That Infamous Key
Chapter Eleven

            Our best information placed the Tomb of Blood Everflowing some thirty miles from the City of Greyhawk. I intended to take parts of three days to cover that distance. I did not wish to make camp too close to the tomb, since I knew our enemy would be there and could come upon us during the night. We were mounted, so I figured that twelve miles a day for the first and second day could place us within a few short miles of the place. That would allow us to arrive at the tomb a couple of hours after sunrise. Perfect.

            The map Melezakan had provided us indicated that the tomb entrance would be marked with two stone obelisks, blood red in color; probably a type of obsidian, or maybe basalt. Off hand, I did not know where such stone might be obtained in this area, but the tombs within the Cairn Hills were ancient and so the stone could have come from anywhere. As this particular tomb was associated with the worship of Wee Jas, Goddess of Magic, the 'Ruby Sorceress,' the color scheme made perfect sense to me. The map also indicated that the hill in which the tomb was located would be barren, with little more than scrub brush upon it.

            The first day of traveling saw little activity out of the ordinary; we were still too close to the city for anything to happen. The lands roundabout were too well patrolled. At the end of the day, we set up camp in a small copse a short distance from the road. Bubbagump took over the cooking duties, while Wolfsire and I spread out to gather wood for the night's fire and Eileen curried her horse. It wasn't long before we all settled down to enjoy a bowl of Bubbagump's stew – he wasn't a bad cook. He also made us a drink called 'coffee.'

            (Coffee is served hot and made from the beans of a plant found in the Amedio Jungle and the southern islands of the Azure Sea. The Olman and Touv peoples are known to serve this drink to their nobility. It is also cultivated for trade in the Lordship of the Isles and within the Hold of the Sea Princes, as well. It's fairly expensive, considering the cost of transportation from these distant places, but, in my opinion, well worth the cost.)

            “Well, now that we're all gathered about the fire, I'd like to know something,” I said, as I leaned back against a log. “What first brought you and Wolfsire together? I mean, you have been traveling together for a while now, yes?”

            “Yes,” Eileen replied. “Wolfsire and I have been traveling together for almost two years.”

            “We're searching for something,” Wolfsire added.

            “If I may ask; for what do you search?” I continued.

            “An artifact,” Eileen answered. “Or, perhaps I should more correctly say, several artifacts. They will be used to free Wolfsire's god . . . Vatun.”

            “Ah,” I nodded, sipping coffee. “You seek the Five Blades of Corusk.” They were startled by my statement.

            “How do you know this?” asked an amazed Wolfsire.

            “What? That you were hunting for them?” I shrugged. “I didn't. That is; I did not know that you sought the Five Blades, until now. But, if you're asking how I knew of the existence of the Five Blades, well, most wizards of my acquaintance would know about them.” I shrugged again and took another sip of coffee. “You see, my Master and his partner, Elenderi – as well as Mortellan – are hunters and collectors of such things,” I explained. “If there's an artifact that I haven't at least heard of, I'll be surprised. And as for realizing what it is you two are looking for, well it would be hard for me to know of the Blades of Corusk without also knowing their history and various usages.”

            They looked at each other and nodded.

            “And this is why Istus has led us to you.” Eileen sagely offered.

            “You keep saying that,” I said. “But you must forgive me if I find it hard to believe. If Istus really wanted to assist you in finding the Blades, she would have led you to my Master . . . or perhaps Mortellan.”

            “Perhaps they are not meant to make this journey,” Eileen replied fatalistically. “Each of us has his own Path to follow. Perhaps this is your Path and not theirs.”

            “Having met Mortellan, I can't really see him traveling with us,” agreed Wolfsire. “And as you once said, your Master is more interested in matters that are not of Oerth.”

            “I will not presume to understand the ways of the gods,” I admitted. “Especially the 'Lady of Our Fate,' but you are correct in that Mortellan would be more interested in collecting the weapons to see that they are not used – or rather, misused – and my Master would be nothing more than 'curious' about them, at best.”

            “And neither of those aims would suit the Lady's purpose,” Eileen stated.

            “Or mine,” the barbarian agreed.

