Grimdale on the Wizard's Trail

[Oldsage]

A story about my first ever D&D character from a period when the party split up and we were all supposed to write about what they'd been doing, as you can see I got a little carried away. A bit rough, but still good. I take no responsibility for the potentally stupid and/or copyrighted names for places or some of the characters referenced as those were entirely the DM's doing.

[Oldsage]

Grimdale’s on the Wizard’s Trail
By: Jordan Tobey

Grimdale knelt and inspected the muddy tracks. “Definitely Orcs, twenty to thirty of them, but what are such a large band of them doing here in the Forest of Forever?” He’d been tracking the group for the last three days, ever since he’d come upon a deserted campsite, a couple of days old. He’d suspected Orcs, but this was his first definite proof, and it also showed that he’d managed to gain on them by not even stopping to rest since then, the footprint couldn’t be more than fifteen or twenty minutes old.

He’d spent the last several weeks since the party had split up doing his best to learn about the forest and how to move silently through it. He was determined never to go back to the Underdark again without very good reason, ten years had been too long. And if he was to ever to successfully continue being a ranger, he knew he’d have to learn a lot more about the world above. He resumed his pursuit, moving through the forest with a skill and rapidity he couldn’t have even imagined a few month’s ago, much less managed. It wasn’t easy, even for a dwarf to keep up this kind of grueling pace. He’d been running nonstop for almost three days, and he was still worn out from a fight with a Dire Bear a couple days before that.
He grimaced at the memory; he’d come upon a small human settlement during his search for Argonis. They’d been suffering from the predications of the bear for weeks, it coming every few nights and killing. Even with the help of the villagers, who’d only shown a willingness to fight when they realized that otherwise they’d owe their lives to a dwarf, it had been a tough fight. Grimdale’s left arm was still bandaged from where it had gotten its teeth into him just before he’d buried his waraxe in its head, finally killing the beast. He still had one of the beast’s claws that he had taken as a trophy. And enough dried bear meat to last him a couple months if he was careful.

Suddenly from up ahead came the sound of Elfish voices mixed with Orcish battle cries. “Elves, here? They’re a long way from home.” Grimdale thought as he increased his pace in an attempt to reach the battle in time.

Ariquine ducked, just dodging the Orc’s battle-ax which had tried to remove his head from his shoulders, and then gutted the offending Orc from groin to breast with an upward sweep of his longsword before turning to immediately engage another. The elves were badly outnumbered, the already long odds made worse when three of their number had fallen to the Orc’s ambush, which had only escaped their detection due to the elves exhaustion from their long journey. Now six elves fought for their lives against thirty Orcs, ten of which now lay dead. But the elves’s wounds were mounting and it couldn’t be long before they fell one by one.
Suddenly Ariquine saw an ax coming at him, and there wasn’t time to dodge. He’d only just had time to prepare himself for death when the ax dropped from its owner’s hand, its owner dead with a pair of arrows in the back of his head. Ariquine barely had time to wonder where the arrows had come from when a bone rattling war cry that caused both elf and orc to pause split the sound of battle. Before either side managed to recover two orcs had fallen to the surprise attacker; the elves recovered first and quickly felled eight more of their brutish opponents, with their new ally felling three. Ariquine nearly lost his life to one of the remaining orcs when he stopped dead in amazement at the realization that their rescuer was a dwarf of all things. He was saved when the dwarf removed the orc’s head from its shoulder’s with a single swing from his waraxe. “And I thought elves prided themselves on being forest fighters, it’s a sad day when elves need to be saved by a dwarf.” The dwarf said as he took a chunk out of another orc that was attempting to brain him, wounding but not killing it. Ariquine finished the orc with a slash from his sword as he answered. “For such a little fellow, you’ve an awfully large mouth.”
By now the last of the orcs had fallen and the dwarf, leaning on his waraxe, stood in the center of a circle of rather irritated elves. “I’m glad to see that the elves’s reputation for gratefulness fully matches the reality.” He said, his voice dripping sarcasm.
Ariquine could hardly believe the sheer audacity of this dwarf, surrounded by a group of semi-hostile elves, and refusing to give an inch. “And I’m pleasantly surprised to find that the reports of dwarven stupidity have been understated.” He said, hoping to provoke a response from the insolent dwarf. However he was to be sadly disappointed.
“This is the second time I’ve saved elven lives, and at least the last time they had the courtesy to be if not gracious, at least civil about it.” He replied.
“And when would a dwarf have had a chance to help elves?”
Another elf interrupted before the dwarf could reply. “Wait, I remember you, you were there during the fight at the Eternal Tree, and you’re the one who vowed to find and save princess Leia no matter the cost. What was your name, Girmdale, Grimdile…?”
“I am the ranger Grimdale, Son of Flint descendent of Tholin of the noble house of Ironforge, and Knight of the Lunarian family.” Grimdale proudly replied.
“And what would you, Grimdale Son of Flint be doing here in the Forest of Forever? It is hardly normal territory for a dwarf.” Ariquine asked irritably.
“And I might ask the same thing of a band of elves, this is hardly elven territory after all, and your kind aren’t exactly known for extended trips outside the Neverwood Forest.”
“Our business certainly is of no concern to a dwarf.”
“And mine is of no business of a band of elves, particularly a band which has obviously been on the run for several days. One might wonder whether they were chasing someone or being chased.” Grimdale answered, with just a hint of a threat in his voice, as if it would be unfortunate for the group if they gave the wrong answer.
Ariquine’s jaw hung open in astonishment, an expression mirrored by his companions. He could not believe the sheer unmitigated gall of this dwarf in practically accusing them of being fugitives. However before he could manage a suitable reply one of the elves, it was Narawith, collapsed. Before any of his companions could react Grimdale was already there. Even as he moved to his companion’s assistance, a part of his mind was surprised with the speed the dwarf had exhibited in reacting.

