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Chapter Text

Amira grunted as a fist connected with her chin, then batted aside two more punches with her forearms. Her opponent was a caramel-skinned Wood Elf man who dodged her retaliatory punches, then struck back with more of his own. Grunting, she bared her fangs, then lunged forward and bit him. He cried out, then dodged her second bite. Three more punches broke two of her ribs, so she bit him again, draining him to heal herself. He again dodged her follow-up attack, dancing around her and landing three more punches. He dodged another bite, only for her to punch him in the gut, then he delivered three blows to her head, knocking her out cold.

Amira regained consciousness on a canvas cot to find Navi and Nox on either side of her.

“Welcome back.” Nox said cheerfully. “That looked like it hurt.”

“It did.” She touched where her opponent had broken her ribs. “How much did you lose?”

“I won three Platinum.” Navi said proudly.

Amira winced. “That hurts even more, especially after you lost your ring at that casino.”

Navi shrugged. “Without weapons and armor, you’re less of a threat.”

Once Amira had spent an hour recovering, she, Navi, and Nox departed the apothecary basement where the fight club was located. They headed back to the inn, and when they entered the lobby, a light blue-skinned Elven woman stood up from a couch in the waiting area and approached.

“Excuse me, are you Amira?” She asked.

Amira gave the Half-Sea Elf woman a once over. She was around 5’4” and had long green hair and eyes that were a darker shade of blue than her skin. She wore black pants and a brown top over a white undershirt. Her left ear was pierced with what appeared to be a peach-colored coral earring.

“That is my name.” Amira said. “What’s this about?”

“My name is Cophira.” She folded her hands. “If you’re the mercenary I’m looking for, then I’d like to hire you.”

Fifty-two miles to the northeast, in the village of Erathos, Karrus stepped into an old temple to Mielikki with his longsword drawn. Behind him, Bryrie had her crossbow raised, and Erakax was gripping a diamond in one hand.

“Ghelryn, you here?” Karrus called out, his voice echoing through the empty stone building.

As they walked past the rows of dusty wooden benches, Bryrie spotted a humanoid figure in the shadows to the right. He was a Mountain Dwarf, with blue eyes, hair that was somewhere between gold and white, and a great, bushy beard.

“There you are.” Karrus said, lowering his weapon. “Ghelryn, your wife is worried sick.”

As Ghelryn Foehammer stepped out into the open, the moonlight gleamed off his steel breastplate. He carried a spiked hammer in one hand and a dented metal shield in the other. His right shoulder was covered in blood.

“Hey, what’s up?” Karrus asked.

“Something’s definitely wrong.” Bryrie raised her crossbow.

“Yeah.” He drew his dagger in his free hand.

It was at that moment that Ghelryn charged, swinging his hammer at Erakax and hitting the side of his head. He cast Shield, blocking the second attack. Beating his wings, Karrus flew over a bench and landed behind the Dwarf, cutting into the backs of his unarmored legs. Instead of firing her crossbow, Bryrie shot a frigid beam of blue-white light from her palm, hitting Ghelryn in the side and causing him to collapse.

“Great.” Erakax crossed his arms. “Now what do we tell his wife?”

“He’s alive.” Bryrie said, seeing the Dwarf breathing. “I know my own strength.”

He sighed. “Let’s get him back on his feet. I’d prefer not to carry him.”

Karrus knelt down and put a hand on Ghelryn’s back, but as soon as he made contact, the blood that was flowing from the Dwarf’s wounds suddenly rose up like a tentacle and lashed out, bludgeoning his cheek and leaving a nasty bruise that started to blood. Erakax immediately fired off four Magic Missiles, ensuring that only the blood-like substance was hit. Scrambling to his feet, Karrus cast Invisibility on himself, only for the ooze to launch itself at him, wrapping around his head and disappearing in the process.

“Fuck!” Bryrie exclaimed, raising her crossbow.

Karrus became visible above and behind Erakax and immediately attacked, cutting into his back with his sword and dagger. Bryrie immediately cast Fire Bolt, but the spell missed. Turning on his heel, Erakax fired off five Magic Missiles, transmuting the kinetic energy into fire in order to reduce the harm to Karrus. All five darts hit the Tiefling’s bleeding cheek, and Erakax followed up by exhaling a cone of flame.

Karrus winced as he attacked Erakax again. The Dragonborn stopped both sword attacks by casting Shield, but the dagger strike broke through and caught him in the ribs. Bryrie hit Karrus with a Fire Bolt, and Erakax used Misty Step to gain distance before doing the same. With the Draconic Sorcerer out of reach, Karrus attacked Bryrie, who took a sword to the knee before she was able to stop the next two attacks with Shield. Suddenly dropping his weapons, he reached up and pulled the ooze off and out of himself, then threw it on the ground.

The ooze launched itself at Bryrie, who batted it aside before it could latch on, then pummeled it with three Magic Missiles. Erakax used his diamond to cast Chromatic Orb, but the ooze evaded the thunderous energy. He followed up with Mind Sliver, which proved ineffective. Karrus conjured a painfully loud ringing noise around the ooze, which recoiled away from the trio. Instead of attacking, it darted towards the open door, only to be blocked by a muscular woman rushing up the stone stairs. Noticing the red ooze heading towards her, she drew a gem-studded greatsword. Flowers and vines suddenly sprouted from the stone around her, and she swung her sword at the ooze, cutting its mass in two and causing it to splatter on the ground.

“Thanks for that.” Erakax said, breathing heavily.

“Don’t mention it.” The Eladrin woman said in an unfamiliar accent. She sheathed her blade behind her back, then gestured to Ghelryn. “What’s with him?”

“That thing was controlling him somehow.” Karrus said. “It attacked when I tried to heal him. Speaking of which…”

He knelt down and cast Cure Wounds on Ghelryn, bringing the Dwarf back to consciousness.

“Ugh…” Ghelryn groaned, pressing a hand to his temple. “What happened?”

“Let’s get you home.” Bryrie said. “Ethyl is worried sick.”

He picked himself up, but his legs were shaking, and Karrus and the Eladrin woman both rushed forward to help. Bryrie led the way out of the temple and down the road, and Erakax brought up the rear. Once they’d delivered Ghelryn to his family, they walked down the road a bit before turning to address the stranger.

“We appreciate the help, but it begs the question of who you are and what you’re doing at the temple so late at night.” Bryrie asked.

The Eladrin woman stared at her blankly for a moment, then blinked and nodded. “Right. I’m Lyvtrianna. You can call me Lyv.”

Lyv stood just over six feet tall and had fair skin, green eyes that seemed to change color depending on the light, and a long mane of bushy white hair that was dotted with over a dozen colorful flowers. Her clothing appeared to be made entirely of natural materials, with a brown animal hide vest that showed off her muscular arms, a green sash made of leaves, and and some sort of skirt/shorts hybrid made of more animal hide.

“What brings you to the temple?” Karrus asked after he and the others had introduced themselves.

“I’m a follower of Mielikki.” Lyv explained. “Have been my whole life. I don’t get to visit her temples as often as I’d like, and we just got here an hour ago, and we’ve got a busy day tomorrow.”

“Who is ‘we’?” Erakax inquired.

“My team.” She replied. “We’re just passing through. We’ve got a job up in Hashikita.” Her eyes widened. “Wait! Estoc said we’d be better off with one or two more. You guys wanna make some Gold?”

Bryrie glanced at the others, then shrugged. “I’m certainly open to the idea.”

Back in Bartalos, Amira and the others were sitting on the inn’s back patio when they saw a Goblin man and a Lizardfolk man approaching.

“That’s them.” Cophira said. “Krig and Shigru.”

The Goblin waved. “I’m Krig.”

Amira gestured to the empty chairs at the table. “Join us.”

Krig was around 3’7” and had sage green skin, red eyes, and short black hair. He had a black cavalier hat with a yellow band and a red feather. He wore a breastplate over yellow and gray clothing and carried a flail and shield. Shigru stood 6’6” and resembled a humanoid iguana, with brown eyes and brighter green skin with a more yellow-hued front. He wore a plain brown tunic and carried a simple quarterstaff.

“So, what’s the job?” Amira asked.

“There’s a fortress in Hashikita.” Cophira explained. “It houses secure vaults owned by nobles from the surrounding villages. There’s one item in particular that was recently put inside. An Orb of Dragonkind. The noble who possesses it is Zheng Shei.”

Nox rubbed his chin. “That name sounds familiar.”

“He used to run the biggest criminal empire on the continent.” Krig said. “Now he claims to have gone legit, but no one in their right mind believes it.”

“We know he plans to use the Orb.” Cophira continued. “We want to take it before he can. As part of your cut, you can take anything else you want from his vault.”

“What do you plan to do with it?” Amira inquired.

“Nothing.” She replied. “Our client has asked us to bring it to her so she can dispose of it. We’ve been authorized to outsource or hire additional help as needed.”

“I see.” Amira rubbed her chin. “Well, I’ll help you get in, but I’m not taking anything. I’m a merc, not a thief.”

“Alright.” Cophira nodded. “That’s fine.”

“I assume you have a map.” Nox said. “Show us what we’re dealing with.”

Nodding, Shigru produced a map from his bag and laid it flat on the coffee table. It showed a roughly square structure surrounded by a moat. Less than a quarter mile to the east was a very large lake.

“They filled the moat by channeling water from the lake.” Cophira explained. “There’s a tunnel they use to top it off if too much water evaporates in the heat and there’s not enough rain to compensate. I’ll use that to get inside the perimeter and set up a line for the rest of you.”

“How do you expect to do that without being spotted?” Navi inquired.

“We have that covered.” Shigru replied. “We’ll have Mages standing by to conjure up some foggy weather.”

Amira looked at Cophira. “What if something attacks you in the water?”

“Then I’ll either fight or flee.” The Half-Elf replied. “Unless you have webbed toes and a Potion of Water Breathing.”

“No, but I can hold my breath for a long time.” She replied.

“I don’t need to breathe at all.” Navi added.

Cophira sighed. “I would feel better with backup. Let me check my bag and see if I still have that Ring of Swimming.”

“If it’s a vault, what’s to stop them from just locking us in?” Nox asked.

“Each vault has a one-way teleportation rune in case someone gets trapped in their own vault.” Krig replied. “It happens more than you might think.”

In Erathos, Lyvtrianna led Karrus, Bryrie, and Erakax to a room on the second floor of the Blue Lotus Tavern, where a Yuan-ti woman and a wooden humanoid were playing Three-Dragon Ante at a small table.

“Guys, I found some help!” Lyv exclaimed.

The Yuan-ti and wooden humanoid both rose to their feet. The former had yellow-green skin, long black hair, and gray eyes. A scimitar hung from her left hip, and a longbow was propped up against the wall behind her. The latter appeared to be made of dark oak, but had wooden eyes made of regular oak. It wore animal hide clothing that was similar to Lyv’s but appeared to be actual armor rather than purely cosmetic.

“Lyv, you said you were going to the temple.”

The Yuan-ti woman said, eyeing the trio.

“I did!” The Eladrin woman said excitedly. “I found these guys fighting some kind of red ooze, and I helped kill it. There was a Dwarf too. I think he was drunk or something?”

Bryrie sighed. “She did help us, and she mentioned you guys could use some help. We’re a little light on money, so we thought it was at least worth checking out.”

The Warforged studied her for a moment, then Erakax and Karrus, then he pointed at the Tiefling.

“Entertainer.” They said in a deep voice, moving their finger to Erakax. “Mage.” They turned back to Bryrie. “Uh…gambler?”

Bryrie blinked. “Huh?”

“You’ll have to forgive Estoc.” The Yuan-ti woman said. “He doesn’t really get clothing beyond its utility, so he tends to assume that it denotes a person’s function.”

Estoc crossed his arms. “I’m usually right.”

“You thought a Human child was a Halfling court jester!” She pointed out.

“Why else would she be wearing bright colors and a silly hat, Zhosa?”

“What’s the job?” Karrus asked loudly.

Zhosa sighed. “There’s a fortress up in Hashikita where the area’s nobles keep their valuables. Think of it like a bank. Word is that a man named Zheng Shei recently acquired an Orb of Dragonkind.”

The magical heart Bryrie wore around her neck pulsed, and she focused on it, gaining knowledge on the subject.

“The former crime boss?” She asked. “That Zheng Shei?”

Estoc nodded. “That’s the one.”

“Well, I’m in.” She stepped closer. “What’s the plan?”

“We have a contact who will supply us with Potions of Flight and Blurriness.” Lyv replied. “Throw in a stealth spell, and we’re in business.”

Erakax crossed his arms. “When would we leave?”

“Tomorrow.” Zhosa replied. “We can iron out everyone’s roles on the way.”

Chapter Text

The next morning, Amira, Navi, and Nox joined Cophira, Krig, and Shigru in a modest but well-kept horse-drawn wagon. Nox had swapped his half plate armor for his old breastplate, knowing it would be better for stealth. As they were riding, Navi was the first to break the silence.

“So, what do you guys do when you’re not doing jobs like this?”

Shigru nudged Krig. “This one gambles too much.”

“Hey!” The Goblin protested.

“What?” Shigru asked defensively. “It’s true!”

Nox chuckled.

“At least I don’t go around trying to bait butch women into pinning me down and ravaging me!” Krig exclaimed.

“I don’t do that!” Shigru insisted.

They were interrupted when Cophira sneezed loudly from the front of the wagon.

“Anyway.” Amira said after an uncomfortably long silence. “How did you all meet?”

As they continued onward, Navi couldn’t help noticing the way Cophira’s tongue would dart out to lick her lips whenever they made eye contact. The night was uneventful, but when they set off the next day, Cophira took the seat across from Navi instead of the middle seat like she had the previous day. Navi soon found out why when a bare blue foot found its way between her legs and rested it on her crotch. Navi shot Cophira a glare, but the Half-Sea Elf carried on talking with the others as though nothing were happening. Navi simply ignored it, which was simple until Cophira started rubbing her crotch.

When they stopped for the night, Cophira went down to a nearby river to refill their waterskins. Navi went with her, and when they had finished, Navi grabbed Cophira, shoved her up against a tree, and kissed her roughly. Cophira moaned and kissed back, and Navi immediately shoved a hand down the front of her pants.

“You don’t waste time, do you?” Cophira asked.

“Never.” Navi started kissing her neck. “Not when brats like you are involved.”

The rest of the journey was rainy but otherwise uneventful, and on the fourth day, they arrived in the small town of Hashikita. The six of them stood out among the predominantly Human populace, but aside from a few dirty looks, they didn’t draw much attention. They parked in front of a magic shop, and inside, Cophira introduced them to Erwin - a red-haired Forest Gnome man in deep blue robes.

“Once I cast the spell, you’ll have eight hours.” He said.

“You sure you don’t wanna come?” Krig asked. “You’ll have your pick of the vault.”

“We could always use an extra Mage.” Cophira added.

He rubbed his chin. “Alright, but only because I like you.”

With that, he muttered an incantation that Nox recognized as Seeming, creating magical disguises for the seven of them. Amira became a gray-skinned Half-Drow, Navi a white-haired Kalashtar, Nox a fair-skinned Ghostwise Halfling, Cophira a green-haired Water Genasi, Krig a dark-haired Rock Gnome, and Shigru a tan-skinned Shifter. Erwin himself became a gray-skinned Deep Gnome.

The fortress was north of town, and they had been walking for half an hour when it came into view. As they got closer, they saw fog starting to form around the impressive moat. Cophira split off, and Navi followed, heading northeast towards the lake. When they reached it, Cophira dove in without hesitation, and Navi took a quick look around before following suit.

A swarm of carnivorous quippers scattered as Navi approached. Her Goggles of Night gave her better visibility than when she’d gone swimming in the past, allowing her to spot the head of a large predator just before it lunged forward and bit Cophira, trapping her in its jaws. Swimming as fast as she could, Navi drew her greatsword and attacked the spinosaurus, cutting into the skin below its dorsal spine.

