"So what was that all about?" Inquisitive as ever [a maddening habit everyone had to learn to live with, while thinking Sera a saint of patience] Jordan poked Violet gently.
"What was what all about? To what do you refer, this time?"
"Back there. With Reithann- she held you back. What's up with that?"
Violet wasn't sure how to answer that. On one hand, she really didn't want to discuss what happened- for doing as such would invite all sorts of unwanted questions. On the other, silence really wasn't an option; he deserved some kind of an answer. Before she responded, though, Sera whacked Jordan with their board upside the head- with some force, since Jordan was dense- then held it up at his sudden shout of protest and expression of disbelief.
"It's obvious whatever they discussed is private! Don't put her in that position, damn it."
"Alright, alright, fine... Jeez. Sorry." Rubbing his head, he scowled at Sera- who merely proceeded to shrug. Pulling him away, Violet was grateful for the interception.
~
Loreli bid them all farewell at the edge of the trees, with warm wishes and good fortune in their travels ahead. Beyond the treeline, golden-brown tones of a steppes-style clearing contrasted the deep gray stone fortress, both set against vivid azure sky. Closing in on the fortress, Thorin nodded in approval- he knew dwarven stone work, and found it here in solid quality. It helped he recognized the place. Tor's Hold- a beautiful group of steads, run by Tor's children; Old Tor had been dead for some time. Surprisingly as they group approached, they saw the gate firmly locked. For mid-day, this was unusual… Coming close, they saw the guards of the wall watching them- only to quickly step aside, giving way for a new dwarf. Raven-deep hair flowed freely, while the braided beard hung long and glorious. Where the others wore leather and padded cloth in browns and forest greens, this man sported emerald green- accented with gold. Curiosity etched his face, as he looked down to the group of six approaching- thankful they stopped a respectful distance away.
"Hail and well met, travellers- welcome to Tor's Hold. I am Bron Torsson, the Elder of this place. Who might you be- and how can we be of assistance?"
Thorin stepped forward, looking up at Bron. "Hail, Bron- I am Thorin, and these are my fellow adventurers. The lizard-folk is Silver, while the Goatman is Asriel. The genasi beside us are Sera and Jordan. And the hin off to the side is Violet." Each waved at the mention of their name. ”We were directed here, by Reithann from the Sacred Grove- she mentioned you could be of assistance, in an upcoming conflict with these Iron Ring slavers. Right trouble, they are."
"You have that correct, Thorin- they've been wreaking havoc, and causing terror. However, Reithann was misguided. Unfortunately, we've troubles of our own..."
As Thorin and Bron were talking, with the others trying to convince them to help, there was a sudden shout from above- something about a young girl, wandering where it's not safe...? Violet felt a tug on her arm. Looking down with a raised eyebrow, she saw a very young Hin girl peering up at her. Very cute, a little thing with pretty pale brown eyes. Everyone else turned to look- just as surprised. Violet crouched down to meet her gaze- amber meeting amethyst.
"Are you a yallarie?" The girl studied Violet intently.
"Yes, I am, little one- is there something I can help you with?"
"My big bruther's gone. We were playin' with our slings, and... These ugly, slimy things took him, and ran away- to a nearby dark cave. Can you find him?"
"I will do my best. Where is home for you?"
"On the river." Pointing back toward the path they came from, Violet nodded.
"Alright. You go home, and we'll find your brother. Okay?" The young Hin girl nodded, toddling off down the path they walked. Getting up again, she faced the rest of the group- and gave a shrug, wide-eyed in startlement. "Right, sorry about that- what's going on with the Hold?"
"Bullywugs are coming in from nearby. Forcing the residents to take a defensive stance here in the Hold. Several people have recently gone missing."
"Where did that young girl come from?" Silver's perplexion encompassed the group sentiment, at the unexpected turn of events.
"Um… From where we're going, by the sounds of things. Her brother was kidnapped by ‘ugly, slimy things’- my guess is they're one and the same. Time's essential, for multiple reasons. So we should get a move on."
"Looks like we'll set off immediately. Should we encounter the missing residents, we'll accompany them back." Turning back to Bron, Thorin hoisted his hammer. "Either way, consider this problem sorted- we'll be back soon enough."
"Looks like it. Safe travels, adventurers. And may we see you before sundown."
~
The group of adventurers trudged along down the path, heading west to where Bron and the young girl directed them. Toadswallow, the residence of the bullywugs. As they walked, they discussed tactics- Sera and Violet would scout ahead, then report back to the others, travelling forward in stages. When they encountered trouble- as they naturally would- the scouters would fall back with Jordan, letting the Shield Wall [as they decided to call themselves] take front and centre. The hard-hitters would hang back, engaging in ranged combat, while the others took the hits.
Diving into the darkness, the first part of the cave was silent- almost too silent. Rounding the bend, a refashioned dragon's skull in a distant corner of the cave held several dwarves imprisoned within. While Sera fell back to bring the group forward, Violet skulked closer- and saw the bullywugs with their pet frogs. The moment everyone got close enough, a surprise attack was executed. Dodging the bullywugs' attempts to crush everyone and the frogs trying to eat them, Silver repeatedly was pulled away and knocked down. But after a minute or two, the party was covered in slime- and surrounded by the stench of the exploded bodies. Violet came over, picking the cell's lock with ease. She opened the door- but they remained where they were, frightened. Asriel joined her, addressing the group.
