Chapter 27

Treaties

For three days the dwarves searched in all directions. During that time the scouts killed four trolls, four bears, three cottols and a roc, and the humans killed five rocs themselves. Between the animals they killed on the way to the river, and the five rocs, they each gained another ability point, but didn’t spend them until they saw what kind of dangerous magical creatures these leprechauns were.

On the third day the scouts returned for dinner. One group announced for everyone to hear “Listen to what our leader has brought us to. Today we found two leprechauns. Oh great and mighty Torger, please save us from these terrible beast so we can split ten pounds of gold between the fifty-two of us.”

It was said with dripping sarcasm and a hint of disdain. Most dwarves laughed, but a few jeered. This was not the grand city building Torger had envisioned. He looked at the irritated dwarves and wanted to defend himself, but had nothing to say. He went to his tent to sulk. His friends tried to restore hope to the village, but the dwarve’s patience was thin and mutiny was stirring.

The next day the Regulators headed out with that scouting group, and one group stayed behind to protect their families, and Torger sent the last group as far south as they could get in a day to find Strong Arm. He didn’t know what the holdup was, unless Strong Arm refused his invitation when he got the letter Torger had written months earlier. Or maybe he never got the letter. Either way something had to crack soon.

They were led down river to a flatter section of the foothills. The dwarves pointed at a distant tree and said “They’re hiding in or under that tree. Leprechauns never stray far from their gold, so it’s probably buried under the roots. Go get ‘em our protectors.” All five dwarves laughed.

Torger didn’t know if he should be holding his cracked sword or the recurve bow, but decided on the sword. It should be good for another strike or two before it completely broke. As they came near they heard a quiet high pitched voice call out “You’re looking for our gold, but you can’t see us, Or haven’t you been told, the smart ones leave us.”

Torger called out “A limerick, really? Are you Irish and wear green funny hats? And I assume you sleep on a bed of four leaf clovers too.”

“Oh ho. The prey knows a little, it’s too bad we won’t meet ya, they’ll show up full of spittle, the tyters are gonna eat ya.”

“That was weak little munchkin. Show yourself and fight me like a man.”

“I’m no munchkin you oaf. I mean… oh what rhymes with oaf? Loaf. Ahh! Just go away. You’ll never find us or our gold.”

Torger looked at his friends and got the nods he was hoping for. They all began cautiously walking towards the tree. When they got near, a net that had been invisible fell on Torger. He tried to get out of it, and everyone took up defensive positions. An Ice 1 spell hit Brun, and at the same time a Fire 1 spell hit Rome. The spells did little damage but hurt and broke their concentration. A few seconds later the same two spells hit Jex and Graul.

Torger struggled to get out of the net, and two more spells shot out hitting Antic and Arden, but Arden saw where his source of pain had come from. “Up there on the tree branch.”

Everyone looked and saw a silhouette camouflaged in the leaves running along a branch. Another Ice 1 spell hit Brun and this time it was Jex who saw it come from the tree behind them. The one foot tall ghost ran across the branch, but she perfectly followed it with her bow and released. Before the arrow got there the ghost appearance disappeared. It didn’t look like a ghost really, but it was translucent rather than solid, but in the shape of what you would expect a leprechaun to look like, at about one foot tall.

Everyone scanned the area looking for the little buggers. Another Fire 1 and Ice 1 spell hit Brun and Rome, and Jex shot another arrow but the one she was aiming at disappeared before the arrow skewered it. Frustrated, Graul ran forward towards the tree. He held his broken steel shield in his left arm and Inferno in his right hand. He expected the leprechaun he was running at to disappear, which it did, but his plan was that as soon as it disappeared he would run to the tree trunk and start digging for the gold, becoming the target of their spells while the others tried to protect him.

The plan might have worked if he didn’t fall into a hidden pit and break his leg from the twelve foot fall. The leprechauns kept casting their weak spells, inflicting seven damage points each time, while Jex lost six arrows trying to pluck them off. Torger finally freed himself from the net and called for everyone to help Graul then retreat. A small shrill voice said “That’s the smartest thing he’s done in months.”

