As of 3/13/98


TURN 6: Conjectures and Conundrums



Hroknar set his shield upon the ground and shrugged off his backpack. The Dervatear's gaze strayed from the far chamber with its four corpses to the hallway, the floor of which was littered with the unconscious forms of four hobgoblins. He opened the top of his backpack and drew forth a length of silk rope attached to a grappling hook.

As Hroknar loosened the knot attaching rope to metallic hook, Ysoltre moved closer to Karissa. "It really takes it out of you, doesn't it?" he said, one hand drifting out to help steady the woman.

A barely audible gasp escaped Karissa as Ysoltre touched her, the woman's violet eyes widening slightly. A slight shudder seemed to move through her, then she smiled tentatively at the bard as she moved away from his steadying grip.

"Nice work," Ysoltre offered. The minstrel turned to Hroknar and Ethan and gave them a quick synopsis of what had happened in the hallway.

"Ysoltre," Rogmund interjected from where he knelt next to their four prone assailants, "the hobgoblins?"

The minstrel smiled at Karissa, then nodded at the armored swordsman. "Of course," Ysoltre said as he walked toward their prone foes. "No need to waste your rope, Hroknar. I believe I know what Rogmund has in mind."

Ysoltre followed the swordsman's advice and rid one hobgoblin of its belt. The bard then twisted the stiffened leather around the humanoid's wrists and bound them together behind its back, wrapping the excess leather about the creature's forearms, managing to fastened them together near the elbow, pulling the whole tight and tying it off to prevent any easy means of escape.

"This should hold them for a little while," Ysoltre said, seeing that Rogmund had done pretty much the same with another of the unconscious humanoids. Ethan cleaned the blades of his sword and dagger on the clothes of one of the dead hobgoblins in the far chamber as the next two still living humanoids were secured. That done, Ysoltre and Rogmund collected the hobgoblins' weaponry, placing each piece into a pile well out of reach should the humanoids regain consciousness soon.

"What happened to this one, Karissa?" Ysoltre asked as he cautiously approached the pile of clothing that had once been the hobgoblins' commander. He kicked at the lump of material, clearly awed at the result of Karissa's spell.

The Theavian shrugged. "'Twas most strange, ne'er before hath this dweomer affected another in that manner." A pensive look spread across the woman's features. "In truth, 'tis odd that hobgoblins would rally to the order of the dark-garbed one. Hobgoblins are the pariahs of goblinkind; unlike orcs or goblins, they typically follow no dictates save those of their own tribe."

Rogmund stood up from where he had been examining their assailants' weapons. "Two strange things then, each disturbing." The armored man paused in obvious thought, his gaze straying to the far chamber, then back to the stairwell. "Know what I think?"

Karissa smiled. "That the evidence of a force engaged both before us and behind us means this engagement was not by accident?"

"That's exactly what I was thinking," Rogmund replied. "While it's possible that the second group was just trying to catch up to the first, the group in the far chamber would have heard us while we searched the two rooms nearer the stairwell. However, they didn't attack, even when our attention was focused elsewhere during our search. The more likely possibility is they entered through the hole in the wall that Ysoltre said exists, while their fellows circled around to catch us in a pincer movement."

"If we assume the hobgoblins saw our entry and reacted as thou hast conjectured, then 'tis unwise to loiter hence o'erlong," Karissa interjected. "Others of their ilk may be present about this hamlet, and we possess not the knowledge of whether a signal was sent to warn them of our position."

Hroknar pondered his comrade's words, one hand absently stroking his beard. "Then we should endeavor to awaken one of the goblinkind and question it as to where any others may be located; also to learn more about their apparent leader and whether or not a signal was sent. I have an idea that any others might be located in the only really solid-looking structures left in the hamlet. Even if we are not able to get answers from the vermin, I suggest we make our next stop the towers."

