//------------------------------//
// (20) Split the Party 
// Story: Canterlot High's D&D Club 
// by 4428Gamer 
//------------------------------//



Platick's POV
Bloody Caves







WITCH


I had to step back and crane my neck to see the entire message. Bugbears had long arms so Klarg had smeared blood almost up to the ceiling. And it, like the bloody footprints, was long dried by now. The amount of blood coupled with the sickening copper scent made  it hard to focus.

Should've killed him, I thought. Why did we just leave him here? What was she thinking? He was no use alive!




"Platick," Story called out, looking to AJ. "Make a perception check."

The girls, who by this point were entirely lost, turned to Applejack in mass confusion. Klarg's message, as well as most of the scene, was garbled for everyone else so they had no clue what was happening. So they were patiently waited for their turn only for AJ's face grow tense. That's when they started to worry.

"Is. Is he in here?"

Story shrugged.

"That ain't an answer." AJ glared but rolled her die anyway before taking a breath. "Twenty-one?"

Story nodded and let Applejack's fears set in for a few more moments. "The stream is flowing outside the room, so it's not deathly silent. However, as your senses go on full alert, you begin picking up another sound. Quiet at first but as you try and listen further you realize what it is. One. Two. Three footsteps, each slow moving and getting closer each—"

"Ah point mah sword straight at it," Applejack cut in, gripping her dice.




A quick gasp echoed into the chamber as Leanne brought up her dagger against my rapier, the two blades clashing as we stood still as statues.

I let out a heavy breath, and lowered my rapier somewhat. "What are you doing in here?"

"You think I'm gonna stand outside alone?" She gestured towards the cave's mouth. "You ran in here like a crazy person! What if there's an ambush outside?"

I thought it over for a moment while glancing at the bloodstains. "No...No, that won't happen," I convinced both of us. "This place is abandoned."

"Really? You're sure?" Leanne gave me a look.

"Yeah...Yeah. In fact, we're as safe as can be." I took a moment to put my rapier away and scoop the torch back up. "How long is it going to take for us to load your crossbows?"

"Depends on how big this place is. You said you moved all the weapons into the room you slept in?"

"So that any goblins coming back would have to fight through us to get 'em. There were crossbows and scimitars."

Leanne nodded slowly and tucked the dagger into her belt. "Good. If we get at least ten, I'll cut my loses and we'll leave." She rolled her pack off from around her shoulder and started digging into it feverishly.

I nodded along, reviewing scenarios in my head. Klarg has it in for us now but that wasn't too much of a concern. Only if he got reinforcements would it be a problem. The real issue would be if Klarg ran back to Deep Pit Keep to warn his friends.

Would he though? I thought. Klarg sold out his 'King' and was defeated by seven lucky idiots. His leader may not take kindly to that. He wouldn't lie about our strength either; he's the proud, stupid type. Not to mention he hates us. To talk us up would mean admitting we're better than him. So what does an injured, proud, moron do when he breaks out?

The more I played out Klarg's options, the more I calmed down.

"Calm down. Let's take our time with this," I told Leanne.

"Huh?" Leanne produced a torch from her bag and held it up to mine to light it faster. "How's come?"

"As I said, we're at our safest," I reminded her. "Nothing's coming back here. And we didn't make a full search of this place the first time. There's bound to be something we missed."

"And your frien..." She rethought her words thanks to my stare. "Your group, will be fine? You all seemed pretty set on getting a few things done today."

"Aside from one of them, I think they can keep their noses out of trouble for one day." After all, they were in a quiet village. What could possibly go wrong?






Stostine's POV
Back in Phandalin
One Hour Later






Houses began lifting free from the ground, the earth beneath them turning into melted butter as large balls of cloth inflated out whatever hearths or chimneys stemmed from their structures. Like hot air balloons reaching into the sky.

I had never seen one in real life; a hot-air balloon. No one has because they didn't exist. They were a concept still being looked into by tinkerers and inventors. However, here they were, reaching into the gelatinous red clouds, narrowly avoiding capture as they weaved and ducked away.

That's when I noticed one of their front doors opening. I watched in awe as this thin-framed hound poked his head out the door, waving at me as it barked heartedly. He seemed excited to go flying.

Then, to my right, I felt the earth rumble as the distant mountains began leaping in the air and spinning upside down, their foundations in the sky and their tops held the ground as though doing handstands. They teetered back and forth, not used to keeping their balance as they quacked like ducks.

Behind me, I looked through the windows of the building I was standing out of. It was an empty office with no light aside from the suns which were now both red with one circling around the other. But one of them weren't giving out sun rays anymore. Instead, long strands of hair reached down to the ground like a fairytale.

I pictured where I would end up if I climbed up to the sun. A burning land of fire sounded pretty accurate, but, then again, too obvious. Of course the sun's on fire. So what if it was a forest instead? A forest where the trees are made of solid light and the lakes are hot springs?

Hot springs? I chuckled. Wow, I really do want that bath, huh?

"Those hot springs are very pleasant this time of year," an attractive voice hummed beside me.

I rolled my eyes and smirked. "Come on. As much as I would love to believe that, you will no longer get me with silly stories."

They clicked of their tongue and leaned forward, part of their face falling into view their chin rested on their hand with their fingers curled against the front of their mouth. "A shame. What happened to that childish wonder you had? One would think seeing the world would expand it."