A rapier appeared in Cophira’s right hand, and she twisted in the beast’s jaws and managed to stab its left eye. It scratched her with its claws, then slammed its tail into Navi. The Reborn Barbarian struck back with her sword, cutting into its right leg. Just as Cophira felt like she was going to pass out, the spinosaurus released her and swam to shore. Cophira was bleeding heavily, so Navi grabbed her around the waist and helped her to shore, where they saw the spinosaurus heading into the trees. Navi poured a healing potion into Cophira’s mouth, and after catching her breath, the Half-Sea Elf Warlock pulled three healing potions out of her bag and drank them one after the other.

“You good?” Navi asked.

Cophira nodded. “Let’s keep going.”

Diving back into the water, Cophira cast Detect Magic, then swam along the west edge of the lake until she spotted a signature. Digging, she found a smooth piece of metal beneath the sediment with a rune that would have been invisible to the naked eye. Recognizing the rune, she activated it with a touch, and the metal slid downward to reveal a tunnel. Navi began swimming down the tunnel, and Cophira followed close behind. After what felt like half an hour, they saw light ahead, at which point Navi conjured a giant shark in front of herself.

“Sandy, protect us.” She said in Dwarvish, her voice sounding deeper in the water.

The huge predator swam ahead, and the moment it entered the east side of the moat, it suddenly lashed out, biting into something they couldn’t see. The water weird retaliated by slamming its serpentine form into the shark, though all Navi and Cophira saw was the shark jerking to the side. The two very different aquatic creatures traded blows, with the shark emerging the victor. Reaching the surface, they climbed up the rocks to the grass at the base of the tower.

“Amira!” Navi hissed.

“Right here!” Amira replied in a loud whisper.

Navi sent Sandy across the moat, and the shark returned with a Half-Drow, Halfling, Shifter, Rock Gnome, and Forest Gnome on its back.

“Fly.” Amira whispered.

Her cast-off plate armor detached itself from her body, and she began walking up the forty-foot stone wall. Erwin cast Spider Climb on himself, then followed her up. Twenty feet up, she slipped, and her boot scuffed against the wall, breaking off a piece of stone and sending it clattering down. Cursing, she drew her battleaxe as two Human heads looked down over the battlements. Next to her, Erwin created the image of a blood hawk squawking loudly over the two guards. While they were distracted, he used Mage Hand to tie a piece of rope around a parapet, and Shigru began nimbly scaling the wall.

“Fly.” Amira whispered.

Her armor had barely attached itself to her when the archers returned, firing arrows down at them. One hit Amira’s left arm, another flew past her and bounced off Krig’s shield, Erwin blocked a third by casting Shield, and Shigru caught the fourth before throwing it back and hitting the second archer in the ribs. Using the rope, Navi scaled the wall in a matter of seconds. Erwin reached the top next, and when he saw the archers on the other walls, he cast Major Image, creating the illusion of a gargantuan bird called a roc circling overhead. Joining him, Amira cast Divine Favor, giving her axe a faint glow as she slashed at the first archer, burying the blade in his chest and right arm. As Nox began climbing up the rope, he sent three Magic Missiles into the second archer’s chest. Below him, Cophira fired two Eldritch Blasts from her rapier, and Krig made himself as small a target as possible.

Reaching the top of the wall, Shigru vaulted over the battlements, landing gracefully next to the second archer and throwing a volley of four punches, three of which hit. Dropping their bows, the archers drew shortswords and struck back, stabbing Shigru in the arm but failing to get past Amira’s shield. An archer on the south wall shot Navi in the shoulder, but the others were too busy firing up at the illusory roc. Navi let out a battle cry as she attacked the first archer, cutting into both of his legs before slashing up his chest. Erwin killed the first archer with Mind Sliver, so Amira buried her axe in the second archer’s back, and Nox killed him with a Fire Bolt after reaching the top.

After two days of scouting and planning, Bryrie, Karrus, Erakax, Lyvtrianna, Estoc, and Zhosa approached the fortress from the north. An attack had occurred during the previous day’s scouting, and they had observed the fort’s defenses, which included archers on the walls and elementals called water weirds in the moat. A large cloud of fog was slowly drifting southwest as they approached, reducing visibility around the stone structure. Digging through her bag, Zhosa pulled out eleven potions.

“The flight will last an hour.” She said. “Blurriness lasts ten minutes. Don’t drink that until we’re right over the fort or someone engages us. I’ll cast Pass without Trace for an extra layer of obscurity.”

Everyone except Karrus drank a Potion of Flight, and Zhosa cast her spell, then they all took to the air. Once they were directly above the fortress, they drank their Potions of Blurriness, then dove straight down. As they cleared the clouds, they could see two archers on each wall. The archers on the east wall suddenly shouted to the others, then Bryrie and the others heard a screech overhead. Looking up, they saw a bird with a wingspan of over a hundred feet circling overhead. Looking back down, they saw people climbing up onto the east wall and engaging the archers.

Karrus was the first to land inside the fortress walls, and the others quickly followed. Before they could get their bearings, a portcullis in the central building opened, and five wolf-sized reptilian quadrupeds darted out into the courtyard - one blue, one red, one black, one green, and one white.

“Guard drakes!” Lyv exclaimed, drawing her sword.

With her hands empty, Bryrie cast Mind Sliver on the white drake. Erakax cast Chromatic Orb, hurling an orb of energy that became acidic before hitting the red drake in the tail. It bounced after impact, becoming a bolt of lightning and hitting the black drake’s right hind leg. The blue drake was the first to attack, closing with Zhosa. Her blurriness caused its bite to miss, but it successfully slammed its tail into her knee. Drawing her scimitar, she slashed at it, cutting into its upper back.

While the red drake bit Erakax, the black drake lunged at Estoc, hitting one leg with its tail and biting the other. A bolt of light shot out of Lyv’s chest, hitting the red drake as she swung her sword, cutting off its front right leg and then its head. Karrus dodged the white drake’s bite, but it hit him with its tail. While he struck back with his sword and dagger, Estoc awakened the symbiotic entity that lived within his wooden form, doubling the size of the invisible swarm surrounding him. The green drake then attacked Bryrie, who nimbly dodged its tail, only for it to bite her right calf.

Bryrie drew her rapier, and green fire engulfed the blade. She stabbed the green drake in the neck, and a burst of fire jumped to the blue drake. Erakax hit the black drake with a spray of poison, then missed it with a Fire Bolt. Zhosa dodged the blue drake’s teeth and tail, then swung her scimitar, cutting into its front legs. While the black drake attacked Estoc to no avail, Lyv slashed at the green drake, cutting deep into its flank. The white drake bit Karrus, who killed it with three blows to the neck. While Estoc cut the black drake’s throat with his sickle, the green drake turned its attention to Lyv, biting her leg but missing with its tail.

Bryrie killed the green drake with a stab to the head, and Erakax killed the black drake with a Fire Bolt. The blue drake bit Zhosa, but before she could strike back, two arrows flew by, and she turned to see an archer on the west wall nocking a third. While she cut the drake’s throat, Lyv flew towards the west wall and threw a pair of javelins at the archer, which she easily dodged. Karrus hit the archer with a mote of light, and Estoc did the same.

Taking to the air, Bryrie flew towards the west wall and hit the archer with a Ray of Frost. Karrus hit her with a Fire Bolt, and she fired her bow, missing Bryrie and hitting Estoc. Taking cover behind a statue of a Dwarf in chainmail, Zhosa fired between its legs, hitting the archer in the leg. Landing on the wall, Lyv swung her greatsword, cutting the archer’s head off.

Atop the east wall, Amira and the others watched as half a dozen blurry figures descended into the courtyard and engaged a quintet of guard drakes. Cophira muttered an incantation, and a pair of maw demons appeared on the south wall. While they attacked the archers, she led the others towards a door to the north. The door led to a spiral staircase, and they followed it down below ground level and into the basement. 

Krig and Cophira led the way down a torchlit hallway, followed by Navi and Amira. As they walked, Krig poked his thumb on a spike embedded in his flail, and the weapon’s head burst into flame. Continuing on, they turned a corner to find a four person phalanx blocking their path. It consisted of a Human man and woman, an Orc woman, and a Half-Orc man. Each one wore a breastplate and carried a spear and shield.

“Halt!” The Human woman barked.

Erwin let loose with a Lightning Bolt, hitting the Orc and the Human man. Seeing that the Orc was more badly hurt, Nox hit her with a Guiding Bolt. Advancing as one, the hoplites thrust with their spears, jabbing Amira, Navi, Krig, and Cophira. Krig downed the contents of a small vial, then swung his burning flail, breaking the Hobgoblin’s neck and two of the Human man’s ribs.

Amira re-cast Divine Favor, then slashed at the Human woman, burying the enchanted battleaxe in her right shoulder. Distancing herself from the melee, Cophira peppered the Half-Orc with Eldritch Blasts. Shigru darted through the hole formed by the fallen Orc, then got behind the Human woman and slammed his quarterstaff into her spine. Navi decapitated the Human woman, then carved into the Human man’s side. Erwin killed the Human man with a Magic Missile to the head, then hit the Half-Orc with three more. Nox healed Navi, then hit the Half-Orc with a Fire Bolt. The Half-Orc turned and bolted, only for Krig to chase him down and shatter his spine.

Outside, Lyv ran up to the portcullis just as it came crashing back down.

“Fuck!” She shouted.

“Here!” Karrus ran up next to her, knelt down, and grabbed the bottom of the gate. “Lift!”

Planting her feet, Lyv lifted, and Karrus helped her raise the gate high enough for the others to run underneath. The room they found themselves in was maybe twenty feet on a side, with a stone staircase leading downward. No sooner had they reached the bottom of the stairs than a trio of Hobgoblin women in leather armor who immediately fired a volley of arrows, hitting Karrus, Lyv, and Erakax. Bryrie protected herself by casting Shield.

Shimmering, multicolor lights surrounded Lyv as she charged forward, carving into the first Hobgoblin with her greatsword. Bryrie fired her crossbow, hitting the same Hobgoblin in the arm. Zhosa cast Hunter’s Mark on the third Hobgoblin, then shot her left arm and leg. Swapping their bows for scimitars and shields, the Hobgoblins surrounded Lyv, cutting into her from all sides. Karrus cast Healing Word on her, then shot the first Hobgoblin with his shortbow. Erakax downed a healing potion, then hit the second Hobgoblin with an acidic Chromatic Orb. Estoc cast Conjure Animals, and two beasts appeared - a deinonychus and a large lynx with black streaks in its reddish-brown fur. Both beasts charged forward, attacking the second Hobgoblin from the left and right and knocking her to the ground.

Lyv downed a healing potion, then decapitated the first Hobgoblin. Bryrie killed the second with a crossbow bolt to the head, and Zhosa killed the third with two arrows to the back. Estoc immediately got to work healing Erakax and Lyv, who were the most badly-wounded.

Elsewhere beneath the fortress, Cophira detected a trap rune on the ceiling ahead, and Nox cast Dispel Magic, only for it to unleash a shockwave that knocked him, Shigru, and Krig off their feet. At that moment, four High Elves in half plate appeared behind them wielding spears and shields. They threw a total of eight javelins, hitting Amira, Krig, Navi, and Cophira. Shigru caught one and threw it back, hitting the third attacker. All four Elves then cast Ray of Frost, hitting Erwin and Navi.

Putting a rock in a sling, Shigru hurled it and missed, then hurled another, which bounced off the second High Elf and hit the first in the temple. Next to him, Cophira fired a pair of Eldritch Blasts, hitting the third Elf with the second. Navi downed a healing potion, then threw two javelins, hitting the fourth Elf in the leg. Nox cast Healing Word on Shigru, then Toll the Dead on the first High Elf. Erwin cast Blight on the second Elf, who collapsed on the spot. Krig wailed on the third Elf with his flaming flail, breaking his knees and bashing his head open, and Amira buried her axe in the first Elf’s back, then cast Freezing Smite and buried it in his neck. The last High Elf cast Invisibility, only for Erwin to stop him with Counterspell. Darting forward, Shigru bit the Elf’s neck, then broke it.

Elsewhere, once Estoc and Karrus had healed everyone, Karrus and Lyv led the way forward, followed by Estoc’s animals. They soon found a line of doors with names carved into them, and Karrus had just located one labeled “Zheng Shei” when a blast of cold air hit the entire group and killed Estoc’s deinonychus, which vanished. Two figures became visible farther down the hall - a Hobgoblin man in a black tunic and a Human man in mauve robes.

Karrus cast Shatter between the pair. The Human man cast Counterspell, so Erakax did the same. A Duergar woman in chainmail became visible and immediately doubled in size, then threw a pair of javelins, missing Karrus and hitting Zhosa’s right hip. Bryrie hit the Hobgoblin with Ray of Frost as he darted forward and delivered four punches to Lyv’s abdomen before teleporting back next to the Duergar. While Estoc healed the Eladrin, his lynx attacked the Human Mage by scratching his leg. A bolt of light from Lyv’s chest hit the Hobgoblin as she closed in on him and swung her greatsword, cutting him down on the spot. Turning, she slashed at the Duergar, who blocked the attack with her shield. Picking himself up, the Mage cast Lightning Bolt, hitting Karrus, Bryrie, Zhosa, Estoc, and the lynx. Karrus and Zhosa both collapsed, and the lynx vanished. Instead of casting a spell, Erakax exhaled a cone of flame, burning the Duergar and Human. The Duergar woman drew a shortsword and stabbed Lyv, only for Bryrie to shoot her in the head. While Estoc healed Zhosa, Lyv decapitated the Mage. Zhosa healed Karrus, then everyone took a moment to drink healing potions.

“Move fast.” Estoc said. “Blur won’t last much longer.”

Estoc cast Detect Magic, which picked up a signature from every door within range. Karrus cast Dispel Magic, and they heard a click from within Zheng Shei’s door. Stepping inside, they found a square room with roughly two dozen boxes stacked along the walls. Rushing over to a random box, Bryrie opened it and found a sheathed rapier with an onyx pommel tipped with a ruby cut in the shape of a spider.

“Woah.” Estoc muttered. “That’s pretty fucking powerful.”

She took it without hesitation. Nearby, Erakax opened another box, which contained an empty vial that also gave off a magic signature. Zhosa’s box turned up empty, as did the one Estoc checked, but Karrus found a magical longsword, and Lyv found a small green orb.

“Is this what we’re looking for?” She asked.

Zhosa’s eyes widened. “That’s it, alright. Let’s get going.”

Lyv put the orb in her bag, then peeked out the door and saw the group of seven who had scaled the wall running towards them.

“Estoc, where’s the teleporter?!” She asked, ducking back inside.

He pointed, and she stepped onto the spot, but nothing happened. Bryrie heard a voice whisper a single word, and when she repeated that word, a rune briefly appeared on the floor, and Lyv vanished. Karrus’ blurriness wore off just as he stepped onto the spot, and the others followed. Zhosa was last, vanishing just as the disguised Cophira burst into the room.

“Looks like that other team beat us here.” Navi remarked.

Cophira nodded. “Search everything. Hopefully they didn’t find it.”

While Amira stood guard outside, Erwin cast Detect Magic, then he and the others got work searching the boxes. Cophira found a magic battleaxe, which she strapped to her side. Krig and Shigru came up empty, but Navi found a magic helmet, and Erwin found a strange purple crystal shard, which he put back. Sighing, Amira stepped inside to help speed things up. Their efforts located an apron soaked with blood, a Ring of Water Walking, and an enchanted flail, the last of which Krig took for himself. Amira took the ring, then removed her Ring of Hidden Desire and offered it to Nox, who accepted it. All of the remaining boxes were empty.

“Fuck!” Cophira shouted, grabbing the purple shard and throwing it on the ground.

Chapter Text

As they made camp that night, Bryrie cast Identify on Erakax’s vial, revealing it to be a Bloodwell Vial. Familiar with the item, the Dragonborn Sorcerer used his dagger to cut the back of his forearm, then carefully filled the vial with his blood. Bryrie had already attuned to her new rapier, which had doubled the distance she could see in the dark. Karrus was unfamiliar with his new sword, but attuning revealed that it utilized kinetic energy to amplify its attacks.

