The Hero’s Right Hand

The plan was to drive until we reached a rest area. Something in the nearby forest caused the stars overhead to dull. It was growing increasingly difficult to navigate in the pitch darkness. No amount of darkvision provided a clear perspective. Fortunately Vofric’s light hammer functioned as a beacon. Or it would have if not for the thick cloud of fog that rolled in around us. The length of the carriage proved too much for me to see Sariel from where I was sitting in the back.

“Are there any landmarks near our destination?” her disembodied voice asked.

Aisha shuddered but did well to hide it. Avant noticed and laid next to her for a sense of comfort.

“It’s a small town,” I replied. “There should be a gate. Maybe some lights.”

Sariel grunted. “Vofric, keep an eye on our flanks. The road is difficult to view.”

The dwarf was on the roof but his footsteps came from every direction. Aisha shook any time her senses triggered but she couldn’t discern the source. Avant shut his eyes tightly while focusing on the sounds around us.

“Sariel, make a sharp right. We seem to have almost passed Foxhill,” Vofric commanded.

The elf gripped the lever to her right while simultaneously tapping the pedals in front of her. I steadied myself as the carriage skidded sideways before facing toward dim lights in the distance. Vofric groggily climbed down from the roof and settled inside.

He grumbled. “I thought the roof was a safe location during such a maneuver. I was incorrect.”

“Probably because you couldn’t see what’s around us,” Aisha said while peering into the fog.

The carriage slowed as we approached spherical lamps atop stone pillars. They straddled a metal gate that creaked loudly as it opened. Loose pebbles rattled under our wheels while we entered Foxhill. The aged sign hanging overhead had seen better days. Dim lights lined the street but were too dull to properly reveal their surroundings. Foxhill was a single long street with buildings on either side. At the end was the town hall with a similarly worn down exterior. I’d heard of Service Towns but imagined them to be better maintained to entice adventurers.

There was no one in sight with the only lights coming from a building near the center of town. Signage hanging on the front had symbols representing an inn and tavern. The perfect resting spot for weary souls. While the carriage approached, a man stepped out and greeted us.

“Welcome to Foxhill! Are you folks looking for a place to refresh from a long journey? Foxhill Tavern is the place for you!” he said. “I’m Troy, the proprietor of this fine establishment.”

Sariel grunted. “Hello. May we store our carriage safely?”

I found it peculiar that he didn’t ask any other questions before leading us to the side of the tavern. The alley was well lit and marked where carriages could be kept. Another was already there and we parked behind it.

“This area is under our watch so feel free to leave anything you need here and head on out tomorrow,” Troy said.

Our group stepped off the carriage and per Vofric’s instructions grabbed our necessities. As we followed into the building Sariel told us to keep our wits about us. The interior was better kept than everything else we’d seen in town. Bright lights hung from simple metal structures. The ground floor had a few tables and a door leading to the kitchen. Stairs at one side led to rooms upstairs.

“Two rooms,” Aisha said as we sat at a table.

“With your pet that’ll bump the price up to ten silver coins,” Troy replied while pouring water for each of us. A bowl was placed nearby for Avant.

Aisha nodded to Vofric and he passed a gold coin to the innkeeper.

“Oh ho! A proper gold coin! Let me put this away and get you a meal.”

The moment he turned his back, Aisha looked around with her magic eye. The water was safe and there didn’t seem to be any magic in the tavern. Her hand rested on Valefor’s hilt even while calmly drinking. Troy returned surprisingly fast. Stew filled bowls were placed in front of us and he smiled at the impressive meal.

“I’ve got plenty ready since everyone’s still out,” he said.

I didn’t think Troy would be the first to acknowledge the lack of residents in Foxhill.

“Where are they?” I asked.

“Barone, our mayor, went out earlier today and hasn’t returned,” Troy replied with a nonchalant wave of his hand. “She can’t remember directions very well and likely got lost in the forest. The fog ain’t much help. The other adventurers who were here offered to search for her and our townsfolk joined them. I stayed back to greet anyone who arrived. I’m really sorry if our little town isn’t what you were expecting.”

“Please don’t apologize. We appreciate your hospitality,” Aisha said. Though no one else noticed it, she shuddered. I focused on our surroundings and heard soft taps coming from somewhere.

“Rats,” Troy said readily. “Been an issue but I have trouble evicting those little vermin.”

“Understandable.” Sariel nodded. She shot a glance at Aisha, causing her to take a purposeful sip of her stew.

