Plans of the Red Caps

Gnestor wouldn't be as relaxed if he knew of what had transpired at his home.

The assault on Gnestor's home in the hill had been well planned. Hidden in the woods, they saw him arrive, unpack his bags and go inside. The large falcon let out a call and took to the skies for its own concerns. Morlech, the crafty leader of the Red Caps had the group wait until under the cover of night when their prey would most likely be asleep. The zombies that they were commissioned with would be at their most powerful and frightening. And, Red Caps always liked to strike from the cover of darkness.

What would have been several bells after sundown, he commanded through the ring given him the group of zombies to begin their assault accompanied by three of his comrades. He and Abneg stayed under the cover of the woods, serving as back-up and cover, looking out for other gnomes that might hear the ruckus or just happen to be wandering by. They failed to watch the skies though, never considered that the giant bird might have never flown very far or might return to sleep here for the night.

As soon as the zombies began to cross the clearing, she let out a loud screech and attacked, clawing and biting at the rear-most zombie. Her size was considerably larger than the average bird of prey, the zombie quickly lost one of its eyes and deep gouges ran across its face and shoulders. The attack sent the zombies closest into a frenzy as they sensed fresh meat. Only the lead zombie continued on his ordered mission, to break down the small door which surprisingly resisted his blows.

The three Red Caps in the clearing were at a complete loss. Even after the months with the zombies, they didn't really know how to coordinate their attacks with them. The considered them a necessity foistered on them by their employer and used them as a club on the enemy. Likewise, they were trained how to fight and kill most of the sentient races, but a bird of prey that could carry off one of them in each taloned claw had them dumbfounded. The ambitious Heggar darted in with his spiked cudgel but as he got close a flapping wing struck him and sent him stumbling into one of the zombies. Afraid that the contact might send the zombie after him, he jumped up and backed away swinging the cudgel back and forth in a menacing manner.

"Idiot," thought Morlech. Zombies didn't know fear or intimidation. If it decided to go after him in its need for fresh flesh, mere show of strength wouldn't dissuade it. He was glad that this Gnestor had chosen to live apart from his fellows, as the bird's cries would have roused any nearby homes. The element of surprise was no longer possible, the gnome inside would have to be awake and probably preparing some sort of defenses. Gnomes liked having all sorts of magical knick knacks.

By this point, the bird had several wounds of her own, from the bites and clawing of the zombies. Even if it flew away and they were treated, infection would probably still set in and kill the creature. Black viscuous blood oozed from scores of wounds on the zombies, but their attack was no less frenzied. Despite himself, Morlech was impressed by her tenacity, power and faithfulness to her absent master.

"Does she wonder why her master doesn't come to her calls and aid," he thought.

The door finally collapsed under the one zombie's attack, but it couldn't fit through. Predictably, Heggar was the the first to shove past the undead creature and entered the home, followed by his two compatriots. The zombie began tearing at the door, widening the hole. Morlech signaled to Abneg to continue standing watch, and Morlech moved out of the woods, crossed the clearing and stepped inside the house.

Morlech and the others were a little taller than the average gnome and had to bend over to navigate through the house. He saw the runes on the inside of the door frame, explaining its amazing durability. The home struck him as being little more than a hovel, with cramped walls and earthen stench no matter how much it was beautied up. Gnestor was obviosuly well traveled and read as there were objects from various lands and chapbooks and scrolls stuffed into shelves and cubbyholes.

"He's not here," called out Heggar and Morlech nodded.

One of the other Red Caps, Jekk said, "He had an escape tunnel, Jome is checking it out."

Jekk and Jome were brothers and worked well together. They often boasted they could read each others' mind and it certainly seemed that way at times. Morlech felt it was more of a case of them just knowing each other's moves and habits so well. He looked around the rooms but his inspection focused mainly on the chair with the empty glass and mostly empty bottle of wine beside it. The fact the bottle hadn't been put away told him that this was where Gnestor had been before wakened by their assault. He picked up the letter from the side table and read over it and smiled.