            “But that doesn't explain why Istus would be concerned with the matter,” I countered. “In fact, I thought she was unconcerned about individual actions?”

            “Except in regards as to how those actions might affect the future,” Eileen corrected me. “What a person does affects all others, in some small way. What a god does affects everything and in a large way. Perhaps our Lady sees dire consequences in the future actions of Telchur and wishes to correct matters, before a great calamity can happen.”

            “A great calamity has already happened!” Wolfsire declared. “My people have been denied their god!”

            “And that could be the crux of the matter,” Eileen admitted, looking at Wolfsire. She turned back to me. “As for you, Magician, does not Boccob seek balance in all things? Where is the balance if Telchur completely dominates the north, without his counterpart Vatun?”

            “That might be of interest to Boccob,” I conceded. “I can't answer as to that. But he is called 'the Uncaring' for a reason. The only subject that interest him is the furtherance of magic. And I'm not sure how finding Vatun would do that. But then, as I said, I don't pretend to understand the machinations of the gods. Still, why would Boccob choose me, rather than one of his own Clerics? They are the ones truly devoted to his service. As a magician, I could just as easily be devoted to the 'Ruby Sorceress,' Wee Jas, and she does not care for the 'Balance'.”

            “And are you devoted to the 'Witch Goddess'?” Eileen asked.

            “No,” I replied, smiling at the direction Eileen was taking. “I am not.”

            “Then why ponder the inconsequential?” she shrugged, ever the fatalist.

            “Because I am a 'young' wizard, of little power,” I replied. “I cannot see myself as the tool of a god, or goddess.”

            “As you said, it is not for us to presume to understand the ways of the gods,” said Eileen. “Even the gods we serve. They will reveal matters to us in their own way and in their own time, if at all. We can but serve.”

            “As for me,” said Wolfsire. “Vatun calls to me. In my dreams, I hear his voice. 'The North God,' himself, has set this task before me. Others before me have tried and failed. Some, no doubt, have simply given up. I will not!”

            “Well, I don't know this 'Telchur' you speak of,” said Bubbagump. “Or Vatun, either. Or what they're fighting about, but Brandobaris loves a good adventure and encourages those who honor him to participate in them. I'll go with you, if you'll have me.”

            “Yes, little one,” Wolfsire replied. “It would be an honor to have you with me.”

            I cocked my head as I looked at Bubbagump. “Yondalla I know of, but Brandobaris?”

            “Yes,” said Bubbagump, excitedly. “The 'Master of Stealth!' He is the Halfling god I revere. Halflings have gods other than Yondalla.”

            I nodded in acknowledgment of that fact.

            “As for being a wizard of little power,” Eileen continued. “Surely that is a temporary situation? Your powers will grow, as you do. You have already shown yourself resourceful and possessed of a quick and capable mind. Istus respects such attributes.”

            “We're a team!” Bubbagump chirped.

            “I have served as our 'Muscle,'” Wolfsire said. “Eileen has been our 'Wisdom' – keeping me out of trouble more than once.” He clapped his hand upon Bubbagump's shoulder. “Here is our 'Stealth' and you," he turned his eyes upon me. "You are our 'Intellect,' our knowledge. Together, we shall succeed where others have failed.”

            I laughed, but not to ridicule or belittle. “That is yet to be seen. One adventure at a time. First, we need to find out what this Veltargo is up to. He went to great lengths to steal that book and key and not for some good purpose.”

            “And so do you keep us focused firmly on the matter at hand,” Eileen slapped her knee. "For it is this adventure that will forge our group into a single mind, a single weapon, with a single purpose. It is the will of Istus."

            I took the first watch, followed by Wolfsire, then Eileen and finally Bubbagump. The night was uneventful, as I thought it would be this close to the City. In the morning we had more coffee, bread, cheese and some pieces of fruit. Bubbagump had wanted to make porridge, but the rest of us didn't want to take that much time. The morning had passed quickly and we stopped to rest and water the horses and to take some refreshment for ourselves. It was just a couple of hours after this that things got interesting. We had proceeded only a couple of miles before a commotion caught our attention.