I smirked and watched as sixteen moles burst from the ground, each tearing out a blade of grass before using them to play a chorus of kazoos. Two of them were offkey but no one wanted to make them feel guilty. As for the remaining fourteen, their ensemble helped to further set the mood.

I glanced to my side but the voice leaned back in kind, keeping me from seeing anymore of them. Not that I was trying to see them. I knew how they behaved. "If this isn't childish wonder, than what is it?"

The voice chuckled. "Freedom. You should enjoy this more, Stostine. This is what you sought. And what you needed."

Without any source, a heavy creak of wood echoed across the area, making my mole musicians stop to look around as the mountains began to sink partway into the ground so that they weren't balanced so precariously. Simultaneously, a V-formation of trees flapping their branches passed by overhead, leaving behind a breeze that tasted like vanilla.

"Oh? Looks like he's finally here," the voice told me with a content sigh. "I believe you have a job to do."

I huffed and closed my eyes. "I guess. But. I miss this," I admitted. "We haven't spoken in a while."

"True," they admitted. "Although something tells me that may change."

I furrowed my brow. "Why? What's next?"

"Nope," they said in the tone of a beep. "You know how this works."

I sighed but smirked regardless. "Had to try. Still, thanks Tabbrius."

I could feel their joy. "Happy to visit."

With a stifled yawn, I opened my eyes and lifted my head to observe my surroundings. Everything was as it should be. The houses back on the ground, the mountains right-side up and stationary, no mole kazoos, and no spinning suns. Like every other time, my daydreaming had nothing to do with reality.

I was leaned up against the building for some time now, waiting for him to arrive. It was well past noon and still no sign of him. In contrast, the entire town was already up and moving before even I woke up.

But as I rounded the corner and looked through the window, I saw the form of a somewhat rotund man setting down a couple books on the only desk in the room. He took a moment to stare down at them with his back towards me before letting out a heavy breath as his shoulders slumped forward. Then he began taking his seat.

Perhaps he's a late riser, I assumed. I should introduce myself before he gets too deep into his work.

I took a second to straighten my robes and remove my hood before walking onto the porch of the building. There was no bench or any furniture out here which was why I was leaned up on the side of the building.

As I reached the door, I reread the notice that had been nailed to it:






REWARD
Cortássian Elves Spotted!

North of town, lurking along the mountain trail, is
the elven menace. They have assaulted numerous
travelers and townsfolk and must be stopped.

Those capable, please inquire within.
-Harbin Wester






I frowned at the paper. Despite the war having been over, there was still hatred for Cortás. And the kingdom of Cortás, in kind, hated everyone in return. Its borders were even closed off to foreigners after their heavy losses from the war. Cortássians themselves would freely come into Leodaav though.

Some did so to move away from Cortás and live peacefully in Leodaav's flourishing nation even though some citizens weren't as welcoming. Meanwhile, other elves would come for personal spite to do or act as they pleased. And thus the cycle continued.

 Adding 'elven menace' was not necessary, I concluded before opening the door to the Townmaster's Hall.

Past knowledge of politics told me townmasters were elected to run the town but there was a caveat to that. They were not elected by the towns. A council that lived elsewhere elected someone to be put in charge. This meant most townmasters were more than likely not from the towns they were in control of.

Villages like Phandalin had townmasters. Actual small towns had mayors, like my father. Although they were pretty small too. Cities were then run by governors, and then finally Agix, the capital, was controlled by the Queen and the Leodaavian Council.

In my experience, people generally disliked whoever was appointed for their town. They tended to make up rules that worked against the commonfolk because they didn't know how things really worked.

All that said, I kept an opened mind. I gathered every ounce of etiquette Father drilled into me and bore an expressionless face before pushing open the door.

Inside was basic furniture setup with a few bland decorations and nothing that proved the townmaster was a sentimental man. Everything was in its rightful place with no personality that made it obvious the townmaster didn't spend much time here.

As for the townmaster himself, his name was Harbin Wester. A middle-aged man that wore a vest that was tight against his rotund body and a well maintained face with spectacles. He had little hair on the top of his head and the thin shadow of a moustache as he glanced up from the papers on his desk. Wester didn't seem to mind the distraction from whatever the papers were upsetting him about.

"Good afternoon," he greeted plainly. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Yes, there is." I nodded before closing the door behind me. "My name is Stostine Swordhand. I arrived yesterday with a member of the Whiteblades ensuring a delivery's safety."

Wester didn't waste time processing those words before giving me his undivided attention. "I understand you are busy," I went on. "But I wanted to see if you could assist myself and my group with a few questions."

He took in a slow breath and let himself relax. He seemed tense when I told him who I was. "I suppose I could help." He told me. "I had just returned from speaking with their representative and another of your group now. You'll have to excuse my apprehension, but the woman with the bow was...quite rude."

I took in a breath and held it. Oh, Vareén, what did you do?

"I would like to apologize for anything she may have done on her behalf. You see, we had to deal with an organized group of monsters on the way here. It is actually what I am here to speak with you about."

"Sildar had said the same to excuse his...bodyguard," Wester told me. "He also explained the situation in full." I lightened up at that. Good. I won't have to go over everything then. "He told me that you learned of a location called 'Dark Pit Keep?'"

