Legends of Belariath

The Quest For The Baron's Silver

Zeph – First Parchment Knife

These writings are taken from Zeph’s personal journals that he has kept since arriving in Nathalion.

Day 81

I had awoken early in the morning as I had always done. I went about doing the few things that I had to about my cabin before setting out for the day. Once everything had been done, I stepped outside, noticing that the weather had changed from the past few days to an overcast. It looked as though it could rain at any time. I made my way to the inn as normal, with the weather change so had my mood. I dredged about the inn till about midday as nothing had gone on, so I decided that I would go into to take care of a few things. I had stopped at the bounty Hunters Guild, to see if they might have something to do to gain a little extra money. It had worked before when the Insane Mage was out raping. I walked looking to the board noticing that a few items had been taken from a nearby town. Knowing that I was a bit low on money it seemed like that it was a good way of gaining a few extra coins. So I decided to sign up to go and search out for the Silver parchment knives.

After spending my time in the bounty hunters Guild to sign up to the little bounty I made my way back to my cabin to gather up some food, a change of clothes, a mug, and a few warm blankets. I set about the cabin to make sure everything is in order for the following days. I wrote a note to my mate letting her know that I would be away for a few days, and that she should not worry that I would return shortly. I left the note on the table in the open so that she might be able to find it without little trouble. I then made my way into town heading toward Baradors Slavers Shop, I needed to let my boss know that I would not be around for a few days as well. As normal no one was there so as at the cabin I left a note on Barador’s desk, letting him know where I would be.

I stepped out from the shop locking the door behind me, noticing that the weather had turned from bad to worse, the rain that I had anticipated started. The hood of my cloak would be brought up to ward off what little of the rain it could as I set out from town heading East, since it was the direction that had been stated on the job description. With most of the day already gone and the dwindling light from the cloud cover. I made my way out of town. I did not need to tell to many people that I was leaving for most that knew me knew that I tended to leave for a few days at a time and when I returned they would always find out what I had been doing and where I had been.

Throughout the day the rain calmed and picked back up, my body had become completely soaked to the bone as I had become very cold and my mood and temper dwindled. The few people that were seen on the muddy road were normal peddlers and common folk that were going about their normal business of the day. I had not seen to many as I figured that the weather had kept them way. Night started to settle in and what light broke through the clouds decreased a night became more apparent. I looked for some kind of dry place to shelter myself for the night, hoping to find a large tree that the rain had not penetrated through its leaves so I might be able to build a fire and dry out some before I would have to set out for the next day of travel. To my luck I was able to find a small grove not too far off from the road that was going to have to do for my bed for the night. I went about looking for some dry wood so that I might be able to build a fire and get some warm food into my gullet to ward off the cold that had seeped into my body during the day’s walk. After some time I managed to find enough wood to build a small fire then set about to remove my wet cloths placing the partially dry ones on that I had placed in my bag. The wet clothes were then set out near the fire so that they might dry. I then pulled some of the food stuffs out of the bag and set one the mug out in the rain so that it might catch a bit of water for something to drink. After I had finished the meal, I pull out the blankets as I settled down for the night.

A few times I had woke during the night as I had thought I heard something, but to my luck it was just my mind playing tricks on me. So this night had gone uneventful, now the next few days I would not be so luck. But that is enough writing for now.

Day 82

I had woken to the sound of the rain as it had picked up some time during the night, this was not going the way I had wanted it to go. I ate a small meal as I packed up the items that I had around the small camp I had made for the night. Then stepped out from the grove into the rain. As I had feared the ground was completely saturated with water and slick, I made my way back onto the road, at least I would know what direction I was going even thought I would be caked in mud by the end of the day. As with the day before I saw very few travelers and boredom had set in, I had nothing to keep my mind from the dampness that was making its way through my cloak and clothe onto my skin. About midday the rain had let up some and I was able to pull the hood of my cloak from my head for the first time since I had headed out from town, this still was not good as the cloud still lingered in the sky above me. Though as the rain dwindled I started to see a few more people on the road, I still remained by myself not knowing who could be trusted. The occasional nod or wave was given to the few that offered a bit of greeting to me.