Grimdale hurriedly cut away the ruins of the elf’s vest, looking at the bloody mess beneath it. “Hmm, it doesn’t appear that anything vital was hit, he collapsed from blood loss and extreme exhaustion.” He muttered half to himself, and half to the group of now concerned elves that surrounded him. One of them moved to stop him, but was restrained by the one he’d been talking to, apparently the leader of the group. “Leave him alone, he seems to know what he’s doing.” The elf said.

Grimdale reached into his pack and removed the small kit he’d picked up, absently thanking the gods that he’d bothered finding out at least a little about healing before leaving Aragaha. The small kit wasn’t as complete as a healing kit, but should prove up to the task at hand. He sprinkled some herbs on the wound before carefully bandaging it. “I take it you don’t have a healer in your group.” It wasn’t a question.

“No, not anymore, he was killed several days ago.” Ariquine replied. “Will he be alright?”
Grimdale shook his head. “I’m no expert, I only know a bit about medicine from patching up so many of my own wounds” he indicated his arm, “and what I managed to learn before I left home. It doesn’t look like anything important was hit; if he gets some rest and the wound is kept clean he should be mobile in a couple days, although it will be some time before he can do anything really active. But on the other hand I could have easily missed something. At the very least he shouldn’t be moved much farther today. And I might add the rest of you don’t look much better.”

Ariquine gave a wry grimace. “I doubt you would look much better after several weeks of tracking someone without stopping to rest, and dodging traps and fighting nearly every other day it seems.”

“So you are chasing after someone. And what have they done to deserve being chased down by a band of elves?” Grimdale asked, obviously interested.

“He stole something of great importance. Lancelen himself has ordered his death.”
“Well I hope Princess Leia’s return will ease at least some of his worries, a ruler has a heavy burden to carry.”
Yet again that day Ariquine was unable to keep the surprise from his face. “Princess Leia is alive, and she’s home? When and how did that happen?”
“She went home with her cousin Bratholess a couple weeks ago, but I guess you left before they returned. And as for how that happened, it’s a rather long story.” Grimdale stood up as he finished dressing the last of Narawith’s wounds. “It’s getting late, if you’d be willing to put up with a dwarf at your campfire I’ll be more than happy to tell you about it.”

It was late that night, the bodies had been stripped of everything useful and buried hours before, a fire roared in the center of the odd group, five elves and a dwarf. Narawith was lying asleep off to one side. Everyone was bandaged, many of the elves were covered as much by bandages as by clothing, Grimdale, who was better off than any of the others still favored his left arm. The elves listened rivetedly to Grimdale’s tale. How he had spent ten long years in the Underdark before joining a group that was hunting a necromancer with a deadly plague vial, and how events had eventually led the party to sunlight after infiltrating the drow city and securing the vial. How the party had then traveled north to the Neverwood forest, where they had gotten involved in spoiling the necromancer’s plan to take the orb of life, which had led to Grimdale’s vow to hunt for the kidnapped princess. How the party had then gone to Aragaha to find it taken over by Blackcloaks and Grimdale’s failed attempt to rescue the city. How when they finally tracked down the necromancer she had unleashed the giant golem and Grimdale had saved Princess Leia, and the final defeat of the necromancer, the destruction of the golem, and the betrayal by the wizard Argonis.
“And now the party has split up with each going their own way in attempting to find some trace of the wizard, of the monk and half-orc I know not where they’ve gone, and as for Brantholess and Princess Leia, I’ve already told you all I know. Now I hate to be nosy, but can you tell me some more about what brings you all the way to the Forest of Forever?”
Ariquine looked at each of his companions and when they nodded approval proceeded to tell Grimdale how the elf Loki had stolen a magic item of great importance, killing the guards and making himself a fugitive. A powerful wizard, and an experienced swordsman, he had so far eluded all attempts by the group to catch up to him, they often being delayed by traps he had set, or bandits and other dangers. They had started twenty strong, and now they were only six, one badly wounded, the rest in a sorry condition.

[Oldsage]

Grimdale pondered this for several moments before speaking, stroking his beard with his good hand and holding his pipe with his bad one. “If you are willing to accept a dwarf as a companion I would like to offer my help. I would be honored to lend Lancelan assistance again, however indirectly; and I’m as likely to learn something about Argonis helping you as wandering by myself. Your group is in no shape to continue in its current state, with only six of you left, all wounded, one badly.”

“And what do you hope to gain from this, aside from possible information.” One of the elves spoke up. “Everyone knows that a dwarf wouldn’t get involved in something unless he saw profit in it.”

“Even if what you said was true, which it is not, I am hardly your average dwarf. I have seen too much of this world and the people in it to be able to hold onto old cultural prejudices and hatreds. I assure you I have no interest in furthering my own fortunes, either through wealth or power. My only wish is to do as much good as I can in this world before I leave it. I have all but given up my position as the youngest son of the house of Ironforge and renounced any claim to ruling. My family considers me a disgrace for not conforming to dwarven society and they see me as having neglected my duties to the family by leaving to be a ranger. If that is not proof enough of my honorable intentions I don’t know what I can say to convince you.” The emotion behind these words, as quietly spoken as they were, could not help but soften even the hardest elven heart in the group.

Ariquine spoke up. “Master dwarf, it is we who would be honored if you would join us. You have spoken to us truly and we have shown you little gratitude for the services you’ve rendered us, despite the hostility we’ve shown you. You shame us. Will you aid us in our quest?”
A grin split Grimdale’s face. “You shall have whatever assistance I can render you. If nothing else, when we finally catch this Loki he’ll die of shock at the thought of a group of elves and a dwarf working together.”

Ariquine extended his hand and Grimdale grasped it by the wrist and giving it a hearty shake. “You friend needs more help than what little I am able to give, I know of a small village a short ways from here that has a healer, we should probably head there in the morning.”

“As much as regret losing even more time than we already have, I am forced to agree with you, we are in condition to travel, much less track. However once we are healed we will not be stopping until we find Loki.”

