He had never thought his little legs could carry him so fast, but he was gaining tremendously against the 20 Orcs brandishing long swords and maces following 25 feet behind.
"Blackjack!" a voice screamed behind him. "Damn you, Halfling!!!"
If he wasn't running so fast Blackjack would have been laughing but as it was, even in his brown studded leather armor, Blackjack's sweat was causing his shoulder length (for a Halfling) blonde hair to stick tightly to his pale skin.
The small hill they were running along was beginning to drop off towards the river and it was getting close to dark; there was no way Jahn and her cronies would catch him before he was lost in the river.
Suddenly 'Jack felt himself tumbling as he tripped over something hidden in the grass; he was falling head over heels. He didn't remember how long he had been falling when he blacked out, but when he heard Jahn barking out orders in the distance he knew he couldn't have been out for long. The lapping shore was only a few feet away now, he got up, quietly thanked Tymora (the god of good luck) and began searching for something that would take him up river. Not finding anything very useful that he could use quickly, he jumped in and the current pulled him away... He had escaped the death that was awaiting him.
He swam as fast as he could, following the current, but the exertion he had put on his muscles was beginning to show and his legs burned like they were rebelling against his body and trying to tear themselves from it. His muscles would give no more. The momentum was ebbing with his strength and he lost control as the rushing water had its way with him an again he lost consciousness.
'Jack felt soft, wet sand against the skin showing through his torn leathers. A pain in his neck was slowly nudging him to full consciousness. He squeezed his eyes shut trying to forestall the headache that he could feel rising from his left temple. He slowly opened his eyes, and brushed the remaining sand from his face; it felt cracked and dry. He reasoned that he must have been floating on the river for a few days. He imagined his face looked like the scales of a red dragon. Instinctually, his hand dropped to where his short sword should have been and thanks to Tymora, it was there. He looked up and noticed a few small clouds close to the eastern horizon. Looking at his surroundings he began to realize he was in an arid desert. How he got there from the high forest and survived the trip, he had no idea. Wherever in the nine hells he was, he had no clue. He was starving so he walked into the river and drank his fill.
Excited, 'Jack saw a fish and speared it with his short sword. He made a small camp with what he found lying around and was able to start a fire and keep it going.
This lasted a little over a day, Jack found ample food and even in his bruised condition he was able to get enough... but he was getting tired of the taste of fish. After catching his lunch on the second day, 'Jack had an awkward sensation and was urged to look north.
On the horizon 'Jack saw a gleaming giant riding an equally enormous blazingly white horse. He watched as the pair rode along the shore towards him. He was anxious, but somehow he knew this grand warrior meant no harm. He fell back, plopped himself on the dunes with his bruised and bloody small legs stretched out in front of him and waited as he massaged them.
It only took half an hour for the knight to be in speaking range.
"Little one", a booming female voice roared, "Why are you so far from civilization?"
She looked around a bit, confused, then added, "Or companions?"
By this time the Paladin was close enough that Jack noticed that several small plates of her armor were missing from seemingly random areas. In the absence of armor were what seemed to be hardened patches of green skin. Embarrassed and a bit daunted, Jack said, "Well I was being chased by a slaver in the high forest when I escaped and ended up being swept into unconsciousness, when I awoke, I was washed onto the shore over there." Jack said pointing to a dug out section of sand several feel away.
"By the way, my names Jack."
"And I'm Shauna." She rumbled, "And this here is Muffy". She stroked the mare's neck. "A finer horse you'll never find. You're really wounded, I can help you but first we must make camp. I need rest."
They began making camp. "So how did you land up running from slavers in the middle of the high forest ?"
'Jack laughed light heartedly, "That's a story!! My family was abducted by dark elf slavers".
Shauna let out a low growl.
"They abducted my parents and my two brothers. I was able to find my mother, but the others were moved. I chased them though half of Faerun, and found an encampment where I believed they were being held. I tried to sneak in but just as I was about to unlock a door to gin in I set off a trap which alerted the Orc's to my presence. Thanks to Tymora, there were no archers in that stinking group, but a Drow was the leader of the group. I had to use my abilities at their fullest to escape into the nearby river when I fainted; Somehow two days ago I landed up here."
"That is a tale little one".
The camp was now prepared for its new guest. Shauna reached in to Muffy's saddlebags and removed some grain for her, then removed her barding.
"Sleep little one. I will attend to your wounds on the morrow."
The night passed uneventfully. Shauna woke the Halfling up and began the healing process, praying over the wounds. Once done Shauna rose, donned her armor, and mounted her horse.
"Shauna, please let me come with you. At least to the closest city." Jack pleaded.
