"STOP," Beldak shouts in a whisper. "Let us not be so hasty to silence informants much less defy our true nature!"
"O duun dech rhaan akuugac. O druun khruur magaan a shuulaan ac daan ghakhaar kaan o kelaan daan daraan or malkaar."
The half elf stares at Beldak in amazement at his flow of Goblin speech.
Beldak shrugs, "What can I say? I read a lot."
He sifts through his pack for some rope.
Day 3, Monday Evening, Sunset, approximately 6:50 pm (turn 114, turn 2 of 6)
Sir Aethoduil’s sword meets Morgrym’s hammer just as the dwarf is about to slit the skull of one of the remaining goblins, and then Beldak scurries between the two and whispers authoritatively.
The two, Morgrym and Aethorduil stare hard at each other for a moment, and then they both look at Beldak who is now, apparently, trying to talk to the two prisoners.
Both of the goblins appear confused, and afraid, one of them, a fellow with a particularly large forehead, says to the other
Abut gletah infarmant?
The second goblin shrugs his shoulders, and then, in common speaks to Beldak
We don’t like the taste of hammer, or halfling, for that matter. What do you want with us? Here, I tell you what is. Is big hair, is young dwarven girl, is keeping her to sell to queen. You let us go and I will show you where we hid the key.
"Echere m na ị mma-enyere anyị aka ma ọ bụ na-Dwarf nwere ike dị nnọọ akwụsị na ị ma ..."
I think you had better help us out or the dwarf might just end you both...
Myna shrugs and smile.
"The halfling is not the only one with a varied background! Now come on and lets get these two talking. They have already said they know where to find a dwarven lass and have a key to get there."
My family have long had the saying that to talk before fighting is wisdom - their words have been bourne out here.
Wisdom be getting a drop on yer enemies before they do the same to you. It's how you survive in less than hospitable environments.
Let us be off then and rescue the maiden!
When Myna threatens the goblins, in words they understand, the two of them seem to shrug, and one of them says
I tell you what is, is hidden, is small. If you kill us you never find keys.
"Well lets see...I guess we only need one of you to tell us where the key is...so which one of you will tell me first. Unfortunately, our dwarven friend will kill the one who does not speak. So lets be quick about it, or I will choose! "
Day 3, Monday Evening, Sunset, approximately 6:50 pm (turn 114, turn 2 of 6)
Myna’s words sink in after a brief moment when it seems like the goblins do not understand his meaning, and suddenly both of them begin talking at one, and they scramble always keeping one eye on the Dwarf, across the floor clawing at the stones.
I’ll get it, no I’ll get it, no I will tell them where it is. You don’t know anything. Your stupid, no you are, no you are.
The two goblins begin fighting with each other, shoving, punching and clawing while they are on the floor, and at the same time the both get one hand on a small innocuous stone in the floor and lift it up to reveal a small brass ring with two very small, and simple iron keys. They fight to be the first to get the key ring, and end up each with one finger hooked in it. They raise the ring into the air and then each of them points with their other hand to a section of the dungeon wall to the east.
She’s behind that secret door!
They both say together
I already saw that! Tell me more or your head meets me hammer.
In this Aethorduil seems happy to back the dwarf on this.
Myna just smiles as the goblins literally fight to be the first to offer help.
"See, a little motivation goes a long way."
Day 3, Monday Evening, Sunset, approximately 6:50 pm (turn 114, turn 2 of 6)
The goblins get to their knees, close to each other and face Morgrym, each is unwilling to let go of the keys and let the other have them.
One of them looks to the other, who shrugs, then he looks back at Morgrym and says, speaking quickly, I tell you what is, is long hair, is small feet, is thick hips. Is caught weeks ago by orcs from on top of the mountains. She brought here and sold to the crooked toothed troll, who sold her to Vot and Nok, the goblin chief and his wife. They bring her here and chain her to wall. I tell you what is. Is we are told to feed her, keep her alive, not spoil her. Vot and Nok go to tell vampire queen of prize and ask for more favors. They not have returned. She chained to wall in small cell on other side of the hidden door. That is all I tell you what is.
Hmmpf
Thoughts Morgrym?
Myna watches the dwarf to see what his reaction to the two goblins might be.
Insight:
I already saw that! Tell me more or your head meets me hammer.
Hold! We are not assassins!, says the paladin with some alarm.
"Well lets see...I guess we only need one of you to tell us where the key is...so which one of you will tell me first. Unfortunately, our dwarven friend will kill the one who does not speak. So lets be quick about it, or I will choose! "
Me thoughts are me own you goblin lover. Morgrym says to Tarathiel rather brashly. Still a little upset over his smiting the goblin.