Grimdale nodded in agreement. “Since I’m in somewhat better shape than the rest of you I’d like to keep watch tonight, you need time and rest for your wounds to heal.”

One of the elves moved as if to object, but was stopped by Ariquine. “He’s right, none of us are in any condition to stay up yet another night. However, will you be in any condition to travel tomorrow after a long night’s watch? You yourself are only just recovering from recent wounds and have been on the move constantly for the last three days.”
“I’ll be fine, losing one more night’s sleep at this point will make little difference. I’ll catch a few hours sleep in the village tomorrow while the healer works; my own wound is almost healed and won’t require his attention. I’ve learned to make the most out of a little sleep. It’s an odd day when I need more than four or five hours of sleep to be refreshed.”

The elves all bedded down for the night, making themselves as comfortable as they could with their various wounds. Grimdale remained by the fire, smoking his pipe and sharpening his ax, the fire’s flames making odd patterns as they danced across its blade. The smoke from his pipe mingled with that of the fire, rising in a twisting and contorting pillar. Grimdale didn’t even look up as Ariquine sat down beside him.

“You really should be resting Ariquine, even if your wounds aren’t that serious you’re exhausted.”

“That is true, but I cannot rest until I know of the true reason why you joined us, while I do not doubt what you said is true I find it hard to believe that such reasons are enough to divert you from your own quest.”

Grimdale paused in his sharpening and slowly set his ax down and removed his pipe before answering. “It has come to my notice as I’ve traveled that nearly everything of importance that has happened recently seems to be tied together somehow. I do not believe that mere chance caused me to be in just the right place so as to be able to come to your assistance today. I sense that there is something much greater than anything I have ever encountered exerting its influence over nearly everything. The winds of fate are now blowing with a purpose, and all anyone can do is try to ride them as best they can. And that is the real reason behind not just why I joined your quest and made it my own, but all my other actions as of late.”

A new kind of respect had entered Ariquine’s eyes as Grimdale said this. And it was reflected in his voice. “It is rare to find such a thinker nowadays, particularly among dwarves if I may say so. It seems that everyone is so busy with their own lives that they cannot take the time to see how it fits into everything else. The world is surely in turmoil these days if it has taken an outcast dwarven ranger to bring such a realization to the elves. You have given me much to think about, and I daresay much for the elders to consider when we return home.”

Ariquine turned to leave, but was stopped by the look on Grimdale’s face, he seemed to be debating saying something further, and finally made up his mind.

“Ariquine, this may sound silly, but do you get the feeling we’re being watched? I’ve had the sensation almost constantly for the last couple weeks, but had put it down to nerves after the first few nights when nothing happened. But just now the feeling is stronger than ever.” Grimdale’s eyes were darting around the edge of the firelight and his hand rested near his ax.

Ariquine looked concerned. “I just started feeling it too, but I put it down to the stresses of the of the day’s hard fighting. If both of us sense something, the chances are it’s not our imaginations, particularly since the feeling is suddenly so strong for both of us. I’ll wake the others.”

Ariquine started to call out to the others but was stopped by Grimdale’s hand firmly grasping his arm.

“There is no need, if after this long it has not attacked me while I was alone, there is no reason why it try to do something now I am with others. No, had it wanted to cause harm it would have done something before now. As long as it does not bother us, I say leave it be. If it wishes to reveal itself let it do so at a time of its own choosing.”

Ariquine’s eyes narrowed in irritation at first but relaxed as he considered what Grimdale had said. “You are right yet again, I must truly be more tired than I thought if I am acting on instinct instead of thinking things through.”

Grimdale cracked a grin. “One would almost be tempted to say that it was an almost dwarven reaction.”

Ariquine’s face hovered somewhere between horror and amusement. Before he could reply however the screech of a giant owl was heard from nearby in the forest, and what looked like a streak of brownish red lightning tore across the light thrown by the campfire and threw itself behind Grimdale, screaming.

“Heeelllppp!!!”
Right behind it was the owl, a monstrous mass of feathers, beak and gleaming talons, topped by two giant glowing eyes. Made to look even larger in the flickering light thrown by the fire. Grimdale snatched up a burning branch from the fire and thrust it in the creature’s face, momentarily blinding it. With an angry screech of outrage at the stolen prey the owl flapped of into the night seeking prey less spirited prey.

By now the entire camp was aroused, with even Narawith managing to push himself upright, though he was unable to stand. Ariquine had pinned the unknown creature with his sword while Grimdale had dealt with the owl. Now one of the elves brought a torch over so that they could see more clearly what it was that had disturbed their sleep. Scales glinted in the flickering light. Sprouting from its back were two wings that could have come straight off a dragon, if they had been several hundred times larger that is. A scaly tail and face completed the description of the creature. A face that at this point was wavering between indignation and just the smallest hint of fear.

“Do you mind pointing that oversized pig-sticker somewhere else?! Really, if you apply some more pressure you might actually draw blood.”

Ariquine’s mouth quirked upward in just a hint of a smile. “Really Grimdale, I’m beginning to think that the smaller something is the greater its arrogance. I wonder if it’s some kind of defensive response to being smaller than everything else.”

Grimdale walked up to the circle, his waraxe slung carelessly over his shoulder. He glanced sideways at Ariquine and raised one eyebrow in amusement before responding. “I certainly wouldn’t have a clue since I’ve never suffered from such a problem. However, as much as I enjoy discussing the shortcomings (Ariquine visibly winced at the horrible pun) of various species, I’m more interested in knowing exactly what this creature is.”

[Oldsage]

“It’s a Pseudodragon.” Everyone turned to look at Narawith who had managed pull himself to where he could see everything. “They’re small dragonlike creatures. Highly intelligent and usually friendly, they will often attach themselves to someone after observing them for several days to see if they meet their standards, once accepted by that someone they become highly upset if that person doesn’t give their complete trust and commitment to them. In return they’re highly loyal and will fight fiercely to defend their person.”

