Fatima's Diary

reflections for the lost

56. Empire First, Village SECOND

The village can be saved, but not by standing around and arguing which group of vile monsters should be destroyed first. I regretted telling my companions within earshot of Bramblebeard that there were giants approaching the town. His bullheaded hatred and thirst for giant blood was at the least annoying. We compromised as thus:

One - I would fly down to the village and warn them quickly of their impending doom, so they could evacuate or ready for defense.

Two - Malakon, Labrinnon, and I will fly up to the descending Hill Giants, and rain magical doom down upon them. Malakon with his Wand of Cold, I with Alial's Necklace of Fireballs, and Labrinnon with his vast magical knowledge.

Three - Then we would meet back up with our companions and exact terrible vengeance upon the wicked Salamanders.

Bramblebeard could feel free to come back to these lands and hunt giants on his own time. We are on the Emperor's time, and it is coming short.

I flew down and warned the townspeople, to their shock, but they did appear to be taking seriously my appearance and grim warning. Malakon, Labrinnon and I met in the air and flew low across the treetops, and then flew with our backs to the sun and rained down magical fury upon the Giants. Their leader succumbed to our Fireballs and frosty Cones of Cold. They rained literally a hail torso-sized boulders at us, many of which I was barely able to deflect with my magical Shield of Force that I summon during combat. Harrowing cold poured forth from his Wand of Cold was what ultimately broke their morale, and it slew their leader after I softened him for its teeth with two Fireballs that blossomed from the necklace Alial lent me.

...

Terrible and swift also was our dispersing of the Salamander threat. First we had dispatched their kin deep in the mines, where cold earth gave forth to lakes of fire and lava so unbearably hot it stung my eyes to glance at it. Foul brimstone heavily coated the air as we raced about and slew Salamanders in their fiery baths. It was not until much expenditure of effort that we discovered that all the Noble Salamanders were topside, planning their attack rendezvous in the pitiful mining town against the giants. Lobar was able to track them by their foul scent alone, catching tiny traces through the wind when they did not leave scorched tracks when they traveled.