The Wizard's Basement

The companions sat around a table in the Drifting Griffin, finishing off the remains of an excellent meal.

"So, what's next?" asked Brighton.

Tomas took a handful of papers from a pouch at his belt. "I think we should deliver this," he said, unfolding one of the sheets. "It's addressed to Liridum Arkayz, Wizard of Yistane."

"Yistane?" inquired Bearclaw.

Tomas looked at Bearclaw. "Yistane is one of the underground cities of the Kingdom of Throal. In fact, it's the oddest of the lot. There have been reports of unusual happenings in the city since its completion in..."

"I remember hearing about that!" interrupted Brighton. "While digging the cave for the city, they found the skeleton of a Great Dragon, fused into the rock. Other odd events have been reported many times since then. Folks say the place is haunted."

"Sounds like fun," said Mica. "But why would anybody want to live there, let alone a whole city?"

"Magical experimentation is supposedly easier there," said Tomas. "I've never been there myself -- my master spoke of visiting, but we never got around to it. Since we have this letter, we may as well deliver it. After all, the incident mentioned sounds important."

Bearclaw nodded. "This message is meant for Arkayz. It is right to deliver it to him. I will accompany you, Tomas."

"Maybe we'll get a reward!" said Brighton.

"Reward?" asked Bearclaw.

Brighton rolled his eyes. "You did just fall off the turnip wagon, didn't you? You know, cash, money, silver?"

Bearclaw shrugged. "It is the right thing to do."

Mica leaned back in his chair. "Well, Clystone doesn't seem to have any pressing tasks for me. I guess I'll come along and keep you greenhorns out of trouble." Tomas started chuckling. "What?"

"Oh... nothing at all my dear dwarf, nothing at all."

"Why do you keep calling me a dwarf? I'm human, I'm just short for my height." Mica glared at Brighton, who was trying very hard not to burst out laughing. "I am!"

"Of course you are, Mica. Of course you are," the Wizard chuckled. "Sorry about the error."

"You guys need more help than I thought if you can't tell the difference between dwarves and humans. Especially if you're going into Throal. I'm coming along, and nothing you say is going to stop me."

"It's decided then," said Tomas. "We depart for Yistane tomorrow."

Two days later, they made their way through the streets of Yistane. The trip had been uneventful, although Tomas had complained about their need to walk. "When my master and I visited the Great Library, we traveled in a coach. It's much faster, and doesn't hurt as much. Why couldn't we have gone to Yistane in a coach?"

"Because we don't have two silvers to rub together," replied Brighton. "Maybe that'll change when we deliver this letter to Arkayz."

Bearclaw had been silent for most of the trip, looking around half in wonder, and half in fear. Bartertown had been intimidating enough, with so many the Name-givers in one place. Adding several tons of rock looming overhead made him even more nervous.

"Well, this looks like the place," said Mica as he stopped in front of a brightly painted wood and stone building. "The innkeeper said we couldn't miss it." He knocked loudly on the door.

A few moments later, the door opened to reveal a large troll. Large, at least, in view of the companions. Dressed in a brightly embroidered tunic and leggings, he towered over the Swordmaster. His right arm was in a sling, bound tightly with white bandages. Sandy brown hair hung down to his shoulders, and a long moustache ended several inches below his chin.

The imposing figure looked over the road-dusted, ragtag band of travelers with a sharp gaze. "What can I do for ye?" His voice carried the remnants of an accent none of the companions could place.

"Liridum Arkayz of Yistane?" asked Mica.

"Aye. What business do ye have?"

"Wizard Arkayz," said Tomas, stepping forward and bowing. "I am Tomas Runecarver and these are my companions. We have brought you a message from Kodik Wolftamer."

"Have ye now?" asked the troll. "Where would this message be?"

Tomas took the folded paper from his pouch and handed it to the troll. Arkayz unfolded it, read the first few lines, and broke into a large smile.

