Chapter 23

Commodore Islandwarden led us through a section of town near the harbor that was actually above ground for the first leg of our journey to the Council Hall. My Local Knowlege Skill supplied that this was the so-called Overhill Quarter, which was where the non-halfling residents lived and did business. Here, for a few streets on either side of the Harbor, half-timbered buildings stood with no connection to the underground, halfling-centric, majority of Heartharbor. There was even a small guildhall that fronted onto a tiny square paved with cobbles. I spotted the sign of a brown barrel and gray mug on a yellow field hanging off the guildhall.

"Whose coat of arms is that?" I questioned.

"That? That's the Arms of the Guild of Brewers, Whitesmiths, and Coopers. We don't have a lot of mineral resources on the Island, but we do have a few seams of Galena, Copper, and Tin for making lead, silver, and pewter. Bronze, too, but that's the exclusive province of Clan Islandwarden as a matter of Clan Security. No Iron, though, which is unfortunate. Aside from those, we mostly have forests and farmland here. Barrelmaking, Whitesmithing, and Barrelmaking are largely the Domains of the Humans in Overhill. The head of the Guild functions as the Non-Hin Representative on the Elder Council." Explained Commodore Islandwarden.

"And you're not worried about losing out on brewing business to the Guild?" Queried Janessa.

"Not really. We grow apples and pears for Cider and a few grape species for Wine. The Orchards and Vineyards belong to the Clan, and that all fetches a much higher price than beer, ale, or mead." Shrugged Commodre Islandwarden.

"So Bronze, Cider, and Wine are all the exclusive business of your Clan?" Asked Shavariel.

"The first is largely due to security reasons. You'll note the studs in the studded leather jacks the Guards are wearing are bronze instead of steel. The others are due to timing. By the time the Humans arrived here, the Clan had taken all the good land for that stuff." Nodded Commodore Islandwarden.

"Bronze is not exactly as sturdy as Iron, let alone steel. How do you deal with that?" Questioned Selima.

"How else? Alchemy." Answered Commodore Islandwarden.

"And is Alchemy the exclusive province of your Clan too?" I queried.

"No, but any Arcane Magic-use requires a permit, which can be acquired from the Elder Council with proof of magic, a letter of reference, and a nominal fee. This includes Alchemy." Responded Commodore Islandwarden.

"How nominal a fee? And what reference?" Asked Janessa.

"I wouldn't worry about that. As a member of a visiting dignitary's entourage, your permit is waived for the duration of your stay. That is, assuming you are who you claim to be." Informed Commodore Islandwarden.

"I assume you have ways of divining such things." Stated Selima.

"We do, yes. Some of our Clan possess Sorcerous Talents, and if all else fails, we can always call upon Mad Old Wilace in his crumbling tower on Sealskin Point." Confirmed Commodore Islandwarden.

"That sounds like a Wizard to me." Frowned Shavariel.

"He is. He's also the longest-lived Hin on the Island. It's made him a tad. . .odd, let's say. Still, family is family, even if Wilace is older than every member of the Elder Council. He won't refuse if we need him." Confirmed Commodore Islandwarden.

As we spoke, however, we exited the Overhill Quarter and entered the hilly inland portion of Heartharbor, where the Islandwarden Clan all made their homes. For now, things were still partially aboveground, but after a few more turns down a few more streets, we found ourselves being led into a gated opening in a large hill flanked by banners of a green anchor on a striped yellow and blue background, the Coat-Of-Arms of Clan Islandwarden, as my Knowledge of Nobility and Royalty provided, and we soon found ourselves on the streets of what was effectively a large, connected, burrow. The Underhill Town, where the most prominent Clan Members lived and worked, where the Council Hall was located in a stone facade with a window of stained glass set into it.

As we were led past the homes of the worthies of Clan Islandwarden, toward the Council Hall, I couldn't help but think that even here, there were signs that not all was well. Here, a smith hammered out a sword from the limited number of steel ingots that had made it past the Brine Dragon to be traded in Heartharbor. There, a halfling pushed a wheelbarrow full of grain sacks into a stone storehouse that had an Armed Guard in bronze studded leather armor watching over it. There was a current of tension bubbling underneath the surface of these seemingly happy and carefree people.

There wasn't much time to question that, however, as we soon found ourselves ushered into the Council Hall. Fortunately, low ceilings weren't as much trouble in the Council Hall as they would have been elsewhere, largely thanks to how the Council was expected to receive Non-Hin Visitors on at least a semi-regular basis. The Hall we were ushered into was in the far back of the Council Hall, a private meeting and audience chamber for the Elder Council, if I had to guess. Inside, a long table sat with seven seats, of which only four were currently occupied. Three of which, including the seat at the head of the table, were occupied with Halflings, while the last, at the far end of the table from the head, had a Human sitting in it. All were Old, and Most were men, though there was one woman among the lot.

