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We had no trouble from the orcs overnight. By morning they had discovered that most of the remaining giant forces had fled and were intent on freeing their comrades still confined elsewhere in the cellars.
Befoe assisting them in this task we detoured down a side passage to an old temple which even the orcs were avoiding. I have seen other disturbing architecture in my travels, but I could have done without more. Wengus encountered something in an alcove behind the altar and was disturbed enough to wish to leave, which was good enough for me. Sanctifying this temple can be the Kings problem.
A couple of drunk giants were the only further resistance we encountered. Orcs freed we returned to a locked door previously passed by, eventually breaking through into a wine cellar. Some of the wine was so good that Moriana passed out shortly after sampling it. Quite a lot of it, but not so much that that she wasn't sheepish on awaking.
After this events moved at a more lesiurely pace. The garrison force I had sent the elven prisoner to fetch arrived, and we paid them well for their trouble with some of the treasure we had found. Their sharp-eyed scouts found some secret doors we had missed and more loot was accumulated along with sure proof that the giants are being guided by another hand. There are even directions to a frost-giant steading, and magical means to get there, although the name signed to the orders for these giants is a human name.
With wagons loaded with treasure we returned to the King to tell him our mission was accomplished and pass on news of the greater threat. There was a great feast in our honor and the King further 'rewarded' our success with right to the land about the steading, to tax, maintain, fortify and defend (on his behalf).
As my companions and I have only known each other for a few days (although it does seem much longer) I'm unsure how this will work out. Certainly I am not sure I wish to give up wandering and settle here and none of the others appear more inclined. Although as the King has also requested we 'investigate' the frost giants our adventuring days are by no means finished.
~~~
A few other notes:
- The giants had enough treasure that they (or we now) could probably just have purchased the kingdom. I hope we have made a dent in the treasury of this unknown mover - we have only his name on a letter.
- Two of the swords we recovered were possessed of intelligence (including the one disguised as a torch), and there is a scarab of which I am highly suspicious. In my travels I've never yet met an item with a mind of it's own that didn't also have an agenda of it's own (it was such an item which took Tirana from us). One has been disposed of but Wengus carries the other.
- It will take some time to secure the steading and equip for an expedition into the icy wastes. Maybe two seasons, maybe four.
- in the meantime the temple, the orcs and whatever else lies in unexcavated sections of the dungeon turn out to be our problem, after all.