I nodded. "That was what the bugbear we had interrogated told us, yes."

He gave a hollow chuckle. "Well, while I appreciate your understanding compared to that of your compatriot, Ms. Stostine, there are no landmarks near here by that name. To my knowledge, at least."

"I expected as much. Those monsters more than likely came up with that name themselves. Due to that, do you by chance have a record of nearby landmarks we could search through?" I folded my arms into my sleeves. "If we can get a list of promising locations in the area, we could cross-reference them to find what may match that name."

He scoffed lightly, his professionalism slipping somewhat. "I'm sorry, but I hardly see how that would help. For all we know, they could have come up with that name for a hole in the ground."

"Possibly, but I fail to see how it would hurt." I frowned. I looked over at the bookshelves. There were only about seven or so books plus the few he had brought in with him now. They had to be records of some sort. "It would not take us long either. Possibly a day at the most."

"A day of thumbing through my only pages?" He was skeptical. "I am sorry, but those records are in my possession for a reason, you see. They are not intended for anyone to come in and peruse when they may see fit. I'm afraid I will have to decline."

What? "Townmaster Wester, with all due respect, I do not see any reason for that," I pressed. Then I watched him roll his jaw. "A man has been kidnapped by an organized faction of monsters. The very same monsters that we have proof of patrolling your town! Do you honestly believe that the safety of innocents is a lesser priority than letting us use those books for their intended purpose?"

He took a quiet breath and nodded. "I do. You see." He got up from his chair and walked around to the side of his desk. He was half a foot taller than me as he looked down at me as best he could. "I am aware of those patrols. A few prospectors have sighted them now and then. However, they do not currently appear to be doing anything. Nor have they for the last month."

My mouth fell open for a moment. "Wait. You knew about them? And you've done nothing about it?"

He chuckled hotly. "I don't know where you come from, Stostine, but this is a growing frontier village. We are as far from any major city as one could conceivably be. Do you think we have the manpower, resources, or moreover the funds to mount up an attack against every threat against us?"

"That is why we are here," I repeated. "My group has the ability. We do not require any funds. All we need is information that you already possess. We can take care of this problem for you. Without cost."

Again, he shook his head. "That may be but I am not about to take any chances. How am I supposed to trust that your group will not simply destroy my records? Or, let's say you do go after those goblins. What then? What if they get aggravated and decide, rather than patrol the town, to attack the town?"

"Then we help," I told him. "It is not as though we are the only thing that can aggravate them. What if other travelers happen across their hideout and attack? Then they're aggravated anyway! That line of reasoning is flawed. If something happens, we can be here to help!"

"But will you?" He challenged. "What guild are you with?"

My retort died in my throat. "I'm. I'm sorry?"

"You are not with an adventuring guild," he stated, folding his arms. "With a guild, one could hold you responsible. Without that, all I have is the word of some girl and her elves."

I felt something in my brain crack. "What did you just say?"

"Those elves," he repeated without any guilt. "If you haven't noticed, they're been making the townsfolk anxious. Especially the one with the vines."

"That one is my friend," I told him through gritted teeth. "And we haven't heard anything from the townsfolk. Not about her at least."

He gave me a tense glare. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"From what I've heard, from several people, you seem to have a bit of a bandit problem."

He gave a snort. "It is not a problem."

"They're forcing shops to pay protection money," I spat venomously. "That is a high crime of Leodaav!"

"I have no idea what you're talking about," he assured before sticking his nose in the air. "There is no such extortion here. Only light haggling. Perhaps those shops should grow some thicker skin."

Both my hands went ablaze, startling the fat pig in a start.




"Insight check," Sunset ordered, already rolling her dice before Story could say yes. Then she growled under her breath. "Eight."

Story gave her a second to calm down, as well as Rarity and Applejack who were getting equally upset, before rolling a die of his own.

"...You stare him down as he eyes your flames in a panic," Story narrated. "But from that anger, it's hard to focus. You're not sure if he's denying you because he's condescending, because he knows something, or simply that he dislikes you. But as you keep trying to read him, the townmaster digs up some thin amount of bravery to look away from your flames."




"Get out!" He shouted as my fists tightened in the fire. "You were guarding a delivery, yes? Then I believe your job is done. Perhaps you and your elves should move on."

"Me and my el—I mean, my friends, are not going anywhere!" I told him. "Like I said, someone's been kidnapped! And you don't seem to care!"

"It sounds to me that he wasn't properly guarded," Wester fired back. "Are you going to make us responsible for that as well?"

The flames threatened to burn into the cuffs of my sleeves as I was this close to making a mistake. "Well! I guess that means we're staying to fix both ours and this town's problems then."

He glanced down at the flames again and caught a second bout of anxiety. "Wh-What do you mean by that?"

"You say there's no bandits? That these Redflans aren't a nuisance of their own?" I flicked my wrists, sending harmless embers into his floorboards as the flames doused. "I know what commonfolk think of leaders like you. They hate hearing you and your type lie. So I'm going to personally see to it that you didn't just lie to me. We'll be taking care of them. Free of charge."

I turned on my heel and started out the door.

"N-No! I can't let you do that!"

What'd this blob just say to me?

