It looks as if the only way to bypass the town unseen will be to climb a mountain ridge and try to stay under cover.
Kadlian looks at the others. "Looks like we are going to have to go into the town unless we can come up with a way to hide treants, horses and ourselves."
"Why would we wanna hide?" Furgh asks.
"Well, I believe we are now in the territories controlled by the Empire of Mestom. If that is the case, then we probably want to avoid notice by any of their soldiers. Besides, escorting some treants through a village is definitely going to raise some eyebrows. If we can avoid it, I would like to. If there is no other option, then we go through."
Right now you are in a semi-arid area. There is forest, but the trees are stunted and thin. You feel that they would provide some cover, and hopefully the village people would not be looking up onto the ridge when you were up there...
"Maybe we should wait until after dark," suggests Vanadil.
Kadlian looks at the ridge. "Possibly. Maybe you and I should scout the route, first."
"Could run our leafy friends through the invis-o-matic," Furgh offers. "Aggy and me could probably cover 'em all on reasonably short notice."
"Okay, let us do that. Agulhas, please use two of the invisible spells on me and Vanadil and then spend time memorizing some others. Let us try to cover as many people as possible. Edelle, Miss Wizbang, do either of you know the invisibility spell? If not, have Agulhas try to teach you."
"Woah... hold on a sec, Boss," Furgh says, with a chuckle. "I said we could maybe do the treants. Not everyone."
"Why not? We have an abundance of mages. We just need to teach them the spell. Treants are top priority, if they will allow the spell."
He looks at the group of them. "Will you?"
"Sorry," rumbles Barker.
"Any suggestions from you, then, on how we avoid being found? Are you adept at moving quietly?"
Kadlian slaps his forehead. "Forget that I said that. You were so quiet those first few days that I did not even know you were there. Now, how are you at climbing ridges?"
"It will be easier than climbing that pass."
Kadlian nods. "Okay, then it sounds like you mages can take a break. However, I would like Miss Wizbang and Edelle to have a chance to learn some new spells. That way Miss Wizbang will not have to say 'I do not know that spell' when I call for something I want." Kadlian smiles. "Or better, yet, I should familiarize myself with what she does know."
"Well, doesn't that sound like a typical response ... 'when I call for something I want'," Beauty chuckles, shaking her head. "Ain't that just like a male...geez..." She looks about to say more, but then laughs. "Never mind...just too easy...but I'll bet she doesn't know half of what you need... in any context you want to take it."
Kadlian shrugs, obviously not too concerned with Beauty's opinion.
"At least I freely admit that I am demanding and difficult to please."
Beauty chuckles
"Yes, there is that. Females in general will never admit to being what some of us like to refer to as 'high maintenance'...though there are rewards. Hmmmm...interesting line of thought," Beauty muses, chuckling.
Agulhas taps his spellbooks. "At the earliest convenience we'll see about getting the two of you up to speed."
He smiles amicably to the lady magic users.
"I would love to learn some spells," Logan chimes in. "Here are spells I can contribute: Detect Magic, Identify, Magic Missile, Read Magic, Melf's Acid Arrow, Stinking Cloud, Web, Dispel Magic, Fireball, Fly, Lightning bolt, Tongues, Water Breathing, Improved Invisibility, Polymorph Self, and Stoneskin."
Kadlian nods, rather pleased. "You are a more accomplished mage than I had realized, Logan. Some of the spells I do not know of, but I like magic missile and lightning bolt the best. As far as learning new spells, Agulhas and Furgh can help you. And when Rage and Kailar return, perhaps they can help fill out your spell book even further."
"Whichever one of the two of you stays here, can we exchange spells?" Logan asks Agulhas and Furgh.
Furgh points towards where Sally Wizbang is perusing his three books. "Ask her." He grins. "I'm sure if ya ask nice, she'll be willin' ta share. Offers open ta all. Just watch the greasy fingerprints. Oh, and no drawin' mustaches on the pictures."
Furgh shrugs slightly.
"I can do a couple, and I reckon Aggy can manage three or four. After that, I know I'm tapped 'til the morrow."
"So unless the Unmasked Avenger o'er there has a few or the ladies can muscle some up, ya should try ta be a tad more frugal."
He grins.
"Miss Wizbang, see if you can expand your repertoire of beginning spells as well."
"Here." Furgh offers, looking towards Sally and flopping down three tomes. "You guys can peruse these if ya want."
He grins slightly.
"Probably won't have half the stuff the Boss'll start yammerin' at ya ta cast in a pinch, but what does he know, anyway." He gives her a merry wink.
