Friday, February 10, 2023 I Am Herda, a D&D Story. Part 4: The Tower

We started out from the tavern, following the directions that Arbin Goodbarrel had given us. It wasn’t long before we saw the area where he described being accosted by the bandits. Arbin had told us from which direction they had come, so we went that way, hoping we could at least find a trail of some sort. We found much better than that. As we came out of a woodsy area, we were on low terrain and looking ahead, we could see a small tower upon a nearby hill with two guards dressed in red at the door. It looked like a lonely little outpost.

We took cover immediately and held consultation. Radagast suggested that one of us do some secret reconnaissance to see if we could learn anything before approaching the tower. Finbul volunteered, being small and fast. There was enough tree and bush coverage along the way for him to make the approach without being seen. He came back in about 10 minutes and said he’d gotten close enough to hear the guards talking, but they said nothing of importance. They spoke only of a dog named Flint that had given birth to puppies. Finbul stole around to the back of the tower and took note of a window that was too high to climb up to without help of some sort.

It seemed clear that these guards dressed in red were from the same group that had stolen the gem, so there was nothing else to do but make direct contact with them and see what we could learn. Finbul and Sir Kelsier volunteered to go, suggesting that Radagast and I stay back to offer support if the contact somehow went awry and violence broke out. I was quietly relieved to stay behind. What I would do if the need for support arose I did not know. Kelsier told us that if they were allowed in the tower, that we should make our way to that back window and they’d send down a rope for us to climb up.

From our vantage point, we could see Finbul and Kelsier having animated discussion with the guards. One of the guards disappeared into the tower for a few minutes and upon returning, our two men went in. That was our cue to go around to the window. I found out that it is possible to be excited and sick with apprehension at the same time, a new experience for dull little Herda.

Once in the tower, we found ourselves in a cozy little room with two tables, upon one of which was a small chest with inlaid gemstones on the lid. A dog was lying on a rug in the middle of the room with two puppies. Ah, so this was Flint.. Finbul and Kelsier told us that they’d told the guards that they had business to discuss with their master and found out that the guards were in the service of a woman named Calamity. At first the guards were reluctant to let them in at all, but Kelsier apparently told them of his credentials as a nobleman and they were intimidated into sending one of the guards to check with Calamity. When he returned, he told Finbul and Kelsier that Calamity gave them permission to enter the tower, but they could only talk to her if they could find her.

Finbul went to open the chest on the table and found a circlet of some sort that looked as if it was meant to be worn on the head. He stuffed it into his bag and at this point we realized that there was no exit from the room other than to go back out of the tower the way Finbul and Kelsier had come in. Finbul suddenly shooed the dog and puppies off the rug and then lifted the rug up to reveal a hidden door in the floor. If I had been by myself, I’m not sure I would ever have thought of it. He pulled up the small door and we peered into the opening to see a ladder leading down, but it was dark and hard to see what was at the bottom.

Down we went, me bringing up the rear as usual. There was no discussion between us, just huffing and puffing as we made our way down the somewhat unstable ladder. When I came down, I could see we were in a stone hallway that sloped down., but it was still dark and hard to see what was at the end of it. What now? Radagast asked Finbul for that circlet and then upon taking it into his hands, it began giving off light, so he put it on his head to light the way for us. This must have been some sort of spell that he cast, reminding me that I’d been told that I had certain spells available to me, too, things that were written down and wallowing somewhere in my pack. I’d had two days to study them, but had neglected this small duty and was filled with regret.

This time Radagast and Kelsier led the way, proceeding cautiously. And where was little Herda? You know by now. Suddenly the hallway itself burst into flames ahead of us, causing us all to shout in dismay and run back. Kelsier had been in front and had taken the most damage, with Radagast also suffering from some minor burns. This was our first major defeat and I am ashamed to say that I was ready to turn back. At the very least, we’d have to regroup and come up with a strategy for going forward.

I heard a voice: “Herda, what are you doing here?” It was me, talking to myself. No one else paid any attention to my muttering.

Well, I’m not sure how much farther I can take this story. My notes got pretty vague at this point, although I could probably get us to the end of the mission. I’d have to know that someone out there was interested enough to find out what happens, though. And no offense will be taken if there are no takers. I might be relieved to stop right here. I’m wishing there was more dialogue in this part, but was rushing to get the basic narrative down.

This post will burst into flames in the morning.