The sound of distant fighting and the scream of dying men seems to echo from everywhere, but thankfully from far off. Hart Stonefield, his face anxious, continues to lead the group through the streets of Baldur’s Gate, now empty of thugs and gangs, though the occasional corpse is a grim reminder of what the streets were like less than an hour prior to Nulara’s army entering the city.
The ex-Flaming Fist lieutenant pauses, waiting for Gerrick , Bartholomew, Morpheus, Legion, Omarlyn and Asturean to gather around him.
“I followed Homfray to the plaza just three blocks that way,” Hart says pointing to the east of the group, “Remember the layout I sketched out for you. The Zhentarim will have archers on the rooftops for sure. And they had men garrisoned in the large building. It was a small army there the last time I saw it, but Nulara’s forces should have drawn all the Zhentarim to either the palace of the Flaming Fist headquarters. This means, we’ll need to hit fast and get into the sewers as quickly as possible.”
“What about navigating the passages below?” Morpheus asks . Stonefield’s face forms into worried lines.
“I’m not sure what we’ll find,” Hart says, “I’m hoping someone guarding it may have a map or some sort of document from the Cult of the Dragon on them. If any of my assumptions are incorrect, we’ll be doomed anyway. Remember, time is of the essence, we may already be too late.”
“Wait.” Asturean says, as he cocks his head slightly, “Quiet a moment.” The group stands frozen, suddenly peering into the shadows all around them.”
“I hear it too.” Omarlyn says moments before the rest of them begin to hear the echoing sound of a large approaching force.
“Damn our luck!” Stonefield declares angrily. “It sounds like they may be returning!”
“What now?” Gerrick says, his brow furrowed in thought. Stonefield doesn’t hesitate and draws his sword as he takes a handful of steps away from the group.
“Go. All of you. I will stop them, or delay them, whatever it takes.” he says.
“Are you insane?” Gerrick says incredulously, “You can’t fight an army on your own, you fool.”
“Stopping Homfray is more important than anything else! There is no time to waste. This city depends on it. Go!” Stonefield shouts as he charges down the street away from them.
“We can’t let him go alone!” Gerrick says appalled. The group looks at one another, before Legion steps away from them.
“I’ll go.” The shade says, “I can certainly be of use against a large number of foes.” A silence lingers in the air, before the group begins to move in the opposite direction from Legion and Hart, and only Gerrick seems to hesitate. The shade half smiles at the dwarf, who nods his head respectfully in return.
“Good luck.” Gerrick says finally.
“I will catch up with you when I am done.” Legion says with confidence.
“See that you do,” Gerrick says, as he turns to follow the rest of his companions.