“It’s delicious!” She hummed in delight. Hesitantly, she continued, “I’d offer our help but we’ve been traveling all day. May we rest before assisting in your search for Ms. Barone?”

Troy nodded and placed two keys on the table. “Don’t worry, miss. I’m sure we’ll find her by morning. Please enjoy your stay. Your rooms are at the end of the hall upstairs. If you need anything, just shout my name. Thin walls can be useful.”

I was uncomfortable leaving a woman wandering in the forest at night. Fog was still present and made it nearly impossible to navigate on foot. Though it was obvious Sariel communicated something to Aisha I couldn’t deduce it. Our leader clearly didn’t totally understand but we could ask for clarification later. The only one who understood Sariel’s concern was Vofric. His natural calm demeanor was especially jarring after Aisha’s suggestion. Something was amiss with my party members but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

After Troy collected our bowls, we made our way to the rooms upstairs. My memory of the meal was hazy but I felt full. I brushed it aside to focus on what my allies had to say. Vofric opened one room and stepped inside. Avant followed behind him and I prepared to shut the door after myself. Before I could, Aisha pushed her way in with Sariel. With the door locked they hurried us to the far corner of the room.

“Why are we denying him help?” Aisha whispered immediately.

“Something is wrong,” Sariel replied with the same hushed tone.

“I agree. We’d normally help find the mayor,” I said.

Vofric slapped my back. “No, Kargon. Sariel is saying something in this town is amiss.”

“What?” Aisha asked. Her ability to remain quiet while furious was impressive.

“I do not know but what kind of adventurer allows civilians to assist in a search?”

I huffed. “Vofric! Albert helped us in Dawncaster.”

“Because I vouched for him,” Vofric protested.

“Maybe someone vouched for the civilians,” Aisha said.

Sariel rolled her eyes. “All of them?”

Aisha grit her teeth and looked at me. I sighed. Something so obvious should not have slipped mine nor the Hero’s minds. I thought of the stew and that it could be drugged. But I was sure it couldn’t be. We’d been drugged before and it felt different. My clouded judgment was the cause of something else. Something powerful enough to affect Aisha.

“Troy is likely involved,” Aisha said. “He’s the only one around and things seemingly bend to his whims.”

“The stew,” I muttered.

Sariel grunted. “As well as the carriage lot. Though I do not sense anything happening through my ward.”

“Equip your armor and make ready to depart,” Vofric said. “We should not remain here any longer.”

“Agreed,” Aisha said.

Due to attacks on the carriage, everyone grew accustomed to their light armor but during breaks we carried our proper gear. Vofric and Aisha added on their layer of metal plates while Sariel donned her cloak. I stood watch by the window while Avant stayed close by the door. With the useless lamps outside it was difficult to discern movement. The curtain didn’t help but parting it risked us being seen. Focusing was especially hard as the rats continued to scurry throughout the building. How someone could exist with the noise confused me. The longer we remained still, the more active the rats became. Their nails against the stone floor were maddeningly clear. Soft scratches from grazing the walls moved closer. Somehow they were able to completely mask their chatters.

Unbeknownst to me, Avant stepped away from the entrance and monitored the room. Surprisingly silent steps carried him towards the wardrobe. The small crack in the door allowed Avant’s talon to fit inside and pull it open. Fine wood grain defined its walls. Except for a small broken piece at the back that led into a tiny passage. It was likely made by the rats. Even a newborn Avant would be too large to fit inside.

The sound of his beak chomping something caught everyone’s attention. He never bit down on food quietly enough for us to hear it. With a fierce twist he threw his morsel into the middle of the room. Five slender fingers wriggled furiously as their palm fought to turn over. A bone jutted out of the disembodied claw. Once it flipped, it slowly turned to face each of us. The sound of nails on stone made me twitch. The hand dashed for the door but was stopped by a sword stabbing through the palm.

“That’s what was bothering me. I felt like we’ve been surrounded since we got to town,” she said. “Kargon, window. We need to go,” she instructed.

Within seconds of me pulling the curtain and opening the window, Aisha leapt through. The fog was so thick it barely dispersed when she landed past the surface. Standing tall revealed her torso. Sariel followed our leader with Vofric close behind. He grumbled as only his head peeked out of the clouds of vapor.

“Avant, the fog’s a problem. You’re with me,” I said.

