Finally, as the chamber fell silent, Lexi and Tarquin stood before them, their weapons still dripping with blood. The ancient artifact glowed brighter than ever in Tarquin's tight grip, its light casting out shadows across the walls in eerie, dancing silhouettes. The remaining bandits, afraid to challenge Tarquin for the prize.
As he stood there examining the artifact he understood it was the Statue of Fortuity, an ancient artifact of immense power, believed to bestow blessings of luck and fortune upon its possessor. Crafted by a long-lost civilization, it exudes an aura of mystique and wonder. Those who come into contact with it are said to experience a sudden surge of serendipitous events, as if the very fabric of fate bends to their will. Perhaps that explained their success in the battle.
The statue is rumored to have the ability to influence the outcome of chance encounters, tipping the scales of fortune in favor of its owner. It is said to bring unexpected windfalls, opportunities, and strokes of luck, turning the tides of fate in the most fortuitous of ways.
However, the artifact's power is not without consequence. Some whisper of a price to be paid for its blessings, a balancing of luck that demands sacrifices of equal measure. As such, those who seek its favor must tread carefully, lest they incur the wrath of forces beyond their control.
The bandits and goblins, seeing that we were more than mere adventurers, but possessing strength beyond the power of the artifact, began to surrender before them. In exchange for their lives they offered Tarquin and Lexi access to their treasures and riches, also promising allegiance and service. With the fighting now ended Tarquin and Lexi could see that there were families that also lived in the stronghold, women and children peeking at them from inside the building. Lexi, her face still set in a determined expression, gestured for them to rise.
"We will look at what you have to offer but we will not leave you without. We have no need for all of your gold or your service, but we will take some as a reminder of the price of choosing the way of the sword" she declared, her voice ringing through the chamber. "We do seek knowledge and the truth about this artifact." The creatures exchanged uncertain glances, unsure of what to make of her words. "Your cooperation will dictate the level of gold left behind."
Looking at the few remaining goblins, Tarquin spoke, "Leave this place now, and never return you take with you your lives. Failure to do so, they will be forfeit." With those words spoken, the remaining goblins quickly retreated from the stronghold, disappearing into the forest.
"Very well," one of the bandits said, stepping forward. "We can help you with the artifact. There is an ancient library deep within the mountain, hidden from all but a few. It holds countless tomes and scrolls, some dating back to the time before the dragons fell. It is there that you will find the answers you seek."
Lexi nodded grimly. "Thank you. We will need guides to lead us there. And supplies."
The bandits exchanged glances, looking uncertain. One of them cleared his throat. "We could offer you that. But in exchange, you must allow us to keep a few of our treasures. The rest you may claim as your own."
Lexi considered their request for a moment. She knew that they were still wary of us, but she also understood the need for information. "Very well," she said finally. "Tarquin will visit your treasure room and identify those items we will keep; the rest shall remain yours. In return, you will guide us to the library and provide us with supplies. Agreed?"
The bandits nodded in agreement. Lexi reached out and clasped hands with the bandit who had spoken before. "Then it is settled. We leave for the library at first light. Until then, we will need a place to rest and prepare."
The chamber slowly began to fill with the murmur of conversation as the survivors discussed the terms of their agreement. Tarquin glanced at Lexi, still holding the ancient artifact in his hand, and nodded his pleasure with the agreement she had struck.
Tarquin was escorted to their vault. Upon inspection he gathered a few things. Three of them, while they did not appear valuable, gave off a clear pulse of magic. Two other valuable-looking items also contained magic. Tarquin gathered them and put them in the bag he would take with him. Looking around he found three more valuable items, a sword and two rings which he collected along with one bag of gold. Other than the magic items, which the bandits would not have been able to assess in terms of value, it appeared they were taking a very small percentage of the total treasure in the bandit's possession.
As he was about to leave, Tarquin noticed a beautiful set of jewelry, a necklace, two earrings and bracelet. They were a matching set, inlaid with diamonds, rubies and emeralds. He picked up the set with the intention of giving it to Lexi for all of her hard work. The bandits, on seeing what was left behind considered themselves very fortunate.
As the bandits set about gathering supplies and readying themselves for the trek through the mountain, Tarquin and Lexi found a comfortable spot to rest. The chamber was surprisingly well-appointed, with makeshift beds and even a small firepit. They stripped off their bloodied armor and weapons, revealing the wounds they had sustained during the battle. Lexi sat down beside Tarquin, wincing as she removed a dagger from her shoulder.
"You know," she said, her voice softening, "I never thought I'd see the day when I'd be fighting alongside a goblin."
Tarquin chuckled, wincing as he wiped the dried blood from his face. "Well, you did a fine job back there. Better than most humans I've fought with. Even though, in the end we ended up fighting against the goblins too."
Lexi smiled at that. "Thank you. But it was you and the artifact that did most of the work. It's like it gave me an extra edge, made my strikes more precise."
Tarquin nodded, thinking about the power the artifact had granted them. "It's not just the strength and speed it gives us. It's the way it enhances our senses, makes us feel more in tune with our surroundings. It's like fighting with the world itself as your weapon."
Lexi expressed her concerns as well, "Remember we cannot use it too much, it may try to balance things out at the wrong time, and we could end up with a run of bad luck that could cost us dearly."
As the bandits around them settled in for the night, Tarquin found himself watching Lexi, as she tended to her wounds, unable to tear his gaze away from her. There was something about her that drew him in, some inexplicable connection that went beyond their shared struggle.
Perhaps it was another effect caused by the artifact.