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Yshtra had
been previously wounded and now had an arrow protruding from her left
arm, but lowered her right shoulder to break through the barricade,
while Zigny and Reke tossed their fireglow gems into the alcoves. The
fragile stones burst into the illusion of a fireball as they hit the
hard surface of the alcove wall, causing the goblins to dive into the
corners. The first rows took the opportunity to dive over the low walls
of the alcoves and finish off the goblins, who still hadn't figured out
why they weren't burning.
Reke jumped on an upturned chair near the left wall and
began throwing his darts over the barricade. Zigny took a position on
the opposite side and fired his enspelled bolts into goblins, looking
over them for Neem, expecting the chief to be casting his powerful
spells. Instead, he could see the hobgoblin furiously swinging his
blade at the ground surrounding him. Zingy hadn't heard the whistle,
but could see weasels pouring out of the warren and racing for the
barricade. Though they were trying to avoid the hobgoblin and his
followers, their sudden appearance was causing a stir. Neem was trying
to kill as many as possible while they rushed past him. Most of the
goblins hadn't noticed them yet.
When Yshtra hit the barricade, shoulder first, the weasels
dashed through the legs of the goblins and scattered into the tangled
nest of furniture. The goblins were doubly shaken by the simultaneous
events and forgot to set for the gnomish charge that followed Yshtra
through the opening. Only a few goblin archers were unaffected by the
appearance of their hated enemies and managed to hit her several times
before she fell onto the goblin ranks, knocking a few to the ground and
splitting their line. She didn't get up.
Neem refocused on the gnomes after the weasels disappeared
into the barricade. He began speaking the words of power to demolish
his attacking enemies. Before he could unleash his magical devastation,
one of Zigny's bolts tore into his hardened leather armor and touched
enough flesh to release the spell waiting within the bolt. Electric
current shot through his body causing him to grind his teeth in pain.
That single pause disrupted his spell and caused the magic energy
surging into him to flare into full flame, engulfing him in fire. He
thrashed to put out the flames, only causing the heat to increase. In
seconds he was on the ground sceaming, then he fell silent, being
reduced to mere ashes in moments.
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At the sight of their leader dying
horribly, the goblins lost morale and many turned to flee. More just
dropped their weapons, begging for mercy. Several continued to fight,
but were quickly slain by gnomish picks and swords. Those who attempted
to flee, realizing they had nowhere to run, surrendered.
Nearly without loss, the svirfguard had retaken their
cavern. The remaining goblins were led to nearly empty storage chambers
and secured within. Upon opening the second chamber to check their
supplies, the svirfneblin found a goblin hiding under several sacks of
edible fungus. They pulled him from his hiding spot and took him to the
Master. Glurm's face lit with a smile as he recognized Reke standing
next to Zigny. Reke motioned for silence as the guards and goblin
opened their mouths to speak at once.
Zigny stood over the barely breathing body of Yshtra. She
hadn't long to live. Even though her armor had taken most of the
arrows, one jutted from her neck releasing her blood onto the ground.
The gnomes were wary of pulling it from her neck. They were sure that
if it was removed she would bleed to death instantly. Her ragged breath
was slowly fading, but a smile graced her ugly goblinoid face.
"He's dead, but the tribe will live on... Remember your
promise, Master Zigny. Let Yorbut live in peace," she managed in a
hoarse whisper, before her last breath ended in a wet cough and her
chest failed to rise again.
"Thank you, Yshtra," said Zigny quietly. He turned around,
resolute, ready to deal with the remaining issues.
The Legend Continues in
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