Leaving the crates behind, we moved cautiously but quickly. We passed through the cave with the two pools, the rumble of the falling water covering our footsteps. Scuttle led the way as we returned to the bridge where we had earlier slaughtered the two goblins. I stepped over their bodies without looking down, but Vitarri took a few moments to relieve the dead of their now unneeded possessions before pressing on.
While we waited for Vitarri, Vaneiros turned to Scuttle. “If you would be so kind, please scout ahead.” Drawing his daggers, Scuttle traversed the bridge and then moved out of sight around the bend ahead. While we waited, I examined the bridge. The ground lay twenty feet below and both Scuttle and the goblin were light. The rest of us were considerably heavier. Cautiously, I took two steps onto the bridge, prepared to step back if it felt like it would buckle under my weight. To my surprise, while it showed obvious signs of aging, it held my weight with ease, which suggested to me that the goblins were most likely not responsible for its creation. I wondered whether this cave had been empty when the goblins had arrived or if they had killed or chased off the previous occupants. Filing the thought away for later consideration, I crossed the bridge and waited on the far side. The others made their way over to where I stood. Vitarri, now finished, was the last to cross. In order to make room, I had to move further into the tunnel. I now stood at the bend where I had last seen Scuttle.
We waited, impatiently. After a few more seconds, Scuttle reappeared. I noted that he hadn’t sheathed his daggers and I inferred that this meant trouble ahead. Vaneiros said nothing, only looked at Scuttle expectantly.
“The tunnel branches off to the east a little ways up, but it is choked with rubble and looks unsafe. I don’t suggest we leave that way. It just leads back down to the stream below. We are better off returning the way we came once we have accomplished our objective. However, there is another chamber ahead. It appears that the goblins are using this space as a common area. There is a cooking fire and beds spread about the chamber. A barracks, I’m guessing. I counted four goblins gathered round the fire, though there may be more that I couldn’t see. There are steps carved out of stone that lead up to a ledge; though what resides on the ledge, I cannot tell you. If you listen quietly, you can hear them conversing.”
Vitarri guffawed. “Four goblins? After facing a bugbear, that doesn’t seem like much of a threat. I say we go in strong. Use the element of surprise. Finish them off before they realize we’re there.”
Scuttle nodded, then said, “Or…I can go in first, try to eliminate as many as possible before they realize that I move among them.”
Xarus spoke up, “I agree with Scuttle. Subtly is the way to go here.”
“As do I”, Vaneiros said. “Please led the way, Scuttle. Everyone else, move quietly. When we reach the entrance, Scuttle strikes first. Vitarri and Xarus, you help protect Scuttle if he needs it. I’ll follow behind. Anders and Redium, please bring up the rear.” We moved into our assigned positions and began moving down the corridor as quietly as we could. As we advanced, I could hear the guttural sounds of goblins voices drifting down the tunnel, though they were too far away to make out what was being said.
As we passed the east tunnel, I glanced in and immediately saw that Scuttle was correct. The path down was treacherous and most likely would collapse at our passing. Abruptly, we came to a halt. I turned my attention back in the direction we were heading. I failed to see why we had stopped as the others blocked my view of the tunnel ahead but after a moment, I realized that we were nearing the entrance to the chamber. Redium spoke up from behind me. “How much further to go?” I shrugged, uncertain.
From ahead, Scuttles voice hissed back at us. “Almost there. Keep your voice down.”
As I considered his words, I noticed that the goblins had also fallen silent. Unsure of what this meant, I paused, waiting. Were we too loud? Did Redium’s voice reach their ears? “They’ve fallen silent. I think they may be aware that something isn’t right”, I whispered to the others.
“Maybe, maybe not. Maybe they just think the other goblins are returning”, Xarus whispered back.
Vitarri grimaced. “Either way, I think we’ve lost the element of surprise.”
Without a word, Scuttle broke into a run and sprinted up the corridor, not looking back to see if anyone followed. Caught off guard, we hesitated, but only for a moment. “Go!” Vaneiros said, not bothering to lower his voice. I felt my pulse race as caution gave way to exhilaration. I heard more than one person muttered a curse aimed at Scuttle as they ran.
I had lost track of Scuttle, as he had gained a fair lead on the rest of us. Concern for the Kenku spurred me on. As I burst into the barracks, I quickly took in our surroundings, looking for an opportunity to aid the others. I was just in time to see Scuttle slit the throat of one goblin and then spin and stab his dagger into another’s chest. As both collapsed, Vaneiros fired an arrow off at a third. It caught the creature in the eye and burst out the back of its head, pinning it to the wall. The fourth goblin, absorbing the ease with which we had disposed of its companions, turned and ran for the stairs that led to the upper ledge. As it ran, it shouted out a name in Goblin. “Yeemik!”
It was halfway up the stairs when Redium’s Ray of Frost slammed into its back. The force of the blow threw it off balance and it tumbled forward and off the side of the stairs, landing in a heap. The snapping of bones was clear and distinct and the goblin form lay still. Suddenly, from up on the ledge, a fifth goblin appeared. This one was larger than the others were and I guessed that this was Yeemik. “There’s another one up above!” I shout, as I raise my crossbow. Taking aim, I fired, but my aim was not true and the bolt ricocheted off the ceiling. Vitarri and Xarus both began moving towards the stairs, as Vaneiros notched another arrow and took aim. The arrow missed Yeemik’s head by inches and the large goblin recoiled. With a flick of the wrist, Scuttle threw two daggers. One went wide but the other slammed into its shoulder. With a grimace of pain, it began moving away from the ledge but before it managed to get out of sight, Redium cast Fire Bolt. A blazing ball of fire streaked from his outstretched hand, smashed into the goblins chest and exploded. I watched as the goblin fell back, its long bony fingers beating ineffectively at the flames that now covered its upper body. It screamed out in agony. Still distracted, it failed to see that Xarus was upon it. Raising his great sword, he brought it down all his might and the blow cleaved the creature’s right arm from its body. Vitarri moved with a grace that defied his size and darting around Xarus, he brought his great sword up and around in an arc, slicing cleanly though the suddenly deceased goblin head. It stood for a moment longer, the body not yet aware that its head had gone missing and then the body collapsed. Vitarri bent down and when he stood, he held the goblin’s head in his hands.
“Is that it? Are there any others hiding up there?” As I spoke, I began climbing the stairs. Redium fell into step behind me. Scuttle was searching the room for valuables, tossing the bedrolls apart.
Xarus spoke up. “No, no more goblins. Nevertheless, we are not alone up here. You should all come up.”
I hastened my steps to see who or what we had discovered and as I cleared the edge of the ledge, I saw what Xarus meant. We weren’t alone.