Mandala Group: Oasis Recap, The Rescue of Gorthag (Again)

The group stood a few yards away from The One-Eyed Ranger. It was a very large, dark log structure. Along the front, it was almost entirely lined with windows, some of which had been throw open to let in the summer breeze. A few women sat in the window sills, languidly fanning themselves with ornate fans, their bright silk dresses dancing around their legs and allowing glimpses of the smooth flesh beneath. There were many tables full of patrons and a long bar. The party watched as Ceffyl sidled up to the bar and flashed the bartender a cheesy grin. The plan was that Ceffyl would be inside the bar, just in case the exchange went sour. Blacklock's men did not know that he was part of the party, so he seemed the most obvious choice.

Parke emerged from the entrance to stand guard with another. It was time to make their move. The party walked toward the entrance and stopped about twenty feet from the door.

"We've come for our friend," said Arantxe.
"You keep strange bedfellows, miss," said Parke with a grin. "Well, come on in."
"No," she said. "we do this outside."

Parke scowled. He motioned to the other guard to stay there and went inside. Just then they could hear Ceffyl laughing loudly through the open window and pointing at the group. He had an arm around a pretty auburn-haired woman. "Look dear! And they say I'm a walking freak show. Elves and orcs and fancy ladies! I'd like to see that show..." and he finished by whispering something in her ear. She shrieked with laughter.

The guard leaned out away from his post at the door so he could see who was talking. "Heh. Just you wait, Ceffyl. The show is about to get freakier." Ceffyl raised his eyebrows and smiled. He drew the woman closer and whispered in her ear again. She took his flagon and moved off to the bar. Ceffyl crossed his arms and and watched the scene with an expectant expression.

The leprechaun emerged from the front door along with a couple other men holding a bound and gagged Gorthag. They threw him to the ground. One of the men was a massive brutish looking person.

"Gorthag. We're here to save you," said Arantxe.

The leprechaun took a long pull on a jug and wooped loudly. He regarded Arantxe for a moment and then said, "Hello there, pretty lass. I see you got rid of some unwelcome company. Well, I wouldn't worry about those maggots. Where they're headed, they'll find nothing but agony and death."

Arantxe shrugged, "It's what I would expect."

He flashed fake smile, more ferocious than friendly. "Well, I was just checking in on ya. I asked the apes here to pick up a bogger. I guess I should have asked for one who's head isn't a marley." He condescendingly patted Gorthag on the head. "No matter, I found out what I sought. The Dragon will never see the light of day. The serpent brothers will get you nits soon. BWAHAHAHA! And you poppies are walking right into their lair," he belched. "Those strange serpent brothers!"

He took another long pull on the jug, shuddered, and howled. He then looked for a moment at Arantxe and said, almost sadly, "Tis such a pity to lose such a fine bird." Then he vanished. Millicent thought to herself, Skin and hang it, I wanted to talk to him!

"What in Saros Balls?" said Parke. "He promised us loot. No matter, we found out that YOU have something interesting," he said, pointing at Nim'ohtar. "Hand it over to ole Parke, now."

"How much money were you promised, Parke?" asked Artanis, stepping up next to Arantxe.

"He said that you were sitting on a lot of gold and that trinket you got is worth a fair coin to the right people," said the man.

"I know nothing of trinkets," said Nim'ohtar. "I'll give you 100 gold right now."

Blacklock's men laughed. "If you want your idiot back, you'll hand over the trinket right now." Parke said. He and the big brute moved towards the group. Five other men came from around the building with long swords bared.

Millicent peered at the large man focusing all her mind to his. All she felt was greed. She turned her thoughts to Gorthag and had an immediate craving for buttermilk. Well, that's at least reassuring, she thought. Millicent watched as Arantxe moved towards her, shuffling protectively to the back of the group and out of harm's way. As she passed, Millicent touched her arm to stop her for a moment and whispered, "We need to negotiate with them."

"What's up with the freak redhead and her girlfriend?" asked Parke. The men laughed.

"Bring the half-Orc forward and we will bring the trinket forward," Nim'ohtar ordered.

The big man and another roughly dragged Gorthag forward. Parke smirked, "Let's not have any rash moves, now. We just want all your gold and the trinket."

Arantxe, feeling sick and tired of this whole thing, threw down a purse. One of the men slid over to retrieve it. Nim held out an ornate plate, "This is what you want." The large man stepped up and grabbed the plate and then handed it to Parke. The decoy plate was a great idea, but they were taking a chance. Their hopes rested on the fact that none of these players actually knew what the mandalas looked like.

Parke stared at the plate, then smiled to himself. "This is good but, but not enough. All of your gold. To me. Now."

Nim and Girt both begrudgingly threw down their purses. The men hastily counted the coins. "225 gold?" said Parke. "Not enough, surely you have more."

"Do we look rich?" asked Millicent. She was idly wondering if she should try to disarm these men with her new spell.

Artanis was motionless except for her lips which subtly moved in silent prayer. She closed her eyes...

Parke tossed his head in frustration, "Shit! That freak told us these people were rich," he said to the big man. He waved he hand carelessly in there direction, spun on his heel and started walking away, calling, "Take your idiot and get out of here." He men exchanged bewildered looks, then dispersed shaking and scratching their heads.

Arantxe moved over to Gorthag, drew her rapier and cut the ropes on his wrists. He drew the gag down from his mouth and looked up at her with simple adoration. Then he stood and looked at the rest of the group and smiled broadly, "I like friends. I like happy." He began to sob. "I not get stolen, again. Will stay with friends, forever. Gorthag promise."