LII. Ardaric

After Firiona and Lina had settled down enough to finish packing, the adventurers reassembled in the monastery courtyard. Abbot Ceril blessed their quest in the name of Pholtus. "Good fortune to you in your endeavor," said the monk. "You will remain in our thoughts always." The party thanked the monks for their aid and hospitality. And with that, they teleported back to the valley in which lay the city of Chalons.

Snow was on the ground all around them. They looked over the landscape on the approach to the city. Ominiously, they spotted many signs of battle, very recent battle at that. Damaged farms, homes and other buildings were everywhere.

"This doesn’t look good," observed Elana. "I wonder what happened here?" said Green Arrow. "We’ll find out soon enough, no doubt," said Edward. "I’m sure the city residents will have a lot to say about it."

The city came into closer view. It was a roughly square city, surrounded by walls about twenty feet high. A large gate stood before them as they reached the end of the road from the mountains. Edward knocked.

"Who goes there?" called out a voice from within the gate. "State your names and business!"

"We seek shelter," said Elana.

"We need fighters here, not floozies!" the gatekeeper responded.

Edward called out, "I am a fighter. I’ve been sent here to earn the blessing of Hieroneous."

The gatekeeper challenged Edward, "You’re a fighter, but why are you here?"

"If you let me enter, I’ll help your defense," answered the paladin. The gatekeeper paused, pondering Edward’s assurances.

"Are you friends of the Monastery of St. Theomon?" Edward asked.

"We have dealt with them. Why?"

The conversation seemed to be getting nowhere. Suddenly, Edward recalled the vision that had led him to the city in the first place, and tried a new approach.

"We’re here in the name of Ardaric!" he called out.

Excited voices could be heard from the guardhouse. "Well, well, why didn’t you say so in the first place!" exclaimed the gatekeeper. "Come on in!" And with that, the city gates creaked open and the adventurers were admitted.

The party entered the city. The main street of the city led from the gate directly to the center square, then through it straight to the main gate on the opposite side of the city. Another road crossed the main street at the city’s center square. The city was thus effectively divided into four roughly square quarters.

As they proceeded into the city, the adventurers could see heavy damage in many locations. Burned buildings, damaged roofs and smashed windows were everywhere they looked.

Off the center square, the city hall stood. The gatekeepers took the party inside, then told the doorwards who they were and why they were in the city. The doorwards in turn escorted the adventurers to the council chamber, where the city’s leaders were even then engaged in conference. Five men, one of them a veteran fighter of advanced years, and two women were discussing military and defense matters with considerable animation.

The doorwards introduced the party to the city’s leaders, then left them. The leaders excitedly greeted the adventurers, and, seeing that they appeared to be a powerful group, asked them to state their business. The party mentioned the battles they had engaged in to get to the city at all.

Hearing this, the councilmen asked the party, "Can you help us? For we are sorely pressed."

"So it appears," said Edward. "Who are your foes, and why have they made war on you?" One of the councilmen provided the requested explanation.

The city of Chalons had prospered over the years, due to the vast deposits of precious metals and gems in the surrounding mountains. The people had wisely not broadcast their wealth, and had allowed only limited trade with the world outside their valley, mostly via the Pholtan monastery that the adventurers had aided. They couldn’t completely keep their existence a secret, however, and over the years the area had assumed a somewhat legendary status. The presence of ancient Suel ruins, with metal roofs, in the surrounding hills may have added to the myth.

Over the years the city had defended itself against incursions from orcs, wolves and other evil creatures, and later sporadic invasions by bands of giants. Then, about ten years ago, the giants started to become more organized. The city, however, had always been able to defeat the invaders, but with more and more difficulty.  The city's population began to drop due to war casualties. 

Until now. Two days past, a huge army of orcs had assailed the city, led by a regiment of stone giants. "We think the orcs came from a vast underground to the northwest, near the realm of Stonehold," the councilman said. "The stone giants have allied with them and drove them against us."

Edward looked about the room, then discretely detected evil. Finding none, he asked, "Are we secure here in this chamber?" The councilman replied, "Yes, of course."

"Then I shall tell you the full nature of my quest," said the paladin. "I seek a weapon. A vision directed me to this city in my effort to retrieve it. If you assist me in locating the weapon, I and my friends will help you defend your city with its aid."

At this, the fighter spoke up. "Of what nature is the weapon you seek?" he inquired.

"It is a hammer of great power. It is known as a hammer of thunderbolts, and it is especially deadly against giants," Edward answered. "Should it be found, it would certainly be useful now, considering how you’re under attack by so many giants."

The fighter looked at Edward, then pulled back his cloak to reveal . . . a hammer!

"This is such a hammer!" declared the fighter.

"A hammer of thunderbolts!" exclaimed Edward. "How did you obtain it?"

"I have held this weapon for many years," explained the fighter. "Twenty years ago I came to the city. They were in need, and I came to their aid. I’ve aided them ever since, but now my years grow long. The latest battle took much from me."

Edward’s eyes were drawn to the fighter’s equipment. He recognized the bracers and belt that the fighter wore. Gauntlets of ogre power and a belt of giant strength!

"I’m sorry, but we haven’t been introduced, sir," said Edward. "How shall I address you?"

"How negligent of me," the fighter apologized. "You may call me Ardaric."

The rest of the adventurers whispered to each other. "He’s the one!" breathed Firiona.

Ardaric continued. "I am no longer able to wield it as I once was.  If you help us defeat the giants, the weapon is yours," he said to the paladin.

"Our weapons and our spells are at your service!" exclaimed Edward.

The city leaders quickly briefed the adventurers on the state of the city’s defenses, and the most recent reports from their spies.

"When do you expect another attack?" asked Edward. "It could be at any time," replied one of the women, apparently the leader responsible for intelligence-gathering. "Our spies report another horde gathering against us, this one even larger than the last."

The adventurers offered to help organize the defenders. The city’s plight was desperate. Only about three hundred militia remained to defend the walls of the city, seven hundred fifty feet on a side, along with four wizards and a cleric. Eight defensive ballistas provided some defensive firepower. The city’s main gates were double adamantine doors, each three inches thick. All were still intact.

Firiona made use of Rary’s telepathic bond to facilitate communication with the defenders. Edward, Green Arrow and Fulk conferred with the militia leaders, while Elana and Arimir met with the casters to assess their abilities and advise. Afterwards, the adventurers made their own plans.

"We’re going to have a tough time," said Edward. "The defenders are exhausted, they’re low on supplies, and there aren’t enough of them."

"Then we’ll just have to make up the difference," replied Firiona.

The next morning, before dawn, the party arose and continued preparations. It was an ominous pre-dawn. The weather was frigid and the skies cloudy. It was beginning to snow.

A soldier ran up to them with news. "Our scouts have returned to the city. The enemy is in sight. They come!"