"Hmm, it's been awhile since I've had someone interesting to talk to." Muffy gave an irritated neigh. "Yes, you are great company." Shauna said rolling her eyes. She reached down and pulled Jack onto the back of the saddle.
They rode for several days, finally reaching Calimport, a large coastal city that served as the capital of Calimshan. They looked for an inn named Mirage, a large inn in the center of town. Once inside they ordered their first real meal in days. Shauna had her cloak and hood on as not to arouse any suspicion in the mismatched duo.
The next day at breakfast, the two were eating a hearty, filling breakfast.
"I'll be right back." She whispered. Shauna stood up and left the bar.
Twenty minutes later she returned and called Jack out. Outside were new leathers, a sword (that seemed to shine a bit more than regular metal), a crossbow with red bolts, and next to the pile was a large, lively brown pony with fire in his eyes. "I hope you can ride."
Jack just kept staring slack jawed but finally nodded.
"Good." Shauna slapped Jack powerfully on his back. "Get on your new leathers and let's move!"
After Jack had re-equipped, they jumped on their respective mounts and were off.
"Unless you haven't guessed already, I'm going to help you. I cannot stand back while the suffering of good people persists."
"Thank you Shauna, with you around I might even survive."
Shauna chuckled. "We are going to Memnon. I've been told there is someone who can help us."
Jack nodded.
"Don't worry. As long as I'm alive, I swear we will bring your family to safety."
The journey would take ten days. It was uneventful until the third day. The duo were entering a large copse of oak trees. Shauna motioned Jack to slow. "I sense five evil presences." She whispered as she motioned three to the northwest, one in front, and one to the east. "They are 100 feet ahead."
Jack slid off his pony, removed his crossbow and quietly (as only a Halfling could) approached the trees. He noticed an Orc on the left wielding a large bow. There were two others behind. Jack motioned to Shauna what he saw and where. 'Jack searched for the others but there was no trace yet.
Shauna jumped from her horse, drew her hand axes and walked quietly towards the trees. With the group hopefully distracted, Jack took aim at the closest Orc and let fly! The bolt hit the Orc square in the chest, and the magical bolt caught fire. In the resulting confusion, the Orc's took a second to reorient themselves and 'Jack shot once more into the groups two remaining Orc's that were in sight. The bolt hit the Orc in the side of the head, killing him instantly. The fire, splattering like blood, caught fire to the third Orc that was sitting right beside his fallen comrade, but he was able to put out the fire soon enough. The Orc recovered quickly and shot at Jack grazing him in the arm. One of Shauna's axes flew in and bit into the Orc's side. Ignoring the pain in his arm, Jack shot His crossbow at the screaming Orc's open mouth. The bolt flew true, hit the back of the Orc's throat, killing him instantly, the bolt then burned the misfortunate Orc's head to a crisp.
Out of nowhere blackness engulfed Jack; two bolts struck him, one in the leg, one in his shoulder. Jacks body began weakening; a burning began flowing from the wounds, heading slowly towards his heart. Shauna, who wasn't in the influence of the darkness knew that the globe of impenetrable darkness was Drow trickery. She proceeded to search out the Dark Elf spell caster in the safety of a large tree. Shauna hearing Jack's pained cries spotted the Elf and charged with her Holy Avenger held high. The Drow however seemed to expect this, and from his fingers flew 5 red arrow like streaks, hitting Shauna in the chest and stopping her charge early.
"Incompetent fool!!! You can't charge a Drow" The mage said.
"Wha-"
"Hmm were you expecting Jahn Perhaps? I am Her... Emissary... and I will be the messenger of your deaths, it's you we intended to capture with the kidnapping of your family, but now Jahn just wants you dead, and don't try anything if I don't get back, within the fortnight your family dies."
Shauna loved talking enemies; they were so distracted with their own speeches. She prepared to attack... and in one smooth move, she decapitated the Elf.
Shauna rushed to the dissipating blackness as the remaining tendrils were carried away on the wind. She removed the bolts, cast a few healing spells, stopped the poison, and healed the damage. When 'Jack was able to stand again, they searched for the fifth, but since neither had good tracking skills gave up, but kept alert.
"We must hurry we have only a small amount of time to get a group together. With The knights of Silverymoon, we can storm that den of evil and save your family."
They rode for a couple days at a time only stopping when really necessary. Then they would spend half the day in a nearby town and push again, refreshing the pony whenever possible. Within the week they were at the outskirts of Silverymoon. Shauna wore her armor proudly; she was home! Her Monastery lay two days to the northwest.
"We seek assistance from Alustriel; we need the forces of the Silver Knights..."
