X: The Empty Camp

Scheaun and KT rode out to Koma. They traveled the majestic fields and magnificent forests, and because it was a beautiful day, had a picnic just outside its wall. 
"Here," said Scheaun. "Help me unpack." He got off of his horse. KT did, also, and began to take bags off of Scheaun's steed. A faint glimmer peeked out from under the blanket on his horse. She pulled the blanket off, revealing his sword, shield, and bow.
"Scheaun," she said. "What is this?"
"What is what?" he asked. "Oh."
"This picnic isn't the only reason we're here, is it?"
"No. But I was going to ask you if you wanted to join me." She looked cross, but then she broke into a smile.
"Of course I do!" She laughed.

Later, when they were eating, KT stopped, looking off into the distance.
"So what are we investigating?" she asked. "Or are we hunting some evil dragon?"
"We are going to Koma," he replied. "Where the Chadde-worshippers live. That giant's eyes were glowing, so Scott, Gizmo, and I think that there's magic behind it."
"Oh cool! Where Badger died!"
"Yeah..."
"Oh, sorry."
"No, it's cool. Just kinda sad."

The two rode into the ancient city. Whatever trace of life bubbled up last time, had completely evaporated by now. There was absolutely no one among the grey ruins.
"Wow. It's just as creepy as I imagined," said KT. Scheaun and KT stopped atop the steps of the temple where Badger's previous life ended. Its dilapidated state apparently weathered worse storms since That Fateful Day. The two entered the temple, leaving their horses behind. A torn tapestry hung against the back wall. The rows of stone pews were smashed, as if some large rock landed among them. A gaping hole in the ceiling shed light on the pile of rubble below, and that is where Scheaun and KT ended their journey.
"Wow," said Scheaun. "What happened?"
"Whatever it was," KT answered. "I don't like it."

The two searched every crevice in that temple, inside, then out. They had not looked over the front steps yet, but when they returned,
"My Brand! I mean, My horse!" shouted Scheaun.
"What? Where did it go?" asked KT. As it was, her horse sat content, (as content as a horse can be, and as well as a horse can sit) but Scheaun's was nowhere to be found. Searching the empty town, Scheaun could find no trace of the horse, but he found his sword not far from the town's entrance. They began to leave when Scheaun noticed footprints in the muddy ground outside Koma. The two followed the fresh indentions around Koma's outskirts, into woods on the side opposite the way they came.
"There!" whispered Scheaun. "Fire! It's a campsite in the woods!"
"Huh? Oh! There! I see," she replied.
"I'll go get him. You wait here."
Beside the fire stood Scheaun's old white gallant stallion. He snuck through the camp, but looking into one tent, he noticed and unusual lack of... living creatures.
"Where is everyone?" he murmured. He rode back to KT, and the two returned to Bamah.

Meanwhile, at the empty camp, the fire continued to glow. Trees behind it rustled, and out walked a robed warrior. Removing his hood, he revealed a bald head with a tattoo precisely like that of the late sorcerer.
"Dammit Kreg!" he roared. Behind him shuffled a shorter version of himself. In fact, the three were brothers.
"Yes, Jus'tinn?" replied the short one.
"Where is the horse?"
"It escaped."
"Why?"
"I wasn't watching it."
"Lord Chadde will not be pleased. Actually, you can explain it to him now." From the other direction came another rustle. Out strode Chadde. He stopped, realizing what happened, and killed Kreg.
"Find them," growled Chadde's deep voice.

IX: The Captive

Two large ugly ogres, with pale skin and glowing green eyes, led the young man down the corridor. IT was dark and cramped; drops of polluted, dirty water fell to the damp ground and splashed. Rows of mangy cells lined the walls, and just before the ogres led the young man into one, a witch who had been waiting there to meet them removed his blindfold. 
"Heh. That was easy. Too much curiosity for one cat," she said. It was Gizmo.
Suddenly, he leaped over his own cuffs, grabbed one of the ogres' axes, and ran into the cell; the other ogre, axe drawn, followed him in. Gizmo turned, knocked away the ogre's attack, and lopped off his head. Gizmo shoved the body through the cell door. It knocked over the other two, and Gizmo grabbed their hands. He used the key to unlock his cuffs, put their hands through the bars, and locked the cuffs. He dropped the key between the semi-conscious two.
Gizmo looked down the hall. As he traveled back the way he came, he checked every cell for prisoners. Every one between him and the door was dead, but when he got to the last cell before the door, he found the old lady. However, it was not the same person the giant was chasing.
"Who ARE you?" he whispered, and he cut the lock off the door. Looking up, he found his eyes met with hers.
"No," he said. It was the Lady of the River.
"No! Don't come in here!" she replied. Her eyes were red, as if at one time, she wept tears like a mighty river, but the source had since dried up.
"I've got to get you out!"
"No! You don't understand! This cell is encased in some sort of enchanted... amber... bubble thing. She really doesn't want me to escape."
"Why do you look so different?"
"It ages me, very quickly. I shall probably die soon."
"Then I will get you out!"
"But it'll kill you!"
"Then I'll meet you on the other side," Gizmo replied. The source was renewed, as she realized there was no stopping him. He stepped through the amber. Nothing happened. Gizmo fished the talisman out of his pocket. It glowed; he smiled. Gizmo cut the Lady down and led her out of the cell. On the other side, she lamented.
"I'm sorry. I don't know... I didn't know--" Gizmo grabbed and kissed her. When he opened his eyes, nothing had happened.
"It was worth a shot," he said. Holding out the talisman to her, he said, "Your turn." She smiled and grabbed it. She glowed bright green, but as the light faded, her younger self emerged. The two embraced.
"So why did the witch make the giant chase you?" he asked.
"What do you mean? What giant?" she replied.
"She didn't make the giant chase you through Robert's Dale."
"No. What--what giant?"
"It WAS her! Aww! She wanted us to investigate so that she could get her talisman back?"
"But why would she kidnap me?"
"She disguised herself, but she needed a template. Someone to resemble, so she could hide herself. You came along, the perfect subject, but she had to change you so that WE wouldn't recognize her."
"Oh."
"But why does she want us dead so badly? We need to find the others. We're all in danger!" The two ran into the throne room, where they found the Bards.
"Gizmo!" yelled Scheaun.
"What is she doing here?" asked Badger, referring to the Lady. Before Gizmo could answer, the witch entered the throne room.
"That was... skillful. I have to admit that your escape was brilliant," she said.
"I have your talisman," replied Gizmo. "In return for its safe return, I demand you release my friends. We shall not bother you any longer."
"Ha! you think that all I want is the talisman!? Thieves, murderers! You killed my daughter, Le'heigh-"
"She was kidnapping innocent people and torturing them!" Gizmo interrupted.
"YOU WILL PAY!" yelled the witch, and she pointed at Gizmo. As she did, he drew his sword; lightning shot from her fingertips, and Gizmo used his sword as a conductor, absorbing the sword energy.
"She meant to end our lives," he yelled. "It was the only way we could survive."
"Burn!" she screamed back, and with her other hand, she used the fire from the torches along the walls as missiles. The fire flew towards the Bards, but the Lady knelt to the ground. She stood and waved her hands in an arc, as the moisture from underneath them froze and shielded the Bards.
"Give me your coat!" The Lady told Gizmo, and he did. Gizmo slipped around the ice shield and disappeared. The Lady turned her back to the witch, who easily broke the ice.
"Now I shall finish you," she raged, as she turned the Lady around.
"WHAT!?"
"Get your stinkin' paws off her!" cried Gizmo from the throne. He stood with his sword in one hand and the talisman in the other.
"I don't think I will. She'll make a nice pet-"
"Over your dead body," Gizmo said, and with that, he smashed the talisman. The witch began to glow a bright white light, and she dropped to her knees.
"No! No! NOOO!!!" she howled. The white light consumed her and faded. She was gone in a wisp of smoke. The shackles around the Bards' hands and feet vanished. Gizmo got up, and walked over to them. As he did, he tossed his sword aside. The Lady ran to meet him, hugged him tightly, and whispered, "I love you."
He smiled.
"I know." They kissed.