"That sounds like a decent idea to me," Ysoltre said as he examined the "leader's" long sword and its respective scabbard. He rose from his kneeling position and displayed the blade. "I like not the concept of stealing from the deceased, but considering the circumstances - them being a filthy, murderous lot, and me being practically unarmed - I think I will take this, unless anyone objects. My contributions to this battle were minimal. You four should have first choice of spoils."

"A sound and generous statement, friend Ysoltre," Rogmund remarked. "Still, why don't you search the bodies of our assailants and see if they have anything of value. We can place whatever coins and whatnot you find into a common pool, and divide them up later. I prefer my own weapons and the fit of my own armor, even though that dark breastplate looks like it might fit."

"I'd think twice about touching that bodiless armor," Ethan said as he walked back into the hallway. "Could be enchanted or cursed or something worse."

Ysoltre's eyes shot down to the blade in his hand. "Now he says something," the minstrel mumbled, his eyes wide as he searched the surface of the long sword he had "acquired" for signs of mystic runes or something similarly foreboding. 'Best not give it too much thought,' Ysoltre admonished himself, choosing to move to the unconscious forms of their bound foes and begin the search for evidence of coins or other belongings.

Ethan slipped his own blades into their respective scabbards. "Oh, and I think Karissa is right concerning the hobgoblins. From what I've learned over the years, hobgoblins usually are independent, rarely found in bands this size. Hell, it's hard to get four goblins together without a fight breaking out, and we've got what, eight hobgoblins here?"

Karissa smiled. "Thou shalt discover three additional hobgoblins sprawled atop the steps of yon stairwell. Rogmund and Ysoltre did hold our rear guard with flourish."

Ethan glanced toward the stairwell, then back at his compatriots. "I don't know what you all have heard, but I've always been under the impression that hobgoblins are few and far between. Like the Tassarak, there aren't that many in Western Glashia." Ethan let his eyes drop to the four bound humanoids. "Interesting."

"Interesting is a word for it, given that what you've apparently been told in the west differs from the experience of those of us who hail from the eastern reaches," Rogmund said. "I've battled more than a few of the oversized buggers. Goblins are a rabble, orcs are a mob; the strongest bullying the weaker members of any group. Hobgoblins may share a common bloodline with goblins, but whereas the other two groups defeat themselves often as not by dint of uncooperative attitude, hobgoblins are intelligent, aggressive, and organized. They take meticulous care of their weapons and armor, and are equally at home in full daylight or the blackest night. Hobgoblins employ traps, they use tactics such as the flanking maneuver they tried here today. They could put many a human realm's military pretensions to shame."

"That too hath been mine experience," Karissa interjected. "What is strange hence is that the loyalty of hobgoblins typically is given only to specific tribal affiliation. They war 'gainst all others, though they sometimes will employ their smaller cousins as sword-fodder. I know not the exact nature of their 'leader,' yet 'twas clear that he was neither hobgoblin or goblin."

"Would it be possible for you to examine these four, as well as that pile of armor and clothing, for any magical enchantments, or did that last spell take too much out of you?" Ethan asked.

Karissa straightened, forcing herself to move away from the wall. "Though the dweomer to detect mystical enchantments is known to all Theavians, 'tis not currently one I am able to invoke, for I earlier bound my ability to manipulate the metaphysical lattice of energy to fixed theurgy only."

Rogmund studied the pile of clothes that once had been the "leader," then turned his attention to the unconscious hobgoblins sprawled about the floor. "Personally, I think Trollbait has the right of it when she said we should not wait around here. Hroknar and I can carry one of these overgrown dung-diggers between us without too much trouble. I say we take our pick, vacate this place, and get into one of the adjacent buildings. We can question our friend there. If more hobgoblins show up here, we'll have disappeared like the proverbial will-o-wisps."