With my back to him I cast Prestigitation across my face before whipping my face around to him. He saw a very furious woman staring at him with veins of blue light grow across my face as my eyes lit up in dominating white; like beacons.




The girls, again, couldn't understand the scene through the garbling, but easily read the light fury on Sunset's face. To her, this was starting to remind her of times she sat in on Princess Celestia holding court with Canterlot nobles. She didn't like their better-than you attitudes, even if they were semi-subdued for the princess. But she definitely hated it when it was targeted at her.

"Make me...an intimidation check," Story told her, making Sunset approve of the idea. "Make it advantage."

"Why, from the spell?"

"No." Story left it at that, leaving Sunset to her imagination as she rolled two dice.

When the dice came to a stop, the higher of the two only came to a ten which made Sunset grimace again. "A fourteen."




The townmaster withdrew from me folding the hand he tried reaching to me with under the other as his expression dropped further in fear. "Please! I assure you, they are of no concern. You're not going to help anything by doing this!"

"But you are not helping at all," I told him plainly. "The only reason they're getting away with extortion is because we're not near the capital. There's no guard to evaluate anything but the reports you deliver them. All lies, probably."

"What. Wh-What gain would I have from that?!" He tried challenging me. "I gain nothing from lying about extortion! Feel free to look into my own affairs. My lifestyle! I've nothing to hide! I have no private savings of my own. I get nothing from them!"

"Then why are you protecting them?" I let the magic fade. My scowl was good enough now. "I've heard situations like this. If you turned them in, Agix may give you a bonus. They might give you a bonus for reporting nothing! What do you lose?!"

Wester gave a shaking breath and stormed back to his desk. "Unless you want to know the answer to that personally, I advise you leave town. Soon, if possible!"

I turned up my nose. "Is that a threat?"

"No...A warning." He lowered himself into his seat and fixed his shirt as a trembling hand reached for one of the papers beside him. "They seem like common thugs at first. They're not. They're worse. Especially to outsiders."

I sneered. "Sounds familiar. Maybe you're a member."

This time I made it past the door, slamming it behind me. It earned the attention of a few passersby as I stood there, breathing heavily. That interaction took a lot out of me. I felt weak.

Why? Why's he doing this?! I took my time getting down the two steps leading up to his porch and slowly walked towards the inn. Ricven said he'd be there all day and Vareén was too more than likely. I should tell them what happened.

Maybe apologize for saying we'll deal with the bandits too. I brushed my hair out of my face as I walked. I even told them I wouldn't make any promises. Now Platick actually has a reason to hate me. It's what I get for letting my emotions get the better of me.






Thorn Wielder's POV
Outside Phandalin
Meanwhile






It had been about seven or eight hours since I left the inn. During the start of that time, I watched the people of this town. Sometimes as a cat and other times as squirrels or dogs. There was one time I tried disguising myself as this odd, plump white-feathered bird that lacked the strength to fly. I think the people called it a 'check-in?'

Apparently, the people do not like check-ins walking where they pleased. When I began leaving the pin I saw these creatures residing, a human screamed at his child to catch me. That's how I learned the hard way check-ins do not fly well. That, or my powers weren't strong enough. Even back in my forest I could never become something with the power of flight.

For ten minutes that child chased me, convincing other children to help as we ran. But I got away. I ducked past people and into a few crawlspaces until I was outside town where I could revert back to myself and rest.

Since then I decided to do the other thing that was asked of me; find signs of the Infestation. Since then, I began shifting into a wolf to resume my hunt. Or rather, tried.

After hours of tracking, I only found dead ends. Old footprints, broken camps and, unfortunately, two more wolves killed and left rotting as only some of their meat was used. Their bodies were wasted. That made me angrier.

That last discovery was an hour and a half ago. Since then, I found nothing. Smaller animals evaded my form and the one other wolf I met wanted me away from his hunting grounds. None of them could or were willing to give me aid.

But there was one thing I discovered.

Not far from town, about five minutes away from the nearest farm if you knew the trail, was a large wooden structure atop a hill with a cliff's edge. It was elven in design, meaning it was constructed in a way that avoided altering the land. Humans didn't do this. They built homes as they pleased, flattening the earth and chopping large trees.

Elven homes were unique because of their design and it forced them to take care of the land. I suppose that was the reason I liked their homes. Then again, the homes humans constructed seemed more humble. They also felt more comfortable. What structures do I like better, I imagined.

The structure, some sort of hunter home once, was long and had three stone pillars poking through the roof to hold it up. Then, built into the side of the structure were once beautifully carved wooden doors that had rotted over time.

The doors were also left ajar as I approached. I took moved silently towards them, taking care to move around a snare trap left behind, and then stuck my head inside.

There was much to look at. The majority of the structure was a large open space with heavy wooden tables lined up along the center. They were once beautiful but now poorly managed. The chairs around them, in contrast, were of all sorts of designs and sizes as four of them were being used by humans that were gathered together as they held small pieces of paper in their hands.

"Alright." One of them, a female with long brown hair, looked between the others. "Time to show. What'cha got?"

The other three, two males and another female, each had unique reactions as they started placing the small papers on the table.

"Pair a' sixes."
"Three kind. Tens."
"Flllll-ush!"

That last voice sounded particularly happy while the other three groaned or grumbled something in a low fury. That last voice, belonging to a shorter man with curly hair, started pulling a small pile of coins together. "Sorry y'all. Better luck next time."