The Bards returned, and Schaff threw a grand party, with food, music, and a wonderful time for all. At the end of the night, Scheaun and Gizmo left together.
"So what DID you find at Koma?" asked Gizmo.
"Like I said," Scheaun replied. "Nothing. Like, no one, just a bunch of ashes and rubble. But something odd did happen."
"You should tell me about it," Gizmo smiled.
"I will." For a while, they walked in silence. However, Scheaun broke it with the question that bugged him most.
"So where was the Lady all this time?"
"I thought she was in Kali, but apparently she got back earlier than I suspected."
"You didn't know?"
"No. I--we had some issues a little while ago, but now we're past them." Gizmo bit his lip.
"Oh. Wait... ohhh. So Kali, huh?"
"Yeah."
"With the nice beaches?"
"Yeah."
"Sure could use a vacation."
"Not until you tell me about Koma."

VIII: The Woman

Early in the world of Bamah, the world was filled with magical creatures. There were those who worshipped Chadde, there were the Elves, there were the river people, there were animals who could talk, and there were witches. Eventually, the numbers of all three parties dwindled. The witches and Chadde-worshippers warred for a time, but most of the blame can be traced to the birth of man. As the species of man grew, he conquered everything and spread across the planet. All species are wont to do so, but none have suite matched man's might.
When the actual kingdom of Bamah arose, the witches resisted. The King offered to integrate them into society, but they refused. They fled deep into the woods and never again returned. Establishing their own culture, the Most High Witch, a founder of the original tribe, named herself the High Witch, total ruler of all witches. She decreed that she would pass it down to the witch of her choice: (not much else is known about witches, such as how they reproduce, but it is the ancient witch term "D'aughtre Roiale," or, successor or heir that became the English term "daughter.")
The High Witch chose the youngest witch, a mere baby to be her "D'aughtre Roiale," and raised her as her own.
The years passed, and the D'aughtre grew into a powerful witch, worthy of the throne. The High Witch's last words before passing on the crown was "grow a worthy one," referring to the raising of her successor. (Of course, it could also refer to their reproduction, which is definitively associated with the talismans, as witches "grow" with their talismans.)
The New High Witch immediately obeyed and chose a child successor. Her name was Le'heigh.

The young D'aughtre grew as her mother did, but she seemed more passionate about witch history. She adored the witches who would tell the stories of how the ancient witches were fantastic warriors, and for obvious reasons, hated man. However, the High Witch cared less about man; they had yet to interfere with the witches' society.
"Mother! We have the power! We should retake our lands!" Le'heigh said one day.
"What?" The High Witch replied.
"I'm tired of your pacifism! We need to reclaim Bamah for magical creatures!"
"Why?"
"Umm... because man is greedy and evil! They stole it from us; it's rightfully ours!"
"You do know that they offered to let us join them. They didn't exactly run us off; our pride forced us to leave."
"So? Uggh! You don't get it!" (It was obvious she was the equivalent of a teenager.) She stormed off.

Le'heigh ran away, to a new home in another set of woods. The High Witch was enraged for a time, but settled. As the time went on, Le'heigh never returned. Her mother began to fear for her demise. The High Witch gathered a group and left to search for her D'aughtre.
They covered miles quickly, traveling from the eastern edge of Bamah to the southern tip in one day. Stopping in Robert's Dale, the small band of witches stopped at an inn for the night. There, they met a giant. He had come from a different way, and had stopped at a cave on his way, and he saw the girl they described.
"Will you take us there?" asked the desperate witch.
"Of course." The giant, however, was seedy. He knew a tribe of Chadde-worshippers who violently hated witches and would pay him handily. That night, he notified them of where they would be.
The next morning went well. The giant led the witches to Le'heigh cave. There, they were by the angry warriors.
"You infidels! Your actions shall be punished!" yelled their leader.
"What? Witches and those of Chadde made peace!" replied the High Witch.
"Not with us!" they charged, and the battle was intense.
"Stop him!" He sold us out!" said the High Witch, pointing to the fleeing giant. She leaped from her horse and handily defeated many warriors. One Chadde-worshipper, a sorcerer, knocked her down, but she sent him flying. The other witches stood their ground well, and there were no worshippers of Chadde left. A few witches captured the giant, and brought him back to the High Witch.
"You! Traitor! You gave us away!" she yelled, angrily striking the treacherous prisoner.
"I serve no one but myself. I have no master," he calmly replied.
"Then I shall give you one," and with that, the High Witch cast a spell upon him, that she had complete control of his consciousness. The giant became her slave.

