik gazed at the two girls with sympathy, even if he didn’t understand the full nature for the complicated family dynamic. His kindness was not lost on them though.

Temperance came to Draeon’s cage, but didn’t get to work right away. “You, sir, need to apologize before I help you. You’ve been very, very mean.”

Draeon growled. “We don’t have time for this, brat.”

She turned around and crossed her arms, her nose turned up. “Then get yourself out.”

The dracarthian let out an exasperated sigh. Aviana thought for a moment she was going to have to get her sister to focus on the more important matter, when Draeon surprised her. “I’m sorry I let me irritation get the better of me. It was wrong.”

She wasn’t the only one surprised. Galinndan and Orsik exchanged a glance, their mouth agape.

Temperance whirled around, a pleased smile on her face. “That’s better. Now hold tight while I get you out.”

“So, what are we up against beyond here?” Draeon asked as Temperance worked on his lock.

“All of our belongings appear to be in one room. It’s piled up with the wagon supplies, along with what looks like other items they’ve collected from other raids.”

“What about our weapons?” Galinndan asked.

She chewed her lower lip. “That’s a bit more complicated. I think most of our stuff is buried in the pile. Except the weapons of Galinndan and Draeon. A bugbear chief has them on his person.”

Draeon’s lip curled and Galinndan grumbled. Both spoke at the same time, “Perfect.”

“To top that off, the bugbear isn’t alone. A half-orc is with him, along with a tamed wolf and a few goblins. It won’t be easy to get our things back, but we don’t have much choice if we want to find Gimor and Asher.”

Draeon’s cage opened and he gladly climbed out of the cramped space. “What can you tell us about his half-orc? He’s the only one here from my observation.”

“He looks like he can hold his own in a fight,” Aviana said. “The scars on his skin tell me he’s seen battle. And he carries two swords on him so he won’t go down without a fight.”

Her eyes drifted to the tunnel leading the way they’d need to go. “The two were discussing Gimor. Well, more specifically the half-orc wanted to take you and Orsik along with Gimor somewhere for his master, and the bugbear didn’t want to let go of their newest food source.”

Temperance swallowed and her eyes went wide. “Avi, I don’t want to be eated…”

Orsik patted her shoulder. “Dun ye worry, lass. We won’t let that happen.”

“What kind of plan can we make to get the upper hand?” Galinndan asked.

“Well, I could cast a spell or two,” Aviana said. “It won’t be as powerful as we’d all like, since I don’t have my focusing item, but it’ll be enough to act as a distraction.”

“Can you handle being a distraction?” Draeon asked. “Your track record isn’t great.”

Aviana shook her head. “If you and Galinndan can’t get your weapons back in a timely manner, no, I’ll be dead on the ground within seconds. But as it stands, that’s the only plan I’ve got. So if you don’t like it, you’re welcome to propose your own.”

The other chuckled. Draeon sighed. “Fine. I’ve got nothing, so if you want to risk your neck, I’m not going to stop you.”

Galinndan jammed his thumb against his chest. “Don’t worry, Aviana, I’ll be sure this plan won’t get you killed.”

She rolled her eyes. “I feel so safe.”

Temperance raised her hand. “Avi, what do I do?”

“You’re going to sneak over to the pile of goods and find everyone else’s weapons,” Aviana said. “Orsik will stay back until you do. We need to make sure nothing happens to him incase our plan goes south.”

Her sister nodded, her face serious and determined not to fail. Aviana gestured for the others to follow. “If there’s no more objections, let’s get moving before someone notices we’ve escaped.

♦ ♦ ♦

Aviana led the way through the tunnel, her sister taking up the rear. She set a slow pace for those in heavier armor, though that didn’t make it all the much easier to stay quiet with the way these tunnels echoed. Galinndan hated having to go about it this way. If he had his weapon and shield, he could just charge right in and beat these creatures senseless until they told them where Gimor and Asher were.

The alluring golden-haired woman came to a halt and everyone followed suit. Listening carefully he caught a man shouting about something. Must be that half-orc Aviana warned us about.