"Shove it Glenn," one of the females told him.

Shove? I leaned my head to the side. Shove what?

"Hey!" A distant fifth voice called out as I decided to sit down at the doorway as I listened. "Anyone up there?!"

"Four of us," One of the quartet shouted back towards a part of the structure beyond them. From where I was I made out a staircase leading down into the earth. "What you want Sten?!"

After a few seconds I watched 'Sten,' a Dwarf, walk into the room. "Trying to find where everyone else went. Was gonna try hunting some meat in the forest and noticed most of the crossbows are missing. There something I don't know about?"

"Oh yeah, that." The short curly-haired man sat up. "Anbera and Tristen decided to scare off the travelers. They brought a guy with a broken leg so some of the others think they might be sticking around. Boss don't like that."

The Dwarf flinched abruptly. "You're kidding! How's come no one told me?! I want in on this!"

"Some of their group already left town," another human told him. "Some guy left with the Griffonbound lady and the freaky elf's been missing since last night. Probably went dancing in the woods or something."

Or something, I repeated in my mind.

"Either way, it's too late now Sten," one of the females told him. "By the time you throw some armor on and run down there, they'll have already dealt with 'em. They left like five minutes ago."

Five minutes. I stepped back until I was fully outside again. Structure five minutes from town...As person, I imagined, glancing down at my four legs.




Fluttershy looked around at the others, a bundle of nerves. None of the others were reacting to anything her or Story were saying. If it was anything like the garbling Fluttershy heard from Applejack or Sunset's scenes, they were probably just pretending to listen.

I don't think I can ask them for help. Fluttershy bit her lip. What do I do? Um. Well, Sunset said we had to act like our characters. So...Then what would Thorn Wielder do?

Fluttershy started to notice the looks that the girls and Story were giving her. Story was letting her take her time to decide but the girls had no idea what was going on.

R-Right. She shuffled in her seat for a moment. Well. Thorn Wielder would be brave. She would want to fight the goblins. But what about the bad people? Well, Sten said he would go hunting, but...no. He wanted to hunt for a good reason. Thorn Wielder's okay with that.

So if there's no goblins and she doesn't want to attack the bandits, maybe go find the others? She knows the bandits are after them. She doesn't want Glemerr to get hurt. Or Ravathyra. And if they might get hurt, then...She would leave!

"I. I-I want to go back to town," Fluttershy told Story anxiously. "Uh. Please?"

Story nodded. "That sounds fine. But first, could you roll me one more perception check? Since you're a wolf, you have advantage."

Fluttershy took a breath of relief, happy to oblige if it meant getting away from this. readily rolled the same die twice and looked at the magic writing that appeared beside it. That writing, plus her character sheet, all changed when she had Thorn Wielder become a wolf. It was easier for her to follow along that way too.

To Story, he simply thought Fluttershy had memorized it all. She did love animals, after all. Maybe playing as one was lethargic for her?

"Eighteen," Fluttershy announced as her die gave a flash of light, proving her success.




I leapt over the snare and took off down the trail before cutting through the trees and down a steeper part of the hills. It took five minutes walking down the path but going down the hill, on all fours? I could beat them.

People may fear a wolf running by but that did not matter. Together, we can defeat the Infestation. I could not do that as I was now. If others are lost, we not fight Infestation. Must warn.

At one point, part of the earth broke out from under me and I was forced to slide down some slick grass. It was unexpected but after finally reaching the bottom it got me further down the hill faster than I expected. Even if I was a little further from the path than I expected, it was a simple run from here on out. 

Maybe two minutes now, I thought. Those hunters probably just reached town. Good. I know where others are. I can make—

"HELP! SOMEONE HELP!"

My ears flattened against my head. That scream was shrill and young. Child, I thought. Was he out here looking for me? There were a lot of children chasing me when I was a check-in.

Then, from the same direction, I heard a heavy roar. One full of wrath. It didn't belong to a wolf or any sort of animal I knew of yet it seemed familiar. The same kind of roar I heard from the caves. From the bugbear.

"Get back here!" The voice demanded before the child let out a another scream of terror.

Infestation, I imagined. Bugbear. Bugbear hunt child!

I slid to a stop and turned around. The child was opposite of the town but near. I could save the child but those hunters would reach the others. But if I warn others, no one was here for the child.

What do I do? I looked back and forth, both options closing themselves off. What do I do?






3rd Person POV
Game Room






Fluttershy's relief of getting back to town folded into crisis as she held the sides of her head in her hands, clumps of pink hair clutched between her fingers. It was taking a lot not to fall into a panic attack.

Oh I wish you girls could hear this, Fluttershy desired. What do I do? What do I do? What. What does Thorn Wielder do?!

With the seemingly random tricks and magic the game gave so far, Fluttershy hoped the game would just give her an answer. Or maybe Thorn Wielder could simply tell her what to do. If Rainbow said that Thorn could talk and move on her own, then was that too hard to believe?

Wait. Maybe... Fluttershy turned to Rainbow Dash. Maybe I can?

"Uh, excuse me. Rainbow Dash? Could I see the, um, the. The lucky die?"

"Huh? Oh, ohhh," Rainbow hummed, catching on. "Y-Yeah, sure. Here."