            We were approaching a bend in the road. There was a small knoll at the turn, to our right, together with some trees, all which served to block our view. We looked at each other and I shrugged, Curious as to the cause of the noise we were hearing, I urged my horse forward. The others followed along after me.

            There before us, in the middle of the road, was a wagon and upon the wagon a very nimble fellow with a rapier in one hand and a quillon dagger – or a "left-handed dagger," such as is used in fencing – in the other. He was holding off a small group of bandits, and was doing a marvelous job of it too. He dodged, twisted, turned and even did back flips, all atop his wagon, thrusting, parrying, riposting; a master swordsman. But I could see that, eventually, numbers would win out.

            Without waiting upon my friends, I raised my hand, fingers spread apart and spoke an incantation. Two balls of bluish, titillating light streaked from my hand and struck one of the assailants full on, as he tried to climb into the wagon. He collapsed, screaming as he fell to the ground. The two brigands nearest him turned to look at their companion, as Wolfsire charged his mount forward, his great axe held high, yelling his war cry as he went. The bandits tried to flee, but Wolfsire was upon them too quickly. His axe crashed downward and one of them was felled instantly by his blade while the other was knocked sprawling by his horse.

            Eileen had charged a moment after Wolfsire and attacked an outlaw upon the other side of the wagon. Her mace laid him low before ever he knew what had happened. This distraction allowed the man upon the wagon to pierce a fourth antagonist with his rapier. The fifth immediately threw down his weapon and surrendered. I turned to find Bubbagump beside me, his crossbow in his hand and disappointment on his face.

            He frowned at me and then shrugged. "Maybe next time," he said, as he tucked his crossbow back into his belt.

            I smiled. "Yes, maybe next time."

            We two rode our horses forward.

            "My thanks," said the man on the wagon. "That could have been a close thing."

            "The odds didn't appear in your favor," I said. I introduced myself and my friends. "And may we inquire as to your name?"

            "I am Rasgon," he answered, as he busied himself with making sure his load was still secure. "I'm a cheese maker, originally from Pest's Crossing, in Geoff. I relocated to Greyhawk when all the troubles with the giants began."

            "I heard tell of it," I acknowledged with a quick nod. "You're a long way from home."

            "Yes, I am," Rasgon replied. He cocked his head. "Have you ever seen giants rampaging?"

            I shook my head.  "Can't say that I have."

            "Well, trust me, it's not a pretty sight," Rasgon said, as he continued his work. "I wanted to be as far away from that place as possible." He finished his inspection and turned to face us. "So, where are you off to?"

            "The Cairn Hills," I replied.

            "Treasure hunters, eh?" Rasgon asked.

            "Something like that," I spoke quickly, interrupting Wolfsire and Bubbagump. No need to tell a stranger everything.

            "Well, you seem capable of taking care of yourselves," Rasgon offered. "Keep an eye out for the likes of these. I thank you again for the help, now I'll be going." He seated himself and took up the reigns.

            "Wait!" cried Eileen. "What of these men?"

            "What . . . them?" asked Rasgon, looking around at the bandits. "'Frontier justice,' or 'Beory's justice,' however you please. They would have left me for dead – and you too – make no mistake. Besides, there is no one around here to give them too." He shrugged and looked at Eileen. "Unless you wish to undertake escorting them back to the City, where they will be promptly hanged?"

            Eileen had no ready reply.

            "Well, thanks again!" Rasgon cried, slapping the reigns and starting his wagon down the road, towards the Free City.

            "What are you going to do with us?" asked the one, unharmed desperado.

            Eileen looked from the bandit to me and then thrust her head in the direction of Rasgon's departing wagon. "What he suggested."

            "Did he 'suggest' what I think he did?" I asked.

            "He meant that we dispense justice," offered Wolfsire.

            "How, exactly?" I pressed.

            "He meant that we should execute them ourselves," Eileen clarified. "Or leave them to 'Beory's justice.'" She waved her hand at the open land.

            "You can't do that!" cried the bandit. "There's wolves and worse out there!"

            'True," agreed Wolfsire. "But that's exactly what you intended to do to that Rasgon fellow, isn't it? Us too, had you come upon us unawares."

