“The edge of the swamp! I can see the mountains!”
The drudge instantly vanished. The merchants on the wagons pushed their horses faster, the ones on foot quickened their pace, and Cedric was reanimated, weaving around and shouting encouragement.
“Make haste! We can get out of this accursed swamp in a few days if we keep up our stride!”
Walking up to Assert with a smug smile, Cenvin breaks out in snorts.
“What’s funny?” She asks coldly.
“Look at this! My idea worked, didn’t it? We wouldn’t have passed the swamp this early if we had gone for your idea!”
She lowers her head thoughtfully and then raises it again to look at him.
“So do you want a compliment? An apology?”
Lacking words, he squeezes out another chuckle and turns to leave when she calls him again.
“I cannot lie. I was in the wrong at that time.”
“You… just apologized? YOU? ASSERT FLOATY OR WHATEVER YOUR LAST NAME WAS? L-LENNY!!!! DID YOU HEAR THAT?”
Lenny returns with an annoyed side-eye.
“Yes, I did, Cenvin. Very funny.”
He laughs erroneously and dryly. Assert’s hands shaking and struggling to control herself, she walks away briskly. Cenvin is left alone, still silently chuckling to himself. I don’t think he gets the joke.
“I get the joke, Diem. I just can’t… get over the fact that Assert’s okay with being called Assert Floaty. BAH!”
He doubles over, chuckling gleefully to himself and stomping exuberantly on the ground.
“Assert Floaty!”
I’ll, uh, leave you to your… self-enjoyment, then. Have fun! They’re having a meeting discussing the next course of action, by the way.
“Oh, ok! I’ll be right there!*sniggering sounds*”
“Everyone, let’s make this meeting quick and efficient this time,” Durand states. “Here, we decide how are we going to approach the Seashine Mountains. Cedric is the most informed of the landscape. Cedric, please.”
“My friends, if you thought the swamp was bad, then you haven’t seen the mountains yet. Although it will only take a couple of weeks to traverse, the mountains cannot sustain any sort of life. This means no food. We can only rely on our rations.
“We will take the beaten path through a small basin through two of the smaller mountains,” he taps on the map spread on the table, “and pray that we don’t lose too many people.”
Fueled by newfound confidence, Cenvin rises to give his proposal.
“I think we should travel West for a bit until we reach the coast, and then build boats and sail to Seashine City.”
Dumbfounded silence. Assert breaks it.
“No. It’s impossible.”
“Well, my previous proposal worked, so I think we have a good chance here!”
Cedric interrupts with a hint of discomfort, “Cenvin, you’re not informed. In these parts, there are mazes of coastal rocks. No ship can ever sail past, and please don’t consider it. We also do not have a shipwright, a carpenter, or a boat specialist with us.”
“But if we go through the mountains, someone will die!”
“That comes with the job, my friend.”
“Moreover, the nearby coasts are infested with sahuagin,” Assert adds. “Accursed creatures of the sea. Their bloodlust is unmatched, even against most of the Otherworld.”
“Fine… I concede.”
And with that, the meeting is concluded.
The caravan gradually lost motivation for the rest of the day. Weary and tired, the night is soon filled with silent snores and peaceful slumbers. The only waking soul is Lenny, as it is now time for another meeting between him and Nyri.
A tiny glowing snake slithers into Lenny’s small tent and reshapes into Nyri. She gently slaps his face and steps back.
“Howdy, Lumi,” Lenny says with a yawn. He peeks at his party members before him and tears off his blanket. “I suppose the course of action we must currently take is to exit the tent.”
And they do that. Once out in the refreshing moonlight, Nyri prances around on air as she telepathically gives Lenny a rundown of important information Sinner had decided Lenny should know.
Before I divulge anything, Sinner is going against his principles for you. Do you think he’s a friend? He is simply a spectator and the journalist of your journey for Diem. I think it’s a project he’s working on called a “web novel” or something like that. Diem’s making him interfere. You should be grateful.
“I am very grateful for these merciful opportunities bestowed upon me. I thank you and Sinner. And I thank you too, Diem.”
You’re welcome! Oh, I wasn’t supposed to say anything— go on, Nyri!
I have two pieces of critical advice to give you. First, we have deemed that it is necessary to caution you of an incoming squad consisting of ten Orions from Starmetal Valley. They seem to also be heading to Seashine City, and they’re right behind you. They will catch up in about two days. It seems that they are unaware of your presence for now, but I suggest you strategize diligently. Assert may be strong, but not strong enough to singlehandedly defeat an entire squad.
The next piece of information will be crucial to the success of your mission. Cenvin is going to make another attempt on Assert’s life– yes, he’s not giving up— and you will have to prevent it. He’s been practicing stealth lately. Didn’t you notice that he would often disappear and reappear out of nowhere?
“So that must be why we could never seem to find him when we needed him to do chores-”
Precisely. Now, Lenny, do what you will with this knowledge. We trust you to make the right decisions. Farewell.
Without another word spoken, she dissipates into mist like a genie. Lenny sits on the log next to the dead fire to think thoughtfully about what she said. Eventually, shortly after the rise of twilight, he returns to the tent, a plan formulated in his mind.