"Prudence suggests we move the horses as well," Karissa added. "The corral will be visible to any seeking entry into this place, though not so much from down the street." Her brow furrowed suddenly. "Hroknar's statement about the towers hath merit. One situated atop them easily could espy our movements lest we remain close to the buildings. We must practice care in our travels from this moment onward, lest we learn from our captive that our foes did espy us elsewhere, then did pursue us hence."

"Fair enough idea," Ethan said. "Unless Rogmund and Hroknar need help carrying the big lug, I'll keep watch." The young ranger shrugged one shoulder, sending his long bow off his shoulder and down his arm in one well-practiced movement. He grasped the bow and drew forth a flight arrow from his quiver, nocking it into place as he positioned his weapon at ready.

Ysoltre stood, showing that his search had turned up a handful of coins and little else. "As I said, I don't like stealing, not even from the likes of them. But all is fair in war, I suppose."

Karissa held forth one hand. The minstrel moved closer and deposited the booty in her upturned palm. "Four copper dagars and a gold cron from Langington; ten copper dregs, a like number of silver eagles, e'en a gold sovereign from the Lord's Alliance of the lands east of the Innocus Mountains. More coin minted in the east rather than the west, yet we are nearer to the realm of King Durant de Angelosis than the Josurrian Reach. A clue, perchance?"

Hroknar closed his eyes, his face a mask of pensiveness. "I'll be back momentarily," he announced suddenly, his lids popping open as the Dervatear turned and strode into the far chamber from which the volley of arrows had first appeared.

Karissa looked to the others, a hint of anxiousness evident in her pose. "'Twould be best to vacate these premises 'ere long, especially if thou dost still believe 'tis a good idea to awaken and question one of our foes."

"Think one of these dung-diggers will give up the skinny on his compatriots?" Rogmund asked, his gaze straying from their bound assailants to the Theavian.

"Nay, 'tis unlikely," Karissa responded. "First, a hobgoblin typically measures its entire existence by tribal affiliation; they are a species as loyal as they are xenophobic 'gainst most other races. Secondly, hobgoblins possess an abiding hatred of all things elvish, a contempt far exceeding e'en that held for any other race. Though I know their darksome tongue, my bloodline would mark me as one tainted. In time, I might be able to infer something useful from an interrogation, but there is little time for such an extensive effort."

"The hobgoblins used a ladder, somewhat rickety, but apparently able to hold their not inconsiderable weight," Hroknar said as he exited the far chamber and rejoined his comrades. "If there are more of these goblinkind in the hamlet, as I believe there are, and if they are in the twin towers, as I further believe, then it will be nearly impossible for us to retrieve the horses without letting them see us. I would suggest that we exit this building through the hole in the wall and try to make our way toward the towers, leaving the animals where they are. That way, anyone watching might think that we are still in this building since your animals still will be in the same place. That should hold their attention long enough for us to get at least a little closer."

"I agree with Hroknar," Ethan announced. "If two of those hobgoblins had bows, then I'd bet my right foot that others of their kind likely will have bows as well. We'd be sprawled snakes to their arrows, or is that squatting geese? Anyway, we should try to find a way around back, if there is one. Let them think that we're still fishing around in this inn. I don't think that hobgoblins - even if they are a step up from goblins and orcs - will catch on all too quickly, unless that guy who disappeared has reappeared within the walls of the twin towers. If that's the case, we're going to have visitors real soon."

"I must admit to being loathe to giving up our mounts, for if we leave them hence, we will be bereft of them 'ere long if a signal was sent and more hobgoblins arrive," Karissa said. "Once bereft, we will possess not the advantages horses might bring, and our supplies also will be forfeit. In addition, if the hobgoblins are situated atop the towers, they seemingly will be able to view our approach no matter the direction we might take, lest they be inattentive. 'Twould seem the more prudent choice to gather our mounts, then stick close to the buildings as we travel forward, finding some new locale wherein we might secure the horses, devoid of prying eyes."