"Aye, 'tis Kodik's hand. Please come in."

The companions followed the troll into his sitting room, furnished with large, comfortable armchairs and several small pieces of tasteful, decorative art.

"Can I offer ye a drink? Chilled wine, perhaps?" Arkayz motioned towards a sideboard with several glasses on it.

"Thank you, sir," said Tomas, bowing again. "Your hospitality is most generous."

"Come lad, sit down! No need to stand on formality. Yer master schooled ye well, but ye're my guests. Please make yerselves comfortable."

Smiling, Tomas collapsed into a chair, and sipped at the wine Arkayz passed around. The companions waited as Arakyz settled himself into a chair and read the letter. As he read, his expression darkened. When he finished, he sat back in the chair with his eyes closed.

"How did ye come by this?" he asked.

Tomas, assisted by Mica and Brighton, quickly recounted the tale of how they had recovered the letter from the Veiled Society.

"Hmmmm...." Arkayz was lost in thought.

"Excuse me, sir," asked Brighton. "But what does it mean?"

"I'm not sure," said Arkayz. "But I have some ideas. Unfortunately, the book I need to confirm them is in my lab. There was an accident down there yesterday -- that's why my arm's wrapped up. I'd go down to get the book, but it may be dangerous, and in my present condition..."

"I'll go down and get the book," said Tomas. "You said it's in your lab?"

"He also said it was dangerous. I will go along to keep you from harm," said Bearclaw.

"Now really," said Tomas. "I don't think..."

"Why should you two have all the fun?" complained Brighton. "I'm coming too."

"But it's just down the stairs!" cried Tomas.

"But if you were to get into trouble," said Mica, "it would be better if we were there to help you."

Tomas sighed. "I can't believe this. Four people to fetch a book."

Arkayz chuckled. "Thank ye for the offer. I appreciate it. Come along." He led the four down a hall that ended in a staircase. "My lab is at the end of the hall at the bottom. The book I need is large, hand-written with a dark green cover. Take care, as I'm not sure how dangerous things are down there."

Brighton muttered, "He makes it sound like there are Horrors running loose down there or something."

The four descended the stairway, and made their way along the hall. The stone flooring was buckled at the end of the hall, and the door stood partway open, one hinge severely bent. Bearclaw pushed the door open, stepping over the cracked stonework, and entered the room. The others followed, and gaped at what they saw.

The lab was a shambles. The long table at the opposite end of the room was overturned, with broken glass and crockery scattered about. A bookcase was tipped at an odd angle, supported by more cracked flooring, and several of the books had fallen out and lay scattered across the room. But what drew their attention was the large gaping hole in the corner. Support timbers and masonry creaked as the four skirted the hole and made their way to the bookshelf. Mica stayed near the hole, looking down into it.

"I wonder what caused this?" he said.

Bearclaw moved up next to him. "Something big."

Tomas and Brighton began sorting through the scattered books. Mica wandered over to the remains of the lab table. Brighton glanced over at him. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," he said. "There's no telling what might happen to you if you touch the wrong stuff."

Bearclaw, still near the hole, cocked his head to one side. "Does anybody else hear that?"

"Hear what?" asked Mica from the table. "Brighton being cowardly again?"

"Look Mica, unlike me you don't have a lucky charm to pull your fat out of the fire. I don't want to see you hurt, that's all."

"Lucky charm?" snorted Mica. "I could get one at any shop in town. That's nothing more than a simple light quartz, and you know it! Just because you're afraid of the dark, that's no reason to go and give it other magical abilities!"

"Afraid of the dark?" squeaked Brighton. "I'll have you know..."

"Quiet," snapped Tomas. "I can barely hear myself think. We've got to find that book."

"Does anybody else hear that?" repeated Bearclaw.

Mica shook his head. "That's just the sound of the gears in Tomas' head grinding together."

Tomas glared at the Swordmaster. "If you aren't going to be any help, you're free to leave."

