OLD SKOOL CAMPAIGN INTERLUDE - ELSEWHERE, IN THE TEMPLE...

Commander Hedrack relaxes in his bedchambers, the two young slave women that he had spent the morning with were sleeping, or unconscious; he wasn't sure which and really didn't care.  They served their purpose.  He rises from bed and prepares to pour himself a glass of wine when   someone knocks on his door.

"Come" he said, as the wine pours into the glass.

The door opens and Commander Feldrin enters.  "Sorry to disturb you, my lord, but we have a problem."

"What is it now, Feldrin?  Are the priests going at it again?"  Hedrack takes a sip and realizes his robes are open.  He doesn't bother closing them.  The commander averts his eyes, concentrating on looking at Hedrack's head.  He darts a quick glance over at the bed where the two girls lay and he secretly hopes that Hedrack doesn't have the red headed one sacrificed.  She had caught his eye a few days ago when his troops brought in the latest catch.  He still hoped to get sloppy seconds.

"The mercenary Zert says that the group that he had encountered outside of Hommlet have found their way here.  They're up in the tower and it's not looking good for the guards.  It's only a matter of time before they find the hatch and the tunnel and make their way into these dungeons."

Hedrack takes another sip then something dawns on him.  "Wait, aren't these the ones that we sent the assassin to take care of?"

"Yes sir" replied Feldrin.

"I assume that means that he failed then."  The tone in Hedrack's voice was that of annoyance. 

"Yes sir.  I sent some people after him to reclaim the sum he collected from us for the job.  They'll ensure that he is not a loose end."  Feldrin shifted uneasily as one of the girls fell of the bed and hit her head on the black tile floor.  She didn't wake up.  At least it wasn't the red-head.

Hedrack sips his wine, then after a moment passes with no further information from Feldrin, he puts his glass down and faces the man.  "Well, what else do you have to tell me Feldrin.  Can't you see I'm in the middle of my morning workout?"

"I'm sorry sir, but this group is apparently well armed and they have a Knight of the Hart and a Pholtus priest in their number.  If the assassin couldn't take even one of them out, then they are also very resourceful."

Hedrack stands and faces Feldrin, robe wide open.  "You are concerned that this group can disrupt our operation here, is that it?"

Feldrin turns his head to look at the wall.  "Yes sir. As I said, they seem to be…"

"Yes, I heard you Commander" interrupts Hedrack.  "I'm not interested in this group of tomb robbers.  Deal with them.  I have bigger concerns weighing upon me.  If this isn't a matter about the priests, the summonings of the elementals into our army, or a change in the status of the wards imprisoning the Lady Zuggtmoy, then I don't care.  Understood?"

Feldrin looks at Hedrack again and the priest smiles as the fear that should have been there all along creeps into the Commander's eyes.  "Y…yes sir.  I just thought…"

"You are not here to think, Feldrin, you are here to keep prying eyes away from this place so that we can finish our work and begin the task of making the nations of Veluna and Furyondy pay for their interruption of Lord Iuz's plans!  If you can't handle the job, I’m sure I can add another name to the list of sacrifices to be made today!  Do I make myself clear, Commander?"

"Perfectly clear sir.  My apologies for the interruption.  I will head up to the tower myself with the bugbear and handle it."  He turns to leave, when Hedrack responds and he stops.

"Do not fail Lord Iuz, Feldrin.  You know what happens to those that do…"

The Commander turns his head slightly, then continues walking out and shuts the door behind him. 

Hedrack scowls and opens his wardrobe and begins dressing.  He was hoping to get another round in with the ladies, but this news has bothered the priest more than he let on with Feldrin.  If this is the same group that reportedly took out Lareth in the moathouse, then they are, indeed, a problem.  But Commander Feldrin is a capable warrior and the bugbear always enjoy an unfair fight.  

Hedrack finishes dressing, summons a guard to take the ladies back to their cells and goes into the adjoining chamber to make his report to Lord Iuz.  He is somewhat nervous, as his report is a few days overdue and this latest news of interlopers is not something that he needs at the moment.  They are already behind schedule because of the constant bickering of the elemental priests.  The army of elementals should be at least twice as large as it is.  But at least he has some good news to share with his lord.