The Woman was an Elder with a wry smirk and a bottle of Ale in one hand. Of the others, the two Male Halflings, one was clearly a sorcerer of some description, judging by the Robes and the way he was prestidigitating various stains out of them, likely from an Alchemical Experiment. The other, sat at the Head of the Table, wore Magical Leather Armor that I could only Identify the Nimble, Buoyant, and Plus Three Enchantments of at a glance. I would need more than simple spellcraft knowledge to identify the rest of it. His bald head and wispy goatee lent him a sort of grandfatherly or mentorly appearance to him, but the look in his eye told me he was as sharp as a blade and probably just as deadly to boot. The Last of the Councillors Present was a Human, a portly man in an open robe showing a baldric on which a number of specialized tools for use in Alchemy was strapped. His portly appearance and long white beard told me that he was out of the adventuring game and had been for some time, but from the looks of those tools, he had clearly been in it once.

"I see we have a bare quorum today, Uncle. Are Uncles Corbin and Erlos not coming? Or Aunt Anola?" Questioned Commodore Islandwarden.

"Unfortunately, Nephew, they cannot make it, Erlos especially. Smalldelving needs its Elder now more than ever." Insisted the Bald Halfling at the Head of the Table.

"We still have a quorum, Young Eldon. Why don't you introduce us to our guests?" Queried the Sorcerer.

"Yes, let's get on with this. Have you any idea how many cattle need to be slaughtered to keep up with the demand for leather your guards are asking for? It's enough to drive this Old Lady to drink." Frowned the Female Halfling.

"As if you've ever needed an excuse for that, Hilzana." Chuckled the Lone Human.

"Aye, and more business has it brought you, Master Morgan." Smirked the Female, Halfling, Hilzana.

"Right, allow me to present Elders Davod, Wilmin, and Hilzana Islandwarden, and Master Bern Morgan, head of the Guild of Brewers, Whitesmiths, and Coopers. My Elders, I present to you Thane Robar the Red of Jannathstaad and his Companions. They claim to be here on a diplomatic mission from Jarl Finehair." Introduced Commodore Islandwarden, pointing first to the Bald Halfling at the Head of the Table, then the Sorcerer, then the Female Halfling, and finally the Lone Human.

"I suppose it falls on me to verify their bonafides then?" Asked Wilmin Islandwarden.

"You are the Sorcerer here, Wilmin. A quick message to Tearheim ought to do it." Pointed out Master Morgan.

"Very well. One moment." Agreed Wilmin Islandwarden

After a brief few minutes to cast the spell and send the message, Wilmin waited for a reply, receiving one promptly before nodding back at the assembled councillors. I recognized the Fifth Circle Spell of Sending immediately and was suitably impressed. The Old Man had to be at least a tenth-level sorcerer to be able to pull that off. If the rest of the Elder Council were similarly experienced, there was a very good reason for Jarl Finehair to want them on-side for any potential Counterattack.

"They are who they claim to be." Confirmed Wilmin Islandwarden.

"Right. Now that that's out of the way, how can we help the Jarl of Tearheim?" Questioned Davod Islandwarden.

"My Jarl has bade me to ask whether or not the Hin of this proud Island would be willing to stand with him against the Tyrrany of Umberlee? Already, he has driven the Umberlants from the shores of Tearheim and wishes to strike back at their current stronghold on Cadfael Island." I spoke up.

"I see. And why should we lend our ships to such an assault?" Queried Hilzara Islandwarden.

"The Umberlants threaten the entire archipelago with their activities. Not only do they invite Pirates from Skaug in the Nelanther Isles here to help bolster their numbers, but they also conspire with the Zhentarim to solidify their grasp on Cadfael Island. How long until the Worshippers of Umberlee decide one Island is not enough? That they must have the entire Archipelago for their Queen? Joining in with My Jarl's Counterattack would be a move for the stability of the Archipelago." I insisted.

"The Lad makes a salient point." Opined Master Morgan.

"That does not mean we can afford to do as asked. There are other dangers closer to home, now." Mused Davod Islandwarden.

"You speak of the Brine Dragon?" I asked.

"We do. His name is Xommyrru, the Longtail of the Trackless Sea, and until recently, his territory was near Gundarlun, where he would extort trade ships headed to and from Neverwinter to Gundarlun for tributes and sink any that displeased him. Around two weeks ago, we first saw signs of his presence. He began attacking ships headed to and from the Mainland." Informed Wilmin Islandwarden.