“Hey, Cenvin, wake up,” he whispers gloomily in his ear while shaking him vigorously.
“Jesus, Lenny, what??”
“Starmetal is coming.”
“Oh, crap. Have you told anyone else? How’d you know? Do you have a plan?”
“One thing at a time, my good rogue. Um, you’re the only one I’ve told so far. I couldn’t sleep, so I went away from the caravan to take a walk and saw distant smoke. I went to investigate and discovered Orions sleeping beside a burnt-out fire. I’m hoping you can formulate a strategy against them.”
“And why me?” His sleepy voice evolves into sarcasm. “Why don’t you go for Assert, or Durand, or Cedric, or anyone else, since I’m a freaking disappointment?”
“Cenvin! You’re not!”
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
“You’re the only one who says that. Ugh, I’ll come up with something. Let’s go outside to brainstorm.”
“Alright, Cenvin, the layout is set up,” Durand breathes sluggishly.
Soon after Cenvin was woken, they decided to rouse Durand to rope him into the operation. Unanimously agreeing not to notify Assert(some resistance was put up from Durand), the party promptly devised a plan. If I may personally say so, it’s a worthy plan that can very much succeed without a hitch! Unless someone screws their part up.
First, they must identify the criteria and constraints.
The OBJECTIVE:
- Stop the Orions from gaining knowledge of the caravan.
- Ideally, no survivors must escape.
- Defeat the Orions, some way or other, unless there is an easier option.
The CONSTRAINTS:
- Assert cannot be made aware of this operation(thanks, Cenvin).
- The Orions will reach the caravan if the party is not efficient, meaning they have a time limit.
- Assert cannot interfere with the operation(Cenvin, get off my keyboard)
- The party alone cannot defeat ten Orions in a head-on fight, especially if the Orions wield powerful abilities.
- Assert cannot be part of this operation(we get it, Cenvin! Stop hijacking my text!).
The plan is one of the most convoluted strategies I have ever heard. For your convenience, I will paraphrase the conversation into two easy-to-understand paragraphs.
Using Durand’s feature of Natural Explorer and his relatively high stats in Charisma and Dexterity, he will first approach the Orions as a lone Ranger of the swamps. He will strike up a conversation with the Orions, and once he’s gained their trust, he will misdirect the Orions away from the caravan and preferably split them up.
Once split up, Lenny can tail one group and use a plethora of AOE such as Entangle, Spike Growth, and Erupting Earth to attempt to take out the Orions. Cenvin will go into the fray and clean up the weakened Orions with Lenny.
After the group is taken out, the party will regroup and take on the other half, which should be light work for the party.
This is a radically simplified version of Lenny’s plan. They strategized for hours upon mind-numbingly boring hours, focusing on every detail even to the very words Durand would use to trick the Orions. There are flaws, of course, such as assuming that Durand can even manage to deceive the Orions, but now that they’re ready moments before sunrise, let’s spring this questionable plan into action!
The knights are gleaming with blue amongst the dreary and humid swamp. They don’t seem to care about discretion, as their regal glint and their armor’s clanking make them obvious targets.
Durand treks towards the Orions and gestures peacefully.
“Howdy, gents! What are you magnificent knights doing in this accursed swamp?”
The Orions stop their clanky shuffling and pause. Their captain, clearly marked by red pauldrons, steps forward and responds, “Our purpose, I’m afraid, does not concern you. However, are you a Ranger, perchance?”
“Why, I am! I am glad you can see that. Let me join your journey for a while, and maybe I can assist you in escaping this damned place.”
“Escaping? Explain.”
“Have you not seen the foul creatures? For years I’ve battled them, and I’ve witnessed many unwitting travelers such as you be gruesomely torn apart.”
Durand is hoping to instill fear into the Orions, but they don’t seem fazed. The captain extracts a map from his pack.
“We are quite close to the swamp’s borders, and we have not seen any threats of a lethal degree. Foul creatures, you say? You are sure? What could they be? Slimes? Giant serpents? Or some invisible, otherworldly phenomenon you cannot explain?”
“They’re only visible to a select few. Sneaky mosquitoes, they are. They’ve a colony of eggs up front, but they can be buzzing around anywhere. I highly suggest you take an undemanding detour.”
“There shouldn’t be anything in our current path.”
“Well, I don’t know what to tell you, then, my good knight. You need to take my word for it or be another batch of prey to feed to these horrors.”
The captain’s body language is unreadable.
“You say only few can see it?”
“Precisely.”
“You are a Gifted. What is your ability?”
“Matter Manipulation.”
The captain considers for a moment and then turns to rally the Orions.
“We follow the Ranger.”
Half of the first phase of the plan has succeeded. Durand has gained the Orion’s trust! A thin smile rises on the edge of his lips.
“Come with me, then, knights.”
Nearby, amongst some vegetation, Lenny and Cenvin watch the plan unfold.
“It’s working, let’s follow,” Cenvin whispers.
After ten minutes or so, Durand pauses and feigns to be in deep thinking.
“What’s the matter?” The captain behind him inquires neutrally. Durand shakes his head as if to shake off a thought.