The witches had been gone some time, but at that same spot, on of the surviving warriors, the sorcerer, came to. Looking around, all he saw was vegetation and dead bodies. However, a green stone caught his eye. It was like no jewel he had ever seen. Placing it in his pocket, the sorcerer slipped away.
This occurred a few hours after the battle, but at almost the same time, the witches came upon a grotto. Opposite them was a large pile of rocks.
"This is it. This is her dwelling," said the High Witch.
"How do you know?" rightfully asked a witch.
"These markings," she answered, walking over to examine the left side of the rocks. "These runes are from the ancient witch language. It is an ancient spell, for defense." She scratched it out, and a shriek filled the air. The grotto felt like a nicer place. Just then, Le'heigh leapt from a high tree and took out the    High Witch. 
"Mom!" she cried, climbing off of her. "I'm so sorry."
"No matter. You're returning with us."
"No, I won't."
"What about the throne?"
"You're not dead yet," she snapped.
"How dare you!"
"You chose ME! I didn't want that life anymore. Come get me when you... need me."
"As you wish. I will always stand by for you." Hurt, the High Witch returned to her horse. She reached for her talisman for comfort, but it was gone. She turned to Le'heigh.
"Where is my talisman?" she roared.
"That's what I was wondering. It was always about your neck," came the reply. "Did you drop it?"
"It's gone. Wait! It was that evil magician from the woods! I spared him, but he stole my precious talisman!" She leapt onto her steed and flow off. The other witches followed her, but Le'heigh returned to her cave home.
"That'll never happen to me. I keep mine locked up," she said.

That same sorcerer made his way to a nearby kingdom. The king's hunting party found him attempting to enter.
"You there! How dare you trespass into my domain!" the monarch roared.
"My liege, I request solace. There are those who wish me dead. In return, I offer you this precious gem," replied the tactful sorcerer.
"Very well then, indeed. Tis a marvelous stone to behold. As your new ruler, I demand you enter for protection's sake. Squire, see that he finds a job to stand upon." The two left.
"My, this is a wondrous stone. My daughter will love it."

VII: The Witch

"What does the witch want with the woman?" asked Scott.
"And why does she want US dead?" said Badger. "I mean, she's not after just anyone. She wants the Bards. US."
"The sorcerer who kidnapped the princess. He was a worshipper of Chadde," said Gizmo.
"Wait... what?" asked Dumon.
"Yeah, he did. I knew I had seen those marks before," said Paddy.
"It doesn't answer any of those questions, though," remarked Scott.
"Paddy, let me see that stone," said Gizmo. Paddy gave it to him. "Scheaun, look!"
"It's a talisman! Like the one we used to kill Le'heigh!" Scheaun gasped. "Maybe it's the witch's?"
"Right!"
"Maybe she just wants it back," said Schaff. "She thinks we stole it from her."
"But what does this have to do with the woman?" demanded Badger.
"We'll just trade the stone for the woman," said Holden. "Easy enough, right?" The group assented, and began to follow the was the witch left. To himself, Gizmo said, "But it's never easy enough."

The trail led them through the woods. Scheaun, at the front of the group, found himself at the edge of the forest. To either side a road ran, and it was between them and a large field. Across that field lay another forest.
"It's... the highway," remarked Holden.
"Yeah, I know," replied Scheaun.
"So which way did she go?"
"Not left... nor right... there! C'mon!"
A shadow on the horizon dove into the trees across from them. The group rode like they never had before; the horses' legs were like strong tides of the ocean, waves churning to and fro. They flew across the plain, into the trees. Among the woods, the Bards continued to glide. No tree got in their way; no branch hindered them. They dashed into a clearing, and found themselves at the mouth of a cave.
"She's in there," said Scheaun.
"And... are we waiting for a signal?" laughed Holden. Scheaun shrugged. Badger, bringing up the rear on Scott's horse, flew through screaming.
"YAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" (It's a scream. What did you expect?)
The Bards all followed her lead. The cave led them down, into the darkness. They stopped when a single torch glowed at the end of the hall. Gizmo dismounted and approached the wall on which it hung. He pulled the torch; it did not come down, but out. The wall swung open so that they could pass.
"That was easy," joked Scheaun.
"Yeah, never saw that coming," said Holden.
"How did you do that?" asked Schaff.
"We've seen it before," said Gizmo with a smile.
The group entered through the make-shift door, into a throne room. In one corner sat an empty cage, whose door swung wide open. It creaked with the sudden draft, but never closed. The Bards looked inside, but there was only a blanket and pillow there.
"I guess this is where she kept the old lady," said Badger. "But where are they now?"
"What does the old lady have to do with this anyway?" asked Dumon.
"Maybe they're the SAME PERSON, you guys," said Scott.
"Why would she have the giant chase her around?"
"I dunno--he got loose?"
"But he couldn't, until he was in the ring of fire," said Badger.
"I--maybe, I don't know," replied Scott.
"Did anyone actually KNOW the woman?" asked Paddy.
"No one. Like at all." replied Schaff.
"Guys, where's Gizmo?" noticed Scheaun. He was gone. Paddy looked at the cage. On its door was a new note that read:

IT'S A TRAP.

And on the back:

NO. SERIOUSLY. GET OUT.

"I suggest obeying whatever advice he gave you," bellowed a deep female voice. The witch appeared among them. "Now."
Schaff swung at the witch, but she stopped his blade with her bare hand; with her other hand she sent him flying across the room. Badger and Dumon pulled out their bows and launched several arrows at her. The arrows all stopped a foot from the witch. She looked at Dumon and Badger as the now-harmless arrows fell to the ground. At the same time, Scott and Scheaun drew their swords and ran at her. Holden followed suit but the witch defended every blow and knocked them all over. She looked around at the startled Bards and snapped her fingers dramatically. Glowing green chains appeared around their wrists and ankles, and the witch smiled. She held up her forefingers, then brought them together. The Bards flew into a row, suspended in the air. The witch pointed down, and the Bards dropped to their knees.
"Where is it?" she roared.
"Where is what?" returned Scott.
"Don't patronize me. I sent my giant to kill you, while I have my sorcerer searching for it. Turns out you somehow double-cross me and end up alive and in possession of my talisman! Where is it?"
"I don't have it," said Paddy.
"That doesn't answer the question."
"Gizmo has it."
"Oh. Then I DO have it. Never mind," she said as she began to walk away.
"Wait," said Badger. "Who was the woman?"
"I was," said the witch, and she closed the door behind her.

