Lux Tenebris: The Monks of Threadwood Abbey - Part 5

Of course, Brother Elloren agreed to help. He insisted actually, even offering to provide additional men for the raid on the abbey.  Elkedren accepted, but only after reiterating that he wanted to capture as many of the brigands alive, as possible.

"We can hang them after their trail," said the Sheriff.

Malora wasn't certain he was joking.

The rest of the day was spent preparing for the raid. Elkedren admitted that he had been planning this operation for some time, in the back of his mind.

"So your sword was sharp, you just needed to polish it," said Mallora.

Elkedren nodded and flashed her one of his cutting smiles.

While the Sheriff and the paladin gathered their men, Fericille took it upon herself to see to Mallora's equipage. The sorceress took Mallora by the arm, squiring her about Treeport's various shops and tradehalls.  She seemed to know everyone on a friendly basis. Mallora might have found Fericille's chattering behavior quite irritating, if the sorceress hadn't been paying.

"Don't worry about the money," said Fericille, amiabley. "It's from the discretionary fund that Eamor gives me."

After that, Mallora didn't worry about spending too much gold. 

By the end of the day, they were ready.

Elkedren had gathered about a dozen men. They had the weatherbeaten countenances of folk who lived in the sun and rain. Most were armed with bows, but some had blades. All seemed experienced fighters to Mallora's eye.

Brother Elloren had brought six Abashites with him. They were a mixed group of men and women, of various ages and races. They wore light armor and were armed with short swords and hammers. The paladin wore silver chainmail and moved in it as if it weighed nothing as all.  His greatsword took on a golden glow as he bowed his head, leading the group in a short prayer.

Well, thought Mallora. If nothing else, we've got a god on our side.

"We'll head out now," said Elkedren. "We should reach the abbey around midnight."

"They'll have sentries posted," said Fericille. "Getting this lot through the woods, at night, without being spotted won't be easy."

"My men are experienced woodsmen," said Elkedren. "They'll go first, scout the way and take out any sentries they come across."  He nodded at Elloren. "Your party will bring up the rear, until we reach the abbey. Then, brother, you can lead our assault."

"Will you give them a chance to surrender?" asked Mallora.

"No," said Elkedren.

They set out on horseback as the sun began to drop behind the horizon. Elkedren and his woodsmen rode out first, followed by the Abashites. Fericille and Mallora brought up the rear.

The sorceress had doffed her ragged cap and cloak for more practical garb and was armed with a light crossbow.

"You know how to shoot that thing?" Mallora asked.

Fericille chuckled. "Oh yes. I've done this sort of thing before. Quite a bit, actually, before I met Eamor."

"You were an adventurer."

"Does that surprise you?"

"No," said Mallora. Her hand rested lightly on the hilt of her new shortsword. "Nothing really surprises me any more."

Fericille tossed her head and laughed. "You are far too young to say anything like that, my dear."

Mallora snorted.

They made good time. By the time the moon had risen their party had turned off the main road, onto a dirt track that snaked through light forests.

"There's an actual road to the abbey?" asked Mallora.

"Oh yes," said Fericille. "Threadwood Abbey was fairly prosperous in its day."

"And now a band of thieves use it as a headquarters. How did that happen?"

"There was a plague," said Fericille. "Most of the monks died."

"Some didn't stay dead though," added Brother Elloren. 

He had dropped back toward the two women. Mallora wished he would pull his cloak over his armor. The silver chainmail gleamed in the dim moonlight.

"There were undead here?" Fericille sounded unhappy. "I didn't know that."

"It's not something the monks wanted getting out," said the paladin. "They took care of the problem. There aren't any undead now."

"Are you sure of that?" asked Mallora.

"Yes," said Brother Elloren.

Their pace slowed as they moved deeper into the forest. After a little while, they came to a stop. Elkedren and two of his men were blocking the road.

"We go on foot from here," said the Sheriff. "Through the woods."

"Have you encountered any sentries, sheriff?" asked Mallora.

"A few. They've been dealt with."

"Is it a bad thing that I hope they know we're here?" asked Brother Elloren. He unsheathed his greatsword and smiled. "That they know that justice is coming for them at last?"

"We haven't caught them yet, Sir Paladin," said Elkedren. "Leave your horses. Remi will look after them."

They dismounted and followed the Sheriff into the dark wood.