The dark city of Camars is in an uproar. An early autumn thunderstorm pours gouts of rain down on her, and alarm bells ring in the high belfries of the Old Keep. A battle was fought just below those walls. The sleeping rulers of the city are beginning to wake. Sunlight was seen in the streets of the old city for the first time since the fall of Tol Nedra a century ago!
You race down the sloping, winding central Boulevard towards the main city gates, Brion at the reins of the prison cart, Khom-Bei and Kane on horseback right behind, and Thragga jogging along behind.
Kane says, "Khom-Bei maybe you should ride up ahead and take the lead!"
The narrow Boulevard is lined with trees on each side, with buildings set behind. In olden times, before the advent of the Vorghol Lords, temples of the Triad stood on either side. Although those old buildings still stand, they no longer serve those Powers.
Lightning crackles as you gallop furiously downhill.
Khom-Bei urges his pony ahead of the racing cart.
Brion looks back over his shoulder. "We'd best be on our way! Out the gates and gone! What say you?"
Kane says, "Drive straight out the gates and make for the woods."
Khom-Bei yells over the noise of the storm; "I agree, but what about Verraine and Dras?"
Kane yells back, "We must trust that they have had the foresight to get out of the city!"
Brion whips the horses to full gallop. The wagon lurches and threatens to overturn, and the passengers within scream in terror.
Kane yells to Brion, "Easy boy, don't tip her!"
Hobb, the innkeeper, clutches the bars and beseeches, "Sirs! Sirs! We don't understand any of this!"
Khom-Bei says, "Keep quiet and we will let you out when it is safe. Unless you would rather get out here?"
Alarm gongs are now ringing throughout the city: from behind you in the canal district, to the merchant quarters to the west, to the city gates ahead of you.
Hobb's two young girls clutch each other in terror, while the young boy watches in stony silence, unruffled.
Kane yells, "We must make the gates before they are closed!"
Thragga points back to the Keep. "We cannot linger!" The Old Keep on the hillside looks like it's furious with activity, dark shadows on the battlements darting back and forth.
Kane says, "I think we all know this, my friend!"
The main gate looms at the bottom of the cobbled street, no more than a minute or two away. People in the street hurl themselves out of the way as your wild caravan clatters past.
Khom-Bei leans down against his pony's neck, speaking to the animal, urging it to greater speed.
As you pass the looming tower that was once a temple to Ardis, there is suddenly a thump from the prison cart. Two shapes land roughly on the roof of the cart and cling there precariously.
Two Tol Nedrans in officer uniforms--Vorghol minions--in the lightning flash you get a glimpse of pale skin, fangs, and sharp shortswords. One stands and perches to leap down onto Brion's back.
Kane urges his horse forward to engage the newcomers.
Khom-Bei races on ahead, the crowd parting ahead of him, oblivious to the predators who have landed on the cart.
Kane draws his crossbow from the case attacked to his saddle.
Thragga races along to catch up the cart.
Kane yells, "Khom-Bei, behind you...Vorghol!"
Khom-Bei turns in his seat slightly, taking in the Vorghol, and grabs at a pouch that hangs around his neck. "Great Father, send these Dark Ones back from whence they came!"
With an ease drawn from long practice, Kane notches a bolt into the crossbow and takes a bead on the Vorghol getting ready to pounce on Brion.
The Vorghol minions recoil in horror from Khom-Bei's imprecation. One drops his sword, the other teeters precariously on the cart. They shriek. A wave of gray sweeps up their bodies, beginning at their feet and moving up and up and up until their skin bleaches, turns grey, and both explode in a burst of ash and smoke.
Kane yells, "Thank the Powers!"
The little girls in the cart scream in terror. The thunder booms. The main gate looms just ahead. The walls go up and up, the gatehouse is perhaps forty feet high.
The gates are tall, bound in iron and brass and embossed with the symbols of King Malivare. At the top of the wall, on either side of the gate, you see one soldier on each side cranking furiously, to winch the gates closed.
