Chapter One Hundred and Eighty One – 181"The scouts reported that the civilians were trapped in the mines proper, along with the people our scouts were sent to collect," Cal said. The press of people had faded, but still a few of her crew surrounded us to ward any mundane eavesdroppers off. Though anyone with advanced stealth Skills and a high Perception could easily hear what they discussed, and Cal knew that. If this were truly sensitive information, they would have erected some actual wards.
"And the Inquisition are outside the mines? Just waiting for them to come out?" Felix asked.
"No. After they drove off and nearly killed me people, the bastards were collecting the raw ore and materials that the miners had put together. I'm told they arrived with avum-drawn wagons."
"They are hunting resources," Vess said with a nod. "I am sure the Order forces are drawn as thin as we are; they likely need the source of metal to repair their armaments and equip new fighters."
"I agree," Cal said. "They'll try to occupy the mine and keep the supply comin'. It's what we were gonna do, anyway."
"I've noticed we're running a bit threadbare," Felix said with a glance around him. Cal grunted.
"That's an understatement. We had resources aplenty for our small crew...but nothin' was in the books for nearly a thousand refugees. We've got some crafters to outfit folk, but we need that ore to produce anythin'."
Felix asked a few more questions, but the gist of it was simple. Get rid of the Inquisition and save the miners. When Evie asked if the miners would be captured already, Cal smirked.
"I doubt that. Rory's out there. It's why we knew about the miners in the first place."
Ah, that makes sense. Rory was a Guild trainer, and he'd helped all of them by sticking his neck out when the Guild had ostracized the group. More importantly--to him at least--Rory had helped Felix combine and evolve his first set of Skills, resulting in Unfettered Volition. "So he's keeping them safe for now. What sorta levels are we talking about?"
"Seven Acolytes, all in their twenties, led by two Initiates pushing into their forties. Not a huge problem, but the scouts are positive more will arrive soon, if not already."
"We'll move fast then," Felix said. He turned to Evie and Vess. "You both coming with me?"
"Blind gods, yes. I'm so burnin' bored," Evie said. Felix noticed Cal give her a worried look, but the treasure hunter flattened it to neutrality. "I'll be fine, Callie. I'm all healed up, mostly."
"I shall keep an eye on her, ma'am," Vess promised. "She will be safe with us."
"Fine. But you watch yourself, girly. If you come back hurt, that'll be it for combat for a while. You understand?" Cal said. Evie nodded absently, already checking her gear. Luckily she'd gotten that new suit of leather armor during the day and it fit about as well as her last set. Cal looked to Felix again. "I need you to do two things: one, save the miners and root out the redcloaks. And two, secure as many resources as you can."
"Got it." Felix nodded. They had to get a move on; he wanted to rescue Rory before anything terrible happened.
"We can get a crew together fast, but I've got no mounts. It'd be a trek by foot. I can spare a few..." Cal began, but Felix stopped her.
"We can travel faster on our own, and you can't spare the skilled hands you have," Felix insisted. "I don't want to give those bastards a second longer than we have to. I owe Rory that much, at least."
"You'll be walking into a tough fight," Cal said.
"Nothing new. But I don't plan on fighting, not if we can help it," Felix said. "The four of us can handle it. Is it close?"
"Northern Blue Mines, shaft number fifteen. Evie should know the way. It's not terribly far, especially if you're mounted. You'll ride the chimera?" Cal asked.
"They'll ride Pit. I'll...manage," Felix said.
"Very well. But at least take one other with you. I can't spare my core team, but I know someone who can help."
Cal led the four of them across the courtyard to a strange hut. It was strange because it appeared as if a mossy cabin in the woods had been transplanted wholesale onto the uneven cobbles of the Dust Quarter. The hut was barely six feet tall, covered in greenery, and dappled by sunlight that Felix noticed wasn't actually coming from the sun. Above them the sky had slowly grown more overcast again, the bright light of earlier only a slight reprieve.
Cal stopped a few feet in front of the incongruous shack and shouted. "Thangle! Out here, if you please."
A series of crashes and bangs sounded from within the hut, along with a thin, reedy voice. "Be just one--AH!--one tick!"
The three of them exchanged looks behind Cal's back as the noises increased to an absolute cascade of heavy items being dropped from a height. Then, without warning, the door opened and a small figure half fell out. Barely four feet tall, he had a shock of white hair atop his head and a scraggly beard the same color, while between the two was a large jutting nose, like an acute triangle affixed to his face. His lined face creased into an easy smile as he found his footing. "Hello again, Captain Boscal! How are you on this fine morning?"
"It's near evening, Thangle."
"Hm?" Owlish eyes peered up and blinked slowly. "So it is!"
Felix recognized the Gnome, though his green and purple robes were the worse for wear and his hair was lank and greasy. That infectious smile was hard to forget, whether or not you had perfect recall.
Voracious Eye.
Name: Thadeus Thangle
Race: Gnome
Level: 35
HP: 389/???
SP: 255/???
MP: 945/???
Lore: Gnomes are small, generally nimble, and are typically predisposed to the magical arts.
Strength: Intelligent and wily, a master of illusions
Weakness: Physically weak
"Hey there, Thangle. Glad to see you made it out alright," Felix said.
"Eh? Ah! My young savior!" Thangle exclaimed as he eyed Felix's larger frame. "I'm happy that such a force for justice still walks the city. Especially in these dangerous times."
The Gnome was bursting with energy and life, belying his bedraggled exterior. He'd already moved onto the others, shaking each of their hands in rapid succession.
"Thangle will provide support," Cal explained. "He's an Adept illusionist, a Skillset I'd recommend none of you underestimate."
"You a Guilder?" Evie asked with grin.
"Nope! Not ever! They wouldn't want me anyway. Too much of a free thinker, you know," Thangle laughed, a sound too bright for the camp's atmosphere. "I am, however, the sole proprietor of the Fantabulous Magetorium of Delightful Miracles! Thadeus Thangle, at your service!"
At some point, the Gnome had pressed a pasteboard card into each of their hands. Felix recognized it as the same he'd received weeks ago, but had since lost. Now, at least, he could read it.
Thadeus Thangle
Owner/Founder
Fantabulous Magetorium of Delightful Miracles!