Rogmund nodded his head. "I think I like that plan better. We don't know for a fact that the hobgoblins are atop the towers. They may simply have seen us walking the streets. If the latter case is true, and if the dung-diggers here sent a runner to get help, then we would be sacrificing both horses and supplies for nothing. Let's be cautious, but let's not jump at shadows. I say we gather the horses and move them to another area. Trollbait said that while she speaks the dung-digger speech, she's unlikely to get anything of value out of our captives in the time allotted. Without confirmation from one of these sleeping beauties, we have no way of knowing for sure how we were detected and so should make decisions based on what's most tactically sound for us given what we know for certain."

Karissa looked toward the stairwell. "We should be able to find a spot somewhat secluded from the towers, the angle of at least some of the buildings shielding us from any prying eyes that may be searching for signs of movement." The Theavian's gaze drifted to each of her compatriots, in turn. "Regardless, let us decide on our course of action and make haste. If we remain hence o'erlong and are beset once again, then all discussion will become meaningless."

Ysoltre followed the conversation as their plan unfolded. He nodded all the while, indicating both his understanding of the plan and his willingness to go along with whatever the quartet deemed the wisest.

"How about this, then," Rogmund offered. "One of us goes and retrieves the horses from the corral, bringing them closer to the building where anyone from the tower would lose sight of him."

"Him?" Karissa asked, one eyebrow raised questioningly as she interrupted.

Rogmund smiled and shrugged his shoulders. "I'd feel better if it was a 'him,' okay, Trollbait? Call me over-protective. It's a fault I gladly claim. I was brought up to treat the fairer sex that way, especially when the woman in question is..."

The armored swordsman let his voice trail off as he studied the rest of his compatriots. "Anyway, one of us brings the horses close to the building, then makes for the alleyway. The rest of us exit through the hole in the wall. Since anyone at the tower would see only one of us, that should confuse the situation and give us an edge. We then make our way as covertly as possible through the buildings closer to the towers. Opinions?"

Karissa's hands beat out a sudden staccato rhythm on her quarterstaff, her facial expression one of pensiveness. "Whome'er goes forth should be protected by an archer from one of the upstairs windows, lest there be foes present outside who might attack our valiant horse-retriever with impunity."

"I'll go," Ysoltre offered, "I didn't do much of anything in the fight and I slept through my shift last night; it is the least I can do." The bard's longing to help the group was evident in his tone. He attached the scabbard to his belt, then sheathed his new-found sword. Before anyone could argue with him, Ysoltre said, "Ethan and Rogmund will be busy covering me with missile support, and Hroknar has already admitted he doesn't like horses. While I am no rancher, I am the only one left."

The minstrel drew forth his sword with a flourish, waving the long blade about in what could be recognized as a military-taught fencing technique. "Besides, it's been a long time since I was forced to wield one of these." Ysoltre accented the word "forced" as if there were more to the statement, but the half-elf did not elaborate.

Hroknar nodded. "Not only should there be an archer in an upstairs window, there should be another person covering from just inside the downstairs doorway, ready to spring out should the animal-gatherer be attacked. I propose that Ysoltre get the animals, Ethan and Rogmund cover from the upstairs window with their bows, and I take the downstairs position, since my axes don't reach as far as their arrows."

When Hroknar finished, he looked at Karissa; his eyes squinted a little, then he shook his head, seeming to dismiss something. Lips moving, making silent words, he then asked, "Are there windows downstairs? If so, why risk injury falling from the hobgoblins rickety ladder when we can go out a first story window, or, gods forbid, a back door? Did anyone think to check? I have to say that I forgot."

"Not that I wouldn't love going after the horses," Ethan said with a wink, holding up his readied bow and arrow. "But I think you're right in that Ysoltre should go while Rogmund and I cover him with our bows. Hroknar, maybe you should position yourself near the front door, in the event Ysoltre runs into another band of hobgoblins. If everyone is in agreement, let's get into position."