He lowered a rope to Graul, amid a barrage of irritating spells that stung, while Jex tried to shoot them, and Brun tried to hit one with a Fire 1 spell of his own. Antic followed Graul’s original plan, and used his new maxed out health of 500 as he ran towards the tree and started digging up the dirt with his bare hands. That infuriated the pesky creatures and one came out of camouflage and ran and stabbed him in the calf with what to the humans was a pocket knife. The weak strength against Antic’s tough skin and muscles was no match, but it did sink in an inch. Antic grunted in pain but kept digging.

Rome yelled “I did it! I got him!”

Everyone looked around. “Where is he? I don’t see him.”

“I meant I used analyze one on him. I’ve been missing this whole time.”

Jex said “Not helpful right now Rome.” But as she said it she got in a clean shot at the other leprechaun. It couldn’t disappear in time, but waved its hand and a shield appeared. The arrow struck the two foot magic shield and both disintegrated. The Leprechaun stuck its tongue out at her and disappeared again.

A few seconds later Brun felt a wave of weariness wash over him. He sank to a knee and asked “What happened?” He checked his stats and saw all his remaining mana was gone.

A small voice from behind another tree said “Thanks for the boost, you big oaf.”

Arden continued being a spotter for Jex, but the spells kept coming, most of them focused on Antic. Graul finally made it out of the pit with a rope and help from Torger, and just as he crested the edge, he saw the translucent image run across the ground in front of him. He cast his oldest and most familiar spell, Fire 1. The leprechaun was focused on staying away from Jex’s arrow and didn’t see the spell coming. It hit him and his body became solid. He kept running but glared at Graul.

It seemed being damaged kept him from using a camouflage spell, but he waved his hand and a familiar golden glow surrounded him from the spell Cure 1. That reminded Torger to cast Cure 1 on Graul, which he did three times. The others had used all their mana curing Antic. Eventually both leprechauns stopped casting spells against him, and instead began stealing mana from the Regulators, but the humans each only had a few mana points. They all knew the leprechauns were running out, and they were no challenge without magic.

That was until they heard one ask “Must we?”

“Yes, I’m afraid we must.”

They both appeared solid for a second, drinking a red potion that looked a lot like their own mana potions. But that second was enough for Jex to release an arrow and skewer one. It flew a few feet across the ground and slammed into a tree. The huge hole in its chest was plenty of confirmation it was dead. The other looked at her knocking another arrow and yelled “Damn you!” It disappeared again.

But a few seconds later Antic yelled “I got it!” He backed away from the tree carrying a small cauldron of gold flakes and small raw nuggets. The leprechaun ran at him, small sword in hand, and stabbed his other calf. But it was enough time for Jex to shoot that one too.

They all limped back to where the dwarves were waiting. The dwarves looked pleasantly surprised when they saw Antic carrying the pot.

“Well, looky ‘ere. These humans actually did it, though in a bit worse shape than they would like. Still, well done.”

Torger would take the small compliment. Morale had plummeted and any compliment was accepted. But it was true they didn’t look so good. They all had scorch marks all over their armor and burn holes in their clothes, along with frostbite in their fingers and toes.

Another dwarf asked “So do you want to face a hundred of them little buggers at once, or do you want to hire the elves.”

Torger looked at Arden. “It looks like we’re finally going to Yosemite.”

When they got back to camp, Torger showed everyone the cauldron full of raw nuggets and flakes. The dwarves estimated it to be 9.6 pounds, and would be less than half that when refined. Torger said “The village rules are that miners keep ninety percent of what they mine. As such, Antic dug this out of the ground, so Antic keeps ninety percent. Ninety percent of the remainder goes to the non-mining villagers. Who would like the honors of splitting it up?”

A few dwarves came forward, but they all saw what Torger had done. He whetted their appetites for finding the gold quickly. The next morning he put Stone Fist in charge, and the Regulators started to head for Yosemite. One of the miners stopped them. o you plan on trading the raw gold with the elves?”