VI: (Whispers In) The Dark

"Gizmo!" Scheaun whispered.
"What?"
"You got those matches I gave you?"
"Yeah. Hang on!" He fumbled around, searching for them.
"Why are we still whispering?" interrupted KT.
"The title has to make sense to the reader! If we weren't whispering, it wouldn't be called "Whispers in the Dark," would it?" replied Gizmo.
"What are you talking about?" Gizmo lit the match.
"Well, there we go," he said, looking around. He pointed. "This way!" Gizmo lit another torch for Scheaun and began to walk in that direction.
"Gizmo chronicles all his adventures. I guess he's already come up with a title for this one," Scheaun told KT.
"Wait a minute... You mean... Oh! He writes for the Bards! That's him! The Bards are popular in these parts. I never quite made the connection."
"Yeah. Well, I mean, how many people are named Gizmo?" laughed Scheaun.
"How many Scheauns spell their name that way?" KT smiled.

Gizmo took in his surroundings with curiosity and awe. He paid attention to every detail, as the cave work was art, not just random digging. Each side told a story, and each story flowed into the other. The walls were meticulously carved; its intricate details would make any sculptor cry. In fact, had Gizmo not noticed the boringness of the floor, he would have fallen over a steep ravine. He stopped; looking over the edge, he saw a massive dungeon on the floor of the cave. Cages hung from the ceiling, and those that were not empty not locked. Scheaun and KT soon joined him. They found a ladder and climbed down to the cave floor. In the middle of the circle of hanging cages beyond the circle, some tables, littered with papers, pots, and other paraphernalia, guarded a large metal box. It had a lock but was wide open, and sat on a pedestal as high as the cages.
"Creepy digs," said Scheaun.
"Very goth. Nosferatu would be proud," Gizmo agreed. KT found a ladder, and Scheaun carried it over to her.
"Put it up against this cage. Hold it still," she said. Gizmo and Scheaun steadied her climb to the locked cage. Inside, two giant eyes stared back into her own. A dirty, starved man crawled over to her.
"Hey, Scheaun, hold her. I found the key," Gizmo said. He ran to a couch beyond the empty metal box, and returned with a ring of keys. Handing them to KT, Gizmo joined Scheaun in holding the ladder.
"Thank you," whispered the man. The three forced every living soul in the set of cages there. The motley crew began their return to the surface, but as Gizmo, the last to reach the top of the ridge, ascended, their journey was halted. A dark, robed figure stood at the Scheaun's sword.
"How dare you," the figure growled.
"I could ask you the same thing," Scheaun replied.
"KT, take these people to the surface," Gizmo said. "Her fight is with us, not these innocents." KT hurried them along.
"Why are you torturing these people? What did they do to you?" Scheaun inquired.
"What HAVEN'T they done? They stole what was most precious to me, and I must find it!"
"That gives you no right to take lives!" roared Gizmo.
"It is fitting; they took mine!" she answered, sending Scheaun soaring with her last syllable. Gizmo jabbed, but the witch formed a transparent blue shield and blocked his sword. The energy with which she formed flowed from her veins, forming a sword in her other hand. She swung to block Gizmo's second parry. Turning his blade over, she spun, roundhouse kicking him away. Scheaun ran in, and the witch ran at him. He blocked each of her strikes, but then she used her shield to knock his sword away. As she went to deal the final blow, Gizmo lopped the witch's head off. The energy-weapons faded into mist, and the witch's lifeless body fell over.
"Well then," laughed Gizmo.
"Thanks," Scheaun replied.

The two made their way to the mouth of the cave, where KT and the prisoners waited. Smiling, she ran to hug Scheaun. She kissed him, and the two enjoyed their moment.
"Hang on," said Gizmo. "The stone. IT's glowing through your blouse!" And it was. KT took the necklace out from under her shirt.
"Let me see," said Gizmo. KT handed him the stone, and as he held it, a rumbling came from the cave. Everyone looked, and a bright blue light beamed upward toward them. In the light, they saw the witch's head and body floating; the two pieces began to grow back together. Quickly, Gizmo drew his sword, and smashed the stone to bits. The light went out, and the witch was dead once more.
"Ding dong," smiled Gizmo.
"Wait, wait. Wait. What?" said Scheaun.
"That stone was a talisman. As long as it is in one piece, the witch can survive. At least, that's how it looks. That stone was what she was looking for. It was the source of her power."
"Well, I got that. But the 'ding dong' thing?"
"Oh, I don't know. First thing that hit me." One of the freed prisoners spoke up.
"Thank you for saving us," he said. "We are all grateful to the three of you."
"Of course," said Gizmo.
"How can we repay you?"
"There's no need. It's what we do," replied Scheaun.
"Just go home. Enjoy your lives, and if any one asks, tell them it was the Bards," said KT.

Following the death of Le'heigh, many other witches, hiding in the Chroi forests, gathered. They pleaded with the High Witch, angry with the loss of their sister.
"The Bards deserve to die!" yelled one.
"The murderous fiends! Kill them all!" yelled another.
"Silence, my children," the High Witch interrupted. "I have deliberated enough. The heartless killers shall die. But you go about your business. Leave this to me." The convention rejoiced.

V: The Giant

The giant carried Badger and Dumon through the forest. The two Bards struggled to free themselves from his grasp but to no avail. Suddenly, Schaff swept through the tree is front of the giant. He stopped just in front of it. The giant tripped on a vine he could not have seen, and fell face-first onto the ground. Badger and Dumon fell out of his hands; Badger grabbed her bow and loaded an arrow, meeting Schaff, whose sword was drawn, at the giant's head.
"Who are you?" yelled Badger.
"Answer me!" She lodged an arrow in his left hand. The giant stood, growling, and roared. His eyes were a sickly green, and his veins bulged. Badger put an arrow in his right hand; he still grabbed her, but not before Schaff cut his right pinky off.
"Let go of her!" Schaff cried, as he stabbed the giant's foot. It turned and picked him up, neglecting the sword sticking out of his foot.

