Chapter 100

Astrid stood in the village square, a crowd of people around her. They had set up a ring of torches about them, their bright light driving back the fog and giving the villagers a sense of security. Combined with a high ranked, and beautiful, adventurer, even the most cynical amongst them felt hope that things were about to get better.

“It started a few weeks ago. Several of our young lads didn’t make it home from the mines. We thought they might have had an accident, so we sent a group down, with the guards, to help.” The mayor explained, before turning to the guard leader beside him to continue the story.

“Something attacked us from the dark. We didn’t get much of a look, things were tight down there, and confusing. We barely made it out with our lives.” He explained, gesturing to his missing arm.

“Since then, we’ve closed the mines and sent out the contract with the Guild to clear them. But now, we’ve had people taken from the area outside the mines as well. It’s gotten so bad that we don’t leave the village anymore. And with the fog…” The mayor finished, shaking his head.

“We can’t survive, not like this.” The guard leader added.

“Is it just you, miss? No offense meant, but you shouldn’t go down there alone, no matter how capable you are.” The mayor asked, confused about why the Guild sent only a single person.

“No, I’m not alone. My companion is exploring the area and should be returning soon.” She explained. She was about to continue when she noticed a figure emerging from the fog.

The mayor and others turned, seeing the new arrival, when a mixture of surprise and fear gripped them.

The newcomer was a young man, dressed in fine leather armor, and a white cloak. His long hair was pulled back into a rough ponytail and he had a sword on his hip. What terrified the villagers was his expression, icy cold and grim, with flecks of blood covering his face and hands.

Wil had sent the Elemental back into his gemstone before returning to the village. He didn’t want the shock of seeing the twelve-foot tall summon to send them running.

“Ah! Here is my companion now.” Astrid said cheerfully, before noticing the blood on Wil. “What happened?” she asked, raking her eyes over him, looking for injuries. She let a sigh of relief to see that he was unharmed.

“Trouble.” He said simply, walking up next to her. Astrid handed him a cloth, dampened from her water flask. Wiping his hands and face, he nodded gratefully to her, before addressing the mayor and his group.

“I was attacked by trolls. Two of them, just on the outskirts of town. Are they the reason you sent out the Quest to the guild?” Wil asked. The mayor turned pale and stammered out a response.

“Trolls!? No, we didn’t know what was taking our people, just that they first went missing from the mines, and now from the forests and streams nearby. Trolls!” The mayor exclaimed, running his hand across his balding head.

“The mines, are they connected to any other entrances, or cave system below?” Wil asked, looking around at the group. An older man responded.

“Aye. The caves were there for years, we’ve been using them to mine deeper. Could be another entrance or two, but we blocked any of the paths we weren’t using. Never had any troubles before, except for a few slimes, and a small pack of kobolds when I was a lad.”

“They might have found one of the other entrances, or maybe they were there all along, just too deep, or isolated to attack. It doesn’t matter much which it is, but it means we’ll have to go down and clear them out.” Wil said, looking at the soiled handkerchief in his hand. With a small burst of mana, it was spotless once again.

“What about the fog, Wil? Are the trolls the source of it?” Astrid asked, and the crowd listened intently, curious at the answer.

“It’s natural, there isn’t enough mana in it to explain its presence. I would guess that the Trolls have a shaman amongst them, capable of drawing heavy fog down the mountains. We’ll need to deal with that one as soon as possible. Trolls hate the sunlight, so they’ll only move on the surface at Night, or when the sun is blocked. Without the Shaman, the town will be safe while we remove the rest from the mines.” Wil explained, handing the piece of cloth back to Astrid.

“So, you’ll help us? Even with Trolls, and the mines?” the mayor asked, almost desperate.

“Of course!” Wil confirmed, almost shocked that the mayor had to ask. They had agreed to the quest before coming here. Regardless of if it were trolls, or even dragons, they promised to help.

“Of thank the gods!” the mayor said, smiling widely. The crowd was excited, their salvation was finally at hand.