“Yes.”

“I thought so. You don’t seem to know the way things work here. Elves don’t take raw minerals. They don’t understand smelting and forging. You will need to trade refined gold with them. It just so happens I have some. I’m willing to trade my refined gold for your raw gold.”

“And you’ll take a cut I assume.”

“Of course. But the point is I’m saving you from having to make a return trip.”

“It sounds a little sketchy, but it does give me an idea.”

Torger stood up on a large rock. “Can I have everyone’s attention? I have been informed the elves won’t take raw nuggets. Is this true?”

There were nods.

“In that case, I will need to trade this pot of raw gold for refined gold. I have eight and three quarters pounds here. Who will give me three point five pounds of refined gold for it?”

Seven hands shot up. Too bad two of the scout teams had already left. The bidding could have gone higher.

“Who will give me three point six pounds? Three point seven?”

The highest bidder paid four point two pounds of pure gold. But Torger was also informed those two leprechauns had probably gathered every gram of gold in a ten mile radius to get that pot. There would be no nearby cave. That was disheartening. He gave instructions to Stone Fist to move twenty miles north, and set up a semi-permanent camp. They would rejoin in two weeks, and hopefully Strong Arm would find them.

The regulators once again headed for the mountains to the east. It took three days until they saw El Capitan in the distance. The beauty was breathtaking. There were hills, mountains and swollen rivers every direction they looked. As they stood on top of a hill surrounded by giant sequoia trees, they were once again approached by three elves. This time they all raised their hands and waited for the border guards to approach.

Their scrawny four foot bodies made them look harmless, but they knew better. The elves were master archers and had strong magic. The lead guard said “State your business for coming to the Pomo tribe.”

Arden couldn’t help it. “The cheese.”

The others tried to suppress chuckles. Of course the elf had never seen the old commercial for California cheese, so he thought they were laughing at him.

“I will tell you I am the chief of border patrol for the Lake Silverwood elves! I am second only to the border elder herself.”

Torger couldn’t believe his luck. “Great. Could you let Lagwil know Torger is here to trade and the Winds of Truth will confirm that for her.”

“How do you know of Lagwil? You must be spies!”

“Relax little man. Check your cities then check your relationship with Calico. I was the mayor of Calico who boosted the respect and love points between the two villages.”

“If you were the mayor of Calico I would recognize you as him. Instead I see you are the mayor of Carson City. I have no idea where that is, and we have no contact with you. Keep up your lies about being the mayor of a respected dwarf village, human, and your interrogation will be especially painful.”

“Shut up little man. We’re not here to cause any harm to any of the elves. The Winds of Truth will confirm my words. Take me to Lagwil and she’ll set you straight.”

“How dare you insult my post! I am the most senior ranking elf present, and you will speak to me! I will decide if and when to take you to the center stone.”

This little guy had a serious case of Napoleon syndrome. Torger had to choose his next words carefully.

“Since you have not sent for Lagwil to come, I will assume she is off on another mission. So that would leave you in charge, temporarily. We have come to hire elves to clear out a mine of leprechauns. The dwarves told me about the standard payment for the service. If you take me to the Winds of Truth you will see I am here to trade. I’m not lost, and I’m not a spy. I also want to know if the dwarves could salvage this ruby in my sword and infuse it into another sword.”

That finally got his attention. “Let me see the sword and I will know if an elf merged the ruby o the metal.”

Torger showed him the cracked steel sword, and the small ruby in the center of the blade near the cross guard.

“When did you have this done?” The question was asked with a tone of derision and a smirk as if he had Torger trapped.

“One year ago. I handed the steel sword and the ruby to Lagwil. She walked into the elf village, and three hours later returned. When she handed me the sword, the ruby was embedded into the metal. Ever since then, this sword has dealt fire three damage each time it cuts flesh.”

After nearly a minute, the elf said “Hand me the sword. One of our alchemists may remember this work.”

Torger handed him the sword and realized the elf didn’t know how to operate the Winds of Truth spell, and that Lagwil was not in the village. He would probably have about an hour to discuss it with his friends.