When Rainbow passed it over, the die's appearance went from storm cloud to spikey seed pod as Fluttershy took it in her hand. Rainbow, like the others, couldn't hear the scene so she had no idea why Fluttershy wanted it.

Fluttershy turned the die over in her hand, considering it for a second. Okay, she thought. Well, if it's magic, maybe it can tell me. So. I guess...Ten or higher I stop the bugbear, less than ten I help my friends.

After another moment, Fluttershy meekly let the pod roll out of her hands and onto the table, only for the die to not even roll. Instead, it slid a few inches against the surface, refusing to even humor the idea.


Child in danger.


A voice strikingly familiar to Fluttershy echoed in her mind. One that filled the girl with worry as her eyes shot open wide.


Infestation. Hunt Infestation.


The next time, it was a foreign hatred. One that Fluttershy tapped into herself.



Others many. Child one.
Bandits no matter.
Infestation harm forest.
I still weak. I one.
Group many.
Child no fight. Child weaker.
Infestation hunt weak.
I weak but...hunt.
Hunt.
Hunt.
Hunt Infestation!



Each thought held an emotion that fueled Fluttershy with emotions that were coming out of nowhere. The bombardment of ideas frightened her. Although, this is what she wanted. Wasn't it?

It didn't even matter what the die landed on, or that only Fluttershy could see the die acting strangely. The answer was obvious to her now.

"I. I fight Infestation," Fluttershy told Story, speaking as Thorn Wielder as much as her timid nature allowed her at that moment.





Ravathyra's POV
Outside of Town (Northern Mines)
Meanwhile





With a content sigh, I crashed on top of a fallen log and felt my feet cry tears of joy. Seven mines. There were seven mines in all that wanted me to give them Ceremonies. And I delivered each and every time. I knew how the Ceremony of Ulaa worked before but I had never gotten it to work until today.

Not only that but with how strong the spell had gone each time, I was starting to get worried. Not to brag on my own well-doings but I wasn't sure if the Miner's Exchange could keep up with paying out all the silver those miners were about to start finding.

Hopefully, the directors were going to plan around that as they push everyone to do their best. And with how tight-knit those miners were, I wouldn't doubt they'd find the rhythm to do it. More than once I heard them talking about how they wanted to get back to town to have a few rounds since they were in high spirits.

Unfortunately, that's when that positivity would shrivel up and they'd get sullen and mope.

Apparently, it used to be that the families hung around the inn like a town hall while the people working in the fields and mines would drink themselves ragged at the Sleeping Giant. But, like the barmaid told us last night, that pub was well and lost now.

The local thugs appropriated it and the bartender inside didn't seem to care either way. The miners say that since those Dullbrands pay handsomely for their drinks, the owner won't dare kick them out. Even if the money they're using is pilfered out of good people's hands.

I scowled out at the fields as I let my legs rest. Maybe we should go introduce ourselves after all, I thought. I know Stostine's interested. Maybe Glemerr too. If we can get one more in on the plan, I'd be comfortable starting a heated row.

Then I shook my head. No. Hold it Rava, I told myself. As much as those thugs need a stern talking to, you've gotta put your priorities right. The town's been dealing with those jerks for over a month it seems. Gundren's got a week. Help those that need it most then work your way up.

I folded my gauntleted hands together and ran over everything in my mind. Gundren, the Redblands, old watchtower zombies. There was a lot more work out here than I first envisioned. I thought I would have trouble finding problems to solve, not finding myself with a heap of trouble. What was the best way to help everyone?

A short span of time passed as I contemplated before a low whistle ring out from my left. "Ya know. That armor's pretty shiny fer a lass comin' outta the mines."

Hearing the Dwarven dialect, I turned to see a trio of people approaching me; two human males and a Dwarven woman between them. Each were armed in worn leather armor with pristine crossbows and beat up shortswords missing their sheaths. Not only that, each of them were wrapped up in these grungy red cloaks.

Bet all the silver powder in my pockets I know who they are. I kept my expression pleasant for the moment.

"Tell me," the Dwarf went on, the lads letting her do the talking. "What's someone with that getup doin' in our borin' home?"

I decided to take that as a compliment and gave her a welcoming smile. "Ah, jus' passin' through fer the momen'! Gotta admit, Ah'm pretty jealous a' ya. Ya get ta see this gorgeous sky ev'ry day! Us folk down in Cragen ain't as lucky."

She hummed with a devilish grin. "Oh. A city lass, are ya? Hope ya ain't expectin' us ta meet any lofty standards. We don't have the kind a' luxuries ya probably expect. Perhaps you'd wanna try elsewhere?"

"Funny, that. It's all the better if ya ask me!" My smile doubled as she rolled her eyes. "Ah wanted ta see what places outside of that ol' cavern are like! Luxuries would only make it feel too much like the same. Ya get me?"

"Oh yeah. I get'cha," she said neutrally. By this point I discovered the freckles dancing across her face as she spoke. They looked beautiful on her. Too bad that ugly cloak distracted from them. "Well, if ya'd like, we can give ya a tour a' the place. You'll see what ya need to an' then yer on yer way."