The owlbear leapt into my arms. I was thankful for my physique as he would have bowled me over before. With the cub in my arms, I dove through the window and landed near my allies. All had weapons drawn as they slowly made for the carriage. Sariel stayed out front and kept a sharp eye on our surroundings. Meanwhile, the sound of nails on stone grew more fervent. Puffs of fog shifted quickly as crawling claws underneath rushed at us. Avant readily jumped from my arms and attacked the monsters. Vofric held his hammer high and refused to swing in fear of striking our hidden ally. Aisha only attacked claws that reached us by leaping from the ground. Similarly, I attacked any that were close to me with small movements to avoid hurting anyone.

“We’re clear!” Sariel said and ran for the carriage.

Avant roared, stunning the claws long enough for us to disengage. Sariel opened the carriage then rushed to the driver’s seat. A power word was needed to start the engine. Our party piled in while Sariel peeled out of the alley. Squelches and screeches accompanied the bumps on the road. Crawling claws attempting to reach us were crushed under our tires. Their lunges weren’t fast enough for the masterful steering Sariel showed.

The carriage burst through the metal gates of the town. It was impossible to make out which way we were going. Lights from the lamps vanished from view behind us. In front of us were more lights. We continued towards them and found ourselves back at the gate to Foxhill.

“Peculiar,” Sariel muttered.

She turned around and drove as straight as possible. Without turning at all we returned to the gate. Just in case, Sariel had Vofric take the wheel. The back of the carriage faced the town and we accelerated away. Within seconds, we were within the walls again. Loud tapping below us unnerved me once again.

Vofric grumbled. “We’re trapped.”

“This may be a spell cast by Troy,” Sariel answered.

“He had no magic around him,” Aisha said. With a gasp she attempted to detect magic again. “The town hall! Everything else looks normal but there’s a strong aura coming from there.”

I grunted, “We should go. Maybe Troy wasn’t lying about the mayor being in danger.”

“He’s right. Vofric, go for it.”

The closer we got to the town hall, the less crawling claws chased us. By the time we reached the entrance it was safe to get off the carriage. With each step the fog grew thinner. The exterior of the town hall was clearly visible. Rotting wood defied logic to stay upright. Misaligned planks held the door in frame but a simple push knocked it down. The only source of light in the building was Vofric’s small hammer. What appeared from outside as a large multi-roomed structure was actually an illusion. Inside was a small shack with the rigid corpse of Troy. Laying across it was another body. Based on her clothing I assumed it was Mayor Barone.

“Why would you do this?!” Troy screamed from outside.

The fog dissipated with his scream, revealing the decrepit city in all its glory. Flattened claws littered the streets. Those with life remained still at the tavern keeper’s side. We stepped out of the town hall to face him. The more time passed it was obvious what stared at us was no human. Large gashes revealed necrotic muscle across his body. Holes between bones allowed us to see through him. Teeth clattered against each other through his cheeks. Deep bags under his eyes gave a new definition to “dead tired.”

“You went to the forest! You could escape!” he yelled. “I did not act suspicious for you to come back here!”

Aisha’s eyes went wide. “The stew. You were supposed to drug it—”

“But I didn’t! I forced the claws to move actively to scare you off. Why did you return?!”

“Foxhill is enchanted. We are unable to leave,” Vofric insisted.

Troy’s face dropped. “No… that can’t be. It would mean she’s aware of her actions.”

Sariel twitched as something entered the town gates. It crawled grotesquely at high speeds. Within seconds it was across Foxhill and behind Troy. With a long breath it stood upright and glared at us. Crimson orbs hung in hollow sockets where eyes should be. Jagged teeth drenched in viscera lined its mouth. Tattered rags draped over the creature matched the deceased mayor.

“Barone, you’ve returned,” Troy said meekly.

“They no…t sleep, Troy,” she replied with deep breaths. Her remaining organs could be heard as they tried to function. “I lock Fo…xhill. No one go.”

“You can’t keep doing this,” Troy said as he turned. “They are innocent.”

“Adventurers help. Need… food. Help with… food.”

Troy yelled at us, “Run! Please!”

Before we could make a decision, Barone was upon us. Her form was no hindrance. Nails like jagged claws ripped through my armor and into my chest. During contact the image of black crystal flashed in my mind. When Aisha threw the creature off me I was hyper aware of a glowing aura emanating from the base of her neck. I tried to speak but choked on blood. Vofric immediately started healing me while the others engaged the undead mayor.