Rogmund sheathed his sword and readied his own bow and arrow. "Let's do this, then: Ethan can take a position on the second floor while I situate myself at one of the common room's front windows. This will give us two angles of fire, one of which has the advantage of height, as well as allowing Hroknar and myself the ability to exit quickly and offer close-fighting support to Ysoltre should he need it. Hroknar and I are the best armored of our group, and thus stand the best chance of continued health in a melee engagement. Ethan and Trollbait then can offer ranged support by bow or spell, as required."

"I shall take up a position along the stairwell," Karissa said. "'Twill allow me to act as rear sentry should any miscreant enter by either the ladder leading to the far chamber or through some as yet unknown back door."

Hroknar took up his axe and moved to the stairs. "Karissa, be sure to call out should some more of the goblin-scum attempt to come up from behind you." The Dervatear's gaze then drifted from Karissa to Rogmund and back again. "In the short time that I've known the four of you kids, I've come to appreciate each of you. If Rogmund agrees to continue to cover Ysoltre, who will be under the greatest threat in the event of further combat, I give him my word as a fellow warrior that no harm shall come to Karissa as long as I continue to draw breath."

His piece said, Hroknar strode down the stairs, shoving aside the dead hobgoblins that were sprawled on the steps with his foot. The corpses tumbled over the side of the stairwell, landing in a heap on the ground floor level. Ysoltre followed the Dervatear's lead, as Rogmund looked from Hroknar's retreating form to Karissa, whose violet eyes met the armored swordsman's gaze unwaveringly as one moment stretched into the next. Finally, Rogmund turned and followed in Hroknar and Ysoltre's wake.

"Ysoltre, did you find the time to search these out here as well?" Hroknar asked as he took up a position near the door, axe and shield at the ready, waiting for the minstrel and Rogmund to get into position.

"Aye, I searched them all," the bard answered as he walked past the Dervatear and stood at the door. The minstrel took a final glance over his shoulder. Rogmund took the last few steps of the stairwell and moved quickly into position next to one of the common room windows, his bow and arrow at ready. Satisfied, Ysoltre opened the door slowly and peered into the street, prepared to set the plan into motion, waiting only on confirmation that all was set with each of his compatriots.

"Pardon me, Milady," Ethan said as he slipped past Karissa, making his way into the chamber that faced the street, pausing momentarily to study the armoire and other web-shrouded furniture in the room. Ethan carefully and with great deliberation broke up the intricate silken threads, thankful that they seemed quite ordinary in size and appearance. The young ranger positioned himself near the window that offered the best vantage point and field of fire. The street was clearly visible, though the area immediately below him was protected by the covered walkway. He could see the horses. He realized that his field of fire was considerable, useful against any force but one which traveled closely to the buildings on this side of the street. When he was sure that all was more or less quiet, Ethan moved into a relaxed, yet readied position, with bow and arrow gripped firmly with both hands. "Karissa, I'm at the ready. If you should need some help, all you have to do is whistle. You do know how to whistle, don't you? Why, you just . . . ah, never mind."

"Ethan and I are both at ready," Karissa called out as she settled into her assigned spot on the stairwell. Her gaze alternating between the hallway and what she could see of the common room situated behind her comrades at the front window and entryway.

Ysoltre slowly and cautiously started into the street, looking for any sign of hobgoblins preparing to strike from ambush. As soon as he reached the open street, the bard quickened his pace and made for the horses, following the plan as laid out.

Three pairs of eyes watched the street for any indication that their companion was in imminent peril as the minstrel went about gathering the horses. Rogmund's mount seemed willing enough to accept Ysoltre's lead; Karissa's gray-dappled gelding proved a bit more restless, taking several minutes to back into a corner so that the bard might grasp its reins. That part of his objective reached, Ysoltre led both mounts out of the corral and across the street, pausing next to the walkway near the front door.