“Thank you mister master of arcane knowledge. Now would you kindly let me up?” The small creature said with more than a touch of annoyance in its voice.

“They are also known for having the capability of being some of the most annoying creatures in existence when they so choose.” Narawith concluded dryly.
Grimdale’s face split in an ear-to-ear grin, and his eyes fairly danced with mirth “Let it up Ariquine, I like it. It’s rare when I find something with as caustic a wit as my own. Besides I don’t think he’ll be any trouble.”

Ariquine looked down at the small creature and then up at Grimdale. “Are you sure about this?”

Grimdale nodded. “I’m pretty sure, besides, I want to know why it’s been following me for the last couple weeks and I doubt it’s going to talk as long as you’ve got a sword at its throat, I know I wouldn’t.

Ariquine sighed. “Very well then, but no funny stuff or you’ll be doing an excellent imitation of a pincushion.” He gestured over towards his standing companions who had drawn their bows.

“Do I look stupid? No, don’t answer that, there is nothing quite as painful to listen to as elven attempts at humor.” The small creature took flight as Ariquine lifted his sword and hovered in the middle of the group. “At least Grimdale here recognises my innate worth.”

Ariquine raised an eyebrow in imitation of Grimdale’s earlier action. “Despite his small size, I think he’s got an ego that would rival that of even a dwarf like yourself Grimdale.”

The creature shot Ariquine a look of irritation and continued as if no interruption had occurred. “And yes before you ask, I’m the one whose been following you for the last few weeks, not that it’s been easy by any means, first there was that fight with that Dire Bear and then the three day nonstop run while you tracked those orcs. I was so worn out that I didn’t even notice that owl when it sneaked up behind me. And the reason I’ve been following you is that I’ve become bored lately and am looking for an adventure, and you happened to be the first one to come along that not only meets my requirements but I actually like.”

If it was possible Grimdale’s grin grew even larger as he looked around the circle. “I don’t know whether I’ve just been insulted or complemented. But either way I definitely like him.”

Merriment danced in Ariquine’s eyes. “From what we’ve heard so far, you’ve probably been insulted.”

Grimdale smiled at the comment. “What’s your name?”

“Quinn.”

“Well, Quinn, as long as my companions don’t have any reasonable objections, I don’t see why we can’t be companions. It would actually be nice to have someone to talk to during my journeys.”

“Aside from his tendency to insult I don’t have a problem with that. Besides if we can put up with a dwarf, a flying snake shouldn’t be much of a problem.”

“I am not a snake!” Quinn protested violently.

Grimdale made placating motions with his hands. “Now, now, we have enough problems as it is without adding to them by alienating the newest member of the party. Although Quinn, you might want to work on your interpersonal skills just a bit. It wouldn’t be very good if, oh say, you ticked off a giant or something like that because you said the wrong thing at the wrong time.”

“You should speak, oh master of diplomacy.” Quinn said before curled himself around Grimdale’s shoulders. Everyone chuckled a bit at that, for Grimdale was hardly anyone’s idea of the perfect diplomat, though his lack of formal training actually seemed to help more than hinder his efforts.

“And now that’s been settled, you should all get some sleep in the few hours of night we have left. I’m still quite capable of watching for danger, and it is some ways to the village tomorrow.” Grimdale said.
And so it was that the group bedded down one more time that time as Grimdale resumed his watch, but now they were enriched by one more companion, small as he may have been.


The group made quite a sight the next morning as they entered the small village. Six elves, fully armed with longswords longbows, one of whom was being carried on a makeshift stretcher by his companions, and the dwarf that led the way looked like a small mobile armory with a waraxe resting on his shoulder, a longsword and composite bow across his back and a warhammer slung at his side. And the piece-de-resistance of this menagerie was a miniature dragon wrapped around the dwarf’s shoulders. Small wonder then that the villagers hid in their homes and bolted their doors and windows and watched through the cracks. Seemingly oblivious to the consternation they were causing, the group walked straight through the center of the small village, managing to look imposing despite the many bandages they all had and the limps several of them walked with. Coming to the far end of the village they stood before a small tidy well-kept cottage. Grimdale knocked on the door with a firm steady hand.

“Healer, we request your assistance as travelers, we have wounded who are in need of help. We will pay well for your services.” Grimdale looked back at Ariquine at this, who nodded. They had agreed earlier that the elves would supply the money, as Grimdale had taken little with him when he left his earlier party. The door opened and an elderly lady stepped out. Though old, she looked not at all frail and the expression on her face did not bode well for anyone who had not come on serious business, something that was only emphasized by the mace she carried with surprising ease despite her age. Her grim visage changed at once though as soon as she saw the condition of the party.

“A band of travelers indeed. These eyes may be old, but when I see a dwarf traveling in the company of a band of elven rangers even I know that you must be on some quest. For surely nothing else could get elves and dwarves to work together so readily. Something I know full well from my days as an adventurer so long ago. Now come in, it is obvious that you are desperately in need of my services.”

She directed the elves to place Narawith on a cot in the corner and to seat themselves. “That goes for you and your small companion as well dwarf, I’ll not broke with any of your legendary stubbornness, this is my house, and I make the rules.”

Grimdale somehow managed to look suitably abashed while in actuality he was trying not to laugh at the absurdity of the situation. This little old lady had managed to have successfully cowed the entire group in a matter of seconds. “Yes ma’am.”

Grimdale sat down on one of the too tall chairs and closed his eyes, and for the first time in almost a week he fell asleep. He was woken some time later by a touch on his arm. His hand went to his ax instinctively even as he remembered where he was and stopped himself. Quinn bleeked in irritation as he was woken up by Grimdale’s movement from where he’d been sleeping on his shoulders and raised his head from where it had been resting on Grimdale’s. Grimdale rubbed his eyes sleepily and stretched before reaching up and rubbing Quinn under his chin.