Aviana held up her hand and a cold sensation ran through the tunnel. Moments later, ice coalesced along her skin and then a large shard formed. It hovered above her palm and she took a few steps closer to make it to the mouth of the new chamber. Galinndan watched her line up a shot and then released the spell on their enemies. He pulled around Draeon’s bulky form to see the bugbear and half-orc engaging in heated conversation by a bonfire. Just as she mentioned, a wolf lay near the bugbear and a few goblins milled about.

The shard of ice careened into the large goblinoid, and shattered. Startled, and a little hurt, the creature shouted, ice forming along its arm. The shattered pieces slammed into the half-orc and the wolf. Nice shot.

“What the hell?” the half-orc hollered.

Draeon, eager to get his weapon back, charged in before Aviana gave the signal. There went that plan. Akorith, help us. Aviana’s eyes darkened, but there wasn’t anything anyone could do now.

She summoned another shard of ice while Galinndan rushed in.

“The prisoners have escaped!” the half-orc shouted, drawing his swords. “Get them!”

The goblins looked about, not sure what to do, while the bugbear roared. “You no hurt Blerk!”

He charged, pushing Draeon right out of the way. Galinndan’s eyes narrowed. He was too focused. Aviana! He must have spotted her while she prepped her second spell. He had to do something or she’d be pulverized.

Galinndan tried to use his small size to his advantage and trip the focused bugbear up, but he merely bounced off the creature’s muscular yellow-green leg. Aviana gasped and let loose her spell before running. The attack missed the bugbear, but managed to shatter on the back wall where the goblins stood. Two of them froze up, ceasing to move anymore.

Draeon rushed past Galinndan. “Keep that guy busy.”

Galinndan looked to the half-orc ready to jump into combat. The wolf also roused to its feet, recovering from Aviana’s initial attack. Keep them busy, right.

“Hmm, this is going to be quite interesting,” the half-orc said. “Laruna, by my side.”

His voice… Something about his voice tickled something in the back of Galinndan’s mind. As if he’d heard it somewhere before. He shook it out of his mind. I can worry about that later.

Relying on some of his military training and base instinct, Galinndan squared off with the bandit. The man had impressive size on his side, but Galinndan was no stranger to such an advantage. He’d even lost his weapon once in battle early in his career. Galinndan had learned a great deal from that moment and now was the time to show his enemy what he was made of.

Galinndan charged full force toward the bandit, barreling into him and knocking the man over, using the half-orc’s higher center of gravity against him. The man cried out in surprise, his weapons flying out of his hands. The two wrestled with each other.

Pain shot through Galinndan’s arm when the wolf clamped down to assist his master. Much of his chainmaille reduced the damage he sustained, but it didn’t stop it all. Galinndan gritted his teeth and tried to shake the beast off without losing grip on his prey.

“Hey, bad doggie!” Temperance shouted. “No biting the old lecher. Avi says he has diseases!”

She what? How dare the brat claim that. Both of them.

Something heavy slammed into the wolf. It yelped and let go, backing away from Galinndan. He took a chance to see what she threw to see Orsik’s shield wobbling on the ground. Temperance stood on top of the large pile of good, breathing heavy. Not a bad throw. That also gave him something to work with if he lost his grip on the bandit.

Temperance squealed when the goblins in the room ran for her. She jumped off the pile and ran around the mound, the goblins giving chase while she cried out. “Go away! Go away! Go away! Kyanite, save me!”

That’s when Galinndan noticed the stuff toy strapped to her hip. Oh, so she could grab that thing, but nothing more useful than the shield? He wasn’t sure why he expected her to be useful at all. She’d been nothing but a nuisance. The only thing she’d been good at was picking those locks. It made Draeon’s judgment toward Aviana misplaced.

A woman screaming sent the hairs on the back of Galinndan’s neck straight up. It wasn’t a frightened scream. Instead it was a pain filled one. A sound that always brought back a dark dream that never left him. Like a memory he’d forgotten. His whole life was a blur. Age did that once you ended up at his age. Months turned into days, and years into months. But even still, a part of his mind was blank. Like he’d wiped it all clean. Except for that one dark dream.

Galinndan turned to see Aviana slumped over on the ground, her back against the wall. By the way the bugbear loomed over her, he no doubt had thrown her into it. She still moved, her eyes on the large goblinoid, but unless someone helped her, she’d be a goner.