"Too bad I didn't write down that ten foot radius job, before we left," he adds, absently.
He glances at Kadlian.
"Ya want for me ta go scope out the locals?" He asks. "See if anything interestin's goin' on in the land o' Mestrom."
He chuckles. "Or at least in this small corner of it."
"Only a couple of hours, though. Be back before sunset, as will we."
Furgh almost looked surprised when Kadlian agrees, but quickly covers it up. "Aye aye. Boss. In and out before dinner. Will do."
He stops slightly, then gives Kadlian a suspicious look.
"These Mestrom folks... they ain't got some thing against elves do they?"
"They have something against all free people from what I have heard. But, that is just the government's line. I do not know how the people will react to you or us."
"They hate elves, Furgh," says Windul. "They still remember the war they lost to our kind, millenia ago. If you're caught you'll die...slowly and painfully."
Furgh chuckles. "Well, I don't much care for elves neither. Though admitedly there's usually no slow and painful involved in expressin' 'er."
He frowns slightly.
Windul turns to Kadlian.
"I for one am not going to go walking through that town, invisible or not. You've been away from Aldacan for awhile, so maybe you have not heard the news. The Emporer of Mestom was overthrown over a year ago. Since then, the country has been sealed. No one has come out of the empire, and anyone who has entered it has never been heard of again. I would rather climb over that mountain."
Beauty frowns.
"Errr...Windul...which town is that exactly?" Beauty asks, looking a bit distracted and troubled by the news.
"I do not know," the elf replies. "But that plateau is part of Mestom. You are fools to even think of going there."
"That'd be me," Furgh agrees with a cheerful nod.
"To Mestom or the town?"
"Both. That town will be in Mestom."
Kadlian shows Windul a copy of Verona's map. "I know Mestom conquered Stoink. What about the cities to the east: Flab and Marmador? Do you think we should try to go east and then south? I had not heard that, Windul, thank you for the news. Furgh, perhaps it is not such a good idea for you to explore the town. Stay here and get those invisibility spells ready. Miss Wizbang, Agulhas and Edelle will assist you. Keep casting until it gets dark. At that time, we will see if we have enough to go or if we need to wait another day. With the number of elves in this group, I do not want to take any additional chances.
"One of the druids and I will scout the trail around the town. We will be back in a few hours. I just want to know if there are going to be any obstacles in getting the treants and horses around the town.
"Oh, and clerics, please memorize a few silence spells. If we make too much noise, I will want them cast upon stones we can carry with us."
Furgh grins, and laughs.
"Would be right miffed ta learn they were world reknowned for their elf soufles or somethin', and ya didn't mention 'er."
Beauty grins at Furgh.
"Now that would be interesting. I'm about ready to see some people instead of all these trees and such. I'll go with you to town," she says, looking to Kadlian.
"I heard ya, sister," Furgh agrees. "This elf is about frolicked out. A few sooty chimneys and dirty peasants'd do an fellow good."
Kadlian shakes his head. "Not after Windul just told me. No one is going near that town. If the border is sealed, they would be on you in an instant, suspecting that you are from the north."
Beauty makes a face. "Oh, that would be bad. Sounds like too much non-consensual pain for me! And the dying part don't sound too good either. Figures...we find one lonely town after weeksw of being in a social desert...and it's one like this. Sheesh!"
Beauty groans at the mention of going over the mountain. "I'm all for trying some kind of teleporting ... or something...maybe you can like...reduce me and I can ride on someones shoulder or something?" she asks, hopefully.
"Hey, wait a sec, Boss," Furgh cuts in. "I'm still more'n willin' ta go scope 'er out. Just gotta be more discreet is all. We elves are good at blendin' in, donchaknow. Wouldn't want ta find out the local militia is doin' maneuvers up in the mountains or somethin' the hard way."
Kadlian considers Furgh's request for a moment or two. "This is really dangerous, Furgh. If you go, you have to do more than blend in, you have to be invisible. Last time I sent someone to do a job like this, he got caught. Kailar almost did not make it out of the Keep that time. You are going to have to be extremely careful and have a few contingency spells available. Can you cast a wraithform or polymorph self?"
"I can cover my furry behind, if need be," the elf replies with a grin. "Though I could probably do it better, if'n ya didn't need any invis spells from me right now." He shrugs slightly. "Though not a big deal."
"Well, I do not know how we will get closer in daylight without the spells."
He scratches his head, the smiles sheepishly. "Don't s'pose someone could give me a ride part way? Gotta be at least two leagues or so. Would spend all my time walkin'."
