Into theWilds
Jul 25th – 28th
Malethrax and Danat Peres are in the presence of a white stallion, a beast that can talk to both men. After a conversation with the stallion Malethrax decides to head into the north to tend to his severed leg before resuming his quest to deliver King Rufus IV’s letter to Van Myrid. They are joined as they head north by two others; Amblay, a Marraq sorcerer, and Finzerian, an archer from Jezharrah.
The stallion tells them about a nomadic people, northern Myrids called Myrnarians, a vast tribe of people who nurture horses. Off the road Malethrax and Danat feel safer in the open expanse of the Myrid plainlands. As a precaution Malethrax summons an air elemental that brushes away their tracks as they move.
The next morning the party see caravans. Canvassed wagons with a multitude of horses and horsemen around them…the Myrnarians. These people live in the wilds of northern Myrid and their leader – Ganthar – greets Malethrax and his companions with some concern. He is particularly concerned with the severe wound to the elementalist’s leg and Ganthar admits that it is beyond any of his healers. "You will have to find a temple," Ganthar says, "or head for the Elenorians to the north."
Malethrax dismisses the route north (he still has the letter to deliver) and instead plans to come to Van Myrid by a northern route. The party dine with the Myrnarians whose hospitality is legendary and for the first time in weeks Danat and Malethrax relax.
The next day they move west and north with the Myrnarians. Ahead of them is a huge tented city, thousands of the nomadic wanderers gathered to celebrate summer and renew old acquaintances.
The Great Summer Festival.
It is alive with music, poetry, and dance. The Myrnarians have no money; instead they barter and trade goods for services – a self-sufficient people who live simple, yet rewarding lives. But soon Grayhawkian life intervenes. Amblay, the Marraq, spots a Bretonian at the festival, a man of sour disposition he later learns is called Cadavir. After following him he realises he is part of a twenty strong band of mercenaries. One of Ganthar’s men tells the party that he has been asking about a one-legged sorcerer. Malethrax curses his luck.
Finzerian uses his unique ability to listen at long range and finds Cadavir speaking to his men. He offers a reward of 1,000 gold pieces for the man that gets Malethrax’s head. Danat slips away into the tented city in search of the Bretonian.
As Amblay tries to lure Cadavir into a fight but the Bretonian proves a slippery opponent…but not elusive enough for Danat Peres. As Cadavir backs away from the Marraq the martial artist pounces. It is is swift and deadly encounter. Cadavir turns to strike but Danat pushes away the blade and drive the dagger of Asgar deep into his opponent’s eye socket. Shortly afterwards the Bretonians are seen leaving the Festival, unable to stomach a fight against Danat and his companions.
During the stay at the festival Malethrax is introduced to Ivara, an Elenorian priestess of Elena, who uses her sorcery to stop the elementalist’s bleeding, though she can do nothing to regenerate the leg fully. Amblay, the Marraq, talks to Ivara, who is nervous in the presence of her one-time enemy. "It is water under the bridge my lady," Amblay says, "You have nothing to fear from me."
Eventually Malethrax decides to head west to Van Myrid. With the bleeding stopped he is able to fight unhindered on horseback, his natural riding skill an aid to his excellent swordsmanship. Soon his spirit sense realises that a big spirit is following them. Amblay sends his bat familiar – Nightwing – to investigate. Through the bat’s eyes Amblay sees a robed figure a mile or more distant drawing a pentacle. Malethrax sinks the party in an earth elemental and moves slowly west.
Amblay watches horrified as a huge hulking demonic creature appears in the circle…the demonologists forces the creature into a silvery black longsword, which glows with a malevolent light when the binding is complete. When the figure is close Amblay uses telepathy to scan the demonologist’s mind – but such is the power of the sorcerer he is knocked unconscious by the sheer force of will.
At dawn Amblay wakes and Malethrax leads them west at a greater pace. Before long they spot a large dead oak tree, the only vegetation for miles around. Upon it they see the naked tortured form of Raven. "It’s a trap," Dannat says. Malethrax nods grimly but leads them towards the stricken woman.
As they close on the tree six men-at-arms (the same men who slew Hujal and Zavien) emerge quickly from their underground hideout and jump for the riders. Malethrax, Danat and Amblay spur their horses forward but Finzerian stands his ground and prepares to shoot at the attackers. Despite warnings from his companion Finzerian bravely pulls back the bowstring. The men-at-arms swarm all over him, their blades cut him down mercilessly.
This spurs Malethrax and his two companions on towards the tree. The elementalist half turns on his horse and hurls a fireball directly into the middle of the men-at-arms. A huge ball of fire engulfs them and they scatter, hastening themselves away from the terrible fire, many of them trying to put out burning garments or flaming hair. Danat turns their charge obliquely away from the tree…just in time!
A well concealed pit awaited them. A pit big enough to ensnare them all – including the horses. Danat takes them back towards the tree with Malethrax and Amblay close behind. Suddenly from nowhere the ground opens – the dark knight Vostrar emerges a lethal broadsword in his hand. He places himself between Danat and Malethrax as the two men ride quickly down on him.
Vostrar is a powerful man; he launches a couple of rapid strokes at the two riders. Danat fends off the broadsword but Malethrax is a fraction too slow. The sickening sound of a blade tearing through bone, sinew and flesh fills the air. As the two horses pass the Bretonian Malethrax topples back off his horse, his head bounces several feet beyond his limp body.
Amblay positions himself at a safe distance as Danat rides up to the tree. The Marraq is aware that the men-at-arms are closing on him but on horseback he is able to outrun them…he aims at Vostrar, who kneels over the dead elementalist. Amblay fires his first shot astray but coolly draws a second shaft. This time his aim is truer. Whilst Vostrar rummages through Malethrax’s clothes an arrow hits him in the left thigh. Vostrar roars in pain as his leg buckles. Blood spills over the dry ground and the Bretonian roars at his men to stop the archer.
Danat puts Raven over his saddle as Amblay draws another arrow. The men-at-arms are closing but the cool Marraq shows no fear. Encouraged by the awful wound in Vostrar’s thigh he aims another. Danat urges his companion to flee. "Let’s go, Amblay, there will be other days to deal with this dark knight…"