Sometime just before dark I had spotted a group of the goblins that had been mentioned in the bounties description, I did not bother letting them think that I was even bothered by their presence, as I made a mental note of how many of them there were. I might not be one the brightest people but I knew that six against one were not good odds, so I would have to find a way around them or try to take one or two of them at a time if it was needed. With still a better part of a day away from the town I did not need to get wounded. Throughout the rest of the day I had spotted more groups of the goblin noting which ones seemed to be in charge of the group, but nothing more, there were to many of them for me to take on along. That is when I had started to wonder if I should have asked someone to come along with me. It was too late now so I pushed the thought aside as I kept my thoughts on what lay ahead of me and what trouble I might have to over come to get the knives.

Just before dark the rain started again, and in my mind this was not a good sign. I set off from the road to find a place to stay for the night, as I stumbled upon a small farm that seemed to be out in the middle of nowhere, I thought about going up to the cabin but decided against it. I did not need to be seen by anyone that might want to harm me. So I made my way into the barn, it was a good thing that I had been keeping an eye on everything I could around me because it had seemed one of the bands of goblins had thought of the same idea that I had. My luck was that they were not being quiet as I was being. I heard the voiced a bit strange to me as I had never heard goblins speaking in their own tongue before. But I knew it was not human or Elf, for I had heard both plenty of times, but still did not understand the later of the two.

That I when the scream called out into the nights air, it was human or at least someone that had spoke the common language. I let out a few deep breaths as I wondered if I should help or not. I was not like I was held by some honor thing to help anyone that was in need, but if it was someone that lived in the cabin it might help me get a warm place to sleep in for the night. I peered into the barn from one of the small cracks that I had found, and sure enough there was what seemed to be the family from the cabin, most of them were already blood and I could not tell if they were alive or not. I pulled back a bit from the crack in the wall as I pondered what to do. I could always walk away and let this pass for I knew where one of the bands of goblins was. That is when I heard something behind me, and my heart sunk into my gut as I knew that I was caught by something, Then I heard the strange language, and knew what it was, a goblin, it must have come out from the cabin. I had been clumsy and kept my guard up, I could have almost hit myself at that moment. I slowly reached for my dagger that was in its sheath at my hip pulling it free from it leather trappings. I had no clue as to how large a creature was behind me, but I had to give it a shot. I could hear the goblin calling out to me as I felt it jab something into my back that gave me the time that I needed, I turned and looked to the green creature shoving the blade out of my way. It then called out again I had no clue as to what it was saying, though it had motioned for me to move toward the door of the barn. I studied the creature carefully as I kept my dagger in hand hidden in the confines of my cloak. The goblin poked at me again, lucky for me it had decided to poke at my chest where the bulk of my armor protected me. I took a step back giving a nod as if I understood the beast, then turned to take a few steps toward the door, lightning crashed over head and the thunder ripped. Throughout the nights air, that is when I took advantage of what was going on, I had been stunned by the sight and sound so I knew the goblin was as well. I swiftly turned knocking the sword out of the way with my protected wrists that the bracers adorned, bringing my dagger up to the goblins throat cutting it from ear to ear, its scream became garble as blood rushed from its gaping hole about its neck, I brought my foot up to knock it to the ground, as I reached back pulling out the curved blade of my great scimitar down to finish what I had started before the creature could alert its companions. I was not too bad at fighting and I was a bit stronger than most so the prone goblin was not a problem to dispatch as I severed its head. I returned the dagger to it place on my hip as I scanned over the area to make sure what had just happened did not alert the other green beasts.

For me this night had been lucky and it had not. I turned my attention to the crack in the wall counting how many goblins were left, one, two, there was five of them left I still did not think I could take all of them on at once, I had to find a way to get them out of the barn one or two at a time. Then I would have been able to take them down, that is when I got the idea of using my magic, even though I did not like to use it. Magic might be able to help me out a bit. I thought about it for a bit then nodded to myself knowing that I would have to use what little I knew. I raised my hand muttering the arcane incantations as I pointed my finger into the crack of the barn, then let loose a bolt of fire onto a pile of hay that looked dry enough to burn. To my amazement it had worked and the hay began to burn, I chuckled a bit as I watched all but one goblin scrabble to put out the fire, that is when I figured which one was in charge as it seemed like he was the one barking out commands. One of them scurried its way out of the barn, I was guessing to find a bucket as it hurried its way to the well only a few feet away, that is when I acted. I rushed the creature forgetting about the burning hay. I was lucky enough that it was preoccupied with what it was set out to do and the sound of the rain helped drown out my foot falls, as I brought my arm up knocking it into the well, I could hear its screams as it fell. I looked over the area making sure I had not been spotted, as I heard a splash when the goblin hit the water. So far so good two of them were down for now and four were left. By the time I made it back to the barn the goblins inside had put the fire out. It had worked for now, but I did not try that again for I knew that the goblins would get on edge and I needed them to think that nothing was amiss.

