The Home Stone

Finally, dawn’s early light graced the eastern horizon with streaks of sunlight forcing their way through the dark clouds that had hung over the party, threatening to rain down on everyone. They consumed a hasty, cold breakfast. Then the eight travelers were off. The forest still blanketed with thick fog and felt cool to her skin as Shannon made her way to the east road.

By mid-morning, the fog had lifted just enough to allow the party to see the road that passed under the hooves of their steeds.

“It’s going to be a muggy one today,” Maynard said as he rode up beside the elf. “We better make the most of the journey while it’s still cool. Hopefully our friends back there that were watching us, didn’t hear us leaving. We may be able to put some distance between us.”

By mid-day the sun was beating down on the party as they pulled off the road and rested in the coolness of a glade. The ride had been hard on them, with no clouds in the sky to protect them from the burning rays of the sun.

On the morning of the third day Maynard suddenly called a halt. Out on the side of the road sat a man with his head bowed and resting on his bent knees. He looked up just as the party came into view. The dwarfs immediately dismounted and formed a protective circle around the elf girl.

“You need not have any fear from me,” began the stranger. “I am not sitting here for my health. A group of female warriors ambushed me and stole my horse and all my supplies. All they left me were my weapons, which they discarded a few hundred feet from where I am now. They also prevented me from following them by giving me this deep cut in my leg. Then they left in a hurry. Probably heard you coming.”

Shannon jumped down from her horse and walked up to the man and spoke.

“Will you be all right?” she asked. “Can you describe these warriors to me,” she continued as she examined the stranger’s wound.

It was deep, but it would heal without leaving the man with a limp. Shannon called for the rest of the party to make camp while she tended to the man’s injury. She managed to stem the flow of blood and make him as comfortable as possible. The elf learned that his name was Cornelius Horner and that he had a cabin not far from here. He was on his way to Sweetwood to get some supplies when he was attacked. After a meal was consumed the dwarfs made a stretcher out of blankets and two poles and carried the wounded man into the forest to where his small log cabin stood. Once inside they placed Cornelius on a small cot and returned outside.

“We have to get him some supplies,” Shannon said. “We just can’t leave him like this.” Taking some coins from her pouch, and handing them to Maynard, she continued. “Let two of your men ride back to Sweetwood and bring the supplies that he needs. They can wait for your return here and protect him in case those warriors come back.”

“Laggin is closer and they have a good many of the things that he needs,” answered Maynard. “I can leave two men here and bring back supplies on my return trip.”

Shannon agreed that it was the best solution and prepared to leave early the next morning. She felt better that the captain agreed to leave two of his men here. They divided up their supplies and made ready for an early departure. When dawn finally came the party was ready and on the road, before Cornelius was awake.

The next two days were the same as the ones before. There had been no more sightings of whoever was following them. Everyone was relieved with the returning coolness of the evening, as the lights of Laggin came into view. Though built at the mouth of the pass in the foothills of the Crags, it was still considered a mountain city. The street lamps were already lit by the time the party entered the gates and made their way to the “Flat Stone Inn”, so named, because it was built on a large, flat stone. The inn was bustling with patrons as they entered. Mostly dwarfs and humans were in the place and either eating or drinking. There were a few Orcs and there was one mountain troll. Shannon had always thought that Orcs were tall, but this troll had to stoop to walk around for the ceiling was way too low for him.

Leaving the elf girl to search around for Brendan, Maynard made his way over to the bar, and he ordered a flagon of ale.

“Can you tell me if Brendan O’Hearn has been in lately?” asked the dwarf, taking a deep and long drink of the strong ale.

The bartender’s mouth opened to say something, but shut it as quickly as he had opened it. Looking around to see if anyone else had heard the dwarf, he moved to pour another ale for the Maynard. Seeing that he was the only one that had heard the dwarf, the bartender once more approached him.

“You shouldn’t be here asking such questions,” he answered in a whisper. “It’s not safe speaking of him. He was arrested two days ago by one of them.” He continued and pointed with his head at the huge mountain troll sitting and eating at the table near the back wall. “Who knows what has happened to him.”

The dwarf drank from his flagon, thanked the bartender for the information and then turned to Shannon, who had come to stand next to him. He repeated the story that the man behind the bar had told him and then waited for her response.

“Try to find out where they are keeping him,” Shannon whispered. “Maybe we can get to talk to him.”

Maynard once again got the man’s attention behind the bar and questioned him further. Meanwhile the rest of the group found an empty table and sat down. Food and ale was ordered while they waited for Maynard to join them. Three huge trays of food and drink arrived just as the dwarf captain rejoined the group.

“Apparently our man has been up to no good on the other side of this pass,” the dwarf began after the serving girls departed with their empty trays. “They say he cheated some troll merchant out of a gold trinket. His trial begins the day after tomorrow and if found guilty, he faces the death penalty. If I know these trolls, the sentence will be carried out immediately.”

“Then I must leave tonight,” Shannon began with a look of concern on her face. “How do we find out where he is being kept?” she finally asked.

Maynard looked her straight in the eye and with a smile, said. “You see that troll over there? He is the sergeant of the guard at the prison where Brendan is being kept. All you have to do is convince him to take you there.”

Shannon rose from her chair and slowly made her way over to where the troll was sitting. Quietly she spoke to him. After a few moments, the elf girl took from her pouch a few gold pieces and handed them to the sergeant. Without looking up he pocketed the coins and stood up. His lips moved, but from where Maynard was sitting, not one of the dwarfs heard, or understood what he said. With a smile on her face, Shannon returned to her place at the table with her friends.

“I leave within the hour,” she said as she sat down. “He will allow me to speak with him, but that’s all he can promise. At least I can find out where and how we can retrieve the stone.”

They finished their meal and returned to where their horses were kept. After saddling their mounts, they rode over to where the large troll was waiting. Here Maynard and Shannon said their goodbyes. The dwarfs with the supplies for their wounded friend now headed back, and Shannon rode over to where the troll was waiting. Without a word, the troll turned and in a slow run made his way over to the pass with the elf trailing him.