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#1 Enkur Jul 06, 2014 20:01:17	PART 1   The trip had thus far been uneventful. There was, however, the argument that broke out when Emmy popped open the lid to the wine cask among the goods in the wagon and filled his flask. Braun didn’t care for that and had no problem letting Emmy know about it, over and over again. Emmy decided to walk several hundred feet in front of the ox driven wagon. He said he was “scouting”; but most likely he was just trying to get away from Braun’s accusatory glare. Braun and Aiden drove the cart. Meanwhile, Hadarai made room in the back to study a new book he found on the air speeds of various birds, namely the unladen kind. It had been almost half a day since they left from Neverwinter to make their way to Phandalin to deliver the goods for Gundren Rockseeker, the dwarf that employed them all. They were familiar with each other, as they had previously worked together on various jobs given to them by Gundren. This was the first time, however, that he had tasked them with a job this big! They had each worked their way up in Gundren’s organization slowly, and now they were finally being rewarded.   “What the hell now?” Braun said. Abruptly, he pulled on the reins to stop the oxen. Ahead, Emmy was bent over, once again spilling the contents of his stomach onto the middle of the road. “I am tired of him. All he does is drink and smoke; and now, he is wasting our time because it has made him sick. I am so close to leaving him right here.” Emmy turned his head slowly toward the others, as if he was able to hear Braun’s complaining. He had grown accustomed to this whining, so even if he could not hear every word, he had no trouble imaging the words that were accompanying the scowl on Braun’s disapproving face. He motioned slightly with his hand for them to stop, and casually took out his flask to wash out the taste of vomit from his mouth. He walked back to the wagon slowly.   “Scream at me” he said, as he walked up to the group. He was staring directly at Braun.   “What?!? What is wrong with you? What is it now?!?! We have a schedule to keep, and I am tired of your constant...” Emmy turned to Aiden, ignoring Braun. “There are two dead horses up there, about 200 feet from where I stopped. I can’t tell, but it looks like the ones Gundren and Sildar were riding when they left yesterday.” He turned to Braun, who was still screaming at him.   “Now tell me to leave,” he whispered.   “What?!? What are you saying?”   “Do it. Climb down from that wagon and act like there is something wrong.”   “Why? What is this the meaning of this?”   “Just do it! Did you not hear what I just said previously?” Braun stopped yelling, finally registering what was said during his tirade.   “I am tired of your crap! You are finished! Walk back to town and we will continue on without you, you drunk.” He climbed down from the wagon. “And look at this. We stopped right in the middle of this stupid hole. We are stuck. Aaaaargggh. Just leave!”   “I’ll be in the tree line in three minutes,” Emmy whispered again, screamed some insult at Braun and started walking back toward Neverwinter.   Hadarai jumped down from the back. “What’s the plan?”   “I assume he is going to head back around that curve back there, jump into the woods and see if there is an ambush or something. Be ready. We will move on his signal. For now, let’s pretend to try to get this wagon unstuck.”   Emmy had indeed planned exactly that. He had hoped he could count on Aiden to figure it out. That one seemed like he had been through some tough spots, much like the one they were in now. The horses were riddled with arrows. It looked as if they had been hit from both sides of the road. The tree line pressed close at either side, a perfect place for an ambush. He made his way quickly, but quietly through the trees. He passed the wagon and soon came parallel with the spot on the road that contained the contents of his stomach.   Up ahead, maybe 75 feet, were two Goblins, arguing and pointing at the wagon with hushed voices. They both had bows drawn, looking across the road, perhaps waiting for a signal. Emmy edged closer, sliding his short bow off his shoulder. He accidentally snagged a low hanging tree limb, causing the goblins to turn his way as it snapped back into place. He was already pressed against a tree, however, out of sight. He peeked around. One goblin was still looking his way, but failed to see him. The other seemed to edge closer to the road, looking at the stopped wagon. “Now or never I guess.” Emmy notched an arrow, leaned slightly out from behind the tree, and let fly the deadly missile. The arrow whistled through the air and planted itself directly between the eyes of the nosy goblin. He flew back, landing just a few feet behind his companion. The other goblin panicked and took off running out of his cover to attempt to make it across the road.   Aiden immediately sprinted toward the goblin when it broke the tree line, picking up his javelin that was leaned against the wagon. Braun and Hadarai paused from surprise, but quickly begin to follow. “I hate goblins!!!!” Aiden screamed. He stopped, planted his feet when we was in range, and let fly his javelin. It sailed through the air, ending up planted firmly in the goblin’s side. The creature spun to the ground, drug itself back to it’s feet, and limped toward the other side of the road. Suddenly, two arrows flew from the left side, both flying toward Aiden. Braun screamed a warning; but Aiden had seen them and was already dropping to the ground. Hadarai stopped, muttered a few words. Missles of pure magic emerged from his hand and flew toward the goblin, dropping him to the ground at the edge of the road.   Aiden jumped up, drew his weapon, and charged at the spot where the arrows left the tree line. He heard a scurrying off to his side. As he entered the trees, he saw two goblins reloading their shortbows and another one running away. He turned his head back to his companions and screamed, “There is a goblin on the run! Don’t let it get away!” He barreled through the trees with his two handed battle axe over his head. He reached the two goblins just as they were raising their bows for another shot. He brought his axe down with a crashing blow, literally splitting one of the goblins in half. Blood gushed everywhere, covering both Aiden and the other goblin, who just stared in shock as his bow and arrow slid from his hands. Hadarai, who had changed directions immediately when the arrows flew out of the trees, came up close behind Aiden. He stopped and whispered, “Sleep.” The goblin fell forward, passed out.   Aiden brought his axe back up to deliver the killing blow; but Braun, who had just arrived on the spot, stayed his hand. “Don’t. We need to question him.” Aiden stared at him, rage almost bringing his axe down anyway; but instead, he relented. “What about the other one?” Aiden turned to his right and scanned for the remaining foe. He was just breaking the treeline, trying to head across the road and away from the party. Emmy popped out of the trees, dropped to one knee, and tracked the goblin. He let fly an arrow. It flew across the road, hitting the target squarely in the chest, dropping him dead. He glanced over at the other group, withdrew his flask, saluted and took a long drink.   Braun shook his head, turning toward the sleeping goblin. “How long is he going to be asleep?”   “Not long. I’ll go get some rope and tie him up. Don’t let this one kill him. He has some hatred from them.” Hadarai headed to the wagon.   “I hate them so much. Nasty little shits.” Aiden began cleaning the blood off. “I will kill it. Be quick with your questions when it awakes.”
#2 BuddhaKai Jul 07, 2014 14:11:12	This was fantastic!  Can not wait for the next part.