I was a bit drained from what I had just done with the magic and all. I had to think on what to do now. But to my luck what seemed like the leader of the group sent another out to check on the one that I had just dispatched. Great now I had to think fast before they all came out. I then began muttering a new set of arcane words as I brought my hand up placing two fingers into the air as they began to sink into nothingness, I then stepped forward as my body disappeared from beside the barn too behind the goblin, I brought my scimitar down on the goblins back slicing it from head to the middle of its back. This one was armored which gave it some protection from the blow. It pulled its own weapon out as it turned to face me, my body was building heat and sweat mixed with the rain as I was beginning to feel the effects of this little encounter more and more. The goblin brought its wicked looking blade down toward my body as I turned it caught my cheek, now blood began trickling down my face as I felt the sting of the cold blade. I spun my body around aiming for the goblin’s neck as my blade came down onto the foe. I did not sever the head but it did knock the beast onto the ground, before it had the chance to get up I forced my blade down into its skull splitting it open. At that time I could almost feel my body collapse from the drain in energy and what blood now ran from my cheek. Three more left, I could do this but first I needed a bit to rest my weary body.

I moved back over to the barn where I slumped down against the wooden wall trying to catch my breath as I heard another scream ring out into the nights air. I lifted back up as I looked inside seeing now that what I took for the lead goblin has begun to rape the dark hair woman, her screams are a constant now as I try to figure out what to do next. I figured what the heck I could try to take all three of them on at once I had done it a few weeks ago in a spar. So I made my way over to the door opening it, one of the goblins turned its head taking notice of me and started charging at me. I waited to the last moment to move out of the way as I set my foot out to trip it, well it worked but it also made a loud thud and got the attention of the one that was not raping the girl. I quickly turned and ran out of the barn I gave a sharp kick into the side of the goblin that was on the ground. I turn to face them both only a few yards from the entrance of the barn. Both of them come at me from either side of me. There was no way that I could take both attacks at once, so I turned to face one of the goblins as it charged me. I took the blunt of the blow to my back, as my armor gave me some protection, as I was pushed forward into the other raising my sword taking advantage of the situation I thrust my scimitar into the charging goblin, my luck was that it was not wearing any armor at the time as the curved blade sliced strait into the beast as I felt blood begin to trickle down from my back side. Two left and only one out where I was. I turned my body as the goblin struck at me again this time its blade cut across my arm where I had no armor to protect myself, which made me drop my sword. I quickly glaceed down to my sword as I took a step back pulling the dagger from my belt, crouching close to the ground I came up with the dagger arching toward the goblins groin bringing my elbow up to follow through with the attack. I could not have kept that up for too much longer I could barley stand and everything was starting to get blurry as I took a step forward slashing out at the goblin, he or it whatever it was brought its blade down onto me once again catching me in my gut I was not able to dodge its blow as I stabbed it in the eye. I could hear its screams as I pulled my dagger out and just lunged forward knocking it to the ground burying my dagger into its throat pushing the blade all the way up to the hilt into the creature. Now I was covered in my own blood, their blood, sweat and rain, only one more left. I dragged my sore and bloody body up to stand as I reached for my sword, gliding the blade behind me on the ground as I staggered toward the barn.

The light was starting to fade from my eyes, but I knew that I had to get rid of the last goblin as if I did not I would not be going home to write this journal. The girl was the first to see me through her teary-eyed screams of pain as the goblin raped her. I did not know what to do as I was barley strong enough to hold up the sword and walk at the same time. All I could do was stagger my way toward the goblin and hope that the girl’s screams would be enough to drown out the scrapping of the sword against the floor, it worked for I was standing over top of the goblin before he realized anything was wrong, I raised the sword bringing it down to bear down on the goblins bare back thrusting downwards trying not to puncture through to the other side and slicing the girl at the same time. I pulled back leaving my sword in the goblin as I fell over onto the floor of the barn.

