“The structure was large, at least three stories, all sharp angles and black stone. The coppery smell of blood was overpowering, even years after the place was abandoned, the floor and walls were stained black with it. As we moved deeper within, the light from our torches revealed white, gleaming skulls, piled hundreds, maybe thousands high. They were set before an altar, and we came to a realization, the skulls were a shrine built in honor of their dark god.”

“Expedition to the Northern Shield Mountains, Irridurn Peak” Sir Edmund Perk, 465 IC.

Chapter 11

“We are?” Wil asked, confused, but Erinn had already descended the stairs. He put on his overcoat, black with silver scrolls embroidered on the sleeves. He left his sword in his room, along with his other belongings, taking only his money pouch. Wil locked his door and made his way downstairs to the common room.

Compared to when he was down here just an hour earlier, the common room was packed with people. All the tables and chairs were occupied, and additional benches were placed along the walls to allow everyone to find a place to sit.

The room was a haze of smoke, with weak blue light entering through the evenly spaced windows. Wil spotted the innkeeper, constantly in motion, pouring drinks and taking coins from the patrons.

Wil followed Erinn to a table in the corner where his companions were sitting, even Hale had made an appearance. She had removed her Legion clothing, replacing it with a common brown overcoat.

Taking the remaining seat at the table, Wil nodded a greeting at his companions, before pouring himself a glass of wine from the pitcher placed in the center of the table.

“Why do I get the feeling I’m now involved in some conspiracy. Which kingdom are we planning to topple?” Wil asked, while grinning at the group.

“Nothing as crass as regicide.” Erinn said, laughing.

“Mutiny then?” Wil quirked an eyebrow at Hale. “I didn’t take you for a mutineer, Hale.”

Hale scowled and punched Wil in the arm, hard. Gunther was laughing loudly into his wine cup, while even Anise was grinning. Victor was shaking his head at the pair.

“Idiot. There’s been news from one of the other Auxiliary groups, they found something in the tunnels today. They asked everyone to meet them here.” She paused, before looking around at the crowd.

“Look! It must be something big, Oakley is here as well.” Hale explained to Wil, gesturing to the far side of the room.

Leaning against the wall, the Herrington guard captain that Wil had seen in the Fort’s courtyard yesterday, had an impatient look on her face. Obviously, she wanted the meeting to start as soon as possible.

Looking away from the Captain, Wil found that he recognized most of the patrons in the packed common room. They had all been present in the courtyard yesterday, all the Auxiliaries had come for this meeting.

“Quiet!” a voice bellowed. A team of four had just entered the room, making their way to the front. A large man, bearded and still armed, stood on a chair to see over the crowd. The entire team was well provisioned and looked experienced; they were one of the higher rank groups that Wil had spotted while at the Fort.

“My name’s Weller and we just came back from a meeting with the Commander and Captain Oakley.” He said nodding towards the captain. “Goblins have been attacking and robbing traders using the forest roads for months now, but only small groups, they’ve been leaving the larger caravans alone.”

“We found dozens of wagons in the eastern forest, burned and empty, but no bodies.” He revealed. Before he could continue, he was interrupted. A man stood up from the back of the room.

“So what? They’re in some Goblin’s belly down in their Warren. A tragedy but no big surprise.” A man’s voice carried through the room.

“Shut it, let him finish” Oakley commanded, staring at the man until he sat back down.

“No, they’re not in a pot, we followed the tracks to the tunnels. Killed the scouts that were guarding it and Pele here followed the trail down.” He said, pointing to the roguish looking man next to him.

“They’re keeping prisoners, dozens of them. They got them in pens like cattle, and we couldn’t get them free without setting off the whole nest.”

“What are they planning? Why keep ‘em alive?” A woman in the crowd asked.

“We figure they’ll sacrifice them when it’s Night, a blessing for their raids.”

“Or they’re keeping them for later, fresh meat for the buggers.” Another man said.

“They’ve been abducting farmers in the area as well, for the last few months. We had thought they had been taking the bodies for food, but if they’re alive, we need to get them all out.” Oakley said, stepping forward as she spoke.

“That’s why we called this meeting. The legion can’t send anyone, they’re all tied up with preparing the defenses and the House guards are evacuating the farmers. The captain has asked us all to lead the rescue, and we need to do it tomorrow. It’s the only time we have left before the raids start.” Weller said.

“What’s in it for us? We signed up to find the Warren entrances and kill some scouts, we weren’t paid for suicide missions.” The man from earlier had stood up again and shouted.

“You were paid to take orders and protect the people of Whitewater!” Captain Oakley shouted.

Holding up his hands for silence and calm, Weller gestured for the crowd to settle so he could speak.

“The captain’s right, we’re required to follow orders, and that means going in the tunnels and rescuing those folks.” Before the crowd could erupt again, he continued.

“But the Fort Commander has offered us a bonus for going down there. In exchange for our cooperation, the legion will let us keep any loot we find in the tunnels, and Lord Herrington will give us a bonus in coin for anyone we rescue.”

“The plan is each party will enter a different tunnel entrance, making as much noise and trouble for the Goblins as possible. Meanwhile, we go back in the confusion and free the prisoners. We’ll all be in and out as quick as possible and we split the loot and coin evenly with everyone afterwards.”

Hearing the grumbling from the crowd, Weller reminded them that the Goblins had been raiding farms, villages and caravans for months, they had probably collected a lot of items and coin in that time.

Stepping down from the chair, Weller gave the crowd time to discuss, his group moved over next to Captain Oakley and began to converse with her. Wil turned back to his companions, waiting for their opinions.

“I’m in.” Hale said, draining her cup and reaching for the pitcher.

“I didn’t think they even gave you a choice?” Erinn asked, surprised.

“Of course I do, I signed up to babysit you lot for bonus pay” Hale said, grinning at Erinn.

“I’ll join as well, they need our help.” Victor said.

“I’m in too.” Gunther agreed.

The group looked at Anise and Wil, both of whom stayed silent. Under the pressure of the stares, Wil nodded. They turned to stare at Anise.

“We need you for this, we’ll be in trouble without you leading the way.” Erinn said to Anise, who looked quietly into her wine cup.

“Fine.” She said simply, nodding her head and downing her cup of wine.

“Good, I’ll let Weller know.” Hale said, standing up and making her way towards Weller’s group. Several other people were also making their way towards them. From a quick look at the crowd, Wil thought that most of the groups would agree, the allure of the promised coin was too strong to resist.

“Here’s to tomorrow! May fortune smile on us!” Gunther stood and said, lifting his cup to the group.

“To fortune!” the group said, raising their cups. Shortly after, Hale returned and explained that they would be meeting tomorrow in the square, before making their way back to the entrance they had found today.

The goal was to head deep into the Warrens quickly and loudly, drawing the guards from the prisoners. Then they would pick up any loot they could find as they made a hasty retreat, before they were overwhelmed. The goblins wouldn’t pursue them far, not in the daylight.

With the plan agreed upon, the group split for the evening and Wil returned to his room to sleep.