Here is the conclusion of Ashja’s quest to help find Ivy’s sister, Malora.

Turning to the left, the party crept down the corridor. Ivy checked every step, expecting traps. She found none until they reached the intersection, some thirty paces from where they’d entered. Two doors met, one leading left, the other ahead, with a blank wall on the right.

Ivy searched the walls and floor of the intersection. The wall wasn’t as blank as it looked. Her fingers found the irregular stone that tripped the mechanism, and the wall slid out of the way. Before them stood a handful of humanoids that stood upright, but had fishlike features.

The creatures rushed them before they could react.

Ashja did her best to keep the creatures at bay, trading blows with the pair rushing the passage. All the while, she fended off spear thrusts from the two behind, and dodged spells cast by the priestess. Had Rayus not stood behind keeping her healed, she certainly would have fallen.

Ivy and Zantu battered the monsters with attacks and spells of their own.

“What are those things doing here?” asked Ivy.

“I don’t know,” said Ashja. “But, I don’t like it.”

“Nor do I,” said Zantu.

“Which way do you want to go?” asked Rayus. “We have doors in all directions.”

“Yeah,” said Ivy, “but something tells me Mal ain’t down there.” She pointed down the hidden passage and began searching near the other two doors. Opposite the secret door, she found a poison dart hidden in the locking mechanism. She broke two picks but managed not to trigger the trap. The lock opened easily after removing the dart.

Ivy led the group as they crept along the dim passage. She noticed a faint footprint leading further into the underground structure. The walls had cut and finished stone rather than the rough-hewn walls of the secret passage.

“This feels like a temple,” said Rayus from behind Zantu.

Ashja stopped and thought about that.

“You’re right,” she said. “And it’s something I’m not familiar with. It makes my scalp itch.”

“My skin’s crawling,” replied Rayus. “We need to be wary of whatever power protects this place.”

“Agreed.”

They continued farther into the structure, reaching double doors carved with the likeness of one of those creatures that had ambushed them.

“This isn’t good,” said Rayus.

“Let’s go,” said Ivy. “Mal’s here, I know it!” She turned, heading toward the doors as they swung open in front of them. “Crap.”

Ashja drew her greatsword as Ivy crept behind her.

“Welcome,” said a familiar voice from behind the altar.

“Somya,” whispered Ivy.

“Very good,” said the woman. “You sshouldn’t have come here. But ssince you did, you will be our next sssacrifices!” As she spoke, her voice changed, becoming more sibilant. As her voice changed, so did her appearance as she morphed into one of the sea monsters.

Out of the shadows, two more of the monsters appeared behind her.

Ashja heard Somya whisper a faintly familiar prayer as a greenish light fell over the fish folk. As she charged forward, Rayus cast a spell, and a warm glow settled over her. Grinning, she rushed the altar, as another of the creatures tried to stop her, leading with its spear. It grazed her arm, leaving a red streak.

Somya and her guards attacked Ashja, paying little heed to the rest of them. Ivy disappeared into the nearest shadow, getting behind their attackers and damaging from behind. All the while, Zantu cast spell after devastating spell at them. Rayus did her best to keep Ashja healed, as she was the focus of the monsters.

The battle was over in a matter of moments. Ashja sat down hard. The beatings she’d taken in the last hour took their toll. Rayus handed her a flask of water, and she drank it down. She looked around to see how the rest of the group fared, but they all appeared unharmed.

“I found her!” shouted Ivy from behind the altar.

Rayus and Zantu rushed around to help Ivy. A moment later, they helped a young elf, obviously Ivy’s sister, Mal.

“She kept asking what I remembered,” came Mal’s whisper. “I kept telling her I didn’t remember anything about that time. Then she brought in those fish things, and said I’d be their dinner if I didn’t tell her.” She sobbed into Ivy’s shoulder. “I was so scared.”

“It’s over now,” said Ivy, patting her sister’s shoulder. “Let’s get you back to the inn.”

“I don’t remember anything! I don’t want to remember anything!” She leaned on Ivy.

Ashja climbed to her feet with an effort. She led the rest of her friends out of the temple, keeping a watchful eye for more of the sea monsters. This would need to be reported, but she didn’t know who to report it to. Maybe Sister Egathra would know.

For now, getting back to the inn and a meal sounded like her best plan. They’d have to contact the good sister and let her know about Mal. After that, a hot bath, of course. She ached all over. She would sleep sound this night.

To read this story from the beginning, start with Welcome to Port Freehaven