Five days later, they met in her opulent audience chamber finalizing their plans to attack the base where they believed Jahn and her group was holding out in. In the chambers were; Alustriel a beautiful blonde Elven woman, with locks that flowed down to her hips. To their right stood Quin; the commander of the company they would be using to attack the compound. He was a human of about 50 who had seen his share of battles as expressed by the large scar across his forehead. "We go tomorrow: A group of 100 knights will accompany us. Any questions?" No one answered.
* * *
In the distance, the group found the large evil looking building that seemed to have sprouted from the ground. There could be seen many of what Shauna had guessed to be Gnoll and Hobgoblin guards with a fair mixing of the diminutive Kobolds. The Knights of Silver would decimate the Drow's Troops at Shauna's signal, while Jack and Shauna would find and free his family. Jack also promised to Shauna that he would not let Jahn do this to anyone else. They slowly approached till they were close enough for the charge and far enough away that they wouldn't be noticed till it was too late. Finally Shauna looked to Quin, raised her hand slowly, and the army waited nervously for the two seconds it took for her hand to drop down. The army of 100 knights rained down upon the vile creatures, and even with outnumbered as they were three to one, the Knights fought valiantly, Quin, Shauna, and Jack leading the attack bringing righteous death from bolt, hoof, sword and axe. Soon the trio had reached the doors.
A little brute strength and the doors began to crack. Quin called five of his men incase stragglers were still there. Leaving their mounts, they charged into the dungeon, Jack tearing into whatever remained with a fury not often associated with Halflings. They continued the frenzied charge through the dark musty passageways, being led more by intuition than direction. Finally they reached a room 200' by 350' with the ceiling 80' high; it was very dark, the light focusing not on the walls but on the negative space which consisted of three suspended cages. In the cages were the remaining members of
Jack's family.
Jack's father called out the instant he saw his son. "Jack! She know-." Before he could finish the sentence, the body of his father was disintegrated as it turned to dust. There was no time to mourn however, because even before the shock fully set in, another globe of darkness descended. Quin's men began screaming as they were attacked within the darkness. 'Jack felt his hands being bound. A female voice echoed through the room.
"Hello 'Jack, I am, as I'm sure you know by now, Jahn of house Kilsek. Did you remember to say goodbye to your father?" She laughed deeply. "Do you think I was really going to let you come in here and escape with these pathetic creatures?"
Jack let her keep talking, hoping she would give him enough time to escape the bonds.
"No Jack Today you all die... And you shall pay for killing my sister!!"
As she was saying that, Jack slid one of his wrist knives quietly across the floor to where he hoped Shauna, or even Quin, was sitting. He hoped even more that they would be able to untie themselves.
Then as quickly as it came, the darkness dissipated, and before him was Jahn. She wore chainmail and wielded both a short and long sword. Two of her male guards flanked her with their crossbows aimed at the heroes. On the floor lay three of the knights, all had been hit with small Drow bolt's that were renowned for their poison tips. Quin looked at Shauna and his remaining knight, and the three reared up and charged: Quin ran towards Jahn. Of the three Drow she was the least surprised at the attack and defended with lightning speed, slicing Quin's neck open, instantly killing him. Shauna head butted the closest Drow, his head landing close to the Elf's neck, and proceeded to bite down, tearing his jugular. The Elf choked to death on his own blood. Shauna turned towards Jahn. She was there, awaiting the Paladins attention.
Jahn swung with her short sword, leaving her long sword in her left to parry; the short sword cut into Shauna's right bicep, but at the same time Shauna swung her Holy Avenger and split the long sword in two with her powerful stroke. Jahn however knew how to improvise and before Shauna could recoil from the swing, Jahn impailed her remaining sword in the side of Shauna's torso. Shauna then fell to the ground gasping for air.
It was at this point that 'Jack took advantage of the fact that he hade been ignored for the last few seconds as he had cut his bonds and was sneaking up behind her. Thinking fast, Jack decided he wanted her to know it was him who dispatched her. He got a firm grip on his dagger and sqewered her left leg behind her knee. She dropped screaming.
And now her atonement was at hand, 'Jahn of house Kilsek' would pay with her last breaths for what she had done to Jack's father. Even Shauna wouldn't stop him from this; it was too late for that. Jack, bleeding and battered placed his small foot against her neck and he crushed her windpipe with his blood spattered boot.
Two weeks later, In Silverymoon, Shauna came to say goodbye to Jack.
" I'm ready to go little one. You will always be considered a friend."
"I'm not really good with goodbyes." The Halfling said, Tears welling up in his eyes
"I must go to Mulhorand, before I came across you, I was actually on a mission of my own." She winked, "Yah Muffy!, Away!" The blazing horse and the Paladin in glittering armor slowly disappeared into the Horizon