Luckily Draeon was there. The dracarthian slammed into the bugbear, throwing the creature off balance. He took advantage of the situation and grabbed his weapon still strapped to the goblinoid’s back, breaking the flimsy rope holding it there. That was one weapon retrieved. Now Galinndan needed his.

Galinndan’s body rolled without his wanting. In his distracted state, the bandit had gathered his strength and now pushed Galinndan off of him. Shit! He had to think fast or he’d be at this bandit’s mercy. His eyes darted about as the spinning world around him slowed. Luck was in his favor. The bandit had thrown him closer to Orsik’s shield.

The bandit rose to his feet and retrieved his dropped swords faster than Galinndan could move. This only pushed him into a full scramble. Galinndan reached out for Orsik’s shield, the low firelight flickering off the metal surface and illuminating Ildri’s symbol, as if calling to him. His hand clamped down on the shield and he pulled it over him just as the armored bandit swung down a sword on him.

Metal struck metal, a resounding clang ringing through the cavern chamber. Galinndan clenched his teeth as the shockwave vibrated against his hands. Not a pleasant feeling in the least, but at he was alive, that’s all he could ask for.

“Avi!” Temperance screamed.

Galinndan glanced over to see her on the ground, face down. Blood trickled from her head. The bugbear loomed over her once more, sliced up from Draeon’s attacks. But that wasn’t the only damage he’d sustained. Ice encased part of the bugbear, a large shard of ice sticking into his shoulder. At least she’d gotten a nice hit on him before going down.

Temperance, on the other hand, wasn’t taking the sight very well. Her whole body tightened, her eyes constricting as rage filled her. The sight sent an unsettling sensation through Galinndan. And it wasn’t because she’d always come off as a sweet, pampered brat. There was something about the look. It wasn’t… remotely human or eleven.

Orsik had explained a few days ago to him once how useful Aviana and her sister were. He detailed a fight against harpies where rage had overcome Aviana. The way he described her in that, it was if he’d described Temperance right now. And the only way the cleric could put it into a certain phrase. It’s like staring at an angry dragon.

The young redhead stomped her feet on the ground in her anger. “You leave me and my sister alone! Die! Die right now!”

A loud thunderous sound came from her, shaking the whole cavern. The bandit stopped his attack mid swing, looking around frantically and the stalactites on the ceiling shook.

Temperance continued to scream out, “Leave my sister alone!”

The force she put into this unusual behavior—Galinndan wasn’t sure if it was a spell or some sort of inhuman ability she had—broke the stalactites and they came crashing down. The armored half-orc jumped back calling his wolf to a safer place. Galinndan used his size to his advantage, hiding under the shield and praying nothing fell on him.

The bugbear cried out in agony and the goblins screamed in terror. Temperance continued her screaming, until Orsik called out to her. “Temperance, lass, calm down. Ye got him. Ye got him and saved yer sister. Please stop. Yer gonna cave us in!”

Her hysteric ceased. Galinndan peered from under his shield. Broken rock was scattered all over, some stalactites even stuck into the ground. Temperance stood still, blinking. She then looked at the two cowering goblins left near her. She cocked her head. “How are you not dead?”

In speaking to them, as innocent as her words were, they shrieked and ran for the tunnel. The young half-elf stared after them, clearly confused. “Hey, I didn’t say you could run.”

Galinndan couldn’t tell if she really understood the gravity of the situation she’d caused or not. Though, he did know the bugbear wasn’t an issue anymore. A large stalactite fell on him. From the looks of it, he wasn’t breathing. It also appeared he fell on Aviana. Akorith, please don’t take her yet. He prayed that fall hadn’t been what did her in.

Draeon slashed out his glaive as one of the goblins tried to run past, landing a decisive blow and nearly cutting the small creature in half. Blood splattered all over the cave floor.

Orsik rushed over to where Aviana lay. He couldn’t move the bugbear, but after praying and touching Aviana, a warm radiant light flooded through the room. Galinndan couldn’t see her condition, and knew the cleric was just about out of healing, so he had to have done something to at least stabilize her and keep her from death’s door. That eased some of his worry and allowed him to focus on the bandit.