Day 83-84

The next thing I can remember is waking up in a bed with bandages over my wounds, and I was in a bed completely nude, I looked around the room I was in and I could not see any of my things around. Well in a way my plan had worked I got to stay in a bed for the night, the bad side was I did not plan on getting sore doing it. I wrapped the blanket around my body as I went to find my clothes, I found the girl that I had save, I should have just moves on, she was sitting by the fire. I limped my way over to where she was, she could not have been any more than twenty years of age. I would not say she was any older than I am. After some time discussing what had gone on and finding out that I had slept for an entire day and a half, she gave me all of my things and asked that I take her to the town I was heading to. I said I would take her as far as the town, but that was it for I had other things to take care of. With that she cooked the evening meal and we ate then headed off to bed, we would have a long travel the next day.

Day 85

With everything set and ready the two of us ate a small morning meal and headed out away from the tomb that she had once called home. The rain had let up and the travel conditions were a bit better to deal with and there were a few more people traveling on the road. The two of us walked in silence the entire day for we had nothing really to talk about. Some time after midday the town came into sight. It was not really a town of sorts but a small cove of homes and shops nothing like what we have here. The goblins that were protecting this settlement were no joke all during the day we were forced to take on different routes to get out the path of them. There was no way that I could have taken anyone on right now. It was painful enough to walk. I was not going to even think about fighting anything at the time. During the morning walk I thought to myself what I had gotten myself into, thinking that I would have been better to just sit in my home or at the inn. Was all of what I had gone through worth the money that I was going to get? But then I figured I was already out here in the middle of nowhere and it would be a waste of time just to turn back now. With all of that thought about I entered into the small settlement, parting ways with the girl I made my way into the local inn. I figured that would be the best place to get any information about the parchment knife that I had come all this way to get.

It seemed like I had sat there drinking and listening to conversations forever till a band of the goblins came into the inn. Most of the towns folk hushed when this happened, so I figured I might be able to get something out of this. I moved a little closer to the goblins as they sat, I did not want to draw any attention to myself so I had kept my cloak up and close about my body, the only thing that could be seen is the large sword on my back. I could barley make anything out from what the goblins were saying a few words of the common tongue mixed with their own language. I finally had to pull one of the bar wenches over to find out if anyone might be able to help me figure out what they were saying, I had some money and I was willing to pay. Finally after some -convincing- I was able to get the bar wench to help me. She was able to tell me what they were talking about, I had found out the information that I needed and where I had to go to find what I had come to get. At least that was the easy part of what I had to do. The parchment knife was in some large encampment that the goblins had. This was just great. I could not sneak around for anything. The best thing I could figure out was to walk right into their encampment and give myself up and figure out how to get out later when I got what I needed. I spent the rest of the night thinking about what I was going to do and would take care of all of it in the morning.

Day 86

I woke earlier than normal that day, for I had figured out what I was going to do. I went down to the front desk and paid for the entire week for a room. I left all but my dagger in the room. I was not going to afford to lose all of my things if what I was going to do would not work out. I made my way to then encampment and heard goblins yelling all the way till I was confronted by a large goblin, he was almost as tall as I was and from what I could tell looked like he was just as built as I was. I said the first thing that came to my mind, and well that got me punched right in the face, I pulled out my dagger and struck out at the goblin. He was well armored and the small blade had little effect on him, after a few blows to the head I went down once again. I was taken to some pens that were kept close to the majority of the tents. So far my plan had worked out the way I wanted, though I could have gone without being locked up in a pen. I tried to pick the lock with a piece of metal that he had tucked into his belt before heading to the encampment. The daylight dwindled as I continued working at the lock, thinking it was almost pointless to do so. Some time during the night I was brought some food, it was not the greatest of stuff but it was eatable. I figured that the goblins would try to sell me to make a bit of profit for what I had done. I choked down the meal and then went back to work at the lock. I did not pick the lock but broke it instead, but I figured whatever worked is good enough for me.