Dumon had climbed a tree. She used it for cover as she pelted the giant with arrows. She fired quickly, but soon ran out. When her barrage stopped, the giant put his arm down from his face (he had been using it to shield himself.) He dropped Schaff, who fell unconscious. Running at Dumon, the giant grabbed her too, and fled.
An hour later, the other Bards arrived. Schaff's light armor took the brunt of the fall, so he survived with only a few bruises.
"What happened?" asked Scott.
"I managed to stop the giant, but he still took Dumon and Badger," came the reply.
"So back to square one again?" asked Paddy.
"Not really," said a voice from the forest. It was Scheaun. He brought forth an aid kit and attended to Schaff.
"I heard the screams," he said. " Got here just after you all did. See the giant gap there? Where all the trees bend as if something crushed them? He went that way."
"What? Oh--the branches. Wow. That wasn't that noticeable before," laughed Paddy.
"Where did you go?" asked Holden.
"I went to check out the camp at Koma."
"What did you find?"
"Nothing."

By now, Badger and Dumon gave up their struggle.
"So you're not going to tell us where we're going? At all?" Badger asked.
"No. Not at all," said Dumon. She laughed.
"So what if I have to pee?" laughed Badger. "No?"
"No," said Dumon. "No peeing. Just wait." The giant stopped.
"Finally!" said Badger.
"Can I pee now?" laughed Dumon.
He let them down, but a fire formed around them.
"What do you want from us?" asked Badger.
"What do you want from me?" sang Dumon. Badger looked at her.
"Sorry."
The giant fell to his knees. Seemingly having a spasm, he rolled over on his side, screaming. His eyes were no longer green; his veins were of normal size (for a giant.) Badger and Dumon walekd around to his face's side. The giant sat up, frightened.
"Aah! Who are you? What happened to my hands?" he asked.
"What do you mean? You just kidnapped us and almost killed two of my friends! Who are YOU?" stormed Badger.
"Oh no... I'm in a prison. You can't be here! Whatever I've done, I apologize for! I wasn't myself."
"What do you mean?" asked Dumon.
"I'm under a spell. A witch holds me hostage and I do her every bidding."
"You've been terrorizing an old woman. Do you know who she is?" asked Badger.
"No, what woman?"
"Do you know anything about what you do?"
"All I've heard is something about some 'Bards' or something. I'm helping her kill them, I think."
"WE are the Bards!" started Dumon. "Well, two of them."
"You need to leave now! Listen to me! Get out! It's a trap!"
"How?" asked Badger, arms crossed.
"That tree," he said, pointing to the only tree in the ring of fire. "Climb it, and jump to the tree next to it. Then run, and DO NOT COME BACK."
"No, we will come back. We'll save you."
"You can't."
"We've beaten gods, battled dragons, and broken civilizations. A witch is nothing."
"Fine. But go now, and do not come back without an army." Badger and Dumon climbed the tree, and descended the second when the ring of fire went out.
"Really!?" asked Badger. Then she and Dumon hid. A witch entered the ring.
"Where are they???" she screamed.
"Where are who?" replied the giant. She grabbed a sword, lifted it, and let go. It floated for a time. The witch left. Her last words to the giant were, "I'll find them myself."
The floating sword held still for a final moment, then flew through the giant's chest. Badger and Dumon  ran to the giant's side. His last words were, "The stone."
The other Bards arrived.
"Things just got weird," remarked Holden.

IV: The Sorcerer

Scott, Gizmo, and Badger met Schaff, Dumon, Holden, and Paddy at Badger's. They began to discuss the giant.
"I think it's pretty safe to say we need to stop this thing," said Scott.
"Yeah," murmured basically everyone in the room.
"But how do we even like, begin to find him?" remarked Dumon.
"What I don't get is why he went after the one lady. I mean, why do we care?" asked Holden.
"He came after us as soon as we began protecting her. She's hiding something, and we can't just let a powerful threat run free," replied Gizmo.
"Why do you say that? How do you know she's hiding something?" asked Schaff.
"As soon as we met her, Gizmo and I saw her expression change. She's not the helpless old lady she appears to be," replied Scott.
"So, basically, to answer your question, Dumon, I have no idea. She has no family, and I don't know many giants. The only place to start is that forest."

The next day, the Bards made for Robert's Dale. They found the spot where the giant escaped, and they entered the woods there.
"Wait. Didn't Scheaun come with us?" asked Holden. "Where is he?"
"He's working another angle of this. He'll catch up," said Gizmo.
Just then, the trees behind them rustled. A large animal rushed at them. Everyone drew their weapons. Out ran a short, robed man. Frightened, he stopped.
"Help me!" he cried.
"Get on!" said Holden. He, Paddy, and Gizmo rode away. The others remained, as the giant leapt from the bushes. Dumon and Badger assaulted him with arrows, but it only angered him. He grabbed them as Schaff sliced his side. The giant ran off with the two Bards.
"You go get those three! I'll follow the giant!" yelled Schaff. With that, they parted.

Gizmo, Holden and Paddy stopped in the middle of the woods.
"Get down," said Holden. Before the man could say anything, Gizmo jumped on him.
"Where is she?" he growled. "I mean, the old woman? How do you know the giant?"
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" The man blubbered. Off to the side, Holden whispered to Paddy, "Does he look familiar to you?"
"Yeah, he does," Paddy replied. "Wait!"
"It's the guy who kidnapped the princess!" they both said. It was. The old sorcerer gathered his breath.
"There's this witch. She, she is working with the giant. They're after somebody called... uh... 'Bard.'"
"We're the Bards," replied Gizmo.
"Is that so?" said the sorcerer. "In that case..." Lightning flowed from his fingertips, sending Gizmo flying.
"She wants you dead," he said, raising Holden and Paddy off of their horses. He began to choke them.
"Should I kill you, she'll be pleased."
"So you're in on this too?" Gizmo, but the sorcerer could not tell from where. He looked to the trees around him.
"You're one smart cookie, aren't you?"
"I know that tattoo, on the back of your head. You're a worshipper of Chadde."
"And?"
"Put them down."
"Why should I?"
"We killed your Chadde."
"Chadde cannot be killed, you fool!"
"I saw it happen," Gizmo whispered, from over the sorcerer's shoulder. THe sorcerer looked, and Gizmo's blade was at his neck.
"Now. Put them down." He did.
"Start talking," Gizmo said. "Who is the woman?"
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning struck the sorcerer. He began laughing, but he was already dead. Gizmo let go, and the sorcerer fell over. As he hit the ground, the laughing stopped.
"He kidnapped the princess," said Paddy.
"Yeah, thanks by the way," said Holden.
"Him?" replied Gizmo.
"Yeah. I don't know what for, though," replied Holden.
"Did he do anything unordinary?" asked Gizmo.
"Not really. He tried to steal this stone, but that was all he took from her," replied Paddy.
"It was the only she had on her that was valuable," said Holden.
"I know. I just found it odd." Just then, Scott rode up.
"The giant took Badger and Dumon," he said. "What happened to him?"
"Hmm. Interesting. Let's go," said Gizmo. "I'll tell you on the way."