In the morning, they were on the road, riding in a covered wagon provided by Zhosa. They were halfway back when a wall of sand appeared without warning, forcing Zhosa to stop the wagon. Spotting a Half-Sea Elf woman in the trees to the left, the Yuan-ti Ranger cast Hunter’s Mark, then fired two arrows and hit her target with the first. In the trees to the right, Erwin hit the wagon with a Fireball, sparing the horses but burning Zhosa and everyone inside. To the left, Cophira fired two Eldritch Blasts, hitting Zhosa with the second.

Emerging from the wagon on the right side, Bryrie cast Alanis’ Toxic Bolt, then shot Erwin in the shoulder. He yelled in pain as acid from the bolt ate away at his clothes and skin. On the left, Karrus cast Dissonant Whispers on Cophira, who winced in pain. Emerging from a line of bushes to the left, Shigru closed with Karrus and delivered a flurry of punches to his unarmored limbs. On the right side, Krig’s new flail burst into flame as he closed with Bryrie. She blocked his first attack by casting Shield, but his second broke through and hit her ribcage.

“Wait!” Nox shouted, running out of the trees on the left. “Stop!”

Karrus’ eyes widened. “Nox?!”

Amira emerged on the right side, gripping her axe and shield but holding them at her sides.

“Stop the attack!” She shouted.

Erakax stepped out of the wagon, and Estoc and Lyv followed, weapons in hand. Navi stepped onto the road behind Amira, greatsword drawn.

“What the fuck is happening?” Zhosa asked, aiming another arrow at Cophira.

“They’re friends!” Erakex exclaimed. “Well, some of them are.”

Erwin downed a potion, then vanished, reappearing inside the empty wagon. Cophira also downed a potion, and her rapier appeared in her right hand as she stepped out onto the road. Turning, Bryrie stabbed Erwin in the side.

“Gah!” He gasped.

“Enough!” Karrus shouted, beating his wings and flying up to the wagon roof while healing himself. “Let’s talk first, fight later, yeah?”

Shigru and Krig both stepped back, though the latter kept his flail ablaze.

“What are you doing here?” Nox asked. “Where are the guys who took the orb?”

Amira put her head in her hands. “It’s them. They were the blurry ones. I recognize the Yuan-ti.”

“Who the fuck are you?” Zhosa asked. “How do you know about it?”

“Those three are our friends.” Erakax pointed to Nox, Navi, and Amira. “I’ve never seen the others before.”

Estoc smiled and waved to Krig, who awkwardly waved back.

“We were disguised yesterday.” Navi said. “I was a Kalashtar.”

Zhosa’s eyes widened. “That was you?”

In the wagon, Erwin dropped his sand wall, then cast Locate Object.

“Hey!” Bryrie snapped. “Knock it off!”

“Easy, easy.” Karrus sheathed his Kinetic Longsword. “Why are you guys here?”

“We were hired to retrieve the Orb of Dragonkind.” Shigru replied.

Krig nodded in agreement.

“So were we.” Erakax said.

“Why didn’t you contact us?” Navi inquired.

“It was kind of last minute.” He admitted. “We met them a few nights ago, and we were on our way here the next morning.”

“Who hired you?” Zhosa asked.

In the wagon, Erwin manifested a shimmering, translucent hand, then used it to rip open the Yuan-ti’s backpack and snatch the orb. Cophira immediately cast Shatter, and Erakax cast Counterspell, only for Erwin to do the same to him. Zhosa and Bryrie winced and covered their ears, then Bryrie stabbed Erwin again. Karrus healed Bryrie, then missed Cophira with a Starry Wisp. Shigru immediately closed with him again, but Karrus took all four punches in his breastplate. Krig attacked Bryrie again, who cried out as his flail broke two of her ribs. While Nox missed Erwin with a Guiding Bolt, Amira turned to face the Spring Eladrin, then turned pale.

“Lyv?!” She gasped.

While Erakax sent four darts of pure force into Krig’s back, Estoc conjured a flaming sphere around Navi. Lyv’s jaw dropped as she stared at Amira, and Navi looked back and forth between the two. Zhosa shot Cophira in the leg, then fired again and missed. Snatching the key from his Arcane Hand, Erwin dove out of the wagon, ran over to Cophira, and cast Dimension Door.  Erakax cast Counterspell, but Erwin cast it as well, and the pair vanished.

“Fuck!” Bryrie exclaimed, attacking Krig but missing.

Karrus cast Heat Metal on Krig’s breastplate, burning him.

“Are you done?” He asked, flying up out of reach. “I think we should talk this out!”

Shigru used his sling to hurl two stones up at Karrus, who dodged the first before the second hit his left knee. Krig pulled out a vial and drank the fiery orange liquid inside, which caused his skin to take on a reddish tint and gain a scale-like pattern. He swung his flail again, but Bryrie dodged both attacks.

“Peace!” Nox shouted, casting Command.

Shigru and Krig both resisted the spell. Sighing, Amira closed with Krig and buried her axe in his right shoulder. While Erakax hit Shigru with an acidic orb, Estoc ended his flaming sphere and healed himself. Lyv teleported between Shigru and the wagon, then slashed at him, only for him to dodge her blade. Stepping up next to Amira, Navi slashed at Krig, cutting off his right arm and then his head.

Recognizing Shigru as a Monk, Zhosa drew her scimitar and attacked up close, cutting into his side. Turning, Bryrie hurled a Fire Bolt through the open doors of the wagon, only for the Lizardfolk man to dodge it. Drawing his longsword, Karrus flew down and attacked from above, cutting Shigru’s throat.

“Alright, can we talk now?” Amira asked, looking around at everyone.

Once they found a decent-sized clearing, they moved off the road and set up a temporary camp. As the two groups filled each other in, Amira walked a perimeter while concentrating on Detect Evil and Good, and Karrus removed his armor, replacing it with Krig’s adamantine breastplate. Zhosa took the Goblin’s shield for herself.

“So you haven’t met the client?” Bryrie asked.

Nox shook his head. “That would have presumably happened after we got back.”

“Great.” Erakax rubbed his head. “So the orb is on its way to an unknown party.”

“What was your plan?” Navi asked defensively. “Who were you taking it to?”

“We belong to the Emerald Claw.” Zhosa replied.

“Never heard of them.”

“I have.” Nox said. “They live in nature. Mostly stick to themselves, but occasionally they get involved if it’s for a good cause.”

Estoc nodded. “More or less.”

Finishing her sweep, Amira sat down between Navi and Karrus.

“Find anything?” Nox asked.

“Just Navi.” Amira replied, her eyes fixed on Lyvtrianna.

“Hey.” Lyv said.

“Hey.” Amira felt some of the tension leave her shoulders. “Been a few years. How’ve you been?”

“Pretty good.” Lyv replied.

“How do you know each other?” Navi inquired.

Lyv folded her hands. “Well, we-”

“They will betray you.” A voice whispered in Bryrie’s ear.

Shrieking, the Moon Elf leaped to her feet and looked around, but she saw nothing beyond their camp.

“Did anyone else hear that voice?” She asked, one hand on her rapier.

Erakax leaned forward. “What did it say?”

“‘They will betray you.’” She repeated.

“Strike now, before it’s too late.” The voice whispered.

“Now it’s telling me to kill someone!” She exclaimed.

“Either a demon or devil or something is trying to manipulate you, or your new sword has a mind of its own.” Erakax said.

Looking down, she began unstrapping the rapier from her hip.

“Maia!” Navi exclaimed. “Cophira referred to her client as ‘Maia’!”

“That could be Maia Springbluff.” Bryrie said, setting the rapier down next to her. “She used to be a knight in Drusoth. Comes from money. A few years ago, she left her order to seek her own fortune or whatever, and I guess that quest led her to the other side of the world.”

“Do we know where she’s located?” Amira asked.

“Ko Mae Quan.” Zhosa replied. “I’ve crossed paths with her there. She runs a small team of…not bounty hunters. I think mercenaries is a more accurate description. They do everything from rescue missions to assassinations, and they seem to be doing quite well.”

Karrus raised his hand. “For those of us who don’t have the map memorized, where exactly is Ko Mae Quan?”

“South of Mallendril.” Estoc replied. “Any farther south and you hit mountains.”

“Then let’s go there.” Nox said. “If only so the three of us can get paid.”

Hearing movement, Amira raised her heavy crossbow, then watched as a two-tailed fox dove headfirst into a hole in the ground and emerged with a mid-sized rabbit in its teeth.

“Agreed.” She said, lowering the weapon. “I’d like to chat with this Maia.”

“Oh, here.” Navi held out the helmet she’d taken the previous day. “Erwin said this is a Paladin’s Helm.”

Amira smiled and accepted it. “Thanks.”

Once they were rested and patched up, they packed up their temporary camp. Just as Amira was about to climb into the wagon, the hair on the back of her neck stood up.

“On me.” She said, grabbing her crossbow and loading a bolt.

Navi and Lyv both drew their greatswords, then followed her as she slowly moved east. Closing her eyes, Amira opened up her mind to her surroundings and immediately sensed five Fiends hidden in up the trees around them.

“Five hostiles!” She shouted. “All around us!”

At that moment, five bipedal figures dropped down around them. Each one consisted of two torsoes conjoined at the back and sharing a set of legs. Each one had two hands and four arms, and each hand gripped a crude but sharp-looking blade. Their skin was the color of volcanic rock with orange, lava-like lines, and it looked charred or corroded.

“Makhai!” Nox exclaimed.

Nimbly leaping up to the wagon roof, Zhosa cast Bloodletter, then fired at the closest demon. It slashed the first arrow out of the air with one of its swords, only for the second to hit it in the chest. Karrus whispered words of inspiration to Bryrie, then closed with the first makhai and swung his Kinetic Longsword with a noticeable flourish, only for it to parry both strikes.

The first makhai turned in a circle as it attacked Karrus, slashing once with each of its four blades and hitting with three of them. The winged Tiefling stumbled back, bleeding heavily from his arms and abdomen. The second makhai charged past them and attacked Estoc, only to immediately be hit by his halo of spores. Powering through, it attacked, cutting into his wooden body. The third makhai charged in from the east, spinning as it moved and carving into Amira, Navi, and Lyv as it barreled past them. The fourth makhai ignored its festering wound as it reached the wagon, attacking Bryrie while the fifth makhai attacked Nox. The silver-haired Arcane Trickster protected herself by casting Shield, but the red-skinned Arcana Cleric winced as two blades cut into his unprotected arms.

Bryrie muttered an incantation, sheathing her non-magical rapier in thunderous energy as she stabbed her attacker in the torso that was facing her. Hopping out of the wagon, she darted away from the demon and into the trees. From the middle of the wagon, Erakax sent four Magic Missiles out the window and into the third makhai, making sure to hit each head twice. He followed up with a Sorcerous Burst, which missed.

While Navi grew to twice her normal size, Nox held out his holy symbol to the fourth and fifth makhai. It had no effect, so he ducked down and healed himself. Turning as the third makhai barreled past her, Amira cast Divine Favor, then shot its second torso in the sternum. Lyv vanished in a puff of leaves, then reappeared in front of the third makhai and swung her Greatsword of Certain Death, cutting into its belly. A faint buzzing could be heard as Estoc awakened the swarm within him.

Atop the wagon, Zhosa magically marked the fifth makhai, then shot it once in each torso. Karrus healed himself, then slashed at the first makhai, cutting into its lead torso and sending it flying back with a burst of kinetic energy. He then flew back to the wagon and landed next to Zhosa. The makhai turned its attention to Navi, closing with her and slashing at her legs.

The second makhai ignored the swarm around it and continued attacking Estoc, but the swarm protected him. The third demon focused its efforts on Lyv, who dodged and parried three of its four strikes. The fourth pursued Bryrie, and the thunderous energy crackled around it as it moved. Powering through, it attacked, cutting through her armor and into her abdomen. With Nox out of reach, the fifth makhai climbed up onto the wagon and slashed at Zhosa, cutting into her legs.

Retreating towards the wagon, Bryrie fired at the fifth makhai, hitting its second head’s right eye. Erakax cast Mind Sliver on the fourth demon, then set off a Fireball between it and the third demon, transmuting the fire into acid. To the east, Navi healed herself a bit, then slashed down at the first makhai and carved into its chest, only for it to parry her second attack.

Nox healed Bryrie, then hit the fourth demon with an acidic Sorcerous Burst. Switching to her battleaxe and shield, Amira cast Shining Smite, then attacked the first makhai from behind, cutting into its second torso and making its entire body glow. Teleporting away from her attacker, Lyv attacked the first makhai as well, cutting into one of its arms and nearly cutting it off. Estoc cast a spell that conjured a storm cloud above him, then called down a bolt of lightning to shock his attacker.

Zhosa used Misty Step to distance herself from the wagon, then shot the fifth makhai in the leg. Karrus slashed at the same demon, and a burst of kinetic energy knocked it off the wagon. Beating his wings, he flew behind the fourth makhai and attacked, cutting into its second right shoulder. He followed up with his dagger, but the demon parried the attack.

While the first makhai attacked Amira with a whirlwind of blades, the second continued attacking Estoc, who stubbornly stood his ground even as his wooden body began to fall apart. The third demon pursued Lyv, cutting deep gashes into her unarmored back and making her cry out. The fourth turned and attacked Karrus, cutting him down where he stood, and the fifth closed with Zhosa, cutting her down as well.

Bryrie fired her crossbow, and the bolt went through one of the first makhai’s heads and into the other, killing it. While Erakax missed the third demon with an acidic orb, Navi slashed down at the second, which dodged her enlarged blade. Nox cast Mass Healing Word, getting himself, Karrus, Zhosa, Estoc, Bryrie, and Lyv. He then threw his handaxe, hitting the fourth demon in the leg.

Moving southwest, Amira attacked the third demon, cutting into the skin where its torsos met and successfully distracting it from Lyv. Teleporting towards Zhosa, the Eladrin Barbarian slashed at the fifth makhai, which dodged her first attack and parried the second. Estoc called down another lightning bolt, shocking the second demon again.

Picking herself up, Zhosa downed her last healing potion, then killed the fifth makhai with an arrow to each head. Karrus retrieved his sword and delivered a double decapitation to the fourth demon, then healed himself. While the second makhai cut Estoc down, the third slashed at Amira, who blocked all four of its blades with her shield.

Bryrie shot the third demon in the head, and Erakax hit the second with a thunderous Sorcerous Burst. Navi bisected the third demon between its torsos, then closed with the second and cut into its chest. While Nox opened the wagon door and healed Estoc, Amira closed with the second demon and cut both of its heads off.

Chapter Text

The last makhai had barely hit the ground when Zhosa took a few steps away from the wagon and closed her eyes.

“There’s a planar portal about half a mile that way.” She said, pointing east-northeast. “My money says it’s where these demons came from.”

Amira healed herself and Lyv, then turned to face the Yuan-ti. “Normally I’d suggest we do something about it, but I don’t think we’re in any shape to hold off demons until we can close it. Come to think of it, I’m not even sure how we would close it.”

Zhosa sighed. “I suppose that’s fair. Let’s get going before anything attacks us.”

As if on cue, some large creature roared in the distance.

“Well, fuck you too!” She screamed.

They headed for Bartalos, hoping to bypass Mallendril. The journey to Bartalos involved passing through a spooky swamp, but it was ultimately uneventful, and they stopped so Nox could retrieve his half plate armor and Bryrie could dispose of the magic rapier, which she’d identified as Silken Spite. The shocked armorer to whom she offered it had nothing of its caliber to offer in return, but she accepted his offer of an enchanted rapier and a dagger called the Needle of Mending. Amira purchased a light crossbow that had been outfitted with a second bowstring to fire two bolts before needing to be reloaded, though she kept her heavy crossbow as a backup. The others took the opportunity to sell the enchanted flail. Leaving the armory, they stopped to inform the local garrison of the planar portal and the threat it posed.

After topping off their food and healing potions, they continued south. When they stopped for the night, Amira left camp in search of prey. She found a large wild boar, and after killing it with a crossbow bolt to the neck, she caught up and used her dagger to drain its blood into her second waterskin.

“That shit still weirds me out a little.”

The voice made Amira flinch, and she turned to see Lyv standing a few feet away.

“We haven’t really had a chance to talk, so I figured this is as good a time as any.” The Spring Eladrin explained.