Arrows quickly covered the ground as Barone expertly dodged them. Only one got close but unfortunately passed through an opening in the zombie’s leg. While it weaved through the volley, Avant rushed in. His fur and feathers bristled as he flew into a rage. With a wild charge he knocked Barone to the ground. Unfortunately, she seemed more accustomed to moving on all fours. With careful aim Aisha tried to cut through the monster’s torso. Barone placed all her weight on one hand and pivoted completely around the blade. A quick shift allowed her to axe kick the Hero. Disgusting claws on her toes cut Aisha’s face. The zombie tried to attack again but stopped short as a golden glow wreathed our leader.

Her body healed at astonishing speed but that wasn’t what scared Barone. Rather, the wise paladin muttering a prayer gave her pause. Vofric’s eyes were focused on the creature though he didn’t move to attack. The monster growled at his lack of fear. An instantaneous dash placed her in front of the dwarf. Cackles echoed through the empty town as she stood over him. Foolish confidence never went far with Vofric. Barone brought her claws down on his armor. Upon contact they burned against the heavy platemail.

While the creature remained distracted, Sariel fired exactly two barbed arrows. They pierced through the monster’s feet and the stone below. Trying to pull herself free left Barone unaware of the fast approaching owlbear. A mighty leap sent Avant hurtling at the creature’s torso. Aisha simultaneously swung her blade from the opposite direction. Barone took the brunt of Avant’s charge and used it to help twist away from Aisha. But it wasn’t enough. Valefor ripped one of the creature’s arms clean from the socket.

The zombie released a guttural roar, spewing remnants of her meals on my allies. With Vofric’s help I’d regained my composure. I approached the monster from behind with ignited hands. A quick smack to the forehead jerked her back. An astral arm appeared and mimicked the motion at her torso. Two powerful attacks combined with her weakened stature and bound legs forced her prone.

“There’s a crystal in her neck!” I yelled.

“Shatter it!” Troy screamed.

Light shone from Vofric’s warhammer as he unsheathed it. When held at the ready it demanded one’s attention. Barone screamed again while trying to bite my hands. Unlike Aisha, Vofric didn’t need to aim for the neck. His hammer easily eclipsed the monster’s head. He grunted as it plummeted towards my hands. Once it passed my eye line, I jumped back. Barone wasn’t prepared to dodge. The sound of bones and stone shattering amongst liquified muscles was horrifying.

Much like the undead of Dawncaster, Barone’s body disintegrated into black smoke. The haze covering Foxhill began to lift. Stars appeared overhead as the lights in town vanished. Even so it was better lit than before. Buildings that once looked whole were now decrepit. Not a single structure was inhabitable. The illusory town hall returned to the form of a broken down shack. Only Troy remained in the empty streets of his town.

“She hunted adventurers since we returned,” he said shamefully. “Much like her I was a husk. Nothing dissuaded me from entrapping weary wanderers. Thank you for ending her. Ending this place.”

“How long have you been doing this?” Aisha asked. She had the same hunch as the rest of us.

“Four months ago we awoke in a version of Foxhill that no longer exists,” Troy explained. “Adventurers unaware that the town had fallen years ago came seeking aid. Barone was hungry and I felt a compulsion to help her. As time passed my mind grew clearer and I could no longer stand for what she was doing.”

Vofric inquired, “Why did you not release the curse sealing the town?”

“I did not create it. Barone was capable of it in life. And now, as well… Thank you.”

Troy’s body began to disintegrate before he could explain further. His final thanks carried on the wind. Aisha silently walked back to the shack and lifted Barone’s body. 

“With me,” she muttered.

I followed with Troy’s corpse over my shoulder. We found a part of town with soft soil. Sariel easily dug a hole using wild roots under the ground. As we placed the bodies inside, Vofric prayed. Even Avant remained silent as the roots bound around the bodies. Aisha finally looked at me but I already knew what to do next. I ignited my hands and summoned two astral hands over the roots. With slow, deliberate descent they touched the roots and set them ablaze along with the last Foxhill villagers.

Once the fire died down, Aisha walked towards the carriage.

“Elmud… their master’s power didn’t reanimate the dead. It only made evil facsimiles to attack Vethyea,” she said.

Vofric grimaced. “To be forced into the role of a monster against one’s will is a nightmarish curse.”

“Yet we must defeat them. Lest the deceased be remembered for the actions of a husk.” Sariel added.

We climbed into the carriage and I said, “When we reach Gromsev, we should report Foxhill’s fall to Dawncaster. They can spread word of it.”

A collective grunt assured me of the decision. Though the day’s journey weighed on us no one shut their eyes. Sleep was unwelcome after the night’s events.