III: The Cave

Not long after the defeat of Kawan, Gizmo and Scheaun were sitting around, remembering past adventures, whose setting was no more than their imagination.
"Those were good times," said Scheaun thoughtfully.
"What if we had just one more?" replied Gizmo.
"Make it two."
"Two and a half."
"Deal." The two laughed.
"But really, check this out," said Gizmo. "I got a letter from a cousin of mine, who lives in the Chroi forests. She said she had heard about the Bards, and asked if we--the Bards, that is--could help with a local problem."
"Wait... Chroi? Isn't that where that witch is? Le'heigh, I think?" asked Scheaun.
"Yeah. Apparently, she's a bit of a bother. Bit of a bother... Bit of a... bother... That's fun to say."
"Bit of a bother."
"Say it quickly. Bitofabother."
"Bit-of-a-bother..."
"No! No hyphens! Just Bitofabother."
(This was the only thing the two said for the next five minutes, in different pitches and accents. It ended with the two rolling about on the floor, laughing.)
"Ok. So, to Chroi?" asked Scheaun.
"To Chroi!"

The two left Bamah (The Lady was away visiting her family) and reached Chroi in a short time. Gizmo knew several shortcuts, remembered a few more, and made some of his own. Needless to say, Scheaun made it in one piece. The jury is still out on Gizmo.
The two reached Chroi in a short time. As they approached, Gizmo's cousin ran to meet them. She was a lovely sight, and it had been a long time since the two had seen each other. Nonetheless, Gizmo's relatives were gracious hosts.
That evening at supper, Gizmo's cousin Karina Tirvina (She went by KT, "her parents did that on purpose," Gizmo told Scheaun) finished the story she presented in her note.
"Le'heigh, the infamous witch, has been viciously torturing our livestock and our people! She kidnaps innocent people and questions them. My own brother, your cousin, was taken himself! He was just hunting for our dinner, and out of nowhere she just... I'm sorry."
"Does she keep them?" asked Gizmo.
"Rarely does she set them free. It was Lex (said cousin/brother) who told us about it. She kept asking him, "Where is it?" but no one knows what it is, much less where. It's all he talks about, now."
"Where is she now? I mean, do we know?" asked Scheaun.
"No. All we know is that she is further up and further in, near the mountain."
"Hmm," thought Gizmo. "The game is afoot."
"Have you been waiting to say that?" asked Scheaun.
"Well...                  yeah." He looked out the window into the night, but found himself entranced by the pitter-patter of the rain. It would be the last thing he said that night. However, Scheaun and KT stayed up longer, talking about Gizmo and the Bards' adventures.
"That stone around your neck. It's massive. Like, I could kill a man with it," Scheaun mentioned.
"Oh, that," she laughed. "Lex gave it to me the day before he was kidnapped. He said he bought for cheap off a foreign vendor, or something. Twas the last thing he gave me before..." teary-eyed, she looked out the window into the night.
"Yeah... Twas. nice word."

The following morning, Gizmo, Scheaun, and KT rode into the forest. For a long time, their search yielded no results.
"What exactly are you looking for, Gizmo? I mean, I haven't exactly seen any dead bodies or trails of destruction," asked KT.
"That, fires, signs of life, a Waffle Hut... Mr. Tracker, what about you?" he replied.
"I see trails everywhere, but nothing human. Wait... there!" Scheaun leaped off his horse and fell to his hands and knees.
"A boot...!" he exclaimed.
"A bootPRINT?" asked Gizmo.
"No! An actual BOOT!" Scheaun answered, turning to them with his prize in hand. The thing was small and green, but it was absolutely soaked in mud, which had caked on a bit after the night's rain.
"It was stuck in the ground; I had to break it out of the mud," said Scheaun.
"What direction did the toe point?" asked Gizmo.
"That way!" Scheaun pointed to his left. As he did, understanding swept across his face. "That way!"
"Let's go!" yelled Gizmo, and he led them in that direction. The three flew though the trees, as a path became more and more evident. It led the into a grotto, and they stood on a hill overlooking it. Beneath them was a pile of rocks, but as they descended to the foot of the hill, they found it to be an opening to a cave.

"Interesting," said Gizmo, who got there first.
"Fascinating," said KT, who got there next.
Scheaun flew past them at a full gallop.
"WHOOO!" he cried. The two laughed and followed after him. The cave-tunnel led them to what seemed to be the end. One large rock in the middle seemed to stand out, and Scheaun approached it. It had a vertical crack in it, but the crack was polished so as not to cut someone should they insert their hand. Scheaun did just that, and he easily swung the rock open. Gizmo and KT arrived.
"Well then," laughed Gizmo. "Look who's being proactive."
"Ladies first," replied Scheaun, as Gizmo followed KT through the door. A narrow, dark hallway led them into what seemed to be a large foyer. It was a dimly-lit room with a nice carpet rug, and on the far side was a table with three chairs and a flower. To the left and right were wooden doors with golden plates that read "Men" and "Women." Scheaun went into the "Men" door and found it to be a normal bathroom, as KT did the same to the "Women" door. Gizmo took a seat at the table.
"May as well rest a bit," he said, as he looked over the flower, intently. A smile seemed to crack across his face. Scheaun and KT joined him at the table, not noticing Gizmo's giddiness. Scheaun looked up at KT, and the two met eyes. She smiled nervously and blushed; Scheaun looked over at Gizmo and noticed his wide grin.
"What?" Scheaun asked.
"Pick up the flower, vase and all," came the reply. Scheaun looked at KT, shrugged, and grabbed the vase. It did not budge. Scheaun stood, in shock, and tried to lift the vase. The table creaked, but it did not move. Gizmo, smiling, said, "Watch this."
He pulled the flower out of the vase. The wall groaned, and it spun. The entire wall rotated, pushing the table and chairs to the other side. Gizmo, Scheaun, and KT were on the other side of the wall, and it was dark.