Amira put the waterskin back in her bag and stood up. Lyvtrianna had an unkempt, natural beauty about her that, from Amira’s experience, had no equal.

“Yeah.” She said. “You look really good, Lyv. You’ve barely aged a day.”

“I could say the same about you.” Lyv said. “That blood diet’s really doing wonders for you.”

Amira snorted. “Yeah, well, it’s not like-hmph!”

Lyv had started moving closer, and Amira raised her hands without even meaning to. She was cut off when Lyv grabbed her waist and kissed her. Her hands came to rest on Lyv’s chest, and she could feel her heart pounding. Melting in the Eladrin woman’s arms, she kissed back.

Suddenly they were moving, and Amira felt her back hit a tree. She felt Lyv’s right hand sliding down the front of her pants, then Lyv wrapped her left hand around Amira’s throat, and broke the kiss.

“Lyv…” Amira whimpered, eyes wide and pupils dilated.

“I remember how you like it.” Lyv started rubbing Amira’s crotch directly. “My good little Dhampyr.”

More aroused than she’d been in months, Amira scanned their surroundings and saw Navi standing maybe forty feet away.

“Wait.” Amira gasped. “I don’t knoaaahhhhhh…”

Her words became a moan as Lyv started rubbing her clit. Navi averted her eyes, then turned and walked away.

“Should I stop?” Lyv asked.

Amira watched Navi for a moment, then looked up into the Eladrin’s green eyes and shook her head. Grinning, Lyv slipped two fingers inside and began pumping them in and out.

“Praise Mystra!” Amira gasped, tangling her fingers in Lyv’s thick mane of hair.

“Mystra’s not the one inside you.” Lyv growled, tightening her grip on the Dhampyr’s neck. “Praise your top like a good bottom.”

Amira complied, singing Lyv’s praises in the form of strangled moans, gasps, and whimpers. The Spring Eladrin made no attempt to undress her, instead keeping one hand on her neck and the other down her pants, which made Amira feel even dirtier than if Lyv had stripped her naked. Even after years apart, it only took Lyv a couple minutes to get a good rhythm. Fittingly for a Barbarian, her technique was crude but effective, and the vigorous pumping of her middle and ring fingers had Amira mewling in her ear. After only a few minutes, Amira’s eyes rolled back as her orgasm washed over her.

Back at the camp, Navi saw Zhosa prepping her bedroll and walked over to her.

“I realize we don’t really know each other, which is why I won’t take it personally if you say no.” She said, keeping her voice down. “Do you wanna fuck?”

Zhosa gave her a once over. “I appreciate the interest and your candor, but you’re not really my type. I prefer Aasimar and Elves.”

“I see.” Navi glanced over at Bryrie. “In that case, if you’re looking, she’s not seeing anyone.”

The Yuan-ti Horizon Walker smiled. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks.”

The sky was partly cloudy as the nine of them rode into the small town of Ko Mae Quan. Amira, Erakax, and Karrus asked around regarding Maia Springbluff, and they were directed to a five-story building surrounded by a wood fence. As they approached, the front door opened. A Human woman in plate armor walked out, followed by a High Elf man in studded leather. Looking up, Navi could see a gray-skinned Earth Genasi man watching from the second floor.

“Rumor has it that you’re looking for me.” The Human woman said. “How can I help you?”

“Are you Maia Springbluff?” Amira asked.

“I am.”

Maia stood around 5’9”. She had fair skin, sea blue eyes, and long black hair tied up behind her head. She carried a shield and several javelins, but no other weapons. The Elf behind her carried a greatsword and longbow. A nondescript brooch was pinned to his chest.

“We haven’t been paid for the job we helped pull.” Amira said, crossing her arms.

Maia frowned. “Job? I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean.”

She sighed. “Alright, where’s Cophira?”

“Out of town.” Maia crossed her arms.

“So she hasn’t brought you the orb yet?”

Maia blinked. “I don’t know what orb you mean.”

“Bullshit.” Nox coughed.

“Look, we don’t really care about the orb.” Amira said. “We just want our money.”

“Bullshit.” The Elven man said bluntly.

“Easy, Hal.” Maia put a hand out. “I’ll make you a deal, Amira. Best me in single combat, and I’ll give you whatever it is you think you’re owed. If you fail, you leave, and I never want to see you in my affairs again.”

Bryrie frowned. “I don’t think-”

“Deal.” Amira blurted out. “Right here, right now.”

Maia held out her right hand, and a flail appeared in it. The weapon’s head was perforated with tiny holes.

“Whenever you’re ready.” She said.

Drawing her battleaxe, Amira cast Shining Smite, then slashed at the shorter woman, getting below her shield and cutting into her left hip. She started to glow, and Amira attacked again, burying her axe in Maia’s right arm. Maia cast Hex, and an inky black ring surrounded Amira. Maia swung her flail, slamming the weapon’s head into Amira’s temple. At the exact moment of impact, the inky black ring constricted around Amira. The Dhampyr’s head snapped to the side, and her vision blurred. Maia swung her weapon again, catching Amira in the jaw and snapping her head in the other direction.

Realizing too late that she was in over her head, Amira spat out a bloody molar, cast Freezing Smite on her fangs, and lunged forward. Everything seemed to slow down, allowing her to see the look of recognition and alarm in Maia’s eyes as she bit her neck. She went for another bite, but Maia shoved her back with her shield, cast Divine Favor, and brought her flail down on the top of Amira’s head. The Dhampyr Paladin’s legs buckled, and the world went dark.

When Amira regained consciousness, she was in the most comfortable bed she’d ever felt. Opening her eyes, she saw four walls painted a bland beige, a birch wood door in front of her, a window to her left, and a painting behind her that she couldn’t make out because it was upside down from her perspective. To her right, Navi was reading a book in a wooden chair, and Lyv was asleep on her shoulder. The Reborn Human’s eyes widened when she saw Amira looking at her, and she nudged Lyv.

“Huh?” Lyv was immediately on guard, but her expression softened when she saw Amira. “Oh! Hey!”

“Hey.” Amira smiled, then sat up. “Where are we?”

“An infirmary on the north side of Ko Mae Quan.” Navi replied. “Don’t worry, it’s only been a couple hours.”

Amira’s head throbbed, and she winced.

“Easy.” Lyv said softly. “You took a beating.”

“Ngh…she put me down in three hits.” Amira groaned. “I’ve lost plenty of fights, but this is a new low.”

“Obviously she had something amplifying her attacks.” Lyv said. “No clue what.”

“Ajax.” Amira said. “We should visit Ajax. See what he knows about this bitch.”

“Who’s Ajax?”

“A councilor in Bartalos.” Navi replied. “He’s helped us in the past.”

“Got it.”

Navi was silent for a moment. “Actually, can you give us a minute?”

Lyv glanced at Amira, then back at her fellow Barbarian. “Yeah, of course.”

Once Lyv was gone, Amira turned to fully face Navi.

“What’s up?” She asked, already knowing the most likely answer.

“About the other night.” Navi said. “I know you saw me. I’m sorry if it came off as creepy. I wasn’t there to watch you get laid, I just didn’t fully trust Lyv. I still don’t, if I’m being honest.”

“I get it.” Amira sat up. “Thank you for looking out, and thank you for walking away.”

Once Amira’s head had stopped pounding, they left the room and made their way out into the waiting room, where the rest of the group was waiting.

“I think I’ve figured it out.” Nox said. “I think she’s an Oathbreaker. Don’t they get a magic boost with certain weapons?”

Amira rubbed her chin. “That would explain why she hit so hard, but not how she cast Hex.”

“Maybe she made a Warlock pact after she broke her oath.” Karrus suggested. “I know I’ve been tempted once or twice.”

“We should get moving.” Bryrie said. “We can finish this discussion on the road.”

The most direct route to Bartalos took them through a murky swamp, which had proved spooky but harmless while travelling to Ko Mae Quan. It started to rain in the hours after leaving the small town, and that rain persisted through the night. The road through the swamp was dotted with puddles small and large, and Zhosa had to carefully maneuver around them, which slowed their progress. As morning gave way to midday, the nine of them heard unnatural-sounding cries in the distance.

“I don’t like the sound of that!” Navi had to shout so Zhosa would hear her over the heavy rain. “Can we go any faster?”

“Not unless we wanna get stuck!” Zhosa shouted back.

“Incoming!” Nox suddenly shouted.

It was too late. Two large creatures emerged from the fog and slammed into the right side of the wagon at full speed, tipping it onto its left wheels and sending it crashing onto its side. The horses whinnied and thrashed as their connection to the vehicle prevented them from fleeing. Zhosa was flung from her seat, but she twisted in the air and rolled when she hit the ground, preventing injury. 

The face that appeared at the window was unlike any Amira had ever seen. Its eye sockets were either empty or contained pitch black eyeballs, its mouth was little more than a black void, and its nose was nonexistent. The creature wailed, and she and the others felt something sever their connections to their magical items. Outside, Zhosa saw two creatures that may have once been humanoid, but their limbs were elongated to the point that they moved hunched over on all fours. She used magic to mark the closer of the two creatures, then fired her enchanted longbow and hit its ribcage.

Unable to effectively wield her greatsword inside the wagon, Navi thrust upward with a javelin, stabbing its face three times. Erakax tried to cast Frostbite, but nothing happened. The first creature turned towards Zhosa, and when it opened its mouth, she felt her spell drop. Climbing over the wagon, it charged her on all fours, then swung its long arms and scratched her with its claws. The second creature reached down through the second window and scratched Navi’s belly, then tried to bite her but couldn’t reach. Two more creatures emerged from the fog behind Zhosa and started clawing at the wagon’s roof.

Picking himself up, Karrus climbed up out of the first window, grabbed the second creature’s head, and forced it up out of the second window. Those inside the wagon with attuned items felt those connections return. Estoc transformed into a three-foot-long badger, then burrowed into the ground through a broken window. Climbing out after Karrus, Amira cast Freezing Smite, then swung her axe with both hands, hitting the side of the third creature’s head. Bryrie muttered the incantation for Toxic Bolt, then fired a bolt straight up into the second creature’s chin, where the acid ate away at its skin. Multicolor lights shimmered around Lyv as she followed Navi’s example, jabbing a javelin up into the monster’s head. Climbing up onto Navi’s shoulders, Nox put his hand on the monster’s neck and sent a burst of necrotic energy into its body. Blood vessels burst in its neck, spraying him with a purple liquid.

Outside, Zhosa drew her scimitar, moved behind the first monster, and channeled planar energy into the weapon as she slashed at its legs. Poking her head up out of the first window, Navi conjured the largest beast she could - a brontosaurus.

“Brody, smash!” She shouted in Dwarvish.

Turning, the gargantuan herbivore swung its powerful tail at the fourth monster, which dodged the attack. With no room atop the overturned wagon, Navi climbed back down. Erakax immediately climbed up in her place, then vanished in a puff of mist. Reappearing next to Brody, he exhaled a cone of flame, burning the third and fourth monsters.

The first monster attacked Zhosa again, but she blocked its claws with her shield. The second broke free of Karrus’ grasp and lashed out, raking him with its claws but missing with its bite. The third attacked Amira, grabbing her in its claws and biting deep into her left shoulder. The fourth monster turned around, and Brody promptly vanished. Closing with Erakax, it scratched and grabbed him, then bit into his neck, and he roared in pain.

Atop the overturned wagon, Karrus slashed at the second monster, cutting deep enough into its neck to kill it. Beating his wings, he flew down behind the fourth monster and attacked, missing with his Kinetic Longsword but landing a stab with his dagger. Emerging from the ground next to the bottom of the wagon, Estoc dropped out of his badger form and uttered a Druidic incantation. A fountain of churned dirt and stone erupted beneath the first monster, bludgeoning it and causing it to nearly lost its balance while leaving Zhosa untouched.

Teetering on the edge of consciousness, Amira bared her fangs and bit down on the third monster’s neck. Its purple blood tasted unpleasantly bitter, but she suppressed her gag reflex and swallowed, healing some of her wounds. Climbing out of the wagon, Bryrie felt her magic connections sever, so she skipped casting a spell and simply shot the fourth monster in the ribs. Lyv hauled herself out next to Bryrie, then launched herself at the third monster, carving into it with her Greatsword of Certain Death. Poking his head out, Nox cast Healing Word on Erakax, then missed the first monster with a Fire Bolt.

While Zhosa moved behind the first monster and slasher at its legs again, Navi pulled a Magic-Suppression Cuff out of her bag and lunged at the third monster, managing to secure the cuff around its left arm.

“How do you like them apples, bitch?” She snarked.

Freeing himself from his attacker’s grasp, Erakax moved around next to Karrus, then hit the fourth monster with five Magic Missiles at point-blank range. Moving past Zhosa, the first monster attacked Estoc, its long arms allowing it to scratch him without moving closer. It managed to grab him in its claws, so it moved closer and bit him. He blocked the bite with his shield, and Zhosa took the opportunity to attack it before it got out of reach. The fourth monster turned around, disabling the Magic-Suppression Cuff and Lyv’s magical protection but causing Brody to reappear as well. It attacked Erakax again, scratching his abdomen and putting him out of commission with a bite.

Karrus immediately healed Erakax, then flew above the fourth monster and slashed down at it, only for it to dodge his blade. Estoc slashed at the first monster with his Moon Sickle, but without his spores, he only left a flesh wound. Amira bit the third monster again, then buried her battleaxe in its belly. Hopping down from the wagon, Bryrie drew her rapier and stabbed the first monster in the back. Lyv slashed at the third monster, cutting its head clean off. Noc cast Guiding Bolt, missing the first monster.

While Zhosa continued cutting into the first monster, Navi closed with the fourth and carved into its side, and Brody slammed his tail into its back. Erakax killed the fourth monster with four more Magic Missiles, then killed the first with a Fire Bolt to the head.

“What the fuck even are those things?” Lyv asked.

“I don’t know, but we should take their heads.” Bryrie said. “If they’re anything like Medusas, that antimagic gaze will still work post-mortem.”

Chapter Text

Upon arriving at the manor of Ajax Wiseheart, Lyv, Zhosa, and Estoc were questioned by the guards before being allowed in. Ajax greeted them at the front door, and Amira made introductions.

“I’m familiar with the Emerald Claw, but only by reputation.” He said, shaking Zhosa’s hand. “Welcome.”

She nodded. “They say you’ve helped them in the past. We could use that help right now.”

“Please, come in.”

They followed Ajax into his lounge, where they sat around the fireplace.

“I’ve heard of Maia, but I can’t say I know much about her.” He said. “She doesn’t exactly advertise herself.”

“How should we proceed?” Amira asked.

Ajax shrugged. “With caution. Beyond that, I don’t know. You could always visit the Oracle.”

Nox smacked his forehead. “Why didn’t I think of that?”

“What Oracle?” Estoc inquired.

“There’s a woman in Bartalos was given the gift of prophecy and foresight by the gods.” Ajax explained. “Never met her myself, but she’s got a reputation for being the real deal.”

Zhosa shrugged. “I never put much stock in prophecies, but I suppose it couldn’t hurt.”

“Oh, one more thing.” Navi reached into her bag and pulled out the severed head of the monster she had killed, which had its eyes covered and its mouth tied shut. “Four of these attacked us on the road. Any idea what they are?”

Ajax nodded. “Woe Striders. Supposedly, they’re formed from the souls of those who break the bonds of destiny. They seek ways to reweave themselves into destiny’s tapestry, but they go about it by disemboweling anyone who crosses their path.”

“I see.”

“Here.” Ajax pulled out a scrap of paper and wrote down an address. “This is where you’ll find her.”

Departing the manor with their rations and ammunition topped off, the nine of them used Nox’s map of Bartalos to navigate its streets. They arrived at an unassuming clay building located between an apothecary and a tavern, with a narrow alleyway between it and the latter. Pausing outside, Bryrie snapped her fingers. An eagle appeared on her shoulder, and she sent it up to circle the area.

Stepping inside, they found the space decorated with over two dozen paintings, depicting everything from a Celestial reaching out to touch a massive hand to a demon horde locked in a bloody battle with a battalion of devils. A multicolor curtain of braided beads separated the room from another, and no sooner had Amira turned towards it than she saw movement beyond.

