The climb is steep as they approach the Thistletop peak. The ruins stand stark against the fading sunlight.

“This Nualia is an outcast from the town,” says Lini, “Perhaps she simply wants revenge.”

“Summoning Lamashtu seems overkill to me,” says Amiri.

Seelah nods, “This is bigger than just Sandpoint. She needs to be stopped.”

Sajan holds the crude map that the goblin had scrawled. He points at the entrance to the dungeon complex that lies under the ruins. There is a faint sound of chanting. The summoning ritual has begun and there is no time to lose.

(more…)

Amiri lifts her boot from the goblin’s throat.

“Gogmurt…” it croaks, “Gogmurt sent us!”

They are in the foothills surrounding Thistletop, the mountain home of the goblins.

Seelah shades her eyes and scans the skyline. “That weird goblin druid has made his lair up there somewhere,” she says.

(more…)

“Crogg’s Teeth!” mutters Amiri, wiping slime from her sword. Some has splashed on her boots. “What was that thing?”

Lini’s tiger sniffs at the puddle which is evaporating in the sun. It goes to lick the slime, but Lini grabs its neck and pulls it away.

“It was not of this world,” says Lini, “I could not feel it in the Green.”

Seelah approaches the edge of the pit and looks down the crudely carved steps.

“It was from Outside,” she says, “Something down there summoned it. I wonder if the goblins knew what they were doing when they opened this up.”

“They will know what I am doing when I split them in two for ruining my boots.” says Amiri as she strides down the steps.

(more…)

Sajan the Monk is meditating in the square. He opens his eyes. A group of children has gathered in front of him. He holds out his hands, turning them palm up and palm down. He makes a flourish and a coin appears between his fingers. The children edge closer.

(more…)

Seelah stands quietly, her eyes on the town in the valley below. Lini steps up beside her.

‘There is your problem,’ she says, ‘You became involved in this town and the people in it.’

Seelah is silent, her knuckles tighten on her sword-hilt.

‘I just did not want you to think you were the only fool around’, says Lini.

(more…)

The Crusaders drag their booty back to town where the citizens of Sandpoint greet them with cheers. The very next day the town holds its first Swallowtail Festival in thirteen years as a celebration.

(more…)