Thragga swings himself up onto the prison cart. Old Hobb screams in fear at the sight of the huge Urag warrior.
Brion grins. "I coulda taken them, Khom-Bei!"
Khom-Bei digs his heels into his ponies sides and yells: "Yahhh!"
Since he already has his crossbow at the ready, Kane fires a bolt at one of the guards working the winch.
Thragga unslings his warbow from his shoulder, fitting string to bow and drawing an arrow.
The jaws of the trap are grinding closed. The mighty gates of Camars swing towards one another as you all race forward.
Kane's bolt takes the guard in the throat, knocking him backwards off the wall and into the darkness. Lightning arcs and crackles and the rain sheets down.
Thragga stands on the top of the cart and looses a black-feathered arrow at the other guard. The arrow takes him in the eye and he slumps over the winch mechanism.
The gates stop closing, offering a broad passage for you all to skirt through.
Thragga, grim faced, nocks another arrow to his bow.
Brion yells in delight. "Yeee-haaa!" as he urges the horses forward.
Kane yells, "Ride like the wind my brothers, the devil is at our backs!"
Hobb's young son watches the Urag with fascination. He hasn't said a word or showed any emotion since you've seen him.
The guards shout in impotent fury, pointing and gesturing. Alarm gongs clang and ring all along the city walls now.
Khom-Bei urges his pony through the gap in the gate without a backward glance.
Brion nimbly maneuvers the cart bearing Hobb, his family, and Thragga right behind the Khom-Bei, through the gates.
Kane follows though last, guarding their backs.
Ahead beckons the broad, cobbled Kingsroad, cleaving through the foothills south of Camars. Deep pine forests cover the hillsides to either side of the road. You know the Kingsroad travels due south, and then branches both east and west into the deep woods, bisecting the Kingdom. You are three days journey north of the Sedir River and the great marshes on the northern border of Sarrik.
Lightning crackles overhead. The guards on the wall are in a fury of activity as you lose sight of the city, disappearing around a bend in the road and race southwards into the storm. The edge of the Shroud, which wavers and flutters like a dark flag, is no more than a few hours south of here.
Thragga barks at the shrieking girls in the cart, "Be silent! We just rescued you!"
Brion looks over his shoulder at Kane. "Now what?"
Kane says, "I think we should head for the day light, what say you Khom-Bei?"
Khom-Bei says, "I agree with Kane. We should get as far from here as possible."
Hobb cries "Are we your prisoners now?"
Kane looks at Hobb and says, "You are free to go anytime you wish. You are not prisoners. I'd suggest staying with us a bit longer however."
Hobb blinks. He's an old man, a simple innkeeper. "I do not understand....First we are accused, and now we are fugitives...what is to become of us?"
The older girl asks, "Who are you?"
Khom-Bei says, "Being alive as a fugitive is better than being dead on a pike."
Kane says, "We are friends. Better to be alive and on the run than dead or worse."
The little boy finally speaks. "You're Hunters, aren't you?"
Hobb says, "Hush, Tyrin!"
Kane says, "The Vorghol planned on killing you. They accused you of being Hunters. We knew this to be untrue and decided to save you from death. Do you have a problem with this?"
Khom-Bei slows his pony to a more reasonable pace, one that the horses pulling the cart can maintain.
Brion takes the first turn on the Kingsroad, headed west, down a lane surrounded by tall pines. The rain has begun to relent.
Kane says, "I would suggest leaving Tol Nedra altogether. It is not safe for honest humans."
Tyrin says, "I knew it. They are Hunters.
Kane looks to the top of the cart. "Thragga, a word if you would."
Brion waggles his brows. "Kid's pretty smart. Reminds me of me at that age."
Thragga nods and leaps off the cart and lopes along beside Kane.
Kane gives Brion a stark look and says, "Hold your tongue, Brion, and don't remind us all of how close to being a kid you are."