“Are we finished already? That was awfully fast.”

Ariquine gave a small smile. “We’ve been here almost all day. And I must say that your snoring wasn’t any help in the healer’s work. Her name is Glidys by the way, and she’s told us some useful information. Apparently Loki passed through here only a few days ago in a hurry. He was limping but didn’t stop for help.”

Grimdale tugged absently on his beard with one hand in thought while stroking Quinn’s back as Quinn purred with pleasure, with his other hand. “If he’s hurt and you didn’t do the damage that must mean someone else is after whatever he stole. That means we’ll not only have to move even faster than you were moving before, but also be on our guard against whoever else is after him. In their shoes I wouldn’t hesitate to take out any competition if the chance presented itself. Particularly if they didn’t know about me.” He looked up at Ariquine, I’d say the stakes have just gone up all around.”

Ariquine nodded. “That’s pretty much the same conclusion we came to. In fact, now that we know this that run in with those orcs seems begins to seem like less of a coincidence. Because in all honesty if you hadn’t shown up when you did none of us would be here right now. But at least we have some good news, that limp should slow him down. Even with his lead over us, we should be able to catch up to him within a few days if we hurry.”

“Then we had best be going as soon as possible. The sooner we catch up to the better. I don’t like the idea that someone else might get there first.”

As the party was starting to leave Grimdale was stopped by Glidys. “I know you’re not a healer, but I wanted to tell you that you did an excellent job with your companions wounds, particularly Narawith, he would have died if you hadn’t acted as you did. Since you seem to know more about patching people up then anyone else in the group I want you to take these.” And with that she handed him a small box. “It contains herbs and bandages, I know it’s not much, but I don’t think you’d know how to properly use anything more complicated.”

Grimdale tucked the box into his pack. “Thank you Glidys, I hope I won’t have need of it, but I fear that the chances of that are highly unlikely. Thank you for your help, perhaps I’ll be able to return the favor someday.”

Glidys smiled down at him. “I only wish I were younger and could join you. But I fear that these old bones are not up to hard traveling anymore. Good luck Grimdale, Son of Flint, may luck follow you and fortune favor you in all your travels.”

“And may evil and misfortune never darken your doorstep Healer Glidys, for I know from experience that there are some wounds that are past even the best healer’s abilities.”

“You’re just an old softy you know that?” Quinn thought to Grimdale.

“I’ve seen too much pain and loss to be anything else. One has to treasure what one has while they have it. Because nothing is forever. Besides, people should respect their elders.” Grimdale thought back.


The group quickly left the village behind, setting a pace that Grimdale was hard pressed to keep up with his shorter legs and heavier load, but somehow managed. However despite the speed of their passage they were anything but unobservant, the memory of what had happened the day before when the elves had walked right into the orc’s ambush was still fresh in their minds, along with the knowledge that they were in all likelihood not the only ones after Loki, or more specifically what he had stolen. However the day passed uneventfully and the group had traveled several miles before darkness overtook them. Now Grimdale took the lead, with both his and Quinn’s superior nightvision allowing the group to continue their grueling pace without slowing down, not even stopping to eat, instead satisfying themselves with the dried meat from Grimdale’s pack eaten on the run, washed down with tepid water from their flasks. This continued through the second day. But the second night Ariquine called a halt for a few hours. Even the elves appeared exhausted from the strenuous run. Everyone took the chance during the short break to massage the cramps out of their legs. And Grimdale took the opportunity to see to Quinn’s needs. The small dragon’s sense of exhilaration during the last couple days had constantly been on the fringes of Grimdale’s mind. Quinn practically glowed over the constant attention Grimdale had given him whenever he could spare a moment. Suddenly everyone’s eyes were drawn toward the direction they had been traveling where a brilliant burst of light lit up the sky for a second and was followed shortly by an anguished roar of pain.

[Oldsage]

“That wasn’t too far from here. And unless there is another wizard running around here that flash of light has to be Loki.” Ariquine said.

“Then what are we waiting for, let’s go before he gets too far.” Grimdale said, suiting actions to words by running off at such a pace it took the elves a moment to catch up.
A run of a couple hours got the group to the scene of the flash. Where they could hardly believe the site that greeted their eyes. A black dragon lay dead, a charred hole punched clean through its chest.

“Is this the dragon you spoke of earlier Grimdale?” Ariquine asked.

Grimdale took a closer look, with Quinn staring intently over his shoulder. “No, it’s too small, I’d say it’s only forty or fifty years old. But Loki must have an amazing amount of power if he did this much damage with a single spell. So much so in fact that even if we had the time, there would be no point in me trying to collect its scales to use in making a suit of armor. There simply aren’t enough left. One thing is for sure, we do not want to take Loki on in a head to head fight, not if he can do this. But I said I joined you in part to learn about Argonis, and I’d say there definitely has to be a connection, the chances of it just happening to be a black dragon are just too long for it to be otherwise.”

“So now you’ll be leaving us?” Ariquine asked suspiciously.

Grimdale looked back as if insulted, Quinn matching his glare and Ariquine mentally flinched under their gazes as he realized just how much he’d underestimated Grimdale’s loyalty and integrity. “Hardly, I said I’d see this through to the end and I meant it. And even if that wasn’t the case, if Argonis is after whatever Loki took, then it’s in my interests to see he doesn’t get it.”

Before Ariquine could respond they were interrupted by Narawith. “We’ve found Loki’s trail, he’s only a short distance ahead of us. If we hurry we should be able to catch him before the night is over.

“Let us hurry then.” Ariquine said.

Once again the group resumed the chase. As they ran Ariquine came up alongside Grimdale. “I want to apologize for my earlier words. They were uncalled for and unfounded.”

“Damn straight they were. And I should know.” Quinn thought at Ariquine.

Grimdale patted Quinn on the head. “While Quinn is absolutely right, I accept your apology. We are all suffering from the stress of a long chase, and perhaps may say things we do not really mean.”