The Human woman who stepped through the curtain had the darkest brown skin any of them had ever seen, as well as raven black hair and amber eyes. She wore a revealing red top that left her midriff bare and a long matching skirt that made the outfit look like a red dress with the middle portion removed.

“Most who seek me out do so alone.” She said, looking them over. “What brings you to me?”

“You’re the Oracle?” Lyv asked.

“I am Melinda.” The woman replied. “I am burdened with knowledge of the future. If that makes me an Oracle, then so be it.”

“Someone we know recently came into possession of a powerful magical artifact.” Amira explained. “We believe this person to have ill intentions. We need to know if we’re right, and if so, what we can do to stop her.”

“I cannot penetrate her mind, Dhampyr.” Melinda said, turning her head to look at Amira. “Not without being in the same room as her.”

As she was talking, Nox noticed a hint of red in her cheeks.

Amira blinked. “How did you know?”

“You have a hunger in your eyes.” Melinda took a step closer. “You’re rationing your blood, aren’t you?”

She nodded slowly. “Should I not be?”

“That is a decision you must make for yourself.” Melinda’s voice might have sounded maternal if it weren’t so detached and matter-of-fact. “Rationing makes it last longer, but you’re more likely to lose control when you run out.”

Amira took a deep breath. “I understand.”

“Good. Now, tell me about this woman.”

“Maia Springbluff.” Nox said. “We think she’s an Oathbreaker who made a pact with some entity for more power.”

Melinda turned to face the Kobold Cleric. “Show me.”

Karrus whistled a short ditty, and an image of Maia appeared in front of him.

“You know her.” Amira said, seeing the recognition in the Oracle’s eyes.

“Not personally.” Melinda clarified. “When I dream, I dream of what might be, and I have seen this woman more than once. I can tell you what she’s doing, and I can help guide your path. Which service would you ask of me?”

“Both, preferably.” Navi replied bluntly.

“Very well, dead one.” Melinda walked over to a wooden desk to the left of the beaded curtain and sat down. “I will attempt Scrying for no cost. If I am successful, the information will cost you forty Gold. Guidance does not come with a chance of failure, so that will simply be twenty Gold.” She looked at Karrus. “I do not accept sexual favors in lieu of payment.”

He blinked. “I haven’t said a word to you this whole time.”

“I’m well aware.” She crossed her arms and turned to face him. “I skimmed your thoughts, and I wanted to get that out there before you tried anything. I appreciated both your interest and the fact that you see me as more than just an Oracle, but you either need to control your thoughts or step outside until we’ve concluded our business. Or is knowing what destiny tastes like really more important?”

Lyv’s jaw dropped, and Karrus blushed. The room was silent for a full thirty seconds before Amira cleared her throat.

“Let’s start with Scrying.” She said. “Karrus, choose now.”

He sighed and stayed where he was.

“Right.” Melinda nodded. “Paladins, even Oathbreakers, tend to be resistant to my Scrying. I will attempt regardless, but if there is someone else she keeps close, they may be a better target.”

“There was an Elven man with her, but we know nothing about him.” Erakax said.

“I have seen him as well.” She looked at Navi. “He is dead, like you, but he wears a brooch so the holy ones will not find him. Shall I attempt to Scry on him?”

Bryrie nodded. “Go for it.”

Opening one of the desk’s drawers, Melinda pulled out a small mirror, placed it on the desk, and began chanting. When she stopped, she stared into the mirror, and her eyes glossed over.

“I can see him.” She said. “I will accept payment.”

Amira placed four Platinum on the desk.

“He is in a grassy field.” Melinda said. “There are bodies at his feet. A white dragon circles overhead. Your Oathbreaker is not present, but there are three others with him. A Sea Elf, a Dwarf, and a Human.”

She was silent for a moment.

“He is speaking into a stone.” She said. “He says that his mission is complete, and whoever is listening can proceed with theirs. Wait.”

Melinda squinted, then frowned.

“The Sea Elf is looking at me.” She said. “She knows someone is watching.”

She waved her hand, and her eyes returned to normal.

“Will that be all, or shall I glimpse your future?” She asked, looking at each of them in turn.

Nox set two Platinum on the desk. “We’ll take all the help we can get.”

Melinda lit several sticks of incense, then inhaled the smoke and closed her eyes.

“Go west to the place that once had you on the run.” She said, sounding like she was reading the words for the first time. “The answers you seek are left out in the sun.”

Erakax pulled out a scrap of paper and quickly wrote down what she had said. He had barely finished when a telepathic warning from Bryrie’s familiar was abruptly cut off. Rushing over to the nearest window, she pulled the curtains to the side and looked out.

“Uh, guys?” She asked. “We’ve got incoming.”

Rushing over, Amira looked out and saw seven skeletal humanoids approaching. Each one was outfitted like a soldier, with the equivalent of half plate armor, a blade in each hand, and a longbow on its back.

“What have you brought to my door?” Melinda asked, pushing back her chair and rising to her feet.

“I have no idea.” Amira admitted, moving towards the door with her axe in hand.

Opening the door, Lyv poked her head out. “Hey, sorry guys. She’s busy with us, but we’re almost done.”

“You are done now.” The closest undead soldier said. “You will exit or perish within.”

Reaching into his bag, Karrus pulled out a small rod, then pushed past Lyv, sprinted out the door, and ran into the alley to the left.

“Stop him!” The undead leader shouted.

Stepping into the doorway, Nox held up his holy symbol. Fear suddenly gripped Navi, while the undead soldiers were unaffected. Two of the undead pursued Karrus into the alley, but they were forced to advance in a single file. As soon as one got close, Karrus held up his rod and pressed a button in the side. It expanded into a ten-foot pole, embedding itself in the walls and clotheslining the first undead, which fell on its back. The second undead stepped over it and slashed at Karrus, cutting into his arms. While two of the undead grabbed Lyv and forced her out of the doorway, the other three attacked Nox, landing five hits between them and leaving the Arcana Cleric in rough shape.

Bystanders in the street turned and fled as the fighting broke out. Zhosa muttered an incantation, then darted past Nox and the undead trio, moving too quickly for them to strike. Moving to the mouth of the alley, she fired two arrows, hitting the undead soldier that was attacking Karrus. Erakax made a painfully loud ringing erupt above and behind the trio attacking Nox, and they clutched their heads between their fists.

Hearing wings, Zhosa and Lyv looked up and saw a large black dragon flying towards them from behind a five-story building across the street. Landing in front of Melinda’s place, it pushed the undead trio out of the way, forced its head in the door, and exhaled a line of acid, hitting Nox, Amira, Navi, and Estoc. Nox and Estoc both collapsed on the spot.

“NOT IN MY BUSINESS!" Melinda shrieked.

Bryrie aimed her crossbow at the dragon’s head, then waited. Freed from Nox’s friendly fire by the dragon’s acid breath, Navi charged in and swung her greatsword, cutting into its jaw. With the dragon distracted, Bryrie fired her crossbow, hitting just below its left eye. Amira cast Divine Favor, then raised her double crossbow and pulled both triggers simultaneously, sending two faintly-glowing bolts into the dragon’s mouth. Lyv slashed at one of her attackers, but it parried her blade with its own.

Outside, Karrus flew up and over the second undead soldier to attack the first, cutting into it with his sword and dagger while it was prone. He then flew above their reach and out of the alley, dodging their swords in the process. The first undead soldier picked itself up, then it and the second switched to their bows. The first fired at Zhosa, and the second at Karrus, hitting their right leg and abdomen respectively. The third and fourth attacked Lyv from both sides, but each time they hit her, a small burst of energy struck them in retaliation. While the fifth undead soldier attacked Zhosa with its swords, the sixth and seventh fired their bows through the windows, hitting Bryrie once and Erakax twice even after the latter cast Shield.

Drawing her scimitar, Zhosa slashed at her latest attacker, cutting into its torso. Inside, Melinda muttered in Celestial and hurled a bolt of light, narrowly missing the dragon. Erakax hit the dragon with a shocking Chromatic Orb, and instead of using its acid breath again, it moved out of the doorway and launched itself at Lyv, biting her shoulder and scratching her midsection. Bryrie cast Toxic Bolt, then shot the sixth undead soldier in the chest, piercing its armor and eating away at its decayed-looking flesh. Navi’s eyes rolled back, and the furry form of a mammoth appeared outside the building.

“Manny, trample!” She shouted in Dwarvish.

The mammoth charged at the seventh skeletal soldier, knocking it off its feet with his tusks and stomping it to death while it was down. While Amira pulled Nox out of the doorway and healed him, Lyv slashed at the dragon, cutting into its snout.

While Karrus cast Shatter between the first two undead soldiers, Nox healed Estoc, then fired his crossbow at the sixth undead soldier. Just as it seemed like the bolt would miss, Melinda’s eyes glowed, and it curved through the air to hit its target. While the first two soldiers continued shooting at Karrus and Zhosa, the third and fourth moved to flanking positions and cut Lyv down. The fifth cut into Zhosa’s arm, and the sixth slashed at Manny’s hindquarters. Darting away from her attacker, Zhosa downed one of her three healing potions, then shot the dragon twice in the chest.

Erakax set off a Fireball between the dragon and the sixth undead soldier, and the dragon fell forward, nearly landing on Lyv. While Bryrie put the sixth soldier down with a headshot, Navi charged outside and attacked the fifth, carving deep into its back. While Manny knocked the fourth soldier down and crushed it underfoot, Amira followed Navi out, decapitated the fifth soldier, and then buried her battleaxe in the third. Estoc cast Healing Word on Lyv, then hit the third soldier with a wispy mote of light.

Karrus healed himself, then flew down and slashed at the first undead soldier, cutting its head off with two swings. He stayed airborne, giving Zhosa a clear shot. Nox took cover inside and healed himself. The second undead soldier shot Zhosa’s right arm and leg, and the third slashed at Amira, who blocked its blades with her shield. While Zhosa shot the second soldier in the chest, Erakax destroyed the third with a volley of four Magic Missiles. Moving outside, Bryrie followed Zhosa’s gaze down the alley and cast Fire Bolt, only for the last soldier to dodge the attack. Pushing past her, Navi finished it off with a pair of javelins.

A team of local enforcers soon arrived, including two that Amira recognized as Undying Soldiers. While she and most of the others were answering questions, Karrus talked Bryrie into helping him fix up the acid damage to Melinda’s shop. Bryrie drew her magic dagger, which transformed into a needle and allowed her to cast Mending. Melinda went around straightening up, then stepped through her beaded curtain and into the other room. Gripped by curiosity, Karrus followed and found her sitting at a desk much nicer than the one in the other room. She had several marked bones in her hands and was muttering under her breath, and as he watched, she scattered the bones across the desk.

“What does that tell you?” Karrus inquired.

“That the course of action I’m considering has a high chance of working out.” She replied.

“How so?”

Standing up, Melinda kept her back to him as she slid the straps down off her shoulders.

“Would you like to know what destiny tastes like?” She asked, looking back over her shoulder at him.

Karrus said nothing as he approached, but she could see the answer in his eyes, and she bit her lip in anticipation.

Chapter Text

Just under an hour later, Karrus stepped outside to find Amira, Nox, Erakax, Zhosa, and Lyv sitting in the wagon.

“Where are the others?” He asked.

“Went shopping.” Zhosa replied. “We’ll pick them up on the way.”

Amira looked past Karrus at Melinda, who had followed him out. “Thank you.”

Melinda nodded. “Glad I could help.”

The sky over the road to Mallendril was overcast, but the sun started to peak out as they got closer. By the time they entered the village, the clouds were few and far between. In the weeks since the Outcasts’ dispatching of the Vanthampurs, a man named Evan Gladestraw had declared himself acting Duke until an election could be held, though no progress had been made in that regard. The village looked more or less the same as it had during their previous visit, so they wandered the streets, looking for an open space with plenty of sun. After over half an hour, they found a spacious courtyard, and something in the center caught their eye.

A wooden contraption that looked like a much more complicated version of a pillory had been set up in the middle of the courtyard. From what they could tell, it was designed to secure a person’s arms and legs, preventing any sort of movement. A woman was locked in with her back to them. As Zhosa guided the horses around the courtyard, she and the others got a good look at the Triton woman who was bound in the contraption. Her silvery blue skin was lightly burned from exposure, and her dark blue hair hung down in a stringy mess. People were going about their business, but no one paid her any mind.

At Amira’s request, Zhosa parked the wagon, and the Paladin hopped out and approached the contraption. Navi stayed back, watching the courtyard. She didn’t notice an adolescent boy take off running because her back was to him, but Bryrie noticed and watched that area. Reaching the Triton woman, Amira noticed that her lips were dry and cracked.

“Been up there a while?” She asked, reaching into her bag and pulling out her waterskin.

Looking up, the Triton woman opened a pair of bright green eyes and nodded weakly. Amira took a moment to examine the contraption, locating several potential weak points, then she looked back over her shoulder. “Navi, Lyv, can you give me a boost?”

Walking over, the two Barbarians stood to Amira’s left and right and cupped their hands together. Putting a hand on each of their shoulders, Amira stepped up onto their hands, then held on as they boosted her up. She held up the waterskin, and the Triton woman leaned her head back as far as she could, allowing Amira to carefully pour water into her mouth. The Triton gulped it down, then coughed when a bit went down her windpipe.

“What’s your name?” Amira asked softly.

“Alinyn.” The woman replied in an unfamiliar but undoubtedly foreign accent. “Ali.”

“Why do they have you up here, Ali?”

“Incoming!” Bryrie called out.

Turning, Amira and the others saw the adolescent boy returning with eight adult Humans in tow. The leader was an athletic-looking man in leather armor who carried several daggers, a rapier, and a trident.

“Step back!” He shouted. “She’s dangerous!”

Stepping down, Amira put her waterskin back in her bag, then turned to face him.

“Why is she up there?” She asked, crossing her arms.

“Murder.” He replied bluntly. “She killed a man in cold blood. Split him from groin to sternum with this.” He patted the trident on his back. “I need you to walk away.”

“He attacked me.” Ali snapped. “I was defending myself.”

“Lies!” He exclaimed. “My men do not attack unprovoked!”

Amira uncrossed her arms. “I’d like to speak to Evan Gladestraw.”

“You already are.” He said. “Now, please step away.”

“Not happening.” She planted her feet. “At least your predecessors had the decency to lock innocent people up in cells instead of leaving them to burn in the sun.”

Evan sighed. “Alright, let’s try this a different way.”

He raised his left hand, then made a fist. There was a thunderous CRACK, and Amira felt a tiny projectile narrowly miss her left ear at high speed. All nine of them were immediately on alert, and Amira spotted a blond-haired Human woman kneeling on a nearby rooftop with a weapon in her hands.

“That was the last warning you’ll get.” Evan said, drawing his rapier in his left hand and holding it at his side. “The next shot will go through your head.”

Not missing a beat, Amira drew her battleaxe, cast Freezing Smite, and slashed up at the contraption, hitting one of the weak points and coating it in a layer of frost. She swung again, breaking the weakened joint. Drawing a dagger in his right hand, Evan attacked, stabbing her once with each blade. Instead of drawing her sword, Navi knelt down, grabbed the beam and chain securing Ali’s legs, and broke it with two powerful kicks.

“Hanna, I need you!” Evan shouted.

A light-skinned Human woman wearing animal hide charged in and swung a greataxe, and buried its single blade in Amira’s back. Behind her, a tan-skinned man in green robes fired two darts of purple energy from his palms, hitting Navi with the first and missing with the second. On the roof, the sharpshooter fired her rifle, and a bullet tore through Amira’s left shoulder, piercing her armor in the process. A crowd had gathered, but it started to scatter as Bryrie cast Toxic Bolt. She fired at the spellcaster, hitting his right forearm when he raised it defensively.

“Jasper!” The sharpshooter exclaimed.

Drawing her sword, Lyv slashed at Hanna, cutting through her hide armor and into her back. Digging through his bag, Nox pulled out the head of a Woe Strider, pointed it at the spellcaster, and opened its mouth, nullifying his magic.