"On mah way?" I snickered. "Ya tryin' ta get rid a' me?" I leaned foward a bit. Not that it mattered seeing as how I was fifteen-ish feet away. "Is it me accen'? Ya know, folks err always tellin' me Ah got a strong tone in me throat. Makes it an ache fer 'em ta keep up."

I watched her smirk for a moment before one of the guys, a human built like a brick wall, stepped forward. "Alright, look," he started. Uh oh. Subtlety's over. "You and your group need to move on. You're not welcome here."

"Ya know, ye're righ'." I took the chance to stand up and rested my hands on my hips. One purposefully resting on my warhammer. "Ah guess that is one complaint Ah got about the town. Yer welcomin' committee seems a might bit out a' practice. But! Ah see ye're correctin' that 'ere. Betta late than neva' Ah s'pose! Thank ya kindly mista'."

The man gave me a long poor-tempered look before drawing the sword out from his belt loop. "Can we just kill her and be done?"

I rolled my eyes. "Ah, come on fella. If ye're gonna mug a sweet, charmin' lass, the least ya can do is make this a smidge interestin' fer the rest of us!"

"I wouldn't waste yer breath," the woman replied in Dwarven. "Ralf's new ta this. Doesn't know how ta keep it goin'."

"Yeah, Ah figured," I admitted, speaking in the same language. "He shoulda jus' kept quiet. He was much more intimidatin' that way."

The two of us had a short laugh before she brought out her crossbow. I settled for the good old hammer and shield combo. All while Ralf over here just growled. "Alright, enough a' that," she told me in Common so the guys could follow along. "A real shame but I'm gonna have ta ask you an' yer kin move on. Oh, and strip the armor."

I smiled like a doofus. "Not even gonna take me ta dinner first? Well, sad ta say, yer gonna have ta work fer it."

"Why couldn't I help kill the outsiders at the inn?" Ralf muttered under his...Wait, what?!

"Others?!" I felt my gauntlet grind against the handle of my hammer. "What is this?"

"Did we not mention?" The Dwarf gave me a sick grin. "We got another group roughin' up that gnome an' the archer at the inn. Oh, but don' worry! We're only keepin' the gnome fer ourselves. Bar's been too quiet lately."

Alright. Nice Rava's checked out. Never thought Mean Rava would be stepping up to the plate twice in one week.





Vareén's POV
Stonehill Inn
Meanwhile





The entrance to the inn was thrown open, slamming against the wall as a thin growl and a heavy breath erupted from the culprit.

"Why if it ain't Miss Stostine," Ricven cheered as he let his illusions play a few simple notes for background music. "Good afternoon darlin'! What's got you so up in a dizzy?"

"Tizzy," Stostine corrected through her breathing.

"Nah, I know what I said," Ricven defended. "Ya look ready ta pass out."

"Thanks." The door was slammed shut.

The both of them were in the taproom of the inn but I wasn't. Instead, I was in Sildar's room, leaned up against the wall beside the door and across from Sildar's bed. Like Platick suggested, I had been shadowing him all day and aside from 'convincing' the pompous townmaster to see Sildar, I hadn't left the inn.

Even when Glemerr woke me up at the crack of dawn to work on training, we only practiced in the yard beside the inn. I was sore for the rest of the morning because of how foreign the exercise was, but...admittedly, I think it might've helped. Still didn't have the move down yet though.

Sildar sat up from his bed to stare at the closed door. "She sounds upset. I take it she met the townmaster?"

I scoffed. "Not surprised. Guy was sneering at me half the time."

"Vareén," he leveled with me. "You forced him to meet me. That wasn't easy to smooth over, you know."

I settled into my spot and nodded along. It was a good thing Sildar still had his guild badge with him, otherwise it would have taken longer.

"Elsa," I heard Stostine call out from the taproom. The door into Sildar's room was closed so all we could do was listen in. "Could I have some ale please?"

"Not tea?" Elsa's voice answered. "That bad huh? Comin' right up."

Willing to bet she couldn't get anything from him either, I determined. That makes three of us now. None of the townsfolk knew anything about that Dark Pit Keep and aside from the stray goblin sighting, which might have been normal around these parts, there was nothing newsworthy either.

But what there was news about was that same lousy 'gang.' For the few times I sat around the taproom, passing townsfolk kept trying to pitch me the idea. Ricven thought it was my attitude, so rather than change it I just came back in here.

Would be nice if one of the others found something, I dreamed. Shouldn't hold my breath though.

When Sildar saw the look on my face from under my hood, he leaned back against the headboard of his bed. "What do you think you'll do now?"

"Good question." Assuming Thorn and Platick don't ditch us, I figured we would compare notes. If no one finds anything, we'll probably hunt the patrols tomorrow. Still, we had ten days to find Gundren when we left the cave. After today, we'll be down to eight.

I heard the front door open again before a few pairs of shoes stepped onto the floorboards. They sounded heavy. Miners maybe?

But as I wondered, I heard the accompaniment of Ricven's song turn more quiet as his violin stopped playing. That's different.

"What are you doing here?" I heard the owner, Stonehill, ask. He didn't sound pleased.

A new voice chuckled. "That's pretty rude. Is that how you talk to all your patrons?"

"You're not patrons. Get out."

"Aww, come on," a second voice cooed as a set of footprints walked further into the taproom. I think they were approaching the bar because they passed Sildar's door. "You don't have to be rude about all this. I mean, I know people don't get along with us, but it's not like we're doing anything wrong."