“Your willingness to forgive speaks well of you, and I thank you for that. Now if you don’t mind my prying, where did you learn so much about dragons?”

“Since in a matter of weeks I encountered no less than two dragons, one of which was working with my enemies, I spent some of my time in Victoria going through many of the old texts researching them, and I asked questions of some of the Lunarian experts on dragons in the hopes that the information might come in use.”

Further conversation was broken off as the group broke clear of the forest. Old collapsing stone buildings, many of which showed signs of having burned long ago littered the flat plain. The group raced onward, more alert than ever. And it was a good thing too, for as they reached the center of the plain out of the ground came skeletons and zombies by the score, clothed in old battered and rusted armor, and armed with dull cracked blades. Torn and tattered banners flew above the long dead armies while skeletal horses carried armor-clad warriors. They surrounded the group, which had formed a circle, with each other’s backs to one another.

“Stay put Quinn, you can’t do anything against such creatures.” Grimdale said as he hooked his waraxe onto his back and lifted his warhammer. “There are times when even the sharpest blade or tooth cannot compete with brute force.”

“We have to get to the buildings, it’s our only chance.” Narawith shouted.

The group began a desperate battle in which for every foe they knocked down, two more took its place. The elves were hampered by having only swords to fight with, but Grimdale was in his element, swinging his warhammer, smashing bone and rotted flesh with every swing with a grim determination, clearing a path to a crumbling ruin of what once had been a towering church. The group raced through the open doorway, with Grimdale covering the door preventing entry by the undead horde, crushing everything that tried to get through. However their sanctuary could not last as more undead began climbing through windows from which the glass had long since disappeared. The group appeared to be trapped. Two of the elves moved to help Grimdale hold the door, which gave him a chance to look around. His eyes alighted on a large stone directly in front of the altar.

Waving another of the elves forward to take his place he gestured to Ariquine. “Give me a hand I think there’s a passage under this stone.” With a great heave the two threw back the stone revealing a long disused passage.

“Get going, all of you. Quinn lead the way, I doubt there’s going to be any light down there.” Grimdale yelled.

“But what about you?” Quinn thought at Grimdale.
“I’ll be fine, now go!”

Quinn disappeared down the hole with the elves right behind him. Ariquine stopped before going down. “What are you waiting for Grimdale, let’s go!”

“I can’t, we have to seal the passage behind us or they’ll follow. Now get in there and get as far down it as you can. There’s no time to argue.”

By now the church was steadily filling with the undead army and they were advancing rapidly towards the two. Ariquine saw the determination on Grimdale’s face and nodded once in understanding before diving down the hole. After giving the group several seconds to clear the passage’s entrance and get down the tunnel Grimdale took his warhammer and slammed the column next to him at its weakest point with all the strength he could muster and then did the same to the column on the other side. The walls of the church, no longer supported by the crossbeams attached to the columns Grimdale had knocked over began to collapse inwards in a domino effect. Bringing the entire building down on the undead army and covering the hole through which the group had escaped.

Down below in the tunnel the group was knocked off their feet by the church’s collapse as a billowing wave of dust washed over them. Coughing and hacking they turned to look back the way they had come. Hoping to see some sign of the one who had covered their escape. They had almost given up hope when the sound of footsteps reached their ears. Quinn raced down the passageway toward the sound, leaving the elves stranded in the dark for a moment before one of them lit a torch. The sight that greeted them was Grimdale, covered from head to toe in a thick layer of dust, and Quinn wrapped around his shoulders, whom he was fondly scratching under the chin.

“Damn, but that was close. I’ll be weeks getting all the dust out of my beard.”

Ariquine laughed in relief. “I’m glad to see you’re none the worse for wear aside from some dust.”

[Oldsage]

“So am I for that matter. Now however we have to ask the question of where this tunnel leads. I suspect it’s our missing wizard since no one else in their right mind would have passed through here, and it’s the only place he could have gone. That’s why I noticed the passage entrance initially, someone had just used it and had scrapped the stones around it in the process.”

“If that’s the case we had best be careful, Loki is a master at traps, as we found to our dismay when we were tracking him before we met you, we lost several members of our original group to traps he’d set.”

The tunnel did indeed have several traps, with pitfalls and covered holes the most common ones. However, through keen senses and great caution the group avoided them all. At last they came to a large underground cavern with a path leading to one side and an old rope bridge crossing a giant hole that stretched as far as they could see to either side. On the other side of the bridge was a small ledge and what looked like a smaller cavern beyond it. The ground and ceiling were covered with stalagmites and stalactites.

Grimdale moved to inspect the side passage. “This side passage leads to the surface, I can feel a slight breeze coming from it, but Loki didn’t go this way, the dust here has been undisturbed for a long time.”

“Then he has to have gone across the bridge, there’s nowhere else for him to have gone. But I don’t like the looks of it. Some of the ropes are almost rotted clean through.” Ariquine said.

“Then we’ll go one at a time. With my equipment I weigh the most, so I’ll go first, if the bridge doesn’t break under my weight, it will hold the rest of you.” Grimdale said.

“Alright, but be careful Grimdale, I’d hate to lose the one dwarf I can stand being around.” Ariquine said.

Grimdale edged his way out across the bridge, but the ropes held, until he had gotten about two-thirds of the way across. Suddenly from the shadows that partially concealed the ledge a sword lashed out severing the ropes and causing one end of the bridge to fall before disappearing as suddenly as it had appeared. Grimdale turned and grabbed the bridge as it swung against the rock face, nearly losing his grip when it hit the wall, his waraxe went spinning down into the black abyss. However he was unable to pull himself up. Ariquine’s head appeared at the edge.

“Are you alright?” He yelled.

“Is Grimdale alright he asks, is he alright? He’s hanging for dear life onto a rotted collapsed bridge and he asks if Grimdale’s alright.” Quinn thought at Grimdale.