The half elf's face shifts and then sets in a neutral mask.
As you wish Master Dwarf
"Now, now, lets not get calling each other names. They are only goblins after all. I'll tie them up and gag them and let the gods sort it out if they live or die. Sound good?"
Myna takes some rope and ties the little beasts up.
"Looks like you both get a second change. Count yourselves very lucky, and if you do happen to escape these ropes remember we could have simply killed you outright."
Myna grabs the keys from the goblins as he ties them up. He tosses the keys to the dwarf.
"Here ya go! Lets see if we cannot free the poor gal"
Let us hope it is the Princess!
So we head towards the secret door the goblins pointed out and open it.
Day 3, Monday Evening, Sunset, approximately 6:50 pm (turn 114, turn 2 of 6)
Myna tosses the keys to Morgry, and proceeds to ty up the goblins, even placing a short piece of rope around each one’s head as a gag, pulling it tight across their mouths.
Morgrym heads straight for the secret door, and in a few moments he finds the “key stone” and presses it inward, which opens the section of the wall. The Dwarf has to duck his head to see through the crawl space beyond, but he can tell it leads into a small room.
Beldak brings the light close to the secret door, and then hanging on the far wall of the secret room is a dwarven woman, a young dwarven woman in fact. You can tell she is a dwarven woman by the shape of her legs, and the fact that she is wearing a white linen dress that hangs to her knees, but you cannot see her face without crawling through the secret passageway and entering the secret room. You can tell that she is hanging on the wall, as her feet are a good foot and a half above the floor. Her legs are not moving, but they have a healthy color, and show signs of small cuts that are healing.
Morgrym will move over to her and get her free from the chains using his hammer on the chains if necessary.
Is it her?
Day 3, Monday Evening, Sunset, approximately 6:50 pm (turn 114, turn 2 of 6)
Morgrym crawls through the secret passageway, which is only a few feet long, and then stands up in a small room that is ten feet wide, but extends some twenty or more feet to the south. Directly in front of him is a young dwarven woman hanging by her arms, which are chained together at the wrist, from a large hook set in the wall. Her head is tipped down and her long golden hair spills over her head hiding her features. She appears unconscious. Fortunately, Morgrym immediately sees her chest rise and fall slowly indicating she is breathing.
He quickly drops his hammer and using both hands Morgrym lifts the dwarven woman high enough that the chain between her hands lifts off of the hook in the wall, and then he gently sets her down against the wall, proper her back up as he uses the key that Myna gave him to open the locks on the cuffs on her wrists. Her wrists are badly bruised, and show copious amounts of dried blood from where she must have struggled to get free.
Once she is on the floor, her head rolls to the side, and Morgrym sees her face. It is heart shaped, full across the cheeks, and she has a small nose, wide set, large eyes and thick dark eyebrows. Her long hair comes to a point above her eyes, in a widow’s peak. She has thin lips, and a wide mouth that hangs slightly open revealing large front teeth. Her breathing is heavy, and she moans softly as if in pain.
Well now, ye ain't the princess but ye don't deserve to die here.
Morgrym will kneel down and cast a short prayer.
Day 3, Monday Evening, Sunset, approximately 6:50 pm (turn 114, turn 2 of 6)
When Morgrym touches the girl with healing power her eyes snap open and she shoves herself away from him. Immediately she realizes her error, and smiles, and then lunges forward, throwing her arms around the dwarf’s neck.
Oh, thank you, thank you so much. I felt like I was going to die here. That everyone had forgotten me. But I didn’t give up. I just kept hoping something would happen. My name is Gwendolyn Wulfenhelm and I am, I mean I was, responsible for maintenance of the beacons, three of them, in this part of the mountains. I had been doing work on the doors at the Kinluud Beacon when we were attacked by hill giants and I was separated from the rest of the squad. I was strip of my weapons and armor, blindfolded, and put in a cart. I don’t know where I am or what the goblins wanted from me. They never questioned me about my role in the army, good luck it would have done them. I understand the language, but I can’t speak it worth a darn.
With renewed strength the girl seems to too excited to stop talking, but then she takes a deep breath and exhales, and says one last thing
I owe you my life, and I will do whatever I can to pay that dept fair and for certain
When the girl lunges forward he grips his Warhammer for a moment thinking the girl was attacking him. He then realizes it was gratitude and repays it.
