Pt II Ch 9 Sunlight

Crimthann allowed himself a sigh of relief as sunlight hit his face.  He'd been underground his fair share in his life, but he'd never really be comfortable, just something about the warmth of sunlight on his face, especially after this last venture.

Kazimir hadn't slowed running since they left the caverns, Aedan was clearly exhausted but keeping pace, still helping Gabreilla, though it helped that a run for Crimthann and Kazimir was more a light jog for the two humans.

As they exited the caves, Kazimir suddenly stopped, signalling for the others to do the same, moving from a run to a cautious walk. "Easier for ambush from trees than caverns, more hide in shadows" he whispered, eyeing the trees as they walked

Crimmthann knew the gnome was right, yet the return to a cautious stealthy gnome from the crazed death tornado in the cavern was surprising to him.  Most of his previous travel companions were predictable, even if it was predictably crazy.  He wasn't sure what to do with a companion who switched between stealth and insanity like a switch, but he made a note to pay attention to the gnomes eyes, they seemed to signal when something insane was coming.

He was torn from his thoughts as Kazimir stopped in front of a hill in the woods.  To the untrained eye, it seemed a normal tree covered hill, but looking closer he guessed why his new friend had stopped.  Kazimir motioned to Aedan and Gabreilla to enter a previously unseen entrance to a small hidden cave.

"In, in, rest" he motioned.  Inside the cave along the sides were raised sections covered in moss serving as beds.

"Kazimir keep many hidden spots in forest for hiding, is safe, rest!"

As Aedan and Gabreilla collapsed onto the beds in relief, asleep nearly before they were down, Kazimir stepped outside, motioning for Crimthann

"Best they stay, they sleep, I watch, go, get help, time now, not get them to city alone, need help, dark mad, dark hunt, be safe here for now, I watch, you go"

Crimthann nodded. "Ok my friend, be safe, I'll make haste and go get the cavalry!"

"Horses not good in forest"

Crimthann didn't wait to see if his gnome friend was joking or not, he nodded, and headed off towards help.

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Detric awoke with a start to someone shaking him awake.  Alsandiar, Caolite, and himself had been rotating so that one of them was watching at the gate ever since Aedan and Crimthann had left.  Alsandiar and Caolite had wanted to charge after them, but Detric knew Crimthann could handle himself, and wouldn't enter into more than he could handle, a good stealthy rougue would do far better than a battalion of troops crashing through the woods.

He looked up to see one of the city guardians, urgency in his eyes.

"Alsandiar sends for you, come quickly!"

Detric jumped up, his friend wouldn't wake him without cause, he ran out the door to the gate.  Alsandiar and a squad of city troops were already mounted at the gate as Detric approached, Caolite close behind.  Two mounts were saddled and ready for them, and Detric saw that Jaci must have been sent for as well, as two panthers came sprinting towards the gate.

"Crimthann approaches,  sprinting as if his very life depends on it!"

"Is he pursued? Is he alone?!" Detric yelled as he got on his horse

"He comes alone"

The group departed, Detric, Alsadiar and Caolite at the lead, the squad in formation behind them, prepared for whatever may appear on the horizion behind the apparently panicked halfling, with Jaci and Jasmine on either of Detric's flanks.

The group rode out to meet Crimthann, as they got close, the group slowed, Jaci transformed and Crimthann nearly collapsed into her arms.

"Aedan, Gabriella, gnome, cave...woods...hiding...dark"

"Catch your breath my dear friend!"

Detric dismounted and handed his old friend a flask of water, which Crimthann unceremoniously chugged

"I found Aedan and Gabriella, a gnome helped me rescue them, they are hiding in the woods, the gnome is keeping watch, we cannot get them here safely alone, I came back for help!"

"Artegal?" Jaci asked

Crimthann caught Detric's gaze and shook his head.

"Artegal....Artegal is....I could not get him...we choose to get Aedan and the princess...Artegal...is....he has gone....I...we must get Aedan and Gabriella"

Crimthann's face looked pained, Detric nodded
"One thing at a time, let us make haste, my friend, are you ok?"

Crimthann nodded as he climbed onto Detric's horse

"We ride to the tree line, the horses will be little use in the forest"

with that, the group was off, back the way the halfling had come