Not letting the half-orc think how he’d survive the rest of this, Galinndan rushed him and slammed the shield into his chest. A cold sensation ran through Galinndan’s body, something unbidden but also familiar. Ice spread across the shield and onto the bandit, freezing him up a bit.

Galinndan didn’t know where this came from, but it happened on occasions. It’d usually come in the form of him sneezing out icicles at random or ice coalescing on his flail. A part of him wished he knew from the source of this ability, another was just glad it could help him from time to time.

The bandit backed up, his eyes darting around and his breath ragged. His wolf whimpered, its tail tucked, Temperance’s attack having shaken its resolve to listen to its master and fight.

The half-orc reached into a pouch at his side. “You won this day, but it will be your last. Pray we do not meet again.”

Before Galinndan could question why this man thought he was getting away, the bandit tossed round objects on the ground. The moment they made contact with the cave floor, dark smoke billowed out of them. Galinndan shrunk back, holding his breath and squinting to keep his eyes from stinging. This prevented him from keep an eye on the bandit. This is such a familiar situation. He just… couldn’t place it.

Everyone coughed and sputtered until the smoke finally died. The bandit and his wolf were gone. Draeon growled and Galinndan didn’t blame him. Now they were unable to find out where Gimor and Asher were.

“Lads,” Orsik called out. “Neit a hand gettin’ Aviana oot from under this thin’.”

Galinndan nodded, his mind not quite willing to let go of this sensation of annoyance over being unable to place the identity of the bandit.

“Hey, stupid dead bugbear thing, get off my sister right now!” Temperance shouted, rushing over to the lifeless creature.

Galinndan shook his head as the petite woman push on the large goblinoid’s body. Like she could— He bit his tongue when it moved. Heaving with effort, Temperance rolled the creature off her sister. Everyone stared, stunned this small woman was capable of pulling the feat off. Sure, her breath now came out ragged, showing how the effort exhausted her, but she still managed… somehow.

“Avi!” Temperance knelt down next to her sister and tapped her sister’s face. “Wake up! Wake up!”

Galinndan spotted the tears streaming down the young woman’s face.

Orsik placed a hand on Temperance to calm her and gave Aviana a once over. “I be oot o’ healin’. Gae check fer potions in that pile.”

Temperance nodded, wiping her tear stained cheeks, and searched. Galinndan assisted. They found a few vitality potions and administered one to the older sister. A moment pasted before Aviana coughed and her breathing returned to normal. She didn’t wake, but Orsik didn’t appear worried.

“Is she going to be okay, Orsik?” Temperance asked.

He nodded. “Aye. She just needs some rest.”

“Well, while sleeping beauty recovers, we still have a job to do,” Draeon said. He stood by the cave tunnel. “That half-orc got away and no doubt he’s grabbing his men and either leaving with our employer or planning for a counter attack.”

Temperance stood and held up a dagger. “I’ll sabeth him if he tries.”

“After your display, Temperance, I think he’s running,” Orsik said. “Anyone crazy enough to use that kind of spell in a cave would send any smart man running.”

So it was a spell. Galinndan felt a little better around the unpredictable woman knowing it wasn’t some sort of strange innate ability of hers.

Temperance scratched her face. “Sorry about that. My emotions got the better of me. I’ll try not to do that again.”

At least she could admit a mistake. And this time it did help them, so he couldn’t be too mad at her. Galinndan retrieved his weapon from the bugbear. “Why don’t the three of us go searching the rest of the cave while Orsik tends to Aviana? He’s not going to be able to heal us, and I’ve got some of these found potions in case we need them.”

“I’ll take point,” Draeon said.

“Yeah, let the lumbering warthog lead the way,” Temperance snarked.

Draeon’s head jerked back and Galinndan and Orsik laughed. “Excuse you?”

“None of you know how to be quiet,” Temperance said. “You especially. I had to use a spell to hide us better.”

Galinndan’s back straightened. “You have a spell that can do that?”

She nodded. “I’m gonna use it again too. But you have to stay in a certain range of me as it’s an aura spell.” Her eyes darted to Draeon. “And you have to try to be quiet. Not even invisibility can save you if you make noise.”

Temperance snapped her fingers, and the area around her darkened, like a dark shadow bathed them all. Not even the fire light of the torches in the room could penetrate it. “Now, stay close.”