Remaining mute, Ysoltre exchanged glances with his Dervatear and human partners, and motioned for them to meet him in the back. The minstrel then continued around the side of the building and waited for his companions under the large hole in the second-story wall.

When he could see that Ysoltre had passed around the corner of the building, Hroknar turned to Rogmund and said, "We forgot to decide how to do get everyone back to the hole while being certain to cover everyone. Why don't you go upstairs now, telling Ethan to remain where he is until I come up. After you tell him that, go back to the rear room and cover Ysoltre with Karissa. I'll come upstairs then, and then Ethan and I will fall back to your position while you and she descend the ladder. And then we'll come down as well."

"Actually, Trollbait never left the stairwell, keeping watch on both the back of this room while listening for any noise that might be some foe making its way down the corridor via the far chamber," Rogmund replied, motioning toward his feminine partner. "We two can just climb the stairs and follow Trollbait to the far chamber, gathering up Ethan as we pass the room in which he is presently encamped."

A bemused expression on her face, Karissa waved at Hroknar, then rose to ascend the steps of the stairwell. "Let us proceed apace," she said loudly, so that her voice carried audibly to the armored human and Dervatear. "Our minstrel stands alone in the alleyway until such a time as we others can join him. Haste is our ally, for the second story seemingly hath remained secure."

Ethan's eyes swept from left to right, then back again, his gaze taking in as much of the street as possible. "Seems too quiet based on what we dealt with just a few moments past," the ranger announced, his voice purposely loud so that Karissa might hear. "We'd better be on the move."

"Rogmund and Hroknar are ascending the steps now," the brunette replied from her new position by the door, her own gaze studying the prone forms of the four unconscious hobgoblins. "Come, let us make haste so that we might offer support for Ysoltre from the vantage point of the far chamber."

As the other three gathered about her, Karissa led the way down the corridor and into the far chamber. The gaping hole in the wall was clearly evident. The woman led the way, taking care to step around both the corpses that littered the room, and the not insignificant pools of blood and gore that covered an even greater area. Arriving at the blown-out wall, Karissa saw Ysoltre in the alley below, and gave a quick, curt wave to the somewhat anxious minstrel.

"Ladder looks a bit rickety, all leather straps and scrap wood," Rogmund offered, peering over his feminine partner's shoulder.

"It supported the weight of the hobgoblins, and they are amongst the most massive of goblinkind," Karissa responded. "Their architectural accomplishments typically are of greater development than those of their kin, though they are more given to function o'er aesthetics."

"Ethan should go first, so that he can provide archery cover for the rest of us if needed," Rogmund said. "I'll go last, doing the same for the group from up here. You should climb down before Hroknar, just in case the ladder does not hold up under the weight of his armor."

"If it supports not his weight, then thou shalt be left alone, with our bound foes yonder," Karissa remarked, gesturing toward the hallway. "Aye, the risk is minimal. Still," she paused, violet eyes staring for several long moments into those of Rogmund, "take care. New foes may yet appear hence, in search of those hobgoblins we defeated."

"Look out below," Ethan said to Ysoltre as he tossed his long bow over his shoulder, slipped the flight arrow between his teeth, and slowly descended the ladder. When the young ranger reached the bottom, he shrugged his shoulder, sending the long bow down his arm and into his waiting hand. He then nocked the arrow quickly as he visually scanned the area. Seeing no sign of immediate peril, Ethan gestured for the others to follow.

"Ethan's effort seemed to be no dread exploit," Karissa mumbled as she moved past Rogmund and climbed down the ladder, her descent guarded by the vigilant archers positioned at both ground level and above.

Hroknar followed suit moments later, proving that the hobgoblin construct could indeed hold the weight of an armored individual. Rogmund, once he could see the others had moved into a sound defensive arrangement, shouldered his bow, replaced the arrow in his quiver, and descended to the ground.

"Which way do we want to take?" Rogmund asked as his left hand drifted back over his shoulder, removing an arrow once again so that he might nock it to his bow.



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