In remembrance, he bops his head.
“I left a package I wished to deliver to Seashine City westward. I planned to give it to the next travelers to carry it to the place. Are you honorable knights heading to Seashine, perchance? “
“Yes, we are.”
“Pardon me, then, as I go retrieve the package.”
“How long will we wait?”
“Uh, if you wish, you can send some of your men with me, if any threat arises. That will certainly make my trip faster.”
The captain peruses this idea in his head. Durand nervously takes a gander at a formation of large bushes in the distance. Finally, the captain waves his hand and four men follow him to Durand’s side.
“Let us make haste, then. We cannot afford to waste time.”
“Y-yes! Let’s go!”
The other five Orions are left, and they soon make themselves comfortable as they wait for the group to return.
“Now’s our chance!” Cenvin mutters to Lenny, “Go! Get them!”
Lenny nods in affirmation and with a flick of a sprig of mistletoe, he casts Erupting Earth onto the unsuspecting Orions, sending them stumbling about in the mud. Cenvin darts at the closest Orion, nails a nasty gash into his shoulder with the Shimmerim, and quickly distances as Lenny follows up with Entangle to restrain the Orions.
One Orion breaks free from the ensnaring vines and dashes in Durand’s direction, “I’ll alert the captain! Hold them off!” He shouts without a glance back.
However, the rest are restrained by Lenny’s spell, unable to reach Cenvin.
“Buff me! I’ll catch up with the punk,” Cenvin cries to Lenny as he sprints after the Orion.
The honey badger casts Longstrider and reorients his concentration back to Entangle.
One Orion tears himself free of the greedy vines and aims a crossbow at Lenny, who doesn’t dodge the bolt in time, resulting in the bolt hitting his ear. With a cry of pain, Lenny relinquishes his concentration on his spell and the three other Orions are freed. Shouting battle cries, they simultaneously charge Cenvin and form a human wall to give their comrade time to escape and alert the captain, who is about ten minutes away.
Cenvin quickly assesses the situation. If he brute-forces himself through the blockage, he would risk opportunity attacks from four Orions, who hit hard with their Starmetal weapons. On the other hand, if he doesn’t give chase, the Orion will get away and the operation will fail! What to choose?
Time momentarily suspends as he feels Assert’s chilling, judgemental gaze down his neck. A word echoes in his ear: “Disappointment.”
Bracing for the pain, he leaps over the Orions and three longswords pierce his back.
“Ranger, how far?”
The captain lightly taps Durand on the shoulder. He instinctively flinches, but thankfully the captain doesn’t seem to notice.
“A few more minutes and we’ll be there.”
“Very well. Look, Ranger, I believe you have potential. Why not join us, Starmetal Valley, and escape this accursed place? We have power. We can give you anything you wish. We can protect you. Observe.”
The captain raises his gloved finger and points at a nearby tree. It’s instantly slashed in halves, leaving a clean cut. Pointing here and there, the captain adeptly chops the falling tree into hundreds of pieces. Durand watches in awe.
“What ability is that, my good captain?”
“Half-Slash. I can cut precisely anything in halves. Even you.”
A shiver runs down Durand’s spine.
“I’m grateful we stand on good terms.”
“Well? Will you consider my invitation?”
“I’ll, uh, think about it.”
The healing magic of Cure Wounds courses through Cenvin’s veins. His injuries are rapidly closing. He hastily stumbles onto his feet to see the five Orions dead, all impaled through the heart by flaming ice spikes.
“I believe my invitation was lost during delivery,” Assert says coldly. “Cenvin, your stealth is not up to par. A merchant saw you guys leave.”
Lenny can’t do anything but look up timidly at Assert’s overwhelming presence.
“Damn!” Cenvin grits his teeth.
“Nothing you can do but let me in on your little undertaking. What’s next in the plan, Lenny?”
After Lenny confesses everything to Assert, she nods in deep thought.
“Red pauldrons? Only a few Orions wear that… and the only one that regularly patrols this region is… Pix! Oh no!”
As Assert is absorbed in her thinking, Cenvin scrambles over to loot the Orions’ bodies. His eyes light up when he finds a pouch of gold in one of their pockets. Gingerly extracting one and examining it carefully, his smile turns into a frown.
“This isn’t… shiny. It’s a fake.”
Assert picks one up, checks it out, and gives a little chuckle.
“It’s real gold. Cenvin! I believe you have made progress in changing your Worldview! That is… good news!”
“Character development?”
“It would seem like that! Congrats!”
Cenvin eyes her suspiciously, unconvinced, and changes the subject.
“What did you say about the captain? Pix?”
“Pix wields one of the most powerful abilities in Starmetal Valley. Thankfully, you haven’t made him an enemy yet. Listen, when we catch up to Durand, I’ll handle Pix myself. He’s far too dangerous for any of you to fight.”
“Is Durand in grave danger, then?”
“If he spills his guise, then he will be a dead man.”
“Let us make haste!” Lenny cries. “Every second, Durand’s situation grows more perilous!”
Assert conjures a glowing dagger from her Bag of Holding.
“Can’t wait to try this baby out. Quite a rare magic item, and it should do wonders against Pix.”