"We suspect he has also forced one of the smaller tribes of Sahuagin into being his servitors. No single Wyrm could be in so many places at once, after all." Added Davod Islandwarden.

"Aye, the Beast rarely seems to leave survivors. The poor bastards unfortunate enough to be attacked seem to rarely stay alive long enough to be rescued. That points to Sahuagin involvement just as much as the multiple attacks at once. No single Wyrm could devour so many crews in so short a time. He'd be full before he was halfway done. The logical assumption is his servitors are taking any survivors who don't manage to escape notice under the waves as slaves of their own." Nodded Hilzara Islandwarden.

"Unfortunately, though we are blessed with several varieties of natural resources here on Seahearth Island, there are those we don't have that are necessary to running a modern economy. Iron, for instance. We need the trade lanes re-opened and unmolested by Xommyrru to continue to function. To do that, we need our fleet constantly patrolling in case of Wyrm attack." Admitted Master Morgan.

"So you see, we cannot lend any forces to your Jarl's Counterattack. Not when Xommyrru provides a deadly threat to our way of life." Intoned Davod Islandwarden.

"Perhaps there is a way to help you so that you may help us." I offered.

"Are you offering to slay Xommyrru for us?" Questioned Davod Islandwarden.

"I am." I nodded.

"What makes you think you can? Others have tried, Gunds who have seen more winters than you've been alive, Hin who have captained ships that sailed on seas as far afield as the Gulf of Cordell in Maztica and the Harbor of Port Nyanzaru in Chult. They failed. Why do you think you can do better?" Queried Hilzara Islandwarden.

"Because we have faced down similar odds and prevailed and because Tymora's Coin generally lands heads-up for us." I insisted.

"Is that so? You claim to be blessed?" Asked Master Morgan.

"I claim to be Lucky. Sometimes, that's all the extra boost you need to do the impossible." I reiterated.

"Indeed. Sometimes, that is the rarest commodity of all." Mused Wilmin Islandwarden.

"Very well. So long as you understand that we take no responsibility for your actions should you die horribly on this quest, then I believe we have an accord. Slay Xommyrru for us, and you shall have our ships and troops for your Jarl's Counterattack." Nodded Davod Islandwarden.

And with that, our audience had concluded. Commodore Islandwarden escorted us out of the Council Chambers and back through the Underhill and Overhill Quarters, back to where the Hammerdown was berthed. As he left us at the end of the Long Pier, he nodded at us all with a look of what was seemingly part pity and part admiration on his face.

"Good luck to you, you'll need it. In truth, you're braver sorts than I to volunteer to face that beast. I don't know whether to pity your hasty decision or admire your sheer gall." Chuckled Commodore Islandwarden.

"Can't it be both?" Questioned Janessa.

"I suppose it could be. Just answer me one question." Responded Commodore Islandwarden.

"What question would that be?" I queried.

"Do you truly believe you can win?" Asked Commodore Islandwarden.

"We've faced down long odds before and come out on top. This wouldn't even be the first time Under the Ocean." I shrugged.

"Indeed. Selima and I were once enslaved to Baron Keloss, the leader of a Tribe of Sahuagin. With Robar and Janessa's help, we managed to not only free ourselves, but decimate the Barony." Added Shavariel.

"I see." Remarked Commodore Islandwarden.

"Perhaps you do, perhaps you do not. You will when we return victorious." Insisted Selima.

"In that case, may Tymora continue to smile on you. Good hunting." Offered Commodore Islandwarden.

Then he left us there on the pier, heading back into Town, likely to catch up with his relatives. For our part, we would wind up waiting to set sail for the evening tide. When we did, we would sail until we picked up the trail of flotsam yet again. By the time that we eventually found a good spot to lay in wait for an attack, the sun had set, risen, and climbed high in the sky once again. We would not have to wait much longer than that, though it would not be Xommyrru himself who attacked us. No, instead, it would be a party of marauding Sahuagin Servitors of his that sought to bring us down.

They would be led by a large Sahuagin riding a shark like a horse of all things, signifying him as a high-caliber opponent and favored servant of Xommyrru. . .

XXXX

AN: All right, so here's the next chapter. Somewhat predictably, the Elder Council of Seahearth Island does not want to send any forces to help Jarl Finehair in his Counterattack until the Brine Dragon Xommyrru is dealt with. Also, unsurprisingly, Robar and Company have offered to slay the beast for them. They're fairly confident they can pull it off, but even a Lesser Dragon like a Brine Dragon is no joke. Whether they can or not will be discovered in the next few chapters.

At any rate, the next chapter will involve the fight with the attacking Sahuagin Servitors of Xommyrru. I'll also have some images for this chapter up before then.

Stay tuned. . .