A Tale of Two Elves“By the trees! Snailmen!” yelped Nithe. “Are you sure this is where that fort is supposed to be?” she asked as they ran behind some trees.
“I'm positive. Alatha and Imere were quite detailed in their directions. Look, there is the twisty chetsnut with the impish knot half way up, and right here is that highwood with the three branches like arms.” replied Iferi as they ducked behind said tree to watch the Snailmen.
“Well I sure hope this trip is worth it. I hate snails.” muttered Nithe.
“Oh don't worry it will be. You know how those insane hairballs like sunberries.” said Imere. “Now come on, I think the snailmen are wandering off.”
The two elves cautiously crept through the forest until they spotted the distinctive, and horror of horrors wooden, shape of a dwarven trade depot.
“Urgh, I don't know which is worse, all those poor murdered trees or the two Snailmen standing outside.” said Nithe repressing a shudder.
(Pesky snails.)
“The snailmen.” replied Iferi. “Where are the dwarves? Alatha mentioned that their leader was this crazy axe wielding fellow, he should have no problems keeping the depot free.”
“I don't know. Maybe we should just go home. I don't like this place at all.” said Nithe.
“Oh don't be such a timid sprout.” Said Iferi as they waited for the Snailmen to wander away. “Maybe the dwarves just haven't seen us yet. They do tend to like to live buried in the ground like root rot.”
The snailmen suddenly started slithering off as fast as they could away from the fort.
“Wonder what spooked them?” pondered Nithe.
“Maybe they heard the dwarves coming. Come on, lets unload.” said Iferi leading his mule towards the depot.
“I didn't know Snailmen had ears.” commented Nithe as she followed Iferi to the depot.
Iferi shrugged. “Probably feel vibrations in the ground and with the hairballs living underground its not surprising they would sense them before we did.”
The two elves set about unloading their goods while casting wary looks about them in case the snailmen should return.
“I don't like this at all. Why haven't the dwarves shown up yet?” said Nithe.
Iferi glanced about nerviously, “Dammit Nithe, now your starting to spook me as well. Just calm your sap would you?”
“I just can't shake this uneasy feeling of dread.” said Nithe.
“Look it's probably just all these murdered tree's spirits haunting the place.” said Iferi.
“And that's supposed to make me feel better?” snapped Nithe.
Just then they heard some guttural yelps and shouts in the woods.
“GOBLINS!” they both yelled together, their pointy ears standing straight out from their heads in fright.
(What? Why? They must /really/ want those bone crafts Jarvous was working on.)
They ran up to the pair of doors near the depot. “I'm too young to be made into a necklace!” cried Nithe. “Come on, the dwarves are bound to show up now!” shouted Iferi as he pulled Nithe up to the fortress walls. They tried both doors but found them firmly locked. “Oh lefmold!” swore Iferi. “Help! Oh by the sunshine help!” started wailing Nithe as the sounds of the goblins got closer.
Then, as if things were not bad enough, the goblin shouts to the east were joined by more to the north just around the corner of the fort. Both elves watered the plants in terror. Just then, a click from one of the doors let in a brief ray of hope. “The dwarves! They are here!” cheered Iferi who, for the first time in his life would have loved to see an axe.
No dwarves appeared though. Still when they tried the door, they found it opened easily. “Come on!” said Iferi, dragging Nithe inside the fort. “They probably have some sort of trap set up and are waiting for the goblins to come to them. All we need to do is follow whomever opened the door and we should be safe!”
Sure enough, when they got inside the walls they spotted one of the dwarves running away to a door on the far side. “That must be the fellow who unlocked the door for us! Wait up! We are coming!” shouted Iferi.
The two elves ran after the dwarf as he went across the room and through another door. Just as they arrived though, the door slammed shut in their faces accompanied by a loud click as the lock was engaged.
Horrified the two beat on the door until a gleeful harsh cry caused them to turn around. Just inside the door from the depot stood a pair of goblins holding large whips in their small green hands. In despair the elves realized that there was indeed a trap, but it wasn't for the goblins.
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Topic: Apexwhips - Convicts at large (Read 23988 times)