Today was for the most part uneventful. Besides the occasional broken bridge or downed tree on the road, nothing out of the ordinary happened. This trend would continue for the next 12 or so hours until we reached the outskirts of the town of Breilan. The closer we got to the town, the more travelers we saw on the roads going in every direction, save towards the town.
A few people even looked at us like we were crazy death seekers and bade us to turn away from the town. Thanking them for their concern, we continued to head towards the town. Once there, I could see very few people left, as if the place had been deserted for many years now. According to the information provided by James, the guild house should be right at the entrance of the town left of the stable. However, all I could see was an empty warehouse.
Everyone was just as confused, yet we still had the golems guide the carriage to the stable and went into the warehouse. What greeted us was indeed the League of Adventurers' Guild Hall, but the place had seen better days. Broken furniture ridley the warped wooden floor, large cobwebs and dust bunnies took residences in every corner of the place. Lastly, water seemed to have flooded the lower levels given a pool had developed where the steps downwards are.
"I was hoping this place was still intact, but this is bad."
Cavilhaugh chortled, covering his nose with a handkerchief. I agreed with him on this. I was hoping to find other adventurers or guild staff for additional missions related to the area, but that's not going to happen now.
"I wonder what happened to the town for the people to flee without a care. Even the Guild hall is an abandoned haunted house of sorts."
Anansi said while walking over to what seemed to be a receptionist's desk. The desk was split in two, splinters carpeting the ground beneath it. If there were any important documents, they are long gone now. I on the other hand walked over towards the flooded doorway leading to a cellar perhaps. Upon evoking water magoi to draw the floodwater away, I opened the door.
Inside, I saw waterlogged storage units such as barrels, crates and even magic satchels similar to the one I used to have. Walking further inside, I located the water source. It would seem whoever destroyed this place, came from the underground stream.
This stream flows through the town as its primary water source. Still evoking water magoi, I sent the floodwaters back towards the stream. Afterwards Katya and Cavilhaugh used Earth magoi to seal the breech. Finished from our "labor, there seemed to be nothing else for us here.
"Let's head to the mayor's house. The mission information states the town's mayor will provide us with details."
Katya said as she walked back towards the entrance. Agreeing with her remark, we all left the Guild Hall and headed to the mayor's home at the center of town. Once there, I knocked on the door only to not receive any response. Confused, I knocked again, this time someone from another house cried out,
"There's no use knockin' since the mayor was taken like all the rest." Startled, I replied,
"Taken? Where?"
"To the dungeon. Bandits have taken residence at the dungeon entrance and use our townsfolk as fodder for traps. I escaped 2 nights ago from that hell when they were piss drunk, but I ain't staying here any longer. You lot should clear out." The voice said from the top right window of the house next door, to which I replied,
"We are from the League of Adventurers tasked with clearing out the trouble here! Pray tell, which way towards the dungeon and the bandit camp?"
"Adventurers? More like walking corpses! The dungeon is about a short walk south, in a barren field. Ya can't miss it with the smell of death in the air. Ya wanna go die be my guest, just don't expect any help comin for ya." The voice said followed by a slam as the window closed.
"Looks like we know what to do. Let's get to the carriage and head over. Expect enemies along the way."
I said taking my sword out, but not igniting the blade. Everyone also got ready as we raced to the carriage and headed south. As we traveled, Katya activated all of her golems so we would not be caught off guard.
Gwenn flew in the air giving her a general idea of the landscape, Geoff walked with the carriage while the hound golem Raptor, seemed to vanish as it circled around our carriage, killing anything that showed even the smallest amount of hostility. In less than 10 minutes, Katya notified us of Gwenn's findings,
"There appears to be a large encampment about 50 meters ahead. Prisoners are held in the center of camp with about 20 or so people locked up in cages. The bandits are number to be around 60."
"From what I can tell there are 4 Blademasters, 2 Journeymen and the rest are Apprentices and Knights. The Blademasters are separated for now but will be alarmed if we attack directly, whereas the Journeymen are in front of the sigil portal to the dungeon. There may be more in the dungeon as we speak."
Katya finished reporting her findings. Afterwards we planned for our attack. First our we discussed our current stage and max power.
Currently our party is made up of Anansi who is a peak level Blademaster, Cavilhaugh a Peak level Journeyman a step away from the Expert stage. Ivy was an Anthousai who has the physical might of an Initial Blademaster and the magical power of a mid-Journeyman. (Still, it seems like she is holding her power back for some reason.)
Katya who even though has not yet broken into the Journeyman stage, can fend for herself. With her and her golems combined, she can kill Peak journeyman and Blademaster stage enemies given enough time. Lastly when going all out, I can kill Peak Blademasters, and mortally wound Grand Blademasters.
I still have yet to awaken my aura. Nonetheless, my magical might has reached the same level as that of an Expert stage. Just as long as I forgo any concern for any collateral damage. (Thanks to the constant fighting the other day. Helped me fine tune my spells for maximum damage.)
It was decided, Anansi, Ivy and I will stealthily kill the 3 closest Blademasters. Meanwhile, Gwenn the eagle golem will harass the fourth leading them to Katya's other golems. After killing her target, Katya would then use Gwenn to signal Cavilhaugh.
Upon hearing the signal, Cavilhaugh would cast an earth elemental spell to delay the Journeymen mages for as long as possible, while Ivy and I slay the rest of the bandits. Anansi and Katya will free the captives and use the golems to get them to safety. Given they may have reinforcements coming later in the day, we will commence our attack immediately taking advantage of stealth and the element of surprise.
-End of Chapter