Hobb says, "Perhaps you should let us out...we can throw ourselves at the mercy of Lord Valkris." He looks to his children and swallows. He is clearly thinking of their futures.
Kane turns to Thragga and says in a low voice, "Have you had any signs of Verraine and Dras passing along this way?"
Thragga bends a moment to scent the road. "No signs, Kane. Do you think they made it out?"
Khom-Bei reins in his pony and looks hard at the passengers in the cart. "Mercy? From Lord Valkris? Who do you think was going to have you impaled for being Hunters?"
Kane spares Hobb a look, "Do you really want to bring your children back there and trust in Valkris' mercy?"
Tyrin smirks.
Khom-Bei says, "If you are really so frightened, you can say we kidnapped you if they catch us."
Kane turns back to Thragga, "I hope so but if we have no sign of them soon I may be for doubling back. What say you?"
Khom-Bei rides his pony up next to Brion and passes up Ashurs' sword. "Keep that safe for me, Brion. I'm going to use it to mark Taggart's memorial."
In answer to Kane, Thragga points. A low cloud of something is flowing over the pine woods in your direction. It flutters and flaps and resolves itself into a thousand tiny shapes. Bats. Spies of the Vorghol Lords.
A fog has begun to roll in. The sight is eerie, almost unnatural.
Kane souts, "Quick! Take cover in the woods."
Brion snaps, "Take cover? Where do I hide this thing?"
Kane says, "Anywhere the bats will have a hard time striking at you." He looks for a break in the trees lining the road large enough to fit the cart.
The girls' eyes go wide in horror. "Let us out, let us out, let us ouut!!"
Khom-Bei says, "Get close to the woods and I can call the fog closer to hide us. And keep those children quiet!""
Thragga spots a break in the woods just ahead and points it out to Kane.
Kane says, "Khom-Bei is there anything you can do about those?" pointing back to the bats.
Khom-Bei shakes his head; "No, Kane, all I can do is try to hide us from their sight."
Brion says, "Whatever you're going to do, do it soon."
Kane says, "Quick Brion follow me." He steers his horse towards the break Thragga has indicated.
Brion wheels the cart and up the short hillside, behind Kane.
Khom-Bei kicks his pony forward into the break and dismounts, waving Brion forward anxiously.
The bats flutter and flap towards you. You can hear a thousand tiny bat voices chirping and screeching.
Kane says, "We'll try to take cover and hope they pass us by."
Khom-Bei whispers; "Now, everyone be silent, please."
The mists close in about you, obscuring all. Soon you cannot see even one another in the darkness.
The bat cloud is heard directly overhead, flapping vainly in search of you.
Everyone holds their breath. The children are miraculously silent. The tiny bat voices recede.
Kane looks to Thragga with a questioning glance.
Soon there is only silence. The mists recede from you, leaving only the foggy night of the Shroud.
Kane looks to Thragga with a questioning glance.
Thragga shakes his head. "Let us thank the Northerling's Power for his miracles."
Khom-Bei speaks softly. "We should move now, and keep to cover as much as possible."
Kane walks to the cart and unlocks it.He removes his cloak and hands it to the stripped girl.
Kane says, "You may leave now if you think your chances with Lord Valkris are better than with us."
Hobb and the children leap out. The older girl, accepts Kane's cloak, concealing her tattering clothes.
Tyrin says, worshipfully, "Hunters!"
Kane says, "Any or all who wish to come with us are welcome. Nor will we keep those who wish to leave us."
Khom-Bei places his hand on the boys head; "I would not say that so loudly under this foul darkness, boy."
Kane looks Hobb deeply in the eyes.
Tyrin looks up at Khom-Bei. "Is it true, the Selandri train you to kill Vorghol? Do you speak Selandri?"
Hobb trembles at Kane's glance.
Kane waits for Hobb to say something.
Khom-Bei smiles and shakes his head; "No, that is not true, Tyrin. I've only met one Selandri in my whole life and they speak gibberish."