They sat on the ground talking about their options. The kept their voices quiet to try to prevent the unseen elves in the trees from hearing them. Arden said “OK. We now all agree that the elves will see we’re telling the truth and not hold us as prisoners, but I still say we are so close to the last icon. We need to get it while we’re here, even if it means going all the way around their pretend borders. Listen guys, we’re only five miles away according to the map. Let’s go get this last bonus.”

Torger answered “We’re five miles away in a straight line. But this is mountain territory. And we have to go a few miles around the elf village. It could take two days to make it there. You and I, we’re both experienced hikers. You know two days is realistic to reach it. We have to first build a building for the dwarves, and provide them with a shield for protection, then we can come back here.”

“It will take us four days to walk back, assuming we find them quickly. You told them to go twenty miles north and look for a gold mine. That’s not very specific instructions Torger. Let’s get this grenade while we’re here, then go find gold.”

“I think protecting the village and getting enough gold to upgrade our weapons is top priority. The grenade will still be there in a month.”

“Torger, I told you in the beginning I will follow you as long as you are leading Jex and me towards getting back home. Now you’re more concerned about dwarves than you are about returning.”

Graul hated the tension and interrupted. “What we all agreed to is that Torger is the leader in the village, but we make plans by democracy when not in the village. This is the perfect time for democracy.”

Everyone looked at Graul like he was a genius. How had they forgotten? Torger said “Let’s wait until our business with the elves is done here, then move far away where they can’t overhear the location of the grenade.”

Only Arden argued to settle the matter right then, the others agreed with Torger’s idea. They had no reason to mistrust the elves, but there was no reason to tell them the approximate location of what was probably a powerful weapon. When no one was looking, Torger gave Arden a haughty smile. It was a message that he had them already siding with him with that little demo vote.

Chapter 28

The Last Icon

The border guard Torger nicknamed Napoleon returned. “I have confirmed that an alchemist of our village did upgrade this sword. Our village elders send a message: ‘Lagwil will return tomorrow. Come back and speak with her later.’ Take your sword and go. Whether you go around our village to get to Yosemite or return to the dwarves is not my concern.”

He turned around and left, along with his two escorts. Arden returned the smirk back to Torger. An hour later and a couple miles away from the elves the discussion resumed.

Arden said “There is no point in going back to the dwarves without elves. We might as well go get the grenade, then come back when Lagwil is here.”

It didn’t take much of a discussion to get a unanimous vote to find the weapon. They began walking to the south, where the terrain was flatter, to get around the elves. It was disturbing that they still heard or guessed the human’s conversation, and knew of their desire to get into the mountain paradise. Sun was setting as they made it to the far side of the elf border. They set up camp and set up a watch for the night.

They had not seen any dangerous animals in the area, but assumed it was because the elves killed any that came close. Rome learned Haste 3 that day, after repeatedly casting it for the past month. But the spell cost 72 mana, and he had a max of 35 mana. Rome, like everyone else, had one unused ability point, and he spent it to get five more mana.

Graul had the third watch that night, and he was awake walking around the perimeter. He stopped pacing to look out on the beautiful moonlit valley on that clear night. Wolves howled in the distance and he had seen a far off cottol, but nothing was unusual. Until there was a knife blade pressed to his throat. He froze, unsure what to do. A Female voice said “Glad you made it.”

The knife was removed, and Graul slowly turned around. Lagwil stood there holding a long curved knife. She wore a smug grin. “It’s good to see you didn’t doze off on your guard duty. A sleeping sentry could be the death of the whole camp.”

Unsure how to respond he stammered “Uhh, thank you. I think.”

“Don’t worry about it” she said with a bit of laughter, “Almost no one could see an elf coming in the night. How did your visit with the elves go?”

“Your substitute wouldn’t talk to us. He didn’t bring Torger to the stone to use the Winds of Truth. It was Torger’s sword that your alchemist improved last year is what got us set free. We nicknamed the haughty little chief ‘Napoleon’ after a short mean ruler on our planet, from a long time ago. He said the council of elders told us to come back after you returned.”