"Tell that to Thel," One patron muttered.

"Who said that?" A third voice, a female one, demanded. When there was no response, she kept going. "Come on, who was it? I didn't quite hear—" skkreEEEEEEEEEKKKKK!

A sharp screech cut across the room, making even me shake my head. It didn't help that Ricven had his illusions copying the horrible sound.

"Oops! So sorry," Ricven said pleasantly. "I've been practicin' this one numbah, ya see. Only a handful a' notes but it's a beautiful tune when done right."

"Is that so?" The first one asked. "Well, good to hear. Because we came here personally to invite you to play at our bar. Call it a new venue. What do ya say?"

"Heh. Already bein' promoted, am I? How kind of ya."

"Oh. That for me?" "Huh?! Hey, you can't just ta—" "Thanks!" The voice ignored Elsa's objections as his laughter went quiet for a moment before he let out a satisfied sigh. "Not bad. The Giant's got better drinks though."

"Then go there." Stonehill tried to sound stern. "I'm sure Grista doesn't care."

"Maybe that's what makes her the better bartender," the same voice responded.

"That was my drink."

It was faint from my perspective, but undoubtedly Stostine's voice.

"...Huh." I heard a couple of steps walking away from Sildar's door. "You're one of the travelers like your gnome friend over there."

I watched as Sildar reached behind the headboard and carefully pulled out a rusty shortsword. It was Platick's old one before he replaced it at the shop. Then he locked eyes with me and nodded to the door.

Right. I took the hint and crept up in front of the door with my hand on my own shortsword. I bought it from the store for myself after failing to hit anything with my old hatchet.

"Wait. You're the hooded girl?" The voice asked Stostine, suspicious. "You don't look like much of a fighter. Or an archer. Where's your bow?"

Must be wearing her hood up. They think she's me. That made me tense up. They knew who Ricven and I were. And there were three voices. All probably from the Redbrands. This wasn't them strong arming the innkeeper. They're here for us.

"Do not need it," Stostine told them. "Although, with the size of this room? A bow is not a bad weapon of choice."

Why would she say...Clever girl. I let go of the sword's hilt and brought out my bow before taking hold of the doorknob.

"Sucks to be you then." The voice didn't care. "Look. Like my friend said, we're reasonable. We just don't like outsiders. Especially the shifty kind that brings in elves."

Keep talking. I turned the doorknob as far as it would go and pulled. The door opened inward and, thankfully, didn't creek.

I stopped after a few inches and peeked out to get a look at the room. There were five innocents; three patrons, Elsa, and Stonehill. Just left of my door was the table Ricven stood on top of with one of the patrons shuffling closer in worry.

Then, the thugs. Each of them wore dark red cloaks and they were across the taproom. One was blocking the door close to Ricven, another was in the middle of the room downing a tankard of ale with a despaired Elsa left to watch, and the third was seated across the table from Stostine at the same table we used last night.

That table was about fifty feet away and a straight shot from my door. No civilians in my way either as the other two were still seated away from everyone else. Bow's not a bad weapon of choice at all.

"We are the shifty ones?" Stostine challenged after locking eyes with me for a moment before leaning her elbows on the table. "You are the ones making everyone nervous. One would say you are worse than us."

The man at Stostine's table let out a dry laugh. "For someone without a weapon, you sound pretty full of yourself."

Stostine leaned forward. "We will give you one chance. Leave. Or if you want a fight so badly, we will be happy to oblige outside."

I could see his cocky smirk from behind him. "Ya hear that guys? She's gonna let us walk away while we can."

"Sounds like she stole our line," the cloaked woman at the door grumbled.

"Maybe ya shoulda been quicker ta say it," Ricven replied as he started tuning his violin. "But I'd listen ta the lady if I were you. She's a fire when she's mad."

"Not now," Stostine corrected him. "I would prefer not to burn the inn."

"Ice then?" Ricven offered.

"Exactly."

The guy let out a roar and threw away the table standing between him and Stostine before pulling out his blade halfway. "This is our town. Not yours and not some guild's!"

The patrons at the table tried getting up to leave but the guy that stole a tankard from Elsa shoved one back in his seat before glaring at the other to follow suit. They were trapped in here with us.

"I..." Stonehill swallowed his fear. "I told you leave. You're not welcome here!"

"You sure about that?" The same bandit stared Stonehill down before dumping out the contents of a tankard on the guy he was holding down and walked partway to the bar. Stonehill took a few steps back. "You know what happened to the last guy that said that, right?"

"Mr. Stonehill," Stostine abruptly asked. "Would you like me and my friends to take care of this? I cannot insure the room will stay clean but I can promise these Sweatglands will be gone."

"The name's Redbrands, girly."

"I know what I said."

Stonehill took a deep breath and summoned his courage as all eyes rested fell on him. "...By all means. Please."

"Thank you." Stostine gave him a small bow and held up her fingers dramatically. "Then, if my friend would be so inclined." She locked eyes with me.

The bandit closest to her drew his sword fully. "I'd like to see you—"

Stostine snapped her fingers and my arrow sailed across the room, sinking into the man's shoulder as he started screaming. Every Redbrand turned to see me standing in the doorway before drawing their own swords for one bloody barfight.