Hobb sighs."We cannot go back. Children, there is only the way forward. Perhaps these warriors can show us the way..."
Kane says, "This cart will have to do for now. We will keep it unlocked. Now lets get moving. Hobb you can ride up front with Brion if you wish."
While Kane speaks with Hobb, Thragga is scanning the horizon with his Urag night vision. Brion comes up alongside him and asks, "What is it, big fella?" Thragga stares.
Hobb asks, "Where will we go? I have never been to the Selandri country. Is that where you will take us?"
Kane mounts his horse.
Khom-Bei pulls a cloth sack from his backpack and hands it to Tyrin with a smile. "If my friend Thragga hasn't already raided my pack, there should be food enough for all in there. Share it equally and try to make it last, we don't know when we'll be able to find more."
Tyrin smiles gratefully. "Salena will eat it all! She's too fat!" He means his younger sister, who is hardly fat.
Khom-Bei mounts his pony and turns to face Kane; "Which way shall we go, Kane?"
Kane turns to all, "We head for Anghara."
Thragga rumbles. "Trouble."
Brion squints but can't see in the night.
Khom-Bei says, "What is it, Thragga?"
You can see them now, six shapes on the white horses of the Spectral Legion, galloping south furiously. They are gaining on you.
Kane looks to Thragga, "Trouble? What sort? Do they persue us so quickly?"
Khom-Bei says, "Hobb, can you drive the cart?"
Hobb nods. "I was a drover in my younger days, Khom-Bei."
Kane says, "Then drove, man, and we will catch up with you as soon as we can!"
Khom-Bei says, "You take the reins, Hobb. I have a feeling Brion is going to be busy very soon."
Brion gulps. "What's the plan?"
Kane says, "Brion, you ride with me. We may have to turn and face these in order to give Hobb and his family a chance to escape."
Hobb tells his children, "Tyrin, you ride up front with me. Salena, Dula, in the back. Smartly now! "
Brion passes Tyrin a dagger as he climbs into the cart. "Just in case, kid."
Kane helps Brion to mount up behind them and then starts moving.
The Sathanids on horseback are lost to view behind some trees. They will be here in less than five minutes, if you remain.
Thragga asks, "Ambush?"
Khom-Bei says, "Exactly my large friend." He tells the innkeeper: "Get a move on, Hobb, we'll try to stop them and catch up to you."
Hobb whips the two horses now, and the wagon trundles out into the road and heads west.
Thragga bares his fangs in a grin.
Kane says, "Shall we come at them from both sides?"
As Hobb drives the cart away from the group, Khom-bei raises his hands. "Great Father, hide us from the sight of these Dark Ones that we may strike them down." He moves to touch each member of the party, granting them protection from being seen by their undead pursuers.
The cart rolls off slowly down the road, headed south. North of you, the Sathanids approach on their white horses. You can see the leader draw his longsword and lead the charge.
Thragga bows his head at the prayer, then unslings his axe.
Brion sneaks along next to Kane, silken cloak snapping dramatically behind him. The two duck down behind a fallen tree and wait.
The Sathanids spot the cart. You hear them howl in unearthly voices. They are warriors of fearsome visage, in the ornate armor of the Spectral Legion, with majestic white horses, longswords drawn and ready for the kill.
Seeing Kane and Brion reach their places, Khom-bei raises his hands and bows his head, silently blessing the party.
The Sathanids lived and died long ago, perhaps during the dark Warg Years, five hundred years ago and more...and were freed from their tombs when the Vorghol conquered this land. Now they seek only the blood of the living.
The undead warriors roar in triumph as they approach. You all crouch in the woods and await their passing.
The cart rolls south; you see it just about to go around a bend. The Sathanids spur onward, just about to pass you.
A tiny figure leaps from the cart and races up the road on short legs, waving the dagger at the oncoming spectres.
Tyrin's voice yells, "Come on, come on, I am not afraid of you!!"