“Mary, get him!” Jasper shouted, pointing at Nox.

Drawing a claymore, a blue-eyed woman in full plate armor closed with Nox and slashed down at him, cutting into his left shoulder but failing to make him drop the head. While Estoc awakened his swarm, a caramel-skinned Human man in blue robes moved towards the contraption and fired two darts of purple energy, hitting Navi in the ribs and knee. Drawing a pair of swords, an older, grizzled man in splint armor attacked Bryrie, cutting into her hip before she blocked his follow up attacks by casting Shield.

Zhosa cast Hunter’s Mark on the Gunslinger, then shot her in the leg. A younger man with a full mustache dashed forward, and a rapier appeared in his right hand as he attacked Zhosa, stabbing her in the gut. Erakax hit the joint securing Ali’s left arm with a volley of five Magic Missiles, then destroyed it with a burst of pure force. Beating his wings, Karrus flew in and hit the chain with his Kinetic Scimitar, hitting hard enough to break it.

Amira used Freezing Smite to weaken the chain holding Ali’s right arm, then swung again, breaking it. Ali was leaning too far forward to avoid landing on her face, so she picked herself up, immediately moving behind Evan. A translucent gray duplicate of her suddenly appeared, and when she snatched the trident from his back, one appeared in the echo’s hands as well. She stabbed him, then the duplicate stabbed him, then she stabbed him again.

“Bitch!” He shouted. “You’re gonna burn for what you did!”

With that, he attacked, landing two stabs on her unarmored torso. Closing the circle around him, Navi healed herself a bit, then swung her greatsword. He parried the first attack, but the second cut into the skin below his ribs. While Hanna buried her axe in Amira’s right thigh, Jasper tried to move out of the antimagic cone and cast Phantasmal Force, but he didn’t get far enough. Swapping her rifle for a pistol, the Gunslinger fired three shots, hitting Nox twice. Breaking away from the older man, Bryrie shot Evan in the back, just missing his spine.

While Lyv continued attacking Hanna, Nox healed himself and retreated towards the wagon, catching more of the attackers in the antimagic cone. Mary pursued him, swinging her claymore and cutting into his right leg. While Estoc hit her with a Starry Wisp, the other spellcaster cast Hold Person, only for Erakax to stop him with Counterspell. The older man continued attacking Bryrie, who dodged his longsword before he stabbed her with his shortsword.

Zhosa used Misty Step to distance herself from the mustached man, then fired up at the Gunslinger, again hitting her once. The mustached man uttered a magical bewilderment, and Zhosa winced as a fog clouded her mind. He uttered another, targeting Amira, but she was unaffected. Erakax hit Mary with an orb of acidic energy that bounced off of her and missed the older man, and Karrus dove off the broken contraption and attacked the older man, cutting into his lower back.

While Amira healed herself, Ali swapped places with her duplicate, then stabbed Evan in the back, hitting his spine and causing him to collapse. They moved to flank Hanna, stabbing her from both sides and leaving her in rough shape. Navi healed herself a bit more, then cut Hanna’s head off. Moving away from the contraption, she attacked the mustached man, who turned invisible as soon as her blade cut into him.

Jasper started to move away from the fighting, but the Gunslinger fired three more shots, two of which tore through Ali’s gut. Bryrie stabbed the older man, then broke off and moved next to Navi. Lyv chased after Jasper, throwing two javelins and hitting him in the back. The second javelin pierced his heart, and he dropped. Nox buried his enchanted handaxe in Mary’s left calf, then cast Mass Healing Word on himself, Navi, Zhosa, Amira, Bryrie, and Alinyn.

“Enough!” Mary shouted, stepping back with a visible limp.

The others on the ground turned to look at her, shocked.

“I don’t know what you did.” She said, looking at Ali.

“Neither did Evan.” Ali said. “He saw me standing over-”

“I don’t care what you did either.” Mary interrupted. “Evan’s been doing everything in his power to delay an election. As far as I’m concerned, you’ve got a clean slate.”

“What are you doing?!” The adolescent boy exclaimed. “She’s a sea monster! All she does is lie!”

“Quiet!” The caramel-skinned man snapped. “You’re in enough trouble as is, young man!”

He immediately shut his mouth, looking concerned.

“Where’s the rest of my shit?” Ali asked.

Mary removed her helmet, revealing auburn hair cut short.

“I’ll take you.” She said, holding her helmet under her left arm. “I’m done letting that asshat get away with shit.”

As Mary led them down the street, Ali moved to walk next to Amira.

“I’m guessing you didn’t free me out of the kindness of your hearts.” The Triton woman said. “What do you want?”

“Your help.” Amira replied. “What do you know about Maia Springbluff?”

Ali sighed. “A lot. Mostly bad. I used to work for her.”

Mary led them into a small building connected to the prison, where Ali collected a backpack, a shield, and a set of scale mail armor. When they returned to the wagon, Nox retrieved his breastplate.

“Here.” He said, offering it to Ali. “Better protection for your vital areas.”

She gave him a small smile. “Thanks.”

“Can you shoot?” Amira asked.

Ali nodded. “Yeah, why?”

“Here.” Amira held out her heavy crossbow. “Just in case.”

More clouds were starting to roll in as they got back on the road, and from the way Ali was gripping her trident, Amira could tell she was attuning to it. Across from them, Karrus was napping, and he occasionally twitched in his sleep.

“What was that thing you summoned?” Navi asked, looking at Ali.

“An echo.” The Triton replied. “This timeline is one of many parallel timelines. As an Echo Knight, I use the power of Dunamis to call on the fading shades of the versions of myself in unrealized timelines to aid me in battle.”

“Huh.” The Barbarian nodded. “That’s pretty awesome.”

They had been travelling for around three hours when the horses suddenly ran into an unnatural wind that was blowing upward.

“Woah, woah!” Zhosa pulled back on the reins, backing up away from the wind wall.

Ali looked out the window. Her eyes widened, and a tiny “No” escaped her lips.

“Alinyn Durolath!” A deep voice shouted. “You have evaded us for the last time!”

Looking out another window, Bryrie saw seven Tritons approaching in a V formation. The leader was empty-handed, but the others carried swords that appeared to be made with urchin spines. Most had yellowish tints to their skin, especially around their heads, but the leader and two others were blue-green.

“You want my help?” Ali asked, grabbing her shield. “Get them off my back.”

At that moment, Karrus drew his Kinetic Longsword and slashed at Amira, cutting into her waist.

“Woah!” Navi exclaimed. “What the fuck?!”

“I think it’s that red ooze!” Bryrie drew her rapier. “Sorry about this!”

She attacked, but he dodged her blade, so she drove a dagger between two of his ribs. Instead of drawing her sword, Navi lowered her head and launched herself at Karrus, driving her shoulder into his gut and tackling him out of the wagon and onto the ground. The lead Triton promptly unleashed a blast of cold air, hitting the two of them, Zhosa, Amira, and Nox. Karrus went limp, and a familiar red ooze emerged from his nostrils. It launched itself at Navi, but she was able to swat it away.

The other six Tritons advanced together. Two stopped to attack Navi, stabbing her twice in the left side and once in the right, and to her mild surprise, the third Triton attacked the red ooze. The other three approached the left side of the wagon and threw open the door that was still closed. Two of them stabbed Ali and Estoc, and the Lyv avoided two attacks from the third. Taking cover on the right side of the wagon, Zhosa cast Hunter’s Mark on the lead Triton, then shot his left shoulder and hip. Bursting out of the carriage, Amira cast Divine Favor, then slashed at the fourth Triton, burying her axe in his lower back.

At that moment, the sound of wings got their attention, and they watched as a large blue dragon dove out of a large cloud behind them. It exhaled a bolt of lightning, shocking Zhosa, Amira, and the three Tritons next to the wagon, two of whom collapsed. An intangible pixie appeared above the third Triton as Lyv burst out of the wagon, swinging her greatsword and decapitating the sixth. The pixie then exploded. While Erakax hit the dragon with a fiery Chromatic Orb, Estoc awakened his swarm, then healed himself. Nox hit the dragon with a Fire Bolt, then healed himself, Karrus, Navi, Zhosa, Amira, and Ali. Stepping outside, Ali manifested her echo and attacked the Triton leader, stabbing him from the front while her echo stabbed him from behind.

From the wagon, Bryrie fired her crossbow, hitting the red ooze without hitting Karrus. Picking herself up, Navi drew her greatsword and finished off the ooze, then slashed at the Triton leader, cutting into his right hip. Instead of striking back, he cast Cone of Cold. Erakax’s Counterspell failed, and the spell blasted him, Navi, Ali, Amira, Zhosa, and the dragon.

“You will return, Alinyn!” He roared.

Picking himself up, Karrus cast Dissonant Whispers, sending an incongruous melody into the dragon’s mind. The other three Tritons continued attacking Navi, stabbing her from the front and sides until she collapsed. Zhosa drank a potion of healing, then put two arrows in the lead Triton’s chest. Amira cast Shining Smite on her fangs, then attacked the first Triton from behind, biting into his neck and making him glow. Diving, the blue dragon attacked Lyv, biting her shoulder and clawing at her legs.

An intangible Pixie appeared above the dragon and exploded as Lyv struck back, cutting into the lighter scales of its belly. While Erakax cast Shatter between and behind the second and third Tritons, Estoc cast Erupting Earth, and a fountain of churned dirt and stone erupted beneath the dragon. Nox healed Navi, then killed the first Triton with a Fire Bolt in his open mouth. Ali teleported, swapping places with her echo, then each of them stabbed the lead Triton once.

Alanis cast Toxic Bolt, then shot the dragon just above the base of its tail, and it roared in pain. Picking herself up, Navi decapitated the second Triton, then slashed the third across her chest. The Triton leader dropped his Wind Wall to cast Fog Cloud, then turned and ran, only for Ali to stab the back of his head before he could escape her reach. While Karrus decapitated the last Triton, Zhosa moved her Hunter’s Mark to the dragon and fired two arrows, hitting its upper back. Amira cast Freezing Smite, then buried her axe in the dragon’s throat and watched as the life left its eyes.

Chapter Text

As soon as the dragon hit the ground, Amira turned and ran over to the red ooze. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a flask of holy water and poured it on the ooze, which dissolved.

“What even was that?” Karrus asked.

“A necrichor.” She replied. “A creature of living blood.”

“That explains a lot.”

“Here.” She held out another flask. “Drink. Just in case.”

He chuckled nervously. “Is that really necessary?”

“100%.” She showed her fangs as she responded. “It’s the only way to be sure. Don’t tell me you’re afraid of holy water.”

Sighing, he unscrewed the cap, sniffed the opening, and shrugged before downing its contents.

“Happy?” He asked.

“Yeah.” She took the flask back. “Like I said, only way to be sure.”

Once Estoc had healed the horses’ wounds and Erakax had channeled his sorcery to get enough arcane energy for an additional spell, they continued on, and Amira waited a while before clearing her throat and turning to face Ali. “Mind telling us what those Tritons wanted with you?”

Ali sighed. “I left my clan for personal reasons, and some people think they should be allowed to override that decision. I’d rather not get into it beyond that.”

“Alright.” Amira leaned back. “Fair enough.”

As sunset approached, they found a clearing on the south side of the road. Most of the surrounding flora was simple bushes and shrubs, with a single massive tree on the west side. Lyv leaned back against the tree and entered her trance, and Estoc entered his inactive state while Amira and Navi took the first watch. Erakax soon started snoring, but Amira and Navi barely had time to share a knowing look before a branch suddenly swung down, subjecting Lyv to a rude awakening by slamming into her hard enough to break her nose. The Eladrin woman let out a confused shriek as the entire tree twisted, swinging another heavy branch and knocking the wind out of her. A vine then lashed out, wrapping around her neck and squeezing until she lost consciousness.

Zhosa was on her feet in an instant, having yet to actually fall asleep. She cast Hunter’s Mark on the tree, then grabbed her bow and shot it twice, but the arrows didn’t pierce as deep as they should have. Lurching forward, the tree went after the next closest target - the half-conscious Erakax. It slammed a branch into him while he was picking himself up, and the impact brought him fully and painfully to consciousness. When it swung another branch, he cast Shield, and an invisible barrier stopped the attack, as well as the follow-up vine attack. Bryrie fired her crossbow, hitting the trunk just below Zhosa’s arrows.

“Fly!” Amira shouted.

While the cast-off plate armor wrapped itself around the Paladin’s body, Ali charged across the clearing, manifested her echo behind the tree, and stabbed it from both sides. Using his wings to fly over the others, Karrus cast a quick healing spell on Lyv, then swung his Kinetic Longsword with both hands and chopped off a couple higher branches. Charging across the clearing, Navi slashed at the tree, only for it to bat aside her blade with a mid-sized branch.

Scrambling to his feet, Erakax exhaled a cone of fire, setting the tree ablaze. The entire massive plant recoiled, as if from fear or pain. Seeing how effective it was, Estoc conjured a Flaming Sphere around the upper branches. Nox healed Lyv, then hit the tree with a Fire Bolt. Lyv picked herself up, and multicolor lights surrounded her as she swung her greatsword, cutting into the burning trunk.

Zhosa shot the tree again, and it lashed out, clubbing Ali and Karrus and wrapping a vine around the former. Bryrie hit it with a Fire Bolt, and Amira cast Moonbeam, burning a hole through it from above. The tree toppled over, and Lyv dove out of the way to avoid being crushed.

“What in the actual fuck?!” Lyv exclaimed.

“I’m not even surprised anymore.” Erakax mumbled as he curled back up in his bedroll.

When her watch was over, Amira curled up under her blanket.

“I speak into your Weave my supplication and faith, and hope the magics I hold are pleasing to your eye.” She whispered.

When sleep finally came, the Dhampyr found herself in a cluttered office. Stacks of books rose up into the darkness above, and on the far side of the room was a desk. A dark-haired Human woman a black jacket and a blue dress stood hunched over the desk, flipping through an ancient tome. A blue jay was perched on her shoulder, and it turned to face Amira as she approached.

“What troubles you, my child?” Mystra asked.

Amira looked down. “I worry that my…personal desires are interfering with my duties.”

“Is that so?” The goddess turned around, revealing eyes that were constantly changing color.

Amira nodded.

Mystra leaned back against her desk. “What do you know of my story?”

“Next to nothing.” She admitted. “Only that you’re not the first Mystra, and you used to be a mortal.”

The goddess nodded. “I was born Ariel Manx, but I went by Midnight. I was quite the hedonist, and it was a tryst with a conjurer named Tad that set me on my path of magical pursuit. When I was twenty-one, I attracted the attention of Mystra, my predecessor. I began to feel that I was somehow being observed or followed. Spells that I labored over for weeks on end suddenly worked without issue. I thought I was being groomed to become a Magister, but when Mystra was killed by Helm, I was chosen to replace her. It became my duty to tend to the Weave, and I have done so ever since.”

Amira crossed her arms. “What’s your point?”

“It was my hedonism that set me down this path.” Midnight explained. “If I hadn’t slept with Tad, someone else would have been chosen to replace Mystra. I am not some uptight god who demands chastity; I know the value of intimacy. So long as you abide by the tenants of the Watchers, you are free to pursue the object of your desires, be it Karrus, or Lyv, or Navi, or others.”

Amira blinked. “Navi?”

Midnight smirked. “Just speculating. Now, I believe your friends are waiting for you.”

Sure enough, Amira awakened to find the others already packing up.

“Morning, sleepyhead.” Lyv teased. “Must’ve been some dream, because we could not wake you up.”

Amira felt a small smile form on her face. “It was…helpful.”

When they made camp that night, Navi used her connection to nature to ritually cast Speak with Animals and question a bird in a nearby nest, which expressed no knowledge of any dangers beyond its natural predators. When Amira cast Detect Magic, however, she noticed an orb that had been invisible floating above the clearing, so they traveled for another hour before settling in for the night. The rest of the journey back to Bartalos was uneventful, and soon they were safe within Ajax’s manor. Ali requested a bathtub, and after soaking in the water for an hour, she agreed to answer some questions in a private room.

