CH 2: Two Heads are Better

[HorizonsDream]

"All right, let's go save the rest of the pilgrims, then we can look at that sword, and the we can finally return to the rest of the camp," Echo says as she starts walking towards were the last troll emerged from.

[JadedDM]

"Gimog, Nuvain, stay with them. We'll be right back," Hollidan says. Keeping his sword drawn and his torch aloft, he and Echo walk into the tunnel and follow it to its end, a dead-end chamber that is much smaller than the others. Inside is a large straw bed, a handful of human remains, and a single young girl--no older than ten or eleven, tied up and unconscious.

There's also a simple chest in the back.

Immediately, Hollidan sheathes his sword and goes to the girl, checking if she is alive and trying to untie her.

[HorizonsDream]

Echo follows after Hollidan. "Is she okay?" she asks.

[JadedDM]

"She's alive...just out cold," Hollidan says, the relief in his voice evident. He looks around at the human remains. "The other two didn't make it, though," he adds, his voice quiet and drained of emotion.

[HorizonsDream]

Echo frowns slightly and places her hand upon Hollidan's shoulder as if to try to provide him with some comfort. She gives him a little pat before she finally walks over to the chest. She looks it over for a moment, and uses a cantrip to see if she can detect a trace of magic upon it. She knows the cantrip isn't going to provide her with much information, but it is all she has to work with.

[JadedDM]

Echo focuses her cantrip to detect any magic within thirty feet of her. The cantrip indicates there is something magical near her, but it might just be the Wand of Fire throwing off the spell.

[HorizonsDream]

Echo lets out a small sigh, and carefully tries to open the chest. She knew that these creatures couldn't be smart enough to place magic upon it.

[JadedDM]

As luck has it, the chest is neither locked nor trapped, magically or mundanely. Opening it, Echo finds a few hundred gold pieces, a trio of gemstones, and a rolled up tapestry.

[HorizonsDream]

"I wonder what these creatures were going to do with all of this," Echo says. She picks up the tapestry to unroll it and look it over.

[JadedDM]

The tapestry is made of wool and depicts a woodland forest scene, with centaurs, fairies, pixies and elves, all dancing around a large tree. It could be worth a fair amount of money.

[HorizonsDream]

Echo rolls the tapestry back up, and puts it back in the chest before she closes it up again. "Hollidan, I'll carry her if you'll carry this chest," Echo offers. After all, no one is using the coin, so she might as well put it to good use.

[JadedDM]

Hollidan gets to his feet, which seems to take some effort. "Just...please be careful with her," he asks, then goes to pick up the treasure-laden chest.

[HorizonsDream]

"Don't worry. I can be gentle when I wish to be," Echo says with a small smile. Though, she gives him a curious glance as she walks over to the girl and gently picks her up. "Do you know this girl?" she asks.

[JadedDM]

The little girl, with brown hair and skin, is surprisingly light. Hefting the chest up over his shoulder, Hollidan frowns and shakes his head. "No, not personally."

[HorizonsDream]

"You act as if she was one of your own, or related to you somehow," Echo points out as she begins walking towards the exit of the chamber. "I mean, it is always sad when a child at this age is taken against his or her will towards something dangerous, but your acting as if this hits you close to home. It isn't my business, but I just...want to understand."