“Not now please.” Grimdale thought back. “I’m alright, but I can’t pull myself up. I’m just barley hanging on.” Grimdale yelled up to Ariquine. Just then the remaining ropes began to snap one by one. “Quinn, my belt, get rid of my belt!” Grimdale yelled.

“But your weapons?” He thought at Grimdale.

“Screw the weapons, I can’t use them if I’m dead.” Grimdale thought back
Quinn released the belt that held Grimdale’s weapons. His longsword and warhammer both disappeared into the abyss. But the ropes had stopped snapping, for the moment anyway. Relieved of the weight of his weapons, Grimdale gingerly released one hand from the remnants of the bridge and produced a small knife with which he cut the ropes holding the parts of the bridge below him. Having removed even more weight from the already overstrained ropes, he felt confident enough to try and climb up. He was helped in this by the elves pulling up the bridge itself. After several long minutes that seemed like an eternity Grimdale finally heaved himself over the edge of the cliff and onto level ground.

“Thank you my friends.” He said to the elves. Quinn had returned to Grimdale’s shoulders as soon as he’d gotten himself upright. “And my special thanks to you Quinn, if you hadn’t released my belt, I would have joined my weapons at the bottom of that godforsaken hole.” He said to the little dragon while stroking it’s back. Quinn purred with pleasure and it impinged on Grimdale’s mind.

“What do we do now, there’s no way across with the bridge out.” Ariquine said, with a hint of despair entering his voice for the first time since Grimdale had met him.

“Then we make our own. I’ve got rope, and if Quinn can carry it over there and tie it to the post then we can crawl across, assuming that the rope isn’t cut again. That Son-of-a-bitch tried to kill me, and that makes this personal.” Grimdale said with fierce determination.
Narawith held up his longbow. “We’ll keep the ledge clear until someone gets over there and can hold it.”

“Then let’s get this over with, too high a price has already been paid, whatever this object may be.” Grimdale said.

With the ledge covered by elven longbows, one by one the group pulled themselves across the rope with Grimdale coming last until everyone was on the other side. The group prepared to enter the next cavern, not knowing what would await them. The elves had their swords drawn while Grimdale had his bow at the ready, having lost his other weapons. Quincy was wrapped tightly around Grimdale’s shoulder’s, ready to bite and sting whatever they may face. Entering the cavern they found a large room with a stone table in the center and several passages leading off from it. On the table lay a massive dwarven waraxe covered with dwarven runes. Grimdale walked over to table and hesitantly picked the waraxe up. Talking to himself, “It can’t be, but it is. But how?” He turned to face Ariquine, a mixture of confusion and anger on his face.

“This is what we’ve been after isn’t it? Why didn’t you tell me, did you think I’d try and take it for myself? For by all rights, if it should be anyone’s it should be mine by inheritance. This waraxe was carried by my great, great grandfather Firenot. He disappeared while leading a scouting party before I was born.” Grimdale ran his finger under the runes. “It’s name is Backarra, which means Wizard’s Bane in common.” He continued reading the runes. “The dwarf who wields this waraxe need fear no wizard or magical creature, for it turns one’s skin to iron and blazes with the fierce fire of Ironholm’s hottest forges.” He went on. “It was forged specifically to fight wizards and other magical creatures. How may I ask did the elves come to obtain it?” The restrained anger in Grimdale’s voice was a palpable thing and his eyes lashed like a fiery whip over the elves before settling on Ariquine. Quinn hissed in anger from Grimdale’s shoulder.

Ariquine met Grimdale’s gaze. “It is a long story Grimdale. However I will try to keep it short as time is pressing. A dwarven scouting party was ambushed many, many years ago by a horde of orcs. All those in the party were killed after a valiant fight in which they slew many orcs. Those orcs later raided the Neverwood forest and were killed, that is how we obtained it. Many of our wizards tried for years to activate its powers but were unsuccessful, but it was undeniably magical, so it was put away for storage. And as for why it was never returned, would dwarves have returned an elven weapon in similar circumstances?”

The fire in Grimdale’s eyes died down. “You are right my friend, this time it is I who must apologize, I let my temper get the better of me. This weapon meant a great deal to my family and Firenot was a great hero to our people, it was my anger at those who killed him that caused me to lash out, please forgive me. It eases my pain to know that those who killed him are now dead.”

“We all make mistakes, myself included. Shall we call it even?” Ariquine said.

“Of course, we have enough problems without fighting amongst ourselves.” Grimdale said.

“That you do!” A voice rang throughout the cavern.

Ariquine whirled around searching for the voice, his longsword at the ready. “Loki, come out and face us, there is nowhere left to run and hide. You are out of traps and tricks. By Lancelen’s decree you are to return with us for sentencing for murder and theft. Should you refuse to come, you are to be killed.”

A tall elf strode out into the chamber from a side passage. At his side he carried a longsword and in his hands he wielded a twisted staff topped by a black glowing ball. He was favoring his right leg. “Ariquine my old friend, do you truly think you can beat me? I’ve raised the entire armies of undead and fought dragons. And you think six elves and a dwarf can beat me?”
Ariquine replied. “Be that as it may, we will try.” Four of the elves started to charge Loki while two of them raised their bows.

“Then you can die!” A blast of light leapt from Loki’s hand and slammed the elves against the wall, knocking them out. Loki then turned to Grimdale, who being to one side had avoided the blast. “Come dwarf you think you can do better? And do not place too much faith in that ax, it is useless, despite what those old runes say, for even I have been unable to get it to work. I had hoped to use it against Argonis but now I must form another plan to steal the orbs.”