“But there’s even worse news. You’re missing…I’m afraid it isn’t likely that they will be found alive. Trolls do not keep living captives. We’ll do our best, but I thought you should know, so you can prepare…” Wil explained, stepping forward and whispering the mayor so only he could hear. The man’s happy expression faltered immediately, replaced with crushing sorrow and despair.

“I…I understand. I..we.. had all hoped that perhaps they were still alive. I’ll break the news to them when it’s time. But let them have this moment, please?” The mayor pleaded, looking at the relived expression on the crowd.

“Of course. We’ll stay in the village until the fog lifts, then make our way to the mines. Do you have someone you could spare to guide us?” Wil asked, and the mayor gestured for the guard leader. After a few minutes’ discussion, they decided that Wil and Astrid would wait at the mayor’s home until the weather cleared, traveling to the mine when the sun was out. The village would be protected from trolls by the strong sunlight, giving them time to explore.

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Wil and Astrid stood in front of the mine entrance, the Guard Leader was already making his way back to the village. It had only been a short walk to the mine, less than a mile, but it taken most of the day for the fog to finally clear.

With Secundus to their backs, they stared at the mine entrance. Whatever torches and lanterns the miners left were dark, and Wil could feel a threatening presence from the opening, traces of mana that he could only assume came from whatever shamanistic magic the trolls were using to influence the weather.

“Alright, I don’t know how long we’re going to be down there. But I have enough provisions to last us months. Did you bring any potions?” Wil asked, rooting through his bag. Astrid rolled her eyes, they had been through this while waiting at the village, but she knew it was Wil’s cautious nature that made him repeat their preparations.

“Yes. Healing, cures for disease, infections, and even minor curses. My mother ensured that I was fully prepared before she let me leave Ur.” Astrid said, listing the items she had.

“Good, if we become separated for any reason, try to make your way back to the surface. I’ll hopefully find you before then, but things happen, and I may be indisposed. Here, keep the elemental with you, I’ll feel better with him watching your back.” Wil said, handing her the emerald gemstone.

“What about you?” Astrid asked, looking at the gem as it caught the blue sunlight. She tucked it into her bag, close at hand.

“I have other ways of tracking you. But don’t bring it out unless we’re separated, the mana drain will be intense, and you’ll be left relying solely on it. What wands are you going to carry?” Wil asked, quizzing her.

“Acid Arrow.” She said, showing him an iron rod topped with a topaz gemstone. “Scorching ray.” She said, holding the wooden rod with the ruby she had used against the wight. “Feather fall. Light and Mage armor.” She listed, the other wands tucked into a belt wrapped tightly around her robe.

“Although I don’t understand why I would need a feather fall wand when we’re underground?” she asked, curious at his suggestion.

“You’d be surprised.” Wil said dryly, thinking of his first adventure through the caves at Whitewater. It had only been the fact that he landed in water, and not rock, that saved his life.

Wil raised his right hand, palm face up, conjuring an orb of white light that floated in the air above his head. Astrid, using a wand, did the same.

“How are we going to track the trolls without the elemental?” Astrid asked, curious.

“By smell.” Wil responded, already drawing on his mana to form a Tier 4 spell matrix on the ground next to him. He hadn’t been familiar with this particular spell, not before he received the Compendium, and this was the first time he had a chance to use it.

“Mordenkainen’s Faithful Hound.” Wil said, finishing the incantation. He wasn’t sure who Mordenkainen was, but his spells were incredibly complex and useful. The spell matrix flared to life with golden fire, before condensing into a hound.

Standing nearly as tall as Astrid, the hound was wolflike in appearance, with long canines, glowing golden eyes, and Rank 5 mana. It looked eager to be summoned, its tail wagging as it looked to Wil for orders.

“Good boy.” Wil whispered, running his hand on the dog’s head, and ruffling its fur. The hound would track the trolls easily, even in the mines. Unfortunately, any wounds it inflicted on the trolls would regenerate quickly, but it would slow them down in time for Astrid and Wil to finish the monsters off.

“Let’s go!” He said, leading the way into the mines.