Part 6: Two for One Garlic Presses for Sale

Dakota says "To Valenhiem I go!<br\> I'll see you there if it doesn't snow."<br\> Nigel replies "Take my horse!<br\> Lightsinger is the swiftest one of course!"<br\>

Mara appears and states "We need thy ration<br\> Barkeep, pack them in a quick fashion.<br\> Nigel go and find us a caravan to guard."<br\> "Yes m'lady that surely won't be hard."<br\>

Lioniel and Nigel go for a wander<br\> And find a dwarf over by yonder<br\> "Once a humble bard came to caravan...<br\> This sounds like a mighty plan!"<br\>

The party begins loading the Dwarven crates<br\> Lioniel says "Hurry! Adventure awaits!"<br\> Wen peaks a glance inside the box<br\> "Its a garlic press!" she yells in shock<br\>

Heading off along the eastern highway<br\> The pony gave off an indignant "neigh!"<br\> After walking most of the day<br\> Wen realises they may have gone astray<br\>

Lioniel yells to a passing merchant<br\> Turns out their paths are divergent<br\> The merchant bids them farewall with no blame<br\> But Sir Nigel is still filled with guilt and shame.<br\>

"Let me purchase some of your wares?"<br\> "Two for one garlic presses. They come in pairs.<br\> Mastercrafted using dwarvern steel."<br\> Sir Nigel buys them releasing his zeal.<br\>

Abandoning the dwarf to his fate<br\> The party heads to Valenhiem at a rolling gate<br\> The party's rations Mara did leave<br\> Upon the dwarf's cart with no reprieve<br\>

Reaching the crest of a hill <br\> the party hunts to find their fill<br\> A meager rabbit is secured <br\> But their hunger is not cured<br\>

The night passes in a flash<br\> And in the morning they do dash<br\> Onwards towards valenhiem<br\> The rising sun does start to shine<br\>

Reaching a plateau upon a hill<br\> The party notice something below is ill<br\> Descending into a scene of slaughter<br\> Warriors lie dead having been given no quarter<br\>

Leaping from the long grass, a gnoll!<br\> This is no longer a casual stroll<br\> Two more appear from their hiding spot<br\> Thickening this already dangerous plot<br\>

Leaping forth flute in hand<br\> Lioniel does not even need a band<br\> Striking hard at their face<br\> He puts these gnolls in their place<br\>

A bite is taken upon Mara's shoulder<br\> But her reposte is quick and bolder<br\> An arrow flies from Wen's bow<br\> It strikes a mighty deadly blow<br\>

Sir Nigel springs to defend his bardic friend<br\> He blocks attacks that would otherwise rend<br\> More musical notes strike out at the foes<br\> Sir Nigel must even dodge these blows<br\>

Mara and Wen move in to assist<br\> The gnolls have no chance to resist<br\> Mara with her swinging blade<br\> And Wen coming to her aid<br\>

The battle ends in the strangest way<br\> With Lioniel saving the day<br\> Using his sword with great skill<br\> He slices the gnoll's neck for the final kill<br\>

Searching among the dead and dying<br\> They find a man who is softly sighing<br\> Close to death the man does lay<br\> Sir Nigel's blessing helps him stay<br\>

Wen discovers Andy is his name<br\> And these gnolls are to blame<br\> Valenhiem is under attack<br\> We must hurry and get back<br\>

There is no time to rig a sled<br\> Mara yells for Nigel to leave the dead.<br\> The living are the ones to be saved<br\> I thought that was what you craved<br\>

Reaching the crest above Valenhiem<br\> The party find they have arrived just in time.<br\> A fire glows from within the town.<br\> Gnolls attacking all around.<br\>