“Hmm, I will not discuss the affairs of elves with you or anyone outside of our village. But I will talk with all involved in your rude treatment. What brought you here in the first place?”

“I’ll let Torger discuss the details, but we’re looking for a gold mine and the dwarves say there is a standard contract to hire the elves. That’s the main reason.”

“I sense you won’t discuss other reasons for being here, but that is fine. As for the gold mine, that is a standard agreement as the dwarves said. There should have been no trouble sending a team back with you.”

“That didn’t happen. Not even close. But we’ve got another errand to run and will be back here in three or four days.”

“I will have a team assembled for you by then. Of course Torger will have to be tested by the Winds first. And I will give you free advice. I just returned from a nearby elf village to the east. Since you have not met them, they will be… disagreeable if you try to accomplish your task in their territory. I hope you don’t need to be too close to them.”

Lagwil turned to leave, but Graul stopped her. “Wait. I remember something else too. Jex has grown a lot since you saw her. She needs stronger arrows.”

“If you have something worthy of trading, I will see that it’s done. Be sure to let the others know how important it is to stay awake on their shifts.”

She walked to the nearest tree, in a shadow of the branches, and disappeared.

Graul had no trouble staying awake for the rest of his shift that night.

The next morning they ate, packed up, and headed east. Graul told them of his encounter with Lagwil, and they at first didn’t believe him but his earnest pleading made them all open to the possibility. They hiked to the base of El Capitan, then around it. It was sunset when they looked out onto the valley. Half Dome was clearly seen five miles away. They wanted to get to a river, so they walked until the end of sunset when they made it. They began setting up camp when they heard a high pitched “Hold on.”

They looked to see three elves approaching, arrows knocked to their bows. Torger was getting tired of this song and dance. He put up his hands, and the others followed. Before the lead border guard spoke, Torger cut him off.

“We just came from the village to the west yesterday. My brother spoke with Lagwil last night. We are not here to trade, or as enemies, and we’re not lost. The Winds of Truth will tell you that. We’re tired. We have a mission to accomplish tomorrow, then we’ll go away.”

The elf looked intrigued for a second, then hardened his face again. “You are not quite at our border, but are too close to it to camp for the night. Back up a mile. Then go around in the morning.”

Rome whispered in Torger’s ear. He nodded then addressed the elf. “We will fill our water skins, then back away a mile as you stated. In the morning, I will need to speak with your border elder.”

The elf looked like he might argue, then shook his head. “Fine. My shift will be done at sunrise. Let the day watch handle your prying eyes.”

They filled their skins then backed up a mile to the edge of the valley. None of them slept well that night, half expecting an elf attack. The next morning they headed toward the north side of what they hoped was the border. Since elf borders weren’t marked, and they had to guess where the center of the village was, they hoped to skirt around it entirely without being stopped. Luck was not with them. A new patrol of three elves stopped them.

“We were told to expect you this morning. We were also told you know about the center stone and Winds of Truth. The rest of you wait here, and you come with us.”

Torger followed and after a fifteen minute walk he sat on a flat stone with engravings. It wasn’t exactly like the one Lagwil used, but very similar. After another fifteen minute wait an old elfa came out of the forest to the east. She looked at Torger, pointed her hand at him, and said “Analyze three.”

Torger felt nothing. But this was the first time an elf had to use a word to cast a spell instead of just waving their staff. She did it just like the humans did to cast their spells. But her staff was very sparkly. Torger knew their silver staffs magnified cure, shield and elemental spells x1.5, and Lagwil and Romalt had staffs of gold that magnified their spells x2. But this staff had so many diamonds covering it he couldn’t tell what the base material was.

After several seconds of her examining him, she relaxed and smiled. “I see you once had passable relations with Lagwil, but you are no longer mayor of that village. So you will know what comes next.”