“I don’t know anything about an Orb of Dragonkind.” Ali said. “Maia wants power, plain and simple, so that could explain why she wanted it. I have no idea what her endgame is, but I know that she’ll find a way to get to you eventually if she thinks you’re a threat. That was probably one of her people Scrying on us the other night.”

“I bet the dragons have been her too.” Bryrie said.

Ali nodded. “It’s possible.”

“If we’re going back to Ko Mae Quan, we should take a longer route.” Zhosa suggested. “Around Mallendril, maybe.”

Erakax nodded. “Makes sense to me.”

After topping off their supplies and spending a night in real beds, they got back on the road the next day, going northwest past Mallendril. It was early afternoon when a small bag flew out of the bushes to the north and hit the ground in front of them. Zhosa heard buzzing and brought the horses to a stop as a swarm of wasps emerged from the bag.

A dozen Kobolds suddenly emerged from the flora on either side of the road. Most carried daggers and slings, two carried spears and shields, one had wings and used them to take to the air, one was empty-handed, and one carried a variety of gear, including a long stick and a cage containing a skunk.

“Halt!” One of the spear-wielding Kobolds demanded. “This is a robbery!”

Rolling his eyes, Erakax cast Fireball, incinerating four dagger-wielding Kobolds.

“Fuck!” The lead Kobold turned and bolted back into the woods, and the others followed suit.

“So uncivilized.” Nox muttered.

That night, Amira found herself beneath Lyv with her fingers tangled in the Eladrin’s mane of hair. Once they had passed Mallendril, they turned southwest, intending to eventually turn east towards Ko Mae Quan. It was around midday when a crossbow bolt flew in the window and hit Amira’s left arm. Immediately spotting the attacker - a Human-looking woman with a strange crown-like growth on her head - Zhosa stopped the carriage and grabbed her bow.

At that moment, Cophira became visible in the bushes to the right as she cast a spell. A portal opened on the road in front of them, and a creature appeared that had the muscular build of an Orc and the horns of a Minotaur. Drawing a jagged greatsword, it charged, moving past the horses and attacking Zhosa. She evaded its sword, then it bit her leg. A gunshot rang out, a bullet hit Navi in the back, and she started to glow, then another bullet hit her right shoulder blade. Bursting out of the wagon, Lyv charged the horned demon head-on. Shadowy tendrils manifested from her body, battering it as she cut into its torso with her greatsword. It struck back with its own sword, cutting into her thigh.

The initial attacker - a Hexblood woman - fired her crossbow again, narrowly missing Amira’s head. Stepping out, Erakax transformed into a red spinosaurus, then stomped towards the Hexblood and attacked, missing with this bite but hitting with his claws. While Nox cast a spell to ward Karrus against death, Ali manifested her echo, then conjured a gust of wind directed towards Cophira, pushing the Half-Sea Elf back fifteen feet. Two arrows suddenly flew down from a nearby tree and bounced off of Ali’s shield. A red-haired Mountain Dwarf man in spiked armor moved past the Hexblood and attacked Erakax with a war pick, burying the weapon in his left leg.

At that moment, a red dragon dove out of the sun, exhaling a cone of flame and burning, Zhosa, Ali, her echo, Erakax, Lyv, and the tanarukk. Ali’s echo vanished. Bursting out of the carriage, Karrus flew up and attacked the dragon, slashing with his longsword and stabbing with his dagger. Spotting a bearded Human man with a musket, Navi threw a javelin and missed, then rolled her eyes back and conjured a normal-looking spinosaurus.

“Spike, kill!” She shouted in Dwarvish.

The carnivorous beast roared and charged the Artificer, biting him and picking him up before he blocked its claws by casting Shield. He lost concentration, and Navi stopped glowing. Spotting a pale Elven woman with a longbow in a tree, Amira cast Divine Favor, then fired her double crossbow, hitting with the second bolt. A dark-haired Human man to the west hurled a bolt of light, missing Erakax. Bryrie cast a more powerful Toxic Bolt than she was previously capable of, then shot the dragon’s left wing. Estoc sent a wave of necromantic energy washing over the Mountain Dwarf, draining him.

Zhosa downed a healing potion, then shot Cophira twice in the belly. Gritting her teeth, Cophira downed a potion of her own, then ran forward and stabbed Ali with her Rapier of Warning, causing her to collapse.

“Traitor!” The Warlock shouted.

While the tanarukk demon attacked Lyv, the Human Artificer whistled. A metal quadruped the size of a panther jumped up and bit down on his armored leg, helping him to break free of Spike’s maw. Lyv drank a healing potion, then slashed at the tanarukk, cutting into its chest and taking a slash to the arm for her troubles. Moving away from Erakax, the Hexblood Rogue fired at Amira through the wagon, only for the bolt to bounce harmlessly off the back of her armor. Eying the Dwarf’s spiked armor, Erakax swatted him with his tail, then chased after the Hexblood and picked her up in his mouth.

Rushing out of the wagon, Nox brought Ali back to consciousness. Picking herself up, she manifested her echo and attacked Cophira, stabbing her in the ribs. As she withdrew her trident, the blood that sprayed out solidified into a blade. Cophira caught it in her free hand, then slashed at Ali, who blocked it with her shield. The Triton and her echo attacked four more times, alternating attacks and stabbing her in the front and back. The last attack was enough to put the Half-Sea Elf on the ground, leaving the tanarukk uncontrolled. The blond-haired Pallid Elf woman moved her Hunter’s Mark to Amira, then fired two arrows and hit her left arm and hip.

The Mountain Dwarf Barbarian kept his shield up as he chased after Erakax, swinging his war pick and piercing deep enough to force Erakax out of Polymmorph. He followed up with a spiked body slam, but the Dragonborn dodged the attack. Twisting in the air, the red dragon attacked Karrus, biting his abdomen hard enough to puncture his adamantine breastplate and scratching his wings until he was barely able to stay airborne. He downed a healing potion, then tapped into the dragon’s nightmares and conjured the illusion of an impossibly large silver dragon circling overhead. Catching up with Spike, Navi swung her greatsword at the Artificer, who blocked both attacks by casting Shield. Spike missed with a bite, then broke through the barrier and scratched the Artificer hard enough that he collapsed.

Amira muttered an incantation, then fired two more bolts and missed. The dark-haired Human man cast Sapping Sting, and Erakax’s legs buckled, causing him to collapse. The Human moved away from the Dragonborn, then cast Mass Healing Word, healing Cophira, the Artificer, the Hexblood, the Mountain Dwarf, the Pallid Elf, and the dragon. Reaching into her bag, Bryrie pulled out her Woe Strider head and broke the string holding its jaw shut, unleashing an invisible cone of antimagic around the Human Cleric and the Pallid Elf Ranger. Estoc healed Zhosa, then awakened his swarm.

Zhosa killed the tanarukk with a point-blank headshot, then cast Hunter’s Mark on the dragon and shot its right hind leg. Picking herself up, Cophira downed another potion, then stabbed Ali in the side. The Artificer removed a warhammer from his back and slammed it into Spike, and his Steel Defender bit Navi’s right ankle. Lyv vanished in a burst of freshly-cut grass, reappeared atop the wagon, downed a healing potion, and roared a challenge at the dragon. Drawing a rapier that had the bottom third of the blade thickened, the Hexblade Rogue attacked Erakax while he was down, stabbing the right side of his chest. Picking himself up, he burned the Hexblood and Mountain Dwarf with his fire breath, then cast Fireball around the dragon and transmuted the flame into acid.

Nox healed Ali, and she attacked Cophira again, stabbing her from both sides. Dropping down from her tree, the Pallid Elf fired two arrows, hitting Amira in the right shoulder and ribs. The Mountain Dwarf Barbarian swung his pick at Erakax, burying the point in his left thigh before he blocked both follow-ups by casting Shield. In the air, the dragon unleashed its fire breath, burning Karrus, Lyv, and Nox while Bryrie threw herself out of the way. Lyv collapsed on the wagon, and Karrus would have fallen if not for Nox’s Death Ward.

“That all you got?” He asked mockingly as he healed himself.

Navi ignored the metal panther and attacked the Artificer, cutting him down where he stood. While she struck back at the Steel Defender, Spike turned and stomped towards the Human Cleric, only to vanish when he entered Bryrie’s antimagic cone. Switching to her axe and shield, Amira closed with the Elven Ranger, and frost coated her weapon as she buried it in her side. The Human Cleric moved towards Bryrie at an angle until he was out of the antimagic cone, then cast Guiding Bolt, hitting her ribs and making her glow. She pelted him with four Magic Missiles, then turned the head to face the Artificer. Estoc conjured a storm cloud, then called down a bolt of lightning that hit the dragon square in the back.

Zhosa fired up at the dragon, hitting its right wing. While Cophira stabbed Ali in the ribs, the Steel Defender continued attacking Navi, biting down on her left thigh. The Hexblood Assassin fired at Amira again, hitting her lower back and causing her to collapse. While Erakax hit the dragon with another acidic Fireball, Nox ran over and healed Amira, and Ali continued attacking Cophira, who parried two of her three thrusts. Having moved her Hunter’s Mark to Estoc, the Elven Ranger fired two more arrows, hitting his chest and left thigh.

Moving around the wagon, the Dwarven Barbarian attacked Nox, burying the war pick in his shoulder and following up with spiked armor body slam. The second hit put the Kobold Cleric down for the count. In spite of its wounds, the red dragon moved above and behind Karrus and unleashed its fire breath again, hitting Karrus, Navi, and Spike. Karrus lost consciousness and fell twenty-five feet to the ground. Closing with Cophira, Navi raised her greatsword over her head and brought it down, shattering her collarbone and causing her to collapse. She pointed to the Barbarian, and Spike attacked, missing with his bite but hitting with his claws.

Picking herself up, Amira closed with the enemy Cleric, cast Bloodletter, and buried her battleaxe in his upper back. Gritting his teeth, he grabbed her and cast Inflict Wounds, but she pulled away before it could take hold. Bryrie kept the Woe Strider head pointed at the fallen Artificer as she hit the dragon in the head with a frigid beam of blue-white light. Estoc ignored his attacker and called down another bolt of lightning that hit the same spot as Bryrie’s spell.

Zhosa fired at the dragon and missed, then shot an arrow into the roof of its mouth and into its brain, sending it crashing down. While Navi avoided a bite from the Steel Defender, the Hexblood Assassin moved her Hex to Bryrie, then fired her crossbow and missed. Erakax drank a healing potion, then cast Shatter above the Elven Ranger, who winced in pain. Ali and her echo moved to flank the Ranger, stabbing her in the ribs. She used Misty Step to get out from between them, then shot Estoc again.

The Mountain Dwarf moved with Estoc, only to wince when the Druid’s invisible swarm stung him. Gritting his teeth, he closed the distance and swung his pick, hitting Estoc’s right arm and hip. On the ground, Karrus stopped breathing. Navi healed herself a bit, then joined Amira in attacking the Cleric, cutting into his back and distracting him so Spike could bite down on his head. Rushing over to Nox, Amira knelt down and used divine energy to heal him. Bryrie ran over to the Human Cleric and aimed the head down at him, then hit the Mountain Dwarf with a mote of flame. Pulling out a diamond, Estoc ran over to Karrus and cast Revivify. The diamond dissolved, and the Tiefling inhaled loudly.

Zhosa moved her Hunter’s Mark to the Hexblood Rogue, then shot her in the side. While the Steel Defender missed Navi with a bite, the Hexblood fired at Bryrie, who blocked the bolt by casting Shield. Erakax sent four Magic Missiles streaking through the air and into the Dwarf Barbarian, who grunted in pain. While Nox ran over and healed Lyv, Ali chased after the Elven ranger and threw her trident, hitting her in the throat. The Mountain Dwarf continued attacking Estoc, powering through the hostile swarm, puncturing his wooden skin, and causing him to collapse.

Karrus healed himself, then flew over the wagon and attacked the Hexblood Rogue, who dodged both slashes. Navi healed herself a bit more as she turned and slashed at the metal panther, cutting its head off with her second strike. Spike stomped over to the Mountain Dwarf and bit his shoulder, then scratched his neck, and he collapsed. Amira cast Moonbeam, burning the Hexblood Rogue from above. Bryrie cast Mind Sliver, and she winced in pain. Zhosa fired two more arrows, and the second hit the Assassin in the head, killing her.

Chapter Text

Once Cophira stopped breathing, her rapier appeared on the ground next to her. While Nox was healing Estoc, the others started looting the bodies. Ali took the Artificer’s half plate armor, Zhosa took the Pallid Elf Ranger’s Giant Slayer Longbow, and Bryrie took the Ranger’s cast-off studded leather. They continued south, and the next morning they saw a tan-skinned Half-Elf man on the side of the road. He waved, and Zhosa pulled over.

“What’s the word, Ul?” She asked.

“The Elders have agreed to send aid.” He replied. “It’ll take a little time to get organized, so they sent me to scout ahead and help with whatever you’re planning.”

Once Ulovar was onboard, they gave him Cophira’s Rapier of Warning, as Bryrie didn’t want to give up any of her own attuned items for it. Upon arriving in Ko Mae Quan, they headed towards the building where they had met Maia, only for a Fireball to explode on the ground in front of them, killing both horses. Cursing in Draconic, Zhosa looked around and saw a figure in a dark cloak approaching from beneath an awning ahead. Six other figures in tattered white cloaks approached from the sides and back. Each one hurled a bolt of sickly green energy, hitting Erakax, Navi, and Karrus but missing Estoc, Zhosa, and Ali.

Bursting out the right side of the wagon, Navi cut down two of the attackers with a single blow each. Emerging on the left side, Estoc hurled a shard of ice at the pair behind the wagon, killing one and wounding the other with icy shrapnel. Zhosa fired two arrows at the dark-cloaked figure, hitting once before they blocked the second by casting Shield. Lowering the hood to reveal the face of a plain-looking Human man, he hurled another Fireball, burning Zhosa, Navi, and Estoc. Bursting out, Amira attacked the pair on the left, chopping the first attacker’s head off. While Eraxax hit the leader with a shocking Chromatic Orb, Bryrie killed the wounded attacker with a headshot. Ulovar shot the last light-robed attacker in the chest, Nox killed her with Sacred Flame, and Karrus killed the leader with two arrows to the chest.

Spotting a nondescript temple nearby, Amira started towards it and waved for the others to follow. Inside, they found a Half-Elf man in chainmail preaching to six others in a language none of the group understood. He stopped, and the other men turned to see them.

“Sorry to interrupt.” Karrus said. “We’re having a weird morning. Is it alright if we take a minute to make a plan?”

All six followers picked up maces and shields, and the preacher picked up a wicked-looking spear. Ali immediately charged forward, manifesting her echo behind the closest cultist and killing him with a stab to the chest and two to the back. Bryrie cast Alanis’ Toxic Bolt, then fired at the preacher and missed, and Ulovar was similarly unsuccessful when he fired his own crossbow. Zhosa cast Hunter’s Mark on him, then fired two arrows and hit him with the second. Flowers and vines sprouted from the floor around Lyv as she attacked the second mace-wielding man, who blocked her blade with his shield.

All five of the followers advanced, swinging their maces and hitting Lyv and Karrus. Navi attacked the fourth follower, missing with her first slash but cutting him down with the second and third. The armored preacher whistled, and two of his followers attacked Ali, destroying her echo but missing the Triton herself. The preacher then attacked, driving his spear into her side where her half plate didn’t cover. While Nox hit the second follower with a Fire Bolt, Karrus cast Heat Metal, burning the preacher with his own armor.

“Hey, that’s my move!” Estoc exclaimed.

Amira attacked the fifth follower, coating her battleaxe in frost before burying it in his heart and killing him. While Erakax killed the preacher with an acidic Chromatic Orb to the face, Estoc awakened his spores. Ali’s echo reappeared, and while she killed the second follower, it stabbed the third in the back. Bryrie killed the third with a bolt below his left eye, Ulovar shot the last follower in the heart.

“Am I crazy, or was this town a lot more welcoming last time?” Karrus asked.

“Yeah.” Lyv sheathed her sword. “This is weird.”

