Returning to the Prancing Palomino the heroes return to find a celebratory air in the taproom, which is now filled to capacity accept a table now reserved for the popular gladiators. The Innkeeper, patrons and serving staff all eager to please the newly won heroes.
Vognar feasts to celebrate, while recalling the fight and situation to Kyle and petting Tajzh proud of her accomplishments. Thistle writes in his book of alchemy also eating but oblivious to Vognars cheerful excess, meanwhile Lythar and his wolf spend some time together.
Returning to his room Vognar finds his mastercrafted leather pack chewed up by Tyl, inebriated the large Ulfen urinates on Lythars pack in retribution and collapses on the bed as the others sleep some place different for the night.
The following day Lythar and Tyl leave the city in pursuit of natural surroundings together, while Thistle and Kyle go to see Halgrim in pursuit of his fine work. Lythar before leaving in the morning gives Vognar gold for his wolf brothers’ nervous destruction of the pack, the big man feeling guilty does the same for Lythar.
Thistle and Kyle decide to go talk Barvin Freth into allowing the cleric to join his friends in tonights performance, the half-elves’ silver tongue convinces the shrewd arena master that Gorum would be pleased, agreeing to the deal. Thistle wisely scoots the duo out of Barvins office before Kyle oversteps his bounds; regrouping with the others at the inn to discuss the upcoming fights. Unfortunately a remedy that Thistle gave Vognar made him feel good at first but soon caused him to feel so fatigued he slept the day away.
***
The heroes are spread out, each at one door that enters the arena as a previous gnoll gladiator champion stands center of the sands basking in his fans accolades.
Huge oak and iron-banded doors yawned open with a groan revealing the blond Ulfen who even at six and half stones tall was dwarfed by the immense gnoll who slavered and chorted with a hyena-like laugher.
Vognar although rash was no fool, smartly choosing to stand his ground and circle his opponent, motioning for the gnoll opponent to come to him, while gauging the danger of the cruel gladiator.
The crowd began to boo, hiss and throw things into the ring, the great human would not be rushed, wondering if he could free Lythar before the big gnoll crushed his skull with his greataxe. Realizing his friends might never be allowed out till he was down Vognar rushed the gibbering gladiator in hopes he could mortally damage the creature before he moved on to his friends.
A roar of excitement filled the air as the Ulfen, new armor gleaming in the fading light, rushed forward, his sword held in a high guard, swung with all his might at the deceptively agile gnoll who dipped just under the attack but cut the big human and laughed mockingly.
Blood-filled Vognars’ eyes a red haze of fury and hate as his arms and chest swelled with primal might, roaring to Gorum the barbarian swung again and again the gnoll barely dodging each blow and giving the blond Ulfen a series of wounds that went unnoticed by the enraged warrior. Finally the gate allowing Lythar to enter opened, wasting no time he ran to aid his orodae companion, cutting the big gnoll, distracting it to allow Vognar to connect his keen great sword with the gnolls thigh, with an overhand chop, severing the femoral artery the gnoll bled out in moments, from a gushing wound, covering the Ulfen with the hyena-like creatures blood.
Roaring and cheering the crowd was pleased, women tore their clothes at the site of Lythar and money rained from the stands.
The group was given almost two hours to recuperate while other arena events played. Kyle, Lythar and Vognar gathered their winnings from wagers they had placed on themselves and planned to place for their next match.
Thistle quietly abstained, silently observing the location of the guards and wondering how he might break out the other oppressed creatures below.
The finale the heroes stood in the center of the arena, backs to one another to the north a large dark haired barbarian with a great axe perhaps one of Vognars kind, to the south a lizard man shaman strode forth hissing as he walked. East a huge wolf man standing almost eight feet tall body restrained by arena guards holding long chains, last to the west a group of goblin archers chanted and gestured rudely at the heroes.
No surprise Tazjh sprung into action first, closing the distance after looking for approval from Thistle the creature pulled a hangnail and hurt its claw screeching in anger and pain.
Lythar whispered to all to not attack the wolf man, Vognar dubious but trusting his elven friend headed north to the dark haired warrior like himself. Kyle and Thistle did battle with the lizard man stabbing, casting and throwing things at the wicked reptile.
Lythar spoke words of comfort and friendship to the wolf man explaining that his people where friends of his and if he would help the heroes they would not attack him. Grinning the big wolf ran north to aid an unknowing Vognar. The already wounded Northman gladiator was ripped to shreds by the wolf creature much to Vognars’ indigent frustration.
Tazjh and Thistle killed most of the goblins as Lythar and Kyle finished off the lizard man. The Elven warrior warned Vognar not to kill the wolf-creature as the two locked themselves into a mock wrestling match that Vognar won to the surprise of all.
Victorious the group was again showered with money, food, promises of sex and praise by the arena fans.
Kyle freed the wolf creature named Gron with a spell of Cayden, arena gaurds rushing to stop the big wolf from escaping. The heroes had completed their oath to the arena master, Lythar, Kyle and Thisltle bartered for Grons freedom paying with their own winnings.
Heading to the inn the group decides what to do to get Gron home safely so that the drow do no capture him again and sell him to Barvins men. Meanwhile Thistle and Kyle go back to the arena after closing time, hoping to free the remaining slaves below.
To be continued…
No comments:
Post a Comment