Torger nodded and closed his eyes. Winds whipped all around him that lasted for thirty seconds then quickly died. “Yes, it is just as you told the border guards. You’re not an enemy, not here to trade, and not lost. So now we need to figure out why you would intentionally march a small military force directly at an elf village, with no intention of encountering elves. What do you have to say?”

Torger was prepared for this. “We’re on a quest. We have something to accomplish close to here.”

“I see. I don’t have the authority to let you pass into elf territory. The council of elders or the tribal chief can grant you permission, but without a high level of respect and love I’m certain they won’t allow it. Many trolls have been roaming this area. They have a natural resistance to our magic, and we are no match for them physically. Kill thirty mountain trolls near here and then come back again.”

She turned and walked away. Torger muttered “We don’t have time for this.”

You have been offered a quest from Edina.

Kill 30 mountain trolls within 5 miles of the Yosemite Valley borders.

Reward: Significant increase of Respect and Love points. Permission to quickly complete a quest within Yosemite Valley borders.

Torger walked back to his friends dejected. He told them the bad news. Arden was angry because he really wanted the cool weapon, but everyone knew they were no match to fight a village full of elves, and they didn’t want to start a war when they needed their help with leprechauns. They also needed to improve relations with Lagwil again.

Torger began to walk back to Lagwil’s village but Rome said “Wait. I have an idea.”

They all looked at him. “Looking where we are now, and where the probable center of the elf village is, we may be able to find the last icon on the west side of their territory, without crossing into their borders.”

“Where is the icon on your map Rome? And where do you think their border ends?”

“The icon is centered on the top of Half Dome, just about the same place their border may end. Since the icon has a one mile diameter to where the tyter weapon is actually located, it may be on the back side of Half Dome and we could retrieve it without fearing for our lives. But if the weapon is on this side, then we would need to cross into their territory.”

“I guess it’s worth a shot” said Brun, “But it’s risky not knowing exactly when we cross their imaginary border.”

They all agreed to at least try it, and if it was in elven lands then they would at least know where it was and not have to search for it later. They walked around to the north, intending to give a wide berth to the little frenemies. They made it nearly a mile when Arden spotted troll footprints. He wanted to follow it, but Torger insisted they needed to get the gold mine started before the end of the week. There was no specific reasoning for his rush, but he wanted a smithy up and running to make him another sword. He felt weak using the bow compared to Jex’s mad skills.

After another mile they saw two trolls in the distance eating a deer raw. But the trolls didn’t notice them and they hurried past the area and out of sight. It was past noon when they began the climb up Half Dome. Torger had made that climb years earlier, but this time there weren’t people and “ducks” to follow, but their internal maps let them know exactly where they were. It was almost sunset when they made it to the top. Not having a rope to hold onto made the steep climb on bare rock especially treacherous.

The large bare rock area at the top should have easily exposed any alien device there, but they saw nothing. They looked all over, but found no sign of it. They were all frustrated, but Arden didn’t want to waste the trip completely. He came near the cliff, laid down on his stomach, and against Jex’s screams of protest he crawled to the very precipice. None of them liked heights too much, but Torger was nearly acrophobic and he stayed far away.

Arden crawled until his head was over the ledge, and looked down. He froze in amazement. The long vertical drop seemed like an optical illusion as it took his mind several seconds to process what he was seeing. Once his vision cleared, he cheered.

“Guys! I found it! I found the tyter box!”

Everyone was baffled by his words, but Graul was the first to understand. “You have got to be kidding me!”

Graul explained to everyone that the weapon was on the cliff face itself while Arden crawled backwards several feet before standing up again. He joined the others and explained “There is a box much like the one that held the potions, but much smaller. It’s half into the side of the cliff and sitting on a ledge.”

Graul asked “How far down is it? And how big is the box?”

Arden held his hands about eight inches apart. “It looks to be close to the top, but it’s hard to tell looking straight down that far.”

Brun said “Doesn’t seem like much of a weapon, being so small.”

Torger said “A small weapon can still pack a mighty punch.”

Jex couldn’t resist. She pointed at his crotch and said “Keep telling the ladies that Torger. Maybe one day one of them will believe you.”