"We're here.... to help. Once it's safe- we will take you back… To Tor’s Hold." Asriel's presence seemed to have a calming effect. The group agreed to remain in place for the moment.
Rejoining the others, Sera was looking around- they frowned, scribbling furiously on their chalkboard. ”Nothing here, this is the end of the cave system... But that makes no sense."
"There should be something else here- like where they raise their young."
"You're right. But we should return those we have found, before sundown."
"Sera, you know well as I that I'm not leaving- I told that young girl I'd find her brother, and I will. Should you wish to return, I’m not going to stop you."
"...Except we need your talents." Thorin cut into the semi-silent conversation. "I know you made a promise, and you're right. Look, why don't we check the exterior of the cave- maybe there's something out there."
"Silver and I... will wait with the dwarves. Anyone who wants to help us, can. Else, join... Violet, in looking. Time is short."
With a resigned sigh, Violet nodded. Just as the group turned to retreat, all of them heard a sound from the wall. Croaking. Looking at the walls once more, it appeared. A crack hidden in shadow, where the sound travelled through. Squeezing through, it opened into a secondary hidden cavern. Within this cavern, a stream ran through- making it much damper and slimier inside. A small group of bullywugs pulled a small, struggling boy along- the missing Hin. Immediately, all of them sprang back into action. Before the bullywugs knew what was happening- one of them exploded, a slimy and smelly mess everywhere. Turning to the source, they saw three people descending- and three others hanging back, raining arrows and fire and bullets. They tried to move past- but the wall of defenders were in the way, effectively pinning them down. The young boy escaped, chucking rocks as distraction.
The bullywugs never stood a chance.
Violet was the one to approach the young boy. She did so carefully, to not scare him off more. "Are you alright? Do you have any injuries?"
"Not hurt." Wariness crossed the boy's face. "How'd you know I was here?"
"Your sister asked me to look for you. She's at home, waiting for her big brother. There is one stop we have to make, but my companions and I will make sure you get home safe. Alright?"
"Fine... Not like I needed saving..." Grumbling, the boy began moving- Violet following close behind, the others trailing after the Hin pair.
"Of course not." She spotted a chest nearby- and slipped away, while the rest went to get those imprisoned. Quickly popping it open, she found clothes, mixed coins, and an emerald. Pocketing the coins and gemstone, she soon caught up.
~
The journey back to Tor's Hold was, all in all, rather pleasant. Finding eleven people in all, the few who were injured had their wounds tended to, thanks to Asriel’s and Jordan’s healing talents. As they left, warm sunshine and a gentle breeze dominated the day- everyone grateful for the help. Everyone except the small boy, that is. He grumbled about the trip, and not needing some girl to rescue him. It took all of Violet's willpower to hold her tongue. Approaching the steads once more, the eleven residents broke away- rushing toward the gate, which was quickly lowered. Bron waited for them, much less stern this time- with open gates, as the rescued people ran inside.
"Welcome back, adventurers! I see your quest was successful!"
"Indeed it was- we recovered all those we found. And ensured the bullywugs will not bother you fine denizens again."
"You fine folk have my deepest gratitude- anything we can do, name it- if it within our power to provide, consider it yours."
"Would you be able to help us in the upcoming conflict?" The query caught Bron's attention.
"Yes, you did mention a conflict earlier. What's going on, if I might ask?"
"There are some slavers in the area, causing terror and wreaking havoc. The... Iron Ring, I believe Violet called them. We could use some help pushing them back."
"I see... Aye, I believe we can do that. Now that we don't have to spend out time defending against those bullywugs, our forces are freed up. Where are you going from here?"
"Our next intended destination is Albridge." While everyone had been talking, Jordan pulled out the crude map he cartographed. "We were told about a man named Dar to speak to."
"And once we bring this young boy home to his family, that's where we're heading."
"Very well. It will take us some time to mobilize, but we can do that. Expecting a brawl between them and yourselves?"
"More like all-out war." Violet's steely edge caught Bron's attention. "The Iron Ring is not a force to be trifled with- and where there's a few, many more inevitably follow. Sounds like they’ve taken over the entire Highdell area in recent months. They're the scourge of Karameikos- getting them out of this area will serve everyone good."
"You sound like you have experience with them, lass."
"...Could be said that way, yes. At any rate, we'll see you in Albridge. Likely in two to three days, I believe you said?"
"Aye, that you will. Once again, you have my thanks- now if you'll excuse me, I need to tend to my people." At that point, he turned and left.
"Violet, we need to... move on. Before sundown." Asriel's hand landed on her shoulder.
She nodded gently, and looked the young boy. "Yes, of course. Right. Let's get you home."
"Took you long enough." The boy stalked off down the trail; the others followed, as the afternoon's warmth and sunshine filled the world.
Chapter 6- Reedfoot Clan