Kadlian shakes his head. "The only way you are going to get a ride is from an invisible mount. And try finding it when you want to come back..."
Agulhas raises a bony finger.
"Maybe this would be a good time to try a teleport again. I could easily get Furgh closer without the need for any reduction spells. However, that seems like a frivolous use of the spell. No offense, Furgh. Rather, I think it would be better if I tried to get all to the other side of that village." He points to an area past the mountain pass and beyond the village. "Of course, the treants would be an issue again..."
He shrugs and looks to Kadlian for ideas.
The elf laughs merrily. "Ha! I thrive on being frivolous!"
"For a teleport spell to work, do you not have to know where you are going?"
"Not technically," replies the mage. "The teleportation should work whether I have seen the place or not. It is just the rematerialization part that may cause problems."
"OOoooo... A daredevil," Furgh mumbles, impressed.
"Granted I can see the destination of either teleport, but I really should have a more detailed and intimate view of the locale to have the best chance of not killing anyone."
He grins with uncertainty. He shrugs.
"Then again, don't take my word for it. I have yet to get the damned spell to function at all. Aye, let's hold off on the teleports for now."
"Just pull out that big mother telescope, and eyeball where ya wanna be," Furgh suggests with a shrug.
Kadlian shudders. "Yes, that is a good idea. Testing the spell to see if you can teleport five feet away is fine, but when you do not know where you are going... Well, count me out."
Beauty turns her attention back to Furgh.
"Will you be scouting in town to find out about possible militia and such, or just skulking in the bushes outside of town?" she asks in a more serious tone.
Furgh shrugs.
"I go wherever the mood drags my sorry elven behind," he says with a chuckle.
"Though, truth be told, I doubt I can curb myself enough ta just sorta watch from the outskirts. We elves are notoriously weak-willed."
He pauses for a moment, then adds, "Though if yer still thinkin' of a bit of a fun-filled getaway, ya can give me a ride 'til we're a mile or so from town, and drop me off. Can make my own way back from there."
"If anyone gives you a ride, it will be me. I am starting to dislike the idea of risking you, Furgh. Our numbers keep dwindling and I am loath to split again."
"Hey now, Boss.... don't be gettin' weak in the knees on me now," Furgh says quickly. "All this doom and gloom talk is gettin' ya low. She's just some podunk little town in the middle of nowheresville. Shouldn't be anythin' too horrible lurkin'."
"I stroll in, say hi to the locals..." He grins. "In a quiet, they-never-knew-I-was-there sort of way, of course... then stroll out. Everyone's happy."
"I promise not ta run off and get myself killed or nothin'...'least not without yer permission first."
Kadlian nods reluctantly. "Okay, go. If you are not back by two hours after sunset, we are going to tear that place apart looking for you."
"Man!" the red-headed elf mumbles cheerfully. "A hundred and thirty odd years, and still gettin' curfews."
Kadlian chuckles. "And I thought I was old. You have been around a while longer than I have, Furgh."
Furgh grins. "Well.. that's just a rough estimate. Lost track a long time ago. When its summer on one world, then winter on the next...or the days in the year go from about two hundred ta over four...Not ta mention the one place with a day that lasted about thirty five hours." He shakes his head.
"Gave up keepin' track a long time ago." He smiles. "But, on the plus side... my name day is whenever I feel like havin' it."
"Well, the young ones will take to calling you grandpa. Maybe I will call you old man Furgh." Kadlian chuckles.
"Well, it would properly reflect my esteemed wisdom and maturity," he agrees solemnly.
"Yer both youngin's!" Logan says as he puts his fists on his hips. "Well, I got two years on ya, Furgh!"
Logan then looks ar Beauty and says, "Didn't I tell you that I was an elf with experience!"
"Well, then we will call you grandpa' and old man Logan."
"No respect for the old anymore..." Logan replies as he chuckles.
"Gah!" Furgh suddenly exclaims, making a strange face. "I can feel all my newfound wisdom and maturity fading ... It...was...so...close..."
He grins. "Aw well... was gettin' in the way, anyway."
Furgh has a private word with Agulhas.
"I'll bone up on those invisimahoozits, for ya, before I take off."
Furgh takes an hour to learn two invisibilities, which he casts on whoever Kadlian specifies.
Kadlian looks around and says, "I will take one of Sian's druids, if one of you will come."
"Anyway... I shall be off, Boss. Don't wanna keep ya guys up past yer bedtimes."
He smiles his most charming smile, gives Kadlian a salute, then disappears from sight.
You hear his voice heading off into the air, as he says, "Look out Mestrom, here comes the Fingersmith."