"Jekk, get Jome and meet me outside with Abneg. Heggar, look for any items of magic or obvious value. Also, raid his store of supplies. No more than we can carry in our packs and be able to move quickly. Don't be greedy."

He left the house and glanced at the zombies devouring the bird. They would need the meat. They all bore scars of the battle, missing eyes, ears and fingers. One had lost an arm that would take weeks of rest and fresh meat to recover. Another's arm was barely attached and missing his hand on the other arm. If he knew of a skilled necromancer, he could probably take the parts of one or two for the others, quickly aiding the regenerative process. He doubted that there were any known practicing necromancers or dark alchemists in the area. He would have to make do as best as he could.

When Jekk and Jome joined him and Abneg in the woods, he said, "While our quarry has escaped, it's only temporary. With this letter, we know where he's going. More importantly, we now have the information regarding the druids that our employer is looking for."

He looked at the group. Jekk and Jome worked too well together to split up. Heggar would volunteer, actually insist on the mission he was planning. However, he took too many risks, too eager. He'd readily build up his own role in their missions and surreptitiously plant questions of Morlech's leadership and ability. Morlech preferred to keep him where he could watch the overly ambitious assassin. Thus, he had assigned Heggar the role of looting the gnome's home, knowing it would take him a little while as he always looked for ways to line his own pockets.

"Abneg, I need you to take the most direct route back to our employer. Show him this letter. Let him know that we follow as quickly as possible with his menions, making for this backwater village Fesselwick. We will spy it out and get more information for him, meeting him there or you with his orders. Potentially, all on his list will be there and we will kill them for the agreed upon prices. If he wants us to kill the druids as well, they will be twice the rate of the others, per druid that we find."

"If you should see this gnome on the way, kill him if the opportunity presents itself. But, your primary mission is to get this news back North."

It was a matter of minutes and Abneg slung a light pack over his back and left the group with a smile on his lips. An important mission and an opportunity to earn a bit of extra coin on his own. Alone with his tell-tale gear stashed, he could pass himself off as a goblinoid traveler on a personal pilgrimage. He could travel by the roads to the villages, possibly hire himself out to a caravan or get passage on a north-bound ship. He would make the trip in a fraction of the time and there'd be plenty of opportunity to dip his red hat in the blood of a victim or two. After all, he had to keep his skills and magicks sharp. Maybe he'd even make a slight detour to Fesselwick and cross a few names off that list. That would certainly earn him a bonus or two.

Heggar was fuming when he found out that he had been passed over for the special mission. His thoughts ran the same lines of Abneg's concerning a little personal glory though that little sycophant would sing Morlech's praises over choosing him. Meanwhile, he was stuck sticking to the woods with the smell of rotting undead. As a result, he was a little less than honest about the loot from Gnestor's home. He kept a ring for himself that he was sure possessed some magical ability though he wasn't sure what it was as well as some gold loop earrings that he could pass off as something he bought the next time they were in town. Morlech called the zombies from their feast and they set fire to Gnestor's home, throwing in the remains of the valiant bird and zombie body parts to be consumed by the fire. For the next few hours they walked through the woods, following the general route Abneg took. An hour from dawn, he ordered a rest and the zombies all laid on the ground. He and the others covered them with leaves, twigs and some handfuls of dirt the best they were able. A full grave would be best, but they'd be able to draw a little sustenance from it. He gave Jekk and Jome the first watch while he and Heggar slept.

He thought little of the gnome that they had set out to kill. Maybe they or Abneg would find him the next day or the day after that. At the very least, they'd meet up again in Fesselwick. However, their way was a more direct one while Gnestor headed more North-East. Thinking his enemies would be pursuing him and hampered, he had not foreseen them finding the letter, splitting forces and taking a different route. Instead of behind him, they stood to reaching Fesselwick well ahead of him.