II: The Royal Visitor

Holden and Paddy did not make it to the battle at Robert's Dale, because the two were on an adventure of their own. The two had traveled to Fort Ni Aps for a job. It just so happened that a member of foreign royalty had come to Bamah to visit Schaff, and she chose to stay in Fort Ni Aps.
"I need protection," she told her governess-turned-chambermaid. "I want to meet the Bards, too. Ooh! I want them to protect me!"
"So be it," replied the chambermaid. When she returned, she said, "The majority of the Bards, including King Schaff himself, are in a nearby village, preoccupied with some strange case. However, there are two young men, members of the Bard clan, who have guaranteed their assistance."
"Wonderful!" cried the girl. "I expect them to be gallant, chivalrous, and..." At that moment, Holden and Paddy burst through the door in full tuxedo, wearing polarized sunglasses and in-ear walkie-talkies.
"...odd," she finished.
"Ma'am? I'm Holden, and this is Paddy, my partner. We've been in the protection business for a while now and it is our professional opinion that we move you. Now."
The royal visitor stared, confused.
"Just kidding with ya, you're fine," laughed Paddy.
"Oh good," she sighed, still obviously uneasy.

The next morning, the royal visitor went for a walk with her chamber-maid.
"Karen," she asked the maid.
"Yes, my lady?"
"These Bards. I'm not sure I want... them."
"Whatever do you mean?" asked the chamber-maid.
"They're weird! Last night at supper, they made fun of each other, made random comments, they just... They're so WEIRD! Are all the Bards like this?"
"To be honest, I haven't the slightest, my Lady," the chamber-maid replied. (Or Karen. Karen is easier to write.) Just then, Holden flew past them in a golf cart, as Paddy followed on a pogo stick. Both were laughing. (And wearing the same tuxes as the night before.)
"I hope not, at least."

That afternoon, just after lunch, Holden and Paddy were playing their favorite card game just outside the royal visitor's room (literally. Many times she could not get out without knocking over their table, and many times she almost did.) Angry with them for blocking off her exit, she climbed out the window and ran off into the town.
Holden and Paddy finished their long game, and went inside her room to check on her.
"Well, damn," said Holden. "She's gone."
"LANGUAGE! You can't just say 'well' whenever you want!" laughed Paddy.
"Sorry."
"Apology... unaccepted! Just kidding," replied Paddy. "We kinda need to find her. Soon." The two looked out the window dramatically, searching for their runaway royalty among the scores of people.

Meanwhile, the aforementioned visitor walked among the townsfolk. In her old nightgown, she blended in quite well. Except for the giant green stone around her neck. If anyone had seen that, it would have given her away. Fortunately, only one person noticed it. UNfortunately, it was an evil sorcerer who was in Ni Aps looking for a job (Why would a sorcerer need a job you ask? For money. He's not an alchemist or a vagabond. He needs money to get by.) So, he kidnapped her to hold her for ransom. (He's evil, remember?) However, he did not kidnap her in the usual manner. He took advantage of her royal naiveté, lured her into the house he was renting, and locked her inside.
So yeah, actually. The usual manner.
"Hello again, my dear," he said, removing the bag from her head.
"Mm-mmm-mm," she replied. (Oh yeah, he bound her and gagged her.)
"I bet you're wondering who I am," said the sorcerer. The captive shook her head.
"No? Are you sure? I prepared a monologue."
She spit out the gag. "Let me go!"
"No. You wouldn't listen." He stormed off.

Paddy and Holden ran into the shopping district, scanning right and left for the missing girl. Paddy noticed the sorcerer leaving his home. The sorcerer locked the door, glancing around him, put up his hood, and disappeared into the crowd. Paddy grabbed Holden.
"Hey! Listen! This way! I think she's in here! Et cetera!" He put his ear to the door. Inside, he heard crying.
"See?" Holden followed suit.
"Well, that was fast. Let me go get my ax, and we'll get her out," he replied. Holden took off to the castle. When he returned, Paddy was gone. Suddenly, Paddy jumped off the roof of the building onto Holden.
"Aah!" he screamed. "Oh, it's just you."
"Ow," came the reply. "How did you-"
"Gimme that," said Paddy, grabbing the axe and taking down the door. Inside, the two found their visitor, bound to a chair in the corner.
"Are you ok?" asked Holden, rushing to her side.
"How did you find-"
"Here's your necklace," said Paddy, bringing her the green stone, which he found sitting on the sorcerer's table.
"Keep it. My father gave it to me, but it doesn't mean as much to me as his other gifts. Thank you for saving me."
"It's our job, ma'am, but we failed you. If you want us to find our replacements, we will be happy to," answered Holden.
"No, I owe you another chance. You'll make the most of it, won't you?"
"That we will." The three returned to the castle, and further events went as planned.

The sorcerer returned to his home, followed by a robed figure.
"Here we are--wait... No. NO!!! Where is my door!?" he screamed. Running inside, he found the royal visitor and the blue stone missing.
"It was right here! I swear!" he cried.
"I believe you," the figure replied. "No one would smash a random door for no reason. You had the princess, but they found her. Now they know about the stone, too. Find them. Kill them. Bring it to me."

I: The Late Sovereign

A scream echoed throughout the tiny village. Outside it, an elderly lady scurried through the fields, as well as her short elderly-lady legs would, losing various knick-knacks along the way. Behind her, a huge lumbering giant chased after her. Furious, the beastly man swung his arms at the woman, terribly failing to reach her. As his enormous arm flew like a pendulum toward her, she would duck the other direction, creating a zig-zag path through the fields.

She reached the village, gasping for breath in order to form her last word, "Help..." before she fainted. The good women of the small village brought her inside a cottage, as the men grabbed swords and torches and pitchforks; they warded off the monster, who retreated angrily.

"Thank you ever so much," smiled the old lady. "That horrible giant has been after me for a long time now. Don't let him find me."
"Why would he chase you like that?" asked the village elder.
"I don't know," she lied.