A search of the non-denominational temple’s main room turned up nothing, and Amira’s Divine Sense picked up no undead, Fiends, or Celestials. A door on the back wall led to an office, and when Karrus cast Detect Magic, he saw the outline of another door next to it. After drinking a healing potion, he cast Dispel Magic on the second door, which became visible to the others before gradually starting to vanish again. Amira checked it to find it unlocked, then opened it and saw a set of stairs leading down.

“It connects to a tunnel.” She reported. “Looks like it goes both ways.”

Hearing footsteps and voices, Zhosa turned and rushed over to the nearest window.

“We’ve got a small mob incoming.” She reported.

“I knew the tunnels.” Ali said. “I’ll see if I can lead us to the base.”

Zhosa nodded. “We’ll stay and slow them down.”

Navi drank a healing potion, then followed the others down the stairs. Amira and the others followed, and less than a minute after they closed the door, it was invisible again.

The tunnel was long and winding, and it split off in multiple directions. but Ali navigated it with little issue. They spent half an hour navigating the tunnels, but every path that went towards the hase eventually turned away or ended, and when they found a path that led to the surface, they were still several blocks away. At Nox’s suggestion, they turned back, but after a few minutes they saw light in the distance and heard footsteps. Cursing in the Aquan dialect of Primordial, Ali led them down a tunnel to the right. After twenty minutes, Amira realized they had definitely passed the base entirely.

“How far are we going?” She asked.

“Not much farther.” Ali replied. “If I’m remembering correctly, there’s a house two blocks east of the base that’s owned by one of Maia’s lieutenants and has a ladder leading down here.”

“I have an idea.” Erakax said. “If we’re willing to play the long game, I can cast Mold Earth a couple dozen times and dig us a tunnel that leads under the base.”

“That’ll give whoever’s down here time to catch up.” Nox pointed out.

“Not if we strategically collapse part of the tunnel.” He countered.

“Actually, I can summon a trapdoor spider big enough to dig a tunnel for us.” Navi said. “We’d just have to get through the stone first.”

Karrus rubbed his chin. “I can enhance your strength so you can punch into the wall without relying on rage.”

She nodded. “Let’s give it a shot.”

Karrus cast Enhance Ability on her, then motioned for the others to back up. Cracking her knuckles, the Reborn Barbarian punched the wall hard enough to shake it slightly. Grinning, she punched it repeatedly, and soon cracks started to appear. She kept going even when dirt started to spill into the tunnel, only stopping when she’d made a hole that was a foot across.

Bryrie snapped her fingers, and a black badger with white stripes darted across the floor and burrowed into the hole. While she waited, Navi walked farther down the tunnel and started punching the walls on both sides. Just as the tunnel caved in, Bryrie’s badger telepathically informed her that it had reached the surface, so she went blind and deaf to see and hear through it. At her instruction, it was facing away from the tunnel, and she had it slowly turn its head until she could see Maia’s base.

“Got it.” She said, pointing. “I’ll have the badger dig a few feet so your spider knows which way to go.”

Navi nodded, and once Bryrie’s badger returned, she conjured a giant hairy spider. With her help, it expanded the hole she’d made in the wall, then crawled into it and started burrowing through the dirt, using the badger’s short tunnel as a guide. Navi followed it, and the others could hear shouting on the other side of the collapsed tunnel as they followed her. With Bryrie and her badger’s guidance, the spider tunneled under the fence, then at an upward angle until it hit solid stone. Karrus’ spell was still active, so Navi punched the stone until it crumbled, then climbed up into a kitchen full of shocked cooks.

“Easy.” Amira said once she had climbed out. “We’re not here to hurt you. We’d prefer to end this peacefully."

“We’ll get out of here so you can get back to it.” Karrus added. “Which way is Maia Springbluff’s office?”

Ali pointed to a closed door. “Right through there.”

Bryrie turned invisible, then opened the door and stepped out into a hallway. Navi sent her spider out after Bryrie, then she and the others followed it. The hallway was lined with unfamiliar but expensive-looking paintings. They had just reached a wide, curved staircase when they heard heavy footsteps and turned to see a large armored skeleton approaching. Seeing movement at the top of his vision, Nox looked up and saw the unmistakable form of a Beholder flying down towards them, though its eye was milky and its skin was rotting.

Drawing her greatsword, Navi closed with the armored skeleton and attacked, but its metal plating proved difficult to get around. Her spider fired webbing up at the zombified Beholder, restraining it to a chandelier. Taking to the air, Karrus attacked the restrained aberration, cutting into it with his longsword and dagger. Drawing a large sword, the twelve-foot-tall skeleton slashed down at Navi and cut into her unarmored body, then grabbed her with its free hand and sapped some of her strength. Ali and her echo immediately attacked the skeleton, stabbing it from both sides and hitting four times out of five.

From the chandelier, the Beholder zombie fired a green ray from one of its eyestalks, and Karrus narrowly avoided it. While Erakax hit the Beholder with an acidic orb, Bryrie started up the stairs, still invisible. Amira cast Divine Favor, then slashed at the skeleton’s legs and hit it through gaps in its armor. Nox hit the skeleton with a mote of flame, then conjured a spectral quarterstaff and hit the undead Beholder with it.

Navi healed herself, but she still felt physically weaker than normal as she slashed at the skeleton again, cutting into the backs of its legs. Her spider attacked as well, climbing up its back and biting its neck. Above them, Karrus continued attacking the Beholder, careful to avoid its mouth as he cut off one of its eyestalks.

The door at the top of the stairs burst open, and a second armored skeleton began descending. It attacked Bryrie as though she were visible, and although she dodged its first swing, she had to cast Shield to stop the second, becoming visible in the process. It reached out with its free hand, but it couldn’t get past her invisible barrier. The first skeleton sliced Ali’s echo out of existence, then slashed down at Navi again, causing her to collapse and her spider to vanish. Its empty hand shot out towards Ali, sapping her strength.

Ali manifested her echo again, then stabbed the first skeleton until it collapsed in a pile of metal and bone. The Beholder zombie fired a ray of black energy from one of its eyestalks, hitting Karrus in the gut at point-blank range. Erakax set off a Fireball behind the skeleton, shaking the entire room with the explosion. Bryrie vanished into a cloud of mist, reappeared next to Nox, and cast Mind Sliver on the skeleton, which had no reaction. Running up the wall, Amira cast Shining Smite, then slashed at the skeleton, burying her battleaxe in its right knee and making its entire body glow. Nox rushed over and healed Navi, then hit the Beholder with his spectral quarterstaff.

Picking herself up, Navi growled in anger and charged the second skeleton. Instead of using her sword, she pushed off the wall and tackled it through the wooden banister and off the stairs, where they both landed prone. Karrus healed himself, then slashed at the zombified Beholder, cutting into its single eye. Picking itself up, the skeleton tried to grab Bryrie and missed, then slashed her across the back. She twisted her body, and the blade didn’t cut quite as deep as it would have.

Ali and her echo wasted no time attacking the second skeleton, but with her strength sapped, they didn’t hit quite as hard as they had before. The Beholder shot a yellow ray at Karrus, who was unaffected. Erakax hit the Beholder with a Fire Bolt, then burned the skeleton with his fire breath. Bryrie ignored the skeleton in favor of shooting the Beholder, and as it stopped moving, Amira attacked the skeleton, cutting into both of its legs. Nox hit it in the head with his spectral quarterstaff, then burned it with Sacred Flame, and Navi cut it in half.

Chapter Text

Amira used divine energy to heal Navi a bit, then the pair led the others up the stairs. Stepping through the door, they found an office with Maia herself sitting at a wooden desk on the far wall and her Dusk Elf companion standing to her right.

“I’d say this is a surprise, but even my patron knew you would come.” Maia said.

“And who might that be?” Karrus inquired.

She waved her hand dismissively. “I doubt you’d know him. In the grand scheme of things, he’s a bit obscure.”

Ali looked at the Dusk Elf. “Halras.”

He nodded. “Alinyn.”

Erwin Folkor suddenly became visible to Maia’s left just as he released a spell, and a swarm of spirits descended on Ali, who screamed in fear. Feeling her second wind hit, she thrust her hand towards him and unleashed a gust of wind, sending him flying back into a bookshelf. Karrus cast Phantasmal Killer on Maia, who winced but was otherwise unaffected. While Bryrie fired her crossbow and missed, Amira charged Maia head-on. The Human Paladock was already on her feet with a shield in her left hand, and the battleaxe that Cophira had taken from the vault appeared in her right hand. Amira cast Shining Smite, only for Maia to cast Counterspell. Barely fazed, Amira swung her own axe, getting past Maia’s shield and burying the blade in her left arm.

Drawing his greatsword, Halras closed with Ali and attacked, eliminating her echo with his first strike and disarming her of her trident with his second. Rallying, she blocked the third, fourth, and fifth attacks with her shield. Navi threw a javelin at Erwin and hit his left hip, then conjured a spinosaurus, which almost reached the ceiling when it stood upright.

“Spike, kill!” She shouted in Dwarvish.

Roaring, the beast lumbered forward and attacked Erwin. Erwin dodged his claws, only for Spike to pick him up in his mouth. Erakax immediately cast Fireball towards Spike and Erwin, only for the latter to stop him with Counterspell. Maia’s plate armor shimmered in the sunlight pouring in the windows behind her as she squared off with Amira. She muttered an incantation that Amira didn’t recognize, and tiny spirits flitted around Maia as she attacked. Amira blocked both attacks with her shield, but each impact sent a jolt down her arm. Nox sent his spectral quarterstaff to attack Halras, then missed Maia with a bolt of light.

Erwin suddenly vanished from Spike’s jaws, leaving the beast looking confused. No longer gripped by fear, Ali brought back her echo and attacked Halras again, catching him in the ribs. Beating his wings, Karrus flew across the room, landed on the desk, and attacked Maia. His first attack hit especially hard, and a burst of kinetic energy sent her flying back into the window, which shattered. Closing with her, he attacked again, and although he caught her in the side with his dagger, she blocked his sword with her shield.

A crossbow bolt from Bryrie bounced off of Maia’s armor as Amira attacked, successfully casting Shining Smite and missing with her first attack before chopping into Maia’s right thigh, making her glow, and breaking her concentration. Halras adjusted his stance, then slashed at Ali again. Instead of aiming for her skin, he targeted her armor, hitting hard enough to crack the metal plates. When he swung again, his blade cracked her armor wide open, leaving her torso unprotected.

At that moment, Erwin reappeared, joined by the Earth Genasi man Navi had seen watching Amira’s first fight with Maia. The Earth Genasi wore half plate armor and carried a shield. He traced a sigil in front of himself, then grabbed a mace from his belt. While Navi attacked Harlas from behind, she sent Spike after Erwin, who blocked its bite by casting Shield, then winced when it broke through and scratched him. Erakax hurled another Fireball, burning the two of them as well as the Earth Genasi.

Maia cast Shining Smite, and her axe glowed as she slashed at Amira, burying the weapon in the skin below her ribs. She swung again, piercing Amira’s armor and draining a bit of her life force through the weapon. The Dhampyr’s concentration broke, and Maia stopped glowing. Nox hit her with a Guiding Bolt, then hit Halras with his Spiritual Weapon.

Erwin cast Spirit Swarm again, and Nox winced. Ali stabbed Halras in the front and back, then swapped places with her echo. Karrus healed Amira, then broke off and attacked the Earth Genasi, cutting into the back of his right leg but barely drawing blood. Bryrie cast Alanis’ Toxic Bolt, then shot Maia in the ribs, and she cried out as the acid ate away at her skin. Maia cast Hellish Rebuke, burning Bryrie in retaliation. Amira cast Freezing Smite, then struck back at Maia, hitting her right arm. Gritting his teeth, Halras swung his greatsword, cutting Ali down where she stood.

The Earth Genasi Cleric cast Blade Ward on himself, then made his way behind the desk and cast Cure Wounds on Maia. Erakax cast Counterspell, only for Erwin to do the same to him. Navi slashed at Halras’ back, only for him to bat her blade aside with his own. Spike continued his assault on Erwin, picking the red-haired Gnome up in his jaws, where he went limp. Erakax pelted the Earth Genasi with four Magic Missiles, then missed with a Fire Bolt. Maia cast Divine Favor, then slashed at Amira again, cutting into her legs until they buckled. Nox brought Ali back to consciousness, then missed Halras with his spectral quarterstaff, which promptly vanished.

Picking herself up, Ali manifested her echo and attacked Halras again, driving her trident into his gut. Karrus healed Amira, then slashed at the Earth Genasi, carving a gash in his lower back. Bryrie fired at Halras, but he cut her bolt out of the air. Powering through the intense pain she was in, Amira downed a healing potion, picked herself up, and bit Mara’s arm, draining the Human to heal herself. She went in for seconds, but Maia twisted out of the way.

Shifting his stance, Halras slashed down at Nox, who blocked both attacks with his shield. The Earth Genasi slammed his mace into Karrus’ ribs, then cast Healing Word on himself. Breaking away from Harlas, Navi leaped over the desk and slashed at Maia, cutting into her back through small gaps in her armor. Spike dropped Erwin and turned his attention to the Earth Genasi, scratching his sides but missing with his bite. Erakax cast Shatter in the empty space between Halras and the Earth Genasi, then cast Mind Sliver on Maia, who winced in pain. Instead of retreating away from Halras, Nox moved closer and cast Inflict Wounds, bursting blood vessels from his knee all the way up to his neck. The Dusk Elf collapsed, rapidly bleeding out.

Ali turned her attention to the Earth Genasi, stabbing him in the side with her trident. Karrus cut the Cleric down with his sword, then threw his dagger at Maia, only for it to bounce off her armor with a loud CLANG. Bryrie shot Maia in the knee, and that leg gave, causing her to collapse.

“Fuck!” She exclaimed. “Is this really about the job?”

“Partly.” Amira adjusted her grip on her battleaxe. “But we also know you have plans for the orb beyond sending dragons after us.”

As if on cue, a white dragon larger than any of the others they had fought crashed through the farther window, bleeding heavily from its neck and head.

“Is that it?” Maia chuckled, then coughed painfully. “There’s no legal defense for this. You’ve attacked my house unprovo-”

She was cut off by Amira’s axe as it chopped through her neck, severing her head from her body. Her armor was consumed in an explosion of energy, but it had no effect on anyone within its range.

The Emerald Claw soon arrived, and while they made sure no guards were coming, Amira and the others started looting Maia and her companions with Karrus casting Identify on each magic item. Erwin carried only a Wand of Secrets, which Bryrie pocketed. The Earth Genasi had a Mace of Disruption, which Nox took for himself. 

For Navi, the biggest revelation was Halras’ equipment. His blade was an Acheron Greatsword, which made him immune to effects that turned undead. More significantly, the brooch he wore was a Brooch of Living Essence, which masked his undead nature by causing detection spells to read him as humanoid. Maia’s shield merely had a magic face with a changeable expression, but her flail was a Devotee’s Censor, which Amira took. She tried to attune to the battleaxe, Fane Eater, but it would only connect with evil Paladins and Clerics.

The Emerald Claw rode back to Bartalos with the group, and Bryrie’s apartment was the first stop. She had barely set her bag down when she heard a knock at the door, and she answered it to find Zhosa standing in the hallway.

“Hey.” Bryrie greeted her.

“Hey.” Zhosa said. “I, uh, I wanted to come and say goodbye.”

Bryrie blinked. “You’re leaving already?”

“Yeah.” Zhosa shifted her weight. “We’re getting dinner, and then-”

“Get your ass inside.” Bryrie snapped.

Zhosa’s eyes widened, and she stepped inside. Bryrie moved out of her way, then shut the door behind her. Turning, she walked right up to Zhosa and kissed her. Zhosa kissed back, then they were moving. When they finally broke apart, they both giggled.

“Are you a good girl, Zhosa?” Bryrie asked.

The Yuan-ti woman’s vertical pupils dilated as she nodded.

“Good.” Bryrie smiled. “Let’s get you out of all that gear and into something more comfortable, like my bed.”

Outside, Amira turned to Alinyn. “Can’t help noticing you’re still with us.”

Ali shrugged. “You guys seem alright. I figured I’d stick around if that’s alright with you.”

Amira shrugged. “No objection here.”