We spent the next few days waiting in the ruins for any sign of the Spear Maidens. Having a few days off was a good chance to talk and be around each other without any serious pressure. Samba gave some insightful sermons and Wrendell sang some bawdy ballads while I set up a small repair station to sharpen all our weapons. On the third day the lookout noticed someone coming up the hill very sneakily and quietly. Everyone got into position in case of trouble but it was the Spear Maidens, well only two of them. Wrendell went out to greet them but was told to stand aside while they prayed and gave reverence to their patron Sister Adelined. As we waited the sound of hoof beats was heard getting nearer and suddenly a squad of mounted soldiers -- a local undead lord and his bodyguard, came riding up the approach road. The riders charged forward with lances drawn taking us by surprise though it didn't take long for us to unsaddle a few riders and they lost their fire. One of the guards even turned traitor when he saw that we were going to win the fight. We soon had the group beaten and had our meeting with the two Spear Maidens, Sisters Olga and Doritka The Spear Maidens told us that their unit had recently been attacked and some members were captured by Ghostknights. The maidens were taken to a nearby fort Orzelberg and are being held prisoner. The traitorous guard offered some clues about the situation. He only knew that they were going to be used as part of a ritual. Probably a blood sacrifice. The guard Casper explains that he was drafted into the army and was unhappy for a long time but could see no way out. He is still really scared but agrees to lead us to the settlement where the fort overlooks a bridge. He also mentioned knowledge of a possible secret entrance to the fort though he personally thinks that is just rumor. As we entered the settlement folk quickly made themselves scarce, not wanting to draw any attention from strangers. Casper led us to the village inn, a rundown dive patronised by slack jawed loungers. What were these locals to make of these odd strangers accompanied by a guard? They were all pretty fearful and kept very tight lipped when Wrendell openly announced our plan to break into the fort on a dangerous rescue mission. None of the patrons openly offered any credible information though I think that Nickolai may have made note of some signals beyond my notice and once we left the inn and the locals all headed home, he followed up with the contact to learn the truth of the secret entrance. The next morning we prepared for the rescue. One of the Spear Maidens and Casper the guard stayed behind at the stables with the horses and the main group set off to the entrance hidden in a cave in a nearby woods. We have to push through the rough stone passage quite slowly. I used my skills to great effect to aid the party's passage though eventually getting to a short ladder and a trapdoor. I climb up into what seems to be a storage room and help a few others up. As I pull Nickolai up though, something drops from the ceiling. A flapping creature of skin like a bat tries to envelope the living and suck the life from them. The Skin bats are soon destroyed though and we are all inside the room. We can now start our exploration of the fort. Samba used his magic to keep us invisible to undead then we went into the next room of the building. It became clear we were in a tower. Stairs led up several floors and from the small arrow slits we could see outside into a larger courtyard patrolled by a large undead creature. Strom scouted ahead to check for enemies and noticed a few things of interest. A gnome sleeping in one room and further up another Ghost Knight. Wrendell agreed to stay below and watch the door while the rest of us went upstairs to deal with things. While exploring one of us made a disturbance which alerted the Ghost knight then things got confusing. Strom became separated from the main party and had to hold the roof. The Ghost knight came down with a group of skeletons and there was a bit of a scuffle but we came out triumphant though there is a good chance the rest of the fort may now be aware of the trouble.