Quinn had taken flight and now hissed in anger at Loki. Shared anger washed through Grimdale’s mind and a red haze filled his vision. The burning fire was back in Grimdale’s eyes and his voice dripped venom as he responded. “I daresay I will fare better than they.” Grimdale’s voice no longer sounded of reason, but could have been mistaken for an angry war god’s. “You bloody fool, all these years the explanation was right under your noses and you still couldn’t figure it out.” Loki’s eyes narrowed with a hint of fear and his smile disappeared at these words. Remember the runes. “The dwarf who wields this waraxe…” It will not work for anyone but a dwarf, a precaution my ancestors took to insure it could never be used against dwarven kind. But I am a dwarf, and we shall see who leaves here alive. You have hurt those I call my friends, and that is something I cannot not let go unpunished.”

Loki recovered some of his composure and his voice dripped contempt. “Then join your companions dwarf, for you will not live to see the day’s end.” A blast of light leapt from Loki’s hands, only to break against the Backarra harmlessly. Blast after blast of light leapt outward, only to have one after another shatter uselessly against the now glowing waraxe. The very cavern shook under Loki’s onslaught, but Grimdale held his ground. Exhausted, Loki was forced to pause and Grimdale saw his chance. As Loki stared in stunned disbelief Grimdale charged, the Backarra’s glow surrounding Grimdale in a fiery aura. The dwarven wargods that had been left behind on that other forgotten world could not have looked more fierce than Grimdale did at that moment, and a cold spike of fear shot through Loki.

“Baruk Khazad ai-menu!!!” Grimdale yelled, the words echoing back from the cavern walls as he charged the elven wizard. Grimdale was only feet from the wizard when Loki recovered and cut loose with a stream of flame from his staff that engulfed Grimdale’s entire right side. Flesh bubbled and burned, but Grimdale did not stop and Loki tried in vain to pull his longsword and parry Grimdale’s blow but was a second too late as Grimdale cleaved the wizard in twain before collapsing himself, all the flesh on his right side burned, the smell of which filled the cavern.

When Grimdale next awoke it was to find himself lying on a cot in a small stone cottage. As he raised himself on one arm someone spoke.

“We were beginning to think you’d never wake up. You had me worried for a while, it took your friends two days to get you here and you were almost dead.” A face Grimdale recognized as Glidys’s entered his field of view.

A weight settled on his shoulder and he automatically reached up to pet Quinn. “Don’t you ever do something like that again! That has to be the most absolute insane stunt I’ve ever seen.” The thoughts rang through his mind as clear as a bell.

“He hasn’t left your side since you got here over a week ago.” Glidys went on.

Grimdale felt the right side of his face, the skin was now tough, rubbery, and distorted. “I have earned them honorably, and besides, I was never that handsome to begin with.” A crooked smile crossed Grimdale’s face.

“Now you should hurry up, your friends are waiting and you’re taking up valuable bed space.” Glidys said, but she smiled while doing so.

Grimdale put on his armor and pack and strapped his bow across his back. He looked for the Backarra but was unable to find it. He stepped outside. A hand clasped the shoulder Quinn wasn’t resting on. Ariquine smiled.

[Oldsage]

“I’m glad to see you’re better, for a while we feared the worst. And now we have something that rightfully belongs to you, we’ve been taking care of it while you were recovering.” Ariquine’s eyes danced with merriment.

Narawith came up and handed Grimdale a wrapped bundle. Grimdale took it with shaking hands and carefully unwrapped it. Within lay the Backarra. Tears filled Grimdale’s eyes.

“You’ll let me keep it?”

Ariquine nodded. “It is rightfully yours after all, and if that’s not enough, consider it payment for your help, not to mention the price you paid to complete our mission.” At this Ariquine gestured at Grimdale’s face. “Besides, I believe we can trust you not to use it against us. I think Lancelin will agree with me when I get back. But I’d like to let you hear it for yourself. Will you come back with us to the Neverwood forest? We owe you a great debt.”

“Of course, I’d be honored. And it will be good to see if he knows of anything that could help me find Argonis.” Grimdale suddenly looked thoughtful. “You know, this is the first instance I can remember of an elf inviting a dwarf to the Neverwoods.”

Ariquine looked faintly surprised. “You may be right about that. I’ve certainly never heard of such a case. If that’s the case then this has truly been a quest of firsts. Certainly before it I would never have believed that a dwarf would have been so ready to give his life in the interests of the elves.”

Grimdale shook his head. “It was nothing, as I’ve told you, I’ve dedicated my life to protecting others and seeing that justice is done. Race should not interfere with such a task. This world is threatening to fall apart and all of us can now less than ever afford let our prejudices get in the way of preventing such a catastrophe. Each race has it’s strengths and weaknesses, only by working together can we hope to preserve this world.”

“Truer words were never spoken, but I fear your wish will never come to pass in either of our lifetimes, there is still too much hatred and distrust between and within the races to have such a thing occur. So we must be satisfied with the fact that there are those like yourself who are doing what they can and hope that it is enough. Now come, we have a long journey ahead of us, and while we won’t travel so hard as we did to get here in the first place, neither will we dally.”

“Then lets not waste time. We won’t slow you down, right Quinn?” Grimdale said as he hefted the Backarra. Quinn bleaked in agreement.

After thanking Glidys one last time the group headed for the Neverwood forest. Fortunately they encountered no real difficulties and made relatively good time, arriving after only a few weeks. Once more Grimdale stood before the Neverwood forest, marveling at the sheer immensity of the trees that seemed to pierce the sky. The group passed by the ruins of the orc camp, all that was left were some burned out overgrown buildings, the forest was already moving to reclaim the land. But Grimdale knew he would be long dead before it returned to any semblance of the majesty it had been before the orc invasion. They finally reached one of the staircases leading up to the elven city and Grimdale prepared to see their leader Lancelen once again.

[Disco Duck]

“The dwarf who wields this waraxe need fear no wizard or magical creature, for it turns one’s skin to iron and blazes with the fierce fire of Ironholm’s hottest forges.”

Hi. Sorry if this comes off badly but I was wondering how he got burned if the hammer is supposed to make his skin like iron? Maybe the flames were as intense as a forge at that range?