            Eileen began to dismount.

            "Wait!" I cried. I jerked my head to the side, indicating she should follow me. Wolfsire accompanied us. "Bubbagump, keep your hand crossbow on that fellow. If he tries to run, shoot him."

            "Right!" Bubbagump covered the outlaw.

            Once away, I spoke in a low voice. "I appreciate that what Wolfsire has said is true. That fellow would have left Rasgon to die, or face 'Beory's justice' had we not come along when we did. It is a harsh world; still, I'm not overly fond of the idea of killing helpless men, whatever they did. I'm not an executioner."

            "What do you suggest?" asked Wolfsire. "If we heal them and we leave them here, they'll just ambush someone else. It's what their kind do."

            "This does not appeal to me, Magician," Eileen said. "But we do what we must do."

            "As you are so fond of saying, they have 'walked their own path' and it hasn't been a good one." I continued. "But we need not kill them ourselves, do we? Let's take their weapons and other valuables – they won't need them – and leave them to 'Beory's justice.' Let her decide their fate."

            "Wait!" cried Eileen. "Just wait." She turned her horse and rode over to the bandits. She made a pass in the air with her hand, after a moment, she gasped. Turning her horse, she rode back to Wolfsire and I. "The course of action suggested by the Magician will do no harm." She informed us. "I have performed an Augury. We shall leave them here."

            We striped the thieves of all they had of value; some weapons and armor, some coins totaling seven gold pieces. Afterwards, we left them, without water, or food. It would be in Beory's hands as to whether or not they lived or died. Me? I didn't expect them to live long. A patrol might find them, maybe, but more likely, they'd be found by some the creatures inhabiting the hills. Wounded, unarmed, they would be easy prey.

            We rode hard until about an hour before sunset, putting a good ten miles between us and the bandits, insuring that the one unwounded one would not come upon us in the night. We built up our fire and made coffee and stew. Then we settled down to rest.

            "What exactly did you do back there?" I asked Eileen.

            "I performed an Augury, as I said," she replied. "Basically, I inquired whether or not leaving them there would be a good, or bad, thing to do. The indication was that it would be a good idea. From this, I determined that nothing bad would happen from our course of action."

            "So, you're fairly certain that no innocents are going to come to any harm because of our not executing those men," I said.

            "Yes," she answered.

            "So, had the Augury been 'bad' . . ."

            "We would have killed them," Eileen said matter-of-factly. "Better them than some 'innocent,' as you say."

            Well, she was right, so I settled back to read my spell book and relax, selecting the spells I would use on the morrow. Growing up in the City, sheltered within my schools, hadn't really prepared me for the 'rough justice' of an adventuring life-style. It's not that I was feeling queasy about what had happened. It was more like being hit with a splash of cold water.

            I looked back in the direction from which we had come. "Killing them ourselves might have been a mercy," I murmured.

            "Why do you say that," asked Wolfsire, who had overheard me.

            I looked at him. "Because we're close to the tombs now." I waved my hand around at the surrounding area. "Wild animals may very well be the least of their problems."

            The north man and halfling looked at me quizzically.

            "Tombs," I said, with emphasis and raised an eyebrow. "In fact, I seriously doubt that there are very many wild animals in the area."

            "You mean . . ." Bubbagump didn't finish, but looked at me with horror.

            I nodded. "Yes, I mean . . ." I looked at Wolfsire. "Why do you think I got you that war hammer? An axe is no good against a skeleton. A zombie, yes. A skeleton, no."

            The Barbarian and thief looked all about them.

            "Just remember to stay alert when you're on watch," I said.

            I would be taking the last watch, in order to gain the rest I needed to replenish my spells. I could have sworn that I had only just put my head down, when I was being shaken awake by Bubbagump.

            "Something's out there!" he whispered harshly, fear in his eyes.

            I shook my head to clear it, sat up and looked around. Wolfsire and Eileen were already standing and on their guard. I was about to ask what was going on when we heard the howl.

Next... Go to That Infamous Key, Part 12

To the beginning... Go to That Infamous Key, Part 1

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