The shrine room to Iuz the Old lights magically as Hedrack enters.  He kneels before the altar and concentrates, praying to his god.  A moment later he hears the familiar voice whispering in his mind.  

"HEDRACK, MY CHILD.  WHAT NEWS FROM THE TEMPLE?"

Hedrack looks up and sees the visage of Iuz, a disembodied head floating above the altar.  He has taken on his "old man" countenance, which he does when he is at peace, which is fortunate for Hedrack.  "My Lord Iuz the Almighty and Righteous Ruler of the Flanaess!  Skull King!  Lord of Bones!  He Who Walks Between Worlds!  Your faithful servant Hedrack seeks Your guidance and wisdom."

"SPEAK, VOICE OF IUZ."

Hedrack rises and clears his throat.  "My Lord, plans proceed more slowly than anticipated.  There has been bickering between the elemental temples and the priests are constantly attempting to betray each other.  It is only by your power, invested through me, Your humble servant, Your Voice, that has kept them from betraying the truce and prevented all out war between the temples.  But production has suffered.  My deepest apologies my Lord."

"THIS WAS ANTICIPATED, MY CHILD.  I FORESAW THE DIFFICULTIES YOU WOULD ENCOUNTER AND I HAVE TAKEN STEPS TO VEER EYES AWAY FROM YOU TO BUY YOU TIME.  CONTINUE YOUR WORK WITH THE PRIESTS.  NOW, WHAT NEWS OF YOUR OTHER DUTY?  HAVE YOU MADE CONTACT WITH HER?"

Hedrack breathes a sigh of relief and regains his confidence.  "Yes, Lord Iuz.  Contact has been made and she is aware of our attempts to free her.  The Golden Orb has successfully breached the damnable defenses placed there by the Alliance, but the connection is weak.  Still, she knows that my Lord still seeks to free her and that has given her renewed strength."

"EXCELLENT.  SHE IS OUR ONLY LINK TO THE ELDER EYE, HOWEVER SHE IS ALSO THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS CHANNELED THE ELDER EYE'S POWER.  WE KNOW NOT WHAT EFFECT THAT HAS HAD UPON HER WHILE SHE SLUMBERED.  NOR DO WE KNOW IF THAT CONNECTION CONTINUES.  IF SHE CAN BRING FORTH THE ELDER EYE FROM HIS REALM TO COMMAND THE ARMY OF ELEMENTALS, THEN WE WILL BE UNSTOPPABLE!"

"Yes, Lord, it will be glorious!"

"HEED ME, HEDRACK.  THE ORB IS A POWERFUL ARTIFACT CRAFTED BY MYSELF AND THE LADY ZUGGTMOY AND MISTRESS LOLTH.  USE SPARINGLY AND WITH CARE.  WHEN NOT IN USE, REMOVE THE ELEMENTAL GEMS AND HIDE THEM IN THEIR ELEMENTAL NODES SO THAT THEY MAY RECHARGE THEIR POWER.  GUARD THE ORB WITH YOUR LIFE, FOR IT IS THE LADY ZUGGTMOY'S WEAKNESS.  SHOULD THESE INTERLOPERS THAT SEEK TO DISRUPT MY PLANS GAIN POSSESSION OF IT, THE LADY ZUGGTMOY COULD BE IN PERIL.  YES, I KNOW OF YOUR TROUBLES, HEDRACK MY SON.  YOUR MIND AND SOUL IS OPEN TO ME.  THE KNIGHT, THE PRIEST, THE OFFWORLDER MONK, AND THE OUTCAST DWARF ARE UNWITTING AGENTS OF LAW, WHOSE FORCES CONTINUE TO MOVE AGAINST THE ALLIANCE I BUILT WITH THE LADY ZUGGTMOY AND MISTRESS LOLTH.  BUT I WILL NOT BE SO EASILY TWARTED!"

Hedrack's nervousness returns as Iuz's rage grows, his countenance changes from that of an old man to that of a monstrous demon!

"GO NOW AND FIND THE AGENTS OF LAW, HEDRACK!  USE ALL OF THE FORCES IN YOUR COMMAND, FOR THEY MUST NOT GAIN THE GOLDEN ORB!"

Hedrack bows in reverence and says, "As you command, Lord Iuz." 

The priest goes back to his  chambers, dons his armor and weapons and summons the wizard Falrinth and Redhand, the monk.