The Lizard Marsh - Part 2

"Ok" he said as he unfolded the parchment. "This reads"

Brother Fenn.Greetings to you from Brother Naevan and Sister Elanee of the Order of the Crescent. We send you this message in urgency. It appears that all is not well in Lizard Marsh. The tribe of lizardfolk know as the Redeye Tribe is making a bid for dominance of the other tribes. While the warring between tribes would not normally be our concern, we believe that something unnatural is behind the change in the Redeye Tribe's attitudes. As I am sure you were aware, the Redeye Tribe were one of the more peaceful tribes in Lizard Marsh and their leader - after whom they are named - was notable for his willingness to negotiate and even trade with his human neighbours. The Order would like you and your companions to investigate.

"Well brother, what should we do?"

"How come its down to Him! I am as much a part of this as you and may I remind you a better fighter in any battle!" said Hareth pacing meaningfully towards Evandar

"Calm down; Hareth we know you are a fighter to match many" I soothed "I am his elder brother and so its natural for him to ask me. What would you recommend Hareth?"

"I say we go, maybe Fenn will turn up along the way."

"Right well I'm for going too, but we need to see the captain before we leave - tell her where we are going"

"Mabye she'll lend us some horses?" Evandar said, twirling a dagger.

* * * * *

"I can't believe you smooth talked her into lending us some horses - especially after what happened to the last ones we borrowed!"

"Yes brother, you did well. Now we must ride because it must already be getting to crisis if the letter is to be believed"

* * * * *

We rode for half a day out into the marsh, all the while the trees thinned till there was scant a tree around. Hareth called out that she had seen a keep in the distance. Maybe they would provide more information. We rode on with a new determinacy. When we were about 1/4 of a mile away from the keep, Evandar called to stop.

"Cant you see them?"

"Evandar, you sure your eyes aren't playing tricks again?" taunted Hareth "remember Josie from the bar? or was it Josan?"

"No he's right" I pointed to near the keep "look the marsh appears to be moving. It must be lizardfolk! they are designed to blend into the marsh. If my brother hadn't spotted them, we may have ridden right into them."

We continued on. Hareth I could see was trying to formulate a plan. We were now about 20 yds away from the keep paddock and I could see half of a dead horse sticking out from the gate."

"Farry, I see about 10-20 I think"

He turned and I muttered something

"Farry, Where are you?"

I was off. A brilliant idea had struck me.

"Hareth, he's gone!"

"He knows how to look after himself. I am going to start shooting; even I have no chance against 20 angry lizardfolk in melee!"

I was running and was now too far awy to hear them. As I started to get a better angle on the keep I noticed 2 more groups who had been hidden by the bulk of the keep.

I cursed and thought - there must be at least 2 score here. I had my bow strung over my back and I started to reach for it. But I remembered Delfen's words "Farendar remember, 1 blow to those with mind, 1 show to all kind". Fireballs - I had recently had a lesson with Delfen on acute fireball aiming. I had learnt how to use it without impacts.

I drew a bead from my pack spoke those phrases which never stay in my head and pointed throwing the bead in the process. BOOM. Such a satisfying noise when you see the group of 5 next to the paddock putting out the flames. As the smoke cleared I noticed two were down.

I drew another bead. This time I aimed a good 72ft all the way to the keep door where some lizardfolk, whom I could guess were attempting to bash the door in from the bashing sounds of wood on wood. BOOM. 2 hits. From this distance I couldnt see clearly but I think 1 fell, mabye two.

By now the shaman from the first group I hit turned and his eyes seemed to penetrate my spell of invisibility - even though I knew he couldn't see me!I glanced left and could see Hareth and Evandar bearing down on my position with the horses. I gathered my wits and searched for a spell that would help me evade 2 angry people with clubs and a magical shaman looking guy.

Burning hands! the nearest were but 10 ft away, the furthest 20. Burning hands only does a 20ft cone! I took a step forward losing sight of my brother who must now be behind me and shouted my spell words. I appearing with a cone of flame surprised the shaman and he tripped and got caught full blast by the fire. His vanguard however were more lucky and dodged the worst of it.

Two blows landed on me as I jumped back to my horse. Unfortunately my foot stuck oddly in the stirrup so I couldnt get on but after jumping alongside a little, I managed it and we retreated firing arrows.

I rummaged in my pack as we grimly assessed the scene and found at the bottom of my bag underneath half a bread roll and my travelling spellbook a wand. I read the runes and it said Airwalk.

"Guys I have a plan." said Evandar

So I cast the wand of Fly on Hareth who was now unencumbered bar for her armor and greatsword. She picked up Evandar and the started off towards the keep battlements.

I meanwhile started firing arrows at them. After my first couple of shots went wide I started aiming and got much better results. I started to advance as I was shooting. As far as I could tell I was hitting stuff. Then as I got to about 60 ft from the tower I saw the door burst in and almost missed the group that was advancing onto me. I prayed a short prayer to the gods and murmured the words to make me more agile. I then cast down my bow and drew my Longsword. I lunged for one but I couldnt seem to get my sword to behave. I shouted "HARETH!" but as she had tumbled from within the keep and was busy with her own trouble.

I was being beaten down and the they got me. Pincered me between two clubs. I felt a warm glow as if someone had poured a healing potion on my chest. Next thing I know I am waking up to the rough touch of a soldier bandaging my wounds with Hareth pouring a potion down my neck.

"Ge Ge Gah, oh I have a headache now, thank the gods im still here though."

"Yes brother thats probaly down to Annaleria's Token. It stabilised you, your injuries were so severe!"

"Right well we should let your brother rest" said the woman in the corner of the room "follow me" and she led them out of the room. I motioned as if to follow and the soldier firmly grabbed me and said "Rest, you need it"

I slipped thankfully into my trance state as he left.

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Look out for Part 3 next Tuesday.