I carefully made my way out of the pen to slink my way around the encampment looking into the tents trying not to be spotted. But being human my eyes were not that good in the dark, so I had a few narrow escapes from being beaten and thrown back into the pen. This was becoming like finding a needle in a haystack, the knife was said to be here somewhere but I thought it would take me more than just this one night to find it. But as luck would have it and since I am not one of the brightest person in the world, I never thought about looking into the biggest tent in the encampment. There were a few guards posted about the tent. So with a bit of luck I was able to sneak up behind one of them and snap the goblins neck. I drug the body out of sight that I did know. I grabbed the guards weapon knowing that th armor would not fit me just from looking at it. I kneeled down lifting the edge of the tent up peering inside. The inside was just as guarded as the outside. I pulled back from the tent looking around for a bit as my eyes caught a wagon a bit away and thought that it might work again. I had to try at least to see what would happen. So once again I began muttering those arcane words and brought up my forefinger as a bolt of fire erupted from my hand darting across the land smacking the wagon strait on. The wagon burst into flames as it would be it contained the wine and what not for the camp. I nestled back into the darkness of the far side of the tent, waiting and watching to see if it worked.

I was actually thrown back onto the ground from an explosion that had erupted from the wagon, it seemed that the entire camp was scurrying about to tend to what I had started. I watched as the guards left the inside of the tent, I could not believe how well this was going. That is when the thought crossed my mind that something was going to go wrong, I pushed that aside as I was hoping I was close to what I had come for and could get back and lead my somewhat normal life. I pressed by body against the ground and crawled under the edge of the tent making my way inside. I stayed crouched close to the ground as I moved about the tent. I went over all of the things inside. The first look over I found nothing. I would not get another chance to get this. I went back over everything then noticed a small box under a pile of things. Looking around to make sure it was still safe for me to be here, I carefully pulled the box out from under the pile. The box was not locked and I quickly opened it, I think my eyes were closed when I first opened it half not thinking the knife was in the box. My heart fell to my stomach as I opened my eyes to see what I had come for. I pulled it out and tucked the knife into my pants, moving over to the flap that was used as a door peering out. I moved back to where I had entered the tent pulling up the edge of the tent looking out, it looked safe and I was in need of getting out of the area. I pulled myself out of the tent then fled into the woods that surrounded the encampment.

I could hear the yelling of the goblins as I ran off into the night, I was going to swing around to make my way back into the settlement. I spent most of the night moving around the forest as I had to keep ahead of the goblin bands, they were all over the place. It seemed that my distraction had only worked long enough for me to make my way out of the encampment and that was it. They must have put the fire out and noticed that I was missing. It was just before dawn that I was able to find my way back into the inn, and up to the room that I had gotten.

Day 86

I had slept most of the day away and it was starting to get dark once I had awoken. I pulled all of my armor on and strapped the sword across my back placing the parchment knife into one of the pouches on my belt. I made my way around the room to make sure I had everything before I stepped out. I heard the goblins down below as I approached the stairs so I went back into the room and looked out the window. I climbed out of the window and dropped down onto the street, pulling my cloak close about me. I carefully made my way out of the settlement and headed out into the darkness of the night. I walked for most of the night as I could hear the voices of the goblin patrols behind me. I stuck to the shadows the best I could and when I was forced out into the open I prepared for anything that might come my way.

I was not going to sleep till I was sure I was out of danger, which meant that I was going to be nearly home before I did that, A few times during the night I seemed to get myself turned around and headed back toward the settlement, my eyes were not the greatest at night but I was not going to get caught out in the day time. I was able to dodge the patrols that searched out for me. The green skinned foes were out in force I had to climb a tree or two to get out of the way of crossing parties. By dawn the rain had begun anew and the ground grew quickly slick and muddy, this would help to hide my tracks but it would also slow me down. I found a secluded spot to camp to rest for a bit just after dawn. I needed the sleep but I had to stay alert. I was getting closer to this little adventure being over and back into my own warm bed.

Day 87

I must have dozed off for a while because the next thing I could remember was hearing a large wagon close by on the road. I shake myself awake as I peeked out to see what was going on, the rain had not stopped and the wagon had gotten stuck in the mud. I decided that I was getting close enough to home that I should see if I could catch a lift. I made my way over to help with the wagon and found out that they were headed to the same place I was. Since I had helped them get out of the mug, they would help me out.

The day had gone uneventful as I did not speak with anyone, not knowing if I could trust them some time after nightfall we rolled into town. I parted ways with the ones that had given me a ride not once asking who they were. I could have cared less all that mattered is that I made it back in one piece, though I was still sore and bruised from the events of the past few day all I had to do now was go and return the item that I had found, collect my money and go home.

I made my way into the Bounty Hunters Guild and pulled out the item that had been on the bounty list, I handed the parchment knife over to the person on duty and then requested my money for what I had done. After I had received the money, I made my way out and headed back to my cabin.

With thanks to Zeph

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