Chapter 4

Deep in the heartlands of the emerald fel glens was a castle.

It was half-drowned; the moat had become its courtyard. Its stones were strangled by ivy. Long since the days of the flood had it been like this. Dilapidated was the structure, and long dead was its kingdom.

It had been found abandoned like this.

And the archdruid had moved in.

This was the “palace” of the mossy Nihloth.

He had made it into a haven for the exiled.

So a bastion it was for the bandits and escaped slaves. Outlaws of all cast and creature were drawn here.

And too were their bounty hunters.

Our thieves stood with their wagon train on an overlook.

They looked down into the jungle forest valley, and the dangers before them made dread imaginings in their minds.

“First, we will need a ferryman. I know of one who lives nearby,” declared Delphos.

“Antioch, Dendiscorne, go and find him. But beware, he is somewhat standoffish.”

“As you wish,” obeyed the paladin, who was sworn to subserve this middleman to his god.

Dendiscorne simply sighed and walked on.

Snakes, gorillas, poisonous snails, gargantuan sloths. Drakes, kobolds, rocs, and worst of all, the trees themselves—for they too served one master here.

The two servants were wary as they crested the hill and walked out of sight. Their shadows preceding them into the greater dark.

“I once saw a terrarium that resembled this place,” mused the Mouth.

“Whoever cleans this one has kept the boundary glass as clear as fortune.”

It was nearing dusk, and the moon was rearing its feverish face over the fogs of humidity.

Bats flew like black butterflies through the mire, and the flying foxes swooped down to eat them. They needn’t even flap their wings, so high did they glide from the trees.

The tone of the expedition had become forlorn at the hazards of their passage, and The Ears had felt it most acutely of all.

She knew every grievance and complaint of this traveling group. Every stone in every boot.

And she even knew the hunger of the forest, and the beasts which watched them.

But most worrisomely of all, she could sense the mind from beneath—the fungal cloud of sentience.

And she was awestruck by its understanding.

For this was a brain more learned and wise than Delphos.

For even the wizard’s mind could she read, and his arrogance did not bode well for the success of the quest.

They set up camp on the overlook.

Even if it rained, they would not be washed away.

They dared not light any fires, but they set up tents. These were a necessity in environs such as this.

For nature encroaches upon all who enter it, and the insect kingdom is territorial of its domain.

Gask approached the tent of Delphos. He had much to say to his old master.

He entered the tent after being beckoned inside.

The hovel was furnished as a king’s might be.

Rococo tapestries and fractal carpets lined the floor. The old man smoked from a hookah, and the air smelled of tobacco and coriander.

He sat at a writing desk, writing letters.

Letters meant for his king and the other Circle Kingdoms.

The war near Delfarr waged on, and the world didn’t wait because of their excursion.

Important things, though they be distant, stay important, even when the here and now intrudes on our attentions with its petty priority.

“Master, apologies for the interruption.”

“Your apology says sorry for itself.”

“I didn’t come here to bandy words.”

“True enough. Say what’s what.”

“Once this is done, I will be leaving. I am thankful for your wisdom and tutelage, but you must know I will be departing.”

“This I know.”

“I serve another master whose chains must be unbound.”

“Yes, and I cannot help you. For when you use that coin in your pocket, I too will be unbound and my pact undone. Who will you go to aid for then?”

“I do not know. But I must end this.”

“Do as you must. The coin was my final gift to you.”

There was much left unsaid, though the conversation ended here.

The dwarf bowed to his human teacher and departed from the tent of the mystic.

Now was time for sleep.

Tomorrow they would both walk into the den of their enemy.