"Found it!" called Brighton, pulling a large volume out of a pile of similar books. "Let's get out of here. This place is giving me the creeps."

"Good. That sound is getting closer," said Bearclaw.

"What sound?" asked Brighton. "I don't hear anything."

"He's right," said Tomas. "It sounds like... digging?" He looked over at Mica.

"How should I know? I'm a Swordmaster, not a miner. But Bearclaw's right, there is a sound, and it is getting closer..."

The floor suddenly erupted and a flat, wedge shaped head emerged from the hole. Small black eyes peered into the dim light of Brighton's light crystal. A blocky body followed with powerful front legs that ended in heavy claws.

Caught by surprise, the four stared at the beast as it swung its head towards Brighton. With a yelp, the Troubadour retreated, nearly tripping over the pile of books he had been sorting through.

Bearclaw jumped forward, his fingers changing into sharp talons. He slashed at the beast's neck, scratching the thick hide. The creature swung its neck, roaring, and knocked Bearclaw sprawling.

Mica drew his sword and began maneuvering into a position to strike. Tomas made arcane gestures, weaving the thread to a spell.

The creature pulled itself farther out of the hole and swung its head toward Mica. It slashed at the Swordmaster, but Mica easily sidestepped the clumsy attack. He darted in and thrust his sword into the folds below the creature's head.

The beast roared and slashed at Mica again. This blow struck home, and the dwarf staggered back, blood flowing down his arm. Tomas completed his spell, and a flash of energy flew from his hands. The beast's head was briefly surrounded with a bright green aura. The creature roared again, and tried to crawl towards the Wizard.

Bearclaw got in its way. The hide-clad human spun across the room and drew a long, deep gash in the creature's shoulder.

The creature decided it had enough, and retreated back into the hole, pushing dirt behind it to cover its escape.

Brighton peeked out from behind the overturned table, the book clutched in his hands. "Is everybody all right?"

Mica dusted himself off. "I'm fine. Just a scratch is all."

Bearclaw stood looking down into the hole. "We have what we came for."

"Let's go," said Tomas. "I'd hate to think of that thing coming after us again."

Upstairs, Arkayz thanked them for retrieving his book. "I'm sorry ye were put in danger like that. Please accept this as my apology." He handed Brighton a small pouch.

The Troubadour nudged Bearclaw. "Told you we would get a reward."

The troll turned and rummaged through a drawer. "For ye, Tomas, I have something ye might find rather useful." He withdrew a silver chain, on which hung a small blue geode. "When powered by a thread, this'll act as an extra spell matrix. Ye may find it useful when tramping about the countryside."

Tomas bowed. "Thank you, Master Arkayz."

"If ye're still curious as to the meaning of the letter, come and see me in a day or two," said Arkayz. "I should have it figured out by then, and maybe I'll have another task for ye."

The four thanked the troll and left, making their way back to their rooms. As they walked, Brighton looked in the pouch and whistled. He pulled out a small red gemstone. "Dinner's on Arkayz tonight. This hero stuff is a pretty good living."

Mica snatched the pouch from Brighton. "Don't keep it all to yourself," he said, dumping the contents into his palm. Five more stones, identical to the first, glittered there. "Great. Six stones and four people. How are we going to split this up?"

Tomas held up the pendant Arkayz had given him. "I have enough here to satisfy me."

Mica grinned. "Thanks, Wizard," he said as he took one of the stones and gave it to Brighton. "One more for you, two for me, and two for Bearclaw."

Bearclaw looked at the stones. "They are pretty," he said. "What are they for?"

Brighton threw an arm around Bearclaw's shoulder. "My friend, allow me to enlighten you on the finer points of trade and commercial ventures."

"At least wait until we return to the inn," said Tomas. "I wouldn't want you to drag our slumbering bodies all the way back."

Brighton shot the Wizard a glare as Mica started laughing.

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