Trials of Azeroth

Chapter 20

"This is never going to bloody work!" Hissed Belmin, propping up a huge oaken door-bar against the corridor wall.
"It's too late now, so just shut up and trust me!" Replied Codin, peeking through the open double doors and into the castle's great hall. The great hall was dug deep into the mountain side, but with the high climbing ceiling, one would never have guessed it was subterranean. Inside, a dozen long wooden tables were laid out in columns along the length of the hall, with at least a hundred or two Stoneravens sitting all along them, gorging themselves on a splendid luncheon. Dozens of torches and braziers lit the room in a warm glow, contrasting with the cold stone walls. It was abundantly clear that the Stoneraven Syndicate was no amateur cartel. At the head of the hall, on an elevated platform, stood an ornate throne with a mammoth ruby set into the head piece. On the throne itself, sat a bald, grey bearded man with a vicious scar running across his eye, covered by a leather eyepatch. He wore an expensive purple tunic with gold lace facings, and had an inordinate quantity of rings on his battle hardened fingers. The sight of him gave a twinge to Codin's spine.

Meanwhile, Hwinion had dragged the body of the dead Stoneraven who fell at the hands of his comrade up to their position, and was now busy fixing an arrow into the back of the bandit's leather chest piece. Codin's plan was being set into motion. Whilst Hwinion was busy and Belmin was catching his breath in bouts of puffs and wheezes, the warrior called over his gnome friend to his side.
"Fizzbiscuit?" He hollered.
"Yes?" Replied the Mage, adjusting the pointed hat on his head.
"Could it be possible for you to channel your inner 'simple arcanist' and freeze our late friend, here, where he stands?" Asked Codin.
"Is it possible?" Giggled the Gnome. "Dear Codin, it would be my utmost pleasure!"
"That's what I like to hear." Smiled the man, setting his eyes back onto the great hall. Hwinion had secured the steel arrow into the leather cuirass and then spoke up himself.
"The body's ready. Let's just hope this works." Stated the elf, with a tone of stress on his voice.
"It'll be fine, now get into position!" Replied Codin, pulling back from the door and getting himself ready. The motley crew followed suite, setting the risky plan into motion. The Warrior and Mage began to slowly and carefully open the doubles doors of the empty room opposite the great hall, as to not raise the suspicions of the dining Stoneravens. Belmin collapsed back into the shadows and readied the door-bar and Hwinion heaved the deceased footpad onto his feet. The door was pushed wide open, revealing an empty store room with countless boxes and crates stacked high, and the elf dragged the body into the centre of the doorway.
"Go on, quickly!" Whispered Hwinion, struggling under the weight of the limp bandit. Fizzbiscuit stood back from the door and back into the hallway, and then began his incantation. Hwinion stood back and retreated into the shadows. The Mage released his energy and let loose a wave of frost, freezing the Stoneraven where he stood, leaving him standing rigid in the door way. Codin, himself, then collapsed back into the shadows, ready to execute the final part of the plan. The crew was all in position. It was now time to see if the gamble would pay off.

The man nodded at the dwarf. Belmin took a deep breath and peered his head round the door and into the main hall.
"Oi! Over here!!!" Bellowed the dwarf. His coarse, booming voice echoed throughout the vast main hall, rendering the occupants silent. The scores of Stoneravens (Along with the man sitting on the throne) all turned to face the door, finding the silhouette of one of their own men standing in the opposite doorway.
"Was that you, Elfred?" Hollered out one of the Stoneravens.
"Aye, what you standing there for, pal?" Echoed his friend.
They were met with silence. Codin nodded at Hwinion, who then gave the frozen bandit a prod with his bow. The body rocked back and forth for a moment or two, but then fell forwards onto the hard and cold ground, revealing the arrow stuck in its back. A collective gasp rang out throughout the hall.
"What in the hell...?" Grunted a guard. The hall fell into silence once more, until the man on the throne spoke up.
"Well don't just stand there!" He growled. "Go take a look, damn you!"
The cohort of Stoneravens sprung into action. Stools and benches were flung back as the bandits and mercenaries stood up and charged out of the main hall, all drawing weapons as they ran. Codin's heart began to pound as he clutched the wall, hiding in the darkness. The Stoneravens all came to a halt in the corridor between the two rooms and examined the body.
"What happened?"
"Looks like he's been shot in the back."
"Where from?"
"How? I didn't hear him cry out!"
"Listen!" Bellowed an officer. The group ceased talking immediately.
"He got shot in the back, so it must have come from the Storeroom. Look, the door's open, too!" He explained. A collective 'Ohhh' rang out, before the corridor fell silent again.
"Well don't just stand there! Get in there and find them!" Barked a whiskered, baton-wielding sergeant. Roars and cries of 'Let's go!' echoed throughout the passageway as the behemoth of men charged into the storeroom, with every last one cramming inside. Finding that it was the opportune moment, the group sprung the trap.
"Move it, go!" Whispered Codin as the four adventurers closed in on the door. In coordination, Hwinion, Codin and Fizzbiscuit slammed the two hefty double doors shut, as Belmin heaved the door bar into position, effectively trapping the giant mass of men inside the room, with no way of escape. Muffled shouts of 'What the?' and 'What the hell happened?!' could be heard from behind the doors, and soon panic and uproar descended upon the occupants of the storeroom. They banged and smashed violently on the door, trying to escape, but it was to no avail. The door bar held tight, and they were indeed, well and truly trapped. The group stood back and admired their handy work, with Belmin guffawing, Fizzbiscuit giggling with content, Codin grinning inanely and Hwinion sighing and wiping the nervous sweat off his brow.
"Hahaha, not gonna lie, Laddie, that was pretty damn good!" Roared Belmin.
"Yes, not too bad, Master Brackbyrne. Not too bad at all." Admitted the Elf. Codin chuckled and panted with exhaustion.
"Not too bad? Bloody brilliant if I do say so my-"
"Codin, Look Out!!!"