Gizmo sat thoughtfully, as he was wont to do lately, and stared the table in front of him. On it was an inkwell, a feather, and several leaves of paper. At the top of the paper read, "The Further Adventures of the Bards," but the truth was that Bards had no further adventures.
"Hmmph. Perhaps Adventure herself will visit me, the Muse of the Ages, and bring me SOME sort of chapter to put into my books," he said. "...That was a good line. I've got to write it down."
Just then, there came a knock at the door. The Lady, reclining in a nearby room, glided across the floor to the door, and opened it. Outside stood Scheaun, armored for battle and sword drawn.
"'Sup, Bro... oke? River? Lady? How are ya?" he fumbled, expecting Gizmo.
"Good! Come in," she replied. Gizmo got up from his usual seat and joined his old friend in his den.
"What brings you my way?" he asked.
"I've just come from Robert's Dale. Apparently, some giant was causing chaos by chasing some old lady around."
"That's terrible... I guess?" replied the Lady. She looked to Gizmo for support, and he shrugged in agreement with her indecision.
"She could have deserved it," Gizmo pointed out.
"It doesn't appear that way. I got in touch with Badger and Scott, and they're open to helping us out."
"Seeing as it's almost sundown, it would be rude for me not to invite for the night. We can set out tomorrow."
"Absolutely," answered Scheaun. "Thanks."

The next day, the three met the two in King Carl's Square, the public area just outside the castle. It is the busiest street in all of Bamah, and was only recently named for the late sovereign.
"Hey guys! How are you?" asked Badger. "Where's Schaff and Dumon? Or Paddy or Holden?"
"I never got to them, well, I got to Holden. He said he would tell the others, and that they would arrive if they could," answered Scheaun.
"Cool," answered Scott, and off they rode. The five horses made the normally longer trip in a much shorter time frame. They approached the village and were greeted by its elder. He was a crumbly old man, dressed in a dark green and wearing an odd golden chain around his neck.
"Ahh, the Bards! Heroes of Bamah time and again! Welcome back to our humble town," he cried. "How may we help you?"
"You know exactly why we're here," growled Scheaun. The elder looked horrified. Suddenly, Scheaun broke into a hearty laugh. The other, rightly confused Bards watched as he dismounted and hugged the old man. "Enday! So good to see you!" The old man's frown was quickly replaced by a chuckling smile.
The student and his former mentor walked off as the other Bards dismounted and decided to visit their good friends, the Begharts.
"Scheaun, my boy, how are you?" asked Enday.
"Good, Doctor, good. I see you are the same. But, first, tell me about this woman."
"She was nasty-looking at first glance. She tore through the middle of town, afraid for her life, and blamelessly too. The ogre of a man nearly caught her up several times, but our finest leaders warded him off."
"Nasty-looking how?"
"Sickly grey hair... cold green eyes... tattered clothes. We have no idea where she is from, either."
By a strange stroke of luck, the woman in question was taken in by the Begharts. The other four Bards entered as she was finishing her evening meal. She sat at a table opposite the doorway and watched them enter, at first with curiosity, then dread and recognition, followed by malevolence, then sadness.
"My word, the Bards? I am not worthy of such attention," she said.
"Are you sure?" asked Gizmo. He was the first in the door, and he saw every emotion pass through her face.
"But of course! I am just an old country hermit! What could I have done?"
"You tell us," said Scott. Badger cut him a threatening but curious glance, as if to say, "Stop it. Whatever you're doing. What are you doing? Never mind, I don't care. Just stop."
"Well, I don't quite know! You should ask that treacherous giant!"
"Do you know where he is?" Asked Scott.
"No, just the direction. He ran off into the forests beyond the plains."
"Thank you," said Gizmo, and he left her alone, as one by one, each of the four followed him into the Begharts' kitchen. 
"You smell it too? She reeks of lies," Gizmo told Scott, who nodded.

As the Bards began to prepare for sleep, they compared notes.
"The woman herself has something to hide," Scott told Scheaun.
"Whatever it is, she is hiding it well. She has said nothing to any of the townsfolk. They don't even know her name," he replied.
Gizmo, who had been staring off into the night sky, suddenly turned to them.
"Whatever it is, the giant obviously wants it... or her. This happened when, four days ago? I am honestly surprised he hasn't come back yet. We may be here at the most opportune moment. There is nothing we can do tonight, that is, unless the giant pays us a visit."
He didn't. The next morning came and went, as did the next. The Bards remained in the village and agreed to one more day before setting up an alarm system. However, it was not to be. Exactly one week after the incident, around noon, the giant returned. Young children playing on the outskirts of the village spotted him, and ran to the Begharts'. The Bards leapt into action. The giant shook the ground as he came within striking distance.
"Stay back, you malevolent beast! You have no further business here!" threatened Gizmo.
"ARRGH!" came the reply. Needless to say, the giant did not stay back. His eyes were green with a glowing gloss, and his veins protruded in a nasty manner. The Bards leapt into action. Badger fired an arrow into the giant's left shoulder, while Gizmo cut his right ankle. The behemoth fell, and Scott restrained him with a bit of magic. However, the brute grew in strength. The veins pulsed more rapidly, and the giant stood. The old woman hid behind the Lady, but the giant lumbered over to her. Just then, Schaff and Dumon rode in. Schaff drew his sword, dashing into the way, but the beast swung, sending him flying across the village.
"NO!" yelled Dumon, and she and the Lady took off after him. The beast, meanwhile, grabbed the woman, threw her over his back, and ran off into the forest. Badger and Scheaun tossed arrow after arrow at him, but to no avail. 
"Is he okay?" asked Scott.
"Yeah, just bruised," Schaff replied.
"I really doubt that we've seen the end of him," muttered Gizmo.
"Where were you guys?"asked Badger.
"Evidently some royal visitor is coming to Bamah. I don't know who she is, but she sounds important," answered Dumon.
"Yeah, that's why Paddy and Holden aren't here," Schaff concurred. "They're in Ni Aps, making sure she gets here in one piece."
"You should get back to Bamah, then," said Scheaun. "I think the five of us can handle the investigation."
"Yeah, but, could we wait for tomorrow?" asked Scott, looking off at the distant sunset. The Bards each mumbled an assent, as the sun dipped beneath the sheets of the horizon.