Bandits beset the stout Barntar ploughmen

Strong magic makes mock of their Oath Guardians

Heroes of the Hiordlings heed the call to battle

to the Rainbow Mounds they would fly on wings of blue

seeking the Flower of Life, Pleasure of the World.

 

Rough limestone caverns, grim and dark await

The silver-whiskered night-hunter hears distant mutterings

Torches are lit, Lagertha's eyes shine yellow

A Rock Lizard hisses and claws, then flees into shadow

The second chamber, damp and musty is gained.

Fungus amongus, three kinds grow in plenty

 

One kind makes your nose twitch, 

and one kind tastes so swell,

and the ones that Trickster gives you

will do anything, at all

go ask Eurmal, when he's ten feet tall.

 

To a cavern, with a canyon, filled with water all below,

A ricketly log bridge crosses roaring mist

Snow Runner swiftly scampers across, ties rope to a spike

 Mouse-bane smells danger and dares not the challenge.

 

Next stout Robbie tests his chances

brave Son of the Maimed God misses his Movement

feet fail, arms flail, into the flume he falls

Heroes haul him back, heavy the load

again he tries, and yet again and again,

always he falls and gasps for lifebreath

Andrenik warns of danger approaching in the waters below

 

Daughter of Wind Warper calls upon Her Powers

And rescues the stout Storm Bull, sodden and soaking

he coughs thanks for his safe arrival

she flies the others across the abyss

Whatever Chaos lay below retreats in disappointment

to dine on some other flesh some other day

 

A narrow winding passage they follow, soon hearing voices

in the foul language of the misguided followers of Shelpelkirk

gambling over cards, neglecting their duties,

never thinking any enemy could brave the chasm,

their sloth and failure will soon be complete.

 

Volleys of javelins bounce off stout shield

Baugi, Bronwyn and Lagertha race to attack

Andrinor flies, Andrenik looses arrows

Loom Woman cast many magics in support

 

Laughing Daughter swiftly fells two,

till a dying foe's fell Goddess spell blasted her wits

Baugi's foe fought fiercely, but still fell to ruin

Robbie and Sorala dispatched one who had pierced the lines,

While in the lead none could withstand the Birther of Death

 

Till in strode Belisarius, Champion of the Seven,

His panoply glittering in the torch-light,

his wickedly curved khopesh ready to wound

many magics protecting, his pride paramount

for several rounds he tested Grim Death

great clashes of Red and Black, with neither prevailing

till Baugi arrived, broadsword in hand

quickly it found a home deep in the red one's chest,

it seemed that sudden triumph was achieved.

 

Freyar, Rug Maker, binds wounds on down Belisarius, 

while others stand alert for any new danger

Sorala scries deep magic, hidden in folds of the Lunar Champion

and pulls forth a Moonrock!  Happily today it glows dark.

While Bronwyn inspects three bags hung on spikes

 

Then cowardly ambush arrives from beneath

a Talosi tears the earth beneath Bronwyn

she falls into pit, stunned for a time,

Striding into the room, a woman in green

Once Orlanth's Beloved, now fallen into chaos

her fair forehead a foul corruption carries

Woe!  Oy! Chaos!  Sorala's spell was turned.

 

As most eyes turned towards the oncoming danger,

One Lunar soldier wisely timed his escape and fled

But not fast enough, Andrenik's arrow aimed true

He fell in a heap with his thigh pierced through

 

Baugi dodges the Earth Spirit, and strikes a mighty blow,

it moves on towards Robbi, who readies for battle,

he fell into the earth, yet kept fiercely fighting,

Slowly emerging, sword stained with Grim Earth Blood.

 

Baugi dueled the Priestess, while Andrinor poked her

She defended gallantly, but was no match for Chaos-Hater,

Soon her sinews were severed, she slumped to the floor.

The battle was won, our heroes covered in gore,

Belisarius begged mercy of Baugi, honor was served for both.

Upon the vile traitoress they found Flower of Life

And a magic green stone for binding the Earth Spirits.

 

Heroes headed homeward, victory achieved,

to Greenstone they rode, presenting the treasures,

a feast of victory, followed by hard drinking

Bronwyn outlasted them all at horns of mead and ale.

 

The clan chiefs provided rich rewards

none could doubt their generosity,

God Crystals and fine swords and axes

Here Robbie first heard of Elira Benetdottir, his future betrothed

 

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, 

that a Storm Bull in possession of an Ally Spirit, 

must be in want of a Earth Priestess"

 

To Clearwine they rode, stopping briefly at home

Baugi spending a long night with Beauteous Brightflower,

The others disputed the fate of the MoonStone

Some were for Kallyr, but most preferred Leika

Sorala presented with fair words and wise words

Wise Leika, the Ballista, much pleased with their prowess

praised the heroes for bearing banner against the bane of the Moon-men, 

driving darkness from Ernalda's home, and crushing the serpent.

 

To each hero fair Leika granted a boon

To Andrenik, a trusted trade concession,

To Sorala, potions three, with power of the Seeker and Sage

To Freyar, God's Blood for Distraction,

To Runty, winter-hunter, the God's Blood for Slow,

On Robbie a mighty war bison did bestow

Baugi generously asked that his boon go to his twin

Shield-Sister was thus granted two,

Freedom for Bronwyn to join tribe and clan,

Plus some Blue Metal ready to shield a stout warrior

And bonus three - where one might find fabled GoldenEye.

 

No rest for the weary, the Moon men were marching

Soon all departed to Runegate to prepare for great battle.

 

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