Truth be known girl. We are in some palace looking for a dwarven queen. Much is unclear to me as my companions have long since gone. He pauses for a moment, I guess you're right introductions are in order I am Kaxanar Morgrym of Clan Rumnaheim, Knight-Errant of High Hill.
He looks over at the two elves, These two knife ears be Myna and Tarathiel the goblin lover.
The knight bows silently to the dwarf maid before speaking.
You wrong me and do discredit to yourself Master Dwarf, I fight - I do not murder senselessly. If not for my restraint we may never have found Gwendolyn here.
Gwendolyn follows Morgrym back into the main chamber, and picks up a small shield and scimitar from off the floor. She tests their weight, and then says,
These will have to do, I suppose. I hope that soon we can find something better to wear. If I am going to be acting as Sir Morgrym's batman, I'll need armor, and better weapons, eventually. Oh, and one more thing, before I blacked out, I could swear that I head scratching coming from the southern wall in that cell they hung me in.
It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Myna, Tarathiel. You are not from Baylor, I take it. So, I've never met any Alodoans. You must be from there though, am I right?
Day 3, Monday Evening, after Sunset, approximately 7:00 pm (turn 115, turn 3 of 6)
Morgrym isn't sure what to make of the wounded warrior's comments, while Myna and Sir Aethorduil greet her with welcoming handshakes.
Meanwhile, Beldak has wandered off, unknown to the other three, and while they wait for his return they grow impatient. Just as the three heroes are about to go looking for the missing Halfling, the double doors to the main chamber open, and more fog spills into the room creeping across the floor, and chilling the legs of the heroes. The dwarven girl, now standing shudders, and crosses her arms across her chest to try and get warm, and a tall human like figure appears in the doorway..."
A tall, thin figure glides into the room, clad in rather simple traveling clothes. He moves with a practiced stride, having an air of class to him despite his rather simple appearance. His skin a visible shade of brick red, his long black hair tied back in a loose ponytail. His brow sporting short, thick horns, and his azure eyes seeming to smolder with a raw, unstable energy.
He comes to a stop a short distance from the collective group as he dismisses the fog with a wave of his hand, speaking with an easy smile, and a well-read inflection. "Good evening. I was pointed towards your merry little band by one Benny Loamstone. He kindly informed me that you were after a certain princess, and even commented that you heart folks looked you would go far together. So, I thought I would offer my magical prowess to help you get even farther, and combat that which cannot be defeated simply through steel and faith."
I... am surprised but pleased by your willingness to assist. Forgive me if your appearance startled me.
Gwendolyn Steps in front of Morgrym, and raises her shield and scimitar, and then states
Tha's all well and good, stranger. Tell us your name and where you hail from. I am Gwendolyn Wulfenhelm.
"That's quite the name. I got tired simply hearing it."He gave a soft chuckle and maintained his easy smile, keeping his hands visible all the while. "Since you're curious, Lady Gwen, I hail from a land far away, across multiple seas and continents. I was born to House Iados, a lesser-know but well-established house that dealt in providing work to those that needed it most, and crafting many wondrous magical items." His cloak moves lightly thanks to his slowly swishing tail. "I am here to carve my name in the history of the world. And, I'd like to think, it starts with your group."
I for one am happy for help, however it is offered, the half elf states.
Gwendolyn, scrunches her face, in the most adorable way possible, and says, Well, alright then, Mister House Iados. Morgrym here has told me he and his friends are looking to rescue the dwarven princess. I can only assume they mean Princess Panglleduur, kidnapped from the King’s castle some two months hence. I owe my life to Morgrym and his companions, and so I will join them on this quest, until I can repay that debt. Come, follow me back into this secret chamber, I think there may be another prisoner beyond another secret door to the south
Gwendolyn will lead you through a secret door, you have to crawl through a tunnel that is five feet long and only four feet high, into a secret room that is ten feet wide, east to west, and twenty feet deep, north to south. The secret door is located in the east wall of the chamber that the party discovered the sleeping goblins in, and it is twenty five feet from the south wall. The secret door (and tunnel) leads into the secret room (at the northern most corner of the western wall of the secret room) where Gwendolyn was found. She identifies a second secret door in the south wall of this room, in the western most corner of that wall.
Day 3, Monday Evening, approximately 7:10 pm (turn 116, turn 4 of 6)
"Well now, looks like we are almost back up to fighting strength. I am Myna, the companies, ummm....specialist? Anyway, glad to have you aboard..we welcome the help!"
Follow the left hand side of the maze and see where it lands us? Maybe the first left then a right and so forth?
Aethorduil looks down the new corridor (b4) and motions the others to follow him.