"Wonder if they have pie..." the voice muses as it moves out of range.
"So, you were going to walk, or did you want that ride?"
There is no response.
Once Furgh has left, Kadlian sets out on foot to scout the mountain ridge with Vanadil and Birch.
The rest of you settle down to wait for the return of the scouts. The mages start to look at each other's spell books.
With Vanadil and Birch accompanying Kadlian, you set off down the hill to the southeast, making for the mountain ridge. It is late afternoon, and the sky is overcast.
You do not make it all the way to the ridge, but from the base of it at the bottom of the hill, you see that it would be easily traversed at this point. Indeed, you realise now that the treants were correct: it will be an easier walk than your recent trek through the mountain pass. If you travel at night then you will not be observed.
After an hour, you decide to return to the hilltop where the others await you. Hopefully, Furgh will have returned by the time you get back, as well.
As you begin your ascent of the hill, though, a ruddy flicker attracts your attention. Over the top of the hill, where your companions await you, more than a mile distant, you see a sudden blaze of fire...accompanied almost simultaneously by a second.
The summit of the hill - where Agulhas, Logan, Beauty and the rest of the followers waited - is engulfed in flames.
Briefly illuminated by the inferno below, you can make out several dark shapes hovering over the summit in the air.
Quickly, the fireballs fade away in the grey twilight.
Vanadil curses in elven.
"That fool Furgh must have stirred something up," he says.
"Quick, we had better see what assistance we can provide. Keep under cover."
Kadlian starts out at a cautious run looking for signs of traps or ground troops.
The three of you hurry up the hill.
Occasionally you see glimmers of light from the summit, as if someone is moving around with some sort of light source. Then, it becomes dark.
About two-thirds of the way to the top a tree branch suddenly drops down and grabs you in a gentle but restraining grip.
"Go no further," says a whispered voice, like the wind in the trees. It is one of your treants. "All of your companions are dead. The enemy is up there, waiting for you."
Kadlian whispers back. "Dead? Everyone? How did this happen? And what about the rest of you? Are you the only survivor?"
"They came from the sky unseen, with fire and cutting blades of magic," the treant whispers back. In the dimness you see that he looks scorched. His hide is cut in many places. Nearby, you can make out the shapes of the other treants.
"They landed once all were dead, and spoke with the bodies," the treant continues in a barely audible voice. "The dead answered them. Then, they dumped the bodies in a strange pit that one unfolded from his robes, and stripped the dead animals of anything of value. At last, they took to the air again, and vanished."
"Did they come from the town?"
"I do not know."
"Then there is no good way to get back our friends."
Kadlian worriedly looks at the treant. "Let me heal you, my friend. The druids can lend their skills as well."
Kadlian uses his two cure light wound spells on the treant.
"Thank you, Master."
"It is I who should thank you for staying alive to tell me what has occurred. Can you tell me how many of the enemy remain on the hilltop?"
"I cannot. They went unseen."
Kadlian grimaces. "I wish I knew how they found us in the first place. That would give us some clue as to why they attacked."
"What of Fleetwing and the dogs? Did any of them make it?"
"The hippogriff died. I do not know about the blink dogs."
Kadlian looks towards the hilltop. "More of a burden, then."
Kadlian looks at Vanadil and Birch. "Can either of you cast a detect invisibility spell?"
"Not now," replies Birch. "I think we should retreat until morning."
"If what the treant says is true, then there is no point in remaining here at all," says Vanadil, obviously shaken.
"Aye. Heal the other treants so that they may accompany us. We will head back towards the ridge."
You turn about and move back down the hill, as quickly and quietly as possible. Birch, though a man, is also a druid, and is able to move through the woods fairly quietly, though with his poor night sight he must be cautious. Vanadil is a warrior, and she wears splint mail, which is noisier.
Still, you make steady progress, and upon reaching the bottom of the valley begin your ascent of the ridge. It is past midnight when you reach the top of it. Before you lies open country, as best as you can tell in the darkness.
As you pause, you hear the sound of something approaching through the air. The sound of flapping wings grows steadily louder, as some large winged creature flies slowly back and forth across the valley that you have just climbed out of, slowly getting closer to you.
Kadlian nocks an arrow. He whispers to Birch. "If you have any useful spell to incapacitate the creature without giving away our location, use it."
Birch shakes his head.
The flying creature gets closer and closer, but still you see nothing.
Abruptly, it stops, and you hear the slow flapping of the wings gettting neither closer or more distant. After a moment the invisible creature utters an inhuman but vaguely feminine-sounding scream, then flis rapidly away...straight towards the village, some seven miles away.