Torger was too embarrassed to respond, but Graul said “It looks like it’s time to use our ropes. Who’s getting tied off to be let down the side?”

No one volunteered, and everyone would rather walk away than fall, die, and respawn in Carson City, a two weeks walk away. Finally, by democracy, Arden was selected to go. He was the one who had wanted this weapon for the past sixteen months.

Torger tied one rope around Arden in the form of a five point racing harness, and then two different ropes, one at the top of each shoulder. He unwound the braided ropes at the ends back a foot, looped each one under the ropes at each shoulder, then braided the ropes again into themselves. That process makes the braided part stronger than any knot he knew, as increased pressure on the rope would only cinch the braids even tighter, and doubled the thickness and strength of the ropes at the last foot.

Once Arden was ready, two teams of three let out the rope as they kept their feet as firmly planted on the solid granite as they could. Arden laid on his stomach, and crawled backwards until his legs were over the side. Everyone gripped the rope tighter as Arden pushed off and fell backwards over the cliff. The ropes grew taut but everyone held firm and Arden slammed his knee into the cliff face, but his head was below the top and they couldn’t see him. He yelled out that he was OK, but that team Antic needed to give him another foot of rope.

Antic, Rome, and Jex let the rope slide between their hands, and Arden leveled his shoulders. The majority of his weight was resting on the insides of his upper thighs, and the rope began to dig in, but as Torger promised there seemed to be no way he could accidentally slip out of the harness. He called for both teams to lower him down, but right then a roc flew overhead. Arden looked like an easy and helpless meal on the side of the cliff, and he had no weapons or armor on him. His thin cotton pants and shirt would be no resistance to the bird with a nineteen foot wingspan.

Everyone saw it circling overhead. Torger called out “Give him slack, then pull him up quickly!”

Both teams let out several feet of rope, a few inches at a time, while Arden yelled instructions to team Antic or team Torger to give a little more so he could stay mostly level. But the bird dove at him. Arden had no way of defending himself as the bird’s talons reached down for him. Fortunately Arden was flat against the cliff face and the bird couldn’t get close enough. It hit its wing on the side and began to tumble before it flew high in the air again.

Antic said “We have the rope Jex. Kill that thing!”

She reluctantly let go, but saw Rome and Antic still easily maintained a firm grasp. Jex picked up I.B. and easily placed an ice arrow into each wing. The bird screeched at the first hit, and when it was hit a second later, the second arrow convinced it to fly away.

Jex grabbed the rope again, and they let Arden down until he was fifteen feet below the top of the cliff. He yelled up “I got it!”

They easily pulled him up to the top, and he had a small metal box in his hands.

This one had the same large three fingered hand imprint as the box of potions, and the same as what Rome had seen on Catalina.

Arden set it down and began untying the ropes surrounding him, but Graul couldn’t stand the suspense. He picked up the box and placed his hand on the lid. A yellow glow surrounded him and the box. The box opened of its own accord, and a large clear diamond was inside. Before anyone could ask what that was about, the yellow glow grew thicker. The diamond floated out of the box and spun in a few slow circles, then a black mist flowed out of the diamond and into Graul’s heart.

Torger tried to reach him, but an incredibly powerful electric shock blew him backwards when he touched the yellow glow. At the same time four more lightning bolts shot out hitting Brun, Rome, Jex, and Antic. They all flew backwards, and each one of them lost forty health points.

The black mist continued to pour into Graul’s heart, the suddenly stopped. The yellow glow dissipated, then the large diamond shattered. Arden was the only one not recovering from being hit with a Lighting 4 spell.

He looked at Graul’s crossed eyes and knew his friend was checking something in his internal screen. Graul smiled.

Everyone walked back to him and asked if he was OK.

“Yes I’m fine. This weapon is a spell. An unusual spell, and dangerous. It’s called Scorched Earth. It takes no mana, and is one time use. I can walk into an ally village, and cast this spell. I have to be within ten feet of the mayor’s house. Everything in the village will be obliterated.”